Rating: 4⭐️
There are many elements that I enjoy about this story. Noffke takes us further outside the town’s boundaries and introduces the reader ,as well as the two main characters, to a variety of different places and magical personalities. Some good and some not so benign.
New information is revealed about the circumstances surrounding Ella Bloom’s birth as well as the mystery behind Malcolm Fawkes’ closing of The Gloaming. Hints and clues, notes from a powerful agency, all leading towards a frustrating path for Ella and Malcolm. This and the storyline of the book is excellent. Really interesting.
But there’s small aspects of the story that made it equally questionable. Early on , the author used an ethnic slur for a certain nomadic culture (substituting a “i” for a “y” doesn’t change name identity) for a someone who was clearly a Romani/Romany seller in the festival. That stood out immediately and it really surprised me that it was used.
Another thing is a secondary male character that feels as though it’s being pushed into play as a potential romantic role for Ella. Those around her keep hinting at her being open to those who want to care for her. Insert romantic relationship trope here.
However, this guy has his mother running his life for him. His mother is actually setting him up on dates, and he’s going through with them because he’s sorry for his mother’s and basically has no spine. But sure, let’s get right on that romantic bandwagon, ugh. There’s so many flags here with him., Unfortunately , I believe that the author has written him into some sort of hero role. Time and the series will see if that’s true.
I certainly hope not. I rather she end up just taking his herd of goats. They seem to like her better.
I had no idea this author was such a prolific writer and this is my first series that I’m reading authored by her. So I don’t have a lot to go on to know how she handles her characters and storylines.
With these several things aside, I do think that Magic Can Bee Deadly is a terrific urban fantasy mystery story. The murder mystery is a good one, the investigation entertaining and detailed, and the town continues to evolve with new otherworldly folk and magical creatures. That’s intriguing!
Moving forward!
Ella Bloom Mysteries (10 book series):
Dying For Magic #1
Magic Can Bee Deadly #2
Blue Blood, Black Magic #3
Verses and Curses #4
Raining Cats and Curses #5
Half-Baked Curses #6
Signed, Spelled, Delivered #7
Murder Spelled in Thread #8
Spelled For Choice #9 – June 19,2026
Born For Magic #10 – July 24,2026
Buy link
Magic Can Bee Deadly: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Ella Bloom Mysteries Book 2)
Blurb
The only thing sweeter than honey, is revenge.
When magic returns to Gloamington, the town holds a Spring Awakening Festival. It should be an opportunity to celebrate. Instead, it becomes the perfect stage for murder.
When the mayor is found dead at the festival, Malcolm Fawkes and Ella Bloom find themselves hunting a killer among the celebrating crowd. The sheriff calls it an accident but the great detective knows better.
The mayor had more enemies than friends.From the baker whose dreams he crushed to the beekeeper he battled, everyone had a reason to want Mayor Estes gone.
As magical races flood back to town demanding permits, properties and long-lost treasures, Ella and Malcolm race to uncover the truth. But in a town drunk on newly returned magic, where honey flows through everything and old grievances run deep, nothing is what it seems.
Can Ella and Malcolm catch a killer before it’s too late? Or will the sweetest revenge claim another victim?
Magic Can Bee Deadly is the second book in the enchanting Ella Bloom Mysteries.
One-Twenty-Six Press
Publication date
October 17, 2025
Language
English
Print length
277 pages
Book 2 of 10
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 