This should have been an amazing book. Cozy mystery involving witches. Sounded so much fun. Molly was a really great character, the plot was interesting. So why didn't I love it?

This book was just missing something. Maybe the writing was a little off. Maybe there was one to many plot twists, like the author was trying to cram too much into the story. I definitely didn't care for Molly telling her husband she was a witch, after drilling it into us that witches can't tell non witches about themselves This book was good, but could have been a lot better. If felt a little formulaic, like it was trying to include every cozy mystery cliche they could think of. ( )

Who knew witches have to find their own replacements before retiring to Boca Raton? I didn't, but that's exactly what Molly, Elsie, and Olivia are trying to do. Unfortunately, before they can even seriously begin to recruit and train new witches, Olivia ends up dead and their prized spell book has disappeared. With their magical powers beginning to fade, the witches must face an evil so powerful, that even the Grand Council is keeping quiet. Nevertheless, Molly and Elsie do their best to find their dear friend's murderer and defeat the rogue witch that is terrorizing their small town.

The Bottom Line: This charming, fast-paced cozy mystery was so much fun to read. This is the first book in the series, and I am really looking forward to reading the others. Enthusiastically recommended to fans of cozies who enjoy a paranormal twist. This is the perfect weekend read.

This review also appears at the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog. ( )

This was a really fun paranormal / cozy mystery! I got a kick out of the three witches planning for retirement. Before they could find young replacement witches and move to Boca Raton, Olivia, one of the original three witches, is found brutally murdered. With their magic dwindling and their grief raw, they launch their own investigation into the murder. Soon they discover that something evil is afoot in Wilmington, North Carolina...and they may not have enough power to fight it.

The story is quick paced and fun, with just the right balance of mystery, suspense and humor to satisfy any mystery fan! The ending was a big surprise. I liked that the author wrapped up enough questions to leave me fulfilled, but also left things open for future books. It was a very nice start to the series! I'll be moving on to book two! ( )

In the Lavene’s paranormal mystery, three witches in North Carolina own and operate the Smuggler’s Arcane, a quaint curio shop that secretly houses their witchcraft. The three women are approaching Medicare eligibility and must find replacements to pass their craft too.

Mollie, Elsie, and Olivia are on the hunt for the local librarian who has dormant magic qualities she is unaware of when Olivia is murdered. Upon searching her home, the friends discover their spell book—which was hidden at Olivia’s house—is missing. Soon it becomes clear there is a rogue witch on the loose willing to kill to attain the magical items belonging to other witches.

Teaming together, Molly, Elsie, and Olivia—in ghost form—set out to put an end to the witch’s evil reign.

This is definitely a first-class story sprinkled with magic. An excellent debut to the new A Retired Witches Mystery series. ( )

Spell Booked is the first book in the A Retired Witches Mystery series.

An enchanting new series.

Molly, Elsie and Olivia run Smuggler's Arcane in Wilmington, NC.

The three witches have decided that it is time to retire and move on to their next stage in their lives, but first they must find replacements for themselves. They have put a spell on Dorothy, a librarian, who they feel might be a wonderful addition, if she feels the calling. But before she does, Olivia is found with her throat cut in an alley. On top of losing her best friend, Molly's husband is the lead detective on investigation into Olivia's murder, and he knows nothing about Molly being a witch, or for that matter, Olivia. As Molly and Elsie are training Dorothy to learn and use her power as a witch, they all find out that Dorothy is the daughter that Olivia put up for adoption at birth. When Dorothy gets kidnapped and the Council of Witches is slow to offer them help, they get serious about finding the killer.

A wonderful cast of characters in this series. Very believable and funny. So enjoyed the bantering between the ladies.

Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. ( )