Pocused (The Empty Nest Mystical Cozy Mystery Series) by Marcy Blesy! Today we are featuring a review of the first book in this new series. You’ll adore this humorous cozy mystery set under along the shores of Lake Michigan! Empty nests bring new beginnings… and unexpected secrets. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews, and more! There is also a Giveaway for One Paperback Signed Copy of: Dead Focused and Hocus Pocused (The Empty Nest Mystical Cozy Mystery Series) by Marcy Blesy! ENTER HERE!

For readers who love…
Empty nest reinvention
Midlife amateur sleuth
Retreat gone wrong
Isolated estate near Lake Michigan
Light paranormal elements
Self-help retreat chaos
Haunted (or is it?) mansion
Sarcastic talking cat
Humor with heart
Found family friendships
Wrongly suspected heroine
Cozy whodunit

Dead Focused and Hocus Pocused (The Empty Nest Mystical Cozy Mystery Series)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Michigan
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 25, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 236 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8247248682
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GQBPXL2G
Digital
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GKJBBR79

About the Book:

The Empty Nest Retreat was supposed to help Juli find herself. Not question her sanity—or reality.

When Juli Tully’s kids fly the coop and she takes early retirement, the silence in her house is deafening—and not in a calming, spa-music kind of way. At her mother’s not-so-subtle urging, she signs for the Empty Nest Retreat at the Sand Bur Estate, a stately mansion perched on the windswept dunes of Lake Michigan.

Juli nearly bolts when she learns the retreat is phone-free. No texts. No doom-scrolling. No emergency updates from her kids. Instead, she’s stuck with an unusual group of fellow empty nesters: Nelle, a perpetually cheerful optimist; Kimmie, a bubbly influencer convinced the estate is magical; and Jedd, an arrogant dad who fancies himself Parent of the Year—and takes an instant dislike to Juli.

Then things get… strange.

Temperatures swing wildly. Lights flicker. Objects float. Juli can’t tell if her menopausal symptoms have gone off the rails or if rumors about the estate’s supernatural past are true.

Between meditation sessions and awkward financial-planning talks, one of the estate’s employees dies under suspicious circumstances. Thanks to Juli’s increasingly unpredictable “episodes,” she becomes the prime suspect.

With a murder to solve, a reputation to save, and a sarcastic talking cat who knows more than she’s letting on, Juli must uncover the truth—before this empty nest lands her in handcuffs.

My Review:

I always enjoy Marcy’s writing and was excited to get my hands on this new book (and a first in a series!). This is such a unique and fresh story for a cozy mystery that I so enjoyed! Three cheers for stories featuring characters in midlife. I love “starting over” stories and found the idea of a mom figuring out the next stages as kiddos move out and retirement occurs so compelling.

I enjoyed the mystery – it’s a wonderful combination of suspense and humor. And Juli is a character I enjoyed rooting for – she’s a smart, no nonsense kind of lady and turns into a talented sleuth. The side characters round out the cast as they are each unique. There’s a snarky cat who just might be my favorite. 

The storytelling is fast paced. As with Marcy’s other books, I was pulled in right away and turned the pages quickly. I wish I could visit the Sand Bur Estate and eat blueberry pie, minus the murder, of course. While I know Juli was working through changes in her life, the idea of a phone free retreat in a big house with yummy pie sounded wonderfully cozy to this reader. 

This read is lots of fun! 

About the Author:

Marcy Blesy is the author of over thirty books across genres, best known for her Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery Series and the Monthly Murder Movie Club Cozy Mystery Series —humorous, heartwarming whodunits filled with senior sleuths, quirky characters, and animal sidekicks. Her cozy mysteries spotlight midlife reinvention, found family, and laugh-out-loud amateur sleuthing, perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Finlay Donovan, and The Golden Girls.

Marcy also writes the Ghost Texter Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series, starring a kindergarten teacher-turned-reluctant sleuth, and the Secrets romantic mystery duo (The Secret of Blue Lake and The Secret of Silver Beach), transporting readers to the scenic and suspenseful shores of Michigan.

For younger readers, Marcy’s best-selling Be the Vet series offers interactive veterinary mysteries for kids ages 9–13. Her early chapter book series—Evie and the Volunteers, Niles and Bradford, Third Grade Outsider, and Hazel, the Clinic Cat—delight animal lovers and growing readers alike.

When she’s not writing, you’ll find Marcy treasure-hunting along Lake Michigan in search of rare red beach glass. She believes every story should offer heart, humor, and a hint of hope—whether it’s solving a mystery or chasing a dream.

Author Links – Website    Facebook    Instagram   GoodReads

Purchase Link – Amazon 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

• April 28 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
• April 29 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
• April 29 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
• April 30 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT  
• April 30 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – REVIEW
• May 1 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  
• May 1 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
• May 2 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
• May 3 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
• May 4 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
• May 4 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
• May 5 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
• May 6 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
• May 6 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST
• May 7 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST
• May 8 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
• May 9 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book– SPOTLIGHT
• May 10 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
• May 11 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Want to Book a Tour?
Click Here