I Needed a Book Break!

 

TITLE: Bait and Witch (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries #1)

AUTHOR: Angela M. Sanders

PUBLISHER: Kensington

PUBLISHING DATE: December 29, 2020

PAGES: 304

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: 
Librarian Josie Way moved to small-town Oregon to lay low. Instead, thanks to newfound magic abilities—and a killer on the loose—she’s leapt out of the frying pan and into a cauldron of trouble . . . 

Josie Way loved working among the Library of Congress’s leather-scented stacks—until she uncovered corruption and made herself a target. As Wilfred, Oregon’s new librarian, Josie can stay undercover until the case goes to court. But life in this little town isn’t as subdued as she expected. The library, housed in a a Victorian mansion, is slated to be bulldozed. Still digesting the news that her safe haven is about to become scrap lumber, Josie discovers a body in the woods . . . 

Almost as shocking, Josie learns that she’s descended from a long line of witches—and her powers have suddenly sprung to life. With help from a spoiled alley cat who just may be her familiar, Josie’s thumbing through a catalog of suspects, hoping she can conjure a way to save her library—and her life.

MY THOUGHTS: I have always loved cozy mysteries but honestly haven't made much time for them lately.  However, I kind of felt a slump coming on in January so I had to grab this one when I saw it at the library.  I won't lie, the fact that it centered around a librarian witch also grabbed my attention.

Josie, our MC, had been working in the Library of Congress but she overheard some information which placed a target on her back.  She took off to Oregon to hide out pending a trial and while there, some changes start to happen.  A stray cat attaches itself to her and at times, she swears she can see from the cat's POV, the books in the library start calling to her, and everything seems more vibrant.  

Her new job is at jeopardy though because someone is trying to sell the library's property.  Josie bands together with many of the town people to save the library.  Oh, and on the day she arrived, she finds a dead body in the woods next to the library so she fears she may have already been discovered.  

This book has everything I love in cozy mysteries - small town charm, colorful characters, a good mystery and a pet - although I REALLY want a witch with a dog for a change.  It was a quick read and a perfect way to spend a dreary Sunday afternoon.  I highly recommend this one and can't wait for the next one.

And by the way, does anyone know of any witch tales where the familiar is a canine?

RATING: 5 PAWS