Promising starts/debuts

Full disclosure: I received a promo code for both this and Black Arts, Tarts, and Gypsy Carts (book 2 of the series) from the narrator as part of publicity for the book.

When the narrator extended her offer, my initial response to her read, "Cozy mystery crossed with urban fantasy should be up my alley." Overall, I was not wrong.

Strengths first: Imogen's introduction to Bijoux Mer and corresponding magic makes an excellent and realistic gateway for the audience. The assorted relationships are believable, and there's at least one well executed fake-out on the question of who and how the actual culprit is. It's a nice, light popcorn mystery that doesn't pretend to be anything else. The narrator does a nice job in making distinct voices for what is, as best I can tell, her debut voice work, and none of the voices are grating over long periods of time.

Weaknesses come in two categories. There are a couple of structural weaknesses in the story that are perhaps an issue of being very familiar with cozy mysteries and urban fantasy as separate fields, which let me predict a couple of plot developments well in advance of their happening. And in this particular book, there are places where the narrator's pace feels very rushed, with words nearly tumbling out of her mouth. (I did double-check my settings, and I was not playing the book at 1.25x.) This latter weakness is better in book 2 of the series, which I'm about halfway through as I write this review.

Will this be to your taste? It's definitely more in the vein of a cozy mystery than urban fantasy, with a similar feel to the coffee shop series by Cleo Coyle or the bakery series whose author escapes me at the moment than to any notable work of urban fantasy. If you've enjoyed those and don't mind the fantastic setting, it's worth checking out.

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Worth the price of admission

I decided to try listening this after reading 18 months ago. I found it even more enjoyable than just reading it. Hannah Somerville did a wonderful job with the reading. It brought the story even more to life.

The author describes the setting and you are transported to a scene off the coast of France.
I enjoyed that it was a clean cozy- no really violent scenes, some romance, and the Harry Potter feel to it. Imogen is 29 and saving for a bakery. Her boss has a wedding coming up and the baker has backed out at the last minute. Imogen steps forward to help out. This act changes her life.

Imogen was adopted and raised in Seattle. The day after her big delivery of baked goods, she enters a baking contest off the coast of France, her apartment building burns, she must pay all of her savings to the insurance company. She finds the check for the catering event in her apron pocket and is on her way to the finals. She learns she has magical powers but does not know how to use it. Throughout the contest, she must of sort her way through the magical world.

There is a death of a baker and there are plenty of suspects.

Looking forward to more episodes since this appears to lay the ground work for future episodes.

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Magical & Fun

This was a really fun cozy mystery starter! Imogen was such a fun, quirky, and realistic character with a dream of owning a bakery. Strange and unfortunate things start to happen and she’s stuck in the middle of it all. I really liked that Imogen accepted that she was a witch and didn’t act like the world was ending. The world building of Bijou Mer and it’s community was magical and I felt like I was transported there from my couch! This book was whimsical and lighthearted with many twists, turns, adventure, new friends, hilarious moments, and some romance. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Hannah did an excellent job with this narration! She used different voices and accents for each character and it was a flawless flow between them. I also loved her sound effects and singing that she did and her vocal range for the book. She put so much enthusiasm into her performance that I was smiling and entertained the whole time!
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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Double, double, boil & trouble

Erin Johnson is a new author to me and I have no idea why that is. I loved this book from start to finish. It’s a cozy mystery and one that I found thoroughly entertaining. In fact I listened to this one in almost one go as I kept saying, just one more chapter.
This was a a book filled with secrets, miss communication and clues to satisfy my detective spirit. The intrigue and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat as I listened to this story.
There are many twists, turns and surprises in Seashells, Spells & Caramels as Imogen Banks fights to clear her name and follow the clues and I have to say that I was taken by surprise on a couple of occasions. I cannot wait for more in this series.
The narrator Hannah Somerville was also new to me but I thoroughly enjoyed the voices she used and she brought the story to life for me and enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

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Fun story with great narration

The story is light hearted and enjoyable. It starts off with a gradual introduction to the world and a mystery and the pacing is really even. It's a quick listen, but it really feels longer. In a good way!

The narrator has a great voice, and does extraordinarily well making each character sound different and distinct. She makes the material more engaging, and overall does a great job of making them come to life.

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A Great Magic Read

I loved this. It has A magic cooking contest, murder and a lot of Magic. This is a great start to this series. I can't wait to read the rest. The narration was spot in with all the different character voices. I would highly recommend.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

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The audio is next level!!

I love this author she is one of my favorites. I jumped right on it when I saw that there was an audio version. I have listened to just a short bit of it and the narrator is perfect! Get this audiobook and read the rest of the series!

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5 people found this helpful

just the best

Erin Johnson did a great job in bringing you into great food and friendships. Along with mystery and danger.. very entertaining! Can't wait to listen to the rest of the series, onto the next book!! Hannah Somerville's performance of narrating was great.

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1 person found this helpful

A sweet treat for your ears, mystery lovers!

This series of books has been enjoyable to read - light, funny, smart, and just long enough. Hannah Somerville's narration makes them very easy to listen to. Her clear voice and pacing support the book's tone, and it's easy to tell when a different character is speaking. I'm looking forward to listening to the rest of the stories, thanks to the skills of both Erin and Hannah.

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Oh Wow!!!!!!

This book was fantastic. Imogen wants to open her own bakery and has been saving for seven years. Her goal was 110,000,00. She has 107,000.00. Her boss needs someone to bake desserts and stuff for her wedding on a short notice. She does the job for her boss and she is paid 4000.00. While she was there one of the guest told her she should enter this baking contest and she gets the information from her. The instructions are kind of strange. While she is working on her entry to see if she is accepted for the contest. she wraps it up to be sent. She falls asleep and is awaken by fire in her apartment. She gets all out of the building but her apartment is destroyed. When all is said and done, it will cost her 107,000.00/ While she is sitting on the curb waiting while the fire is being put out, she receives a reply to the baking contest that she is accepted and instructions to get. Strange thing is she never sent and it was in the fire. She decides she has nothing to lose and if she wins she might get a job.. Once she gets there she finds it is magic kingdom and she is a witch. . The contest is to see who will be the next royal baker. The old royal baker died. The ovens they use are magic and the fire is alive. Because she does not have her own fire, she is assigned a fire named Iggy. Iggy has issues and when she first starts baking, he does not cooperate very well. Burns her desserts, does not cook them etc. She is lucky she is able to keep in the contest. One contestant dies and they are looking at Imogen because she had gotten the dough of the dead contestant by accident and when he eat some of it, he died. He was allergic to snake venom and somehow he came in contact with it. Things get better with her baking after she has a long heart to heart talk with Iggy and finds out he used to be the royal bakers flame. Iggy feels someone killed the royal baker. One of the contestants is found to be a snake shifter. Now they think he is the killer but he get away. More contestants are eliminated and it is down to three. When the judges imogens and her friend Maples bake goods they say they are bland. The contestant that wins has a very nasty attitude. However, this is not the end of the story. i recommend reading/listening to this book to find out what happens next. I was gifted this book at my request in exchange for an honest review.

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