| Title | : | Wisteria Wonders (Wisteria Witches, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 310 |
| Publication | : | First published January 15, 2017 |
The Department of Water and Magic gets involved, but now they want Zara to channel a missing spirit. The fiesty redheaded librarian wants to help, REALLY, but this new spirit is going to be murder on her love life.
With a few timely spells, some top-secret sleuthing, and (of course) the appropriate reference materials, Zara Riddle should have this case solved in no time. If it doesn't kill her.
Wisteria Wonders (Wisteria Witches, #3) Reviews
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Wisteria Wonders
Wisteria Witches Mysteries, Book 3
By: Angela Pepper
Narrated by: Tiffany Williams
This is an Audible book I requested and the review is voluntary. I adore these books! They have everything I need in a fantasy! Lots of creatures living together in a town like it's normal. Great mysteries with great clues but it still leaves me baffled. Fun characters with very interesting quirks and a wonderful plot! I love the humor too! Fantasy, touch of romance, quirky characters, humor, crazy creatures, and a great story all read by a terrific narrator! What else could you want? -
This was a pretty dramatic installment. In terms of awkward relationship problems.
It was nonetheless fun and throughly hilarious as all its predecessors with its wierd, eccentric characters. So, in terms of plot, I was quite satisfied. However, there were certain character developments ( negative ones ) that I couldn't move past. Chet, for example. The way he treated Zara throughout made me so mad. She is doing him a favour, doing something she has no obligation towards. And yet, he somehow has the audacity to boss her around, not give her enough information which can potentially put her life at risk and then get mad at things that were his fault to begin with.
He was the one who always gave mixed signals right from the start. It was obvious he was into Zara. And then he suddenly comes to her for help in reviving his dying fiance. (not a spoiler. This is revealed somewhere at the beginning and it sets the premise of this instalment). I felt so bad for Zara throughout this one. In fact, I was also pissed at her for not being more pissed at Chet. Like, I get it. Zara is a funny character. She jokes around all the time but I wish she would sometimes be serious as well. Her joking around while being mad sort of takes away the gravity of the entire situation.
Anyway, Chet is a definite no - beau for me. If the author chooses to pursue their romance, I think it's going to be unnecessarily complicated and messy. Zara deserves better. -
Well, this story was kind of a bummer. I was expecting the usual fun adventure with twists and turns that made me eager to flip the pages faster. What odd things would Zara run into while living in the magical Town of Wisteria? The potential options are skies the limit! I had such high hopes that this book would be just as amazing as the last two. But it wasn't. Gone are the days of fun, for this novel plays out like a soap opera drama bomb.
At the end of the last book I knew that things between Chet and Zara would change due to some foreshadowing, but I didn't know that Miss Pepper would pull a full on whammy! Normally I like unexpected things, however I feel like the major revelation of how things came to be fell flat. It was disappointing and frustrating.
And that is mostly because the reader is strung along to feel one way, only to suddenly be jerked in another direction. That's not fun at all! I dislike when authors toy with my emotions, and I feel bad for Zara. She gets so screwed!
There isn't much I can say without spoiling the whole darn book, but the gist of the entire things is that Zara is being used like a puppet and Chet is a giant butthole! Seriously, he's skeevy and I don't like him! I hope that sudden odd spark of attraction between Zara and Detective Bentley is explored more in the next story. I think they'd be cute together!
Eventually the 'mystery' aspect of the book gets solved in a rather dull and glazed over manner. There was really nothing to be excited about! The whole plot was pretty boring actually and felt a lot like drama filler. It was slow and stalling. The 'reveal' of who dun what kinda came out of left field. Basically the reader has no idea what's going on for a good portion of the novel and then BAM! The bad person is just there and Zara and her "friends" are present to save the day.
To say I am disappointed with this third novel is an understatement. I have enjoyed this series so much and was looking forward to reading a charming cozy story. Sadly I didn't get that this time. The whole situation with Frank gets resolved quickly and then the rest of the pages are filled with emotional turmoil. Bleh!
Even though I was not fond of this installment, I will keep reading this series because I know Miss Pepper can write a good tale, as was shown with her previous books. I just hope that the next one is more of an all encompassing story and not one that runs on drama fumes. I want more Frank, family situations, magic exploration, and perhaps some romance building with a foxy doughnut delivering detective. Fingers crossed! -
I'm sorry to say that this book turned out to be really weak. I'd guessed most of the things that was revieled from before - at least the author is good at forshadowing - but seeing as this was supposed to be some epic conclution to storylines three books long, it was a let down, and honestly, I'm not sure if I will be reading on.
I see a lot of drama in the future books, and the drama in these three books was just at the edge of what was ok for me. Not to mention, the only reason I really want to continue reading this series at this point, is because of Zoey. I want to know if she gets her powers or not, but I don't feel like that is a good enough reason to push through books I'm not enjoying anymore. -
Another fun read
I'm going through these books like I eat M&Ms - way too fast to make them last. Open another bag - er - book please! -
2020 bk 405: I know I read this in ebook form - but I think this one just proves the theory that what is read in ebook form is less likely to make it into long term memory as I have absolutely no memory of having read this plot, this story, or of the new characters introduced in this title. Zara Riddle is getting better at her talent of being a host of the dead and near -dead. In WW, she learns that her neighbor has been lying to her about a lot of things, number one being that he has no real interest in her other than he knew she would have this skillset and that he had a fiancee who had been in a coma for a year. But Zara's contact with Chessa opens up a can of worms and someone wants her dead. There were plot twists I didn't see coming. The books have cartoonish covers (which are fun) but the stories are well plotted, show depth to a mother-daughter-aunt relationship, and involve some thinking on the reader's part.
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2023 Grade B
Chapter one in this story is one of the best I have ever read - fun, surprising, upbeat. Sadly, the rest of the book has little in common with chapter one and has a lower tone - downbeat and repetitive. I did speed read a little including areas repeating earlier material for new readers, and depressing areas full of sad angst. But it was still enjoyable with adequate character development and expansion of the magical world of Wisteria. The last chapter was just plain annoying, from the overlong standard celebration party to the ominous "to be continued" final sentences. It is not good to leave a reader in a downbeat state of mind.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, and it is worth reading. But I consider it disposable. -
Witchy Redheaded Help
Zara, my favorite redheaded witch, is at it again with her snarky humor and desire to help. A powerful spirit needs assistance in communicating and returning to her proper place. The spirit connects with Zara and uses her body to act out her love for her boyfriend much to Zara's chagrin. I like the characters and story and how Zara is developing her magical power. Will Zoe come into her power? What will the be the outcome of the cliffhanger? I look forward to another book. -
Good fun
This series continues to delight with fun characters. One aspect of the story saddened me a bit but plenary of potential there -
I'm kind of having a hard time figuring out how I feel about this book. Mostly because the level of manipulation Zara uncovered was really gross. Like, REALLY gross. Beyond that, however, she kind of handwaved it when she found out and moved on and that freaks me out even more. While I can sort of wrap my head around why she'd be okay with the things that were done to maneuver her into coming to Wisteria, certain parties kept certain things a secret for WAY too long for me to be comfortable.
There were lies and a sometimes attraction that were cultivated and I'm just...not okay with that. At all.
Beyond Chet's part in it (because, yeah, I'm talking about Chet), Chessa's sisters could have stepped in at any time and told Zara the truth of what was going on. But they didn't. They really didn't even make an attempt to explain until things reached a boiling point. Why does she want to be friends with them after? Probably the only innocent party in all of it was Chessa, herself. And that whole situation was just weird once things were revealed.
So, again, the manipulation was gross, but Zara's acceptance of it weirded me out even more.
I'm going to go on record as saying I seem to have VERY strong feelings about being manipulated and lied to and this whole scenario has left me making a sour lemon face.
In the end, while certain mysteries and dangling threads from previous books were resolved (which was appreciated), the overall story here left me cold. I can accept that Zara helped out a person in need even though it hurt her because she's a genuinely good person. I can't get over how forgiving she was. She literally risked her life on multiple occasions to help people who lied to her repeatedly. She trusted people who didn't deserve her trust and then she forgave them afterwards because the ends justify the means? Yeah. Not okay with that.
-Kelly @
Reading the Paranormal -
WISTERIA WONDERS is the third book in the Wisteria Witches series. This series does need to be read in the order of release and it is so worth the time invested.
I was warned that listening to this audiobook may cause uncontrolled giggling. I am passing that warning on to you! In fact, there were giggles, squeals of glee, and outbursts of laughter.
I love this series and this book is probably my favorite so far. I loved that the expected and predictable was thrown out the window. I loved the twisted path taken as Zara made more friends and finally kicked Chet in the pants; he’s needed it for three books now. We finally find out why he’s been running hot and cold. It makes sense, even if I’d like to kick him again! Finally, I loved the cliffhanger. Yes, I’m one of those odd ducks that like cliffhangers.
As I look forward to the next book, I have questions: Who is the “family member” with the Aussie accent? What will Zara find in the DWM manual? What silliness and hijinks will ensue next time? I’m looking forward to it!
Narration: Tiffany Williams is, in a single word, perfect. She is a consummate storyteller and the exact type of person I would always want reading a book to me. She reminds me of every Hollywood depiction of a rocking chair librarian with wonderful, dramatic voices that bring the story to life. There are no mispronunciations and the sound quality is spot on. Tiffany Williams is a professional and it shows.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: WISTERIA WONDERS
Series: Wisteria Witches #3
Category /Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Listenability: OK for ears
Received from: Angela Pepper (as an Audible gifted copy) -
Swim with the Fishes
Welcome to Wisteria, a town with a bakery on every corner and something in the air which combats calories. (Wish I lived there!) I had just finished book two and felt compelled to jump into listening to book three. This is a good thing, since it is virtually a continuation. And although you could probably enjoy this tale on its own, you really want to know about the flamingo first. In a place infused with magic we are gradually meeting an increasing variety of supernatural creatures (Gorgons, mermaids, various shifters, witches, and more!), and now learn how Zara was drawn to move here. Author Angela Pepper has infused her heroine with a free and easy spirit full of warmth and humor, surrounding her with loving family (and questionable relations), and involved her in rather . . . inventive activities. Narrator Tiffany Williams' rich voice provides a full range of subtleties for the large cast. No more time to review--I'm on to book four! -
Now, this one was different! :P
First of all, you know a narrator is outstanding when she can make even flamingo-talk sound understandable :P
Zara will find why her relationship with Chet is so weird, and yes, of course, he was hiding something! Nevertheless, he asks for her help; Zara is the only person who can help him, and she really, really wants to be a good witch, so she agrees. But this time the mystery is really dangerous, there are gorgons around, and they are friendly... mostly.
But we learn that there were so many deceptions! coming to Wisteria wasn't really Zara's decision, Zoey is named in a prophecy, and... no, better you find all of this by yourself!
Oh, and Detective Bentley is flirting with Zara, and maybe something will come from it... I'd like that :P
As always, this was funny and very, very entertaining, The characters keep growing, and you simply have to love them.
A lovely, lovely audiobook, fantastically narrated by Tiffany Williams. Don't miss it! -
The lost can be found
Terrific. When she finally gets her neighbour to tell her the truth she is astonished. He has a finance and she has been on the medical ward for a year now, in a coma. She agrees to see if she can help but only if she can have a manual from DWM. As she investigates she finds that she already has a tenuous link to one of the triplets. Building on this she gets to know the gorgons and has a better understanding of the third triplet. Is this why she has such a connection to her neighbour? Can she find out what is keeping her in a coma and reverse it? What is the Prophecy regarding her daughter? A great read that ends on a slightly sinister note when a voice from the past contacts her. Wonderful to see the characters evolving and a possible new romantic interest is on the way to her. -
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
Sorry, mild spoilers - I’ve tried to avoid specific plot points, but it’s tricky!
I did not enjoy this instalment as much as the others I have listened to. I found the way that Zara and Chet’s relationship went all skewy a bit too weird, and the betrayal of how Zara ended up in Wisteria was a little too upsetting for my taste. It also made me sad that both Zara and Chet were left with feelings for each other at the end. However, all the things I love about this series are still there, the snark (especially between Zara and Zoe), the magic, the mystery, the magical creatures, etc etc. And as usual, Tiffany Williams totally nails the narration and brings the book to life. -
Well, as I stated in my review of the second book of this series, they are starting to grow on me. This third book actually had me laughing out loud. Part of my change in attitude might be because I listened to this one (and I do think that the reader, Tiffany Williams, does a nice job) entirely during part of the lock down period of COVID-19. Over the top zaniness just seems to appeal to me right now and these tales certainly are zany!!! One of my favorite things about these books are the characters and the amazing range of types that they represent. Zara is a witch, her neighbor is a shape-shifter and in this book, she makes the acquaintance of gorgon triplets. It's just funny and quirky and a great escape from our current reality.
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Sadly the series is getting worse instead of better. Luckily I only bought the first three (and on a low-price special-offer) so I didn't waste too much money on them.
Zara is even moreof a doormat in this one than the previous two - she finds out (again - it's been obvious since book one, so much for continuity) exactly how much she's been manipulated into moving to Wisteria and that her oh-so-hot neighbour has lied to her, yet instead of telling him and his co-conspirators to go-to-hell she continues to help them... Honestly, she might as well thow herself to the groound and invite them to walk all over her.
I don't recommend this book, to anyone, in any way at all. -
Solidly built in the mythos of Wisteria
This book is where the series really hits its stride, I think. It's past most of the set-up, so it can be a full story on its own, without too much explaining to the reader of things that happened before. It makes me wish for several novels to stretch themselves out comfortably, here in the middle, before the series wraps up. I've looked at a list of novels in this series, and it only goes up to Book 5. Hopefully there will be more, but maybe that's just witchful thinking. ;) -
When her coworker suddenly flies away as a flamingo, Zara is startled. When her friendly neighborhood baker reveals that she and her sisters are not only triplets, but Gorgons she is alarmed. But it's when she realizes that someone else is sharing her body that even her daughter freaks! Things just keep getting better and better with each book in this series and narrator Tiffany Williams amps up the fun!
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It took me a little while to get into Wisteria Witches, but once I did, it was a good listen. I think I got an exceptionally good deal by getting the first three books for one Audible credit. By the time I finished the third book, I was hooked. The story revolves around witchcraft in the strange town of Wisteria, where librarian Zara Riddle had moved with her daughter Zoe. It was similar to a cozy mystery, making it a light, enjoyable listen.
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Love these Wisteria Witches
Gotta expect an interesting read when the story opens with hot pink hijinks! Poor Zara has a lot of surprises in store on the way to solving this mystery which involves rescuing a comatose woman. AND there's the possibility of a love quadrangle! Intriguing characters and situations, well-plotted storylines, and a good bit of humor make this series a must for paranormal cozy buffs. -
I just read the first three books in the Wisteria Witches series and they were fun. They are a bit of a cozy mystery with witches and crazy things happening to Zara. Zara moved to a small town so her life could slow down but once she gets there it in no way slows down. First of she realizes that she is a witch and her neighbor is a shape shifter. There are crazy witches, magic and murder it seems like on every page.
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I'm totally loving this book series.
Don't read this until you read books 1 and 2 first. This series deserves to be read in the proper order. So in this instalment Zara's adventures continue to thrill and humour her audience. Unfortunately there were some tears of both laughter and sadness. But hey that's life right? Without such to balance, neither would have meaning. Jumping straight into book 4 now. -
My my my the plot thickens. I’ve ADORED reading this series and this one definitely might be my favorite in the series so far. Finding out about how Chet and the triplets manipulated Zara and Zoey into moving and finding out more about Chet and Chessa. It’s really made me dislike Chet and the couple of moments she had with the Detective were really interesting and I hope in book 4 we see more of it.
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Very much enjoyed the third installment in this series. This one seemed a little to rushed at the end though and a!so a little drawn out. While I understand the purpose of reverting to the first book, to explain certain things, it seemed wasted for my benefit as I had already read the first two books. Overall a good read.
