Review: Virtual Games (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 5) by P.L. Matthews

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Although it’s not specifically mentioned, Virtual Games brings The Digital Detective Mystery Series to a happy ending where all the characters have moved forward in their lives, growing up in some ways and developing new relationships and friendships, finding new powers and potential partners.

And it happens in a very surprising way. With Vampire Games and visits from characters from an another Matthews series, the Green Witch. Those who have read this series will love this crossover element. I haven’t and it will likely send me there to see what it is about.

But the story here has more than enough to keep a reader engaged. Several plots, an interesting murder mystery included that brings back part of Skye’s past and an old college painful memory.

Matthews balances the needs of Skye and Seb’s relationship to move forward along with those of the other characters, as well as the individual characters whose personalities and powers continue to be developed by the events and storyline.

It’s a dynamic narrative, one that’s so powerful and jammed with interesting elements and characters that it leaves room for additional drama and stories even though it’s a satisfying finale as well. We want more but are happy with this too.

Perhaps Matthews will pick up this universe with the sister, Zephyra’s story. That would make sense and for great storytelling.

Very entertaining and engaging. I even liked Bob finally!

The Digital Detective Mystery Series (5 book series):

Murder By Code #1

Fatal Error #2

Kill Switch #3

Storm Signal #4

Virtual Games #5

Buy link

Virtual Games: A Digital Detective Mystery (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 5)

Blurb

Level up… or get eliminated. Permanently.

Skye Sanders, tech mage extraordinaire, is on the trail of a hit-and-run—only to discover it’s tangled up with the infamous Vampire Games.

Her boyfriend Seb’s invitation to “help from the sidelines” quickly becomes a front-row seat to sabotage. The Games test skill, strength, and cunning. Physical gauntlets, brain-bending riddles, and the occasional death-defying stunt are fair play.

With rival teams closing in and tensions simmering hotter than Sydney in January, Skye must unravel a sabotage trail before it claims its next victim. But in a contest where every competitor guards secrets like treasure and alliances shift faster than a server crash, even her sharpest code might not be enough to keep everyone alive—least of all Seb, who’s squarely in the crosshairs.

The stakes are literal. And losing? Not an option.

If you enjoy urban-fantasy mysteries with magic, humour, and a clever heroine—think books by Patricia Briggs, Hailey Edwards, Heather G. Harris, Annette Marie, or Kim Harrison—Virtual Games should be right up your alley.

Publication date

December 17, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

358 pages

Book 5 of 5

The Digital Detective Mystery Series

Review: Storm Signal (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 4) by P.L. Matthews

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Storm Signal is the book where it all starts to come together. Characters that I wasn’t crazy about get their redemption, main characters get deeper background information and more importantly, they are more detailed in their powers and emotional development.

A growth for the series and characters that will continue through the next novel.

As with all the novels of this series, Storm Signal picks up on the cliffhanger of the last story with the entrance of Skye’s older sister, Zephyra, back into her life and city of Sydney. Of course, bringing with her chaos, mystery, murder, and old family painful memories for Skye.

Storm Signal weaves multiple storylines with great success. Matthews gives us insight into the Fae political system along with some very important revelations about main characters. By the end of the book, several characters have made progress in their respective relationships, like Seb and Skye whose journey together is a major part of the book. New ones are also being established also alongside others already underway.

I throughly enjoyed this book. The plots were highly entertaining, the characters were great and the relationships between each other engaging and believable.

A real winner.

The Digital Detective Mystery:

Murder By Code #1

Fatal Error #2

Kill Switch #3

Storm Signal #4

Virtual Games #5

Buy link

Storm Signal: A Digital Detective Mystery (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 4)

Blurb

Trouble runs in the family

Skye hasn’t seen her sister Zephyra since she left Fairyland to live on Earth with Grandma and Grandpa. But now Zephyra’s back—blowing into town like a cyclone on a mission. Literally.

The police are on her trail, there’s a murder, and sibling rivalry? Yeah, that’s about to reach new heights.

Skye’s tech magic and Zephyra’s wild air magic don’t exactly blend.

Enter Skye’s vampire boyfriend, Seb—brooding, mysterious—and Fred, her charming, sarcastic best friend with a knack for trouble. The two don’t see eye to eye. Not that they’re jealous of each other over Skye… right?

With the storm building—both magical and emotional—the sisters will have to figure out how to work together to clear Zephyra’s name. But as tech and air collide in a whirlwind of trouble, the real question is: can they solve the case before they throttle each other first?

date

September 9, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

368 pages

Book 4 of 5

The Digital Detective Mystery Series

Humorous fantasy, amateur sleuth mystery, urban fantasy mystery , women sleuths, no spi

Review: Kill Switch (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 3) by P.L. Matthews

Rating: 4.25⭐️

Kill Switch brings in new players and adds depth of knowledge to those who are already familiar to the reader. In this case, the focus is on Dina.

From the formula Matthews has set up for her series, each novel ends with a cliffhanger that starts off the following storyline. We know from Fatal Error that Dina’s gone missing when her younger sister shows up at Skye’s townhouse asking for help.

This event sets up multiple scenarios and plots, several interesting investigations, new characters are introduced and reveals of potential relationships as well.

Matthews packs a lot into the book.

I wish she’d give us more details about the social structure and hierarchies of naiad culture because that’s pertinent information here. It feels glossed over.

Other things that take away from a higher rating are discussion of the power of the mages. Whether it’s a tech mage or metal mage, what Skye or Jimmy are capable of or where they pull their power from isn’t entirely clear. That’s frustrating.

The circle of found friends is an engaging group, however one like Fred keeps being a red flag with his jealousy, unexplained bigotry towards vampires and overall “smarmy” behavior. Perhaps the author has some sort of storyline in mind for this. Next to Bob, he remains the least connectable personality here.

Kill Switch is a terrific urban fantasy mystery, one that is suspense filled and packed with action and great characters.

Easy to binge read too.

No spice romance.

I really like the changeup in cover. Terrific work. More suitable for the character in every aspect of her life.

The Digital Detective Mystery:

Murder By Code #1

Fatal Error #2

Kill Switch #3

Storm Signal #4

Virtual Games #5

Buy link

Kill Switch: A Digital Detective Mystery (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 3)

Blurb

72 Hours. Time is running out.

Skye Sanders, tech mage extraordinaire, can debug a corrupted hard drive in her sleep, but flipping pancakes? Total catastrophe. And as for people stuff? Let’s not even go there.

When her friend’s sister turns up announcing Dina’s missing, Skye drops everything to help.

Something’s not right at the hospital where Dina works, and the clues are as scarce as a working printer when you need one. Armed with two bickering teens, a sarcastic magpie and her parkour crew, Skye is determined to find Dina before it’s too late.

But when her vampire boyfriend (or beau, as Seb insists) shows up, tensions rise—especially with her best friend Fred.

Skye needs a mediator and a dose of luck. The clock is ticking.

Note: While part of a series, Kill Switch can be read as a standalone mystery — written in Australian English and set in the magic city of Sydney.

If you enjoy books by K M Shea, Heather G. Harris and Kim Harrison, then you’ll love this riveting urban fantasy story with a touch of humour and romance.

date

June 11, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

356 pages

Book 3 of 5

The Digital Detective Mystery Series

Review: Fatal Error (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 2) by P.L. Matthews

Rating: 4.25⭐️

Fatal Error, the second in The Digital Detective Mystery series about a neurodivergent fae tech mage and her magpie familiar, filled in more of Skye Sanders back history and her family dysfunction.

And how she and magpie Bob ended up together.

Fatal Error picks up after the cliffhanger of the first book, where it was announced that their friend,Fred, was in jail, suspected of murder.

This will bring the burgeoning “Scooby squad “ of new friends together to solve the mystery and clear Fred’s reputation.

Matthews lets the reader start to know each of the small group better, Luna the introverted werewolf, Dina the nurse and hiding the fact she’s a naiad, Josh the young street savvy intern from Seb’ Bellmont House, Jimmy the mechanic and metal mage,with Fred being the successful trader and only human of the group.

Most are still character outlines at best but each story fills in a little more detail on each of them.

The mystery created along with the suspense is excellent. Following the investigation right to the aha moment is highly satisfying.

Bob remains annoying and Fred is creeping up there as an irritating personality with his jealousy, and actions.

The rest are really entertaining and I’m loving where the series is going.

The Digital Detective Mystery:

Murder By Code #1

Fatal Error #2

Kill Switch #3

Storm Signal #4

Virtual Games #5

Buy link

Fatal Error: A Digital Detective Mystery (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 2)

Blurb

Sometimes the rules can take a hike.

Tech mage Skye Sanders is a stickler for the truth—and for rules. That is, until her friend Fred is accused of murder.

Skye’s 98.5% sure Fred didn’t do it, though his public blowout with the victim doesn’t look great. With the only other suspect boasting an airtight alibi, the police seem all too eager to pin it on Fred.

Enter Seb, a vampire with beautiful brown eyes, and secrets of his own. Skye isn’t sure she can trust him, but with sparks flying and time running out, she may have to risk letting him get closer… even if it means diving into dangerous vampire politics.

Can Skye uncover the truth before she lands in the crosshairs herself?

★★★
If you enjoy books by K M Shea, Heather G. Harris and Kim Harrison, then you’ll love this riveting urban fantasy story with a touch of humour and romance.

Publication date

March 11, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

344 pages

Review: Mech and Magic: An Epic Fantasy Steampunk Adventure (The Knack Book 2) by Kim McDougall

Rating: 4.5⭐️

“Magic runs the machines. Secrets run the city. And Squad 54 stands between order and chaos.”

Another excellent story in The Knack series, albeit really different from the previous book. In A Knack for Metal and Bone we saw the characters come together for an impossible mission. Squad 54 survived, but not without losses, learning some devastating truths about their own lives and setting them up for a new journey upon their return to New Torwood City. And Princess Rowan Andula, who was the mission’s tech has to stay in the City, looking for answers about the traumatic event that left her an amputee, her brother the heir in a coma, and her father the King dead. That means that her love,

Conall, werewolf Commander has to leave her and the City on his own mission to find out what happened to his brother, and the rest of the mages they were fighting.

This story divides into two journeys and sustainably different tales of high suspense and action. One is Conall’s as he’s dangerously crosses the Meadows and wastelands in search of knowledge about his family and brother. His journey continuously ties into the ongoing struggles back in the City and Princess Rowan’s story against hidden and not so hidden enemies of the court and her past. She’s surrounded by those who would see her not just fail but perish. And her part of the story is emotional and fraught with anger.

They are ties together by multiple sources, elements and somethings I won’t give away.

Each relationship, each person is beautifully rendered by their own words, cultures, clothing and even religion. Defined by their details and their deep of connections, to the land and each other.

I will warn the reader, much like the first story, a character dies here. One we’ve come to know and care about. Such is the nature of this world. I expect this to happen again as the series continues.

There’s a strong cliffhanger type of ending as there is no resolution to part of one major conflict and storyline. But the author has no information as to any further series book release.

It’s a wait and see status. This is a long book but it flew by fast for me. It’s that excellent.

I’ll be happy to wait for the next however long it takes.

This series is a must read. Highly recommended.

Published by Wrongtree Press.

Cover art and design by Christian Bentulan

The Knack (2 book series to date)

A Knack for Metal and Bone #1

Mech and Magic #2

Buy link:

Mech and Magic: An Epic Fantasy Steampunk Adventure (The Knack Book 2)

Blurb

Magic runs the machines. Secrets run the city. And Squad 54 stands between order and chaos.

Conall thought he’d buried the past with his brother. But when a cryptic summons surfaces—tied to a long-vanished village and a wolf who should be dead—he’s forced to retrace the path of the disbanded Squad 54. What he finds in the shadows could unravel not only their fate, but the fragile balance between elf and human kind.

Back in New Torwood City, Princess Rowan Andula is done playing the figurehead. With a seat on the ruling council, she’s ready to fight for her family’s legacy—until the city’s giant mech guardian begins to fail. Talos isn’t just a machine. He’s the heart of the city. His collapse could bring down everything her ancestors fought to preserve.

As enemies close in and new treacheries are revealed, Conall and Rowan must face the same question: How far will you go to protect what you love?

Mech and Magic is the second thrilling installment of The Knack Series—where ancient tech, dangerous politics, and fierce loyalties collide.

December 5, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

494 pages

Book 2 of 2

The Knack

Review: Any House in a Storm (Hidden Sanctuary #1) by Jenny Schwartz

Rating: 3.75⭐️

A novella set in the Uncertain Sanctuary universe, it’s a good read with huge potential for future exploration in additional stories if Schwartz gets the chance to return to the series. But the chance to really dive deep into the characters history, magic, and complicated journey into satisfying relationship and new believable start needs a bigger book and narrative.

The sentient House itself, has itself a horrifying powerful tale of redemption that’s not really told here. And it’s unique haunting connection to its Guardian, Tavor, a mysterious cursed being who doesn’t get the attention he’s clearly due here. Especially since he has so many under explored aspects of his fascinating character.

This frustration extends to Zelia herself. A world traveler who is more than she admits, with fantastical world walking birds ( I know I know so many elements that just need more), her appearance and assumed heritage based on her human origin of US western high desert alone cries out for a bit of further history.

This is an author whose detailed novels is fantastic at laying out precision work which makes the holes or lack of detail here more evident.

So it’s a good story but ultimately one that promises more than it delivers.

And the second book revolves around a lesser character from the Uncertain Sanctuary universe trilogy and elevates him into main character status. So it really should be a side story to that series.

Ah well, A sentient house that capable of space travel a great idea and definitely captured my imagination. I really hope the author returns to this world sometime in the future. Literally.

Buy link

Any House in a Storm (Hidden Sanctuary Book 1)

Blurb

No one suspects Zelia is a sorcerer, and that’s exactly how she likes it. Even better, no one suspects she’s human. Masquerading as a goblin Traveler, she roams Reality in her glittering van pulled by her two trusty world walking birds, Warp and Weft.

But when a storm of cosmic chaos strands her in an outer thread, the only refuge in sight is the legendary Darkhouse of Doom. Goblin legend says it is cursed; that the appearance of the wandering darkhouse foretells the appearance of world-devouring monsters and the death of all who see it.

So, Zelia knocks on the door.

Any House in a Storm is a beauty and the beast tale set in an otherworldly, space-traveling darkhouse where nothing is as it seems and no one who enters remains unchanged.

While evil exists, there will always be those who fight it.

*Any House in a Storm is a standalone novel set in the universe introduced in The House That Walked Between Worlds.

Review: A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic (Adenashire, #1) by J. Penner

Rating: 4⭐️

“A human, a dwarf and an elf walk into a bake-off…”

It had me at the tag line.

A sweet, no spice fated soulmate fantasy romance, A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic

follows the journey of orphaned human baker, Arleta Starstone who lives in a small village called Adenashire next door to the two orcs who raised her after her parents died. Her passion is baking, it’s how she supports herself and she’s fantastic at it. But she’s insecure because she’s human and without magic.

The Langheim Baking Battle, a famous baking contest, is the path that sees Arleta on her way to becoming a person of confidence in her abilities as a baker and as a strong kind woman. One able to make friends, achieve her goals and accept a HEA.

Penner’s storyline brings in several characters that turn into important figures in Arleta’s life and the series. They’re characters who have strong back histories relayed here and future books in the series. I look forward to each one.

I found A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic (Adenashire, #1) by J. Penner very entertaining, the characters are engaging and fun.

There’s issues with this that stick out. One is an element that bugs me whenever I see it. That of the “disappearing animal character “, the one character where the author has made a point about in the narrative, pages and descriptions. And it’s importance to one of the main characters. Then it vanishes from the story. Gone.

As it does here.

What happened to Theo’s magical Forest Lynx cat with horns , one he rescued btw and needs to be fed? Did it go with Theo? What happened to it? No mention about it. Authors need to include the necessary details to wrap it up into the finished piece.

And what about the difference in lifespan? That’s never addressed either.

Those are major holes in the story.

But I will end up with huge positives. All the recipes at the end. Some of the contest recipes are included there. Be prepared to drool and bake, of course.

Gorgeous Book Cover by Clara Fang

Adenashire (5 book series)

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic #1

A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons #2

A Fellowship of Games & Fables #3

A Fellowship of Curses & Cats #4

A Fellowship of Academics & Arts #5

Buy link

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic: Adenashire, A Cozy Fantasy Book Series

Blurb

A human, a dwarf and an elf walk into a bake-off…

In the heart of Adenashire, where elvish enchantments and dwarven delights rule, human baker Arleta Starstone works twice as hard at perfecting her unique blend of baking with apothecary herbs. So, when her orc neighbor (and biggest fan) secretly enters her creations into the prestigious Langheim Baking Battle, Arleta faces a dilemma. Being magicless, her participation in the competition could draw more scowls than smiles. And if Arleta wants to prove her talent and establish her culinary reputation, she’ll need more than just her pastry craft to sweeten the odds.

Though Arleta may not yet believe in herself, she makes her way to Langheim―with the help of a very attractive woodland elf―and competes. While on a journey of mouthwatering pastries, self-discovery, heartwarming friendships, and potential romance, Arleta will have to decide whether winning the Baking Battle is the true prize after all. But win or lose, her adventure is only beginning…

Although this book is part of a series it can only be read as a standalone. Escape to Adenashire for a delightful cozy fantasy where every twist is a treat and every turn a step closer to home.

Review: Diamond Wishes: An Aladdin Retelling by Abigail Manning

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Abigail Manning takes well known fairytales from our childhood and gives them her own unique twists and fabulous turns of character and plays on the themes.

This is one of the “All That Glitters” series and is , as all of her stories are, a no-spice, clean romance.

Diamond Wishes turns Aladdin into Kya, a female thief with a humorous, snarky parrot companion.

All That Glitters- 12 books/different authors:

Tainted Beauty by Alesha Adamson

Stolen Magic by Camille Peters

Amphibian’s Kiss by Lichelle Slater

Rapunzel’s Gambit by Mary Mecham

Golden Goose by Lea Doué

Siren’s Treasure by Suzanna Fowers

Rose Crown by Nina Clare

Feathered Thief by J.M. Stengl

Snow Bound by C. J. Brightley

Gilded Locks by Julene Johnson

Lost Starlight: A Peter Pan Retelling by Kayla Eshbaugh

Diamond Wishes: An Aladdin Retelling by Abigail Manning

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comDiamond Wishes: An Aladdin Retelling eBook : Manning, Abigail: Kindle Store

Blurb

A mute guard, a chatty parrot, and a diamond ring that could change it all…

Few people have heard the legend of the wondrous wishing diamond, and even fewer have wasted their efforts searching for it. Kya couldn’t care less about jewels unless they can sell for enough money to feed her and her mouthy parrot. Her chronic fainting spells make it impossible to hold down a real job, and difficult to escape the guards when a charming stranger interrupts her heist.

Caught and caged, Kya admits defeat as she wastes away in the palace prison. Not even befriending a royal guard can get her out of her chains, but a deal with a smooth-talking nobleman might… It would seem that the boy from the market isn’t the only person on a diamond hunt.

If anyone can find a diamond ring in a cave full of treasures, it’s a jewel thief, but that doesn’t mean she knows how to use it. Wishes gone wrong and a power struggle between royals quickly trap Kya once again, but this time as a fake princess. Even a counterfeit diamond can sparkle, but can it fool a treasure hunter? Life as a royal sure does have a nice ring to it—if you can live long enough to wish for a crown.

Diamond Wishes is a standalone, no-spice, fairy retelling and is a part of the series “All That Glitters.” A collection of 12 treasure-themed fairy tale retellings full of adventure, romance, and glittering gold.

Publication date: July 19, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 208 pages
Part of series: All That Glitters

More Twists on Fairytales

The Emerald Realm :

Poisoned Heart: A Retelling of Snow White

Bearly Free: A Retelling of Goldilocks Framed in Florals: A Retelling of Cinderella

Stolen Crown: A Retelling of Thumbelina

Towering Future: A Retelling of Rapunzel

The Ruby Realm series:

Crimson Claws: A Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood

Wilting Captive: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

Sole of Secrets: A Retelling of the 12 Dancing Princesses

Insomniac’s Curse: A Retelling of Sleeping Beauty

Forged Gold: A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin

Once Upon A Rhyme series:

The Itsy Bitsy Liar

Little Bo Sneak

Hush A Bye Lady

Do You Know the Muffin Scam?

Baa Baa Black Market

Twinkle Twinkle Little Scars

The Fairmyth Chronicles

The Soulless Slipper: A Retelling of Persephone and Cinderella The Serpent’s Tower: A Retelling of Medusa and Rapunzel

The Beast’s Labyrinth: A Retelling of Beauty & the Beast and The Minotaur The Dozen Damsels: A Retelling of The 12 Dancing Princesses & The 12 Labors of Hercules

Short Story Collections

The Crystal Realm: A Collection of Retold Christmas Tales

The Rose Realm: A Collection of Retold Flower Tales

The Shadow Realm: A Collection of Retold Halloween Tales

The Feather Realm: A Collection of Retold Bird Tales

Fit For A Crown

Fit For A Prince

Standalone Novellas

To Shatter A Slipper: A Retelling of Cinderella

Charlotte and the Cozy Cottage: A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin

The Snowy Footprints: A Retelling of The Elves and the Shoemaker Diamond Wishes: A Retelling of Aladdin

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