Looking for fun, spooky Halloween mysteries? Then you’ll be spellbound by this paranormal cozy collection crafted by more than a dozen of your favorite witchy authors. We’ve brewed up this Halloween anthology packed with brand new mysteries featuring your favorite magical characters. Conjure up a copy, and see if you can figure out what’s going bump in the night!
This book is a fun book to get you in the mood for Halloween. I especially enjoyed the time traveling witches and how they solved their crimes, which were cold cases. They got justice for the decease and their families.
If you have never read any of these authors it is a fun introduction to them.
Enjoy!
Mona Marple + Morgana Best + Misty Bane
So far, I’ve only read Mona Marple’s contribution to this wonderful anthology: Time to Jump, Morgana Best’s Battle of the Hexes, and Misty Bane’s Better Off Dead. I will edit my review as soon as I’ve read more of the stories.
Mona Marple Time to Jump: Let me just say: wow! That was good!
Flick (A Witch In Time) is back! And I just love her! She’s a time-travelling witch and this time, she goes back to 1947 New York.
For a short story, this was really a well-rounded mystery. That’s quite a feat! Was it suicide? Or murder? And if the latter was the case, who dun it? I was wrong and I like that!
A 5-star story for sure!
Morgana Best Battle of the Hexes: Adeline finds the dead body of her neighbour, the pawnshop-owner. It is important that the authorities don’t find out she’s a witch; paranormals get captured and imprisoned in terrible conditions. So she investigates the murder herself. There was one thing that was glaringly obvious which Adeline was very surprised at, which made me doubt her murder-solving-abilities. Which was a shame as I like main characters to be smarter. And I would have liked more magic, but she had to hide her witchy abilities, which was too bad. But the story was interesting and intriguing, suspenseful and entertaining. Enjoyable. Albeit a little simple. The characters need to be fleshed out more. This is a short novella, and it’s a standalone story.
Misty Bane Better Off Undead: This is a short story set in the ‘Witches of Shadow Lane’ world. You could easily read it as a standalone though. A wedding at a graveyard at Halloween: what could possibly go wrong? Haha! Not a murder mystery, but a how-do-we-get-them-back mystery. It was fun, and chaotic, and fun, and mayhem, and fun! Lots of bickering. One point though: I’d have liked the solution to be more fleshed out. Now it was kind of in the background. I would have liked more attention to the actual spells. Can’t really explain, or I would spoil something! But I really liked it!
This review is for book one, Hauntings and Hardcovers by Elle Adams. Rory finds herself stalked by a ghost of a young girl, throw in a poltergeist bent on causing havoc, a decades old murder and secret passageways and your in for a humorous, fun time. I thoroughly enjoyed this story , with its quirky characters especially the crow and owl. I haven’t read any previous Library Witch books but will be adding to my TBR pile. A fabulous story by an author I will definitely follow in the future.
Time to jump is a short story written by Mona Marple as part of this anthology.
Flick is a witch that travels back to the year 1947 in New York to solve a cold case. I enjoyed the story and the time period. Interesting mystery that will keep you guessing.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. Opinions expressed are my own.
Wow, what a great story. A Time to Jump is a fast and furious experience. Love the time-traveling series and Felicity’s stories are the best. The plots are very entertaining and you never know what will happen next. Highly recommend this series to all cozy mystery lovers.
A great anthology to get you into the Halloween spirit! I immediately read the stories from three of my favorite authors (Tegan Maher, Danielle Garrett and Bella Falls). Each was a quick visit with my favorite characters from their series and all equally good reads. I have heard of some of the other authors, but a few are new to me so I am looking forward to finishing the collection soon with some new reads. I would definitely recommend this anthology, so grab a copy, a pumpkin-spiced beverage and enjoy a little reading time!
What a great read to get ready for Halloween! A terrific collection of varying stories involving witches, shifters, ghosts, and their familiars.
Hauntings & Hardcovers by Elle Adams is about a family’s magical library. Rory finds an unexpected mirrored door, and is told not to go in that it’s cursed. When a ghost makes an appearance in her room, and begs Rory to help her, Rory decides to do just that and risks looking for a book that is rumored to kill everyone who reads it.
Time For Tricks by Ava Mallory is about Mariana Galvin just wants to retire from time travel and crime solving, but her dead mother has other plans. Mariana gets volunteered to solve a case in a bar. She is told that one of the ghosts hates women, and has killed three of them, and is referred to as Evil Edna. When Evil Edna lures Mariana and locks her in the cooler. After escaping, Mariana’s mama placed a spell on everyone to fall asleep, leaving Mariana and Edna to talk and learned why Edna can’t move on.
Cobbler, Curios, & Curses y Bella Falls is about Ruby Mae Jewell and her family. Ruby has done a spell to make sure the things they are selling had no curses. But when one of a visiting duo opens a box, and has a curse placed on him. Ruby, Ruby’s boyfriend, Luke, and Chari set out to find a way to stop the curse.
Better Off Undead by Misty Bane is about Shay Graves, whose family owns the only funeral business in town, which the cemetery is rented out for a wedding. When hands, arms and heads start popping up from the graves and the wedding is overcome with Zombies. Shay and her Aunt Hattie need to round the Zombies up and returned them to their rightful graves.
Time Witch on the Sidelines by K.M. Waller is about Nuala Walsh is keeping a secret from her non-paranormal boyfriend. Nuala gets to work in a time traveling warehouse, that is loaded with unsolved cases. Going through the boxes, Nuala pulls a file and feels that she can help solve the case. Nuala’s good intentions could actually cause more harm than good because things aren’t always what they seem.
Runaway Bride Time by Jenna St. James is about Lexi a time traveling witch with a rat familiar, Rex. Lexi gets sent back to the year 1973 as a jilted bride to help solve a case of two dead bodies that was never solved. Rex is mighty helpful in a fight, he becomes a ninja! Too funny!
The Case of the Murdered Moose by Nikki Haverstock is about Ella who is asked to help on a case. She enters Suzanna Adams home, who was just about to make an announcement when the heir she was going to pick suddenly died. All family was present, so Ella will do a reading to get a vision of the murder scene. I found it interesting that all the heirs to be had to dress up in costumes that mirrored their characteristics.
A Graveyard Gala by Danielle Garrett centers around a witch Holly Boldt, her shifter friend, Adam, and Evangeline, who all get talked into going to a ghost gala party. Everything is going well, until suddenly all the ghosts, including a ghost cat, Flapjack, are frozen in place. Flapjack’s owner, Scarlet Sanderson, a ghost whisperer, managed to use her powers to bring Flapjack back, but unable to do so for the other ghosts. Adam is called and shifts, using his nose, he leads them next to a gravestone and they dig up a box. Based on a clue they found they all head to speak with someone and try to find a way to break the spell. I love Flapjack, what a spunky ghost cat!
Battle of the Hexes by Morgana Best is about a witch hunter, who involves Adeline Bloomwood, a witch into his plan to hunt for a killer. Witch hunters are known to be the enemy, because if they discover someone with paranormal powers, then they send them off never to be heard from again. Adeline is a witness to a scene of a crime, after seeing a nun running away. She’s not taken seriously by the cops, and surprisingly, the witch hunter does take her seriously, but can she continue to hide the fact from him that she is a witch?
Found Haunting by ReGina Welling is about Everly Dupree, who helps the dead find peace. When Everly gets roped into helping during last minute finding a solution to create a maze. It is learned that Nick Mason, has died in an accident. Nick shows up and knows that Everly can see him, and he needs her help and believes it’s the secret he’s been keeping that is preventing him from moving on.
No Time To Waste by Stephanie Damore is about Vee Harper, a time traveling witch that solves cold cases. She travels back to 1987 dressed as a witch, and lands after the crime has been committed. She breaks in to snoop noticing evil magic imprints, but when a cop enters and finds her, she has to use a little magic to escape. Then she bumps into Frank, an alpha shifter. After sizing each other up, they decide to work together and head for a Coven, to speak with Betty. Her tracing spell leads to a surprising house.
The Case of The Cursed Hat by Amorette Anderson is about Penny Banks, a witch PI, who is getting ready to celebrate Halloween and is looking for a costume, when a delivery is made to the store. The store owner, opens a trunk to find a hat, and offers it to Penny to go with her costume. As Penny gets ready and puts on the hat, she is transfixed and wakes up with her friend, Marley pinning her arms to the ground. Marley at first thinking Penny was joking when she tried to choke her, but soon realized it was no joke. They discover the hat is cursed, and the wearer kills, then send the hat to someone else. They come up with a plan to fool the hat.
Time To Jump by Mona Marple is about Felicity Octavia Geraldine Warner, a time traveling witch sent back to the year 1947. She enters the time, as a wedding is taking place, and witnesses someone trying to disrupt the wedding. She, hears just enough, and runs after Mr. Lee. After catching up with him, she pretends to know his daughter, that has committed suicide by jumping off the Empire State Building. Her father, Mr. Lee, knows his daughter did not do it and points to a letter that isn’t her handwriting. Felicity investigates interviewing one after another, and learns some surprising facts.
The Mystery of Ice Pond Road: A Children of Dark Root Paranormal Mystery Short by April Aasheim is about four children who are friends, two brothers who each have special gifts. Marshall has visions, and Montana, has powers. While getting stranded with their Aunt Ruth Anne, she tells them a scary story about how three boys disappeared and found in the pond. When Montana, steals a flyer, and Marshall keeps getting visions of someone asking for help. The kids set out at night to do their own investigating. I love the spookiness of the story!
Candy Apples and Curses by Tegan Maher is about Toni and Dee getting ready for Halloween party and find a box with a shrunken head and other items. Maisey, the ghost roommate, tells the tale of a Creole girl, Dominga, who practiced voodoo stuff. When Toni and Dee start to have a little bad luck, they start to look up ways to counter voodoo!
supernatural, fun, anthology, witches, murder, law-enforcement
So far I’ve only read Battle of the Hexes by Morgana Best but there are many that I will get to very soon! I really needed the guaranteed laughs and crazy characters I expect to find in her writing, and no disappointment! The only sane one is the witch, except for the murdered guy. She wants to help the government agent solve the murder and more, but knows she has to be very careful not to get caught out as a witch or she will be sent to Tartarus Island! Great fun!
I have just read Mona Marple’s contribution to this anthology after receiving it as an ARC. Normally, I don’t enjoy “historic” mysteries, however, if more were written in this style, I would read them in a heartbeat!! I do love a cold case story this one has the heroine (a time traveling witch) jump back in time to solve a cold case from 1947. I love the character, Felicity. This novella captured me from the beginning and kept me reading to the surprising end! I am buying the whole book, because if all the stories are as interesting and fun as Mona Marple’s it is sure to be totally enjoyable.
From the stories that I have read so far from this set, I know I have found some new authors to follow and will be making lists of their books !!! This is such a fun series of stories. They are funny with wonderful characters!! Looking forward to finishing the rest of the stories! I certainly recommend these to anyone who loves well written cozies, witches, and like to have a great read.!
Cackles and Cauldrons – by Morgana Best
This story is set in Australia where paranormals are controlled by the AVC and confined to an island. When the shop owner next door is killed and a AVC officer shows up to investigate, you can imagine witch Adeline’s dismay. The fact that the AVC officer is a hunk complicates the issue. When asked about seeing anything regarding the murder next door, Adeline says she saw a nun running down the street.
As you can tell this is a funny mystery with lots of great characters. Enjoy!
A Time to Jump – by Mona Marple
Felicity, better known as Flick, is a time-traveling witch. She travels back in time to solve cold cases. In this case, she ends up in 1947 at a wedding with a very pregnant bride. An unwanted guest begins yelling about his daughter. This is the mystery Felicity was sent back to solve.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It’s well-written and an interesting puzzle.
I read “Time to Jump” by Mona Marple (part of this Anthology) as an arc.
Felicity is a send back in time to investigate a cold case.
Well written and an unpredictable who done it.
I read Time to jump by Mona Marple. In this story, Felicity jumps to the 1950’s to solve a mystery. There is a hint of romance stirred into this cauldron with the mystery and a dash of 1950’s social stigmas. This makes for a fun, entertaining story with a nod to the progress women have made in society. A quick read that left me wanting to read more.
I read Time to Jump by Mona Marple (part of this Anthology) as an arc.
For a novella, the author was able to tell a complete story and keep your interest. I love the idea of time travel, and this story rights a wrong as well (there’s your mystery). What I really enjoyed is how the author was able to make a comparison of the difference between the women of 1947 and today by telling it through the eys of her main character. Adding a bit of witchcraft and family conflict from the present gave interest and depth. I am looking forward to reading more in this series and the rest of the books in the Anthology.
I am reviewing an arc of Time To Jump by Mona Marple. The story features Felicity from the Witch In Time Mysteries. This time we go back to 1947, New York. I enjoyed reading this story. I thought the author did a great job capturing society at that time. The mystery was excellent, surprising me at the reveal. I loved the ending. I am looking forward to reading the rest, (some of my favorite authors are in this set!), of the stories. I have already preordered it for my fall reading.
Editing to include my review of an ARC of Battle of the Hexes by Morgana Best. I recently fell in love with a series, (His Ghoul Friday), by this author and now want to read everything she writes. I loved Battle of the Hexes. This story is set in Australia and our sleuth is Adeline Bloomwood. She lives in a town with other magical beings, unknown to the mundane residents. She has a familiar, who I adore, named Pudding. One thing I love is that the author includes an explanation of the different spellings and a list of Australian slang and terms, (some of these are so fun, I’m going to use them). I’m never lost when I read her books. The stories have to be short but don’t let that stop you. I had a fun time reading this mystery. The time flew by as I read. I want to tell you all about it. I’m dying to. But you won’t have any reason to read it if I do. I’m so hoping this isn’t the last we hear of Adeline, Pudding and some other interesting characters I’ll let you discover.
*May be edited to include other stories later.*
My review on Time To Jump by Mona Marple. This story is about a time traveling witch. I thought enjoyed this short mystery set in 1947 New York Felicity finds herself and fits right in I loved how she just rolled with it and figured out she had to solve a cold case. I loved the characters I would recommend.
I received a copy from the author for a honest review.
This is an excellent paranormal Anthology. There were many stories about different types of witches including those who time traveled to solve cold cases using their different powers. Most of the witches had interesting familiars who were cats, with their own abilities, a rat, a dragon, and an owl. There were a number of ghosts along the way with intriguing personalities. There was plenty of humor in the stories along with solving crimes and preventing mayhem. This is a perfect Anthology to read during the Halloween Season! It’s also the only Anthology I have read from cover to cover.
What a fun collection of stories from some authors that I had read before and some that were new to me. I had read all of the Witch in Time books and was excited to read more about some of my favorite time traveling witches. Quick to read enjoyable stories. Hard to pick any one as a favorite. Really gets you in the Halloween mood.
I read the story Time to Jump (so far) in this Anthology. What a great story. I love the concept of time jumping. Felicity fends very well, fitting into 1947, making friends with suspects and getting to the truth of the cold case of Ann’s “suicide”. Mona does a great job of engaging the reader right away, telling an interesting story, and not giving away the ending. I can’t wait to read the more of Felicity stories or the the full anthology.
I received an ARC of this story and voluntarily provided this review.
I read Time to Jump by Mona Marple which is part of this Anthology. Felicity travels to 1947 to solve a murder of someone she has never met or is connected to. I enjoyed how she just jumps back into time, into a scene she doesn’t know and blends in with the environment. She immerses herself in the scene and with the people and solves the case.