“Zippy and fun, with just enough ambiance to satisfy readers seeking spooks and humor.” —Kirkus Reviews Librarian Josie Way moved to small-town Oregon to lay low. Instead, thanks to newfound magic abilities—and a killer on the loose—she’s leapt out of the frying pan and into a cauldron of trouble . . . Josie Way loved working among the Library of Congress’s leather-scented stacks—until she … Library of Congress’s leather-scented stacks—until she uncovered corruption and made herself a target. As Wilfred, Oregon’s new librarian, Josie can stay undercover until the case goes to court. But life in this little town isn’t as subdued as she expected. The library, housed in a a Victorian mansion, is slated to be bulldozed. Still digesting the news that her safe haven is about to become scrap lumber, Josie discovers a body in the woods . . .
Almost as shocking, Josie learns that she’s descended from a long line of witches—and her powers have suddenly sprung to life. With help from a spoiled alley cat who just may be her familiar, Josie’s thumbing through a catalog of suspects, hoping she can conjure a way to save her library—and her life . . .
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Wow! I’m so happy to have found this book & Ms. Sanders! “Bait & Witch” is the perfect who-dunit magical, PNR cozy mystery with a totally fresh storyline! … Relatable characters, great descriptions with twists and turns that breathes life into this must read! I was kept glued to my seat & turning pages like crazy not wanting to stop when I had to! … I can honestly recommend this to fans of fiction and now I can’t wait to read the next book in this fantastic series!
BAIT AND WITCH by Angela M. Sanders brings corruption and magic to a new paranormal cozy mystery series set in Wilford, Oregon. A Victorian house that is the small town’s library is just the place for Josie Way to hide, or so she thinks.
Our protagonist, 25 year old Josie, arrives in town to be the new librarian. While working at the Library of Congress, she and a colleague overheard a conversation that deals with corruption. After they go to the FBI, her colleague disappears and Josie decides to get out of town until the trial. However, her hiding place isn’t as calm as she expected. The library is set to be torn down so that a retreat can be built. On top of that, Josie finds out she is descended from a long line of witches and her powers have suddenly been activated. The library books are actually talking to her. Finding a dead body the first night she arrives only adds to her terror. Will the crooks find her? What will happen to the library? Is Josie able to control her magic? How long will she spend in Wilfred? Who was killed on the library grounds and why?
The writing style felt warm and friendly. I was able to vividly see the picturesque library, the town, and the people of Wilford. I quickly related to Josie and wanted her to be safe and successful. Of course, things don’t always go smoothly, but I was rooting for her to win. The secondary characters were a mixed lot of the unusual as well as ever-day folks that you could meet in any small town. While their depth varied, it felt adequate for a first book in a series. Of the secondary characters, Rodney the cat stole the show.
Overall, this was a story that quickly drew me into Josie’s world. It was filled with the challenges of starting over against a backdrop of murder, corruption, secrets and more. This was a fun and entertaining read that I did not want to put down. I also enjoyed the way the historical aspects of the town and a possible romance were woven seamlessly into the story.
This is the first book in the Witch Way Librarian Mysteries series, and I highly recommend it to those that enjoy the genre. If you love share Josie’s and my love of books and libraries, this may be the next book for you. It was a fun, relaxing, and entertaining read and I can’t wait for the next book featuring Josie.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books and Angela M. Sanders via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 29, 2020. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders is an excellent new cozy mystery series that I truly devoured from beginning to end. I absolutely loved this book. It has it all: an excellent murder/mystery plot, fantastic cast of characters, wonderful/quirky small town in Oregon, wonderful main female character, and a perfect addition of a magical component. It also involves books (I love anything that has to do with libraries!) It has been a long time since I have been able to find a new cozy mystery series that I have been excited about (I have a few well established older series that I love of course), and this definitely checked every box for me.
Josie Way makes her way to a small out of the way town in Oregon in hopes of hiding out under the radar after informing law enforcement of a corrupt government bribe/deal while at work. To keep her family safe, she takes a job for a small town librarian in Wilifred. Little does she know that this action creates a cascade of events that ultimately helps change this town, for the better, forever and also in the process, helps her find herself.
I loved Josie. She is smart, she is feisty, she has a moral compass, and I love her loyalty to her newfound friends, and her family. I loved the addition of her family history and ancestors and their “powers” and finding out that the females in her lineage (including herself) are witches. I thought it was tasteful, well-incorporated, and a great addition to the book.
I also loved the murder /mystery plot. I love the old library, the full character cast with complex interactions and histories, and I loved the ending. There is so much wonderful material to draw from for future books for this series.
I have to say my favorite character (yes, even more so then Josie) is Rodney. How can one not love a fabulous black cat with a warm/feisty personality.
Everything about this book is perfect and everything that a cozy mystery should be. I cannot recommend this enough and I cannot wait until the next book is out.
5/5 stars enthusiastically.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
An old mansion as library, books, black cat and lovely small town; what more could you want in a book. Well, plot and this book has that. The backstory is about a whistle-blower and corrupt politics. Very relevant to our present times. Good characters and settings. I did not have the villain of the story figured out before the reveal. I love that Josie’s power manifests itself in her love of books and allows her to know instantly what each person should read. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Bait and Witch Earns 5/5 Family Revelations…Entertaining Fun!
Josie Way has been hired as the new librarian in “ain’t no” Wilfred, Oregon. A long way from her job with the Library of Congress, but after uncovering some corruption, she needed to hide out until she’s needed in court. But keeping it low-key is the least of her worries, the building in which the library is housed along with her private quarters is set to be demolished, she discovers a dead body, and the most shocking, in the wake of her grandmother’s death, she’s inherited her magical abilities. Angela M. Sanders’s writing style is entertaining employing a first-person narrative, clever banter with books and a sassy black cat, clever magic element, realistic investigative techniques, and is there a romantic entanglement? Josie is a delightful young woman with an interesting dilemma. Her mother provided her an out from her magical abilities, but when she is confronted with all the turmoil, she learns to embrace her heritage. The ending had some loose ends which some readers may not like, but I enjoyed the prospect of the next book.
So much fun! I love cozy mysteries, and this one being set in a library absolutely hooked me in! The murder was super suspicious, and just when I thought it was figured out there was a crazy twist that I was not expecting at all! Definitely recommend!
This was such a fun story! The best part was that it felt jam packed with a variety of mysteries. I kept thinking “where is this story taking me?” I love that feeling.
Finding out about the cool magic system right along side Josie was enjoyable as well!
I love a good witchy cozy add in a library and I am hooked! I loved everything about this. I cannot wait to read the next book. I definitely recommend this one.
Liked it enough to but the next book.
Book 167 towards my goal of 290! 4/5 stars for this witchy cozy mystery! So not only is it a witchy cozy, which is my JAM, it’s also set in a library! Love the cover! Love the storyline! Can’t wait to see where book 2 takes us! Highly recommend!
Josie Way just moved to Wilfred, Oregon to take the position of head librarian after overhearing corruption taking place at her previous place of employment, the Library of Congress. She’s come to this small town to hide out but finds a body on her first day then learns she comes from a long line of witches after discovering some newfound abilities. In addition, the library itself may be in danger. Can Josie find a killer, save the library, and learn to work with her abilities?
This is the first book in a new series and it was amazing! The book’s well-written with wonderfully, well-rounded characters, although there will be some you don’t like. I was drawn into this fantastic story from the beginning and kept hooked throughout, not wanting to put the book down. The author captures the essence of small town living where everyone knows your business, but you also know just who has your back. I’m really looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this one. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.
Another wonderful book by Author Corrine Winters.
I love reading this awesome series with such wonderful characters. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series…
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a great start to what will no doubt be a long-lasting series! Josie is hiding out by taking a library job in a small town. I love how the author rolls out the how and the why slowly, keeping up the suspense. I also love how Josie discovers who she really is in this wonderful mystery!
When a body shows up in the woods, it adds to the drama! The characters are great, from Roz, Darla, and Sam too. And Rodney the cat. Love him! Then there are those who you will love to hate, but even they have their secrets. Can’t wait for the next book in this series!!
A Witchy Cozy Mystery… with a bit of light hearted fun… New Magic, new world…. A delightful story! I will read the next one…
Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders is a fantastic first book for a wonderful new series about witches and books.
Can Josie figure out who killed a woman the night she arrived?
Josephine “Josie” Way
Josie Way is the main character and the point of view character. She is a librarian trying to do what she needs to do. Well, that is until she gets to Wilfred, Oregon. Josie is trying to figure out a way to solve this mystery while not letting out what she was really doing. She is a great character, and I love everything about this book. I love how she finds out about her magic. It’s a great read.
The Mystery
The mystery is about a young city woman found dead near the library but no one knowing why she was there. Josie thinks it has something to do with her, but really it wasn’t. I was shocked by who did it, and I loved the hints about everything. The other case that was going on is about the reason why Josie is there. I liked how each of the cases is interconnected in some way to what was happening in town. The dead woman is a great way to put the FBI there to help the murderer and make sure that no one cares about what happens to the person who did it.
Five Stars
Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders is an outstanding book, and I loved reading it. Ms. Sanders is a great author, and I loved her different way of doing witches, especially for a cozy. Josie is a wonderful character, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment. Everything about this book is fabulous.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
This book is fantastic! We meet Josie as she goes into hiding by taking a job as librarian in a small town in the middle of nowhere. She questions this decision from the get go when she learns the library may not be around for long. Add in a dead body in the nearby woods and it just gets more tenuous for her. Then strange things start happening with the books, the cat seems to understand her, and her determination to save the library blossoms. This makes for a fascinating mystery with just the right touch of magic to bring it all alive. Learning along with Josie about what she can do is a pure delight. I cannot wait for book two to come out. A must read for fans of magical cozy mysteries. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Josie needs to escape D.C. in a hurry after overhearing something she shouldn’t have while taking a break in the basement of the Library of Congress. In order to keep her family safe, Josie doesn’t end up where her family thinks she is going. Instead of New York, Josie is in the middle of Nowheresville, Oregon. A sleepy little town, Wilfred, OR doesn’t offer much but a historic mansion-turned-library, a diner, a few stores, and a trailer park. Upon arrival, Josie is shocked to learn the library has been sold to a couple who want to tear it down and rebuild a more modern retreat on the land. Josie’s hideaway is about to be destroyed. In the midst of the news, Josie finds a body in some bushes on the library’s property. Was this person looking for her and if so, who killed them and why?
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Josie decides she wants to do something to help prevent the demolition of the library. She also does some sleuthing on the side. She can’t identify the body and the police aren’t talking but she sure can try to find out if who they are pinning the murder on is right. After all, the person just doesn’t seem like the type (although, do they ever?!) and she’s sure something’s missing. There are a few potential suspects, each with their own reasons for possibly wanting someone dead – some of them shocking. I was actually surprised at the reveal of the murderer and why. I didn’t see it coming and was blindsided by the revelation. Bravo, Ms. Sanders, Bravo!
Josie was a delightful heroine who discovers she’s from a long line of witches. Not being raised to know or understand her powers, Josie is frightened of them and what she could possibly do. Josie also was a smart amateur detective. She didn’t do anything that made me mutter under my breath about the legalities, shake my head at the pure lack of common sense, or yell at her for doing something totally stupid. Josie is my kind of cozy mystery heroine. She’s smart, thoughtful, caring, and willing to go the extra mile, even though she hasn’t been in town very long. The secondary characters were entertaining and enjoyed getting to know everyone in Wilfred.
This book was simply amazing. The pacing was perfect – not too fast or too slow. Everything about Bait and Witch captivated me and keep me engaged. I didn’t want to put the book down. I’m really excited for the next book!
I was provided a copy of this book to read.
Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders is the delightful debut of A Witch Way Librarian Mystery series. Josie Way has been working at the Library of Congress. She is having lunch in a basement room with her co-worker and friend when they overhear two men plotting corruption. They report what they overheard, and the FBI becomes involved. The next day Josie’s co-worker has vanished which has Josie and his wife worried. Josie decides to lay low and takes a position as librarian in Wilfred, Oregon. The next day, Josie learns that beautiful Victorian the library resides in may be sold which means she will be out of a job as well as a place to live and a hiding place. Later that day, Josie takes a walk in the woods and finds a murdered woman. Josie has always felt a kinship with books, but she begins to notice some odd things after beginning her new job. Its almost as if the books are talking to her. That cannot be possible or can it? Bait and Witch is a fun story to read. I liked the interesting cast of characters that includes the library staff, town residents, Josie’s family, Rodney, the library cat. I liked getting to know Josie and look forward to seeing what happens with her next. The author has a casual writing style that makes this cozy mystery easy to read. The book moved along at a good pace and we are given vivid descriptions of Wilfred, the library, the shops, and its residents. I especially loved the descriptions of the Victorian the library resides in. There is humor scattered throughout the story along with mystery, friendship, suspense, family, and a touch of romance. The mystery was not the focus of the book in the beginning. It becomes more prominent as the tale progresses. There is a red herring, a couple of suspects, and helpful clues. Bait and Witch is a cute cozy mystery with a paranormal twist. The author came up with some fun paranormal elements. I thought a book witch was a wonderful concept (great opportunities for book references). I am looking forward to reading the next A Witch Way Librarian Mystery. Bait and Witch is a diverting tale with a clever cat, a secretive man named Sam, Roz’s curious project, rampant rumors, political corruption, babbling books, and witchy wonders.
Bait and Witch is an exciting start to what is sure to be an entertaining cozy mystery series. Josie Way is on the run! When she and a colleague overhear a corrupt deal going down at their government job in Washington D.C., they find themselves in serious trouble. And when Josie’s friend disappears, she assumes the worst and makes a run for it…all the way across the country to Oregon!
I loved Bait and Witch. The small town setting along with quirky characters, books, and a cat, give it all of the elements I love about the cozy mystery genre. The magic just gives it that extra, well, magic! Josie’s unique skill set (no spoilers!) is enviable, and one I’d choose if I had gotten my letter to Hogwarts…still waiting…
Though there are a lot of things to love about Bait and Witch, I’d have to say that the eclectic mix of characters gave the book that special something for me. Josie certainly didn’t know what she was signing up for by heading to this small town, but she finds some special friendships among this quirky bunch.
I am looking forward to reading the following books in this series. If you like your cozies with a bit of magic, you’ll enjoy Bait and Witch too!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Working at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. was a dream come true for Josie Way until she overheard something that turned her into a whistleblower and put a target on her back. In fear for her life, she escaped to Wilfred, Oregon for a job as the small town’s lead librarian. She had hoped for a sleepy little town with no conflicts only to learn that the beautiful library’s fate may be dire. Someone is trying to buy it and tear it down to put up a retreat center. Worried about how long she will be able to stay in Wilfred without a job she comes up with a plan to try to thwart the sale. Then she finds a dead body in the woods behind the library and worries her fate may be dire as well.
As if that isn’t enough to scare the daylights over her, Josie finds she has a strange power regarding the books she has been entrusted to take care of. Unable to explain what is happening she calls her mother and learns she comes from a long line of witches. Her mother tells how she can curtail her witchy ways but soon after she does she realizes she may need those powers to save her life.
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I was a little nervous about reading this book because paranormal-themed stories are not always my cup of tea but the synopsis really made me want to know more about Josie Way and this Victorian mansion that had become a library. It was that unique library that drew me in. The author’s detailed description of the place brought the amazing building to life. Each room filled with books, the apartment Josie would inhabit, the paintings on the walls, and the amazing central atrium with its stained glass window set in the roof all felt magical to me before Josie realized she had powers.
I did enjoy the way Josie’s powers were introduced, a true gift for a librarian. The library also comes with a cat named Rodney who bonds with Josie right away. A witch and her familiar, a perfect pair. Josie is an intelligent and talented woman, comfortable in her knowledge, stepping into this new position in a new place. She is very likable and makes friends quickly with her coworker and library trustee/diner owner/pseudo mayor. We also meet several other residents of Wilfred, some thrilled by the demise of the library and others hoping the sale goes awry. We also meet a man whose family has a long history with the town and the local sheriff. The author does an excellent job introducing the characters and allowing them to evolve throughout the story while leaving them room to grow as the series continues.
I was totally entertained by the way the story played out with several secrets revealed and some nice twists and moments of suspense. I probably would have read the entire book in one sitting. I had to force myself to put the book down when the clock struck one and I needed to get to sleep.
Bait and Witch has gotten this series off to an extraordinary start. I wish the Wilfred Library was a real place. I would book my ticket for Oregon today. This paranormal story was a hit for me and I recommend it to everyone that loves a fun cozy mystery. I am really looking forward to Seven Year Witch coming out on August 24.