Murder in Devil’s Cove by Melissa Bourbon is the first book in the NEW “Book Magic” traditional mystery series, coming September 2020.
Every book tells two stories—one written on the pages with pen and ink, and one woven into the paper, a story of the soul. The Lane women have the gift of bibliomancy. They can read both.
But Cassie Lane doesn’t see this as a gift. For her, it is a curse because the book magic comes with a price–the Lane women die young and the men are lost to the sea. As soon as she’s able, she leaves Laurel Point, Oregon, running from her past and her fate, ending up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There she meets Leo Hawthorne and lives a perfect life with him in an old Sea Captain’s house.
Perfect, that is, until an old book foretells the future, and the curse that has plagued the Lane women comes true for Cassie.
Twenty years later, Cassie and Leo’s children, twins Pippin and Grey, are back in Devil’s Cove. Long forgotten secrets surface and an old crime comes to light. Now Pippin must learn how to be a bibliomancer if she is to discover the truth about her father and continue his effort to stop the curse.
Dru’s Musing:
This tightly woven mystery captured my attention with a tale that spins a web of intrigue where magic simmered waiting for the perfect time and Pippin fell into the role, unbeknownst to her.
What a great set-up that had me immersed in all aspects as the past and present converged and with determination, Pippin knew what she had to do and it’s that story that had me mesmerized by the activities contained within the pages of this book. The author did a great job in staging this mystery where the pool of suspect was introduced, and it was the clues left for us to decipher that would eventually lead to the identity of the perpetrator. With visually descriptive narrative, it allowed me to see the places that Pippin ventured to and the engaging dialogue kept me involved in the story. I enjoyed meeting some of the characters that I hope will become a part of this delightfully alluring series. Bonus to me was the side story of the Pippin and the puppy. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read more about Pippin what awaits her in the next adventures.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the author