The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society by C. M. Waggoner on September 24, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary, Fiction / Fantasy / Paranormal, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Amateur Sleuth
Pages: 352
Format: ARC
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This was Jessica Fletcher (Murder She Wrote) meets Miss Marple (Agatha Christie). This was essentially a cozy, supernatural murder mystery.
The main character, Sherry, finds herself in the center of multiple murder investigations. She feels like her best self when she helps the local sheriff solve a murder. Also to note, her cat, Lord Thomas Crowell, might be possessed as he starts to talk to her. Then her boyfriend ends up dead and she has to help solve his murder. She makes her suspect list, of which she has to include herself, and things in her village start getting strange.
Sherry never questioned why there were so many murders until her boyfriend ended up dead. In a town just over 5000 people, how can so many people be murdered? And why is her cat suddenly talking to her? She starts to wonder if she doesn’t need an exorcist. As a librarian, Sherry has access to research, but where to start?
The secondary characters in this are just as interesting. Sherry befriends the local priest, who is very young and also has a twin brother. Sherry finds she has more friends than she thought in this small little quaint village. I especially enjoyed her rich best friend turned grieving widow, Charlotte. These secondary characters are more than mere background—they’re integral to the story, offering humor, heart, and sometimes surprising insights that keep you invested in every twist and turn.
The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society by C.M. Waggoner is a delightful mash-up of Jessica Fletcher’s sharp wit and Miss Marple’s shrewd instincts, set against a charmingly supernatural backdrop. This cozy murder mystery pairs village intrigue with demon-hunting adventures, making for a whimsical yet suspenseful read. Waggoner masterfully blends the familiar comforts of a classic whodunit with a touch of the arcane, crafting a story that feels like your favorite detective series—with a twist of the paranormal. Perfect for fans who love their mysteries with a side of magic.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ace for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. The expected publication date is September 24, 2024.