Series: Spooky Games Club Mystery #1
Author: Amy McNulty
Narrator: Danielle Daly
Length: 7 hours 4 minutes
Audible Release Date: 01.05.2021
Publisher: Crimson Fox Publishing
Publish Date: 09.29.2020
Category /Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Recommended for: 14
Listenability: OK
Received from: Amy McNulty (as an Audible gifted copy)
Goodreads link: Broomsticks and Board Games
Date completed:
Description from the publisher:
Dahlia Poplar is a genuine witch, an unofficial gofer, and Luna Lane’s only cursed resident.
With a werewolf best friend, a vampire ex-boyfriend, and a ghost for a hanger-on, Dahlia is far from the most unusual dweller of her sleepy small town, but she’s the only one unable to leave. Dahlia has to perform at least one good deed per day - or she’s one step closer to turning to stone.
Fortunately, the residents of Luna Lane have plenty of tasks for Dahlia to complete to avert the curse until Cable Woodward, fetching professor and nephew of her elderly neighbor, stops by for the semester on sabbatical. Attempting to help Cable’s uncle work through the trauma of losing his wife, Dahlia uncovers the man’s collection of board games, which leads to him reminiscing about the long-forgotten Luna Lane Games Club.
Dahlia reestablishes the Games Club, only to find evidence of a number of horrible demises connected to the original group. While trying to uncover the truth about the deaths, Dahlia has to fight off her curse, protect her elderly neighbor from becoming the next victim, and most vexing of all, keep Cable from figuring out Luna Lane’s supernatural secrets.
Only, with eerie board games like these, there may not be a loser - or even a winner - who survives.
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This story is fun and the new world that has been built for these characters is NOT a carbon-copy of every other paranormal cozy-mystery. The world-building is done at a slow, even pace so that there was no over-whelming “info dump.”
I love that Dahlia and the citizens of Luna Lane have formed a sort of family. They know about her curse (She must perform one good deed every day or she will slowly turn to stone. Plus she is not allowed to leave the town limits.), and do what they can to assist her in meeting the demands without demeaning her. Rather, they have embraced her, and all seem truly concerned about her. She cares about them in return.
I loved this quirky world and the unique relationships that are held by these characters. The cozy mystery is perfectly paced, fun, with just a touch of spooky/scary. I loved the dashes of humor, hint of romance, and great twists and turns leading to the ending.
Narration: Danielle Daly is a new-to-me voice talent, and she has it down pat! Great enunciation and beautiful “theater of the mind” expression. The sound quality of the recording starts out a little hollow, but clears up by the end of the second chapter.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy via Audio BookBoom, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Spooky Games Club Mystery Series:
1. Broomsticks and Board Games
2. Enchantments and Escape Rooms
3. Potions and Playing Cards
4. Curses and Crosswords
5. Vampires and Video Games
Also from Amy McNulty:
· Ballad of the Beanstalk
· Darken the Night
· Drowned Silence
· Josie’s Coat
Blood, Bloom, & Water Series:
0.5 Tresses & Erubescence
1. Fangs & Fins
2. Salt & Venom
3. Iron & Aqua
4. Tears & Cruor
5. Vines & Florets
Fall Far from the Tree Series:
1. Fall Far from the Tree
2. Turn to Dust and Ashes
Never Veil Series:
1. Nobody’s Goddess
2. Nobody’s Lady
3. Nobody’s Pawn
Witchy Expo Services Series:
1. Don’t Judge a Book by Its Hover
2. It’s a Nerd! Witch Is Slain!
3. Home Is My Zapping Place
AMAZON-US
AUDIBLE
APPLEBOOKS
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