Skeptic in Salem: An Episode of Murder

A Dubious Witch Cozy Mystery, Book 1

By: Fiona Grace

Narrated by: Valarie Falken

Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Skeptic in Salem: An Episode of Murder is the debut novel in a charming new cozy mystery series by best-selling author Fiona Grace, author of Murder in the Manor, a number one best seller!

When Mia Bold, 30, learns that the pharmaceutical company she works for only cares about money, she quits on the spot, walking away from a high-powered career. Worse, her longtime boyfriend, instead of proposing as she expected, decides to break up with her.

Mia’s true passion lies in her own podcast, devoted to debunking the occult and shining light on the truth. The daughter of a con-man father, Mia feels a moral responsibility to the truth and to spare others from being conned.

When Mia, at a crossroads, receives an invitation from a famous supernatural podcast inviting her to move to Salem and join their podcast as the skeptic-in-residence, Mia sees a chance to start her life over again and to pursue her life’s mission.

But things in Salem do not go as planned. When an unexpected death happens - in the midst of Mia trying to debunk a haunted inn - she realizes she may be in over her head. With her own future now at stake, can she really prove that witches and ghosts do not exist?

A mesmerizing pause resister, packed with intrigue, mystery, romance, pets, food - and most of all, the supernatural - Skeptic in Salem is a cozy with a twist, one you will cherish as it has you fall in love with its main character and as it keeps you glued (and laughing) throughout the night.

©2020 Fiona Grace (P)2020 Fiona Grace

story was good, but the narration was terrible

the story was good, but the narrator read very poorly, like she was just learning to read, or reading to little kids. someone suggested increasing the speed. that did help.

Interesting

First time reading this author. The story and characters were interesting, however, the skepticism over powered the story for me. I won't continue this series, but I might try something different from the author.

Subject of honesty!

I will try to read more of this writer’s books. The Character of the story has more integrity than most and tries to stand by it I like those kind of stories

Like listening to someone read to 3rd graders

Story may have been okay but the reader was not. Emphasizing words with a breathless intonation made the listening painful.

I'm not a child

I had a hard time getting into the book due to the narrator's performance. She was pretty exaggerated and I felt like she was reading the story to a 5 year old at bedtime.

The story itself is okay. It's cute I suppose. I was looking for a light, easy listen, and this hits those categories so that's why I gave the story 3 stars. However, it is written like someone right out of middle school, though the narration might be a part of what makes me feel that way. Maybe it's better to read instead of listen to, but because of my listening experience, I'm not interested enough to give book 2 a try.

Not for me

Skeptic in Salem: An Episode of Murder is not for me. I couldn't get interested in the story. The plot and characters were flat and uninteresting. I begin skipping ahead and finally gave up on the book.

Ugh

The narrator was so bad I quit listening on multiple occasions but I eventually slogged through it. I do not understand why the MC, who is supposed nearly 30 & well educated was voiced as if she was a teenager reading to slightly backwards 2nd graders. Plot was predictable but not offensive; with a different narrator it might have been okay