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Never let your brother date a witch, lest they get turned into a talking cat.
Morgan Winters wants an ordinary
A job at a bookstore, an apartment she can barely afford, and a healthy amount of existential dread. Her brother (AKA “The Ruiner”) ruins that when he shows up on her bedroom windowsill, transformed into a talking cat.
He claims it’s due to a date gone horribly wrong, but Morgan’s not buying it. Still, when he begs her to take him to a witch who can change him back into a human, she reluctantly agrees. Family is family.
When they arrive in Hollowbeck – a suspiciously small and suspiciously magical town – they find the witch.
Only she’s dead.
And there’s a letter left behind – with Morgan’s name on it.
Even though no one knew she was coming.
Morgan could run. She could hide. But she’s not the type. She’s determined to stick her nose into the middle of the supernatural, figure out who left her the letter, find the murderer – and hopefully sort out Ruiner’s cat problem before he leaves another hairball on the rug.
Witch Slap is the first book in The Hollowbeck Paranormal Cozy Mysteries series from Amelia Ash and bestselling author Kim M. Watt. Join Morgan and Ruiner as they explore a small town full of magic, mystery, and murder.
Morgan Winters wants an ordinary
A job at a bookstore, an apartment she can barely afford, and a healthy amount of existential dread. Her brother (AKA “The Ruiner”) ruins that when he shows up on her bedroom windowsill, transformed into a talking cat.
He claims it’s due to a date gone horribly wrong, but Morgan’s not buying it. Still, when he begs her to take him to a witch who can change him back into a human, she reluctantly agrees. Family is family.
When they arrive in Hollowbeck – a suspiciously small and suspiciously magical town – they find the witch.
Only she’s dead.
And there’s a letter left behind – with Morgan’s name on it.
Even though no one knew she was coming.
Morgan could run. She could hide. But she’s not the type. She’s determined to stick her nose into the middle of the supernatural, figure out who left her the letter, find the murderer – and hopefully sort out Ruiner’s cat problem before he leaves another hairball on the rug.
Witch Slap is the first book in The Hollowbeck Paranormal Cozy Mysteries series from Amelia Ash and bestselling author Kim M. Watt. Join Morgan and Ruiner as they explore a small town full of magic, mystery, and murder.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 23, 2024
"Witch Slap (The Hollowbeck Paranormal Cozy Mysteries #1)" by Amelia Ash and Kim M. Watt has some good potential for a paranormal cozy mystery series. My main issue is that the main character seems a bit too immature for her age. I'm hoping she grows and matures some more as the books go on as it seems that maybe what is hinted at in the last paragraph of the book. She's just very abrasive and nothing is her fault, it's because of someone else. It'd be nice to see some bonding or relationship building between her and her brother (turned cat) as well. The constant arguing and threats to each other got a bit old quick.
Despite those character flaws the setting was quite interesting and very witchy paranormal. The cop maybe some sort of vampire. There may be a werewolf bar where owner. Nothing out and out confirmed but very much hinted at. The town itself has to be found because you have the ability to, been invited to or it's the very set time span of tourist season. There's witches and other types of magical beings too.
The mystery part kept me guessing. Though a good chunk of it was over just trying to find the magical book that everyone seemed to want. Since it became more about the book it ended up throwing me off a bit about who the culprit who started all the problems was. In the end, it made sense who did it. It also made sense what had happened to the book.
Despite those character flaws the setting was quite interesting and very witchy paranormal. The cop maybe some sort of vampire. There may be a werewolf bar where owner. Nothing out and out confirmed but very much hinted at. The town itself has to be found because you have the ability to, been invited to or it's the very set time span of tourist season. There's witches and other types of magical beings too.
The mystery part kept me guessing. Though a good chunk of it was over just trying to find the magical book that everyone seemed to want. Since it became more about the book it ended up throwing me off a bit about who the culprit who started all the problems was. In the end, it made sense who did it. It also made sense what had happened to the book.
July 4, 2024
A terrific joint venture
I've been loving Kim Watt's books for some time, and now I can add Amelia Ash to the list of favourite authors, because to judge by Witch Slap, she and Kim are on exactly the same wavelength.
I'm really looking forward to reading more about Hollowbeck, which sounds like my kind of place - good coffee, cake, a library full of really interesting books and, um... frogs... I'm less sure about frogs, especially in the bathroom. But irritating talking cats are great!
I've been loving Kim Watt's books for some time, and now I can add Amelia Ash to the list of favourite authors, because to judge by Witch Slap, she and Kim are on exactly the same wavelength.
I'm really looking forward to reading more about Hollowbeck, which sounds like my kind of place - good coffee, cake, a library full of really interesting books and, um... frogs... I'm less sure about frogs, especially in the bathroom. But irritating talking cats are great!
August 8, 2024
What a Fun Read
Great book from start to finish. Reeled me immediately. I read the whole thing in less than 24 hours. A must read.
Great book from start to finish. Reeled me immediately. I read the whole thing in less than 24 hours. A must read.
Read
August 5, 2024DNF @ 16%, so no rating.
The premise of this book is stellar. Even as I was describing it to a friend, it made me excited to talk about. But unfortunately, there was so much description that instead of enhancing the story, it felt really bogged down. Honestly, if some of it was cut, I'd gladly give this book another go. It just cloaks the story in endless details I don't need. If this doesn't bother you, I would definitely give it a go. The premise alone would be worth it.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book.
The premise of this book is stellar. Even as I was describing it to a friend, it made me excited to talk about. But unfortunately, there was so much description that instead of enhancing the story, it felt really bogged down. Honestly, if some of it was cut, I'd gladly give this book another go. It just cloaks the story in endless details I don't need. If this doesn't bother you, I would definitely give it a go. The premise alone would be worth it.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book.
September 8, 2024
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book. The cover and the promise of a talking cat are what immediately drew me to this story and I ended up absolutely loving everything about this.
We follow Morgan, a woman who has recently lost everything in a nasty divorce as she has to help her brother who got turned into a cat to find the witch who can turn him back into a human again. But once they get to Hollowbeck, a town that’s not even on the map and not many people can find, they find out the only person who can possibly help them is dead.
Now it’s up to Morgan and Ruiner (his name's actually Rainier, but he ruins everything hence the nickname) to not only find a way to turn Ruiner back into a human, but also figure out who murdered the witch. Along the way there's some twists and turns that constantly kept me guessing as to what was going on and as I never once suspected the actual murderer this led to an unexpected reveal in the end.
A huge part of the appeal of this book for me was the talking cat character. I love talking animal companions and Ruiner was no exception. I loved his snark and attitude and he kind of reminded me of Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, also partly because they were both turned into a cat as some kind of punishment. This character definitely added something extra to the whole story, especially because while he is human he started to act more and more cat-like the more the story progressed.
Ruiner's relationship with Morgan was an interesting one. They never really had a great bond and it shows in the way they interact with each other. Ruiner has made some very questionable life choices in the past and Morgan has had to save him more times than she would've liked. But seeing that he is still her brother, she keeps helping him despite everything and this time it's no different. This leads to some interesting banter between the two of them. As someone with a brother, their sibling relationship definitely felt realistic to me. Because even when he does stupid things or annoys you and you don't have the best relationship, he's still your brother and you still care about him and want to help him in whatever way you can. I feel like the writers really did a great job in bringing this across.
I also really loved Hollowbeck as a setting. It sounds very cosy and I can completely imagine what it looks like to the point I'd want to go there. Without the murder, that is. I did feel like the initial descriptions of the setting were a bit too detailed and could've been shorter. But at the same time, it helped to set the tone and bring the town to life and didn't ruin my overall enjoyment of the story in any way. I loved how Hollowbeck is this unknown little town in England that’s not even on the map and everything- from the barter system to the weather -works differently because of the magical influences. The town clearly has a lot of supernatural creatures living in it and I would love to learn more about them in the next books because I feel like we don’t know half of what going on yet.
I also really enjoyed the writing style and the character voices in the book. Everyone was their own character with their own distinctive personality and voice and this really helped the story to come alive and to made everything feel real and almost like I was part of the story.
Because this book is the first part in a series, I was left with some unanswered questions at the end. However, the main mystery from the book is solved and I’m mostly just excited to read more and get the answers to these questions I still have along the way as I am enjoying that there's still some mystery to the characters and the town left. This book also ended on the perfect set up for the next one and it makes me want to dive right into that. Without spoiling, I feel like things are about to get really interesting and I can't wait to return to Hollowbeck and read all about Morgan, Ruiner and all the residents in the sequels.
* I received a copy through NetGalley and leave this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own. *
We follow Morgan, a woman who has recently lost everything in a nasty divorce as she has to help her brother who got turned into a cat to find the witch who can turn him back into a human again. But once they get to Hollowbeck, a town that’s not even on the map and not many people can find, they find out the only person who can possibly help them is dead.
Now it’s up to Morgan and Ruiner (his name's actually Rainier, but he ruins everything hence the nickname) to not only find a way to turn Ruiner back into a human, but also figure out who murdered the witch. Along the way there's some twists and turns that constantly kept me guessing as to what was going on and as I never once suspected the actual murderer this led to an unexpected reveal in the end.
A huge part of the appeal of this book for me was the talking cat character. I love talking animal companions and Ruiner was no exception. I loved his snark and attitude and he kind of reminded me of Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, also partly because they were both turned into a cat as some kind of punishment. This character definitely added something extra to the whole story, especially because while he is human he started to act more and more cat-like the more the story progressed.
Ruiner's relationship with Morgan was an interesting one. They never really had a great bond and it shows in the way they interact with each other. Ruiner has made some very questionable life choices in the past and Morgan has had to save him more times than she would've liked. But seeing that he is still her brother, she keeps helping him despite everything and this time it's no different. This leads to some interesting banter between the two of them. As someone with a brother, their sibling relationship definitely felt realistic to me. Because even when he does stupid things or annoys you and you don't have the best relationship, he's still your brother and you still care about him and want to help him in whatever way you can. I feel like the writers really did a great job in bringing this across.
I also really loved Hollowbeck as a setting. It sounds very cosy and I can completely imagine what it looks like to the point I'd want to go there. Without the murder, that is. I did feel like the initial descriptions of the setting were a bit too detailed and could've been shorter. But at the same time, it helped to set the tone and bring the town to life and didn't ruin my overall enjoyment of the story in any way. I loved how Hollowbeck is this unknown little town in England that’s not even on the map and everything- from the barter system to the weather -works differently because of the magical influences. The town clearly has a lot of supernatural creatures living in it and I would love to learn more about them in the next books because I feel like we don’t know half of what going on yet.
I also really enjoyed the writing style and the character voices in the book. Everyone was their own character with their own distinctive personality and voice and this really helped the story to come alive and to made everything feel real and almost like I was part of the story.
Because this book is the first part in a series, I was left with some unanswered questions at the end. However, the main mystery from the book is solved and I’m mostly just excited to read more and get the answers to these questions I still have along the way as I am enjoying that there's still some mystery to the characters and the town left. This book also ended on the perfect set up for the next one and it makes me want to dive right into that. Without spoiling, I feel like things are about to get really interesting and I can't wait to return to Hollowbeck and read all about Morgan, Ruiner and all the residents in the sequels.
* I received a copy through NetGalley and leave this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own. *
July 23, 2024
Morgan is down on her luck, going through a divorce and working a crappy job when her brother Rainier, (affectionately known as Ruiner because he ruins everything!) shows up on her doorstep as a cat, begging her to help him (case and point). This is both surprising and completely normal as she has spent most of her life dragging her brother out of all sorts of trouble.
So their adventure begins as they travel to Hollowbeck in search of a witch to reverse her brother's curse. Only when they get there, the witch is dead and now Morgan is a potential suspect in her murder.
Hollowbeck reminds me of Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls) but with a magical vibe and just like Gilmore Girls there is a unique cast of characters, who are quirky and loveable.....but also may be murderers.
The sibling dynamic was perfect and the banter between Ruiner and Morgan was so natural. This book literally had me giggling at times at the sibling rivalry and constant bickering. I can only imagine the author has her own annoying sibling who she has drawn inspiration from. Ruiners character was well fleshed out and I could imagine exactly the type of brother he was and the types of shenanigans Morgan was constantly rescuing him from. He was equal parts infuriating and kind of lovable in that way that only siblings can be.
In the next books I would love to see more personal growth from Morgan and Ruiner. There were definitely hints of it in this book, but by the end of the series it would be great to see how they have both matured.
Such a great cozy whodunit mystery with fantasy elements. I can't wait for the rest of the series!
Big Thank-you to Netgalley and Sterling & Stone publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review
So their adventure begins as they travel to Hollowbeck in search of a witch to reverse her brother's curse. Only when they get there, the witch is dead and now Morgan is a potential suspect in her murder.
Hollowbeck reminds me of Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls) but with a magical vibe and just like Gilmore Girls there is a unique cast of characters, who are quirky and loveable.....but also may be murderers.
The sibling dynamic was perfect and the banter between Ruiner and Morgan was so natural. This book literally had me giggling at times at the sibling rivalry and constant bickering. I can only imagine the author has her own annoying sibling who she has drawn inspiration from. Ruiners character was well fleshed out and I could imagine exactly the type of brother he was and the types of shenanigans Morgan was constantly rescuing him from. He was equal parts infuriating and kind of lovable in that way that only siblings can be.
In the next books I would love to see more personal growth from Morgan and Ruiner. There were definitely hints of it in this book, but by the end of the series it would be great to see how they have both matured.
Such a great cozy whodunit mystery with fantasy elements. I can't wait for the rest of the series!
Big Thank-you to Netgalley and Sterling & Stone publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review
June 30, 2024
Witch Slap by Amelia Ash and Kim M. Watt is worth all five stars and more - never in a million haunted years have I expected myself to finish all 290 pages in less than an hour. You will too, I am certain.
Morgan Winters and Rainier Winters (aka The Ruiner) are on the adventure of a lifetime - but it isn’t all chamomile tea and good biscuits. Morgan is adjusting to life as a newly divorced woman when her brother shows up as a…. wait for it… T A L K I N G CAT!!!! How stellar? Morgan doesn’t think it’s very stellar. The Ruiner and their “Never Gives Up” sister, Morgan, navigate into the world of magic while they try to play detective with the murder of the only witch who can help them.
The characters in this book are well thought out. You see the development in the brother's role as you go about the stories. Morgan is a relatable individual who has this moment of strength toward about 80% of the book that is in itself worth the read. I loved all the non main characters and their back stories. The world building in this book was also so smooth, I found myself feeling like I was standing in the Cosy Cauldron looking for newly needed items.
The plot was not at all predictable. There were subtle twist and turns with “who was it?” that kept me fully engaged. As mentioned, I devoured this 290 page book in merely 45-50 minutes! I was left immediately needing more!
This would be a great book for someone who adores cozy paranormal and witchy mystery’s.
Thank you to the publisher for granting me an advance reader copy.
Morgan Winters and Rainier Winters (aka The Ruiner) are on the adventure of a lifetime - but it isn’t all chamomile tea and good biscuits. Morgan is adjusting to life as a newly divorced woman when her brother shows up as a…. wait for it… T A L K I N G CAT!!!! How stellar? Morgan doesn’t think it’s very stellar. The Ruiner and their “Never Gives Up” sister, Morgan, navigate into the world of magic while they try to play detective with the murder of the only witch who can help them.
The characters in this book are well thought out. You see the development in the brother's role as you go about the stories. Morgan is a relatable individual who has this moment of strength toward about 80% of the book that is in itself worth the read. I loved all the non main characters and their back stories. The world building in this book was also so smooth, I found myself feeling like I was standing in the Cosy Cauldron looking for newly needed items.
The plot was not at all predictable. There were subtle twist and turns with “who was it?” that kept me fully engaged. As mentioned, I devoured this 290 page book in merely 45-50 minutes! I was left immediately needing more!
This would be a great book for someone who adores cozy paranormal and witchy mystery’s.
Thank you to the publisher for granting me an advance reader copy.
July 3, 2024
Princess Fuzzypants here: Morgan does not think her life can get much worse. She is living in a hovel and working a dead end job after her divorce from her two timing husband. That is until her brother shows up at her window. He has been the bane of her existence to the degree that she has nicknamed him Ruiner. This time his dilemma tops them all. Ruiner is a cat. What is more he wants her to travel with him to an unknown location where he thinks he can undo the spell that changed him.
After a very creepy drive in her ancient Volvo, they arrive in Hollowbeck. While outwardly it looks like a fantasy, there are some very deep and dark things going on in this mystical spot. Morgan realizes she has stumbled into something very weird when the first resident she meets is a dead witch half stuffed in her own caldron. Things are not going to get any less strange as she meets the citizens. Considering she never believed in magic, she takes it all in her stride. Might there be a reason she was led here. She is not going to know until she solves the murder and mystery that surrounds a book owned by the deceased. In the process she is going to face some great danger but in the end she is going to learn a lot about herself and those around her.
It was a fun story where it was impossible to tell the good guys from the bad guys. No wonder Morgan struggled. Looking forward to seeing where this tale will go next. Four purrs and two paws up.
After a very creepy drive in her ancient Volvo, they arrive in Hollowbeck. While outwardly it looks like a fantasy, there are some very deep and dark things going on in this mystical spot. Morgan realizes she has stumbled into something very weird when the first resident she meets is a dead witch half stuffed in her own caldron. Things are not going to get any less strange as she meets the citizens. Considering she never believed in magic, she takes it all in her stride. Might there be a reason she was led here. She is not going to know until she solves the murder and mystery that surrounds a book owned by the deceased. In the process she is going to face some great danger but in the end she is going to learn a lot about herself and those around her.
It was a fun story where it was impossible to tell the good guys from the bad guys. No wonder Morgan struggled. Looking forward to seeing where this tale will go next. Four purrs and two paws up.
July 1, 2024
I recieved a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity.
I mostly review books for kids, but a rather high percentage of my pleasure reading consists of cozy mysteries with cats on the cover and supernatural mysteries where the narrator discovers she has magic and moves into a magical world, so this one was a natural.
Like most first books in such series, there's a lot of world building which tends to make the story lag a bit. I have to be honest-I rarely reread first books in ANY such series for that reason. But, the world created is compelling and I look forward to the second book, and it's worth picking this one up if you're a fan of the genre.
As is typical of cozy mysteries, while this is an "adult" fiction book, it contains absolutely nothing objectionable and would be a better fit for tween advanced readers than most YA labeled books, and would definitely be a fun read for teens who enjoy mysteries with supernatural elements and cats.
I mostly review books for kids, but a rather high percentage of my pleasure reading consists of cozy mysteries with cats on the cover and supernatural mysteries where the narrator discovers she has magic and moves into a magical world, so this one was a natural.
Like most first books in such series, there's a lot of world building which tends to make the story lag a bit. I have to be honest-I rarely reread first books in ANY such series for that reason. But, the world created is compelling and I look forward to the second book, and it's worth picking this one up if you're a fan of the genre.
As is typical of cozy mysteries, while this is an "adult" fiction book, it contains absolutely nothing objectionable and would be a better fit for tween advanced readers than most YA labeled books, and would definitely be a fun read for teens who enjoy mysteries with supernatural elements and cats.
August 1, 2024
First of all thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me this arc.
I was intrigued by the cover and premise of the book. I expected cosy mystery and I got very cosy story. It had potential, but didn’t live up to all my expectations for it. I enjoyed the scenery where the story takes place. It had so Halloweentown vibes. And the people in it was such interesting bunch of citizens. The writing style was really readable, so it was pretty quick read. The characters was just okay for me, I already forgot most of them after I finished it, so it has to say you everything. BUT I really enjoyed the description of sibling relationship between Morgan and her brother. It was a realistic one and their interactions were always fun. The mystery itself was a little bit lacking, but overal it was enjoyable story.
I can recommend this book for everyone who wants some cosy story with paranormal elements to just switch off and relax.
I was intrigued by the cover and premise of the book. I expected cosy mystery and I got very cosy story. It had potential, but didn’t live up to all my expectations for it. I enjoyed the scenery where the story takes place. It had so Halloweentown vibes. And the people in it was such interesting bunch of citizens. The writing style was really readable, so it was pretty quick read. The characters was just okay for me, I already forgot most of them after I finished it, so it has to say you everything. BUT I really enjoyed the description of sibling relationship between Morgan and her brother. It was a realistic one and their interactions were always fun. The mystery itself was a little bit lacking, but overal it was enjoyable story.
I can recommend this book for everyone who wants some cosy story with paranormal elements to just switch off and relax.
August 21, 2024
Witch Slap by Amelia Ash and Kim M. Watt is a delightful and ridiculas read. A magically cozy mystery that's sassy and fantastical. I loved it!
It follows down on her luck Morgan Winters as she's sucked into one of her brother's crazy problems. Rainier, or the ruiner as she calls him, has got himself cursed and turned into a cat.
This is not a normal occurrence unless you find yourself in certain "magical towns" where anything can happen. Rainier gets Morgan to take him to one of these towns to try and get help from a real life witch. Unfortunately when they arrive the wicked witch is dead and Morgan can't seem to leave the town behind. She's going to have to figure out what happened with the help of a very perky mayor, a frog obsessed inn keeper and a detective who only comes out at night.
Such a fun world to enter and a plot with lots of red herrings. I loved it!!!
If you love paranormal cozy mysteries you will love this and it's perfect for spooky season!
It follows down on her luck Morgan Winters as she's sucked into one of her brother's crazy problems. Rainier, or the ruiner as she calls him, has got himself cursed and turned into a cat.
This is not a normal occurrence unless you find yourself in certain "magical towns" where anything can happen. Rainier gets Morgan to take him to one of these towns to try and get help from a real life witch. Unfortunately when they arrive the wicked witch is dead and Morgan can't seem to leave the town behind. She's going to have to figure out what happened with the help of a very perky mayor, a frog obsessed inn keeper and a detective who only comes out at night.
Such a fun world to enter and a plot with lots of red herrings. I loved it!!!
If you love paranormal cozy mysteries you will love this and it's perfect for spooky season!
September 1, 2024
This is a wonderfully cozy little adventure with a small, magical town, a talking cat, a woman who may or may not turn her B&B guests into frogs … and a lot of fun. The plot is fairly straightforward and, as the first book in a series, has a lot of setup, introducing this person and that, this shop, that road, this witch, that witch and the witch way over there, which leaves little time for romance. There are hints of it, though, here and there, with three possible candidates — the mysterious police chief who comes out after dark, the quiet librarian, and the human barista boy, and as yet no indication which way the witch will go.
I enjoyed this for what it was, a pleasant evening’s read with some snacks, some music, and some tea. It’s comfortable, charming, and a good start. I’m off to read the next book, now!
I want to thank Net Galley and the publisher for granting me access to an advanced reader copy
I enjoyed this for what it was, a pleasant evening’s read with some snacks, some music, and some tea. It’s comfortable, charming, and a good start. I’m off to read the next book, now!
I want to thank Net Galley and the publisher for granting me access to an advanced reader copy
August 9, 2024
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC!
3 stars
This was a really fun, cute book. It gave alllll the Halloweentown vibes, which was a movie series I adored as a kid (who am I kidding, I still do). Little cozy town with all the magical peoples. The mystery was fun to follow as we met more of the town residents and got to see the town's quirks.
I did have some issues, like there'd be some moments characters acted too childish, and the bickering between Morgan and Ruiner could get over the top. I also didn't feel super satisfied with the mystery (the character was one we'd known, but I still went "who?" at the reveal because I kept confusing her with another character), but the town was fun enough that I just went along with it anyway.
Overall, a fun little cozy mystery that I could see people enjoying on a cool evening with pumpkin spice and watching leaves fall!
3 stars
This was a really fun, cute book. It gave alllll the Halloweentown vibes, which was a movie series I adored as a kid (who am I kidding, I still do). Little cozy town with all the magical peoples. The mystery was fun to follow as we met more of the town residents and got to see the town's quirks.
I did have some issues, like there'd be some moments characters acted too childish, and the bickering between Morgan and Ruiner could get over the top. I also didn't feel super satisfied with the mystery (the character was one we'd known, but I still went "who?" at the reveal because I kept confusing her with another character), but the town was fun enough that I just went along with it anyway.
Overall, a fun little cozy mystery that I could see people enjoying on a cool evening with pumpkin spice and watching leaves fall!
August 24, 2024
“One cat just leads to another.” – Ernest Hemingway
What is more unbelievable, that Morgan’s brother has been turned into a cat? Or that she’s like, “A cat huh? Weird.” Instead of screaming and running out the house Morgan walks away from her life and saddles herself with her brother the cat’s problems.
Morgan’s brother Rainer, I mean Ruiner, takes her to Hollowbeck, an English village which is sort of a cross between Brigadoon and the Hotel California. There they plan on finding a cure for his felinity. Instead they get mixed up in solving a murder.
The authors quickly create the image of Hollowbeck in our minds. Wonderful descriptions of the town, its shops and the people who live there. It sounds like an incredible place to live.
Too bad someone is a killer.
What is more unbelievable, that Morgan’s brother has been turned into a cat? Or that she’s like, “A cat huh? Weird.” Instead of screaming and running out the house Morgan walks away from her life and saddles herself with her brother the cat’s problems.
Morgan’s brother Rainer, I mean Ruiner, takes her to Hollowbeck, an English village which is sort of a cross between Brigadoon and the Hotel California. There they plan on finding a cure for his felinity. Instead they get mixed up in solving a murder.
The authors quickly create the image of Hollowbeck in our minds. Wonderful descriptions of the town, its shops and the people who live there. It sounds like an incredible place to live.
Too bad someone is a killer.
July 8, 2024
4.5/5
I started the book thinking it's going to be similar to what I always read (but love), but it was not.
The whole setting of a magical town you can't find on a map was so weird but oddly refreshing. The town which is not like the cozy towns of other books, and is actually devoid of phones and internet seems like a dream, but then bad people exist everywhere.
I somehow also liked the main characters and their banters, but I think that they do need to have a good character growth after going through everything in the book.
This book is a collaboration of 2 authors, but I have not read any other books by them, however rhe next part of this book is definitely on my radar now.
I received a free copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I started the book thinking it's going to be similar to what I always read (but love), but it was not.
The whole setting of a magical town you can't find on a map was so weird but oddly refreshing. The town which is not like the cozy towns of other books, and is actually devoid of phones and internet seems like a dream, but then bad people exist everywhere.
I somehow also liked the main characters and their banters, but I think that they do need to have a good character growth after going through everything in the book.
This book is a collaboration of 2 authors, but I have not read any other books by them, however rhe next part of this book is definitely on my radar now.
I received a free copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 17, 2024
I loved this first book in a new series! A collaboration of a couple of excellent authors whose writing is very seamless and complementary. I won't attempt to synopsize the book since so many other readers have done a great job of doing that. Suffice it to say that it's got thrills and chills and so many twists and turns that it kept me guessing until the very end. I thought I had the mystery figured out several times and I was wrong, wrong, wrong :) I read a lot and I usually figure out "who done it" well before the end so this one was really outstanding! I've already pre-ordered the next book in the series. If you enjoy books with quirky locations, quirky characters and a great mystery you'll enjoy "Witch Slap"!
July 29, 2024
This is an extremely entertaining and funny new paranormal cozy mystery, witty and well plotted.
What happens if you're very down on luck and your brother, a sort of loser, flirt with someone from paranormal world and is turned into a cat ?
This novel happens and I had a lot of fun as the banters between Morgan and Ruiner are great. I liked the world building and the fleshed out and quirky cast of characters.
I like the world building, the sense of a picture perfect town with a dark undertone, and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
As I liked it I preordered the last one in this series.
Have fun, read it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
What happens if you're very down on luck and your brother, a sort of loser, flirt with someone from paranormal world and is turned into a cat ?
This novel happens and I had a lot of fun as the banters between Morgan and Ruiner are great. I liked the world building and the fleshed out and quirky cast of characters.
I like the world building, the sense of a picture perfect town with a dark undertone, and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
As I liked it I preordered the last one in this series.
Have fun, read it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 8, 2024
“Witch Slap” is a cozy mystery and a bit fantasy as well. Morgan tries to help her brother, Rainier, who was turned into a cat. They venture to this magical little town called Hollowbrook.
First, I must say that I absolutely love the title! So funny! The banter between Morgan and Rainier was quite amusing. It was even funnier when I was picturing it in my head with a cat talking!
I liked our two main characters very much. I wish the other characters in the book had a bit more substance. I wanted to know more about them and I wanted more personalities.
This was a fun little read. I definitely enjoyed it. If you like mysteries with witchy flair, then this is for you. I can see myself continuing with this series. Very cute.
First, I must say that I absolutely love the title! So funny! The banter between Morgan and Rainier was quite amusing. It was even funnier when I was picturing it in my head with a cat talking!
I liked our two main characters very much. I wish the other characters in the book had a bit more substance. I wanted to know more about them and I wanted more personalities.
This was a fun little read. I definitely enjoyed it. If you like mysteries with witchy flair, then this is for you. I can see myself continuing with this series. Very cute.
June 25, 2024
Trying to live a quiet mundane life, Morgan’s brother shows up and asks for help. Agreeing to go to Hollowbeck to find the witch who can help turn her brother back to his human form was the plan. Plans change.
Morgan finds the witch dead and her name is also found at the scene. There’s no other choice for Morgan than to find the killer and clear her name…and maybe get her brother squared away. While a cat may have nine lives, Morgan may Not be so lucky if she can’t figure things out before the killer gets to her.
A great start to a cute and cozy new series. I’m definitely down for the next book in this series!
Morgan finds the witch dead and her name is also found at the scene. There’s no other choice for Morgan than to find the killer and clear her name…and maybe get her brother squared away. While a cat may have nine lives, Morgan may Not be so lucky if she can’t figure things out before the killer gets to her.
A great start to a cute and cozy new series. I’m definitely down for the next book in this series!
July 2, 2024
Witch Slap Introduces us to the Magical town of Hollowbeck. Morgan is ready to start her new life until her brother shows up. He just needs a small favor. Nothing big. Just help him become human again. Oh, I forgot to mention, he's a cat. How does that lead to her becoming the number one suspect in a murder? How does she keep from becoming a frog? Why does the Detective in town only come out after dark? It looks like you need to read Witch Slap to find out. I loved this book. I'm looking forward to more in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Authors for letting me read an ARC copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Authors for letting me read an ARC copy.
July 8, 2024
Enter a woman totally thrown sideways out of her humdrum awful life into a magic town along with dead witches, ghosts, frog-loving landladies and a host of odd characters. I started the book with some hesitation fearing it could not stand up to previous series from Kim M Watt who has a wonderful eye for landscapes and language. However, I was soon swept up in this story of murder, mystery and witchery and will be re-reading soon to get all the bits I missed the first time. It may never supplant Toot Hansell dragons and snarky P.I. cats in my affections but I look forward to reading more about the Hollowbeck citizens. (But I hate Ruiner.)
July 18, 2024
Absolutely brilliant story, lots of fun! The basic idea of Hollowbeck, a small town in Northern England which, curiously enough is not on the map, a brother who is not only trouble with a capital T but who also has managed to get himself turned into a talking cat and you have a recipe for magic, mayhem and lots of convoluted situations. Well written, full of comical asides and sarcasm, this book makes for great reading. Sometimes it's good to put aside the more serious books and just relax with a book like this one. The great news is that the second book in the series has just been published, so I've added it to my list and plan to read it very soon!
July 22, 2024
A big thank you to NetGalley and Sterling and Stone for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is the first book in a new series. I was pretty disgusted with Ruiner for most of the story. I never got the connection with the title. The story was a little out there. But I liked it. This is a cozy mystery that didn't get resolved. That was a little frustrating. Morgan was definitely at a low point in her life The fact that I got frustrated with the characters-tells me that I was invested in the story. This wasn't a can't put down but it was different and interesting. 3 stars
June 23, 2024
#WitchSlap #NetGalley is a fun, colorful cozy mystery that kept me laughing throughout the story.
Morgan Winters has a boring life in her mind, but when her brother Rainier, aka as Ruiner, turns up as a cat, her life spins out of control and she does her best to get through the bizarre things she sees.
Her brother needs her to find a spell book that will hopefully return him to human form, but it won't be as easy as it seems.
This is a fun spin on a paranormal book and I enjoyed every page.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Morgan Winters has a boring life in her mind, but when her brother Rainier, aka as Ruiner, turns up as a cat, her life spins out of control and she does her best to get through the bizarre things she sees.
Her brother needs her to find a spell book that will hopefully return him to human form, but it won't be as easy as it seems.
This is a fun spin on a paranormal book and I enjoyed every page.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
July 4, 2024
Curses and feline family
What a wild ride of a story! Both authors together write a powerhouse twisty turn ride into Hallowbeck, a surreal quirk of a magical place. When Morgan, a divorced bookkeeper finds her n'er do well brother has been turned into a cat, she's guilted into helping. Ruiner, her name for him, leads her to the strange town to find a witch to de-curse him. Too bad they find the witch dead. Told not to leave town by the vampire cop(he only works at night), Morgan has to navigate this weird place while investigating on her own. Hint: there's a lot of frogs.
What a wild ride of a story! Both authors together write a powerhouse twisty turn ride into Hallowbeck, a surreal quirk of a magical place. When Morgan, a divorced bookkeeper finds her n'er do well brother has been turned into a cat, she's guilted into helping. Ruiner, her name for him, leads her to the strange town to find a witch to de-curse him. Too bad they find the witch dead. Told not to leave town by the vampire cop(he only works at night), Morgan has to navigate this weird place while investigating on her own. Hint: there's a lot of frogs.
July 7, 2024
A weird place!
Morgan's life isn't all that great.
She'd found her husband cheating on her.
She was living in a hovel.
Life just wasn't good.
Then it got worse when her brother showed up......as a CAT!
He convinces her that the only place he'll get help us in Hollowbeck.
When they arrive they find a dead body, in a cauldron?!?!
Thing's proceed to get even weirder when there's a note waiting for her, near the body, a threatening letter.
Oooh, I love a new series and this one has some, well, odd folks 😂😂😂 which I can relate too 😁
Can't wait for book 2.
Morgan's life isn't all that great.
She'd found her husband cheating on her.
She was living in a hovel.
Life just wasn't good.
Then it got worse when her brother showed up......as a CAT!
He convinces her that the only place he'll get help us in Hollowbeck.
When they arrive they find a dead body, in a cauldron?!?!
Thing's proceed to get even weirder when there's a note waiting for her, near the body, a threatening letter.
Oooh, I love a new series and this one has some, well, odd folks 😂😂😂 which I can relate too 😁
Can't wait for book 2.
July 29, 2024
This was a great introduction to this new witchy world. Everything is so magical and mysterious. Morgan and Ruiner have a typical sibling dynamic. I'd love to continue and learn more about these characters and the side characters. Morgan and Ruiner's journey in this crazy, magically complicated town is just beginning. The story had an entertaining conclusion that I did not see coming. There was also enough left open in the story to lead into the next book. It certainly has things to keep you guessing and wanting to know more.
June 25, 2024
An ok start to a cozy magical mystery series. The beginning was rather dreary, but main characters often have to get out of their previous living conditions before becoming immersed in the magical world, so I can get past that. I didn't like the constant bickering between Morgan and Rainer/Ruiner. The book was also a bit darker than I was expecting out of a cozy, and lacked the whimsical feel that I prefer. I received a free copy of this book on NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 29, 2024
Morgan’s brother turns into a cat. They go to the magical town Hollowbeck to see if a witch can reverse the spell but find her dead body. This is a good paranormal story. I love witches. I like the writing style, the characters and the twist. A real recommendation. I’m already looking forward to the next book.
I received a review copy for free via Netgalley and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received a review copy for free via Netgalley and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
July 2, 2024
This book was so much fun to read. Lots of action, adventure, magic and a snarky talking cat. The cast of characters is wonderful. The main character is tossed into a situation that would test the strongest of us and she manages to keep her head throughout. Well, mostly.
The characters and the descriptions of the town, set this title up well to be first in series. I can really see it on the screen.
I'm looking forward to book 2.
The characters and the descriptions of the town, set this title up well to be first in series. I can really see it on the screen.
I'm looking forward to book 2.
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