A Mythical Discovery

A Mythical Pet Sitting Mystery #1.5

by Melissa Erin Jackson

A Mythical Discovery is a novella that takes place between A Mythical Case of Arson and A Mythical Case of Murder in the Mythical Pet Sitting cozy mystery/fantasy series.

Don’t look a gift newt in the mouth.

Deandra has officially moved to Axia! She’s rooming with her best friend and cousin, Wendy, and has her trusty baby dragon, Havoc, by her side. She’s basking in the joy of having no schedule and no demands on her time. While taking a relaxing stroll with Havoc in Oracle Park one day, however, her peace is shattered when she overhears a violent altercation.

Yet, when she and Havoc track down the source of the commotion, it’s not a crime in progress they stumble on, but Chester and his yappy dog, Charles Barksley, squaring off against Deandra’s Sunshine the fire newt.

After rescuing the pair from Sunshine, Deandra is flabbergasted when, instead of being met with animosity, the newt gives Deandra a gift. The newly acquired coin is grimy, old, and possesses strange magical properties. Deandra is confounded further still when her research into the coin’s origins reveals a past not only connected to the fae realm—but to Havoc.

Genres: Paranormal, Mystery, Fantasy

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2025

About the author

Melissa is a professional pet sitter and an author of paranormal mysteries. There are two books out in her Riley Thomas mystery series--The Forgotten Child and Shuttered Secrets. Her Witch of Edgehill cozy paranormal mystery series is complete at five books. The first two books in her urban fantasy series, The Charm Collector, are out now. Unholy Magic and A Mythical Case of Arson are up next! She owns too many pets and lives in Northern California with her equally pet-obsessed boyfriend. For information about her books, you can join her newsletter at melissajacksonbooks.com

Reviews

[Melissa Erin Jackson]

Ebook —> https://geni.us/pHZD4i6

Paperback —> https://geni.us/dx7dBV

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deandra Hendricks has moved to Axia and is staying with her cousin Wendy. Despite being mundane, she’s formed a bond with Havoc, a glamoured, rare dragon that others perceive as a fire breathing dire wolf. During a walk in the park, she rescues a dog from Sunshine, the psychopathic fire newt. Expecting to be attacked herself, she’s surprised when Sunshine gives her a strange coin. Tracking the meaning of the coin and its owner, she finds a link to Havoc’s origin. Will she have to give Havoc back to the person who dumped him in a dumpster?

A Mythical Discovery is a novella that takes place between books 1 & 2 of Ms. Jackson’s Mythical Pet-Sitting series. I’d recommend reading book 1 first to better appreciate the characters and world building, but Ms. Jackson fills in the backstory enough that new readers can enjoy it as well. I really love this series and the concept of the magical hubs. Dee and Wendy are both fantastic characters and their dynamic is strong and complementary. Havoc is adorable, and I love his bond with Dee. After being abused and controlled in book 1, Sunshine understandably has some issues, but it was nice to revisit her story and see her respond to Dee’s mythical pet whispering skills. All around a fun addition to this cozy paranormal series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It's not the normal cozy mystery in the fact that there is no murder to investigate, instead Deandra is following up clues when she is given a mysterious coin. The story is only a novella but I actually think it makes a good introduction for new readers (like me) and to the magical series itself. I don't normally like novellas because they are so short and the author spends most of the time introducing lots of characters that it gets confusing if you don't already know them or there is no suspects or mystery. That's another reason the author did well with not making it a murder mystery, instead it's more of a treasure hunt of fun. I liked the characters and want to learn more about them.

When Deandra intervenes during an altercation in the park, the grumpy fire newt persistently wants to reward her with a gift. When the strange coin starts humming every time Deandra puts it down, she wonders what she has let herself in for by accepting it. Can she and her cousin uncover the secrets the coin is hiding? Especially when it seems the emblem discovered under all the dirt has a connection to Deandra's pet Dragon.
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining! This story provided that instant feeling of happiness and I didn't want to put it down at all. I wanted to read fast, because it's so good, but then I wanted to read slowly, because it'd be over too soon, LOL! When life gets in the way of reading, it can be such a comfort to have a book waiting for you that you're really looking forward to continuing, that excited feeling. A quote that shows the dry humor that is just my thing: "...unfortunately her suit of armor was still at the dry cleaner." And one more quote, it was said to Deandra: "It's your fault for befriending an unhinged newt." And you know what? I even gained an appreciation for fire newt Sunshine! Havoc is sooooooooo adorable, and I connect with Deandra, I have being introverted in common with her. OK, maybe the description of Heather's shop was a tad on the long side for my liking, but other than that, I have no criticism whatsoever, what an amazing story! It provides more background, but isn't really much of a mystery in itself. But it was just so good, an awesome read! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella takes place after the first book, and before the second. Ties well into both. Each book is a hilarious mystery surrounding Havoc, which only Deandra sees as a dragon, everyone else sees a dire wolf pup.

The books can be read on their own, but reading the series in order give a better picture of Dee's and Havoc's relationship. The main "cliffhangesr" at the end of the books are 1) will the vet and Dee finally become a couple, and 2) what antics will Dee and Havoc get up to next?

I love each book, and "patiently" wait for the next installment.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the “A Mythical Pet Sitting Mystery Series.” Deandra and her baby dragon Havoc are so great together. They are now in Axia in Oracle Park where they run in to Chester and his dog Charles Barksley along with her arch nemesis Sunshine the fire newt. Deandra and Havoc find themselves recusing Chester and Charles Barksley from Sunshine the fire newt. Chester rewards Deandra with a coin that has magical properties and now Deandra finds herself doing research on the magical coin.

Can’t wait to see what Melissa Erin Jackson has in store for her readers next.

I received an ARC via Booksprout and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am fascinated by the stories of Dragons and a baby dragon in another dimension just adds a cuteness factor of twenty. The main characters are cousins living in a paranormal town. The dragon is disguised as a dire wolf puppy and the Dwarf who had the dragon before abandoned him in a garbage bin for unknown reasons, possibly to protect him. The plot is straightforward and the premise is finding out more about the Dwarf and why she left the town so quickly. Lots of surprises are in store for you and the story is fun, if not finished. I definitely recommend this book, and look forward to the first book in the series.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pleasant short where you finally learn how Havoc ended up in Axia. I think I'd prefer to read it right after the first book in the series because I've forgotten a lot since I read the first book and this picks up right as book one ends . These pet sitter stories are always fun and creative. I just prefer the full length novels more. This had a lot of character and story building so it's worth a read especially to learn more about Havoc.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ljay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww....Havoc and Dee belong together. That's all. This just reinforced that for me.

And I really love Dee and Wendy's friendship. She's so all in when Dee needs her.

I wish Sunshine could talk. I feel like she has a lot to say. Also, I'm curious about what kind of setup she has going on in that bush.

More pieces to the Havoc puzzle, but also learned a little more about him as well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! love Havoc and Dee... this is their story... and maybe the origins of Havoc... Dee has moved in with her cousin Wendy with Havoc... they go for a walk in the park when, they hear a commotion.. and it's Sunshine, their nemesis with Chester and his dog Charles Barkley... then, Sunshine gives Dee a gift... so good !!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series because of the uniqueness of the all the animals/pets that are involved in the storylines. New people are added along with the pets and storylines are very good. This was a short novella but I definitely enjoyed it and would love to hear more about Havoc! I would recommend reading the previous book in the series, it will make a few things in this book fall into place more easily.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a cozy murder mystery but this story centers around a peculiar coin and the origins of Havoc.I really enjoyed this quick and entertaining read, the concept is fun as well as the characters. I’m looking forward to seeing this world expanded in a another full-length novel.
I received an advance review copy via Booksprout and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mythical Discovery is book #1.5 in the Mythical Pet Sitting Mystery series by Melissa Erin Jackson.

This is a fun, quick read. We learn more about Havoc, Deandra’s dragon who appears as a dire wolf. I really enjoyed this these mysteries and look forward to the next one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deandra looks for answers and finds more questions. However, with Havoc by her side and a strange gift from Sunshine, all becomes clear at the end. I loved this novella, which delved deeper into Havoc's origin story. This is a wonderful series.

[Ladnamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is part of a series and is better enjoyed after reading at least Book 1 to get Dee and Havoc's backstory. It was a fun story with a small mystery and centered around the adorable mythical animals.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marion Over · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series.

This is just a great series. I really appreciate the fun escape. The characters are fantastic, especially the animals. The villains are despicable or greedy and naturally unlikable. Highly recommend.

[ReadinIt · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

An intriguing side story presumably leading to the next volume.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

a short novella that gives more insight into Havoc's origins. This one takes place between book 1 and 2.

[Genoveva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one feed my need of a cozy mystery. Loved the characters so intriguing and is making want to read more of this series to revisit them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.