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The Spellwood Witches #1
Witch's Tail
Can she awaken her dormant powers and stop a desperate killer destroying the forest?
Sarah Spellwood feels she’s hit bottom. Divorced and jobless, she relocates to the enchanting village of Witchland intent on solving the murder of her late mentor. But as she pursues clues buried in the man’s fight to save the endangered forest-dwelling lynx, she makes an enemy of a ruthless land developer.
Encountering fairies in the woods, Sarah discovers she’s been repressing unique gifts passed down from her ancestor and founding witch, Lativia Spellwood. But though she can now hear her deceased friend’s dog speak, she isn’t sure her abilities are enough to expose the greed and corruption covering a killer’s lies.
Can Sarah work with the magical beings to bring a murderer to justice?
Witch’s Tail is the charming first book in the light-hearted The Spellwood Witches cozy mystery series. If you like paranormal puzzles, delightful canine companions, and environmental enlightenment, then you’ll love Melanie Snow’s wagging-ly fun whodunit.
Buy Witch’s Tail to set a snare for an assassin today!252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2020
About the author
Melanie Snow
8 books50 followersLibrarian note: There are different authors with this name in this data base.
Melanie Snow is the pen name for Wendy Van de Poll, a bestselling author, pet loss grief coach, and animal medium. She is the author of The Spellwood Witches, a paranormal cozy mystery series.
Her books weave together positive magic, snarky forest faeries, and insightful animals with fun and eclectic humor. True life adventures and intuition are woven into her stories laced with unbridled imagination.
She has been followed by wild wolves in minus 60 degrees, hissed at by a mama bobcat, and played ball with a wild owl—among other animal encounters. Find out more about her work: https://wendyvandepoll.com/melanie-snow
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
September 14, 2020
A unique cozy mystery that is an introduction to new characters and a new series! This is a book about coming home to your roots and starting over. It has a bit of everything, an emerging witch, talking animals, woodland fairies, murder, environmental fights, friendship and fun. The book covers a lot of ground to establish the backstory of the characters in the series so is a definite must read to have a firm foundation for future books to build upon. I look forward to seeing where the author or rather the characters take us on our trip through their lives!
May 3, 2021
The MC is a 36 year old recently divorced attorney.
The potential love interest is the sheriff who is either in his late 30s or early 40s.
But with all the gasping and trembling and earring twirling, you'd think they were in their teens!
I just can't with another book about immature characters.
Didn't even make it past the 20% mark before removing this from my Kindle. It was painful to read that little bit. Everything about this book was immature, the characters, the descriptions of the town, everything. It read like a child's fantasy book.
Seriously people, if you want to write books featuring mature adults then have them behave appropriately! GAH.
I feel bad leaving a 1-star rating. However, according to the Good Reads rating system that means I don't like the book. Since I didn't like it enough to finish it? Anyways, others love it so give it a try. This is just my opinion.
The potential love interest is the sheriff who is either in his late 30s or early 40s.
But with all the gasping and trembling and earring twirling, you'd think they were in their teens!
I just can't with another book about immature characters.
Didn't even make it past the 20% mark before removing this from my Kindle. It was painful to read that little bit. Everything about this book was immature, the characters, the descriptions of the town, everything. It read like a child's fantasy book.
Seriously people, if you want to write books featuring mature adults then have them behave appropriately! GAH.
I feel bad leaving a 1-star rating. However, according to the Good Reads rating system that means I don't like the book. Since I didn't like it enough to finish it? Anyways, others love it so give it a try. This is just my opinion.
September 7, 2020
“...that hope always grows, Sarah”
Sarah Spellwood, direct descendant of the famed witch Lativia Spellwood:founder of Witchland, New Hampshire, has been left a house and law practice of her mentor Michael Howler. Sarah had just quit her prestigious law firm in NYC, so she decides why not return to a place her family thought of as home, gets in her car with Addie, Michael’s dog that was also left to her, and settle into a life well beyond her fast paced life in the big apple.
Michael was really too young to die, so she finds clues that make her sure there was foul play around it. And it just might trace back to her family’s place in the village as she fights for a cause Michael was investigating. She finds strange things literally hiding in the shadows. Will they lead to her facing the same fate as Michael? The fate of Witchland may hang in the balance.
Melanie Snow is a new author for me, and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I got lost in this new series. Sarah, Addie and the other residents of Witchland have great potential of becoming some of my new favorite characters. So, come to Witchland! You’ll know quickly how magical a place it can be! Highly recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and chose to read and review it]
Sarah Spellwood, direct descendant of the famed witch Lativia Spellwood:founder of Witchland, New Hampshire, has been left a house and law practice of her mentor Michael Howler. Sarah had just quit her prestigious law firm in NYC, so she decides why not return to a place her family thought of as home, gets in her car with Addie, Michael’s dog that was also left to her, and settle into a life well beyond her fast paced life in the big apple.
Michael was really too young to die, so she finds clues that make her sure there was foul play around it. And it just might trace back to her family’s place in the village as she fights for a cause Michael was investigating. She finds strange things literally hiding in the shadows. Will they lead to her facing the same fate as Michael? The fate of Witchland may hang in the balance.
Melanie Snow is a new author for me, and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I got lost in this new series. Sarah, Addie and the other residents of Witchland have great potential of becoming some of my new favorite characters. So, come to Witchland! You’ll know quickly how magical a place it can be! Highly recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and chose to read and review it]
September 11, 2020
Sarah's past is catching up to her, and as memories from her childhood surface, she knows she is going to have to face her family's past and the tales of witches.
Her life is in an uproar when her mentor is found dead. Sarah has been left his law practice and dog in the small town of Witchland. Deciding to look into his death, Sarah goes to Witchland to take over his practice.
But his death wasn't an accident, and Sarah starts poking around for answers. As she does, she is constantly reminded that she is the descendent of the great witch, Lativia Spellwood, and is shocked to find she has powers of her own.
The race is on to find the killer and prevent the town from being destroyed by greedy real-estate deals. Sarah finds help with a handsome cop, her mentor's dog, and the forest fairies.
I really enjoyed this first book of the series and look forward to the next book. Highly recommend this book.
Her life is in an uproar when her mentor is found dead. Sarah has been left his law practice and dog in the small town of Witchland. Deciding to look into his death, Sarah goes to Witchland to take over his practice.
But his death wasn't an accident, and Sarah starts poking around for answers. As she does, she is constantly reminded that she is the descendent of the great witch, Lativia Spellwood, and is shocked to find she has powers of her own.
The race is on to find the killer and prevent the town from being destroyed by greedy real-estate deals. Sarah finds help with a handsome cop, her mentor's dog, and the forest fairies.
I really enjoyed this first book of the series and look forward to the next book. Highly recommend this book.
September 8, 2020
A bit of magic, a bit of romance, a bit of suspense and a bit of humor, this book has it all. Sarah Spellwood is having a bad day. As one of the top real estate lawyers in New York, her husband is jealous of her success and has walked out on their marriage. Her boss takes credit for her success. Sarah has had enough of him and quits her job. Returning home she finds a dog tied to her door and a note saying her beloved mentor has died. Sarah decides to return to the home of her mentor and her ancestors, Witchland. Soon she is convinced her mentor’s death may have been foul play. But to prove it, she must first convince herself she isn’t going mad when impossible things begin to happen. Then she must survive attacks from an unnamed enemy and save the forest and the lynx from the hunter. To accomplish all this, Sarah will need the help of some very special friends and the one very handsome Eli Strongheart. I found this book to be light, fun and entertaining with a bit of suspense!
September 8, 2020
I got so caught up in this first book that before I know it I was done.
Sarah Spellwood is coming to a crossroads in her life when her law professor/mentor has an untimely death. He leaves her his practice, his home and his beloved dog, Addie. The only thing is he lived in a town that was founded by Sarah's ancestor and she really dislikes when people mention her.
Sarah moves to Witchland and almost immediately she is on to finishing her mentor's last case.
In solving it, Sarah finds her true calling and starts to embrace her new life and realizes that she has more to learn about herself and her ancestor.
Cannot wait for the next book.
I was given an advance copy to give an honest review.
Sarah Spellwood is coming to a crossroads in her life when her law professor/mentor has an untimely death. He leaves her his practice, his home and his beloved dog, Addie. The only thing is he lived in a town that was founded by Sarah's ancestor and she really dislikes when people mention her.
Sarah moves to Witchland and almost immediately she is on to finishing her mentor's last case.
In solving it, Sarah finds her true calling and starts to embrace her new life and realizes that she has more to learn about herself and her ancestor.
Cannot wait for the next book.
I was given an advance copy to give an honest review.
September 8, 2020
Witch's Tail is the first book in The Spellwood Witches, a brand new Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series.
The main character Sarah is hit with a divorce and gives up her place in NYC and moves to Witchford.
This is a small town she hasn't been to since she was a child. The town has talking animals and some secrets. She starts to investigates the death of her friend and the story unfolds from there.
The characters are well written and developed. Sarah is coming into her powers and this is written well. The story and mystery are a great introduction to this new mystery.
I really look forward to more books in this excellent series.
The main character Sarah is hit with a divorce and gives up her place in NYC and moves to Witchford.
This is a small town she hasn't been to since she was a child. The town has talking animals and some secrets. She starts to investigates the death of her friend and the story unfolds from there.
The characters are well written and developed. Sarah is coming into her powers and this is written well. The story and mystery are a great introduction to this new mystery.
I really look forward to more books in this excellent series.
September 10, 2020
New to me author. I really enjoyed this first book in a new series. This was a little different from others that I’ve read & I liked that. The author started to build a great world in this story, I look forward to seeing what happens next.
September 8, 2020
Letivia Spellwood is a ghost, but she still looks after the forest of Witchland, and gives advise to those souls who were waiting for their time to cross over, however she had been here as a ghost for a long time and was tired, and needed her replacement to come and take over. Sarah Spellwood was her descendant, however she was a very good real estate lawyer living in New York, successful and not a believer in magic and witches until things come undone in her life and she takes the decision to move to Witchland. There Sarah realizes that the small village was not as quiet as it first seemed, danger lurked and that she was the only one able to protect both the forest, the lynx who lived there as well as the Leekin fairies, and the citizens of the village from the greedy real estate developers who wanted to turn the beautiful quiet haven into a resort. She also needed to find out who had killed her mentor and see them brought to justice. I love the picturesque description of the idyllic village and its lovely citizens but hated the fact that even though Sarah was an accomplished lawyer she was turned to jelly once she met Eli, the police chief. A woman acting like a blushing teenager just did not do it for me and I am hoping that she gets to grips with herself in the next book. However I must admit I really loved Addie, she is the perfect companion for Sarah and brings a lovely touch to the book. The fact that she does her best to save the forest also hit just the right note for me as I hate greed, over development, disrespect for the environment and most especially hunters. And Sarah tackles them all at the risk to her life and Addie’s.
September 9, 2020
Ghost, Lativia, Queen of the Forest, dead many years has been checking on her descendent, Sarah Spellwood for a while. Sarah, attorney and fierce redhead has been informed that her friend and mentor has passed away leaving her his real estate law practice, home and his dog Addie. After recently being dumped, she abruptly quits her job and decides that returning to Witchland, New Hampshire, a place she left years ago may be a way for her to have a fresh start. Strong and determined to right a wrong while discovering who killed her friend, she finds that her first task is to fight off unscrupulous land developers who want to destroy a magnificent forest. Rediscovering her magic that had been dormant is just another surprise Sarah will find in Witchland. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more stories with Sarah Spellwood and her newly found magic. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.
September 7, 2020
This is the a great story about a lawyer who gets a divorce, gets tired of her job and finds herself in a rut. Then she finds herself with her mentor's dog tied to her door when she gets home and finds out that he is dead. She moves back to her childhood town and finds out that her mentor was murdered. She starts remembering things from her childhood and finds out that her dog can talk and some other woodland creatures can talk to her. She meets the most handsome deputy, but doesn't want to fall for him, but you know what happens. This plot is easy to follow and the characters are great. Melanie Snow is a new author to me, but I love witchy books and I loved this book and I can't wait for the next one. I recommend this book to all as soon as it is out. It is for the whole family who like witchy books of the good kind. And of course she finds out that she is a witch, no more details.
I hope you all enjoy the book as much I have.
Marcie with an "e" and my familiar, Donut, the Cat.
September 7, 2020
After her sudden divorce from her husband, lawyer Sarah Spellwood, quits her job in disgust.
Coming home she finds her mentor's (Michael Howler) dog tied to her door handle and an envelope under her door. The envelope contains a copy of her Michael's will, leaving his business/home in Witchland to Sarah, along with a note saying that if she got this note that he was dead.
Witchland was her hometown and on impulse, she packed up to move there with the dog. She finds that Michael's death may not have been an accident and that the current case he was working on was where a couple of big time development tycoons together with a slimy real estate lawyer were trying to have the surrounding forest mowed down to be replaced with condos, hotels and shopping malls. The town's people relied on the forest for their living and didn't want anything changed.
Sarah finds that there were other, much stranger things in the forest, but they were on her side in this land fight.
Coming home she finds her mentor's (Michael Howler) dog tied to her door handle and an envelope under her door. The envelope contains a copy of her Michael's will, leaving his business/home in Witchland to Sarah, along with a note saying that if she got this note that he was dead.
Witchland was her hometown and on impulse, she packed up to move there with the dog. She finds that Michael's death may not have been an accident and that the current case he was working on was where a couple of big time development tycoons together with a slimy real estate lawyer were trying to have the surrounding forest mowed down to be replaced with condos, hotels and shopping malls. The town's people relied on the forest for their living and didn't want anything changed.
Sarah finds that there were other, much stranger things in the forest, but they were on her side in this land fight.
September 8, 2020
Sarah Spellwood has spent her adult life avoiding any recognition of her relationship to her famous witchy ancestor, Lavinia Spellwood and the town she founded. However, when she arrives home from quitting her job as a real estate lawyer, she finds a dog with a letter from her friend and mentor, asking her to take his place protecting the town from a land developer. Curious about her friend's death and drawn to the town, Sarah Spellwood becomes Witchland's newest resident!
Now she's being threatened by her mentor's sleazy rival and trying to save the beautiful forest that surrounds Witchland.
You don't want to miss Sarah's adventures as she begins to learn about her new home and growing abilities with the help of her dog, Addie, her new friends and even some forest creatures. Sarah's not sure if she's imagining things or not, but if she doesn't figure it out quickly she might not be able to save the town or herself!
Now she's being threatened by her mentor's sleazy rival and trying to save the beautiful forest that surrounds Witchland.
You don't want to miss Sarah's adventures as she begins to learn about her new home and growing abilities with the help of her dog, Addie, her new friends and even some forest creatures. Sarah's not sure if she's imagining things or not, but if she doesn't figure it out quickly she might not be able to save the town or herself!
September 9, 2020
Sarah Spellwood is the top real estate attorney in NYC. As she was recently divorced, she buries herself in her work. One day, her boss calls her in and tells her she is going to be furloughed. He tells her it isn't fair to other lawyers because she has all the good clients. Instead, she decides to quit. Upon arriving home, she finds her mentor friend's dog and a note that changes her life forever. Her mentor has died. Sarah travels to Witchland, NH to see the house she has inherited along with his law practice. Sarah has great memories of the place as she visited her grandmother there often when she was little. After arriving, she finds out that she is a witch and that her mentor had been murdered. Sarah is determined to find the killer as she encounters various types of paranormals. This is a great first novel in the series. I am looking forward to reading more.
September 8, 2020
Sarah, having her husband divorce her and then losing her job, finds her mentor's dog tied to her apartment door. Upon taking the dog in she finds a note that was slipped under her door that her mentor was murdered. Thereupon Sarah takes off to the town of her birth to attempt to discover what happened to her mentor. Sarah knew she came from a long line of witches, but she has always tried to put that behind her, but it comes to the forefront during her discovery of who murdered her mentor. If you like talking dogs, magical forests, and mythical creatures, you will really enjoy this book. Finally, will Sarah find a new love interest or not? Enjoy reading.
September 7, 2020
A good little mystery. Sarah's life has started to unravel and she decided to make some changes. When her mentor died and she inherited his practice in a town she hadn't been to since she was a child. Then it all seemed so magical, but now she has both of her feet on the ground and doesn't believe in magic. But, when she hits town, things start happening and she does remember when she did believe in magic. She needs to believe now that her powers are starting to emerge and someone is trying to kill her. She has to protect the woodlands from some greedy developers and find out who murdered her mentor.
September 8, 2020
Full of magical creatures, unpredictable adventures, and unexpected danger. As the plot unfolds drama and chaos changes her life. Add in the tragedy of murder and mayhem as her life spirals out of control. You get swept up in the story as her feelings and emotions grow! You want to help her solve the mystery, save the town, and defeat the evil enemies that are stalking her. Can she solve the mystery before she loses her battle or will her murder be the next mystery to be solved? Loved this story, read it straight through as it grabbed me and wouldn’t let me put it down, pure magic!
I received a copy of this book to review.
I received a copy of this book to review.
September 8, 2020
It's always nice when that window opens after a door closes. When Sarah Spellwood's life implodes she returns home to find her mentor's dog tied to her door. She's inherited his law practice and home in the village of Witchwood at just the right time in her life. As Sarah starts to build a new life she discovers she's a witch, her mentor was murdered, and she needs to hustle to save the forest from unscrupulous developers. This is a good mystery with some action and growth of Sarah's character as she learns who she is on many levels.
September 8, 2020
Not quite midlife but close enough, a recent divorcee finds herself heading back to her hometown and all the secrets of her descendants. This entertaining storyline stakes us through mysterious murders and their tie in to saving this mysterious hometown. The characters are spot and and this author skillfully brought them all to life. It takes much more than just being a descendant to fit into a lifestyle very much worth preserving! All my reviews are always voluntarily written.
September 10, 2020
Whats a girl to do when she is recently divorced and jobless? Move back to her childhood haunt of Witchland and take over her Mentors law firm, thats what. But when Sarah arrives, she is instantly wrapped up in a dangerous mystery, one she may not be able to handle. Can Sarah solve this mystery, or will it leave her wrapped up permanently?
September 7, 2020
First in a new series, this story has some really interesting whimsical enchanted characters that make for a fun unexpected trip to Witchland. Sarah is coming from a very structured hectic life in NYC and returning to her "roots". Her friend and mentor, Michael, has died and left his house and legal business to her. It's up to Sarah to help the town and find out what really happened to Michael. Lots of surprises await her - and us, the readers.
September 8, 2020
When Sarah’s husband asks for a divorce, she packs up and moves to Witchland, a wonderful paranormal town. There she discovers she is a witch while trying to solve the murder of her mentor. A lovely start to a new series and leaves me wanting to read the next book. Great characters, great story. Very enjoyable read. I received an advance Readers copy of this book and I am leaving a voluntary review.
September 8, 2020
A whodunnit that's full of fun and adventure interlaced with a deep love of animals and an appreciation of the beauty of our natural environment. If you enjoy your escapism with a laugh and a sigh and a hefty dose of cute, and if you care about what's happening to our precious planet Earth, then this is your book! I read it two sittings and have pre-ordered the next title.
September 8, 2020
A new cozy series. This is the first book in the series and it left me looking for more books in this series. Honestly, cannot wait to read the next book Howl Play. Really liked the characters in the story, well the nice ones anyway. If you like a good mystery and a little magic and mayhem thrown in you will totally enjoy this book. Highly recommend to all cozy mystery lovers.
September 9, 2020
Excellent !
This tale has all the expected elements of a witch cozy, a romantic spark, fun engaging characters, realistic twisty mystery, and of course magic! Very enjoyable! I love also the protection of the wild and it’s inhabitants being portrayed as the treasure they are! Evil is the greedy need for money, power or riches. That is true evil. You will enjoy this book!
This tale has all the expected elements of a witch cozy, a romantic spark, fun engaging characters, realistic twisty mystery, and of course magic! Very enjoyable! I love also the protection of the wild and it’s inhabitants being portrayed as the treasure they are! Evil is the greedy need for money, power or riches. That is true evil. You will enjoy this book!
September 9, 2020
What a fun story. Clever character names --Clover Figcreek-- and a talking dog. What more could you ask for in a cozy mystery? Super first book. I can't wait for the rest of the series. So much fun. Cozy fans should love this book as much as I did. Support a new author and buy it now.
September 9, 2020
I loved this book! A mystery, talking animals, a little bit of magic, and the possibility of a relationship. What more could you ask for?! This book was a well written, quick easy read that I could not put down. I cannot wait for the next book to be released!
September 9, 2020
Witches, Mystery, Cozy... check, check and check
I was hooked from page one and couldn’t stop for the spell of the story took hold of me.
Certainly an enchanting mystery and well worth the read.
I look forward to book 2!
I was hooked from page one and couldn’t stop for the spell of the story took hold of me.
Certainly an enchanting mystery and well worth the read.
I look forward to book 2!
September 12, 2020
The characters Sarah and Addie(collie) are really great. Sarah finds Addie at her door in NY and they set out for Witchland. Right from the beginning Sarah didn’t believe Michsels death was an accident so she is determined to find out who the culprit was. They go through many things but come out triumphant in the end. Loved the book and couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2020
Sarah hits bottom when her husband asks her for a divorce. But, it turns out to be a good thing. She sells her apartment in NYC and moves to Witchwood, a small town her well-known ancestress founded. There she encounters small creatures and talking animals. She also steps into a lot of trouble while investigating the death of her friend who was trying to stop developers from destroying the nearby forest. This was a wonderful start to what I expect will be a fun series to read. I'm looking forward to seeing where this author will take it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews