The Vanished Priestess

In this fine sequel to her highly praised debut, The Hummingbird Wizard, Blevins blends a wild story, wonderful wit, and great characters."--Library Journal, which also named it ONE OF THE YEAR'S BEST FIVE MYSTERIES "If you don't fall in love with the Szabos, you don't have hormones. A sublime debut whose sequel can't come fast enough." --Kirkus Reviews on The Hummingbird Wizard THIS IS THAT SEQUEL MADAME MINA'S BACK AND IT'S MORE FUN THAN THE CIRCUS-IN FACT, THAT'S HERE TOO... Half the fun of this one is the contentious relationship between freelance journalist Annie Szabo and her Gypsy mother-in-law, Madame Mina. When they stop arguing long enough to put their heads together, they make a crack team of amateur psychic sleuths. When they can't, they keep us in stitches. Unfortunately for Annie, Mina's come to stay-just up and parked her trailer in Annie's yard, right next to Annie's pet giraffes. We should explain: Annie's neighbor and good friend, Margo Spanger, is the owner-operator of a New Age circus that helps support a home for abused women. The giraffes, like other human and animal performers, just kind of spill over. Annie is heartbroken when Margo is murdered, but also frightened-her own daughter is an abused wife who's a resident of Margo's project, along with Annie's grandson. The plot thickens as quickly as a roux. Margo's partner, Lili, goes missing the day of Margo's death, causing the shelter to fall into disarray, thus threatening its residents. Okay, then- the detective team of Annie and Madame Mina swings into action Aided by an ex-cop and Mina's plant medicine, Annie discovers Margo has rattled the power elite, a trapeze flier, one jealous lover, a captain of industry, a long-lost son, and an ice-blond philanthropist. As Annie delves into their surprisingly tangled lives, two things become clear: the killer is a master of disguise, and time is running out. It all makes for a fast, funny, and very original paranormal murder mystery. Who will like it: Fans of psychic mysteries and detectives, cozy mysteries that veer off into SEXY, and lovers of all humorous mysteries-funny cozies, playful paranormals, witty romantic suspense, and clever, quirky writing. Here's what reviewers and fellow authors said about THE HUMMINGBIRD WIZARD: "Meredith Blevins covers new literary ground...pulling it off with flair and grace and humor." ---Jonathan Kellerman "An exciting debut. Blevins has written a thoroughly original first novel with characters you'll never forget." ---Tony Hillerman "Fascinating gypsy lore, unforgettable characters, and a wicked sense of humor distinguish Blevins's highly unusual mystery debut....This stellar first, with its assured prose, will delight any mystery fan." ---Publishers Weekly (starred review) Blevins flavors her lively prose with frequent humor and unexpected twists; readers will also be drawn in by the riveting characters, great plot, and insights into Gypsy culture." "---Library Journal (starred review)