Betting off Dead

And their off!
Gambling on horse racing is Kentucky's number one sport but when Kentucky Derby Thoroughbred picked to win the Derby, Rails and Nails, ends up poisoned, SKUL special agent Mick Jasper and rookie witch Maggie Park, who keeps her witch powers a secret, are called in to investigate a world of illegal gambling where a run for the roses can prove to be deadly.

This is the second book in Tonya Kappes new Spies and Spells series. The first book after from which the series takes its name introduces us to Maggie , a witch who is waiting for that life defining moment that will make clear her life's calling, While she waits for that moment she works in her family's diner waiting tables. She thinks that she may have found it when a great looking agent shows up and she gets involved in espionage. Her methods are unorthodox and somewhat magical and her adventures leave you on the edge of your seat.

In this latest book we see Maggie pressed into service once more and she has to play the studs wife! Unfortunately, this leads to some jealously from guy friend Abram and some static from the family. Meanwhile Maggie tries to infiltrate an illegal and deadly operation that seeks to fix the outcome of races using unnatural methods. Along the way there are both tense and funny moments to keep you reading on.

We learn a little more about the characters and they are developed more here. The plot is solid and there re no annoying holes for you to shake your head at. Mick is not sure what is going on with her but it works so I feel that there is a lot more life left in this series. I enjoyed both the suspense and the fact that it was not really easy to figure out what was going to happen in advance as sometimes happens when you have read an authors work for a while. Tonya Kappes always surprises and delights me no matter what series I am reading at the time.

You can see reviews of other books by Tonya Kappes on my blog and in an upcoming post for the premiere of A Charming Voodoo on October 18th. Until then may your life be magical!

My rating