Preview
  • Downward Death

  • Magical Mane Mystery Series, Book 1
  • By: Stella Bixby
  • Narrated by: Shannon Nicole Locke
  • Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (20 ratings)

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Downward Death

By: Stella Bixby
Narrated by: Shannon Nicole Locke
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Publisher's summary

Ellie Vanderwick has hair-raising problems, and we're not just talking about her unruly locks! Yoga may ease the tension, but when it comes to dead bodies, she needs more than just downward dog.

Her life may seem imperfect without friends, family, or a stable job, but she's got her trusty VW Microbus named Mona and her loyal piggy companion, Penelope. Unfortunately, her hair is a different story. It's like magic, but not the kind she likes! Her hair can go berserk at any moment, transforming into curls, bright purple, or even limp strands.

But when Ellie inherits a farm from her late grandmother, she knows it's time to tame the wild strands and uncover the secrets of her past, including why her mother left her at a fire station years ago.

Cliff Haven, Iowa, is a quaint and friendly town, but Ellie's arrival brings more than just her wild hair. When a dead body turns up in her cornfield, the town starts pointing fingers, suspecting Ellie is the culprit. Can she solve the mystery and clear her name before it's too late?

Join Ellie on this magical journey in the first book of the Magical Mane Mystery series. Will she untangle the clues, or will her big hairy secret come out? One thing's for sure; you'll be rooting for Ellie from start to finish!

©2021 Crystal Ferry (P)2023 Crystal Ferry
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What listeners say about Downward Death

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great

I really enjoyed this story. I would recommend this book. I can't wait to continue this series

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A Good YA Story

This is a Story about a young Woman who has been in foster homes all her life until old enough to go out on her own. She bought a Micro bus to drive and live in while she worked and attended school. Then she receives a envelope in the mail from a grandmother she knew nothing about leaving her the house and farm. Narrator does a good job with the entire storyline.

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This one had me completely breathless! PERFECTION in every way!

When Ellie inherits her grandmother’s farm in Cliff Haven Iowa, she expects to find farmland, quaint friendly residents and a warm welcoming atmosphere. What she didn’t expect was to be greeted with mistrust … but then she also didn’t expect to find a body in her cornfield … or to be suspected of putting it there! Oh Ellie, it looks like wild, unruly, color changing hair isn’t your biggest problem after all! Aided by yoga, an adorably charming piglet and fate, Ellie must pull out every trick … plus a few she didn’t know she had … if she’s going to outwit the nefarious in “Downward Death”, a truly engaging and enthralling mystery thriller! This plot is LOADED! I lost count of the times I had a “wait, WHAT!!!” moment as a nugget was revealed that I didn’t see coming, AND each and every nugget enticed me deeper and deeper into the world of Ellie and these fabulously drawn and developed characters! Their world became so completely real to me, the characters so human as I found myself beginning to identify with some, sympathize with others, and with a few, feeling a rage that was palatable, so palatable I actually had to pause so I could get a grip on my emotions! I won’t be going into plot details - I don’t want to spoil any of these absolutely perfectly plotted surprises for future listeners, but suffice to say that when added to the whole, and combined with the author’s flair ongoing character development, the result is truly stunning and makes for a cohesive, truly captivating and enthralling story! What makes the total effect even more astounding is the narration! One word - PERFECTION! The timing, the voicing choices, the emotion, EVERYTHING is perfect, truly bringing the story, the authors VISION to brilliant, beautiful LIFE! I LOVED it, I loved everything about this truly wonderful production. Five fantastic stars!

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New to town and found a dead body

Ellie is new to town and just found a dead body. Then they start piling up. What to do and how to stay ahead of the killer. A fast paced story as you try and figure out who is doing the killing.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

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Charming and fun mystery!

Downward Death is a the first book in the Magical Mane series by Stella Bixby. Ellie Vanderwick was an abandoned baby and spent her life in foster care. Ellie thought she was an orphan she inherits a house and farm in Iowa from a grandmother she never knew. Everyone in town sense her resemblance to her grandmother and mother. Ellie wants to know about her family but many are keeping secrets. Then when the bodies start piling up and her past comes to town, Ellie feels she’s in danger. And her hair shows her emotions like a mood ring! She tries to use her “feelings” to help solve the murders. The characters are very relatable and I could feel Ellie’s ache to learn her history. The narration by Shannon Nicole Locke is excellent. She provides unique voices for the numerous characters and her performance brings them and the story to life. I’m very glad there are more books in the series. I received a free audiobook code for my honest review.

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Great Start to the Series!!

This was my first Stella Bixby's book, and won't be my last. This is the first book in the Magical Mane Mystery Series, a magical cozy mystery! I liked it! The characters are well developed, and interesting. Ellie is such a wonderful character, strong, smart, caring, and sunshine. She has a cute pig named Penelope. The plot is well crafted, entertaining, and intriguing, filled with humor, intrigue, murders, and twists and turns. The cast of supporting characters is impressive. I liked the small town vibes. I loved to follow Ellie is her investigation. Shannon Nicole Locke did an excellent job bringing this story to life. She has a beautiful voice, and a great range of voices (impressive). I enjoyed it, and I highly recommend it. Looking forward to listening to Bowling Blunder, the next book in the series.

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Magnificent

This is a fantastic listen, after I started listening I could not put it down, it kept me on the edge of my seat, I definitely recommend, Shauna Joesten, me and my husband share this account

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Love it

absolutely love it kept me on my toes! I was soo shocked about the ending.
I love the adorable little piggy makes me miss mine even more

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