3.5 stars
Her mother’s disappearance brings Starla back to her hometown, where her dad runs a bakery. Arriving to work at a B&B, she finds the receptionist dead. Urged on by her familiar, Onyx, she uses her magic to study the crime scene and discovers a magical residue on a deck of Tarot cards with several missing. When the police arrive, she sees that several of her coworkers each have one of the missing cards. Fearing the police won’t understand that magic is involved, she enlists the help of her friends, Thea & Leo, in following this clue. A second death as well as threats to herself and her mother have Starla questioning her ability to solve the case.

Using the trope of a bumbling witch and snarky familiar, this book offers a decent start to a new series. Starla is plagued with doubts due to being compared to her mother, who was also a famous detective. The mystery itself is well plotted with a twist ending. However, the story suffers from clunky pacing and character development. Starla’s connection to her father isn’t well fleshed out, and while Thea & Leo are introduced as old friends, it’s not clear if Starla maintained the friendships while living in the city. She also seems immature compared to the age the author has given her. With some more polishing and attention to smaller details, I feel that this series has potential.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Merry Chapman1,805 16

Starla Baker's mother has disappeared so Starla decides to go home with her snarky familiar, Onyx, to be with her father who is a workaholic baker owner. Maybe that's his way to grieve the disappearance of his wife, a renowned witch and incredible investigator. Feeling she'll never live up to her mother's reputation, yet wanting to be an investigator, she is working at the town B&B. When arriving at work, Starla discovers the body of the nasty receptionist dead. Nobody d her he was mean and nasty which means there will be a lot of suspects. Urged on to investigate by he snarky cat Onyx since he wants to be involved. The oddest thing is each of the workers at the B&B have a tarot card seemingly coming from the dead woman's deck. Could that mean something? With help from her two friends Thea and Leo she and of course, Onyx, she dives deep. And then there is a second murder. Can Starla find a murderer before he finds her? And what about her mother? Can she find her mother? Why did her mother disappear? We are treated to a very surprise ending you just don't expect. I can't wait to see what the author has cooked up for the gang next. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.my-books Trina Jones660 10

Fantastic story and it was amazing. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn't even put it down. It was funny and entertaining of dramatic. Starla Baker as she have a telepathic cat named Onyx. A person has disappear from the B&B in her hometown. Could her and her cat solved the mystery of the missing person. Witchcraft from them was mind blowing of surprising of fun and chaos. Did Starla run into someone she knows in her hometown or will this person be involved. It was a excited event.Will ever thing come out now.
I highly recommend this book and you going to loved it and you won't be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a honest review. Trina Jones Doreen Farrar124

The plotline was good, 3 friends looking for a murderer, and the conclusion was a surprise, but there were a lot of elements in the book that just didn't make sense. The protagonist is supposedly over 30 with training and a career history, but she acts and thinks a teenager. She moved back home to help her father when her mother disappeared, but they don't even greet each other when she visits the bakery he founded. The story seemed flat and written in overly-simple language. This might be best suited to a teen audience, rather than being marketed to adults. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Karen Armes104

Starla Baker's mom is missing. She moves back home to be with her dad, so he is not alone. Her dad owns a bakery but Starla does not want to work there. So she gets a job at the B&B. The receptionist is a rude girl that is mean to everyone. When starla walks into work one day to see she is dead at the front desk things get crazy. Tarot cards are missing from the deck of cards in Nova's bag. Starla starts seeing them on everyone around her. Starla must find the killer as she starts getting letters in her mom's handwriting, making it look she is involved. Starla has to clear her mom's name and find her. Jeffrey Aitken76 2

This book is a bewitching blend of mystery and magic. It follows clumsy witch Starla Baker as she investigates a murder in her hometown.

Despite occasional pacing issues, the plot remains engaging with twists and turns.

Starla and her telepathic cat, Onyx, are endearing protagonists.

The magical world comes alive thanks to Ross’s vivid descriptions and dynamic dialogue, but a more seamless flow and less exposition would heighten the sense of immersion.

Fans of cozy mysteries will delight in this captivating blend of fantasy and intrigue. Jane litherland2,079 34

Brilliantly immersive. Starla Baker returns to her hometown with her telepathic cat Onyx after mum disappears. On her way into her job at a B&B she happens upon a body…. With the help of trusted friends she sets about the task of solving the case. A clumsy witch and her clever snarky cat. The deck is stacked but in whose favour?… with puns second to none and cryptic clues over cupcakes too . A mystery that’s baked to Purrfection and is immersive fun. Brilliant start to what I expect a purrfect series. Great writing and its scene setting is excellent too. I’m leaving my review voluntarily and in my own thoughts. Anne Newman518 7

Starla & her cat Onyx have moved back home to live with her father after her mother, a detective, disappears. Starla also wants to be a detective & has her chance when she arrives at work & finds the nasty receptionist dead. She does a little sleuthing before she calls the police. She notices that every member of staff have a tarot card on them, she senses magic in use, but whose capable of such magic? Starla has some help from her two friends, Thea & Leo. Later there is a second death & this helps Starla solve the case. Kay Cobbold82

A good paranormal cozy, containing all the usual prerequisites. Starla was the narrator of her story and I enjoyed the psychic connection between her and Onyx, her cat and familiar. Although I enjoyed this story, I did feel that one or two elements were slightly forced, but I was more than able to overlook them as Amelia Ross, certainly, kept me guessing, and the denouement came as a surprise. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Jodi Sweet1,492 6

I have to admit that I had a little trouble getting into the story in the beginning. BUT, then BAM! I was hooked and could not stop reading. It was 4 am before I finished the book. I literally could not stop! Starla, Onyx (her familiar), Leo and Thea make an awesome team to get to the bottom of this insane mystery. Seriously, wait until you read this book and find out who did what murder or whatever. I was so surprised! I can’t wait for the second book. Krystal202

So Romeo and Juliet except it was just a sleeping spell - kinda Sleeping Beauty without the kiss. I had a hard time following some of the tarot card stuff with all the suspects. I do wish her father had been more of a storyline since the whole reason she’s home is because he mother has disappeared. I guess all in all 2 stars. It wasn’t horrible but it wasn’t great. G50

When Star and Onyx stumble over the dead receptionist they start investigating.
Fun book to read with a surprising twist. Star is such a lovable character with her innate clumsiness. Surprising storyline. Just fun to read.

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I am leaving a voluntary and honest review.

Tanya13.8k 68

Her mother has disappeared and she will want to find them. She may get sidetracked when murder happens nearby. She is a clumsy witch who will try to solve the crime. She will need to find the clues and follow each one to find the truth. Will she solve it? How will she do it? What help will she get? See how she gets on Chere Gruver163 2

Engaging first story in a series of cozy mysteries.

This was an interesting read about a woman solving the death of two co-workers, along with her psychic cat and two friends. I found the story to be interesting between the snarky psychic cat and how Starla managed to solve the mystery. Hands down, Onyx is my favorite character and I can’t wait to see what these two get up to next!
Bekki's Books124 7

Purr-fect Mystery

Such a cute witchy mystery! This was a quick and easy read. I enjoyed the characters, bit Onyx stole the show. I would really to know more about what happened with Starla's mother and why aren't her and her father more upset about it. Jamie257 14

I d Onyx the cat. I want to eat at Starla's dad's bakery. The witchcraft is interesting. I didn't know who the killer was.

I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.arc cats cozy-mystery ...more Lynda556 7

This was an interesting story with lots of twisted clues that the group (Starla, Leo, and Athena) had to go through. Twisted story with interesting characters. Karin Tillotson1,077 4

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