MURDER AT SEA CAPTAIN’S INN
SERIES: Book Magic Mysteries #2
GENRE: Cozy Mystery / Magical Realism
PUBLISHER: Lake House Press
RELEASE DATE: July 20, 2021
PAGES: 233
Generation after generation of Lane women die in childbirth, while the sea claims the men.
Pippin Lane Hawthorne’s grand opening of Sea Captain’s Inn is tainted when a scholar studying the Lost Colony of Roanoke is brutally murdered. Like the black crow that hangs around the old house, could the untimely death be a harbinger of dark things to come?
When her twin brother, Grey, begins bucking the curse by risking his life in the waters of the Outer Banks, Pippin lives in terror that he’ll be the next Lane male to be swallowed by the sea. Now she must use her gift of bibliomancy to save her brother, solve the murder, and end a two thousand year old pact.
Other Books In This Series
It’s been a long time since I’ve been so excited about a series that I stalk the internets for word on the next installment, but that’s exactly how I feel about the Book Magic Mystery series by Melissa Bourbon. I did a giddy little dance when Murder at Sea Captain’s Inn released and I’m already eagerly waiting (read: stalking the internets) for the next book! The magical realism elements (the family curse, the bibliomancy, Irish mythology, etc.) are so intriguing to me and keep me fully engaged in the read. Add in whispers about the Lost Colony, like Murder at Sea Captain’s Inn does, and I’m even giddier.
Since we first met the Hawthorne twins, Grey has started his own woodworking business and Pippin has turned their inherited old home on the Outer Banks into a B&B. The Sea Captain’s Inn’s grand opening is right around the corner, so of course you know that means murder will shortly be afoot! There are a lot of elements and characters in play in this story, and each one enhances the plot rather than overwhelming it. Not only does Pippin have to deal with her first guests at the B&B and then the murder mystery, she also persists in her efforts to master the nuances of her bibliomancy gift, get to the bottom of the family curse, and break it. Meanwhile, Grey is balking at the curse’s limits and finding it more difficult to fight the pull of the sea, so Pippin has those added fears on her plate …. and then there’s the archeological dig on the island with rumors of Lost Colony evidence. I enjoyed sorting through the various story threads to determine what was pertinent to the curse, what was related to the murder mystery, and what was neither. It kept me on my toes and glued to the page.
Bottom Line: Murder at Sea Captain’s Inn by Melissa Bourbon is an intriguing and well-written installment in what has quickly become one of my fave series. The murder mystery is skillfully plotted and cleverly presented, full of twists, turns and surprises from the victim to the culprit. The elements of magical realism are what makes this series stand out from the rest, and this latest novel whets your appetite for even more. In addition, the author’s love of great books is palpable (and kudos to her for finding the perfect book snippet for the appropriate moment of book magic), and the characters are so compelling. And don’t even get me started on how much I love Pippin’s deaf Vizsla rescue dog, Sailor, or how I’m still pulling for a Pippin-Jamie romance. Bring on more books in this great series!
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4.5 stars / love it!
Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that there is some cursing & profanity scattered infrequently throughout this novel.
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Also available to read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Melissa Bourbon is the national bestselling author of more than twenty-five mystery books, including the Book Magic mysteries, the Lola Cruz Mysteries, A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series, and the Bread Shop Mysteries, written as Winnie Archer. She is a former middle school English teacher who gave up the classroom in order to live in her imagination full time. Melissa lives in North Carolina with her educator husband, Carlos. She is beyond fortunate to be living the life of her dreams.
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What about you? What makes you want to read Murder at Sea Captain’s Inn by Melissa Bourbon?
A mystery set in my favorite place, the Outer Banks, and mention of the ever intriguing Lost Colony really grabbed my attention. Your exciting review has me anxiously hoping I can win a copy of Murder at Sea Captain’s Inn!
yay!!
Love the book cover, setting, plots. I’m so intrigued that I want to read and review this book in print format. Love books like.
If I were in a bookstore I’d want to read this book in print. Murder at the sea Captain’s Inn sounds exciting.
Hope I Win this book
Thank you for such an amazing review, Carrie! XOXO
I’m new to blogging & have been awaay from reading for quite awhile, due to health issues. I’m slowly re-entering and came across your blog. Please be patient with me, as an 88 yr old, I don’t do anything very fast. I love what I’ve read in your blogs. Sincerely, Victoria
I love Cozy mysteries. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.