And another review…

This one appealed to me on more than one level, being a combination of two of my favourite genres for light and easy reading, and the fun style of the cover promised a slightly jokey read, as it proved to be.

It is also #1 in a series of 15, so plenty of scope to carry on reading about the same characters, and in the same world.

Blurb

The first book in a cozy mystery series by USA Today Bestselling author Dakota Cassidy, set in a seaside village, featuring quirky characters, a handsome ex-British spy who just happens to be a ghost, a snarky sidekick and, of course, murder!

What’s a girl to do when she’s a broke, shunned ex-witch with a very tiny, very hungry bat familiar named Belfry to feed? Hello. My name is Stevie Cartwright, and I’ve been witchless for thirty days.

If only there was a support group for down-on-their-luck ex-witches who’ve had their powers slapped right out of them (literally). Just as I was licking my wounds after returning to my hometown of Ebenezer Falls, WA, and navigating my suddenly non-magical existence with the help of my familiar, the only friend I have left in the world—things got sticky.

Enter an ex-spy and newly departed spirit named Winterbottom, who’s infiltrated my life with his sexy British accent and a couple of requests… Thanks to Belfry’s successful attempt to use me as a human antenna to the afterlife, I can somehow hear Win. I should be ecstatic; helping departed souls used to be my witch specialty. It’s like I got the teensiest piece of my old life back.

Except Win’s dropped me right at a dead woman’s feet. Madam Zoltar, the town’s beloved fake medium, has been murdered, and Win wants me to catch the killer. My old life won’t be worth much if it gets me whacked before my new life has barely begun–and that seems to be exactly what the killer has planned!

My review

Witch Slapped by Dakota Cassidy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stevie’s an ex-witch. Back before, when she still had her powers, her speciality was helping departed souls embrace the afterlife. But then she was punished (and there is more about that unjust situation later in the book) by having her abilities slapped right out of her. Now, she’s having to adapt to a non-magical life, with no job, no income, and no home.
Tough, right? And to compound her problems, her familiar, a bat called Belfry, tells her he’s been contacted by a spirit desperate for her help, but without her powers, she can’t hear him. Exploring further puts her at the scene of a murder, and suddenly she’s also a suspect.
This book is a great fun amalgamation of paranormal and cosy mystery – just perfect! Stevie is a great character, Belfry is totally adorable, and the departed spirit, ex-spy Winterbottom (Win) is the quintessential British secret agent, with so many surprises up his sleeve it’s hard for Stevie to keep up with him. The small-town seaside setting is charming and well described, so easy to visualise. The cast of supporting characters, and the red herrings, are all thoroughly enjoyable.
I so enjoyed this read, combining (very successfully) as it does two of my favourite genres, that I plan to read the next very soon – always a good recommendation as I will only continue with series if they really grab me, and this one did.


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