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Mary Angela launches Midnight Spells Murder, her latest Happy Camper Mystery

Interview + Author & Book Info + Author Pet Corner!

Midnight Spells Murder by Mary Angela

Spirit Canyon’s annual Spirit Spooktacular weekend is on, and for local amateur sleuth Zo Jones, it’s boomtime for business at her Happy Camper gift shop . . . until a murderer drops in for a browse.

To celebrate Halloween at the Happy Camper, Zo schedules a talk by successful author and self-proclaimed witch Marianne Morgan. Although Marianne’s benign brand of witchcraft is more about feminine empowerment than black magic, her presence is still not welcomed by everyone.

Then on a midnight stroll home, Zo spots what seems to be a new Halloween decoration propped up outside the Happy Camper. What she finds is not a mannequin but a dead Marianne, her lifeless body dressed in traditional witch’s garb. But why would someone send this good witch back to the spirit world permanently?

Soon Zo realizes that plenty of folks have motives for murdering Marianne. What’s worse, nosy TV newsman Justin Castle plans to broadcast a report associating Marianne’s murder with the Happy Camper. Zo calls on her partner in sleuthing, local forest ranger Max Harrington, to help her find the culprit before Justin’s report airs. Otherwise Zo’s business just might go bust. But to catch this killer, Zo will have to risk much more than just her reputation . . .

To purchase Midnight Spells Murder, click on any of the following links: Amazon – iTunes – Google – Kobo – B&N

Midnight Spells Murder (A Happy Camper Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Publisher: Lyrical Press (July 13, 2021)
Print Length: 271 pages
Digital ASIN: B08L8RJTTD

Author Interview — Mary Angela

Tell us about Zo Jones, the central character in Midnight Spells Murder:

Zo Jones is a bit of a mystery. As a baby, she was abandoned at the police station, so in the course of the series, she’s searching for her birth parents. In Midnight Spells Murder, she will find out the reason behind her unique name.

Zo is also the owner of the Happy Camper gift shop, an eclectic store filled with books, artwork postcards, and motivational items. In her spare time, she writes the Curious Camper column for the local newspaper. It gives her a great excuse to snoop!

Midnight Spells Murder is the second Happy Camper Mystery, anything readers should know about book one?

Midnight Spells Murder can be read as a standalone, but the first book, Open for Murder, provides details on the character arc as well as the setting. Open for Murder takes place at a lodge in the canyon, and some of the lore surrounding the canyon and the small town show up in this book.

Read my review of Open For Murder by clicking the link here.

What’s your favorite thing about Halloween?

I love giving out candy to trick-or-treaters. It’s fun to see what costumes are popular each year. I usually dress up as a witch, and the little kids in the neighborhood get a kick out of that.

Describe Spirit Canyon for us:

Spirit Canyon is a fictional small town in Black Hills National Forest. If you’ve ever been to Mount Rushmore, you might be familiar with the general area. The town was inspired by Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota, which was once described by Frank Lloyd Wright as “unique and unparalleled elsewhere in our country.”

Besides natural beauty, Spirit Canyon is filled with tourist shops, restaurants, and lore that hopefully make it a fun place to visit for readers.

What entices you to include a little romance with your mysteries?

I read and enjoy romances, so they probably inspire my work. But I think romance adds another element to characters that I couldn’t get at any other way.

Zo’s romantic interest, forest ranger Max Harrington, adds conflict to the book, but he also exposes Zo’s trust issues. It’s an important dimension I want readers to understand.

What are you working on now?

I am working on a historical mystery as well as two short stories.

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers:

Protect your creativity. It’s a wonderful gift.

Great advice! I loved the book, thanks for hanging out with us today to chat about it!

Don’t miss my review of Midnight Spells Murder with the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour on July 17!

Author Pet Corner!

Brownie, my King Charles/Lhasa Apso mix. Her big smile always makes my car rides happier!

Author Mary Angela

Mary Angela is the author of the Happy Camper cozy mystery series, the Professor Prather academic mystery series, and several short stories.

When Mary isn’t penning heartwarming whodunits, she’s teaching, reading, traveling, or spending time with her family.

She lives in South Dakota with her husband, daughters, and spoiled pets.

To learn more about Mary, click on her name, photo, or any of the following links: Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads & Instagram

Elena Taylor is the author of All We Buried, available now in print, e-book, and audio book format at all your favorite on-line retailers. And don’t forget many independent bookstores can order books for you and have them shipped to your home or for curbside pickup.

For more information on All We Buried, click on the link here to visit the home page.

Foreword INDIE Award Finalist, Best Mystery 2020