Cover Image: Spirited Away

Spirited Away

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery by Lena Gregory. This is the fourth book in the Bay Island Psychic mystery series. Class Donovan, our main character and psychic is off her game, and after a disastrous group reading and an ongoing sense of foreboding, Cass knew trouble was coming. Soon after the group reading gone bad, one of the attendees is found dead, and Cass’ handyman is the main suspect. A woman’s voice tells Cass to help him. Cass and her friends Bee and Stephanie are reluctantly pulled into the investigation when Cass’ boyfriend police detective Luke hits a dead end in his investigation.

This had some twists and turns and I did enjoy the book. I wish there was a little more backstory to the characters, but being the fourth book, I understand why there wasn’t more. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a cozy mystery with a psychic twist. Thanks to #NetGalley for advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Cass is knee deep in the tourist season and doesn't have time to even stop and think. When an altercation happens during one of her readings she feels as if she isn't centered. She really starts feeling as if her senses are off when one of the men from the blowup ends up dead. She isn't sure quite what is wrong but knows that she must get centered because a good friend has become a main suspect in the mans death. With all the things that she is seeing Cass knows that she must look toward her visions and follow what they are telling her to help her friend. The suspect list is long and with some of them being tourists she hopes that she'll be able to see just who the murderer is before this becomes a case that remains unsolved. Follow along as Cass looks toward her visions for clues as well as answers, helps the police, and also helps her friend in figuring out who the killer is and why they decided to become a killer. This was the first book I've read from this author and it was a great way to be introduced. Even though I hadn't read previous books I didn't feel lost and the characters were easy to get to know. I look forward to returning to the beginning and getting to know the characters even more.

Was this review helpful?

Cass has a shop in the seaside town of Bay Island where she does psychic readings. At one of her group readings, there's a heckler, and things get out of hand. Later, a friend is accused of murder, and Cass and her friends try to prove his innocence, with help from the Great Beyond. This is the 4th in a series, but I had no difficulty reading this cute paranormal cozy mystery as a stand-alone.

Was this review helpful?

This is book #4 in the "Bay Island Cozy Mystery Series. "This is my first book in the series and I was delighted to read this for review. Thank you to the author for the special request to the publisher. I was easily able to catch up on the series back stories with this book as the author does a wonderful job of updating the reader on her charcters . I highly recommend this book and this is one of my favorite new series for this avid cozy reader ! I will be following up and reading the prior books in series. I look forward to reading the next in series as this wonderful series does progress to the next book. The author also writes the fabulous not to be missed "All Day Breakfast Cafe " series which I have read and highly recommend.,

Cass Donovan owns Mystical Musings shop and does psychic readings. She has a successful business and is well liked in her town. She has a rare gift and sees visions. She has built her business on trust of the local townspeople who believe in her. When a fight breaks out at one of her readings. she is upset and wondering if her gift is fading. She does not have time to worry as one of the person's involved is soon found dead. One of her friends is the main suspect so Cass is on the case. She soon has terrible visions that give her clues to the suspect. As her visions get worse she works with the police to solve the case before another murder occurs. .

The book has great characters that we all want to be friends with. The sleuth is well written and fascinating as it develops. . I did not guess the conclusion. I love the paranormal and this series is the perfect blend of paranormal and sleuthing. There is a wonderful dog int he story that belongs to Cass that is a fun addition. As a first time reader I am hooked and looking forward to the next in series. A very highly recommended mystery series . I give 5 stars. Cross posted to Net Galley, Amazon and Good Reads

Was this review helpful?

Spirited Away by Lena Gregory is the 4th book in the Bay Island Psychic Mystery series, and my first book in this series. What a fun series, I am looking forward to reading books 1-3, plus the next book in the series. I'm always excited to find a new series to read. This book has a well thought out plot and characters, along with plenty of twists and turns. I recommend this book for cozy mystery book fans, and this one has a psychic twist.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing. Thank you.

Was this review helpful?

Great new series! Love the really quirky characters and the protagonist, Cass. This was more than just a typical cozy. Lots of twists and turns and a very satisfying ending. Well plotted with believable and engaging dialogue. I can’t wait to read more in this series. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy for review.

Was this review helpful?

Cass is no stranger to mysteries. She has helped solve crimes in the past. Once again, Cass finds herself in the middle of an investigation. This time she has to clear her friend of a crime he didn’t commit. There’s a lot going on in the small town of Bay Island. Cass just has to trust her instincts to lead her to the right answer.

Was this review helpful?

Lena Gregory has a good, little-psychic series going with Spirited Away. Cass is having a party in which a reading occurs but everything is going wrong and culminates with a death later that night.The book starts out slow but picks up- steam around Chapter four...her friend is accused of a murder. The Series has a strong character in Bee, who always has our main character's back and I really grew to like him.

The lifestyle and the cast of characters interacting with Cass are strong. I felt that the book had a lot of cleaning, wiping, and no-sleep descriptions, but the psychic moments were fun and I found myself wishing to know a lot more about crystals, moonstones, and readings. This is a new Author to me and I will be reading more of her work. A fun book... you will enjoy reading on those long, summer nights.

My thanks to Netgalley and Beyond the Page

Was this review helpful?

Spirited Away is Book 4 in the Bay Island Psychic Mystery Cozy Series.

This is a series that I really love! The characters are well written and have evolved from the first book.

I especially enjoy the friendship between the three characters Cass, Bee and Stephanie. I very much love the subgenre of paranormal cozies and I like the direction that this book went in showing more paranormal with Cass's powers.

A well written mystery with a great story line, fantastic characters and a fun Dog that made me laugh a few times.

I recommend this book and this series.

Was this review helpful?

Would you want to have physic powers? I can’t decide if I would or not. It would be nice to help others for the greater good. I do love Cass and her friends. Have you ever had those days when nothing goes right? I think we can all relate to that! This story line flowed for me and I enjoyed it and the characters. It seemed like folks were starting to really believe, even if it scared them. It’s hard to get out of our comfort zones. Loved the book and the characters. Wonder who had to pay for the bar-b-que? I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

Was this review helpful?

This has easily become one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I love the friendships and the characters I've met here. The author does a wonderful job of keeping me glued to the edge of my seat, not wanting to put the book down.
It is a clean series, not graphic, but with clues the reader can follow on their own. There is a hint of romance which does not overpower the main reason readers are drawn to this series. The author also throws in moments that made me smile, which is always appreciated.

Whether you are a believer or not, the paranormal elements of this story will have you wondering how the connections are being made and who is in danger. Cass finally finds validation for her abilities from some important people, including herself. Which leads us to wonder, how will this realization influence what comes next?
I can't wait to find out!

Was this review helpful?

Lena Gregory is one of my favourite cozy authors, I love her All Day Breakfast Day Cafe series. I have not read the earlier books in the Bay Island Psychic mysteries yet although I did receive them for christmas.

With the summer tourist season on Bay Island in full swing, shop owner Cass Donovan barely has a minute to breathe, and things at Mystical Musings become even more hectic when a fight breaks out at one of her psychic readings. Shaken by the fracas and discouraged that her sixth sense seems to be on the blink, Cass is even more dispirited to learn that one of the men involved in the altercation was later found dead—and that a close friend of hers is the main suspect.

Desperate to help her friend prove his innocence and consumed by haunting visions, Cass follows the clues from one possible culprit to the next, including some very mysterious tourists and not a few questionable locals. And when the police turn to Cass to help them find out who committed the ghoulish deed, she knows she’ll have to tread carefully, because her next grim premonition may be her last . . .

The book has likeable characters that are all well written and developed. I enjoy a series with a bit of the paranormal and this one fits in as Cass' abilities seem to be either returning or growing.
I loved Cass, Bee and Stephanie's friendship (Lena is great with writing characters that you want to be friends with). I am also a sucker for dogs in books and I loved her dog Beast and his antics.

The mystery flowed nicely throughout, keeping me intrigued that I read in one sitting. There were enough plot twists and turns to keep me guessing almost till the end.

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy loving friends.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

Was this review helpful?

I  received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

This is my first book from this author, and the fourth book in the series.

It was really easy keeping up with the storyline and the characters, which is great since we are four books into the series. I loved the characters and the mystery.

Was this review helpful?

A good cozy mystery, engaging and entertaining.
I liked the cast of characters and the setting. The plotting was engaging, full of twists and turns, and the mystery kept me guessing till the last page.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Was this review helpful?

A new to me series, that was easy to keep up with having not read the previous books. Well written with fun and interesting characters and very enjoyable. Another series to add to the to-be-read list!

Was this review helpful?

First book I've read in the series, but I never felt lost in regards to the characters relationships or past mysteries. I was a little disturbed about how out of control her Leonberger (a dog that can get to 160 pounds) seems to be.. The mystery kept me guessing and I enjoyed the resolution I also liked the characters and the setting.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. - I look forward to more in the series.

Was this review helpful?

This is the first book I have read in Lena Gregory's Bay Island Psychic Mystery series and I'm going to go back and get the rest. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the setting. I thought psychiatrist to psychic was an interesting premise. The mystery was engaging, and there were enough twists for me to have many miscues in solving it in my mind. I especially appreciated the loyalty and kindness of the friends. All in all it was a complete winner for me, and I can't wait until more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Fourth in the series and the first I have read. I was drawn in by the cover, description, and author. I have read all of her All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries and enjoyed them.

Ms Gregory has become a “go to” author for me as I know I will be entertained when I pick up one of her books. I look forward to reading the first 3 in the series.

The plot is well written, the characters are genuine, and the story kept me turning the pages.

I highly recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

Spirited Away
(Bay Island Psychic Mystery #4)
by Lena Gregory

Kindle Edition, 310 pages
Expected publication: May 21st 2019 by Beyond the Page


Goodreads synopsis:
In the new Bay Island Psychic Mystery, psychic Cass Donovan is thrown into the middle of a macabre murder she never saw coming . . .

With the summer tourist season on Bay Island in full swing, shop owner Cass Donovan barely has a minute to breathe, and things at Mystical Musings become even more hectic when a fight breaks out at one of her psychic readings. Shaken by the fracas and discouraged that her sixth sense seems to be on the blink, Cass is even more dispirited to learn that one of the men involved in the altercation was later found dead—and that a close friend of hers is the main suspect.

Desperate to help her friend prove his innocence and consumed by haunting visions, Cass follows the clues from one possible culprit to the next, including some very mysterious tourists and not a few questionable locals. And when the police turn to Cass to help them find out who committed the ghoulish deed, she knows she’ll have to tread carefully, because her next grim premonition may be her last . . 

***

4 Stars

This is the fourth book in the Bay Island Psychic Mystery series.

This series caught my interest from the very first scene and I was engaged and wanting to know more. It was a fun book and reading it made me want to go back and read all the previous books in the series. Even with it being my first foray into this storybook world, I found my way around easily although knowing a bit more about the residents might have been nice.

The whole psychic thing was interesting and I realized there should be more of it in these pages especially notations with tarot cards or other items someone like her might use. That seemed a bit lacking. I almost wanted to title this story: Cass Donovan and the Girl Who Cleans Up. The girl got no sleep in this book and every other chapter she had to get out her mop and scrub away.

I felt the middle plotting got a bit muddled. The red herrings seemed to cross over themselves and I didn’t realize exactly how many off screen suspects we had until nearly the last few chapters.

I thought this was a good book. The mystery could have been better plotted but I found it a fun ride. This would make a good tv series to go along with the Good Witch. I do hope to pick up more books by Lena Gregory. It was a new author for me and I will keep her books in my TBR pile for sure.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Was this review helpful?

Cass Donovan is having a really bad day with her A/C busted on an extremely hot day just as a roomful of folks will arrive for a group psychic reading. Things go from bad to worse when some clients begin to heckle her and a fight breaks out. When one of the combatants turns up dead in the trunk of her friend, salvaging her reputation takes a back seat to saving her friend, if only she could figure out who the woman in her visions is telling her to save. This series keeps getting better and is moving up into one of my favourite series. Engaging characters with strong friendships anchor the story along with well thought out plot.

Was this review helpful?