Murder's a Witch (Beechwood Harbor Magic Mystery, #1)

by Danielle Garrett

[kimbacaffeinate]

Holly Bolt, a potions witch is given one last chance for a fresh start and is residing in a halfway house, run by a ghost for paranormals. She lives with a shifter wolf, vampire and a strange man on the third floor who keeps odd hours. The manor is situated in the quiet town of Beechwood Harbor where Holly works fulltime as a barista.

The story that unfolds was an interesting one and begins with a man sneaking around their house. She confronts him, and he claims to be interested in hosting haunted tours in her home. Holly begins to worry its something more. Before she even has time to contemplate what he is up to, she finds herself in the middle of a murder investigating, and her fellow employee is the prime suspect. She vows to clear her friend's name but must tread carefully, or she'll soon find herself in trouble with the paranormal community. To complicate matters the ghostly owner of their home is depressed, and the wolf and vampire are fighting.

Garrett did a fantastic job of introducing us to our heroine and key secondary characters while delighting us with a murder-mystery. Twists, suspects and paranormal complications kept me engaged. The town has all the charm one would expect in a small-town and the downside too, like nosey neighbors and town gossips. The murder is the talk of the town.

I love the premise of the halfway house, and we learn a little about the hierarchy in the paranormal world and the agency that monitors these displaced paranormals. I like that the supernatural world lives side-by-side in secret with humans.

This series has five published books out, and all have four plus stars on Goodreads. I am delighted to see them beginning to publish in audio format.

I've enjoyed the narrations of Amanda Ronconi and in truth, weighed heavily on my decision to start the series. She captured Holly, the residence of the manor and the small-town charm. I am hoping she continues to narrate the series. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer