Rating: 4.25 ⭐️
I thought Witch At Heart: A Cozy Witch Mystery (The Jinx Hamilton Series Book 1) by Juliette Harper a step above the rest of the stories I’ve read in this trope of books.
There’s an entire genre of books and series based around a woman who inherits a store from a relative, usually an aunt who turns out to be magical. There’s a mysterious animal included, hers, the relative’s or the store’s, normally a cat. And it’s a cozy mystery.
On the whole, they are pretty good. Similar but each different enough in their elements to be entertaining.
But the ending here, elevates this one into something more interesting. Takes the characters, their pasts, and the entire community and suddenly gives it an edge, an entire new layer.
Wasn’t expecting that.
For 3/4 of the story, we get the typical plot of small town, Jinx Hamilton quits her waitressing job when her beloved crazy aunt dies the next town over and leaves her with her shop and belongings.
She also bequeaths Jinx her magic and a mysterious death to investigate.
The shop, its contents are slowly revealed as is the community of the small town that Jinx is now a part of. It’s a small village where Jinx has been a member of, along with her childhood friend, who quickly becomes a part of the story.
There’s ghosts, an adorable rat named Roderick, and a killer to find and murders to solve. And a new magical role to accept.
It’s charming, the characters are engaging and interesting. And the potential for a very intriguing world is just getting started.
It’s a quick read and the series is complete. Another win!
I love a terrific cozy story and mystery. No romance, although there’s a slight attraction between Jinx and the cobbler.
I’m recommending this one!
The Jinx Hamilton Series (16 book series): complete and all released.
Witch At Heart #1
Buy link
Book 1 of 16: The Jinx Hamilton Series
Blurb
Magic begins in the heart.
Jinx Hamilton is ready to trade in waitressing for becoming her own boss. The shop she inherits from her eccentric aunt in Briar Hollow, North Carolina, seems like the perfect fit. As Jinx handles the enchanted inventory and the unruly clientele, she discovers her aunt also willed her magical powers without an instruction manual.
As if that weren’t enough, she’s forced to deal with four cats, several homeless ghosts, and a potential serial killer.
With a little help from her best friend and a dreamy new neighbor, Jinx must keep the business afloat and the murderer at bay. And it’ll take more than clever bookkeeping and spellcasting to keep the store…and herself…from going under.
*Note: This is a republished version of Witch At Heart
Publisher
Cabot Publishing Group
Publication date
September 4, 2025
Edition
2nd
Language
English
Print length
227 pages
Book 1 of 16
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 