PAIGE PAPILLON'S PARANORMAL MYSTERIES
(COZY MYSTERIES)
WRITTEN BY LILY LUCHESI
COVERS DESIGNED by PARTNER IN CRIME BOOKS
****This is a review of Books 1 & 2 out now in this 5 book series.****
The one thing I will say about the Series before I get into each book as the why this might be for you as a reader and how it can be championed, is that both books I think you could read a standalones very easily and not be too in the dark. I think that is a very good bit of writing that Lily Luchesi has done here. That being said I think both books had well connected overall established nuances, aesthetics, and Easter eggs for those of you who choose to take on the series from word 1.
SERIES BLURB: Paige Papillon is a paranormal investigator in Chicago, Illinois, a city that behaves like a small town.
Whip smart and intuitive, she never expects to have to solve the crimes of paranormal perpetrators.Alongside her magical best friend Shayla, Shayla's "cat" Maura, the wolfish Detective Randale, and her benefactors, the mysterious Jonathan and Vera King, Paige takes on the Midwest's creepiest cases.
BOOK 1: DAUNTING DARKNESS
BLURB: Paige Papillon has always loved mysteries. So much so, she enlists in the Police Academy to one day become a detective.
But when she washes out of training, her Sergeant inspires her to go another route: become a private investigator.
After a few boring cases, she receives an envelope full of cash and mysterious clues that lead to the discovery of a cover up of paranormal proportions.
Worse, the Sergeant's wife is at the center of it. Can Paige solve the mystery and stay alive, or will she become a midnight snack for a monster?
"Yay, corpse viewing is my favorite pastime," she thought.
WHAT THIS BOOK DOES WELL: The character work here is exceptional. The manner and style in which author Lily Luchesi chooses to introduce each character and their quirks is so amazingly peppered near flawlessly through out. Even at times of deeper reveals where there is more gradation, whether its overt or subtle, it is so well woven into keeping the story constantly moving that you really do absorb so much more from that approach. What I appreciate even more about this aspect is often in these types of stories and settings you get the main character really well defined but the supporting cast and especially the red herrings don't always get their just due. I almost really love a few of these characters on the supporting side more than Paige herself. Don't get me wrong, Paige, and who and how she is, and seeing that play out while being there with her is the absolute only way this could have been written. Even though this book does in key moments switch 3rd party POV's to different characters we ride along with, I think that works because it does serve a purpose. However in the end being with Paige from the beginning is what will hook most readers and keep them there and this is done a panache that I think really is on an expert level. This book technically is masterful and you never mistake that this is not a cozy. I will say even as predictable as this was, that didn't tailor nor taint my enjoyment of this book. In fact it might have helped, because then I can just sit back and let the characters, the nice interjections of humor, and the nice way in which we get in involved with Paige's thought process all absorb me into one of the most fun reads I have had, certainly of this year but of a while.
YOU CAN START YOUR PAIGE PAPILLON ADVENTURES HERE
BOOK 2: FREAKY FAMILIARS
BLURB: Now aware that things that go bump in the night exist, private investigator Paige Papillon has expanded her business to include clients of all species.
Assisted by a former detective and his mystery writer wife with a checkered past, she takes on a case for a missing witch's familiar ... but this case is closer to home than she'd like.
When this goes far beyond a simple catnapping, Paige must delve into a world of magic and mischief she never imagined would be right on her doorstep.
"Have you met Vera? She's kinda scary," he commented with a laugh.
WHAT THIS BOOK DOES WELL: The first thing I really appreciate about this particular book in the series is how quickly it gets going. I think that was a really smart choice by Lily here. I realize it was near impossible to do in the 1st book because you had to have some sort of establishing to get Paige and her supporting cast all set up but this book could have easily got bogged down with some establishing aftermath type stuff and Lily did none of that. In fact, moreover, Lily cleverly found away to mix in certain elements of the previous story so that anyone picking up this book would not be so lost in reading it and could still get into the story rather quickly too. I love the depths we are starting to get into with these characters and while the layering helps us, what really strikes me as comforting here with these reads is the impressive way in which Lily really has a handle not just on the cadence but the tone. We are never overextending the cozy feeling as the mystery unfolds, even at times when there is a darker tinge. You know I can say something about the ease of the whodunit aspect of these stories so far, but I am not sure that's not intentional. I don't know enough about cozies to state an obvious, "that's a thing". If it is a thing then again you have to give Lily Luchesi a ton of massive credit here, especially in this story, I didn't even have to go back to see how the clues played a major factor in the sense of it all. I like how laid out and connective it all became, even when I knew it without them or before they appeared. I like the positive vibes I get in reading these stories, hence why the nomenclature Cozy makes a hell of a lot of sense. I think while we are only 2 books into the series that has to tell you all you need to know about how amazingly awesome Lily Luchesi is at this then.
YOU CAN START YOUR PAIGE PAPILLON ADVENTURES HERE
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WHY CHAMPION THIS SERIES: If you are reading this and you are a hardcore or moderate Cozy reader and fan, I don't know how you don't have Lily Luchesi among your fandom? I really don't because I think her ability to bring a casual, if not never fan like myself into this genre shows the discipline, the care, and the respect she has for nailing it. The characters here are going to invoke a debate on who is your favorite but I think ultimately you will enjoy that Paige is your companion, if not your favorite. Without that young lady, this never works. I think again that says everything about how impressive this all is being done. This is a good chance to get on board the series as more of these pop up. The other nice thing is they are quick reads, they great pacing, and they are ton of fun. Why deprive yourself of that?
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