I so regret not reading this book sooner. I had it on my To Read pile for over a year (yikes!), and forgot about it until I requested that my library purchase it & the next three in the series. I devoured it over a weekend and am currently half way through the third. Strange Magic is the perfect brain balm. It's witty and slightly spooky, and the characters are fantastic. I'm recommending it to everyone. I've already got one of my fellow librarians reading it. A+++

This is a witty and entertaining beginning to the Rosie Strange series. Essex girl and Leytonstone Benefit Fraud investigator, Rosie, has inherited the Essex Witch Museum from her estranged grandfather Septimus about whom she knows little.

As an ex-Museum curator myself, the blurb of this book grabbed me. It was haunting, with some beautifully written chilling scenes that left me pleasantly surprised. It was full of humour and wit, with a pretty intriguing relationship between Rosie and Sam. It was a cosy read that was a bit of fun on a dreary day. And sometimes that's exactly what we need.

I saw the cover and then I read the description and it sounded like the perfect pre-halloween book for me as I love anything to do with witches especially as autumn is coming up but sadly this book wasn't for me. I adored the topic of witches and the general feel of the book but I had to DNF it almost half way though as it was so incredibly cheesy and very YA which I wasn't fully expecting. I couldn't get over the ridiculous and cheesy dialogue, if you can call it that!

Rosie Strange inherits her Grandfather's witch museum when he passes away. Rosie really want's nothing more than to sell it and be donne with it. She goes to the museum to check it out before hiring a real estate agent. upon arrival she starts to remember a few things from her childhood and her visits to her estranged grandfather and the Essex Witch Museum. Still she wants to be rid of the place.

Once at the museum she meets Sam who is running the place. Sam is very passionate about his work at the museum. And even head strong Rosie cannot detour Sam from his mission of running the place.

Professor George Chin wants them to help find the body of Ursula Cadence who was executed in the 16th century. Rosie at first says no until she finds out how much it pays.

This book is a mystery. It kind of dragged along in spots and did not keep my attention very well. This could just be a personal thing not saying the book was bad or was badly written. I just couldn't immerse myself in it. The blurb of the book sounded awesome to me, which is why I chose it. I also love the cover.

An interesting story with a complex magic system and characters that keep your attention throughout.

I had read 2 of Syd's other books (The Drowning Pool and Witch hunt, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed) so was excited to read this one. Especially as again we have a book set in Essex where I live. But this one just didn't grab me at all like the other 2. I didn't feel much of anything for Rosie and my mind started to wander a little while reading this - not a good sign. I may come back to this at another time, but this was a DNF for me at 37% - sorry.

Any book that has a link to Essex and witches instantly catches my eye, and the stunning cover also helped draw me towards this book and it has been a really enjoyable read and a little surprising too!

This is the story of Rosie Strange who is an Essex girl and benefit fraud investigator, with very little interest in the world of Witchcraft! But her life plan changes somewhat when her Grandfather Septimus leaves her his beloved Essex Witch Museum. Her family was never the closest so she knows very little of this side of the family and when she travels to visit the museum her plan is to sell it as soon as she can!

But while she is there, she is immediately swept along in the hunt for the bones of one of the most notorious 'witches' of the 16th century, Ursula Cadence. Sam who is the curator of the Museum and a friend of Septimus is wary of Rosie to begin with but their relationship is allowed to progress nicely in this book as they are sent all over the country to track down the whereabouts of the remains of Ursula to try and help the young boy whose body appears to have been possessed by Thomas, the son of Ursula.

I really enjoyed the mix of humour, history and mystery in this story and there were a few moments to give you the chills as well! There was a fascinating glimpse into the history of Witches in the county through Sam and the knowledge he brought to the 'team' and it has definitely made me more intrigued to read up even more about what happened during that period. Very pleased as well to know that this is the beginning of a series of books featuring these characters so will be watching out for the next installment!

This book has been inspired by Ursula Kemp who was tried in Essex in 1582 for witchcraft and hanged, and then the remains of 2 women were later found in a garden in St Osyth and became a tourist attraction, such is the appeal of the history of the witches of Essex.

This is a brilliantly written read. I'd probably consider it a cosy mystery rather than a thriller but still just as good. The story was easy to read and follow. The witchcraft and history were quite interwring too!!

Strange Magic
Author: Syn Moore
Publisher: Oneworld Publications

Rosie Strange inherits the Essex Witch Museum from her grandfather, upon learning of her new property her first thought is to sell it as fast as possible. After all, she doesn’t believe in witches, ghost, and other oddities and has no need to keep the weird items inside the weirder building. Maybe they can be sold, and she can make a profit.

But the museum is curious as Rosie becomes more interested against her will. Perhaps her interest is more in the curator, Sam than in the actual museum. He is good looking and obsessive, and she isn't sure it's a good combo, but she can't seem to help herself. Together they embark on an ill-advised hunt for the bones of an ancient witch. If they don’t find them a child’s life may be at stake, perhaps others as well.
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The character Rosie is a bit too masculine and seems to be a bit dim as well. Her disbelief in the face of so much evidence is discouraging. The way she treats Sam, as well as just about everyone she comes across, makes her an unbelievable and unlikeable character. Sam, although intelligent and attractive is too quiet and secretive, his interest in Rosie seems forced, and there does not appear to be any real attraction.

Most readers will find this book rather plodding with too much detail of surroundings and unimportant day-to-day activities such as eating or drinking to immerse themselves in the plot. In and of itself the storyline is interesting, and the ending does not disappoint. Unfortunately, this book is not recommended.

Amazing book ! If you love witchcraft, mystery, and history behind it all then this is a must read! Throughout the book you follow Rosie and Sam as they chase down a 450 year old known witch remains... all the while a young boy Max lay dying in a hospital because someone has taken over his body.. the story never dulls or lapse from its storyline. This book keeps you turning for more and then gets your heart beating out of your chest from everything that is happening.. truly loved the ending since it closed the story perfectly, no clifff hanger or unanswered questions. Great read for any fan of magic!

This is a witty and entertaining beginning to the Rosie Strange series. Essex girl and Leytonstone Benefit Fraud investigator, Rosie, has inherited the Essex Witch Museum from her estranged grandfather Septimus about whom she knows little. She arrives intending to sell the place, meeting the crazy Audrey outside, Hecate the cat, and the oddly attractive curator, Sam. As with all the best laid plans, things go haywire when the well known Professor George Chin arrives, sparking a budding bromance with Sam. Chin introduces them to James Harris, the father of Max, a possessed child, and the Reverend Dr Kaspar and are shown a disturbing video of Max who appears to have been taken over by Thomas, the son of a sixteenth century witch, Ursula Cadence. They want Sam and Rosie to locate the bones of Ursula to prevent Max dying.

Sam and Rosie agree to do so, embarking on a road trip that takes in the home of Ursula, St Osyth, Boscastle, Plymouth and Whitehall. It is not easy to discover exactly where the bones are and they encounter some pretty strange phenomena. In a search that brings Rosie closer to her family history and personal identity, they find themselves close enough to get their hands on the bones, only to have them stolen. Rosie is further startled to discover the existence of the Occult Bureau within MI6 and her family connections to the unit and Monty Walker. Monty informs them of the dangerous Macka Bogovic and the notorious Elizabeth Barbary, who have nefarious plans for Ursula's bones. Sam and Rosie make their way to the ridiculous and aptly named gothic Hades Hall. Facing betrayal and the fight of their lives, Rosie is determined to keep a promise to get the bones to St Dismas Church and save Max.

I really enjoyed reading this well written and atmospheric novel. The crazy, acerbic and comic character of Rosie Strange, sceptic and wit, is both compelling and mesmerising, she easily keeps and maintains our interest. The adventures her and Sam embark on leads to an intriguing and close relationship between them. There are some wonderfully pastiche comic horror moments that I loved. An engaging and funny read. Thanks to Oneworld Publications for an ARC.

Both the cover and blurb of Strange Magic appealed to me when I requested the book from NetGalley and, overall, it was a pleasant read--just not quite what I was expecting. I had assumed there would be actual magic accepted and performed during the course of the story. However, the author takes a more sceptical approach, with the characters explaining away most of the potentially magically events that do take place. This is the first book in a series, so perhaps that magical aspect will grow more prominent in future tales, but, in truth, this first story is more mystery than fantasy/paranormal. I still enjoyed Strange Magic; however, I felt that it lost impetus in the last quarter or so, and I started to skim more, simply wanting to see how it ended. Rosie was an engaging character, though I didn't completely buy her budding romance with Sam, but my personal fave was the cat, Hecate, who sadly didn't appear again after the opening few chapters. Given the opportunity to read on in the series, I would give book two a try, but I wouldn't rush out to buy it. If you are looking for urban fantasy, Strange Magic is not for you. However, if you enjoy a cosy, light mystery, then you'd probably enjoy it.

I have read books by Syd Moore in the past and was delighted to receive an arc for review purposes.

The book is the first in a new series and introduces the reader to Rosie Strange and Sam Stone. Rosie has inherited the Essex Witch Museum from her estranged Grandfather, and as the book progresses, it seems that this is not all she has inherited. Rosie is a sceptic, but as the pair are tasked with unearthing the bones of Ursula Cadence, a witch put to death over 400 years ago, her beliefs are challenged and the strange magic of the title starts to insinuate itself into her life.

Not as creepy as her previous books, there are still plenty of chills and spooky happenings. The frisson between Rosie and Sam is great, I'm hoping that relationship develops further as the series continues. There are some laugh out loud moments and I really felt myself warming to the pair.

I was fascinated to learn that the character of Ursula was based on a real life woman, and it is clear that the author has done her research. The scenes with Boscastle and Tintagle brought back memories of a Summer holiday in the area, and again, were really well researched.

A fun, quick read, and I'll be waiting for the next book in the series.