Cover Image: Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress

Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress

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This is the 4th installment in the Salem B & B mystery series. Charlene Morris runs “Charlene’s” in Salem and has been in town about ten months. Charlene’s is her home and she has a houseful of guests on this 4th of July and she takes her guests to the events on the common and they plan to see a new play that is being staged by the local theater group. Charlene is taping the production on her phone for her housemate Jack who is a ghost and former owner of the mansion and as the 2nd half of the play begins, one of the actors drops a musket which goes off and the main actress Madison Boswell grabs her chest and falls off the stage. Madison was shot but not by the musket. Charlene calls police detective Sam Holden and one of her guests is a nurse who jumps into action to try and help Madison. Unfortunately, Madison does not make it and it is clear that it is a murder but no clue as to who could have shot her with a full common of people. Charlene’s friend Kevin’s girlfriend Amy was on stage at the time and she learns Madison was not well liked and was involved with one of the owners of the acting company. As Charlene starts to asks questions, she learns that Madison although beautiful and hypnotic she was not a very nice person and was estranged from her brother Logan and left her fiancé Tyler in L.A. while keeping his family heirloom engagement ring. Plenty of suspects to go around. I liked that Charlene is out there making friends with Amy and Kass (she owns a tea shop in town) and liked their trip to Boston (although it was for a funeral), I also like her relationship with Avery who she mentors. This was a good mystery and the ending keeps you on the end of your seat. Looking forward to the next installment.

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This is the 4th mystery in the Salem B&B Mystery series. It’s summer in Salem and sounds like a scorcher. Charlene is at a play for the 4th of July with her guests. One of the actors, Madison, is killed by gunshot in the middle of the second act. It’s a brazen move by the murderer, but who did the evil deed?
I think I must have skim read some parts because I missed a clue that would have lead to the murderer.
Charlene seems a bit obsessed with helping solve murders. Maybe the B&B isn’t stimulating enough. She runs into a spot of trouble toward the end and the reader thinks maybe she will mend her ways, but by the end Charlene is patting herself on the back for helping to solve another crime.

I enjoyed the book until the ending action. The conclusion seemed a bit odd. The conversation related to something earlier in the book but seemed a little abrupt in how it was presented. Starting out I thought I would finally give one of the Salem B&B mysteries 4 stars but the way it ended it would only be 3.5 and I rounded down. I like the book but didn’t really like it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book prior to publication.

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I have read all the books in this series and besides the first one, I would say this one is one of the best. I still think Charlene's crush on her resident ghost is a bit weird.

Charlene is back and it's the Fourth of July in Salem, MA. She takes her guests to see a play describing a confrontation between the citizens of Salem and the British Army prior to the Revolutionary War. However, the "star" is shot in what appears to be a stage mishap, only to be discovered later that this was cold, calculated murder. Charlene once again gets involved with the help of ghost Dr. Jack Strathmore who "haunts" her B&B.

I like the characters in this book. Salem has a lot of colorful history and I appreciate the lengths the author goes to and preserve the integrity of the setting with a sprinkling of delightful and colorful characters. This series makes me want to visit Salem and take in all it's glory and see if some of the fact matches the fiction.

I must say that this book is peppered with superstition, something that appears to be revered in Salem (at least in these stories) so as any theatre buff knows, mentioning the actual name of the Scottish play in a theatre is a big no-no and I was surprised at how cavalier the director, Neville, was about saying it. That's just my inner nerd coming out though.

I look forward to Mrs. Morris and the Vampire!

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Even at the fourth book in the series, it is still going strong. Charlene is once again in the thick of a murder, and she uses her sleuthing skills to help find the murderer…or will the murderer find her first? I really like this cozy mystery, but I’m starting to be even more frustrated at the very minor romance aspect. Jack is a ghost, and Sam can be a jerk. I am not really fond of either, but I feel Jack being a ghost is keeping Charlene a little too tied to the B&B. Aside from that fly in the ointment, I really enjoy this series, and I think if you like cozy mysteries, you will like this too. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

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Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress by Traci Wilton is the fourth in the Salem B&B mystery series, and is fast becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Charlotte, who owns a bed and breakfast in Salem, Massachusetts compete with the resident ghost of the previous owner, is accompanying her guests to a local outdoor play when one of the actors is shot on stage. Since Charlotte is friends with another of the actors, she quickly becomes involved in trying to solve the murder.

There is so much to like about this series, especially the well-developed, relatable cast of characters who would be great to have as friends. I love the complex just-a-hint-of-romance relationship that Charlotte has with her ghost Jack, which puts me in mind of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Of course no cozy mystery would be complete without the hunky detective to complicate things.

The author also captures the essence of Salem, making the reader long for a getaway at Charlotte’s B&B and an opportunity to explore the area. This series never fails to captivate me from the first page through the last. I can’t wait for the next in the series. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.)

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Charlene Morris is enjoying the 4th of July events, where she and several of her guests from the B&B are watching a reenactment of Salem's Rebels. Charlene was filming under the guise to show her folks, but it was really for Dr. Jack Strathmore, her resident B&B ghost. One of the actors is the girlfriend of Charlene's friend, Kevin Hughes. The play is how the British soldiers marched to Salem to look for stolen cannons, only to find out that they couldn't cross because the bridge was dismantled, and despite the soldiers against rebels, not one shot was fired.

That was, until during the play, one actor dropped his musk prop, and Colonel Alexander Leslie, played by Madison Boswell clutching her chest fell off the stage. This wasn't supposed to be part of the play! A murder in broad daylight with countless people around. The musk props had fake gunpowder, and Michelle Fendi, a nurse, pointed out that the fatal wound was not from a musket, but a handgun. Charlene runs after Kevin & Amy, and inadvertently overhears a heated exchange from another couple.

Charlene enlists Jack's help viewing the video to see if he notices anything that stands out, which he does find something unusual. Charlene starts to suspect one person, but her list will grow after learning Madison had rumors about her being a witch.

When the cast is invited to Madison's funeral, Charlene's is invited by her actor friends, Kass & Amy, to go along. When her friend Kass, hits it off with Logan, the older brother of Madison and the trio of friends get a personal invitation to the home, Charlene does a little snooping, and gets caught twice where she shouldn't be.

After meeting Madison's fiance, and hearing about the missing engagement ring, Charlene recalls Madison wearing it while on stage and after a mishap, who might have it. Charlene's questioning her adding three suspects at the top of her list for the murder.

This is such a fun series! I love reading how Jack, who only Charlene can see and speak with, pranks the cat or guests. There is a little rivalry between Jack and the dashing Detective Sam Holden, where both pull at Charlene's heartstrings. This time around, Sam allows Charlene to be humiliated, and almost handcuffed, where Charlene gets so angry that she doesn't want anything more to do with him. The surprise was, Jack found himself agreeing with Sam!

A handsome live-in ghost, a witch, a flirty detective, a missing item, and ghost light make a very entertaining read!

I requested and received an ARC by NetGalley via Kensington Books and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

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A prop gun shoots a deadly bullet. Madison Boswell, the victim, has certainly rubbed some people the wrong way. Now it's up to B&B owner, Charlene Morris, her ghost housemate, Jack and Detective Sam Holden to sort thru the long list of suspects. Thanks #netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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There were a lot of things I liked about this mystery and the series as a whole. I like Charlene. She's a good person who just wants justice. I understand her wanting to make sure the killer is caught but her involvement in the actual investigation didn't seem necessary. She didn't know the victim and from what she learned of the victim as her investigation went on, she wouldn't have liked the victim had she known her. [ Also, her insistence on the "I just need to check one more thing" is a cozy mystery trope that needs to stop. At least she learned her lesson from it this time. (hide spoiler)]. I enjoy her interaction with her guests and the fact that she actually works instead of just disappearing to solve the mystery. I will continue with the series but hope that in future books, her involvement is warranted.

I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#MrsMorrisandtheSorceress #NetGalley

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I will leave a review on Amazon or B&N on Mar 30, 2021

Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress is the fourth book in the (Salem B&B Mystery series), and in my opinion one of the best so far. Charlene owns a B&B in Salem, MA and always seems to find herself involved in some type of mystery and searching for the culprit. With each book it feels like we are among old friends as we see many of the same characters in each book, this time some new characters were added into the book and I really enjoyed seeing them there. As usual it isn't until the end of the book the culprit is revealed, Traci Wilton does a excellent job of keeping you in suspense and wondering until the end of the book. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys cozies.

I received a ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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I really enjoy Charlene ,Jack and the characters in this series. I liked the theme of live action plays , as I do enjoy a good play every now and then. Charlene and her guests are attending a reenactment when someone is murdered right before their eyes .Charlene is becoming a great sleuth ,while running her B&B. I really like that as a reader we can see the "sights " through Charlene's eyes , when she visits places. Great series , look forward to more , also liked the two "familiar characters " that were guests of Charlene' B&B , nice to see Authors using their fans in the books we enjoy reading .

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Fun, entertaining read which surprised me. I expected it to be another cookie cutter occult-focused mystery but I was mistaken. I enjoyed it and will watch for more.

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This book starts out quickly with Charlene and her guests at a Fourth of July celebration in Salem. The murder of Madison Boswell happens very quickly and Charlene (and Jack) work to figure out who could have killed such a beautiful, and as they find out during their investigate, ruthless woman. Was it Logan the brother that loathes his sister, Tyler the jilted fiancée, one of the other actors or a stranger. Sam warns Charlene to be careful and to stop investigating but she doesn't listen. Does she ever? Such a fun book!

This series has been my favorite since I read the first book. I love the relationships that Charlene has with Jack (her resident ghost), Silva, Avery and of course, Sam. Each book has been so much fun to read. I look forward to the next in the series.

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Oh geez. Charlene was hoping for a happy Independence Day- she's got guests at her B&B, there's a play, and she's got a little romantic tension going with two men. This being Salem and Charlene, however, there's a murder. Madison, an actress, is killed by a shot through the heart. Now cozy readers know that Madison who was a pain even BEFORE Charlene started looking into her, had more than one person who really really disliked her. Charlene finds herself compelled to investigate, despite the annoyance of Sam, a detective. Jack, the ghost who owned her B&B while he was alive, is helpful as always, as are her other friends, especially young Avery. This isn't paranormal, really, and Jack isn't woowoo. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. I'm a fan of the series but don't worry if it's new to you- it will be fine as a standalone. It's a fun cozy with a neatly plotted mystery.

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Another favorite by a great and new to me author. The plot of the story was very well written. The author really draws the reader in as you read. I felt like I was an unnamed character in the story.

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Have I ever told you how much I love this series? No? Well, let me tell you. The Salem B & B Mystery series is by far my favorite cozy series. This book, the 4th in the series is, at the moment, my favorite. Though there’s always the possibility it will be pushed aside for the next book. LOL. Each book is better than the last and the characters grow with each new story.

In Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress, we find Charlene caught in the middle of a mystery. This time, we have actors and actresses, ghosts and sorceresses. There are jilted lovers and lovers to be. Old friends and new friends. Not to mention Jack, our friendly neighborhood ghost and Silva, the cat and Sam, our sexy detective.

When the local acting troupe puts on a special one time performance, everyone is there to see it. But when someone is shot, the question is, was it an accident or was it a role to die for? Charlene manages to find herself in a few tight corners. Will she solve the mystery? You’ll have to read it to see!

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.

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Each book in this series just gets better and better!

The fourth book has Charlene and her guests attending Salem’s local Fourth of July festivities, including a new play put on by the local theatre group. Misfortune befalls the play, and Charlene once again finds herself thrown into the middle of a murder investigation.

What I like the most about this series is how the authors draw you in with a cast of interesting and eclectic characters. The reader gets to see some of their favorite characters from previous books and gets introduced to a slew of new, intriguing individuals that I hope pop up in the future.

This book in particular saw some character growth for our protagonist, Charlene, that I was happy to see. I also laughed more reading this book than the previous three based solely on character interactions. It was a genuine joy to read and I’m looking forward to reading the next books in the series!

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4.5 stars

This is the fourth installment in Traci Wilton's Salem B&B Mystery series. Charlene Morris owns a quaint B&B in Salem, Massachusetts. She loves her job and is always ready to go above and beyond for her guests. Charlene's B&B is also the home of Jack, the ghost of the former homeowner. It's the 4th of July and she has taken her guests to see an Independence Day play. Unfortunately, the fun-filled day quickly turns into a nightmare when the lead actress is shot dead while on stage in front of the entire audience. Naturally, Charlene wants the killer to be bought to justice, and with the help of Jack, decides to do some sleuthing.

I thought this was a wonderful addition to the series. Charlene is starting to feel like an old friend and I love visiting Salem and her B&B. I find her to be very caring and likable, and I enjoy the interactions between her and the other characters, particularly Avery, Jack, and Minnie. I also love the friendship that is developing between Charlene, Kass, and Amy. Romance-wise, I'm not sure how I feel about Charlene's two love interests. On one hand, I really like Jack but he's dead and I think Charlene deserves so much more than what he can offer her. But on the other hand, I still haven't completely warmed up to Sam and I don't like his coldness towards Charlene at times. I look forward to seeing how things will play out.
As for the mystery, I thought it was well-plotted. Like the last book, the culprit wasn't on my radar so the reveal came as a surprise to me (always a plus).
All in all, this was an enjoyable read and I will definitely be back for another visit. If you like paranormal cozies, then you can't go wrong with this series set in Salem, with a haunted B&B, witches, and the town's rich history.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress is a great cozy mystery where the main character can see a ghost named Jack. He lives in her B&B and helps her with solving the mystery. The story is about an actress who gets shot at a 4th of July play. She is not well-liked so there are several suspects. I thought the characters were great and especially liked the interactions with the ghost Jack and the local cop Sam. It takes place in Salem which gives it the witch appeal and even has a few characters that are supposed witches. I look forward to reading more of this series.

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Another great installment in this series. Great characters, I especially love the relationship between Charlene and Jack.
The whodunit had me guessing and engaged in the story.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

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Charlene Morris owns a Salem, Massachusetts B&B that used to belong to Dr. Jack Strathmore. Unfortunately, Jack was murdered there and it was up to Charlene to solve his murder. But now Jack and Charlene have settled in nicely, except for the fact that no one except her cat knows he exists. But she can't deny her attraction to him, nor should she.

On this day, she's taken a group of her B&B guests to see a local play about the colonial battle in Salem, that occurred without a shot being fired. At least that's what they all expected. What they saw was the lead actress being killed by a single shot to her chest. While horrific, everyone wonders what went wrong. Charlene, who was filming the play for Jack, now needs to send it to Sam to see if anyone notices the shooter.

Charlene can't help herself and wants to find out who killed the young woman. What she discovers is that Madison Boswell had more enemies than friends, and no one was saddened by her death except her parents. Not even her brother, Logan. So who wanted her dead? When Charlene starts investigating the death with the help of Jack, who is going over the video for clues, it takes her to Boston to Madison's funeral, where she finds out even more about her. But when Charlene starts getting too close to the killer, it's apparent to them that she might have to join Jack in his ghostly world...

This is the fourth book in the series and I have read every one of them. I love this series and the characters. Charlene and Jack have a different type of relationship, of course, since he's a ghost and she isn't, but there are things that transcend the boundaries of life that we may never know about. (Okay, I'm a sucker for human/ghost stories and I admit it. Everyone has their quirks and this is one of mine).

Anyway, Charlene wants to know who killed Madison, and so she starts questioning people about the woman's life. Her friend Amy, who is an actress in the play, offers up not-so-flattering information, among others. It seems Madison, while beautiful, was not a nice person and didn't care who she stepped on. It's obvious that this time she stepped on the wrong body and lost hers in the process. Now Charlene has the task of keeping her guests happy and still finding time to look around, since she doesn't want a negative opinion of Salem or her guests thinking there's a random killer on the loose.

I do like the character of Charlene. She's intelligent and thoughtful; never overtly attacking people or accusing them of a crime. Jack is more human than others, truly caring for Charlene and a worthy partner in her investigations. Sam isn't, unfortunately, quite as attractive to me as he is to Charlene. I still think he has a bit of coldness about him that just doesn't relax him at all. But in this book we get to see a bit more of Kass, who was delightful in another book and just the same in this one. The characters are believable, and come to life while reading, which is always a good thing.

We also get to know a little more about the history of Salem and surrounding areas -- more than the witch trials, which I would say everyone already knows -- and I do love history and historical facts, so that was interesting to read. Of course, we mustn't forget the B&B, which would be such a lovely place to visit. Charlene is indeed a lucky woman to have it.

When the ending comes and the murderer is revealed, it was a bit of a surprise, but that is always welcomed, too. The clues might have been there, but they were easy to miss (and I will admit, I wasn't looking because I was enjoying the book too much); and the reasons for the murder were as old as time itself. I was sorry to see the story end, and I, like Jack, hope that at some time in the future he can find his way back to humanity (hey, it's fantasy so anything can happen, right?). But I also hope that this series goes on for a long time still, and I will continue to read each one. Highly recommended.

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