Chili Cauldron Curse
A Delightful Culinary Mystery with Magic
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4.2 • 76 Ratings
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- $2.99
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- $2.99
Publisher Description
Meet a new cozy star with her own special brand of culinary magic in this first story in New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon’s Kitchen Witch series.
When Mia Malone’s grandmother asks her to take a week away from her restaurant job and come to Magic Springs, Idaho, she’s happy to oblige. Like Mia, Grans has witchcraft running through her veins, and life with her is never boring. Plus, the cause is a good one—helping Grans get the local food bank up and running again. But there’s an unappetizing surprise in store. While Mia is knee-deep in boxes of donated produce, she encounters the body of Dorian Alexander.
Dorian was a warlock, leader of the local coven. He was also her Grans’ new beau. There’s no potion that’ll make this trouble disappear. But if Mia wants to keep her Grans—now a prime suspect—from serving a spell in prison, she’ll have to unearth the real killer fast. . . .
Praise for The Tourist Trap Mysteries
“I love the author’s style, which was warm and friendly . . . [A] wonderfully appealing series.”
—Dru’s Book Musings
“Light, fun, and kept me thoroughly engaged.”
—The Young Folks
Customer Reviews
Chili, but good
Very good. Have to read next one. Cahoots is one of my favorite authors.
Earns 5/5 Possessed Felines...Entertaining Fun!
Mia Malone is a witch like her Grans, but neither use their magical skill selfishly or out of malice. Grans lives in Magic Springs, a small mountain community, and has asked for Mia’s help in organizing and devising a plan of action for the local food bank. It’s a big job and the reopening is only a few days away, but she has several volunteers of the same ilk coming in to help and her boyfriend’s non-magical sister is also primed, especially since it keeps her away from her parents’ disappointment over her decision not to attend college. So, all is set...well, that’s what Mia thinks. The local coven is in the midst of a power struggle and debate over the future of the coven and its place in the community. Mia is enlisted to provide assistance, but the struggle gets more complicated when the current leader and warlock and Mia’s grandmother’s beau, Dorian Alexander, is found murdered.
This novella was marvelous! Easily enjoyed in one sitting. Lynn Cahoon has created a lovely mountain community of magical and non-magical residents in the aptly named Magic Springs. The characters, led by the delightful Mia Malone, are varied in manner, personality, responses, and reactions, and the conflicts Mia has with her boyfriend not believing in her special abilities and, on the other hand, hiding it from his sister and other “muggles” in town added to my enjoyment. The magic element is not juvenile hocus-pocus, and although there’re stuck spirits, feline familiars, and potions brewing in the tub, it is presented in a way that adds realism and avoids creating caricatures of black-hatted crones with brooms. I sense that if the magic element were removed, one would still have a clever drama, cozy mystery, and enjoyable characters. Quite exciting!
What’s in a kitchen? Well, there’s, of course, a witch, but recipes, too! In this prequel novella, there is a Chili Cook-off, and despite Lynn’s limited experience with chili, she gives readers an easy-to-follow recipe for Woodstove Chili. She suggests serving with fresh cornbread, but no “knead” to make it from scratch. I personally enjoy the ease of “Krusteaz Southern Cornbread & Muffin Mix.” Enjoy!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Kensington thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.