Book Reviews of The Trouble With Magic (Bewitching Mystery, Bk 1)

This was a really fun book that was beautifully written, with very likeable characters. I really enjoyed this book after being completely emersed in the Harry Potter books for years. This was a nice change of pace. It has a nice blend of paranormal, metaphysical, a meddleing mother, murder "the who-done-it" factor, and romace all twisted into one. Thumbs up to anyone who shares these intrests, i think you will like it too.

First in series. I liked the book and the premise, I didn't particularly like the protagonist. Not that Maggie was bad, she just came off as having less personality than the cast of characters around her. Still, well enough done that I'm looking forward to the second installment.

Pretty cute first in series book, but Maggie, as a character, needs a bit more to make her interesting. Liked some of the other people in the book. Hopefully the next will be more satisfying. Fun,quick read

This book was cozy but not as humorous as it appeared from the cover blurb. Maggie gets a job at Enchantments and her boss is a witch who is accused of murdering her estranged sister. Maggie tries to clear her boss's name with the help of a sexy wizard and hinderance from a sexy cop. I kept waiting for the book to fulfill its promise but it was sort of draggy.

First in a series featuring Maggie O'Neill, a young woman in a small-town Indiana 'northern Bible belt' town who finds herself out of one job but fallen into another--as an assistant in Enchantments, a mystical antique shop. She takes the job despite her new boss, Felicity, confessing to Maggie that she's a practicing witch. Maggie's Catholic upbringing makes her skeptical and uneasy at first, but after getting to know Felicity and her friends, comes to discover that there's nothing evil about them, though Felicity becomes the number one suspect when her sister is brutally murdered. I really enjoyed this book, though I was dubious before starting it--these cozy mysteries with a mystical lean to them seem to be something I either really like or really can't stand. This series seems to be getting off on a good foot--I liked Maggie (although I don't think she's come into her own yet) and Felicity, the author’s writing style was smooth and easy to read, and the 'witchy' bits were realistically portrayed.

Cute book. Ending a little unsatisfying, but left room for sequel.

Fun light mystery!

Ms. Alt's first installment in this series was a light, fun, and easy read. The book was filled with quirky humor and plot twists that made it very enjoyable.

Maggie hated her job as a collection agent. Her boss being a sexist jerk didn't help her plight any either. When her car, whom was aptly nicknamed "Christine", acted up on a cold and rainy morning leaving her late for work again and having to take refuge in a store's alcove, Enchantments, it turned out to be the answer to her prayers.

The store's proprietor, Felicity Dow, immediately liked Maggie the moment she fell into her store front's door. Felicity offered her a position as a clerk in her shop filled with antiques and peculiarities. After Felicity letting her in on her taste in spiritual beliefs, Witchcraft, Maggie said she would have to think about it. Being fired just an hour later for being late again, it seemed like a good option and she took the job.

Her first day there was an interesting one to say the least. Her boss, whom she was quickly finding a fondness for, is soon suspected for the murder of her own socialite sister, Isabella. A few members of the Stony Mill police force knowing Felicity for being a witch didn't help her case of innocence either in their eyes.

Maggie and Felicity's coven member, ridiculously attractive Marcus Quinn, set out to do some fact finding of their own to prove Felicity's innocence.

Did I mention Marcus is ridiculously hot?

This book is filled with humor, romantic frustrations, and a glimpse into modern day witchcraft. Also, at 261 pages it's a book that can be easily plowed through in a few hours and you will not be disappointed.

TERRIFIC! Maggie O'Neill, a fiesty woman with latent magic abilities finds herself unexpectedly employee by Felicity, a witch who owns a magic shop. The same day, Felicity is arrested for the murder of her estranged sister. The evidence is plenty but circumstantial. It is obvious that she is being framed but the police are convinced she did it. Maggie, however, is damn sure she didn't. Maggie doesn't feel that the police are investigating properly and starts an investigation herself. And, of course, she gets too close and the killer comes after her.

This is a very well written, suspenseful mystery with a hint of witchcraft. The small town mentality is aggravating at times but the characters are really something else.

This is the first of this series and the first book by Madelyn Alt that I have read. I've already got book 2 on my shelf and am waiting for the rest. Great story of a young lady coming into her own, with the help of her lady friend/boss. Maggie knew she was different, but, not totally understanding her ways until she started at Enchantments. Finding a friend and someone to look up to and admire, Maggie helps her boss in many ways. And, her boss helps Maggie figure out who she is. Very cozy, have a cup of tea and settle on the sofa, kind of book. Quick read, perfect for a quiet weekend. Enjoy!

Are people really like this? I'm afraid I spent so much time rolling my eyes at the overwritten characterizations, that my eyeballs actually HURT!

I really wanted to like this book, and since I already have number 2, I'll go ahead and read it (eventually), but I'm not expecting great things from it. Hopefully ... it will surprise me ...

All I really have to say is ... if I read one more cozy series with the same plastic, totally unrealistic, annoying Mother-Of-The-Heroine-who-wants-nothing-more-than-to-meddle-in-her-daughter's-life-and-see-her-married-off-to-a-nice-catholic-boy type character, I may scream, then give up looking for new and engaging authors, and go back to re-reading every Dick Francis, Lawrence Block, Nero Wolfe, The Saint and The Shadow novel I've collected over the last 30 years ....

A sign of a good mystery is the outcome and revelation of the villain comes as a surprise to the reader, while still making sense and following the storyline. The author is able to pull this off in this story. Though I found Maggie to be lacking in many areas, she has the potential to become a very strong character and hopefully will in future books. I thought Felicity and Marcus were fabulous characters though the full extent of their relationship remains a mystery to me. Tom remains in limbo as far as whether or not his character will return to this series and in what capacity and I haven't decided if I would enjoy he and Maggie pairing up. Maggie's friend, Steff was very likable and I enjoyed their obsession with Magnum, P.I., as well as the "What Would Magnum Do" thoughts Maggie has in her mind.

Overall, this story wasn't top notch but it wasn't so bad to justify not checking out the next book in the series.

Poorly written.

Just could not get into it.

An enjoyable, light mystery. It was fun, and an easy read. I'd happily read the next book in the series.

I really enjoyed this book. Great start to the series. Quick read.

Entertaining. The point of view from a 30 something and single was different for me, but eventually enjoyable.

Alt manages to create a lead character that is gifted, but not cliche or perfect. Maggie comes across and believably bland and normal - so much so that she seems under developed when compared to those around her. I think part of this might come from the fact that the story is told from the first person point of view and the author has not had much practice developing a character from their own perspective.

The story itself is clever and entertaining, though the almost cliche way that Catholicism and small town spirituality is portrayed gets to be a little annoying and insulting at times. Which is interesting when you consider that Maggie is often stressing tolerance of witchcraft.

The story is very character driven with fun, interesting, and likable people. By the end of the story you find yourself rooting for some of them and actually wanting to smack some others (I don't want to give away too much) just as if they were your friends who had made a stupid mistake.

This book is an excellent fast read. Maggie learns more about magick in this book, and becomes more comfortable with her newfound knowledge of witches and the earth's energy.
She is becoming quite the mystery solver. I really enjoyed this book.

This is a fun book - in fact, the author sucked me in so quickly I went out and bought the next three in the series within two weeks!

Although I noted a few reviews saying that Maggie's character was not as developed as they would have preferred, I thought she was accessible and friendly. In other words, I liked her. The Wiccan references would probably be "generally accepted" by the average practitioner, which is unique in most of the fiction-writing I have come across.

Lastly, I have read all four books in the series (the fifth is not out yet), so it is hard to limit my view to just this book for this review, so I'll end with this: The "behind the scenes" storyline gets better as you read through the series, although I'd like to see a bit more realistic passion between Maggie and well, whoever her leading man is going to be (let it be Marcus...).

Author Madelyn Alt is currently wearing the crown for Queen of Paranormal Mystery!

Fast read, pretty entertaining, I will have to read the rest of the series.

This was the first book in this series. I read it third. I haven't actually read the third in the series as yet. lol. If you've read many of my reviews, this isn't actually uncommon for me. However, I WISH I had read this one first. I really, really do. So if you are looking for a new series to read, like mysteries (with the odd romance being played out throughout the series), like the paranormal, and appreciate humor...I think you should start here. It's thought provoking without being too heavy, fun, and fast paced. I wasn't sure I would want to read it, I thought since I had read some of the other books that had referrenced back to this one, the mystery would be spoiled. So, I originally began to read it just for the character development of Maggie. I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that in fact, NONE of the mystery had been ruined. Go Madelyn! Anyway, must read this one!

This was a fun read. It started sort of slow for me and left me feeling like there was much more story to be told. I'll read the other books in the series.

Cute book - did find myself skimming parts here and there and still thoroughly aware of what was going on... Some of the characters could really use a bit more developing to keep keen interest.

I wasn't sure what to expect when i ordered this book. I was not disappointed. It was light, fun and a quick read. I was very quickly pulled into the story and the characters all felt very real to me. Great book to enjoy on a cold autumn day.

really enjoyed this book, am looking forward to the next one.

This book was so hard to get into. I was not good until the last 50 pages. Really not looking foward to reading the other three in this set

First in the series. I am looking forward to the next one.

1st book in the Bewitching Mystery series

I really enjoyed this book...it's no classic, but it is a fun cozy read.

Cute book, fast read.

Easy Read. Good enough to finish.

Great story....can't wait to read the next one!

Great new series, combining some paranormal with a nice cozy mystery. Well-written, interesting plot.

This one seemed to take a little while to get into the meat of story. I didn't love, but didn't hate it either.

Another fun read from Madelyn Alt

cute story

Good read. First in a series

Fun read! Can't wait to get my hands on the next one!

LOVED IT! Fun new cozy mystery series with a little witchcraft and a little mystery.

this was cute and different

I couldn't past the first chapter. It just doesn't seem to move quick enough for me.

Cute and quick read!

It's a very quick read. If murder can be lighthearted ... this is it. White witch story.

Funny paranormal murder mystery.

This is the first book in a new series: The Trouble With Magic draws you right in from the first page. Maggie, dissatisfied with her current job makes a leap of faith,and accepts a job offer to work for Felicity, owner of an upscale antique shoppe, and incidently a practicing Witch. The two womnen quickly become friends, and their story spirals into an enchanting, intelligent, often witty tale of magic, self-discovery, murder and mystery. Throw in two handsome, sexy but very different men, both interested in Maggie, and romantic chase, and you have a pretty good story! The result is the reader, is left wanting more.

Light mystery with a flavor of the occult.
Bored with her office job, and subsequently fired for tardiness, Maggie jumps at the oportunity to work in Enchantments, an upscale gift store. She was a little weirded out when her new boss described herself as a witch, but if Felicity wants to play with broomsticks and cauldrons, where's the harm? But Maggie's first day on the job may turn out to be her last when police question Felicity about the murder of her estranged sister.

Cute start to a new series.

A really fun book! Basically, a paranormal cozy.

Magic, mystery, antiques, a little romance and the spirit world with a witch thrown in. This is the first in the "Bewitching mystery" series and a lighthearted cozy.

Very good. This is the first in a series (A Bewitching Mystery). I am looking forward to the next one.

1st in the Bewitching mystery series

Bringing a little culture to Stony Mill, Indiana, Enchantments is one of the area’s finest antique shops. But shop clerk Maggie O’Neill and her employer Felicity Down do more than conjure up curios for the locals --- they each possess a talent for spellbinding sleuthing…

Starts out with a bang right from the start. Witches, murder and an innocent bystander.

Very cute! First of a series. Maggie opens a shop in a small town and ends up defending Felicity who is believed to be a witch. Funny and quite charming.

I really liked this new series. Maggie, the main character, has some latent ability to see things other don't,,,but the author is letting her talents build slowly...very plausible series!

Great book.

Cute and non-threatening, a fast and easy read. Full of every cozy mystery cliche' apart from a talking cat...

First in series. I thought it was cute!

From Back Cover:

Bored with her office job (and subsequently fired for excessive tardiness), Maggie jumps at the opportunity to work in Enchantments. She was a little weirded out when Felicity described herself as a witch, but if her boss wants to play with broomsticks and cauldrons, where's the harm? However, Maggie's first day on the job may turn out to be her last when police question Felicity in the murder of her estranged sister.

New mystery series. Maggie is bored with her job and literally falls into another one with Felicity, owner of an antique shop with a magical bent.

A fun read if you like lighthearted mysteries, cozies, or something a little magickal and funny all at the same time.

a nice cosy...
i am looking forward to more of this series and seeing how the charactors develop.

Bringing a little culture to Stony Mill, Indiana, Enchantments is one of the area's finest antique shops. But shop clerk Maggie O'Neil and her employer Felicity Dow do more than conjure up curios for the locals-they each possess a talent for spellbinding sleuthing. First in a new series. I can't wait for the second book!

Quick and fun to read with likeable characters

First in the series. Good book.

Shop clerk Maggie O'neill and her employer Felicity Dow bring more to Sony Mill, IN than just antiques, they both possess supernatural powers and when Felicity's sister is murdered and she is arrested, Maggie has to use all her powers and her wits to prove her bosses innocence. This is a charming cozy that will have you laughing out loud at Maggie's antics.

This was an okay mystery. The author still seems to be a little new at this.

Bored with her office job (and subsequently fired for excessive tardiness), Maggie jumps at the opportunity to work in Enchantments. She was a little weirded out when Felicity described herself as a witch, but if her boss wants to play with broomsticks and cauldrons, where's the harm? However, Maggie's first day on the job may turn out to be her last when police question Felicity in the murder of her estranged sister.
--From Back Cover

First Book in a new series.

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