Title: Nine Lives
Author: Wendy Corsi Staub
Published: October 2015, Crooked Lane Books
Format: ARC Paperback, 288 pages
Source: Publisher
After the death of her
husband, Bella Jordan and her son need a fresh start. But on their way
to stay with family in Chicago, they stop in Lily Dale, New York and a
storm forces them to spend the night.Brimming with psychics and
mediums, Lily Dale is just the kind of quirky little town Bella’s late
husband always talked about settling down in. So when the local hotel’s
owner, Leona, passes away, Bella agrees to step in and help temporarily.
The longer she and Max stay there, the more Lily Dale starts to feel
like home.But for Bella, finding a home means finding danger,
too. Leona was murdered, and it’s up to Bella to track down the killer
before her sanctuary comes crashing down in bestseller Wendy Corsi
Staub’s warm and witty series debut.
My thoughts: I was fortunate to pick this gem up at BEA this past Spring and to meet Wendy Corsi Staub during a book signing. I haven’t hadn’t heard of her before BEA, but ended up with two of her books and after reading this one, will certainly be checking out her other books.
I really enjoyed this book and while it does have that little bit of paranormal, it was still a fun cozy mystery and I think I’m going to stick with this new series, at least enough to give the next book a try. Lily Dale is certainly an interesting town – what town wouldn’t that’s filled with psychics and mediums? But what I loved is that when things happen, the answer as to why they happen is just vague enough that there could be a logical explanation for it or it could be more of a paranormal/supernatural explanation for it happening – and that totally won me over.
Things always happen for a reason and while Bella might not always believe that, something has brought her and her son to Lily Dale. She keeps saying that she’s only staying for a day or two, but something keeps preventing her from leaving. Does she really want to live with her mother-in-law? It seems like Lily Dale might be a good place to put down roots, even though there’s a murder to be solved.
This was a great introduction into what I think will be a fun cozy series. It’s faced-paced and kept me guessing all the way until the end. I loved all the characters that we got to meet in this first book and even the town itself is like a character – it has so much charm and personality. I can’t wait to see what happens next for Bella and Max and the residents of Lily Dale.
Thanks for the lovely review and blog post! <3 So glad you enjoyed it!
I've read another book by this author and really, really liked it. Not sure why I haven't picked up all her books, but I do have this one. She has a loose trilogy of books that was published in the last couple of years that concern online predators/threats. I'm very interested in that trio of books too.
Sounds like a good one. I like stories where the main character(s) have children along.
Just come from reading Katherine at I Wish I Lived in a Library's review of this book. Both of you giving it the thumbs up. I am not a big mystery reader but this sounds like one to keep in mind.
This sounds wonderful! Terrific review!
I liked the vagueness too. This was my first book by Staub and while I didn't love it, I did like it.
I really enjoyed this one as well. I had a hard time getting used to the way the book was written in present tense but once the story got going I really enjoyed it. Like you I'm looking forward to seeing where the series goes.