View source for Strange Sight: An Essex Witch Museum Mystery (Essex Witches Mystery 2) by Syd Moore

{{infobox1
|title=Strange Sight: An Essex Witch Museum Mystery (Essex Witches Mystery 2)
|author=Syd Moore
|reviewer= Luke Marlowe
|genre=Paranormal
|summary= Something spooky is afoot, as Syd Moore returns the reader to the weird world of Rosie Strange and the Essex Witch Museum. Sexual Chemistry and supernatural happenings come together to form a read that's part 50% Jonathan Creek, 50% Moonlighting, and 100% bloody brilliant (in more ways than one...)
|rating=5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=384
|publisher=Point Blank
|date=October 2017
|isbn=978-1786072054
|website=https://twitter.com/SydMoore1
|video=LM-v0KhYa8Y
|cover=Moore_Strange
|aznuk=178607205X
|aznus=178607205X
}}

Rosie Strange is back - recovering after her last escapade with curator Sam Stone, and figuring out what on earth to do with the Essex Witch Museum she's recently inherited. If Rosie had her way she'd be selling the museum and heading back to her flat in London - but when her Auntie Babs recommends Rosie and Sam to a local businessman, they find themselves embroiled in dark events once again. Something is wrong at Le Fleur Restaurant - blood leaking from chandeliers, scrawled messages in the rooms and apparitions walking through the walls. Before Rosie and Sam can start to look into these possibly supernatural occurrences though, events take an even darker turn when a very real body is found in the restaurant - and the owner's daughter swears that a ghost was to blame...

Rosie Strange first appeared in [[Strange Magic: An Essex Witch Museum Mystery (Essex Witches Mystery 1) by Syd Moore|Strange Magic]] - a book published earlier in 2017, that I absolutely loved. A thriller with a supernatural edge, author Syd Moore's complex and charming characters won me over swiftly - backed up by a fun and gripping plot that used historical events as a basis for the modern day happenings. Whenever I love a book I'm always a little apprehensive to pick up the second volume, a lifetime of being disappointed by poor sequels weighing heavily on me. Well, I'm relieved to say that Moore has surpassed my expectations on that front - creating a second Essex Witches Mystery that's every bit as good as the first. 

This is a series that relies on chemistry - with Rosie Strange and Sam Stone existing in a rather wonderful state of ''Will They/ Won't They''. The chemistry between the two is palpable - sexy and sparky, it's left me with a considerable crush on Sam. As much as I'd like to see their relationship tip over into passion in further books, part of me also hopes their courtship is prolonged for some time with perhaps a little romance in the last book - we all know how Moonlighting went after Maddie and David got together, and it was a similar story with Mulder and Scully in the X-Files. 

In terms of main plot, the thrust of the action moves from Essex to Central London - with the unsettling events of La Fleur restaurant introducing an intriguing line-up of characters (although Aunt Babs remains my firm favourite), whose actions form to create a plot that's as unpredictable as it is exciting. Again, Moore uses historical research to form elements of her story, and, whilst I won't reveal any spoilers as to what happens, the historical elements are given a modern day parallel that's shocking and provides a stark and compelling contrast to the more supernatural elements at play. I've often found that tales of this nature can be a little ''paint by numbers'', but there's no such fear here, with Moore keeping the reader on their toes even after the main thrust of the mystery seems to be solved. 

A fun and thrilling read, one hugely impressive element is that Moore uses her light tone and intricate character relationships to address some serious points  - ranging from people trafficking through to the derogatory stereotype of the Essex Girl. Lead character Rosie Strange is a woman to be admired with her ballsy, no-nonsense attitude, excellent boots and compelling family history. I can't wait to see more of Rosie, Sam and the Essex Witch museum in the future - and many thanks to the publishers for the copy. 

For further reading I recommend picking up the first book in the Essex Witch Museum series, [[Strange Magic: An Essex Witch Museum Mystery (Essex Witches Mystery 1) by Syd Moore]]. A read that's as warm and charming as it is spooky and thrilling, it's a debut of a compelling pair of characters who'll keep the reader entertained throughout. 

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[[Category:Thrillers]]