by Tracy Condie, & Cynthia Chow

This week we have reviews and giveaways of 3 more fun mysteries. This time we have witches, bakeries, and bookstores-The Witch is Back by Angela M. Sanders, Booked for Murder by PJ Nelson, and Murder at the Lemonberry Tea: A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery by Darci Hannah. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of all 3 books and links to purchase them from Amazon at the end of each review.

The Witch is Back by Angela M. Sanders
Review by Cynthia Chow

Until she returned to her hometown of Wilfred, Oregon, librarian Josie Way was completely oblivious to her heritage of coming from a long line of witches. Since fleeing a trial in which she was the innocent whistleblower, Josie has been learning from her late grandmother’s letters how to hone her witchy abilities that have her able to communicate with and move books, not to mention matching them perfectly with readers. Less enthusiastic about their witch background is Josie’s mother, who hid from her abilities and has now unexpectedly arrived in town to stay with her daughter. Dropping the news that she’s divorcing Josie’s rather distracted historian father, Josie’s mother refuses to discuss anything more as she accompanies her on a book buying trip. The estate of Reverend Clarence Duffy promises a treasure trove of enviable books, at least until Josie “hears” dire warnings emanating from them. Ben Duffy’s death from a fall would seem to justify their ominous murmurings, as suspicion soon rises that the Reverend’s son’s death was less than accidental.

A series of threatening letters soon begin to plague the town as well, with the cut-and-paste words demanding money in exchange for keeping secrets. Josie receives one herself, and she worries that someone has discovered her witchy talents. She has not even told her significant other Sam Wilfred, whose by-the-book, practical outlook has Josie worried that she could lose it all if she tells him the truth. Surprisingly, it’s Josie’s mother who insists that she share her true self with Sam, as otherwise it will stand in their way of having a true and honest relationship.

This sixth in the series is all about secrets, and the costs of both keeping and sharing them. It’s a dilemma that has Josie demanding the truth from those who received letters, while she herself hesitates to do the same with the man she loves. The quirky characters of Wilfred keep the novel light and lively, with quotes from books “speaking” out and proving clues about their readers and the murder. This is a fun and engaging mystery for booklovers and fans of those looking for a lightly paranormal mystery. The magic of books is an undeniable lure for readers looking for a blend of romance and the power of the written word.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

Booked for Murder by PJ Nelson
Review by Cynthia Chow

After aging out of the best New York theatre roles after passing the ripe old age of 30, Madeline Brimley is returning to the town of Enigma, Georgia after learning of an unexpected inheritance. Madeline hasn’t been back to Enigma since she left for college when she was 17, but learning that she now owns her aunt’s home and Old Juniper Bookshop gives her a chance to start over with a new career.

Madeline is devastated when a young woman who was helping her in the bookshop is found murdered. Dr. Philomena Waldrop, one of Aunt Rose’s best friends, is concerned that Madeline was the intended target, especially after a gazebo on the front lawn is set on fire. A threat over the phone only cements this belief. With the fire investigators suspecting Madeline, she decides to begin investigating.

This first in the series immediately has readers falling in love with the murder victim, which makes it all the more shocking and heartbreaking when she is killed. Readers will be as invested as Madeline in tracking down her killer, with clues leading them through Enigma’s many unique and engaging characters.

Enlisted onto Madeline’s investigative team is Episcopal priest Gloria Coleman, an extremely intelligent and confident woman who faces her own obstacles in the religiously conservative rural town. The southern setting is elaborately described with enough details to have readers believing they are in the midst of Enigma’s fall season, and they will be as drawn back in as Madeline is. A handsome handyman adds to the lure of staying in town, even if she hadn’t learned that she was required by the will to stay at least six months before she can sell the properties.

Forgiveness and compassion are central themes as Madeline discovers more about her family and about the residents of Enigma, with her realizing that so much could have been prevented if there were more of both. This is a promising start to a new series that will please fans of the bookselling business as well as the enviable Southern setting.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

Jennifer J. Chow is the Lefty Award-nominated author of the Sassy Cat Mysteries. The first in the series, Mimi Lee Gets A Clue, was selected as an Overdrive Recommended Read, a PopSugar’s Best Summer Beach Read, and a Reader’s Digest Best Read from the 2020 Quarantine Book Club. Connect with Jennifer online at www.jenniferjchow.com.

Murder at the Lemonberry Tea: A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery by Darci Hannah
Review by Tracy Condie

This is the delicious new book number six in the Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series. Lindsey Bakewell left the hectic life of Wall Street and has successfully set up her bakeshop and home in a lighthouse so she knows how much a new start can mean to a person. Her BFF Kennedy Kapoor, a well-regarded influencer, has convinced the producer for the new baking show, “Nibbles From Across the Pond,” hosted by Vivi Lemonberry, British baking diva, to come to Beacon Harbor to film the show’s first episode. This was supposed to be a fresh start for Vivi, a step away from the scandals and drama. This woman has baggage, scandalous designer baggage. She is described by one of the film crew as “a tyrant, a flirt, a husband snatcher, a plagiarist, and a kiss-up.” So of course she is the victim.

This is a fun story which might sound odd because there is a murder involved but the characters just make it so enjoyable. Lindsey is easy to relate to and she has a big dog. Who doesn’t love a big dog? Oh, that’s right, Vivi doesn’t. Then there are the Kapoor ladies, Kennedy’s mom, little sister (27 years old) and Granny Gladstone. Who wouldn’t want to spend a few days with the gals, listening to Kennedy and Pippa trade snarky remarks while both flirt with Officer Tucker aka Officer Cutie Pie? Oh, that’s right. Rory doesn’t, so he moves in with his uncle and cousin for the duration of the British invasion. There are so many nuances to the story that it grabs your attention and keeps you turning pages, before and after the murder is committed.

Suspects include the ex-husband who is her producer, the ex-lover who is the head cameraman, her personal assistant who is a victim of her rants, the rival baker who is slapping her with plagiarism, and the A-list starlet who is newly married to Vivi’s current lover. Sergeant Murdock has no choice but to consider Lindsey as a person of interest because of Vivi’s issue with Welly, Lindsey’s beloved Newfie and the shameless flirting with Rory, Lindsey’s guy. Vivi might just have been more trouble than she was worth.

One of the best aspects of this cozy is that there are multiple red herrings and a few rabbit holes. Each suspect is blaming another suspect. Talk about a puzzling conundrum. Thankfully, Lindsey has a great group of friends who come up with original ideas on how to get the clues that lead to the solution. The other awesome aspect of this book is all of the yummy lemon-based recipes from a Lemon Drop Martini to Parmesan-Crusted Lemon Garlic Chicken. I’m not sure which one to make first. This is another great Beacon Bakeshop Mystery and I will just have to console myself with a lemon bar while I wait for the next one to come out.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

To enter to win a copy of all 3 books, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “witches, bakeries, bookstore” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen February 1, 2025. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify.

Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.