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Noema is a werewolf single mom who is the owner of Mockbuster video rental store. She is also a playwright. Her ability to smell emotions comes in handy when a dead body is discovered in front of her video rental shop and she finds herself in the midst of a murder investigation. Noema sets out to uncover the the truth behind the crime and the rumors that may or may not be true.
This was a delightful read! I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in this world Emily Fluke created. The first thing it has going for it right from the beginning is the vivid description of popcorn. As someone who loves popcorn with a passion, I found it very enticing and I was pulled right into the story.
It was relatable with the 1990s nostalgia, but also imaginative. I couldn't help but love the main characters. There are a variety of different characters in this little town, including werewolves, gargoyles, fairies, and ghosts. And there may just be a hint of a romance on the horizon between Noema and another creature.
Noema succeeds at balancing being a single mom to "pups" (they're werewolves, after all), while also running her store, writing a play...and becoming an amateur sleuth! She can transform into mostly human form when necessary, though she maintains some werewolf characteristics. While it is convenient to have the ability to transform, it can also be a challenge. And that challenge provides some laugh out loud moments for readers. The attention to detail also made me smile. I could visualize every time Noema's ears wiggled just a bit when certain thoughts and feelings were running through her mind.
The mystery is also strong. There are plenty of viable suspects to keep readers guessing. The character list with descriptions in the front of the book was helpful. I referred to it a few times, especially early in the book when I was just getting acquainted with the characters. I thought I had the suspect figured out, only to be proven wrong later. I then thought it was someone else, which also turned out to be incorrect. I eventually had another hunch who it was and I ended up being correct about that suspect, but that didn't occur to me until late in the book. The mystery was a fun ride!
If you are a fan of paranormal cozies, this is a book you will want to read. And while this isn't a culinary cozy, there are recipes at the end of the book. I am very much looking forward to book two, Summoning, Skating, and Skulls. To tide us over until then, there is also a novella that comes after book one called Squeaks and Spooks. (Cozies often have cozy companions, like cats and dogs. In this series, it's an adorable mouse named Squeaks.) I will be reading that one soon, as it is set around Halloween.
Thank you to Emily Fluke for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A werewolf solving the mysteries, again, it does sound intriguing.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fun read. :-)
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