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The Witches of the French Quarter #1
Mardi Gras and Magic
The day Althea buried her mother she learned she was a witch.
When a self-proclaimed witch shows up at her mother’s funeral, she brings more than sympathy for Althea’s loss. Luella insists Althea comes from a long line of witches and that she is the coven’s only hope for survival. While she doesn’t believe Luella, she agrees to visit her family home in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
Althea assumed she’d sell the house and move on with her life, but a murder complicates her plans. She is a prime suspect, but she learns she isn’t the only one in her family accused of murder. Her mother left New Orleans after a spell resulted in the death of two witches.
Arriving during Mardi Gras season, the exuberance of the food, music, and celebrations overwhelms Althea. But it’s nothing compared to the paranormal world she discovers. As if witches weren’t enough, Althea meets vampires, werewolves, and a talking cat.
She may going insane, but Althea is determined to stay in New Orleans long enough to solve the murder. Becoming an amateur sleuth wasn’t part of Althea’s plans, but neither was becoming a witch. Will she accept her magical inheritance so she can discover the truth about her past, and her future? She might not have a choice if she wants to stop a killer.
Mardi Gras and Magic is the first book in The Witches of the French Quarter series. Join Althea as she explores the French Quarter and the world of witches, vampires, Voodoo, werewolves, and magical creatures. Thea must investigate supernatural mysteries to unearth long-buried secrets and to find her own place in this world.
When a self-proclaimed witch shows up at her mother’s funeral, she brings more than sympathy for Althea’s loss. Luella insists Althea comes from a long line of witches and that she is the coven’s only hope for survival. While she doesn’t believe Luella, she agrees to visit her family home in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
Althea assumed she’d sell the house and move on with her life, but a murder complicates her plans. She is a prime suspect, but she learns she isn’t the only one in her family accused of murder. Her mother left New Orleans after a spell resulted in the death of two witches.
Arriving during Mardi Gras season, the exuberance of the food, music, and celebrations overwhelms Althea. But it’s nothing compared to the paranormal world she discovers. As if witches weren’t enough, Althea meets vampires, werewolves, and a talking cat.
She may going insane, but Althea is determined to stay in New Orleans long enough to solve the murder. Becoming an amateur sleuth wasn’t part of Althea’s plans, but neither was becoming a witch. Will she accept her magical inheritance so she can discover the truth about her past, and her future? She might not have a choice if she wants to stop a killer.
Mardi Gras and Magic is the first book in The Witches of the French Quarter series. Join Althea as she explores the French Quarter and the world of witches, vampires, Voodoo, werewolves, and magical creatures. Thea must investigate supernatural mysteries to unearth long-buried secrets and to find her own place in this world.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2023
271 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Jen Pitts
15 books391 followersJen Pitts is a lifelong mystery reader who turned her obsession into writing cozy mysteries of her own. When she isn’t plotting fictional murder and mayhem, she’s chugging coffee, traveling, reading, and enjoying life with her children, husband, and two cats in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 18, 2023
Fun Series Start
Great kickoff to a new series. I loved the characters and of course the setting—New Orleans. Intrigued by the plot in this one— want to read the next.
Great kickoff to a new series. I loved the characters and of course the setting—New Orleans. Intrigued by the plot in this one— want to read the next.
October 17, 2023
I really enjoyed this first book of this new series and I am really looking forward to book #2. Jenn Pitts knows her NOLA surroundings and incorporates them into this series well. As I was reading, I noted that I been to the tourist locations, the St. Louis Cemetery, ate beignets and drank chicory coffee at Cafe DuMonde, ate gumbo and possible encounter a vampire or witch in my travels there.
I love the smooth introduction of all the characters. Witches, vampires, voodoo, werewolves , fairies, and ghosts are all the paranormal involved and it’s fantastic!
I love the development of relationships, especially Althea and Atlas. Tasso the magical cat is a hoot.
Highly recommended! You won’t be disappointed!
I love the smooth introduction of all the characters. Witches, vampires, voodoo, werewolves , fairies, and ghosts are all the paranormal involved and it’s fantastic!
I love the development of relationships, especially Althea and Atlas. Tasso the magical cat is a hoot.
Highly recommended! You won’t be disappointed!
October 24, 2023
Great start to a new series by Jen Pitts
This is a great start to a new series by Author Jen Pitts. I like the character development and world building. It is set in New Orleans and New Orleans is like a living, breathing thing. You feel like you are right there with the characters in the book.
This is a great start to a new series by Author Jen Pitts. I like the character development and world building. It is set in New Orleans and New Orleans is like a living, breathing thing. You feel like you are right there with the characters in the book.
January 7, 2024
Very entertaining book
Finding out that your memories have been removed is a huge problem to overcome. Regaining powers you did not know you had is overwhelming. Thea must overcome all of these plus more. A well crafted story that you will enjoy. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Finding out that your memories have been removed is a huge problem to overcome. Regaining powers you did not know you had is overwhelming. Thea must overcome all of these plus more. A well crafted story that you will enjoy. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
May 5, 2025
I enjoyed this book. 2nd book by author. Different from first book. I need me some New Orleans food after reading the book. Having memory erased from early childhood sounds strange. How many people remember than early childhood. The interactions with the characters is very good. I look forward to reading the next book.
March 21, 2024
Love New Orleans and all of her books!!!
Just like with Jen, my love for New Orleans and Vampires began with Interview of A Vampire and continued with The Witching Hour. I absolutely love her books and her fun writing style! I always feel like I'm right there in Nola and the French Quarter when I read her books, and lo g for my next visit!
Just like with Jen, my love for New Orleans and Vampires began with Interview of A Vampire and continued with The Witching Hour. I absolutely love her books and her fun writing style! I always feel like I'm right there in Nola and the French Quarter when I read her books, and lo g for my next visit!
May 18, 2025
Witches ?
I enjoyed reading this book. Althea finds out that she's a witch at her mother's funeral.
She doesn't believe it until she goes to New Orleans and sees a world that her mother erased from her memory.
This is a good book and I'm going to read the rest of the series.
I enjoyed reading this book. Althea finds out that she's a witch at her mother's funeral.
She doesn't believe it until she goes to New Orleans and sees a world that her mother erased from her memory.
This is a good book and I'm going to read the rest of the series.
December 11, 2023
Fun story!
Cleverly written, and an entertaining read. Love the characters and the plot. There's humor, suspense and more stories to come. Well done!
Cleverly written, and an entertaining read. Love the characters and the plot. There's humor, suspense and more stories to come. Well done!
February 13, 2024
Mardi Gras
Fun story. All the characters are wonderful. The storyline is great. I hope she gets to enjoy her time at Mardi Gras
Fun story. All the characters are wonderful. The storyline is great. I hope she gets to enjoy her time at Mardi Gras
April 22, 2024
Another great set of characters by Jen Pitts.
May 24, 2024
Witches, Vampires, and a talking Cat too
Well of course I liked this book! Jen Pitts writes great characters and interesting stories, all in magical New Orleans. I'm so glad there are more books to come.
Well of course I liked this book! Jen Pitts writes great characters and interesting stories, all in magical New Orleans. I'm so glad there are more books to come.
April 6, 2025
New Orleans is always an interesting place to be
I really enjoyed this book. Anytime a book is centered in New Orleans there’s always mystery. I like how they have the supernatural communities working together. I hope to read the next book in the future.
I really enjoyed this book. Anytime a book is centered in New Orleans there’s always mystery. I like how they have the supernatural communities working together. I hope to read the next book in the future.
May 21, 2025
I'm a witch!
Athena went back to her .other house to get it ready to sell after her mother died by getting hit by a car. When she got there conavent had to tell her she needed to get her powers restored because she was a witch. This new just made her laugh in non believe until she finally had to face it, and then she had some hard talks to her ghostly mother..this book was fantastic.
Athena went back to her .other house to get it ready to sell after her mother died by getting hit by a car. When she got there conavent had to tell her she needed to get her powers restored because she was a witch. This new just made her laugh in non believe until she finally had to face it, and then she had some hard talks to her ghostly mother..this book was fantastic.
September 9, 2024
Fine Magic
I love this story set in New Orleans, I always wanted to visit and got a nice snippet of it here. The characters are compelling, compassionate and real. It was a great read and I need to get the next one.
I love this story set in New Orleans, I always wanted to visit and got a nice snippet of it here. The characters are compelling, compassionate and real. It was a great read and I need to get the next one.
January 3, 2025
Great read
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it has everything you could want in a book, fantastic characters, great storyline, magic, mystery and a fabulous talking cat
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it has everything you could want in a book, fantastic characters, great storyline, magic, mystery and a fabulous talking cat
March 22, 2025
great
Loved it, a real compulsive read with super characters and settings. Amazon is the one place to find something to read to suit one’s taste
Loved it, a real compulsive read with super characters and settings. Amazon is the one place to find something to read to suit one’s taste
May 29, 2025
Witchcraft and Gumbo
This mystery kept me in suspense and nervous but I enjoyed must of the characters. Waiting for answers to who is causing the murders.
This mystery kept me in suspense and nervous but I enjoyed must of the characters. Waiting for answers to who is causing the murders.
April 3, 2025
I am completely captivated by this incredible new series. Every aspect of it has thoroughly impressed me.
January 14, 2024
Fabulous
I got so caught up in this story, it made me wish I could be a witch. The author makes New Orleans come alive. I have been to NOLA, but this story lets me see it in a whole new way. I can’t wait for the next chapter.
I got so caught up in this story, it made me wish I could be a witch. The author makes New Orleans come alive. I have been to NOLA, but this story lets me see it in a whole new way. I can’t wait for the next chapter.
January 20, 2025
fun read
This was a great book to read while had little bits of time. The story arc is clear and the characters have strong personalities. In all honesty, the cat is my favorite!
This was a great book to read while had little bits of time. The story arc is clear and the characters have strong personalities. In all honesty, the cat is my favorite!
August 9, 2025
Fun
This was a fun and enjoyable read. Loved some small historical tid bits. Has me craving some Cajun good and drinks . Looking forward to read the rest of this series.
This was a fun and enjoyable read. Loved some small historical tid bits. Has me craving some Cajun good and drinks . Looking forward to read the rest of this series.
May 8, 2024
I wanted to read Mardi Gras and Magic, book one in The Witches of the French Quarter Mystery series by Jen Pitts @jenpittsmysterywriter as soon as I read the first line of the book blurb: “The day Althea buried her mother she learned she was a witch.” And it did not disappoint!
Althea (or Thea) agrees to follow her mother’s dear friend back to Thea’s family home in the French Quarter of New Orleans. While outwardly agreeing to at least listen to the proof that Thea is a witch, inwardly Thea is convinced that she will sell the home and get on with her life. However, not long into her visit there’s a murder and Thea is the prime suspect. She must stay to prove her innocence, and along the way she learns a lot about her mother’s past and her own present.
This was so much fun, and I adored exploring the French Quarter with Thea. I was reading and would forget that I was just in my midwest home and not in New Orleans. I loved watching Thea come into her powers and being introduced to other witches, vampires, werewolves and other magical creatures. Her talking cat was a favorite and reminded me of Salem, the cat in Sabrina the Teenage Witch (which my daughter and I are watching). This was a great escape and while the mystery was resolved for this entry, there are loose threads that I’m looking forward to reading more about in book two, Red Beans and Rituals.
Althea (or Thea) agrees to follow her mother’s dear friend back to Thea’s family home in the French Quarter of New Orleans. While outwardly agreeing to at least listen to the proof that Thea is a witch, inwardly Thea is convinced that she will sell the home and get on with her life. However, not long into her visit there’s a murder and Thea is the prime suspect. She must stay to prove her innocence, and along the way she learns a lot about her mother’s past and her own present.
This was so much fun, and I adored exploring the French Quarter with Thea. I was reading and would forget that I was just in my midwest home and not in New Orleans. I loved watching Thea come into her powers and being introduced to other witches, vampires, werewolves and other magical creatures. Her talking cat was a favorite and reminded me of Salem, the cat in Sabrina the Teenage Witch (which my daughter and I are watching). This was a great escape and while the mystery was resolved for this entry, there are loose threads that I’m looking forward to reading more about in book two, Red Beans and Rituals.
September 9, 2025
Paranormal, Cozy Mystery
When I found this book, I didn’t think I would get through it so quickly. Once I started reading, it was difficult to stop. I enjoy a good mystery. When they involve the paranormal, I get excited. It jumped into the story fairly quickly, with twists and turns all throughout. I think my favorite part is the cat. I enjoyed his interactions and he made the story lively. Now that I’m finished, I’m excited for the next one.
When I found this book, I didn’t think I would get through it so quickly. Once I started reading, it was difficult to stop. I enjoy a good mystery. When they involve the paranormal, I get excited. It jumped into the story fairly quickly, with twists and turns all throughout. I think my favorite part is the cat. I enjoyed his interactions and he made the story lively. Now that I’m finished, I’m excited for the next one.
October 28, 2025
good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much. Kept my interest the whole time. Ready for the next! Reading is back to my #1 hobby again lol
I enjoyed reading this book very much. Kept my interest the whole time. Ready for the next! Reading is back to my #1 hobby again lol
February 15, 2025
Wasn't sure I'd like a witch book, but this one is certainly good! How do you handle discovering your mother owned a house in New Orleans? And you find it out after she is suddenly killed by a hit and run? And when you go to the house, you discover you lived there until you were 6 and are a witch? Wow.. It's a well written book and keeps you interested. I especially liked the cat. :)
February 15, 2025
Magical New Orleans
A fun story to read with a woman discovering she is actually a witch as she returns to her family home in New Orleans . I read it without stly
A fun story to read with a woman discovering she is actually a witch as she returns to her family home in New Orleans . I read it without stly
January 10, 2025
I absolutely loved the characters, the storyline and the wonderful setting of New Orleans. Thank you for a magical mystery!
April 28, 2025
Althea, living in Seattle is dealing with her mother’s funeral when a stranger rocks her world to tell her that her mother was a powerful New Orleans witch, she’s a witch, and she must return to New Orleans to deal with the Coven and family home.
Althea believes her trip will be short, but only one day in and she becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a young witch from her mother’s Coven. Not only does Althea have to deal with the knowledge that she is a witch, but that her mother kept so much of their magical lives a secret. Althea is thrust into a world of unimaginable power, a well-established paranormal community of werewolves, vampires, witches, magical creatures (like a talking cat), and that voodoo magic is real.
This is a 2-hour paranormal cozy murder mystery with well developed characters and a talking cat! I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.
Althea believes her trip will be short, but only one day in and she becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a young witch from her mother’s Coven. Not only does Althea have to deal with the knowledge that she is a witch, but that her mother kept so much of their magical lives a secret. Althea is thrust into a world of unimaginable power, a well-established paranormal community of werewolves, vampires, witches, magical creatures (like a talking cat), and that voodoo magic is real.
This is a 2-hour paranormal cozy murder mystery with well developed characters and a talking cat! I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.
February 7, 2024
I'm going to be honest - after saying that I was completely and utterly over cozy-witchy-paranormal-women's-fiction-inherits-a-B&B-and-has-a-scumbag-ex, I picked this one up hoping the talking cat would make it feel different, but... I really shouldn't have.
This is just not my vibe any more (if it ever was), and getting 16% of the way through before DNFing is all I needed to confirm this for myself. Again, it's not that it was a bad book (at least, I don't think so? Not from what I'd read, although - that said - I could have done without the bitchy high school mean girl politics)
But it's not a ME!book - and therefore by the rules of this year's read-down, it's a DNF.
Oh, and next time an author I enjoy recommends yet another book with all these tropes, I'm going to do my level best to ignore them.
This is just not my vibe any more (if it ever was), and getting 16% of the way through before DNFing is all I needed to confirm this for myself. Again, it's not that it was a bad book (at least, I don't think so? Not from what I'd read, although - that said - I could have done without the bitchy high school mean girl politics)
But it's not a ME!book - and therefore by the rules of this year's read-down, it's a DNF.
Oh, and next time an author I enjoy recommends yet another book with all these tropes, I'm going to do my level best to ignore them.
December 5, 2023
“Mardi Gras and Magic – The Witches of the French Quarter” is a new series from Jen Pitts. The story involves witches, werewolves, a talking cat and other members of the paranormal society.
After her mother’s death, Althea is asked to visit New Orleans to deal with her family home. While there she discovers that she’s a witch, her mother was murdered, and her family home is a meeting place for a local coven.
The book is another fun, cozy mystery from Jen Pitts. If you are into cozy mysteries, I highly recommend her books. I loved the story and am looking forward the next book. I’ve said it before – her books would be great as a Hallmark series.
After her mother’s death, Althea is asked to visit New Orleans to deal with her family home. While there she discovers that she’s a witch, her mother was murdered, and her family home is a meeting place for a local coven.
The book is another fun, cozy mystery from Jen Pitts. If you are into cozy mysteries, I highly recommend her books. I loved the story and am looking forward the next book. I’ve said it before – her books would be great as a Hallmark series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews