Murder, Magic, and Mystery: My Review of Dead and Stormy Night by Steffanie Holmes

Some books pull you in with romance, others with mystery, but Dead and Stormy Night by Steffanie Holmes delivers both—with a little touch of magic on top. This book is the first in a fun, cozy-yet-sexy paranormal mystery series, blending bookshop charm, literary surprises, and a murder that simply must be solved.

If you’re a fan of Nancy Drew vibes, atmospheric settings, and slow-burn romance, this book is one you’ll want to curl up with.

The Storyline

Mina Wilde’s life in New York City crashes to a halt when she’s suddenly fired from her fashion internship. Left heartbroken and questioning her next steps, she decides to return to her English hometown, hoping that the cozy bookshop of her childhood will offer her the peace and perspective she desperately needs.

Only… the bookshop isn’t just magical in the sentimental sense. There’s something truly otherworldly about it.

As Mina settles into her new life, she quickly finds herself tangled in a mystery far bigger than she ever expected. A murder looms over her, and unless she can piece together the clues, things could take a very dark turn. To make things even more intriguing? There are characters from famous books woven into this story in a way that’s both clever and unexpected. (Trust me, you’ll love discovering them for yourself.)

What Makes It Shine

Steffanie Holmes masterfully blends cozy mystery, paranormal elements, and romance, making Dead and Stormy Night an easy and delightful read.

✨ The Murder Mystery – If you love books that keep you guessing, this one does exactly that. Mina takes on much more than she ever intended, and with stakes higher than she anticipated, the pressure is on to solve the case before it’s too late.

✨ The Literary Easter Eggs – I so wish I could say more, but one of the book’s most delightful surprises is the way famous literary characters appear throughout the story. If you’re a book lover (which, let’s be real, you are if you’re reading this blog), you’ll adore this aspect.

✨ The Romance & Steam – This book teases the romance more than it delivers—yet. There’s plenty of tension and build-up, which sets the stage for something much steamier in future books. If you love a slow burn with real chemistry, this book will have you hooked and ready for more.

Perfect for…

This book is a super easy, immersive read, making it a great pick for:

✔ Flights – A book you can devour between takeoff and landing

✔ Poolside reading – Cozy mysteries + sunshine = perfection

✔ Rainy days – The book’s rainy atmosphere pairs beautifully with curling up inside

If you grew up reading Nancy Drew and loved her sleuthing skills, you’ll adore this book!

STEAMY Level & Where to Read

The romance is building in this one, but not quite there yet. There’s tension, flirting, and enough chemistry to keep you turning pages, but the real steam seems to be saved for later books.

STEAMY Level: 6-7/10 (Expect a slow burn, but not a full-on fire… yet.)

This book is safe to read in public—but you might want to be alone when the tension finally snaps in future installments!

Final Thoughts

Dead and Stormy Night by Steffanie Holmes is a delightful mix of cozy mystery, bookish magic, and romance waiting to bloom. The world-building is charming, the murder mystery keeps you hooked, and the literary surprises make it a must-read for any book lover.

I love that each book in the series introduces a new mystery to solve, keeping things fresh while letting us stay with the characters we’ve grown attached to. If you love witty, magical, and lightly steamy mysteries, you’ll absolutely adore this book.

I, for one, cannot wait to see where Mina’s story goes next!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Have you read Dead and Stormy Night? Let me know what you think—and which famous literary character’s appearance made you the most excited!