Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Witch Way to Spellbinder Bay by Sam Short Narrator: Pearl Hewitt
Series: Spellbinder Bay #1
Published by Tantor Audio on December 25, 2018
Genres: Paranormal, Cozy Mystery
Length: 8 hours, 16 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
3.5 hearts
Would you drop everything and move to a town with a peculiar name, because an odd little man made you a strange offer?Millie Thorn did, and she could never have guessed what mysteries and revelations were awaiting her in the magical town of Spellbinder Bay.
After witnessing a murder on her first day in the bay, Millie is cast into a world she never knew existed – a world of magic and the paranormal, and a world where it’s seemingly normal to have a conversation with a cockatiel named Reuben.
Learning she is a witch becomes relatively simple to accept after discovering what other paranormal creatures populate the town, and with ever more mysterious clues about her life coming to light, it’s not just a murder she must solve. She must discover who she is, and why she feels like she’s been to the town before. Is it just déjà vu? Millie isn’t so sure.
With talk of another dimension known as The Chaos, and with an unlikely board of directors running the local school – there’s a lot for Millie to learn, and should she decide to stay in town – a lot for her to accept, too.
Did Millie make the correct decision when she moved to the bay? Only time will tell.
Witch Way To Spellbinder Bay is the first book in the Spellbinder Bay Cozy Paranormal Mystery Series.
Witch Way to Spellbinder Bay is a Cozy Paranormal mystery and my very first cozy mystery read. I found it to be an easy and fun listen. The story was enjoyable and the mystery entertaining but most of the fun was traveling with Millie as she embarks on a new journey to a strangely named town with even more strange people in it.
The mystery portion of the book only seemed to take up a third of the story. Most of the tale revolves around our down and out girl, Millie. Her only family has moved half way around the world and she stayed behind for a man who turned out not to care for her as much as she cared for him. Then, she is conned out of most of her money by an internet scheme and now she is about to be kicked out of her soon to be condemned building. So, when a stranger shows up to offer her a place in his town and a ticket to get there what does she have to lose?
Millie is a reluctant new witch but as she gets used to the town, she becomes a little more comfortable with the idea. There is a lot of set up for the world in this since it is the first book in the Spellbinder Bay series but most of what Millie is and why she is there, is explained through various characters, including a speaking cockatoo.
I got a little frustrated with Millie from time to time in her reluctance to accept what she is seeing with her own eyes and she might have had a freak out or two when she learns about the paranormal community, but overall, she is likable and entertaining.
I enjoyed the overall feel of the book and the town where it takes place. You could tell there would be a lot of possibilities for stories with Witches, Vampires, Werewolves and Ghosts running around, just to name a few of the paranormal peeps roaming about. Since this is a cozy mystery, it is family friendly and there isn’t any gratuitous anything in it, so it’s safe for readers/listeners of all ages.
I’d probably even swing back in and see what Millie is up to in her next adventure.
Narration:
Pearl Hewitt did a good job with the performance. I could always tell who was talking and I think she captured Millie’s voice well. I loved the English accent she chose for Millie as well. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
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I always have a good time with books like that!
I don’t venture into them very often since I’m huge fantasy reader but I’ve totally had a good time with this one.
This sounds fun! Thank’s for the review.
Thanks Angela. 🙂
Yeah! You liked this one. I am waiting for my copy to arrive in the mail. Looks so fun:)
That’s great Laura. I hope you like it too.
I’ve read quite a few cozie mysteries and it really depends on the book how big of a part the mystery takes up. I always have a bit of a hard time with characters who don’t accept the paranormal when evidence is right in front of their eyes. It does sound like a fun one and good to hear the audio is good too. The subscription service I use to listen to audiobooks has this one, so I might check it out eventually.
Yes she was a little reluctant but at least when she decided to commit she was all in. Since it was my first I’ll give a few others a try. They are easy and could be a good pallet cleanser between heavy books.
I really enjoy listening to cozies. I think that I am just able to multitask well with this kind of story. I like the sound of this one so I wouldn’t hesitate to give it a try. Plus the cover is adorable 🙂
Super cute cover is what got me. 😛
I always wonder how I would feel learning I not what I thought I was. Especially with abilities outside the norm. My writing partner loves cozy mysteries, will relay the recommendation to her. Thanks Robin! ❤️❤️
Me too!!! While I want to say I’d be totally excited and for it, if it happened for real I’d probably have a freak out of two as well.
This sounds like a lot of fun! I can’t wait to try it. Thanks!
Totally a cute read. hope it is fun for you too.