Welcome to Witch Hazel Lane… Secrets galore, a new witch at the door, and killer grits that are to die for! An escape – That’s exactly what Birdie Devaine needs when witches around the world publicly announce their existence. Instead of performing for the sold out crowd at her world-famous magic show in Vegas, Birdie runs away from the dazzling lights to her hometown in Mississippi. Back to the … hometown in Mississippi. Back to the town she swore off over a century ago.
She thinks she has it all planned out – keeping busy with renovating an old beautiful house and eventually fading away from the spotlight. But the house has its secrets, including the haunted cemetery that Birdie is now responsible for. It doesn’t help when her nosy neighbor catches on to Birdie’s big secret – that she’s a true witch with real magical powers.
But when the busybody turns up dead on Birdie’s new property, the former southern debutante becomes the prime suspect in the case. Cue the ladies of Witch Hazel Lane – a group of women who’ve stuck together for forty years. With their help, Birdie is on the hunt for the real killer. Will they help get her off the hook? Will Birdie’s true nature stay secret? And what is she supposed to do with the stray dog that refuses to leave her house?
This book contains plenty of southern sass, friendship, some delicious comfort food, and a little bit of magic along the way!
FREE RECIPES INCLUDED!
Perfect for readers of Charlaine Harris, Joanna Fluke, and Leighann Dobbs!
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When Vegas magician Birdie is booed while onstage and hears chants of “Witch”, she immediately packs up and flees. Especially since the High-Order had just come of the Witches’ Closet and announced that Witches were real and living among normal people. Having lived for over 100 years, Birdie knew how bad it could get when people find out that you’re different. She flees to her place of birth, Nella, Mississippi and purchases the house she’d always dreamt up, the Hampton House, sight unseen. Drawing on everything she’s learned in her long life, Birdie starts to restore the old house and also makes friends with some of the neighbors, something she’s leery about because she doesn’t want anyone to come after her if they find out she’s a witch.
When her nosy neighbor (one who had just witnessed her performing some magic is murdered, Birdie is walking on eggshells, especially when the local sheriff starts looking at Birdie as a possible suspect. She only draws a breath of relief when she’s informed that she had an alibi during the time of death.
With her curious nature, Birdie doesn’t knowingly set about solving the murder, but her powers of observation, as well as gossip from locals, help to draw out the actual killer. Can Birdie and the other residents of Witch Hazel lane figure out who the killer is and stop them from killing again?
I definitely enjoyed this witchy cozy mystery. Birdie doesn’t try to hide 100% but she’s smart in trying to keep her witchy side hidden. I love the small town she lives in, the friends she makes, especially Geena. The writing is good, the story easy to follow with just the right amount of paranormal, the characters are great. I can’t wait to start the next book and see where the story goes next.
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This book is a quick and easy read. Although it’s a mystery, the book does focus more time on character development and issues with witches, rather than the murder. I feel this is worth mentioning so that you will know what to expect, in case you are looking for something with more investigating and sleuthing.
Birdie, the main character, is a witch. Since witches are being sought out, not in a good way, she has to leave her high-profile life in Vegas to go to the small town of Nella, Mississippi. Although Birdie is a bit of a loner, we find out that she is caring and genuine, which makes her likable.
Back in Nella, the place where she grew up over one hundred years ago, she meets a whole cast of characters, but she’s wary of making friends. When her closest neighbor, Willa-Mae, is killed on her property in the middle of the night, Birdie quickly becomes a suspect. Since she’s a lone wolf, she doesn’t know if she should reach out to the neighbors, in fear they might find out she’s a witch.
However, Geena comes over and invites her to lunch with the “gang.” Birdie goes to meet everyone, but she’s skeptical of opening up too much. Luckily, she’s able to connect with Geena, who is funny, sweet, and caring, and they develop a friendship that is built on trust; something Birdie has never really had. It’s nice to see that side of the story play out and show the acceptance of others. I think that’s the underlying message in this book — to be open and be yourself, and you’ll find that others are receptive to that.
There are some interesting developments, such as the friendship between Birdie and Geena and the eventual solving of the murder. I did like that we also get some backstory on Birdie, which adds to her likability and helps the reader get a little more insight into who she is a person. I also enjoy the witchy aspect and seeing some of Birdie’s magic in action, and I’m sure that’ll be expanded on in future books.
Overall, this book didn’t have any lulls. I think if you are interested in witchcraft and relational aspects of a story, Grits in the Graveyard is the book for you.
This is the first book in the new Witch Hazel Lane book series, and what a great start. Full of well developed characters with a story that kept me guessing. I highly recommend and can’t wait for more!
I really loved discovering this new series, it’s funny and it has a setting i absolutely love. For this fall season this is really the perfect read. It’s a easy story to get into, a easy read that captivate you so easily read in one sitting.
The characthers are well written and i would gladly read more about them and not only about Birdie which is a great Heroine funny, intelligent and courageous too.
If you love cozy mystery set in the the south with paranormal elements this is really a great read. There are twists and the investigation is well done. I did guess a few elements too fast for my tastes but i really enjoyed this book and would happily read the series
Birdie Devaine leaves her exclusive show in Las Vegas and returns to the small town of her birth in Mississippi after the council of witches announce their existence. Birdie is a witch who fears being outed. She buys the house of her dreams when she was young which is now a run-down mansion. The street is filled with women who want to be her friends causing concerns about keeping her witch abilities secret. When her older, taciturn neighbor is killed, Birdie feels the need to find the murderer.
Enjoy this first in a series mystery with great characters and a surprise ending. I loved this book!
J. L. Collins grabbed my attention in chapter one and kept it through out. This kind of reminded me of an updated Bewitched, except for the murder. Teehee!!! Birdie is a little self-conscience about letting people in on her secret. When things go crazy she finds out who is on her side. I loved getting to know Birdie, Geena and Ruby. I look forward to getting to know them more. In my opinion this is fun and a little on the sweet side. In my opinion the ending was a little strung out, but it was a fun start to a new series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader’s copy.
Fun new character, Birdie, a witch, moves back to her hometown, where she lived over 100 years ago. She buys and restores a house that she admired back then and finds it has a cemetery in the backyard. It isn’t long before she finds her nosy neighbor dead in the cemetery. Birdie makes some wonderful new friends in her search to find the killer. She learns a big secret about her dog, that came along with the house, and the secret was not what I guessed it to be (good way to keep me on my toes). Birdie also gets some ghostly help. With the folks on Witch Hazel Lane, I’m sure Birdie will have many more fun adventures and I can’t wait to read all about them.