Midsummer Night's Mischief by Jennifer David Hesse is the first book in the Wiccan Wheel Mystery series. Keli Milanni is an attorney with Olsen, Sykes, and Rafferty in Erindale, Illinois, but she feels that something is missing. Keli wants to find love (someone to share her life with). As a Wiccan, Keli decides to cast a spell. To be more accurate, she casts a love spell and waits to see what happens. Hunky Wes Callahan might be the answer to her call. They meet one night at her local watering hole, but he gets a phone call that takes him away quickly (without getting her number and Keli does not get his). At work Keli is working on a will for a new client who found a valuable item in her attic. Eleanor Mostriak found an original Shakespeare First Folio in a trunk in her attic. It had belonged to her husband, but Eleanor thought it had been destroyed. The book is quite valuable as there are less than 200 copies in existence and the majority of those copies are in museums or private collections. The first thing Eleanor did was create a will (that would not be the first thing on my to-do list). Keli did advise her to get an appraisal, put the folio in a safety deposit box at the bank, and contact her insurance provider. However, Keli did not follow up with Eleanor on any of these items (but the will is done). Then Keli gets a call from Darlene Callahan (see a connection here), Eleanor's daughter. Eleanor passed away the night before. Then the folio disappears from Eleanor's home (she carried it around in her messenger bag and was showing it off). Darlene is holding Keli and her law firm responsible (around $2 million dollars). Keli convinces her bosses not to fire her (suspension instead). Keli will use her vacation time and attempt to find the folio (and save her job). If she cannot find it, then she will have to face the music. This will also give Keli a chance to reconnect with Wes Callahan (Darlene's son) to see if he is the one for her. Can Keli find the folio before it vanishes? Is Wes the answer to Keli's love spell? You will just have to read Midsummer Night's Mischief to find out!
Midsummer Night's Mischief was disappointing to me especially the first chapter. Keli was more obsessed with her love life than anything else. Keli acted more like a sixteen-year-old (especially around Wes) than a grown up woman who is an attorney (I would not retain this woman as my attorney). I did not like how Wicca was portrayed in this story. It did not seem the right type for a cozy mystery and it was a little confusing for me with the Goddess worship (Keli is keeping this part of her life secret from her co-workers). The writing is satisfactory, but the pace is a little slow. The book started to feel like it would never end. Most likely because I was able to identify the killer right away (the prologue gives a big clue). The romance (more like lust fest) took precedence over the mystery in the book (especially in the first half of the novel). We get more of the investigation in the latter part of the story. I was looking forward to reading this novel when I read the blurb about the Wiccan elements and a Shakespeare First Folio. They sounded like a great combination (the book needs a little tweaking). I give Midsummer Night's Mischief 3 out of 5 stars. It is okay, but I was just not a fan (the characters need work). It is only the first book in the series, so I will give the second novel Bell, Book, and Candlemas a chance.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Midsummer Night's Mischief was disappointing to me especially the first chapter. Keli was more obsessed with her love life than anything else. Keli acted more like a sixteen-year-old (especially around Wes) than a grown up woman who is an attorney (I would not retain this woman as my attorney). I did not like how Wicca was portrayed in this story. It did not seem the right type for a cozy mystery and it was a little confusing for me with the Goddess worship (Keli is keeping this part of her life secret from her co-workers). The writing is satisfactory, but the pace is a little slow. The book started to feel like it would never end. Most likely because I was able to identify the killer right away (the prologue gives a big clue). The romance (more like lust fest) took precedence over the mystery in the book (especially in the first half of the novel). We get more of the investigation in the latter part of the story. I was looking forward to reading this novel when I read the blurb about the Wiccan elements and a Shakespeare First Folio. They sounded like a great combination (the book needs a little tweaking). I give Midsummer Night's Mischief 3 out of 5 stars. It is okay, but I was just not a fan (the characters need work). It is only the first book in the series, so I will give the second novel Bell, Book, and Candlemas a chance.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Charlie M. (bookaddicted) -
Though there were interesting aspects to this story overall I felt the characters needed more dimension. Certainly the main character, Keli and her best friend, Farrah. For two 30 year old professionals (attorneys) they acted extremely juvenile when it came to men. They were more like high school girl's than grown, intelligent women. This really put a damper on the book for me. Only because I already have the second book in the series will I read it .... and hope for improvement.
