Welcome to Litsy!

The execution of Salem “witches,” a more recent historic murder, a likely mentally ill semi-homeless woman, and a young woman who was orphaned see their stories weave together in a modern portrait of a community and a murder mystery. It‘s a bit slow and has just one too many new age elements for my usual taste, but overall I enjoyed it. A soft pick for me.

I liked this book. It links modern day, late 80s, and 1600s. The murder plot spanning the whole time period, in one form or another, is what kept the book moving. The primary setting is Salem, Mass. The main character is a young woman who witnessed a murder when she was a child. Her character was good but the sheriff is the character that held the book together.

I wasn‘t sure if I wanted to rate this a pick or so-so, but ultimately I liked reading this despite its problems. Set in Salem, the death of a teenager sets off a modern day witch hunt and brings an unsolved murder case from the 80s to the current police chiefs attention. Interesting history and folklore, fun witchy plot points, complex mystery, likable characters. Problems: slow pace, seriously meandering plot, and some loose ends. #klaus #puzzle

I‘ve had this ARC since BEA 2016. It‘s a murder mystery set in Salem Massachusetts and overall it‘s ok, I guess?!? The author weaves together narratives about the Salem witch trials, a 25 year old murder and the present day when there is more murder and mayhem. Throw in a romance and you have the makings of an intriguing, albeit wordy, tale that ultimately wasn‘t as gripping or unpredictable as I would have like. Another good but not great read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️: started off strong and then slogged through the middle until the ending picked up again. Right down the middle.

I quite enjoyed this. It definitely started with a “bang”, as Halloween 1989 was the opening of the book. It actually went off in a bunch of directions as the story went on, as the book seemed to show the characters living their lives while any investigations were going on, etc. So, there was much more to the story than the murders and the investigation. Cont in comments...

I wasn't quite sure about this book in the beginning. Honestly, I thought there would be more magic than there was. It refers to several witches, the salem witch trials, spells etc. But there isn't any actual magic in it.

I'm not a believer in magic, so it turned out well. I enjoyed the plot very much, as well as the characters.

There were aspects of this book that I quite liked — the Salem setting, all the stuff about sound healing and music therapy, a puzzling murder mystery, hidden caves, talking trees...

But for me the pace was a bit too slow and meandering. And I still can‘t decide whether some of the plot twists were clever or just confusing. I‘m glad I stuck with it... and glad to be moving on.

#mystery #salemwitchtrials

I‘m determined to step on the gas with my current read so that I can dig into this pile! #TBR

The Fifth Petal has gotten more interesting in the final third to where I don‘t want to abandon it. Still, I feel like it‘s slowing me down...

I liked it. I‘ve read through other similar series and this filled the void.

1. It‘s a muder mystery set in modern day Salem, Mass. A local disturbed woman is the prime suspect in the strange death of a local teen. The details of this mystery have parallels to an unsolved murder from the 1980s, and it‘s all tied up with the Salem Witch Trials history.

2. Milky Way

3. Gen X

4. Milton Bradley - The Game of Life

5. Headshot photo session for a realtor friend & playdate for the kids.

#HumpDayPost

#bookmail another recommendation from @ScorpioBookDreams ❤️📚

I really love and enjoy this witchy book, it was a bit slow at the beginning. But it started to get real good a few chapters in.

Full Review On Kati's Bookaholic Rambling Reviews:
http://katisbookaholicramblingreviews.blogspot.com/2017/12/review-fifth-petal-by...

Review: http://theghastlygrimoire.com/2017/12/18/book-review-the-fifth-petal-by-brunonia...

Our oven, heater, and fire place are all broken so I‘m chilling with a book and hot alterna-toddy of my own design.

Guys. I‘m doing that thing where I look at pretty words on pages! Anyway. My review on this is due the 27th. As it was giving to me by the publisher, I have 90 days. Let‘s do this.

#TBRtemptation post 3! When a teenage boy dies mysteriously Halloween night, Salem police chief John Rafferty wonders if there's a connection with the notorious "The Goddess Murders" cold case--3 women descended from accused witches were slashed Halloween night 1989. Local historian Rose Whelan is the main suspect. What kind of evil is at play? #blameLitsy #blameMrBook ?

I can like a magical realism book if it is well written and this- although quite long at 436 pages- is very well written. She takes time with characterization and the plot moves along well. I really enjoyed this book recommended by #bookriot. This mystery is set in Salem and goes into history of witches as well as folklore. I believe this is the author‘s third book so I will look at her backlist. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #dogsoflitsy Whiskey chillin‘ this am!

A good murder mystery with side of witchcraft. Investigating a cold case where all the murder victims are descendants of executed witches. Loved the look at modern day Salem. The mystery kept me guessing.

These are the only books I own with a variation of #five in the title. Both are #TBR. #novemberbythenumbers

Powerful and sad statement 😢

From my #TBR, I bought this purely for its #beautiful cover. #YESvember17

I‘ve gotten lost in this book, and let me explain why that‘s important and magical to me. For the longest time I‘ve been reading to escape, to skim along and try to ignore my anxiety and deep unhappiness in a toxic workspace. I‘ve been sad that my immersive reading, something that‘s always been so special to me, seemed gone. But after only a week in my new job, I‘m back to losing time in a story. In this book. And I‘m so happy. 🙌🏼

This was a surprise bookmail. I forgot that it was coming 😄 A mystery with supernatural elements sounds like what I need right now.

#bookmail #reviewcopy We need a sticker for this.

Happy Read an eBook Day! What eBook are you currently reading? #eBookLove

The follow up to _The Lace Reader_ and it was just 'meh' for me. It was another murder mystery with supernatural elements thrown in - but the end result was underwhelming.

#howyouread - plenty of apps and a cozy pillow for reading in bed. #riotgrams

Also, I totally bought this book for its #amazingcover. 😍#readingwomenmonth

Oh, a witch story set in modern day Salem? Don't mind if I do! Thanks again, public library and Overdrive.

So, apparently I won a signed first edition of the Barry book from Reading Group Choices! Very cool--a big thanks to them. The other book is the completion of my Eden Robinson book binge. This one has an essay about rather than by her. I'm excited to learn about other Canadian writers as well!

#BLUEDABADE. Just finished this one and loved it!!!

I am a sucker for a good witch story, and this one definitely is a winner! Salem history, witches, and a murder mystery make for a fun page turner!

I want to go to Salem.

I tried to push through reading this one but I just can't make it... the basis of this book sounds amazing but it drags so bad for me. I really wanted to get hooked by it 😔

#bookmail

I should not be allowed near a bookstore when I'm having a bad day. This happens. I didn't even have a coupon. Thank goodness for my B&N membership card.

Y'all this book is dragging.... there is way too much extra stuff in this that is not needed... I feel like if they cut half of that out then I wouldn't be able to put it down but I can't.... hoping it gets better or I'm bailing.

A Q&A with Salem author Brunonia Barry for booksbywomen.org. We talked witches, banshees, and more. Enjoy! :) http://booksbywomen.org/qa-with-brunonia-barry-by-mm-finck/

Suspense, seduction and Salem Witchs?!?! Where do I sign my name?!

I liked the story, was slightly surprised at the ending (but not shocked). I think the character development could have been deeper but a solid read

This is totally litsys fault!!!!!! Oh and @MrBook

I really liked this story much better than The Lace Reader. Pretty good mystery, kept me guessing which is good. Love the setting of Salem, and the history of the Salem witches.

Loved if! I had never read The Lace Reader so I read that first (thank you, Litsy!), then immediately read The Fifth Petal. I hope it isn't ten years before Ms. Barry writes a third novel featuring the denizens of Salem, Mass.!

Just finished The Lace Reader and moving on to next one. Love stories set in in New England that has mentions of witches.

Great!! I love witchy books but they are easy to do badly. Barry is one of the best. Impeccable detail and research.

So far I'm enjoying it!

I enjoy Brunonia Barry's books and this was no exception. A new story with familiar characters and a mystery that drew me right in.

#2017Book38
This novel started out super creepy, so that's what I was expecting for the whole book. Instead, it turned into a fast-paced suspense novel, drawing on the legends surrounding the Salem Witch Trials to add depth to the story. All the characters are complex, from the protagonist all the way down to minor people from town and those shown only in brief flashbacks. Every scene is carefully placed to progress the story at the perfect pace.

#TBR

It's had mixed feedback & it does bog down in places but I ended up quite enjoying The Fifth Petal. I liked the mysteries set in 1989 & 2014 & ties to the Salem MA Witch trials-the history & the characters. Lush & slightly spooky like its cover. Paired w/ herbal tisane of lemongrass, blood orange, rose water & other bewitching ingredients on my blog book tour review + a giveaway for a copy of the book if you want to try for yourself. Post link👇🏼