A deceptively warm murder mystery with a magical twist.
Myrtle Coldron has an uncanny knack for finding trouble. This time, an otherwise pleasant hike with her recent partner ends with a horrific discovery. Among the nettles, they find a pile of dried-out human remains that suggests a dubious crime. Between running the Witch’s Retreat B&B and leading her local coven, the Magical Misfits, Myrtle has little time for solving mysteries. But she might be the key to figuring out who is behind Avebury’s latest incident. Though Myrtle does have a helpful friend on the local police force, not everyone in town is fond of or even familiar with her abilities or her delightful band of Misfits. And those who are aware of the magic want it eradicated, exposed, or exploited. Myrtle, however, just wants to protect her friends and live her quirky life without any extra drama. Getting a handle on her unpredictable magic, learning to speak the language of her enchanted plant, and shedding her dreadful dreams are also on her to-do list, but she would settle for a year without a murder case to unravel. Unfortunately, an abandoned skeleton is only the beginning of a series of malevolent events in Myrtle’s vibrant little village. The rumor mill is churning vigorously, the Witch’s retreat has some boisterous guests, her coven is in trouble, and a killer with some leverage won’t be ignored for much longer.
If you are looking for a deceptively warm murder mystery with a paranormal twist, you’ll love Lina Hansen’s newest enchanted novel, Out of Body. While Myrtle’s witchy abilities and eccentric companions extend a wonderfully untamed atmosphere to the story, the proliferation of uniquely British expressions helps ground the novel and contributes to the humorous narrative. Out of Body is wonderful as a standalone cozy, but with a cast this charming, you won’t want to miss any of Myrtle’s adventures. With her unruly Magical Misfits, her onerous feline companion, and Myrtle’s growing bond with a fascinating magical zombie primula plant, engaging characters and comical situations keep the pages turning as quickly as the crime scenes unfold. Like any good trail of fictional breadcrumbs left to follow, there are some good leads, a couple of dastardly suspects, and a few clever misdirects for readers to enjoy. More whimsical than wicked, Out of Body is brimming with big-hearted fun and magical mayhem.
