4.5
3.5
4
4.5 ( )

A novella prequel to a new series by Lynn Cahoon. I'll be interested to check out the next one. Not a fan of the narrator. ( )

Lynn Cahoon is one of my favorite authors so when I heard that she had a new series, I was excited! She didn't disappoint. This novella is a prequel to the Kitchen Witch mysteries that will start with One Poison Pie but here we are introduced to Mia and get an understanding of the character and her familiars.

Mia has come to Magic Springs to help her grandmother with the local food bank. She is drawn into investigating what happened to her grandmother's boyfriend when his spirit enters her cat.

The characters and the early development for the new series have me anxious to start the new series. ( )

This novella introduces the Kitchen Witch mystery series, and though short, it does a good job of setting up the series. We meet Mia, her cat, and her grandmother. Mia is back home visiting her grandmother and helping set up a local food bank, one that is badly in need of organization. She also finds a dead body at the warehouse, who just happens to be her grandmother’s boyfriend. Mia wants to find killer to take suspicion off her grandmother, but finds danger instead. A good solid mystery in spite of its short length, it’s a fine introduction to a fun series. ( )

Chili Cauldron Curse by Lynn Cahoon has Mia Malone in Magic Springs, Idaho. She has taken a week off work at her grandmother’s request to help get the Magic Springs Food Bank into shape before school begins. The place smells from rotting produce and Mia is quick to use a spell to help locate the offending items. The next day, the smell is back. While searching for the source, Mia finds the body of Dorian Alexander, the local coven leader and her grandmother’s new beau. When Gran becomes the prime suspect, Mia begins her own investigation. The killer, though, does not take kindly to Mia interference. Has Mia cast her last spell? Chili Cauldron Curse is a prequel to the Kitchen Witch Mysteries (Book .5). I thought the book was well-written with steady pacing and interesting characters. There are three main characters that we are introduced to (Mia, Gran, and Christina). The author took the time to establish them and gave them depth. I look forward to learning more about Mia, Gran, and Christina Adams. I enjoyed the paranormal aspect. Mia is a kitchen witch. We only learn a little about the craft in this novella. I am intrigued and eager to know more especially about Mia’s kitchen witch doll, Gloria. The mystery was light, but that is to be expected with such a short story. I enjoyed following Mia as she investigated, gathering clues, and listing the suspects. Magic Springs, Idaho seems like a magical town that I look forward to exploring more in this series. I thought Chili Cauldron Curse was an engaging cozy mystery. I look forward to reading One Poison Pie. Chili Cauldron Curse is a magical tale with a wiped out warlock, a chili cook-off contest, a higgledy-piggledy food bank, a hesitant helper, and a romance at the end of its rope. ( )