MRS. MORRIS AND THE SORCERESS

A beautiful woman who can hypnotize her targets with her eyes pushes someone to resort to murder.

When widowed Charlene Morris bought a large mansion in Salem, Massachusetts, as a B&B, she never imagined herself as a sleuth. But the house came with Jack, a handsome resident ghost, whom she’s found a congenial partner in crime-solving. Now that it’s the Fourth of July, Charlene has brought her guests to see an outdoor performance of Salem’s Rebels, starring the stunning Madison Boswell, who’s shot dead before their eyes. Despite Jack’s jealousy, Charlene is attracted to Detective Sam Holden, whose mutual attraction doesn’t extend to welcoming her as a professional colleague. Research and chats with cast members reveal that Madison was hated by a large number of people, including the wife of the theater group’s director, who’d fallen for his beguiling star. Madison’s lies about her brother to her wealthy Boston family alienated them from their son, who’s doing very well on his own but has no reason to love his sister. She also spent time in Hollywood, where she became engaged to a top-notch agent whom she dumped when his connections proved insufficient to make the untalented Madison into a star. With so many suspects, Charlene faces the difficult task of identifying a killer willing to kill again.

A paranormal sleuth enhances a complex mystery filled with local color and romance.