Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts : A Cozy Witch Mystery (Spells & Caramels Book 2)

A fun series to take your mind off of real life. Lots of super interesting magic and fantasy. Plus, add some murder, bang, good book.

After reading book 1 I couldn't wait to return to this fun and magical series and a few days later I started book 2. Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts is just as fun as book 1, I flew through this book and enjoyed every page of it. It's such a fun series, filled with magic and mystery, great characters and a hint of romance.This book nicely combines both the paranormal and mystery elements into an engaging story. I like how the mystery is a bit different from most cozy mysteries. Yes someone dies and the main character searches for the culprit, but it's all just a bit different. Which is great! And the paranormal touches, magic and fun setting really add something to the series.I liked the mystery aspect of this book, I had figured some things were going on or something wasn't quite right with something, but not predict fully what exactly. I did predict a few things, but not all the details and it was still great to see things come to light and the reasons behind things. I wasn't sure why the murderer was and was surprised when that came to light, but it did make sense. The pacing is also a bit different than normal cozy mysteries, the murder isn't directly at the start and after the murder gets solved there are a few more chapters to wrap things up.And there is a lot of magic and paranormal things involved everywhere, it's woven so nicely into the story it's completely part of it. I liked reading about Imogen learning to control her magic a bit more, we learn more about the magical world and there's a carnival! And maple is now the royal baker and there are some great side plot lines involving her and the other side characters. Iggy is still one of my favorite characters and there were some great scenes involving him.It was a joy to read this book. I can't say it enough, but this book is so much fun to read. And while it touches upon some issues like murder and some others it keeps having this light tone. I like how it has both a paranormal feel and a strong focus on the mystery as well. And the whole city and the carnival in this book were fun to read about.There isn't much progressing with the romance in this book. Imogen meets another male she becomes close with, but I am glad it never felt like it was going in the direction of a love triangle, which was nice. She really only wants to be friends with Edward. However I still didn't like Edward. I did like the few scenes with hank, but I just wished we got to see more of Imogen and Hank together.To summarize: This book was just as much fun as book 1. I flew through the book and wanted to keep reading. The blend of paranormal and mystery is so well done and really works here. The mystery was a good one, I had predicted a few things, but not all the details and it was great to see everything play out and come to light. I like how the pacing and events of the book don't follow the typical progressing of a cozy mystery, the slightly different pace really works. The characters are great to read about and I liked seeing more of Maple, Iggy and some new characters. There are some fun plot lines involving the bakery and the carnival. I didn't really like Edward, but I was glad it never felt like it was turning into a love triangle. There isn't much romance in this book and I hope we get more of Hank and Imogen together in next book. I am looking forward to starting book 3 soon!

I’m a new fan to this series and I absolutely love it.This sequel was such an incredible follow up story and I couldn’t put it down. I’m loving Imogen - the mystery of who she is / why is she so important to the golden prince and the mysterious villian…This was even better than the first book and I can’t wait to continue!

This was intense and I think there is more going on with Imogene’s past. I mean I know but I am in suspense and I have no idea what is going on which is rare for sure. Maple is going to be in a love triangle soon which will be interesting to say the least. There is going to be so much going on in the future and I’m totally hooked.

Another great cozy mystery from Erin Johnson with the second book, Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts, in the Spells & Caramels series. After I read the first book last year, I downloaded the second and third to read in between other ARCs and thrillers I had set for January and February. I need to balance the light and heavy, or I get bored/frustrated with too much of the same thing. It seems this series continues to deliver on quality, imagination and humor. I recommend it for anyone interested in cozy mysteries, witches and cooking.Imogen is new to the magic world, trying to learn how to cast spells and stay away from the prince in her new mystery land. He's engaged, she's nervous and there seems to be murders happening all the time a war goes on with the Badlands Army. In this edition, a carnival is in town, but when a seer is murdered, a rival is arrested for the crime. Imogen's certain her friend Rhonda wasn't the culprit -- and fights to prove it, all the while meeting different carnival folk and learning how to practice magic. In the end, she unearths the true killer when she makes a connection with the dead during an annual creepy ritual.My favorite part of this series is the imagination behind all the characters, setting and actions. It's clear the author has built an entire world before writing the books, as it takes depth and design to architect this layer of intricacy in a story. Information about Imogen's background is kept minimal, as I'm sure that will be a focus of a future book, but when you learn things, you learn them quickly! Between vampires, shifters, and swallows, there's an entire structure to the world of witches and wizards. Add in Imogen's role as an assistant to the royal baker in the palace, she's constantly in the middle of situations where she is always out of her element. It's a great break from contemporary fiction, full of quirky but lovable characters, that leaves you wanting more. I enjoy the series and will definitely keep reading it in 2018. Charming. Vivid. Comforting.

I really like the characters and the setting in this series. I also like the overall story arc that is developing. It has definitely hooked me so far. This series is something more than a cozy mystery. In this book Imogen is working the bakers booth at the carnival. There is a murder and one of Imogen's friends is found with a murder weapon. The police have arrested her and will not investigate further. So, Imogen is asked to help her friend. The relationship with Hank is somewhat angsty since he has a fiance thru a political alliance. I did find the interaction with Hank to be unfair to Imogen. I don't think anything is going to be resolved with Hank anytime soon. Edward is a new character introduced who will help Imogen with her magic. No romance, but Edward is protective of IImogen and he really does not like Hank. I enjoyed this book. The pacing is good, there are interesting characters and the magic is different. I had the kindle version via KU and the audible version. Narration is solid and allowed me to listen when I had to multi task. Start with book 1. The series is more enjoyable read from the beginning.

Fun and quirky, good little story to get into; characters are interesting and It’s got enough mystery/suspense to want to see what happens.

Not quite as good as the first book. Some things were so obvious that you felt like shaking the heroine to get her grey matter working. However apart from that it was an entertaining read. A Carnival, a necromancer, ghosts and magic woven into a plot that tries to keep you guessing. It was humorous in places and the characters have been expanded. However our heroine's powers of deduction have lessened. Also again an oblique reference to her heritage but no real details. Really annoying. As is the romance angle.

Ooh, this one was even better than the first book. I loved the plot, the mystery, the spooky vibe and even the bit of romance or the angst of it.Definitely going to read the next one. There are so many unanswered questions left to find out. Also, who knows what next mystery will be.

Maple is now head royal baker and Imogen and Sam are the contestants she's taken along with her on this new adventure. Imogen is settling in well but Maple and Sam are finding it tricky, Maple is too soft and the others staff are not working properly for her, partly because Sam is a shifter and great baker or not he's treated with suspicion.When Hank sets up a stall at the carnival to promote the superior skills of the Water realms royal kitchens Imogen, Sam and Maple take the opportunity to get out of the kitchen but when things immediately become dangerous and they are saved by the carnival strongman Edward Imogen finally accepts she needs some training.Edward's also a swallow and he begins her lessons, they become rather essential as Imogen is once again caught up in murder and mayhem.

I'm a fan! I have now read all five books within the past two weeks and am so sad that there isn't another one I can just pick up. I adore these books. They are lighthearted, a little mischievous, funny and simply adorable. I am a big fan of cozy, magical mysteries with a hint of romance and funny characters and this storyline totally hits the mark for me. I can only recommend it and can't wait for the next chapter in Imogene's life.