A Hex for Danger is the second book in the Enchanted Bay Mystery series by Esme Addison. The first book in the series is A Spell for Trouble. You can definitely read this book and enjoy it without having read the first book--but if you like to read Cozy Mysteries, why not read both, right?
The book takes place in the small Coastal town of Bellamy Bay, North Carolina. Personally, Coastal Cozy Mysteries are one of my favorite types of mysteries. Something about a beachy small town on the edge of a continent--so cozy! My perception may be colored by the fact that I live in the landlocked Midwest so any coast seems romantic and magical. And this is most certainly a magical series. Alex is a descendent of the Mermaid of Warsaw and is learning the extent of her magical abilities while living with her aunt and cousin.
This book is a thriller of a cozy. The action-adventure is fast-paced and Alex is not afraid to ask too many questions while she is sleuthing. Unlike a traditional cozy, this book has corporate espionage and scheming governments. I enjoyed how Esme Addison has woven science and mythology together in her books and extended the environment of the small-town cozy. Best of all, at one point near the end, I thought the story was wrapped up with a pretty standard cozy murder motivation; but, that was not the end of the story, more twists and turns were ahead!
On the romance end, I don't know if I'm supposed to be rooting for Jack or Dylan to wind up with Alex. This subplot alone is enough to ensure I'm going to preorder book number three! As someone whose favorite genres are cozy mysteries, romance, and contemporary fantasy, I've found the Enchanted Bay Mystery series very fun read!
