4/5 Stars!
A lovely murder mystery, fantasy and romance!
Rhianne Alkenn is a witch/fae halfling who runs her own lawncare business and tries to stay off of her parents’ radar. She has two great gargoyle employees to help her in her business, but also occasionally consults for the police as well. Her knowledge of plants, how they help and how they can harm, makes her extremely knowledgeable. This is how she finds herself part of a murder investigation. Unfortunately, it’s not the only reason she finds herself needing to know answers.
The book follows her on her murder mystery, with unexpected twists and turns, as she tries to figure out what trouble in her life is related to that, and what is instead related to those in her life. Her mother is a witch council member, her father is an elusive elf, her best friend/brother figure is a sexy incubus who runs his own club and works in secrets, her gargoyle employees have their own family troubles, her new lawyer friend is a confident and take charge gargoyle halfling, the forensics specialist is a paranormal mystery addicted to sweets, and a fellow consultant is a handsome, nerdy and talented tech mage. She certainly has her hands full!
I love all of her relationships in this. The politician mom dodging is fitting. The funny and intriguing new friends bring a wider look at the world while having fantastic banter. Her guardian/pet Toto is more than meets the eye. Nel the sexy incubus is the usual attention-grabbing character, and while I love him and want more of his story, it’s really refreshing that there is ZERO chemistry between him and Rhianne. Kia on the other hand is perfect for her, though I think there will be more revealed about him at some point.
The paranormal being just another part of the world coexisting with humans is interesting, while the fae world is still separate and mostly unknown for now.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to find out more as this series progresses! At times the conversations didn’t flow as steadily for me, but this is a great start to the series.
Just as an added note, this story takes place in Sydney, so there is some phrasing and spelling that is different from American English, but it didn’t detract from the story for me at all.
Blurb from the book Goodreads page:
Find herself. Find the killer. Stay under the radar. All in time for tea.
Rhianne Alkenn is thrust into the heart of a murder investigation. When her gargoyle employee becomes the prime suspect, the investigation becomes personal.
She’s not very good with relationships or accepting help but a growing set of quirky friends won’t take no for an her cheeky incubus best friend, her wise familiar Toto, a sassy half-gargoyle lawyer and a pathologist who can tell you what she is but would then have to kill you.
As the layers of the investigation unfold, Rhianne must navigate the relationships with her ambitious witch mother, elusive elf father, and a blossoming connection with tech mage Kai.
Oh, and did she mention that her powers are not supposed to exist? Her solve the case, keep her powers hidden, and then return to being a regular halfling. Piece of cake, right?
