Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Witches in the Kitchen by Danielle Garrett Narrator: Amanda Ronconi
Series: Magic Inn Paranormal Mysteries #1
Published by Tantor Audio on May 16, 2023
Genres: Paranormal, Cozy Mystery
Length: 6 hours, 52 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
Up until a week ago, my only knowledge of magic came from the movies. Unfortunately, it didn’t stay that way.
A bout of insomnia leads to witnessing a scene that belongs in a vampire flick—only, the fangs looked way more realistic. One second, I was running for my life, and the next, I found myself choking on a hairball in the back of an SUV.
That’s right … a hairball. See, my body's been hiding a pretty big secret, and I’m some kind of witch. One that turns into a cat when under duress.
Apparently, my choices are fight, flight, or … fur.
Overnight, I find myself thrust into a world of magic and mayhem beyond my most wild sleep-deprived delirium. Until the murderous vampire is captured, I’m placed into some kind of witch-ness protection program, and sent to live in a house full of actual monsters.
I feel like I’ve come home with this start to a new series. I began my time with the first of the Beechwood Harbor Ghost Mysteries, went back to the beginning for the original Beechwood Harbor Magic Series, and was tingling with excitement when I learned Danielle Garrett was going to set a new series in the Beechwood Harbor world.
Witches in the Kitchen begins the Magical Inn Mysteries and listeners can jump into the world here with no trouble. That said, long-time fans of the original and subsequent spin-off series will spot familiar faces like the inn’s owners, Holly and Adam, and friends like Harmony who run the herbal shop in the haven where our new heroine is invited to work. I went into this wanting to reconnect with the old characters I adored and did so, but found the reset with a new main character brought new characters to appreciate.
Speaking of the new heroine, I enjoyed being introduced to Blair, and her adventures. Poor Blair discovered the hard way that she’s a witch when a spike of fear had her transforming into a cat. And, that spike of fear was caused by witnessing a scary vampire perpetrating a crime which puts her in the safe custody of the Supernatural Protection Agency who secret her away at the magical inn in Beechwood Harbor where she has to figure out that not all in the supernatural world are bad monsters. Blair has a huge learning curve to overcome since she’s starting out later in life and she now has the inn’s occupants to help her along.
Meanwhile, Blair has stumbled on a mystery which she is able to join in the detecting work and this late in the game she gets a new romance opportunity just as magical as her witchery. She’s fun and I got a few chuckles as usual when it comes to this world and look forward to exploring more in the series with this revitalized cast of characters bringing some new faces and some old together.
Witches in the Kitchen was a solid start to a new series and I’m looking forward to what comes next. Paranormal Cozy Mystery fans should magic this one into the listening/reading pile and get in on the first of a new, engaging series.
Narration:
Amanda Ronconi has long been the voice of Danielle Garrett’s Paranormal Cozies and this continues with her taking up Blair’s story and a blend of familiar and new casts of characters centered at the inn. I have always loved the way she voices the characters, matches well with the paranormal and mystery elements, and delivers a lively and fun tone for a thoroughly entertaining listening experience.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Amanda Ronconi
Amanda is an actress and narrator who divides her time between New York City and Upstate New York. She has a BFA from NYU where she studied at the Stella Adler Conservatory. She has performed in theaters around New York City and regionally at The Alley, Capital Rep and many productions at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.
Her Off-Broadway solo comedy, Shirley at the Tropicana, received critical acclaim and was subsequently featured in The New York Times. Film and TV credits include Daydream Believer (Slamdance 2001’s Best Dramatic Feature winner), The Understudy, Deadly Sins (ID Discovery), IFC’s Get Hit and Chasing Paradise. National network and regional commercials include Chase Bank, Sony and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Her voiceover work encompasses nearly 100 audiobooks available on Audible.com. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity.
Amanda’s new solo show, Kempner, will debut in 2016.
About Danielle Garrett
From a young age, Danielle Garrett was obsessed with fantastic places and the stories set in them. As a lifelong bookworm, she’s gone on hundreds of adventures through the eyes of wizards, princesses, elves, and some rather wonderful everyday people as well.
Danielle now lives in Oregon and while she travels as often as possible, she wouldn’t call anywhere else home. She shares her life with her husband and their house full of animals, and when not writing, spends her time being a house servant for three extremely spoiled cats.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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I’m behind on these but they are fun.
There are so many that its hard to keep up. I’m hoping to get to at least one of her Christmas ones during HoHoHoRAT. Another good series start. 🙂
This actually sounds fun! It’s amazing how different subgenres can be blended together to give us something like this. Thanks for sharing, Sophia! 🙂
Yes, some get pretty exciting in the past series so it bumps up against urban fantasy, too. 🙂
I was on the fence about starting this series and ended up skipping it. I’m glad it worked for you. I bet I’d like it. But I got burned out on Cora and Selene and it tainted my desire to read more of DG right now. Maybe I’ll pick them up in ebook someday. Meanwhile, I’ll follow your reviews.
Hehe, oddly, I had that thought process, too, as I decided about starting the series or not. 🙂
Sounds like a solid start to this new series. I tried two of the author’s books in audio before and liked this narrator. Fun to hear this new series work for both those new to the world and those already familiar with other series.
Oh yes, it got off to a good start and I like that its a good place for newbies and for long fans.
Great review darling! The sound of this one sounds just like the perfect cozy paranormal. I love it when the first book makes such a solid beginning.
Thanks, Renee! Yes, we’re off to a good start. 🙂
This does sound like a fun paranormal cozy and I’m pleased to learn you don’t have to read the other books to enjoy the start of this new series. Amanda Ronconi is such a wonderful narrator for the paranormal mysteries that incorporate a bit of humor. She’s got great comedic timing! I’ll put this one on the TBR. 🙂
I love how Amanda Ronconi tells this series. Definitely matches up with the tone. Oh good! Hope you enjoy it when you get the chance, Rachel. 🙂
This sounds great! I do really want to try this author’s work and I enjoy this narrator as well.
Oh yeah, I have a good time with these.
Oh this does sound like a good one. I might like this one too.
Yes, there are all sorts of supernaturals living at the Inn and in the magical sides of the cities. The mystery part is fun, too.
How fun!!!
Ugh I am so far behind in commenting this last wee and a half.
No worries! I know how real life can get complicated.
Yes, definitely a fun one. 🙂