Review: One Potion in the Grave (Magic Potion Mystery #2) by Heather Blake
Series: A Magic Potion Mystery
Published by NAL on October 7th 2014
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
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I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Carly Bell Hartwell’s love potions are always in demand in Hitching Post, Alabama, the wedding capital of the South.
When Katie Sue Perrywinkle walks into the Little Shop of Potions, Carly is surprised and delighted to see her old childhood friend. Katie Sue fled her hometown and a troubled family over a decade ago. But she’s not back for a social visit. She’s come to settle a score with Senator Warren Calhoun, who is in town for his son’s high-profile wedding. But before Katie Sue has a chance to voice any objections, she’s forced to forever hold her peace. After finding her friend dead, Carly vows to find her murderer. Were the corrupt Calhouns willing to go to any lengths to avoid a scandal? Did Katie Sue’s family take the term “bad blood” to a whole new level? And why did the bride-to-be come to Carly for a love potion? As Carly gets closer to the truth, a killer is planning a very chilly reception.
After reading A Wishcraft Mystery by Heather Blake and falling in love with her writing and characters, I knew I had to crack open One Potion in the Grave the moment the book arrived. This one takes us to a small cozy town of Hitching Post, Alabama and introduced me to Carly Bell and the rest of Hitching Post colorful residents.
Carly is surprised when she sees her old childhood friend walk into her Little Shop of Potions. She hasn’t seen Katie Sue Perrywinkle in years since the girl managed to break away from her family and move out of Hitching Post in hopes of building a better life for herself. Katie Sue is not here for a social visit, nor does she look anything like the girl she left behind. Now going by Katheryn Perry, she is out to settle a score with Senator Warren before his son’s big profile wedding. But Carly get’s a bad reading emitting from her friend, and is worried that the girl might be way over her head and in danger.
When Katie Sue turns up dead. Carly is devastated for her loss and the fact that Katie Sue’s young sister will never get a chance to mend the relationship that broke years ago between them. With rumor that Katie has something against Senator Warren and was willing to blackmail him in the name of love rolling around, Carly takes it upon herself to find Katie Sue’s killer, find the blackmail package that was mailed, and save Katie Sue’s younger sister from her ailment.
Gosh I really enjoyed their story. Blake’s writing makes it hard to put the book down. Filled with interesting characters, an endearing heroine, Hitching Post, Alabama is one crazy town filled with heart. I loved Carly and her relationship with her ex-fiance, and how him rebuilding her home was also in a way rebuilding their fragile relationship. Carly’s aunts had me giggling through most of the book, and the storyline kept me absolutely engaged till the very end. It did take a few pages to get use to the twang, but once I got the hang of it, it became a part of the characters and it’s town adding to it’s appeal.
