10.11.2022 | Tuesday

A Notion of a Potion

category: Book Reviews
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A Notion of a Potiontitle: A Notion of a Potion
author: Constance Barker
series: Happy Blendings Witch #4
published: 10 January 2020
publisher: self-published
genre(s): cozy mystery, paranormal
pages: 158
source: Kindle Unlimited
format: eBook
buy/shelve it: Amazon | Goodreads

rating: three-half-stars | series rating: three-stars

the blurb

Poison Darts and Mystery Vines

Goodspring's business folks are up in arms. A new NEED-IT-NOW store wants to open for business in the town and the shop owner's are afraid it will ruin them. The man attempting to bring the store to town is a sly character and the witches have their hackles up. Business owners as well don't care for the shifty character. But when a town hall meeting, discussing if the new store should be allowed to come to the town, is interrupted by a murder, Sam and friends want to know who would murder one of their own. Are there more mysteries in this small town that are about to reveal themselves?

The vines in Sam's garden are getting stronger and more menacing. What do they mean and why can't she kill them?

Tessa and Ethan's romance gets hotter, but will his newfound heritage put a dent in their relationship?


a few notes

cover notes: so cute, yummy
keywords/phrases:
witchy, big business
mood reading:
in the mood for a cozy read with a satisfying ending
bonus points:
creative murder scene
anti-bonus points:
the incorrect use of a Sabbat

my review

A big box store is trying to edge into Goodsprings, and very few people are happy about it. Hence a town meeting, in the middle of which occurs an oddly committed murder. Once again, Sam and the rest of the coven become embroiled in the mystery, needing to sovle. A secondary plot line has Sam trying to solve the problem of a killer vine that is trying to destroy her entire orchard.

The premise of big business coming in and destroying not only small business but an entire communtiy was relatable. It was a great foundation for a cozy mystery!

bonus points

And I loved the murder scene. Instead of playing out in private, it took place in the midst in front of most of the small town. And the method? Totally unexpected! Best murder of the series thus far!

anti-bonus points

The witches in this don’t seem to really follow a traditional Wheel of the Year. A Sabbat is a particular day within the witches’ calendar, but these witches seem to use the term generically to describe any witchy gathering they have.

book flights & matchmaking

About Constance Barker

Constance Barker lives in the Midwest with her husband and two Akitas where she can look out from her screened porch onto a wooded area brimming with activity. Since she was a young girl she read mysteries, often given to her by her grandmother. She loved figuring out who the culprit was and sometimes she was right and other times startled at who the author picked as the assailant. Now she enjoys writing mysteries herself. When she isn’t writing stories, she can be found in her favorite vacation spot, Las Vegas or shopping for bargains.

Rating Report
plot
three-half-stars
characters
three-half-stars
writing
three-stars
pacing
three-half-stars
Overall: three-stars

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