Enter a Wizard, Stage Left (A Zodiac Mystery)
Traditional Mystery
Prequel Novella
Suspense Publishing (October 26, 2021)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 111 pages

Synopsis

Julia Bonatti wasn’t always a crime-solving San Francisco astrologer. She was a young woman, engaged to the love of her life, preparing for a teaching career when tragedy struck. Her fiancé was killed in a hit and run accident. As Julia struggles with her loss and attempts to find meaning in her life again, she takes refuge with her grandmother Gloria. But there’s little time for grief or rest because Gloria, a retired seamstress, needs Julia’s help. Gloria’s been hired to create costumes for a production of Agatha Christie’s Appointment with Death at the newly opened Theatre Mars in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood.

Theatre Mars is a stunning jewel, the cast is supremely talented and the script is brilliant. What could go wrong? Julia gets the first hint of trouble when her new friend, the owner of The Mystic Eye bookshop, warns that all might not go well. Opening night will take place during the dark of the moon, the last three days before the new moon, a time that bodes disaster for any new project. The dire prediction comes true when the lead actress is murdered before the final curtain, echoing the play itself. Julia discovers a vital clue to the murder, but a clue that puts Gloria’s life in grave danger. Can Julia rescue her grandmother before it’s too late? And will a black cat play a leading role?

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Review

I have read a few books in this series and love the mystical aspect of the stories. The zodiac intrigues me and someday I might want to learn more about it myself.

I really enjoyed getting to know Julie and how she fell into astrology and this prequel definitely answers all of those questions. Plus there is a murder to solve along the way.

The premise of the book is a play being put on by a local theater featuring an Agatha Christie story. I don’t think I had heard of this one, so I loved reading along and learning more about one of her infamous characters, Hercules Poirot.  Julie ends up at the theater with her grandmother helping with costumes and that is the perfect place to be to discover the clues and uncover the killer. I don’t think she expected to do that and I felt like I was right there with her figuring it all out. I’m not sure I suspected the killer but it made sense once all of the clues were revealed.

I enjoyed meeting Gale and discovering how she decided to set up a mystic shop. I find that whole world very fascinating.

If you haven’t read any of this series, or even if you have, definitely check out this prequel to learn a bit more about Julie; Gale; Julie’s grandmother, Gloria; and Kuan, her grandmother’s tenant.

We give this 5 paws up.

Guest Post

Today we have a few words from the character, Gale Hymson. She is quite an intriguing character and I love her shop!

Gale Hymson

What an exciting evening I had last night!

It all started when I met a very interesting woman two days ago.  I was in the back parking lot of my shop breaking down boxes for the recycle bin.  You see, I’m Gale Hymson and I’m the owner of the newly-opened Mystic Eye, an occult bookshop in San Francisco.  That’s when I spotted a woman in the next-door parking lot of another building.

Her name is Julia Bonatti.  We said hello and Julia told me she was helping her grandmother with costumes for a production of Agatha Christie’s Appointment with Death.  I was intrigued because I’d seen workmen coming and going and I was really happy we’d have a small theater in our neighborhood.  I invited her over to visit my shop.  I told her my shop is well-stocked with books, jewelry, Tarot decks and lots of other interesting things a customer might not find anywhere else.

Long story short, Julia invited me to the opening night of Appointment with Death.  I thought it would be a quiet, enjoyable evening.  No such luck.  I couldn’t leave until the police had interviewed each and every one of us.  Why you ask?  Well, because of the murder!  The lead actress was murdered on stage in front of a live audience!  Talk about a riveting evening!

I do hope it’s not the last time I see Julia.  I think she’d be very interested in my shop and some of the astrology books we carry.  I’d love it if she became a regular customer!

About the Author

With the Zodiac Mysteries, featuring Julia Bonatti, a crime-solving San Francisco astrologer, Connie di Marco has combined her fascination with astrology and her love of writing mysteries.  Writing as Connie Archer, she’s the national bestselling author of the Soup Lover’s Mysteries from Berkley Prime Crime.  You can find her excerpts and recipes in The Cozy Cookbook and The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook.  She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime.  She lives in Los Angeles but dreams constantly of the San Francisco fog.

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