Synopsis:
I didn’t expect to be evicted the first thing I returned from my holiday, but thanks to my roommate Nick, that’s what I was facing.
It’s not exactly easy to find a new place to live in London, so when Phoebe Thorpe spots a room-to-let sign at the window of a magic shop, she doesn’t hesitate. The room is perfect, even if chores are part of the rent. There is only one thing odd about her new landladies. They seem to believe magic exists.
Phoebe doesn’t believe in magic, but unfortunately magic believes in her. A mysterious statuette is sent to her boss, Archibald Kane, and she accidentally triggers a curse meant for him. Naturally, the first person she curses is her ex-boyfriend. But why would anyone want to curse her boss, a perfectly ordinary antiques dealer? Or is he?
Phoebe sets out to break the curse with the help of her new housemates. But it isn’t easy trying to solve a mystery she doesn’t even believe is real. Then again, that hellhound chasing her seemed pretty solid… Maybe there’s more to magic than hexing one’s ex.
This is the first book in House of Magic, a new series by Susanna Shore blending mystery and magic, with a resourceful heroine and plenty of action.
Publisher: Crimson House Books
Publication Date: June 6th 2021
My thoughts:
I love paranormal and this is the season to celebrate this love! Hexing the Ex is the first book in Susanna Shore’s new series of paranormal cozy mysteries set in London.
The protagonist of the book Phoebe Thorpe needs a new place to live- all thanks to her rather irresponsible flatmate. Only it isn’t so easy to find one in Central London if you have to rely on your salary of a shop assistant. Phoebe has a degree in History of Arts and loves her job in an antiques shop, but she can’t afford anything too fancy. When she sees a notice about a room to let in a magic shop, she jumps at the chance. The landladies are very sweet, the meals are included and the flatmates seem nice. Strangely enough, it appears she is the only person who could actually see the notice as if the house wanted her and nobody else. Then she happens to touch ‘a cursed’ statuette delivered to her boss Archibald Kane and her life becomes very interesting- just like she wished her ex’s would be!
This was a really quick and enjoyable read. There are all the usual suspects- witches /mages/warlocks- good and bad, vampires, werewolves, and even a hellhound. Phoebe comes across as a bit naive, but charming and determined to act when the need arises. Loved her landladies, especially motherly Giselle, the firefighter Ashley and cheeky computer geek Luca.
The mystery that appeared to be very simple at the beginning had a few twists and turned out to be more complex than I’d thought. There’s a bit of romantic tension, but since this is book one, I guess we’ll have to wait until later in the series.
An easy and relaxing read you can get through in a couple hours to help you unwind after a stressful day. Looking forward to the next book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crimson House Books for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
About the author:
Susanna Shore is an independent author of more than twenty books. She writes the Two-Natured London paranormal romance series, P.I. Tracy Hayes series of light mysteries set in Brooklyn, and House of Magic paranormal mystery series. She is also an author of some contemporary romances and thrillers.
You can find her on Twitter @SusannaShore and more about her books on her webpage susannashore.com, where you can also find short stories and a sign-up page to her newsletter.
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Nice review, Toni. It sounds like a fun series and a perfect October read.
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Thank you, Carla! You’re right, it’s perfect for this time of year.
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I enjoy book that has every paranormal being in it. Fantastic review!
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