Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

(Sorry long inc comments for series) I read first 4 books in this series before I discontinued it and hope my comments on this book & the overall series prove helpful. I was drawn in with the catchy title and the lure of witty dialogue from reading others reviews. Apparently, I don't share the same sense of humor as many reviewers; I was expecting something like Elizabeth A. Reeves or Amanda M. Lee's Witches series (different but excellent light witch series) but I felt the dialogue was actually one of the weaker points. It served no point in propeling the core plot and is primaily composed of bickering characters or the complaints of the primary character, Jill because she's allowed herself to be manipulated. Jill bickers with everyone, ad nauseum, even her one-eyed talking cat. I'd easily assess it's 50% of what's spoken. While the premise and initial plot of a female PI becoming a witch were creative & interesting, it becomes diluted with so many subplots, some which are distracting, absurb ( a nemesis called TDO, the Dark One) or seem like filler to lengthen the story. They may have a point but never receive adequate development. The book were also poorly researched on topics key to its' telling imo, like being a PI & witchcraft, with no background elements on either subject to give the book any complexity. That is what was primarily problematic with the entire series; each book reads more like a outline of a novel with few details and little atmospheric descriptions. Not everyone likes long descriptive passages but I did feel when she introduces Candlefield, the magical village where most of the supernaturals reside that more was required than "It was unlike any city I'd seen with no house resembling any other." I recognize this was intended to be a fun, light hearted read and do credit that some of the antics were amusing. The core cast of characters created were interesting and had me initially looking forward to reading their exploits. Yet, for a novel featuring a PI & a book on their cases, there's far too little foreshadowing or clues leading you through the mystery; she eventually solves the key cases but you aren't quite sure what deductions helped her solved it, it's just magic… There's not even sufficient info that the author provides so you can figure how Jill comes to the conclusion. Instead, the text will allude that she's seen or remembers or connects something that helps her solve the case but it is never explicit in telling what it is. Also, Jill, the primay character isn't much of a role model; she allows herself to be walked all over, she complains also to the point of whining and seems to be posses no self esteem. The few scenes I really enjoyed showed Jill doing and achieving she wasn't comfortable with doing. I also found her response to learning she was adopted was unrealistic. She showed a more emotional to her beanies. She allows herself to become enmeshed in an entore extended family that consisted of just more people to bicker with after one talk with her new Aunt. I continued to read in hopes that the author would refine her skills in executing this work bc I was hopeful but after 4 books of painful dialogue and a character who spent more time talking about how she prized unmixed bins of custard creams I knew I wouldn't be finishing this series. I'd urge you not to start. Book & Series: Grade D