Category: Murder mystery, cozy murder mystery

Review:  Barely Magic (Maddy Madrigal Mysteries Book 1) by Debra Castaneda

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Debra Castaneda is another new to me author I’ve discovered via her Maddy Madrigal Mysteries series.  Based in the Chavez Ravine area of Los Angeles, it’s a location the author has a personal and familial connection with.

As the description suggests, it’s monsters, mayhem, and Mexican food. But it’s much more. It’s about Mexican culture, mythology, and the politics of the past that allows certain ethnic groups to be seen as less important or even less visible so their presence and property can be considered up for grabs. 

It’s scare tactics but the monsters are real. 

Barely Magic (Maddy Madrigal Mysteries Book 1) by Debra Castaneda is a story I feel got better, scenario wise. The character of Maddy Madrigal finds herself back in a home where she and her family have history. Quite by accident, or so it seems. 

As Maddy becomes more assertive about her own personal relationship to the place where she’s living in and working, the character’s growth and story development will continue to work to strengthen the plot and the connection between them. 

By the end I was thoroughly engaged and rooting for the character and her new community of friends. 

I’m really excited to see where this character and series will go. So I’m onto the next in the series. 

It’s a definite hit for me. And a recommendation for those who enjoy strong female characters, mysteries with a cultural element. 

Cover design by: Jacqueline Sweet

Maddy Madrigal Mysteries:

Barely Magic #1

Somewhat Magic #2

Desperate Magic #3

Semi-related:

Chavez Ravine Stories (3 books)

Buy link

        Barely Magic (Maddy Madrigal Mysteries Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Maddy Madrigal doesn’t believe she’s magic. If she were, she wouldn’t be busting her butt every day working for the Los Angeles Police Department’s Occult Affairs division, rounding up the strange and nasty entities unleashed by the last earthquake. At forty, if she were magic, she’d have less aggravation and more money.

So, when a security job opens up in an exclusive gated community, she takes it. Better money, great perks, and best of all, no entities.

At first, her problems are solved—the job’s great, she’s made new friends, and a good-looking man has caught her eye. She even has time to cook her favorite Mexican dishes while her new cat watches, though there’s something not quite right about him.

But the fancy neighborhood she was hired to protect hides a secret: something supernatural is attacking the residents, and as Maddy tries to unravel the mystery, she discovers a secret of her own: she may have inherited magical abilities from her famous great aunt, a Mexican witch.

With monsters roaming the hilly streets, residents up in arms, and her boss breathing down her neck, Maddy must decide how far she’s willing to go to preserve her new life.

Barely Magic is the first book in Maddy Madrigal Mysteries, a new urban fantasy series from Debra Castaneda, the award-winning author of The Monsters of Chavez Ravine and the Dark Earth Rising series including The Root Witch and A Dark and Rising Tide.

  • Publisher: Shadow Canyon Press
  • Publication date: March 20, 2025
  • Language: English
  • File size: 5.3 MB
  • Print length: 328 pages
  • Book 1 of 3: Maddy Madrigal Mysteries

Review:  The Dark Hiss of Magic (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 2) by Helen Harper

Rating:  5⭐️

The Cat Lady Chronicles returns with a fabulously funny and well written book, The Dark Hiss of Magic by Helen Harper.  

I fell in love with the fascinating character of Kit McCafferty, retired assassin, now trying to remain low key as a jumper-wearing older neighborhood cat lady, albeit one hiding a very unique trait. She’s a rare cat sith. 

The first mystery novel introduced her character, the paranormal town of Coldstream she lives in, and its many characters and supernatural communities that coexist within its boundaries. 

But it’s Kit herself that’s so compelling and complex. Kit and her group of cats, that supply a sense of family, comfort, and advise her when mysteries come into her life. From She Without an Ear to He Who Crunches Bird Bones, to He Who Wanders Wide and the others, it’s a feline cast that’s endlessly entertaining and intriguing. Yes, they name themselves. 

There’s others too. Thane, a werewolf, with a new demon kitten and neighbor Dave, who I haven’t figured out yet. 

Harper keeps us guessing about mainstay characters. Their roles, true identities, and whatever they are really important to Kit in the over arc storyline. And as the various murders and mysteries occur, the investigations roll along, and everyone gets involved, the narrative continues to build into this amazing adventure. 

It’s got great dialogue, wild moments, fight sequences, and loads of engaging cats and unusual personalities. And magic. 

I wanted the next book immediately. And because I so thoroughly enjoyed this one, will reread it again soon. 

Beautifully executed storytelling? Check. Fantastic female main character? Check! Great world building and mystery? Check and check. 

Another great book and winner of a series.  Check it out now. 

COVER DESIGN BY COVERS BY JUAN

The Cat Lady Chronicles:

Waifs And Strays #1

The Dark Hiss of Magic #2

A Skirl of Sorcery #3 – Oct 13,2025

Buy link

        The Dark Hiss of Magic (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 2)

    

Blurb 

There will be no pussy-footing around. Not when Kit McCafferty is involved.

When Kit rescues a wealthy witch from the treacherous, monster-filled waters of the River Tweed, she reckons she’s completed her fair share of good deeds for the day. But when a second anonymous body is pulled from the same river, Kit is dragged into a mystery as murky as the water itself. The corpse has no identification, no personal possessions and no one who cares. 

Kit is determined to change that.

At least Thane Barrow, the copper-haired werewolf who sees the world in a similar way to Kit, is happy to also get involved. Together, they navigate Coldstream’s magical streets and mysterious secrets, determined to uncover the truth about John Doe. 

Alas, it soon becomes clear that his death was no accident. Kit finds herself investigating a complex crime with more than one victim. She will have her claws full if she’s going to get to the bottom of what’s happened.

One thing is for certain – when death threatens, Kit McCafferty doesn’t back down. She pounces.

Review:  Magic & Mutiny (Starry Hollow Witches Book 19) by Annabel Chase 

Rating: 3.5⭐️

Magic & Mutiny (Starry Hollow Witches Book 19) is the finale book of this series by Annabel Chase.  And while it started out great, I think it ran on a bit too long. 

The characters and themes got repetitive and some of their growth was handled poorly. Or halted altogether. 

It ends happily, and there’s an epilogue where we see the characters a couple of years later, and what’s happened in their lives.  That’s satisfying. 

The ending is fine, with some issues. There’s a murder investigation, which is tied to how will the town of Starry Hollow deal with the return of the very much alive Ivy Rose. 

Ivy is the best element here, she’s a sympathetic character and how her situation is resolved is wonderful. 

But the person and people responsible and their actions aren’t well written. It fluctuates from a stand of firmness of position (she’s evil) to immediate change in opinion (my bad, she’s not) in seconds. There’s no reason or real constructive character or foundation for any of this. And it undermines the entire storyline. 

Then it’s let’s say we understand her motivations. Slap on the wrist. Sigh.  It took how many books and this is how Ivy’s story is resolved? 

Way too long. A wedding and done. 

So it’s nice that each book was a quick read but I’m not sure I’d invest my time reading 19 books again with this outcome. It’s a ok read. 

For fans of Annabel Chase I’m sure you’ll be fine. 

Same cute covers that change ever subtly. 

Starry Hollow Witches series:

Box set 1-10:

Magic & Murder, Book 1

Magic & Mystery, Book 2

Magic & Mischief, Book 3

Magic & Mayhem, Book 4

Magic & Mercy, Book 5

Magic & Madness, Book 6

Magic & Malice, Book 7

Magic & Mythos, Book 8

Magic & Mishaps, Book 9

Magic & Maladies, Book 10

—-

Magic & Misdeeds (Book 11)

Magic & Monsters (Book 12)

Magic & Misfits (Book 13)

Magic & Misfortune (Book 14)

Magic & Marriage (Book 15)

Magic & Midnight (Book 16)

Magic & Mirrors (Book 17)

Magic & Mistletoe (Book 18)

Magic & Mutiny (Book 19) – finale 

Buy link

        Magic & Mutiny (Starry Hollow Witches Book 19)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Starry Hollow, where spells were made to be broken.

Ever since the moment her trio of magical cousins whisked her away to Starry Hollow, the town has served as a safe haven for Ember Rose, descendant of the One True Witch. Even the bumps in the roads have smoothed—she’s reconciled with her formidable aunt and is about to marry the love of her life, Sheriff Nash.

All the bumps except the Ivy-shaped one, that is.

Now the entire town is under threat because of a mistake Ember made. Granted, she wasn’t the one who mistreated her ancestor centuries ago, but she was the one who resurrected her.

And now Ivy is ready to exact revenge on the coven that wronged her.

Can Ember stop the mutiny and save her beloved hometown, or will the one-witch rebellion destroy Starry Hollow forever?

Magic & Mutiny is the 19th and final book in the Starry Hollow Witches series, so be sure not to miss how it all ends

Review:  Magic & Mistletoe (Starry Hollow Witches Book 18) by Annabel Chase 

Rating:2.75⭐️

Magic & Mistletoe (Starry Hollow Witches Book 18) by Annabel Chase is both the penultimate book in the series and one I almost DNF’d. 

Personally, I think it’s a story that can be skipped over as it’s one that almost had me thinking about just stopping here.  

I’ve enjoyed watching Ember journey from a scrappy widow and single mother from New Jersey, ignorant about her magical roots and powers to one embracing her paranormal town and community, including family and fiancé.  But this story is one of constant lies and withholding important information from all those around her, including her fiancé and family. 

Lack of communication in adult characters is a big issue for me in books and by the 18th novel we should be way past this stage but it’s still an enormous element here. 

Also she’s acting like a teenager in some of the most serious and emotional situations. Smelling her armpits and making a wisecrack when presented with a picture of devastating loss.  It’s not believable not the following scene either. 

She’s either grown past actions like this, given the development by Chase or she’s regressing because it’s something the author wants to hear scene wise. It makes her character and any growth that she’s undergone seem diminished. Or just unreal. 

This whole thing is a mess. Yes let’s have a nice Christmas Carol type story, and then try to tie it up with the ongoing drama of the revived witch. 

Doesn’t work.  Ended up flipping pages to get to the end. 

I’ll finish the series. But this was a big disappointment. 

Such cute covers that change ever subtly. 

Starry Hollow Witches series:

Box set 1-10:

Magic & Murder, Book 1

Magic & Mystery, Book 2

Magic & Mischief, Book 3

Magic & Mayhem, Book 4

Magic & Mercy, Book 5

Magic & Madness, Book 6

Magic & Malice, Book 7

Magic & Mythos, Book 8

Magic & Mishaps, Book 9

Magic & Maladies, Book 10

—-

Magic & Misdeeds (Book 11)

Magic & Monsters (Book 12)

Magic & Misfits (Book 13)

Magic & Misfortune (Book 14)

Magic & Marriage (Book 15)

Magic & Midnight (Book 16)

Magic & Mirrors (Book 17)

Magic & Mistletoe (Book 18)

Magic & Mutiny (Book 19) – finale 

Buy link

        Magic & Mistletoe (Starry Hollow Witches Book 18)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Starry Hollow, where spells were made to be broken.

It’s Christmastime in Starry Hollow and Ember is not full of good cheer. Instead of indulging in spiked eggnog by a cozy fire, our favorite descendant of the One True Witch is busy helping Aunt Hyacinth contend with three persistent ghosts just like dear Scrooge, along with another, more threatening ghost from the past.

Can Ember save Christmas or will it all go to hell in a one horse open sleigh?

Magic & Mistletoe is the 18th book in the Starry Hollow Witches series.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: November 9, 2023
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 220 pages
  • Book 18 of 19: Starry Hollow Witches

Review: Future Tense (Ellis McFadden Mysteries) by Kristen Painter

Rating: 2.75✨

Spoilers 🚫

Unfortunately for me, Future Tense, the newest release in Kristen Painter’s Ellis McFadden Mysteries series fell very short of all the previous stories.

While those centered around life and the mysteries on the star ship Ellis and her friends were living on, Future Tense brings in a new alien species, a element which ends up being the most underwhelming and poorly conceived aspect of the story.

It didn’t help that I had just finished another science fiction series where the universe building and science was exceptional. 

The idea of a multi use enormous star liner, part science vessel, part military liner and civilian transportation ship, could easily let a rarely seen species go among its quarters , ship levels and communities , toting in unique and unknown objects throughout, spreading its messages across its media channels? Without tight controls and quarantines in place prior? None of this happens and it breaks down my belief in the idea of a sound narrative foundation that any part of this is a realistic idea of a scientific or military vessel or has officers with that status on board. The author seems to have forgotten her own statement about the Athos’ mission and its command in lieu of the theme of this mystery. 

And when things go wrong, as one might expect, The Captain (military mind you) goes to her daughter, the ship’s librarian (and librarians are fabulous) and her wealthy retired IT boyfriend, to solve the mystery. 

I can only suspend my belief so far. And it couldn’t go that distance. 

Even so many other aspects of the story were not well constructed. At any time during the serious investigation into missing persons, including a teenager, was it an official crime matter or military action? No. On a spaceship considered a main fleet vessel, carrying a number of people in cryotubes? Maybe that part of the series has been sidelined. But it’s a science and military ship so where’s that structure?

And oh by the way, given the epilogue, it appears they could have figured out who those aliens and their ship were after all with a bit of space Google.

There were a few positive things like Ellis’s decision about remaining single because she and Frank enjoy their personal spaces and privacy but that’s countered by having the fascinating IA pets like Henry be reduced to saying “I’d like to watch fish today, Mom”, instead of being a integral member of the investigating team.  Such an empty role as opposed to what they have been prior. 

Given all the above, this book was a disappointment. I won’t be recommending it. 

Cover design: Cover design and composite cover art by Janet Holmes

Ellis McFadden Mysteries :

  • Breathing Space #1
  • Star Power #2
  • Future Tense #3 

Buy link

        Future Tense: Ellis McFadden Mysteries

    

Blurb 

Step into the enigmatic world of the Athos—a vessel that blends the luxury of a cruise ship, the intrigue of a scientific research station, and the might of a military starship. Here, amidst the stars, you’ll find Ellis McFadden, the ship’s head librarian, embarking on adventures she never anticipated this late in her career.

The plot thickens when the Athos comes to the aid of a stranded craft, taking aboard three mysterious sisters and their father. They offer a tantalizing trade: visions of the future for those eager to know their fate. The crew and guests are soon captivated by the predictions.

But Ellis senses something amiss. The price for these glimpses into tomorrow seems too steep. So she, boyfriend Frank, and her android cat investigate, uncovering dubious secrets, but her friends are already entranced by the charlatans’ charms. Can Ellis break the spell and save the ship’s crew from an ominous future?

  • Publisher: Sugar Skull Books
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: May 31, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 299 pages
  • Book 3 of 3: Ellis McFadden Mysteries

Review:  The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening: A New Zealand Paranormal Cozy Mystery by Naomi Kuttner

Rating: 4.5 🔍⭐️

Another great new to me author, another new book and series that I found absolutely fascinating and thoroughly entertaining.

Naomi Kuttner’s new paranormal cozy mystery is unusual in its use of multiple main character voices to provide the story. It took me a while to get the feel for the flow and framing of how these three highly detailed, yet very different characters would be pulled together to form a compelling trio of unlikely friends who solve a mystery. Or mysteries. 

The town of Te Kohe, New Zealand exhibits plenty of main character energy on its own, due to its unique community and character, including its citizens who have a tendency to reveal unexpected sides to themselves. 

It starts with Dante, a retired assassin, who’s moved to Te Kohe, New Zealand and now, mostly due to his choice of homes, finds himself living with a life he never anticipated. He expected isolation, and instead he gets a nonstop flow of visitors, and then a gardener. 

That arrival of Charlie Wilson, a lovely gardener with his own secrets, sets off an entire ripple of events and murder mysteries to solve. The redoubtable Eleanor is right there , to help them, especially Dante, navigate through the town in their investigations. 

Each is such a fantastic character. Dante has been focused on his work as an assassin so now adjusting to being an actual person who’s a part of a team and community is a challenging process. As written by Kuttner, Dante’s personality is realistically chilling in places, hilariously lacking in social skills, and his growth is a result of his own decisions to act on Charlie’s behalf. Eleanor is one revelation after another, a woman of strengths, ingenuity, and a hidden past. And then there’s Charlie, a young man whose story is the basis for the mystery. 

Set in New Zealand, the story and characters are well defined by their location and their respective nationality. From the nature, plants and fauna ( I had to look up several of the birds and trees Charlie referenced to my delight), to the languages and foods, I absolutely knew I was in a small town community in New Zealand. That dynamic of the real nature of a type of place where everyone knows everyone is a prerequisite of a cozy and Kuttner has it down. 

The small trio of strangers that becomes friends through mystery investigations is a fascinating and great storyline.  It fit perfectly into the classic cozy format albeit with a paranormal addition of ghosts here. 

There’s no romantic element between the three main characters. They are, at least here, firmly in the friend zone.  Eleanor appears to have the promise of one in the future with a great side character.

The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening: A New Zealand Paranormal Cozy Mystery by Naomi Kuttner is just terrific. Self published, it’s full of amazing twists, great storylines, wonderful characters, and a fascinating town of citizens to explore. 

I can’t wait for the next book to be released. 

Highly recommended for lovers of cozy mysteries and fantastic stories.

Retired Assassin’s Guide (2 book series)

The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening #1

The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting #2 – Dec 16,2025

Buy link 

        The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening: A New Zealand Paranormal Cozy Mystery

    

Blurb 

Dante has come to the small coastal town of Te Kohe, New Zealand, for a fresh start in life. But he doesn’t want to open a BnB, or save a charming bookshop, or start a romance with a single mother in need of rescuing.

He just wants to forget about his past career (which involved a lot of dead bodies) and have everyone leave him the heck alone. Unfortunately for Dante, life has other plans…

  • Publication date: January 25, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 471 pages

Review:  Magic & Marriage (Starry Hollow Witches Book 15) by Annabel Chase 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Reality tv comes to Starry Hollow and it doesn’t go well. Naturally.

The paranormal version of The Bachelorette’s show, Natural Selection, arrives in Starry Hollow and immediately becomes a nightmare.

Especially as Ember’s hired by the contestant’s grandmother to sabotage the contest. The story turns into a mirror of family images, tightly wrapped expectations, and ridiculously rigid boundaries. 

Again it’s also the lovely side characters and moments that make the story, the small important reflections and conversations that allow Ember to become more self aware and able to make better choices. 

Great storytelling and characters. 

Such cute covers that change ever subtly. 

Starry Hollow Witches series:

Box set 1-10:

Magic & Murder, Book 1

Magic & Mystery, Book 2

Magic & Mischief, Book 3

Magic & Mayhem, Book 4

Magic & Mercy, Book 5

Magic & Madness, Book 6

Magic & Malice, Book 7

Magic & Mythos, Book 8

Magic & Mishaps, Book 9

Magic & Maladies, Book 10

—-

Magic & Misdeeds (Book 11)

Magic & Monsters (Book 12)

Magic & Misfits (Book 13)

Magic & Misfortune (Book 14)

Magic & Marriage (Book 15)

Magic & Midnight (Book 16)

Magic & Mirrors (Book 17)

Magic & Mistletoe (Book 18)

Magic & Mutiny (Book 19) – finale 

Buy link

        Magic & Marriage (Starry Hollow Witches Book 15)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Starry Hollow where spells were made to be broken.

When a television show called Natural Selection decides to film in Starry Hollow, the whole town is abuzz. The paranormal version of The Bachelor is the talk of the nation and the ideal vehicle to show off the town’s charm. Everyone is excited—except the chosen bachelor’s grandmother. The wily old woman doesn’t want him to marry any of those gold-digging floozies and hires Ember to join as a bachelorette and disrupt the competition. Ember’s uneasy about the job—and her unease only grows when one of the bachelorettes ends up dead. 

With a television show capturing every move, Sheriff Nash has his work cut out for him, but luckily he has Ember on the inside.

Can Ember and the sheriff find the killer before another bachelorette is eliminated—permanently?

Magic & Marriage is the 15th book in the Starry Hollow Witches humorous paranormal cozy mystery series.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: February 3, 2022
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 234 pages

Review:  Magic & Misfortune (Starry Hollow Witches Book 14) by Annabel Chase 

Rating: 4.75⭐️

This was a really terrific story, a more emotional one, using the missing ring to move Ember’s narrative forward through this harrowing time in her life. 

Aunt Hyacinth is still using Ember’s decision to make Ember and Marley’s life miserable, as Hyacinth’s vendetta against her continues. Now jobless, Ember turns to becoming her own boss and starts a private investigator business with Raoul. And the missing ring investigation becomes a case of theirs. 

Ember’s breakup with Alec, who fired her, sees her reconnecting with Granger, but as friends, as she tries to find her way through her romantic relationships. 

It’s multiple threads but all will eventually have a common theme and emotional connection. It takes time and some wonderful moments but Chase never fails to amaze me with how thoughtfully and consistently these stories pull together. And how Ember and her found family grows stronger and develops deeper than when they start. 

It sends me happily through to the next book and stage in the series. 

Ember’s life is magically transforming as is Marley’s. The Rose family itself is undergoing a new phase. 

It makes for great storytelling and memorable characters.   Love this!

Starry Hollow Witches series:

Box set 1-10:

Magic & Murder, Book 1

Magic & Mystery, Book 2

Magic & Mischief, Book 3

Magic & Mayhem, Book 4

Magic & Mercy, Book 5

Magic & Madness, Book 6

Magic & Malice, Book 7

Magic & Mythos, Book 8

Magic & Mishaps, Book 9

Magic & Maladies, Book 10

—-

Magic & Misdeeds (Book 11)

Magic & Monsters (Book 12)

Magic & Misfits (Book 13)

Magic & Misfortune (Book 14)

Magic & Marriage (Book 15)

Magic & Midnight (Book 16)

Magic & Mirrors (Book 17)

Magic & Mistletoe (Book 18)

Magic & Mutiny (Book 19) – finale 

Buy link

 Book 14 of 19: Starry Hollow Witches 

Blurb 

Welcome to Starry Hollow, where spells were made to be broken.

Misfortunes never come alone. When a valuable jewel goes missing, Ember Rose is tasked with tracking it down. She quickly learns that the jewel wasn’t hidden away for its monetary worth but for safety because the jewel has the power to bring misfortune to its possessor. When the negative consequences start piling up, throwing one obstacle after another in her way, Ember turns to magic to find the jewel before it can wreak havoc on the entire town of Starry Hollow.

Will Ember locate the jewel in time or will the wheel of misfortune roll through town and crush the hopes and dreams of everyone she holds dear—including her own?

Magic & Misfortune is the fourteenth book in the Starry Hollow Witches humorous paranormal cozy mystery series.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: July 1, 2021
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 212 pages

Review:  Magic & Misfits (Starry Hollow Witches Book 13) by Annabel Chase 

Rating: 5✨🪄⭐️

Magic & Misfits (Starry Hollow Witches Book 13) hits close to home with Bentley continuing to investigate the cold case murder of Sheriff 

There’s so much to Magic & Misfits, it’s hard to imagine which part is actually more heartwarming or compelling. As Ember and Marley deal with the aftermath of Aunt Hyacinth’s rigid rejection of their relationship due to Ember’s refusal to give up Ivy’s magic, we see the multiple ways this has consequences on their lives. From bullying at school to Ember’s loss of her job, and much more. 

But it allows for the author to demonstrate that Ember and those around her have the ability to make a new path and find new opportunities. Ones that bring Arnold Palmer, the pink fairy armadillo into their lives, sees a change in her romantic relationships, and gives a cold case a fresh perspective and the chance to be solved.

This is definitely one of my favorite stories in the series. Every storyline is beautifully crafted, every character and their role so well written and the narrative flows from humor to real raw pain , through the gamut of emotions scene by scene.

It makes for great storytelling and memorable characters.   Love this!

Starry Hollow Witches series:

Box set 1-10:

Magic & Murder, Book 1

Magic & Mystery, Book 2

Magic & Mischief, Book 3

Magic & Mayhem, Book 4

Magic & Mercy, Book 5

Magic & Madness, Book 6

Magic & Malice, Book 7

Magic & Mythos, Book 8

Magic & Mishaps, Book 9

Magic & Maladies, Book 10

—-

Magic & Misdeeds (Book 11)

Magic & Monsters (Book 12)

Magic & Misfits (Book 13)

Magic & Misfortune (Book 14)

Magic & Marriage (Book 15)

Magic & Midnight (Book 16)

Magic & Mirrors (Book 17)

Magic & Mistletoe (Book 18)

Magic & Mutiny (Book 19) – finale 

Buy link

        Magic & Misfits (Starry Hollow Witches Book 13)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Starry Hollow, where spells were made to be broken.

Bentley Smith is tired of being the red-headed stepchild in the office of Vox Populi and is determined to prove his mettle by warming up the cold case involving Sheriff Nash’s murdered father. The deeper he digs, however, the more uncomfortable he becomes when the information he unearths implicates one of Starry Hollow’s very own. Meanwhile, Ember is dealing with the fallout from her refusal to give Aunt Hyacinth the power she craves, which has greater consequences than she anticipated. 

Will Ember be able to sustain the fairytale life she’s built in Starry Hollow or will it all finally crumble to dust? 

Magic & Misfits is the thirteenth book in the Starry Hollow Witches paranormal cozy mystery series.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: January 7, 2021
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 198 pages

Review:  Magic & Monsters (Starry Hollow Witches Book 12) by Annabel Chase 

Rating: 4.5🪄✨⭐️

Another excellent book, another unusual mystery and murder investigation!  

This murder investigation finds Ember assigned to cover the reemergence of retired Creature Hunter Winston York who comes to Starry Hollow to discover an elusive creature who’s there to lay her egg and then disappear into the ocean.

Things immediately turn dark when York is found murdered and his fame hunters are all in town seeking the same creature. 

There’s plenty of storylines here to dive into, from the creature herself and the nature vs exploitation angle, to Ember’s self confidence and the Ivy Rose history/magic aspect of the series that’s getting ever stronger and darker. 

Plus the romantic element of Ember’s life is getting more interesting, and coming under a more realistic scrutiny than previously dealt with by Ember. 

All done with great dialogue, full on action and lots of magical moments. 

Fabulous series and storytelling.

A highly recommended book and series to be read in the order they are written in. 

Starry Hollow Witches series:

Box set 1-10:

Magic & Murder, Book 1

Magic & Mystery, Book 2

Magic & Mischief, Book 3

Magic & Mayhem, Book 4

Magic & Mercy, Book 5

Magic & Madness, Book 6

Magic & Malice, Book 7

Magic & Mythos, Book 8

Magic & Mishaps, Book 9

Magic & Maladies, Book 10

—-

Magic & Misdeeds (Book 11)

Magic & Monsters (Book 12)

Magic & Misfits (Book 13)

Magic & Misfortune (Book 14)

Magic & Marriage (Book 15)

Magic & Midnight (Book 16)

Magic & Mirrors (Book 17)

Magic & Mistletoe (Book 18)

Magic & Mutiny (Book 19) – finale 

Buy link:

        Magic & Monsters (Starry Hollow Witches Book 12)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Starry Hollow, where spells were made to be broken.

Starry Hollow is abuzz when the famously reclusive Creature Hunter, Winston York, emerges from retirement after a rare sighting of an endangered magical creature and Ember Rose is assigned to cover the story. Florian and Aster are thrilled with this development because a new documentary by York would mean an influx of tourists to the magical seaside town. Excitement quickly turns to horror, however, when York dies during filming. What seems like an unfortunate accident starts to look more like murder to intrepid reporter Ember.

Can Ember solve the crime before the killer renders her extinct?

Magic & Monsters is the twelfth book in the Starry Hollow Witches paranormal cozy mystery series.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: June 2, 2020
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 204 pages