Witch Slapped

title: Witch Slapped
author: Dakota Cassidy
series: Witchless In Seattle #1
published: 3 March 2020
publisher: self-published
genre(s): cozy mystery, paranormal
pages: 220
source: Kindle Unlimited
format: eBook
buy/shelve it: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

rating: | series rating:

the blurb

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!

a few notes

steamy content: none
language content: none
graphic content: none

keywords/phrases: ghosts, murder, familiars
mood reading: humor, smart dialogue, cozy read
bonus points: strong FMC, witty, Belfrey the cotton ball bat familiar

my review

I love cozy mysteries, especially ones with witches in the starring roles. Or, in this case, an ex-witch. No matter! The story is at times hilarious, other times very smart, and always engrossing.

One of the things I love about the author’s series is that while the series itself has an overall story arc, each book also has its own complete arc. Witch Slapped sets the stage for the whole Witchless in Seattle series by introducing that overall arc. And its own mystery is as twisty and turny as one could want in a great whodunit.

The characters are fantastic. The FMC, Stevie Cartwright, is strong and capable, maintaining her sense of fun and humor even as she’s embroiled in a obstacle-ridden time in her life. She’s imperfect and flawed and utterly real. And Belfrey… I love him. He’s a cotton ball bat and Stevie’s familiar and best friend. Even though she’s lost her witchy abilities, Bel is loyal and refuses to leave her side. He’s smart and the perfect companion for Stevie. I also adore Win, the ex-British spy who recently died but whom, inexplicably, can still hear. The author has also created supporting characters who are just as developed and interesting.

Note: This is not really a romance, although there are shades of it. But romance is definitely not the focus of this series. It truly is a mystery at its heart.

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Rating Report
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reading challenges:

• 2023 Craving For Cozies Reading Challenge

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