Review: Misfit in Middle America by Mandy M Roth

Misfit in Middle America (goodreads.com)

By: Mandy M Roth (author website)

eBook, 65 pages

Publisher: The Raven Books; 2 edition (April 17, 2012)

ASIN: B007VHALZY

Source: Publisher, for the purpose of an honest review

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Stars: 3

Flames: 3

Misfit in Middle America by Mandy M. Roth is a short read packed with action, supernatural, and a nice smidge of hot sex. The story takes place in North Maple Ridge in the Midwest of the USA.  The town has just experienced its third murder in as little as three weeks and Chief Adam Sisel is investigating the gruesome murders.  Little does he know that the murders are part of a bigger mystery; one that surrounds the small town and most of its residence.  Chief Sisel and his son are considered the outcasts of the town, as they were not originally born and bred, but transplants.  We also meet Beth Murray, resident and town reporter.  Furthermore, the only woman that Adam has an interest in since his wife ran out on him and his son, Justin some 15 years ago. Of course, leave it to a man to not express his feelings and tell her of his interest.

Adam and Beth are inadvertently paired together to deal with the horrific murders after the latest two victims are revealed; Jonathon and Robert, Beth’s cousins. Jonathon has met is demise while Robert’s life hangs in the balance.  We soon learn that Beth and many of the townspeople are witches or magiks and that Robert is part of the paranormal presence that is slaughtering the youths. 

We also meet Justin, Adam’s quiet- Goth son who now finds himself in the thick of the magic invading the town and is being looked at as a “planted-suspect” by some of the townspeople.

Although it took me less than an hour and a half to read the book, it was packed throughout every page and held my interest. I wished that the book could have been longer as I saw so much more being written into the story and the world of the occult.  I wanted to find out the mystery of the town and the involvement of the paranormal and even though the book answered my questions, it did so very quickly. Additionally while there was only one major sex scene, the scene was smoking and well worth it; finally bringing Adam and Beth together. 

This is my first read of Ms. Roth but I would consider reading other works published by her. The internal conflict that she writes into her characters, especially Adam was done with clarity and sensitivity, never doubting where he was coming from. Overall, I enjoyed the story.