Murder Like Magic - by Trisha Blanchet (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Being able to read minds should make it pretty easy to solve crimes, right? Right?

A sort-of-telepathic witch-slash-PI takes on a murder case in this light urban fantasy mystery, perfect for fans of A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer.

Tess Tulley is the proud proprietor of Mill City Investigations--the premier (if you ask her) private investigation business in her small Massachusetts city. Business is slow, especially after she blew up her credibility among her fellow Spinners (do not call them witches) by turning in her own uncle for a crime spree three years ago. Loyalty among Spinners is top priority, and Tess's decision to put the investigation over her coven has left her out in the cold.

So when the local "Officer Handsome" comes knocking with a bizarre murder investigation involving a dead Spinner, Tess is reluctant to take the case. Even more so when she learns the details: The victim was stabbed postmortem, there's no sign of who or what actually killed her, and the body was found in a pool of someone else's blood.

Left with few other options, Tess dusts off her investigative skills, revs up her so-so telepathy, and dives headfirst back into her old community of Spinners. If she's lucky, she'll be able to unmask a killer and figure out whose blood had been left behind at the crime scene--and why. If she's not lucky (and let's face it, she rarely is), Tess might just become the next casualty on a slab in the Mill City morgue.

Review Quotes

Praise for Murder Like Magic:
"A promising start to a series that will appeal to fans of the paranormal and feisty female detectives."
--Kirkus Reviews

"The mystery was multi-layered, and I did not guess the killer or the motive behind the killings. I liked this story a lot and would love to see a long-term series developing from this installment. I think Tess has a lot more adventures ahead of her." --Kings River Life Magazine

"With her unstoppable voice and cleverly intriguing premise, the oh-so-talented Trisha Blanchet spins a captivating and immersive story in an evocative setting that will instantly draw you into her uniquely designed world. In this riveting speculative whodunnit, the emotional depth and compelling relationships of the characters take center stage--it's Stranger Things meets Mare of Easttown meets The Mentalist, and you will fall in love with this relatable (and sharp-witted) sleuth. I loved this!"
--Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author, Agatha Award winner, Mary Higgins Clark Award winner, and Anthony Award Winner

"Murder Like Magic's Tess Tulley is a true rarity, a heroine whose sharp, sassy observations, bracing and welcome as your first cup of coffee, will make you laugh aloud on every page--and conceal an endearingly vulnerable core. I'd read Murder Like Magic just to listen to Tess comment on the world, but put her together with a murder plot and supernatural powers? C'mon. This book is an irresistible winner."
--Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Murder Your Darlings and Those Who Save Us

"Part murder mystery, part paranormal love triangle, and all-around thrilling, Trisha Blanchet's debut mystery novel introduces private investigator Tess Tulley, a "Spinner" born with the ability to read others' thoughts - whether she wants to or not. When local cop and love interest Devi Suong asks Tess to consult on a seemingly straightforward murder case, Tess is plunged into what turns out to be a more complex and dangerous assignment than she expected. Blanchet's first mystery novel delivers a fast-paced, multi-leveled plot while exploring themes of family and estrangement. This is sure to be one of the best debuts of the year."
--Edwin Hill, Edgar- and Agatha-nominated author of What Happened Next, Who To Believe, The Secrets We Share, and the Hester Thursby series

"In the investigative spirit of Tana French mixed with the fantastical fiction of Dean Koontz, Trisha Blanchet spins an addictive tale of a brutal murder, a young private investigator navigating a troubled past that still haunts her present, and the woes and wonders of city life. Blanchet breathes life into a fictional narrative that leaves me wanting more."
--L. Divine, author of The Keke McCoy Mysteries and The Drama High Series

About the Author

Trisha Blanchet is a former reporter, editor, and award-winning columnist. She's the producer and host of the podcast A Mighty Blaze, a member of the Tall Poppy Writers, and the founder of Operation Delta Dog: Service Dogs for Veterans. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and one rambunctious rescue mutt.