I don't read too many paranormal cozy mysteries and when I do, it is usually in October. but I was too busy this October with other books so I've started picking up some at other times. That's why I decided to try Lynn Morrison's magical mystery series Oxford Key Mysteries. The first two books are now available as audiobooks.
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.
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| September 2021; The Marketing Chair; B09H3KSWS1 audio (8h 16m), ebook, print; cozy mystery |
Murder at St. Margaret was a fun diversion from the books I was reading for Nonfiction November.
University of Oxford is a favorite setting for a number of murder mystery book series and for a great setting for a magical series. It has so much history to explore (did you know that there's evidence of teaching occurring as early as 1096), and as an outsider, it seems kind of mysterious to me.
Natalie has taken a new position at the university as an event planner (I think the title is Head of Ceremonies). She isn't based at one college but goes to each college as they have need. So her first posting is with St. Margaret College where she is to plan the fall gala. She has barely settled into her rooms when odd things begin to happen. Before coming to Oxford, Natalie knew nothing of the magic that runs within her veins. And if it isn't enough that she has to deal with this new found trait, she finds the chef dead. Fortunately, she has a wyvern (that looks like a cat to everyone else) and a few ghostly beings to help her navigate the magic, the murder, and pull off a spectacular fall gala.
Pearl Hewitt does a great job as the narrator. However, every time she said gala as Natalie I thought she was saying garlic. It made for some confusion at first, but I soon got used to it. Otherwise, I didn't have any problems with the British accents.
There is a lot going on in this book. As it is the first book in the Oxford Key series, Morrison had a bit of world-building to do. Sometimes, I forgot about the murder as there was so much attention given to Natalie figuring out the magical side of her new position.
I think this series has potential, and I'm looking forward to the next book. There are still a lot of questions about the magic - I don't think Natalie is a witch so it's not that kind of magic - it is more like the place itself is magical. But I do hope that the mysteries get more attention in future books.
Buy Murder at St. Margaret at Amazon
Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.
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