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5+ stars for When Curtsey Knifed Sammy by @Beth__Henderson #cozymystery #paranormal #bookreview



Title: When Curtsey Knifed Sammy

Author: Beth Henderson

Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery


Book Blurb:


DEATH REVISITS KILLAMAN FALLS! The problem with bringing a swift conclusion to a murder investigation for amateur sleuths Emmalyst Whichur and Connor Wolfe is that they’re expected to do it all over again! Without a breather between cases. When the sheriff’s department gets the call that there is a dead man who apparently served as a pincushion for knife storage at a campsite just down mountain from Killaman Falls, Lyst and Connor are pulled away from their dinner. Considering they only caught the culprit who’d murdered Lyst’s godmother Sally a few hours earlier, there is no rest for these two even if they are weary. But when the old dog at the campsite says the ghost of the dead man, Sammy, told him that Curtsey didn’t kill him, there’s another canine interview to do. Thank goodness, Connor is a werewolf. A very old and gentlemanly werewolf, although he looks to be in his mid-thirties. He can understand canine-ese. Lyst is still unsure that her ability to get people to tell her things they hold back from other interviewers is due to having witch blood in her veins, though the ability has gotten her far as an investigative journalist. While anxious to get off the mountain and back to civilization, solving crime on the mountain is tantalizing. As is Connor Wolfe, unfortunately. Her never-before-met father is not when he shows up. With all the evidence pointing to Curtsey as the killer, our dedicated duo with their uncommon investigation tactics need to dig really deep to prove the ghost and the old dog were telling the truth. WHEN CURTSEY KNIFED SAMMY is the second novel in the Whichur-Wolfe Detection series. The previous book, WHEN HARRY KILLED SALLY, is piling up 5* reviews! A few of them say:

  • “Definitely sharing with my other paranormal loving friends.”

  • “…amusing and a great mystery. The mix of that with paranormal kept me reading and I simply didn't want to put it down.”

  • “…a quirky paranormal cozy mystery I couldn’t put down…. Brilliantly written with an original concept to the series, WHEN HARRY KILLED SALLY is sure to please both mystery and paranormal readers.”

  • “Ha, what a fun, cleverly written story. I laughed out loud in several places. The paranormal/mystery aspect was edge of your seat engaging… Wonderful!”


My Review:


A death so brutal, Curtsey couldn't have done it; Lyst and Connor have two secret witnesses that prove her innocence: a ghost and an old dog. Hours after solving their first case together, Lyst and Connor are beyond exhausted. When the sheriff's department alerts them of a mysterious death, Lyst and Connor are on the case. Apparently, someone had a beef with Sammy because they knifed him, repeatedly. All clues point to Curtsey but with the help of a ghost and an old dog, Lyst and Connor follow the clues to unravel what happened. Dog-tired, Lyst is ill-prepared for the appearance of her father, who she's never met before. Suspicion grows as she tries to figure out what her father is after. Can Lyst and Connor use their combined investigative skills to unmask the real killer before it's too late?


When Curtsey Knifed Sammy is a cozy paranormal mystery I couldn't put down. Filled with hysterical comedic dialogue, vibrant descriptive narration, off-the-wall characters, and a fast-moving plot, this book has the makings of a streaming television show. Lyst and Connor work well together with the right amount of romantic tension and paranormal quirks. The mystery itself is a well-designed whodunit with a few twists I didn't see coming. I laughed my way through the story and when it ended, I wanted more. Beth Henderson is a brilliant writer and really shines in this niche. I can't get enough of this series. This book can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading book one too. One of the best cozies I've read in a long time. Perfect for fans of paranormal and cozy comedy, When Curtsey Knifed Sammy needs to be read and enjoyed by the masses. Highly recommend!


My Rating: 5+ stars


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Author Biography:


Beth Henderson has always loved mystery and currently she writes quite a lot of it, just under various names. Connor Wolfe isn’t the only one answering to more than one moniker. Henderson’s first published novel was a romantic suspense comedy, released in May 1990. Since then, she’s worn a variety of names and has over 30 novels, 9 novellas, 16 short stories, and the numbers keep growing. She also writes non-fiction about writing genre fiction. There are very few genres she hasn’t taken a fancy to when it comes to spinning tales. If you enjoyed When Curtsey Knifed Sammy, you might take a look at The Raven Tales, which are urban fantasy PI comedic mystery with far more characters who have enhanced capabilities or are simply not human in the least. You’ll find these are written under Henderson’s J.B. Dane pseudonym. For information on other currently available titles and future releases, visit www.4TaleTellers.com


Social Media Links:


@Beth__Henderson on Twitter


Reviewed by: Mrs. N

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