by Cynthia Chow
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of A Familiar Tail, along with a link to purchase the book where a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore.
A trip to visit her best friend in Portsmouth, New Hampshire opens up an entirely new world for freelance artist Annabelle Britton. Anna had become accustomed to occasionally experiencing a ‘Vibe’ when walking into a new room or building indicating that an emotionally impactful event recently occurred there. A ghost cat that suddenly appears and disappears though, that is something new. Just after leaving her friend Martine Devereaux’s restaurant, Anna encounters Alistair, a beautiful gray cat inexplicably locked inside her Jeep. It’s the first time in six months that anyone in town has seen Dorothy Hawthorne’s cat, who vanished following Dorothy’s fatal fall down her basement stairs. 
While the police have declared Dorothy’s death an accident, a break-in of her home to retrieve Alistair triggers a traumatic ‘Vibe’ in Anna. What is even more shocking to Anna is that her new friends unwaveringly accept her feelings, having already suspected murder. They are witches, after all. In fact, Anna discovers that her own grandmother had witchcraft roots in Portsmouth, but fled due to a still-festering argument concerning magic. It seems that everyone is keeping secrets, and as a newcomer to the town, Anna is baffled about whom to trust, how to sort out the lies, and whether she can embrace her role in this realm of magic. While the motivations behind Dorothy’s murder may have been mundane and led by greed, it’s not as though vibes and spells can be used as acceptable evidence in court.
In this debut series, author Delia James skillfully creates a very realistic town inundated with practicing witches who follow a well-developed policy of acceptable spellcasting. The offer by Dorothy’s journalist nephew to rent out her home while using the ‘Vibe’ to investigate the death has Anna torn, especially since it could open up an entirely new path in life for her. Learning the rules of practicing magic, discovering the secret life of her grandmother, and suddenly finding herself looking for guidance from a cat, all have Anna unsettled and confused, and the challenge will be in where to look for guidance.
Anna is so genuinely likable, the dialogue so cleverly written, and the plot so compelling, that readers will enthusiastically follow her adventures and eagerly await their next chance to enter her world. Continual twists guarantee that readers will be as surprised by the truth as Anna, and the wit and confident writing by the author will cement her place on the list of must-read paranormal mystery series.
To enter to win a copy of A Familiar Tale, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “familiar,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 5, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
You can use this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section.
It looks great, thanks for the chance
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
A Familiar Tale sounds like a great mystery, and I adore the cover art. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like an entertaining book, and I love the cover! Thanks for all of your generous giveaways!
Thank you for the chance to win.
I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while.
frybbe @ gmail.com
I really like the setting of these books, a red carpet catering mystery. Sounds like an amazing read. Great giveaway, thanks.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for the chance to win! This is on my Amazon wishlist.
I accidentally commented for the wrong book previously, please disregard that comment.
Witches and cats really seem to go together in a cozy mystery. Would really like to start this series with the first book. Thanks for the giveaway.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Here’s to KRL Magazine and the great book reviews and giveaway opportunities!
I enjoy many different ‘cozy’ mysteries, but I really like the ones who include paranormal themes…sixth sense, ghosts, and witches. This book has them all! Am I lucky to win this for my collection? Let me ask my crystal ball…
Looks like a great new mystery! I like the cover too! Thanks for the chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for the giveaway opportunity! Jillian.lauder@yahoo.com
Thanks for the review and the opportunity to win. Can’t resist a cozy mystery with a cat!
What a wonderful opportunity to try a new series! Thank you! chatcozy1(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like such an awesome mystery, Thanks for this chance. lindamay4852@yahoo.com
That you so much for this chance! lindaherold999@gmail,com
I love the paranormal cozy genre. Especially ones where that darn cat takes charge and finds a human to do their dirty work. I would most definitely enjoy winning this one.
NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com
My kind of bk. Happy to see it offered
Great review job. This is on my TBR list. Thanks for the chance to win.
I can’t wait to read this. I love the cover and the book sounds great. Thank you for the chance!
I like a little paranormal element in my cozies. Will have to put this new series on my TBR list.
acm05atjuno.com
This book looks SO good. Thanks for the chance.
jademoss17@gmail.com
We have a winner!