What happens when the sleuth becomes the suspect?Once the town’s hero witch, Hazel Salem is now the prime suspect in a murder investigation.Her fall from grace is nearly complete when a stranger comes to town and throws a spanner in the works – one large enough to alter the course of the murder investigation. Hazel knows she’s being framed.But who is out to get her… and how far will they go to … who is out to get her… and how far will they go to put her out of the picture?
Wormwood has always had its secrets… but this one might be its darkest yet.
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When Hazels relatives set up shop across the street from her shop and spell customers into their shop Hazel knows things are just starting to go from bad to worse. Next thing she knows a coven member is killed and surrounded by ancient magical symbols! When Jesse arrives back right after a hot new mysterious librarian Hazel thinks things can’t get any worse because when Jesse shows up so does trouble! She finally discovers who her dad was and before she can investigate who he was and why he disappeared more and more mysteries are thrown her way! This book has lots of action, mystery, and drama not forgetting the amusing Hemlock! I highly recommend this book and this series! It’s a quick and easy read!
Hazel Salem has just had a bomb dropped on her. The question that she has searched for an answer to, for many years has just been answered….”Who is her father?” When a solicitor has stopped in to see Hazel, she not only gets the answer to that age old question, she inherits everything. But even a run down mansion really doesn’t answer the questions to what happened to him and why he was never around.
Hazel has a new mission. To find out more about her father and what happened to him years ago when he disappeared. But if Hazel knew coming back to town after her trip to the mansion was going to land her as a suspect to murder, she may have just stayed away.
Will Hazel find out who is behind the murder before it is too late?
I have to say that each of these books gets better and better. Each book develops more of the Wormwood world and all the crazy antics the characters are up to. The action develops more with each book as well, making these books more exciting and dangerous.
I love all the characters in the series. They are fun, quirky and strange. Hemlock is my favorite. He is a talking cat or shall I say Hazel’s familiar. He is always up to something and constantly getting in trouble. He really is the worst familiar yet. Let us also not forget Hazel’s beloved hellhound, Erebus. Put him together with Hemlock and you got a world of trouble.
I love Hazel. She is such a strong character. I love the small love triangle the author has put her in. I am team Tristan all the way, but I think Sean might be in the lead after this book. Hazel is on the fence.
Overall this book is a fun quirky read. It is set in a paranormal background with many different individuals, witches, demons, hellhounds and talking cats. It has plenty of laughs, secret crushes, deceit and danger to go around. You are sure to love this cozy series.
Be sure to read in order.
Another step closer to solving the mystery of Hazel. She was left a mansion and some money by her father that she never knew. He may not be dead though as he’s been missing for 10 years and no body has been found. Hazel continues to learn more about the witching world and her family. There are always several mysteries going on in this series but the most important one is can Hazel figure out how to save Wormwood before it’s too late? We’ll have to keep reading to find out!
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Hazel and Hemlock tested to their limits in a town brimming with conflict and looming disaster
June 8, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
Well-written and truly chockful of mysteries! For me, the heroine detective’s cat familiar Hemlock, still sassy after all these witchy, murderous shenanigans, remains the best part of the Wormwood town ensemble of characters. Like in the previous books in this series, there are multiple mysteries and worrying conflicts weaving through the plot. These include a member of the Coven’s death that appears to be an attempt to frame heroine potion seller Hazel; an antagonistic business move by a branch of her family; mysterious actions by the town’s mayor; the puzzle around Hazel’s presumed-dead dad; and a prophecy that puts the whole town of Wormwood in its destructive crosshairs. Lots of twists and turns and surprise reappearances by friend and foe and now Nordic gods enter the scene! Definitely not predictable, but I felt the murder got downplayed in the mix with so many subplots. The story ends with several major issues unresolved, so you’ll need to keep with the series to learn the outcome.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Oh WOW! This a fabulously written mystery! Everything that happens leaves you unsure of what will happen next. I loved this! I can’t wait to read the next book!
I got into trouble for bursting out laughing (out loud) so long twice in the book. Even the bus driver wanted to know what was so funny!!!! Stilts, really? Hopefully you will funny too. Note I think you might need to know characters a bit.
This book is definitely more intense than the previous books in the series. Early on, I thought it might be the end of the series if they were all wrapped up. There are so many plot-line (subplots?) going on that the next book I think I will keep paper and pen handy to keep track, lol.
Definitely need the next book now. Too many things left hanging in the air for me.
This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book.
Fabulous characters
This series that gets better with each book with fabulous characters like Hemlock and Hedge (ok they are cool cats) and Hazel who is one awesome witch. There are so many twists and turns in this one your head will spin and you will not want to put it down. From receiving an inheritance, becoming a suspect in a murder, dealing with a strange relative, and a host of other challenges Hazel has her hands full. This book was amazing! I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Keeps getting better!
This series is so much fun!. There’s been another death in town, but how did she die? It sure looks like Hazel is the culprit, or at least someone wants us to think so. What is Hazel going to do with an old mansion that she inherited from her father? And who is her father? And who can Hazel trust? So many questions! Another fast paced, well written story. It does end on a cliff-hanger, so be prepared!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
As Hazel tries to work out her place in Wormwood, things keep changing. She dearly misses the crazy aunties who first embraced her as family and tried to guide her – of course done haphazardly & while following their own pursuits.
Nasty Uncle Constantine is back with a vengeance when she pops out of town for a few days. There may also be various news about her birth father, though the story seems unsurprisingly a tangled tale.
Her cat familiar has delusions of grandeur and overinflated plans for world domination. I know few cats who are without such ideas. Does Hemlock have some traction on this ?
Sorting out whom to trust is hard work, and her crazy coven is more burden than help. Their infighting is dangerous and possibly lethal.
Hazel faces a disturbing number of challenges and realm shattering revelations. She reminds me quite a bit of her near neighbor Enchantress / Shifter January Chevalier in that respect. Great power. Some significant connections with friends and family. Hugely deceptive and betraying exchanges. The powerful Shifter had a cameo in the previous book. I am a serious fan of her stories, so would enjoy seeing her again.
Finding her footing and staying on her feet as the ground is shifting, sometimes literally, seems to be an ongoing challenge for poor Hazel. Finding herself and saving the world, or st least her corner of it, seem to be big on her must do list.
And next? More please!
Action, adventure and tangled family, coven, friends/ romance make this a gripping KU read.
Hazel comes from a family of witches but has unique powers that others do not possess. She has been searching to find out who her father is, dealing with unwelcome family members, not to mention belonging to a coven of witches who just can’t get along. What else could possibly happen? This series is full of interesting characters and an intriguing setting. I wasn’t ready for this book to end…what a great cliffhanger! I can only hope it isn’t long before the next story in this wonderful series is released.
Hazel is in over her head, but that’s nothing new. Constantine is still a thorn in her side. Jesse is still missing. Her aunts are still missing. The coven’s still a mess. But Hazel perseveres. Sean and Tristan put in appearances. The story takes many unexpected twists and turns. And while the initial murder investigation is, as expected, resolved, so many new questions are formed. I look forward to reading the events which follow in future stories.
I received a copy of this book as a gift. This is my honest review.
Book 4 in the fantastic Witches of Wormwood series takes you on a roller coaster ride where you beg for more when you have completed this one. Hazel, is still learning about her paranormal powers and still trying to find out who her father was and anything about him when a solicitor drops an inheritance in her lap. This is from her father who she still doesn’t know. It has been 10 years since his disappearance so he is pronounced legally dead. The inheritance includes a run-down derelict mansion and some money to make her more comfortable now. While she is checking out the mansion searching for evidence that could lead her to finding out about her father, she comes across some receipts that leave her with even more questions. When she returns to her shop, she finds she has become a suspect in a murder of one of the witches in her coven after a coven meeting the night before goes awry and she ends the meeting. And her Great Uncle, a strange relative who is trying to get Hazel under his thumb to become more powerful opens up a competing shop across the street from Hazel in order to get her to join with him. There are so many twists and turns and new characters, the mysterious actions of the mayor, a seeming love triangle between Hazel, Tristan and the sheriff, Sean as well as her spoiled pets, Erubus a hellhound and her familiar, Hemlock. Then we have Jesse show up again who has answers about her father and her, but doesn’t want to tell her and says he can’t. But he tells her there is something ominous going to happen to the town and she is the one that can do something about it, but he won’t tell her what or how. So many secrets in the town of Wormwood. So many people sure Hazel killed the witch in her coven. Even the Head of the Witches Council seems to think Hazel is guilty and must be punished by the witches council. Wow I just couldn’t get enough of this episode and can’t wait for more! An edge of your seat ending that will leave you trying to figure out what could possibly happen next! I received and ARC from the author but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
An enternaining story that will kept reading until the end…
Troubles, twists, new and old characters in this incredible story!
This time, Hazel is suspected to be a murder… so the investigations are more complex…
Among the search of her father that disappeared ten years ago…
A family so powerful and alienate…
I’m looking forward to the next story!
Poor Hazel can’t catch a break! Crazy relatives, a power-hungry familiar, and evil happenings combine to create an action-packed story you won’t want to put down.
Good characters, a well-written storyline, with good detail and more background, this fourth installment pulls you in from the first page. And the ending, with a twist I didn’t see coming, makes this the best of a great cozy witchy series.
Great paranormal cozy
Familiars who want to take over the world, creepy relatives trying to take away her business, what’s poor Hazel going to do? This a wonderful series with great quirky characters. Cannot wait for the next book. I was given a free ARC by the author. My review is freely and honestly given
This is an excellent read, ‘sort of’ witch, Hazel, who has gone through a number of problems in the first three books in the series, finds herself in yet more trouble in this fun read, she is implicated in the murder of one of the witches in her coven.
To add to her woes she finds that the rest of her estranged family have set up shop in direct competition with her. To add yet more confusion there are her familiar cat, and her pet (invisible) hellhound who both seem determined to make life as difficult for her as possible, unless they are bribed!
Ms. Loren always manages to produce fun to read, clever mysteries which are populated by great characters, and this is no exception. I think that it is the best in the series so far.
This book can be read as a standalone, but reading the first three books will give more insight into the characters and the mysterious town of Wormwood.
I received an advance copy of the book, but have voluntarily written this review.
How much more evil can Wormwood survive? I loved this delightfully wicked novel from a very accomplished author! The writing is very skillful, with a tight plot and great characters.This one contains a cliff-hanger, but if you’re this far into the series you won’t care. Highly recommended! I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
Belladonna and a Body is a possibly the best book in the series. Many members of the Salem family arrive in town to work at a shop set up to run Hazel’s business into the ground. Then a murder, set up to frame Hazel, sets off a ton of activity. With the usual interesting cast of characters, many questions are answered and the stage is set for the next book. This mystery kept me turning pages far too late into the night. Plan enough time to read it in one setting.
This episode is exciting and action packed. There is a murder which sets off a slew of strange happenings. The story moves fast and you’ll want to read it in one sitting. New information is added which makes the series that much more exciting and interesting. I have read the entire series and this is the best episode yet! The author gave me this ARC book for free and this is my honest review.
Belladonna and a Body #4 – With every series Ms. Loren pens each addition to that series grows in substance. This book is no exception. Always well written with multiple storylines that weave in and out of the series, the storylines of this book adds to the intrigue and suspense of the past, present and future of the characters. The characters run the gamut from the good to the bad; the sweet to the sour; and the personalities have emotions running the gamut. The dialog is always realistic and the good guys aren’t following the stupidity formula, so common today, to get into trouble.
Ms. Loren uses her immense talents and her imagination to weave a fabric thick with interest to keep the reader bound in the pages. Her mysteries are better than the usual cozy; not sure if Ms. Loren writes cozies, truthfully, going by comparisons to cozies I’ve read. Sorry, if this review is more in line with the series than the individual book, but after writing so many reviews on a series, a book report wants to leap out about the twists and turns. I want the other readers to enjoy the book as I did, fresh and undiscovered. While not a cliffhanger, the next book is being set up. I contacted the author to review her books. 5*
The Witches of Wormwood:
Hemlock and Hedge, Prequel – A different approach to starting life as a witch after the death of her mother sets up the foundation in this introductory prequel. Basic development of characters but since this is a series, Ms. Loren will be having plenty of character growth as the series progresses. Interesting storylines, which of course will develop more, too.
Again there’s an interesting animal involved; the familiar is a hoot with intelligence. Working together although unbeknownst to Hazel, she and Aziraphale solve the mystery. Aziraphale’s secret comes out along with other secrets. There’s good suspense and intrigue, and the thought process used to solve the mystery is good, but Ms. Loren writes more substantial plots than the usual cozy genre. I contacted the author to review her books. 4*
Mandrake and a Murder #1 – Takes place about six months after Hemlock and Hedge ended. There are a lot of secrets and surprises included in this fast paced, intriguing story. More characters join the cast, some good and some intriguing and some not very nice to be polite. The storylines twist here and there and some are concluded, while others carry into the next book – but no cliffhangers, just teases of what’s to come. It’s hard to pick a favorite characters since there are quite a few that are endearing or just plain loveable. There are more likeable characters but the nasty ones make themselves known. 5*
Vervain and a Victim #2 – Getting better with each addition. I knew Jesse wasn’t an angel nor did I think he was the devil himself. Missed not seeing Hedge, but he’s there. Got a lot of happenings in this story filled with intrigue, suspense and a touch of humor. The characters are filling out more as their roles increase. There are several surprises or kinks in this well thought out, fast paced story. Ms. Loren does a great job with her descriptions, her storylines and that snooty cat. The Aunties are giving a little bit or two about Hazel or events, but they’re involved in a bit of trouble; the ending isn’t exactly a cliffhanger, but a heads up to rough sailing ahead. I contacted the author to review her books. 4*
Feverfew and False Friends #3 – Very dark and intriguing and fun. This may be my favorite and it is more substantial with its storylines, but I’ll see what the next addition to the series brings. The continuous and new storylines are interesting; some keep developing the original theme and some bring more mysteries of the future. Same old characters, with one or two new added to the mix, that are becoming more rounded. There are plenty of doggies; OK, hellhounds that add an original twist, which I loved. The mysteries were good, but I actually like the confusion and tension that Hazel has to deal with about herself and her coven and a few others. 4*
The Witches of Wormwood end.