A Hex for Danger by Esme Addison
Series Name: Enchanted Bay Mystery #2
Genre: Cozy
Release: July 13, 2021
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The annual Mermaid Festival is the setting for Esme Addison’s sunny-yet-sinister second Enchanted Bay mystery, perfect for fans of Heather Blake and Bailey Cates.

The small town of Bellamy Bay has its share of skeletons in its closet, but it isn’t used to bodies turning up in the local history museum. After all, this coastal North Carolina town is much like any other. . .except, of course, for the mermaids.

Helping to run the family business, an herbal apothecary while keeping her supernatural secret hidden is no easy feat for water witch Aleksandra Daniels. But somehow she’s still found time to help her friend Celeste, who has her own Caribbean mermaid heritage plan the annual Mermaid Festival. As fun-seekers throng the beaches, Alex gets to know and is intrigued by renowned artist Neve Ryland, who’s in town to decorate the local park with a mermaid-themed mural. Celeste, however, is less enamored with the artist, as Neve has been spending entirely too much one-on-one time with her boyfriend Jasper, director of Bellamy Bay’s history museum. Then, a reception for Neve ends abruptly when the artist is found dead in his office.

The police investigation nets Celeste who asks Alex to find the true culprit. With the help of her magically-inclined aunt and cousins, Alex dives in to clear her friend’s name. But there was more to Neve Ryland than met the eye. . .and Alex fears she may be in way too deep. Will she catch the crook or be next on the hook?

Dru’s Short Musing:
This is a well-written cozy where magic abounds in this deliriously engaging whodunit. The mystery was nicely done with the appropriate number of suspects and clues that were swimmingly teasing to keep me in the game. The author did a great job in staging this – keeping me immersed in all aspects as intended. I like how Alex and her family pulled together to fit the pieces of the puzzle that would lead to the identity of the killer. It was a fun ride watching this all play out and I always love when an author takes a surprising twist that makes me go “ah, I see where you are going,” all to enhance how well this story is being told. With a wickedly solid storyline, a likable cast of characters and a small-town atmosphere, I enjoyed this adventure in Bellamy Bay with Alex and her friends.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher.