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n 1930s America, enchanted items are highly valuable, especially in the waning days of the magical Prohibition. As Velma digs deeper, she discovers the watch is part of a collection of dangerous artifacts manipulating people across the country—and in some cases, leading to their deaths. Something about all this is tickling Velma’s memories, and the more she discovers, the more these seemingly isolated incidents feel as if they’re building to something apocalyptic.
I was really excited to pick up The Improvisers, the newest book in Nicole Glover’s Murder & Magic series. I loved the first two books, The Conductors and The Undertakers, so I was curious to see where she would take the story next. This time, we meet Velma Frye, a bold new main character who flies planes, used to run booze during Prohibition, plays jazz piano, and works celestial magic on the side. She is busy, to say the least.
The story kicks off when a magical pocket watch causes a full-on magical brawl during one of Velma’s air shows. That one incident pulls her into a wild mission across the country to find a bunch of cursed artifacts. Along the way, she uncovers some deep family secrets tied to a tragic event at her family’s old inn. She also crosses paths with Dillon Harris, a journalist who is both nosy and annoyingly charming. Their back and forth adds a lot of spark to the story and kept me grinning during some of the heavier moments.
One thing I really liked was seeing the third generation of the Rhodes family step into the spotlight. Velma brings a new energy that fits this fast-paced, slightly more chaotic story. It was great to see the world of the series grow a little bigger. But honestly, it did feel like a lot. There were so many new characters introduced that it got hard to keep track. Sometimes I had to stop and flip back just to remember who was who, which pulled me out of the story more than I wanted.
I will also admit that I miss Henrietta and Ben. They were the heart of the first two books for me. Their relationship and teamwork made the earlier stories feel really grounded. While I get that the series is moving forward and exploring new faces, I hope we get to spend more time with them again soon. Their presence is definitely missed.
Overall, The Improvisers is a fun and fast-paced addition to the series. It is packed with magic, action, secrets, and plenty of attitude. If you are a fan of the first two books, you will want to check this one out. Just be ready for a bigger cast of characters and a slightly different vibe. I am excited to see what happens next and I am definitely rooting for a Henrietta and Ben return.
The Book Review Template is perfect for taking quick notes on how you feel about the characters, theme, plot, or whatever seems important to you. Additionally, there are helpful phrases and descriptors to help write your review.
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