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There are currently 22 member reviews
for The Fifth Petal
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Cora M. (San Francisco, CA)
Witches, Murder, Intrigue
A lovely tale following the characters and town form the Lace Reader. Barry weaves an intriguing tale based on historical witch trials and modern cold case murders. Another psychological mystery book worth reading.
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Judy B. (Santa Fe, NM)
Witches, Witches, Witches
I loved this book about witches and I usually do not! It involved so much early American history which made it so interesting. Actually, it is about a murder that took place in 1989 of three women, thought to be "Goddesses" or witches, all related to the five women who were killed as "witches" in early Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. The story takes place in Salem and involves three women, one who has a young daughter at the time of the murders in 1989. Fast forward to present day. The young daughter has grown up and comes back to Salem to find out about the murders. The Sheriff in present day Salem has never believed that the woman who people said committed the murders, and is still living in Salem, was the person who actually did commit the murders. This is the story about how the Sheriff and the daughter find the murderer(s?). It is suspenseful and an intriguing story whose roots go back into history and is well worth the some 400 pages of the novel!
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Lisa R. (Salem, OR)
Wonderful story teller
Ms. Barry has written a particularly interesting story! I wish I had read the first book The Lace Reader, first, but you can read this as a stand alone. I am definitely going to dig up the first book, as I know I have it. I didn't really figure out where the book was going exactly because there were several misleading but believable story paths to follow. With the background of the Salem Witch Trials, I think anyone interested in mystery with some Wicca thrown in will enjoy this. A few little snippets that were left as loose threads, at least for me. Maybe the next book?
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Gary R. (Bolingbrook, IL)
Real good read
Salem,witches,a murder mystery, I'll admit I didn't know what to expect from this book,having not read the lace reader,and was pleasantly surprised. Kept my interest and was fun to read.The town of Salem,the characters,the mystery of the murders of the past and the present had me. Now excuse me while I head to the library to track down a copy of the Lace Reader
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Mary M. (Lexington, KY)
Mystery and More
I was looking forward to reading this book and I wasn't disappointed. A murder happens in present day Salem that seems to have a connection to a crime that happened 25 years ago. Both crimes also seem to have a connection to the Salem Witch Trials. The author blends history, legend and the supernatural into a fascinating mystery. The story twists and turns keeping the reader in suspense until the very end. I wouldn't usually recommend a mystery for book clubs but this book is so much more than a mystery. It has many topics that will make for a lively discussion. I loved this book.
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Sarah H. (Arvada, CO)
Five Stars for The Fifth Petal
Barry truly nurtures her characters, the love she has for them brings them to life for her readers. This story is compelling and suspenseful with a thorough history of Salem. Another book from Brunonia that is worth reading, keeping and recommending.
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Estella P. (New York, NY)
The Fifth Petal
Having read the Lace Reader with great delight I looked forward to The Fifth Petal and was not disappointed. The information about Salem and one specific group of contemporary witches and the resulting mystery kept me enthralled. The mystery was one of my favorite - I couldn't figure out "who did it." The characters were well developed whether human or trees!