All Swell That Ends Spell by Trixie Silvertale – Review

The second book in the Magical Renaissance Faire Mysteries series is by another favourite author of mine, Trixie Silvertale. And what a delight it is!

A dubious festival. A fatal swim. Can this fortune-telling fairy herald the true killer? 

Coriander the Conjurer is trapped in a cursed Renaissance Faire, but that’s the good news. Her usual routine of reading patrons’ futures and compensating for her lopsided fairy wings is interrupted when a scuffle turns deadly. Now, in order to broker peace within the realm she must solve a mermaid’s murder. 

Convincing the gorgeous Mer prince to allow her to investigate seems the only option. But she’ll need the help of a dangerous vampire and her meddling toad familiar to uncover the real clues. With doxies, scoundrels, and panderers aplenty, it won’t be easy to suss out the truth! 

Can Coriander’s fairy dust save the day, or will her inquiry end as a tragedy? 

All Swell That Ends Spell is the second book in the humorous paranormal cozy series, Magical Renaissance Faire Mysteries. If you like snarky heroines, supernatural misfits, and a splash of romance, then you’ll love Trixie Silvertale’s crooked caper.

Available on Amazon and via Kindle Unlimited.

While we get the general lay of the magical land in Book 1 of the series, Much A’Broom About Nothing, this one takes us further into the world of the mermaids. I think it’s so clever how Trixie creates a fantasy world where ‘real’ mermaids live in ‘plain sight’ trying to create a ‘real’ habitat in a Carnival setting… yeah… I know how it sounds! But still it’s so fun to read.

The main characters are Cori, the fairy, her toad familiar, Thorny (or Thornton as he prefers), and Hadal the mer prince. What a charming trio, especially that curmudgeonly toad who tried to keep Cori safe and in tune with her powers. Throw in some zany interactions with the resident vampire doctor/ forensics expert/ anything-medical-related and it’s impossible not to smile or laugh while reading this book.

The mystery of who killed Hadal’s sister is the one to uncover in this book. From no suspects to several, Cori is hot on the trail. Each suspect seems to have a good motive and opportunity. No one directly accuses anyone else but there’s enough suspicion cast about! I like following from clue to clue and it’s only towards the last quarter, I figured it out. The big reveal is a bit dramatic and just a touch swoon-worthy!

I have to say, this series is making me curious about the real-life Renaissance fairs out there. I may have to visit one, one day.

Overall, another enchanting addition to the series. I wonder what Nova’s tale will be like….

I give All Swell That Ends Spell 4.5/5 espresso shots.