What do you think?
Rate this book
Brookhaven Paranormal Mysteries #1
High Noon
Starting over can be murder.
Darcy Ingram came to the small town of Brookhaven for a fresh start and a safe place to hone her hedge witch powers. She even landed a job at the local marijuana dispensary. But when one of her co-workers turns up dead, suspicion lands on her.
With a hazy memory of the events leading up to the victim's death, Darcy resolves to prove her innocence. With a police chief who doesn't like her and a town who doesn't know her, she faces an uphill climb. But when multiple suspects present themselves, she'll have to rely on more than just her spotty magic to uncover the truth. Aided by the snarky ghost who haunts the B&B and a telepathic chameleon along with some trusted living allies, she sets a dangerous trap that might just lure in a killer.
Is Darcy willing to put everything on the line to keep her new beginning from withering on the vine?
HIGH NOON is the first novel in the Brookhaven Cozy Mystery series. Get ready to sprinkle some magic into your mystery.
Darcy Ingram came to the small town of Brookhaven for a fresh start and a safe place to hone her hedge witch powers. She even landed a job at the local marijuana dispensary. But when one of her co-workers turns up dead, suspicion lands on her.
With a hazy memory of the events leading up to the victim's death, Darcy resolves to prove her innocence. With a police chief who doesn't like her and a town who doesn't know her, she faces an uphill climb. But when multiple suspects present themselves, she'll have to rely on more than just her spotty magic to uncover the truth. Aided by the snarky ghost who haunts the B&B and a telepathic chameleon along with some trusted living allies, she sets a dangerous trap that might just lure in a killer.
Is Darcy willing to put everything on the line to keep her new beginning from withering on the vine?
HIGH NOON is the first novel in the Brookhaven Cozy Mystery series. Get ready to sprinkle some magic into your mystery.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2022
256 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
December 20, 2024
Darcy Ingram's arrival in Brookhaven stirred a few locals, especially café owner and notorious gossip, Ginny, but her job at the local marijuana dispensary working with the plants gave her peace. Darcy's magic affinity was with plants, but something wasn't working so Darcy's new friend Maggie tried to help. The day that Darcy followed a fellow worker out of the shop, intent on helping her after an argument with a customer, was the day change came to her life, as finding a dead body would do. But the local police chief was suspicious of Darcy, not believing her words in interview. Tania, owner of the B&B where Darcy was staying, along with Maggie, Sam and Beau, backed her up, but Darcy knew it would be up to her to find the killer and prove her innocence. But could she?
High Noon is the 1st in the Brookhaven Paranormal Mysteries series by S.E. Biglow and I really enjoyed it. I loved chameleon Beau and the ghostly, acidic-tongued Sam, with the unusual setting of a marijuana dispensary as its core. A fun cosy paranormal mystery which I'm happy to recommend.
High Noon is the 1st in the Brookhaven Paranormal Mysteries series by S.E. Biglow and I really enjoyed it. I loved chameleon Beau and the ghostly, acidic-tongued Sam, with the unusual setting of a marijuana dispensary as its core. A fun cosy paranormal mystery which I'm happy to recommend.
October 4, 2024
I'm all in for paranormal cozy mysteries, but something in this just doesn't do it. Darcy is supposed to be learning and coming to terms with her magic, but it seems she has no guidance, no innate sense of what she should do, and no imperative to learn. Nothing about her magic explains her leaving her home and parents for this little town. We're told her parents don't understand, but ... so .....?
This reads like a book 2, with so much reference to the back story. Yet there's not enough of the backstory for the reader to have any idea what really went on, what Darcy's role was, or how exactly it showed her she has magical tendencies.
Above that, the purpose of the brother and the fiancé are not clear, nor are the roles of Vera and McKenzie.
Altogether too disjointed and disappointing for my tastes.
This reads like a book 2, with so much reference to the back story. Yet there's not enough of the backstory for the reader to have any idea what really went on, what Darcy's role was, or how exactly it showed her she has magical tendencies.
Above that, the purpose of the brother and the fiancé are not clear, nor are the roles of Vera and McKenzie.
Altogether too disjointed and disappointing for my tastes.
February 20, 2022
Who Killed Vera ? . . .
Darcy Ingram arrived in the small American town of Brookhaven where she could get help with learning to use her hedge witch powers. She had been encouraged by Tania, the owner of the B&B where she had stayed before on vacation, to move there. Darcy had previously made friends with a telepathic chameleon Beau who liked her and was glad to see her back with them. His blinking eyes made him visible to her as he sat on her pillow. She was exhausted from the flight and climbed into bed for a quick nap, but woke at midnight. Hungry, she went down to the kitchen where her food was warming in the oven. Another friend she had made, the resident ghost named Sam, came to say hi and tell her that business at the B&B was sparse lately. He told her Ginny Hayes, the town gossip, was still talking about her, and not in a nice way. And Ginny’s brother, the Chief of Police, wasn’t very fond of Darcy either. She finished her meal and went back to bed.
The next morning, she went to her new job at the local marijuana dispensary, taking care of the plants, and Sage handed her a temporary ID badge. As the plants around her noticed her presence, they began activating her magical senses. She filled out her work papers but forgot her passport and work authorization card, so Sage told her to take a lunch break and go back to the B&B to get what she needed. While there, a new customer, Vera Chase, showed up and hurried out of sight to her assigned room, acting nervous. Vera needed a job and Darcy told her about a job opening where she worked. When Vera heard Darcy talking to a plant and saying she was a witch, she confronted her. Darcy said she was joking, but talking to plants can help them grow. Vera got angry and snarled that Darcy thought she was stupid, and she stomped away, slamming the door behind her. Some time later, Darcy heard Vera arguing with someone in the front of the shop. The man left as Darcy came up front. She suggested Vera take a break outside to calm herself. At lunch, Darcy got coffee to go, but she felt nausea and knew something was wrong with the coffee as she passed out. She had been unconscious for an hour, no one had checked on her, and Vera had not come back from her break. Leaving for the day, Darcy got sick once again as she started to sweat. Going to the car to leave, she noticed the trunk lid still up from that morning. And as she walked around to close it, she saw Vera’s body crammed into the trunk. Suspicion naturally fell on her.
Although her own memories near the time of the victim's death were compromised by her being ill, Darcy decides to investigate and prove her innocence. Being new to town and the Police Chief not liking her, she needs to be proactive for herself. Will her ghost friend Sam and her telepathic chameleon Beau help her find the real killer?
It kept feeling like I missed a Prequel or this should have been Book 2. References were made to past events and characters were made known by their former interactions with Darcy as if from a previous book. I would rather have had that prequel book to meet them all instead of thinking I had forgotten everyone I met here. Another series perhaps?
Darcy Ingram arrived in the small American town of Brookhaven where she could get help with learning to use her hedge witch powers. She had been encouraged by Tania, the owner of the B&B where she had stayed before on vacation, to move there. Darcy had previously made friends with a telepathic chameleon Beau who liked her and was glad to see her back with them. His blinking eyes made him visible to her as he sat on her pillow. She was exhausted from the flight and climbed into bed for a quick nap, but woke at midnight. Hungry, she went down to the kitchen where her food was warming in the oven. Another friend she had made, the resident ghost named Sam, came to say hi and tell her that business at the B&B was sparse lately. He told her Ginny Hayes, the town gossip, was still talking about her, and not in a nice way. And Ginny’s brother, the Chief of Police, wasn’t very fond of Darcy either. She finished her meal and went back to bed.
The next morning, she went to her new job at the local marijuana dispensary, taking care of the plants, and Sage handed her a temporary ID badge. As the plants around her noticed her presence, they began activating her magical senses. She filled out her work papers but forgot her passport and work authorization card, so Sage told her to take a lunch break and go back to the B&B to get what she needed. While there, a new customer, Vera Chase, showed up and hurried out of sight to her assigned room, acting nervous. Vera needed a job and Darcy told her about a job opening where she worked. When Vera heard Darcy talking to a plant and saying she was a witch, she confronted her. Darcy said she was joking, but talking to plants can help them grow. Vera got angry and snarled that Darcy thought she was stupid, and she stomped away, slamming the door behind her. Some time later, Darcy heard Vera arguing with someone in the front of the shop. The man left as Darcy came up front. She suggested Vera take a break outside to calm herself. At lunch, Darcy got coffee to go, but she felt nausea and knew something was wrong with the coffee as she passed out. She had been unconscious for an hour, no one had checked on her, and Vera had not come back from her break. Leaving for the day, Darcy got sick once again as she started to sweat. Going to the car to leave, she noticed the trunk lid still up from that morning. And as she walked around to close it, she saw Vera’s body crammed into the trunk. Suspicion naturally fell on her.
Although her own memories near the time of the victim's death were compromised by her being ill, Darcy decides to investigate and prove her innocence. Being new to town and the Police Chief not liking her, she needs to be proactive for herself. Will her ghost friend Sam and her telepathic chameleon Beau help her find the real killer?
It kept feeling like I missed a Prequel or this should have been Book 2. References were made to past events and characters were made known by their former interactions with Darcy as if from a previous book. I would rather have had that prequel book to meet them all instead of thinking I had forgotten everyone I met here. Another series perhaps?
May 2, 2025
Cute and Quick
This is a fun read. The characters are quirky, and I always love a magic-filled town. Maggie was probably my favorite character. I'd read another book in this series when looking for something light.
This is a fun read. The characters are quirky, and I always love a magic-filled town. Maggie was probably my favorite character. I'd read another book in this series when looking for something light.
November 22, 2025
I thought this book was going to be about Darcy learning how to use her magic but that doesn’t seem to happen. She spends most of her time running around town gossiping with the locals to solve a murder. I understand it’s a “cozy mystery” but I feel like it could have been so much better. There’s also a lot of hints to something that happened prior to Darcy’s arrival to Brookhaven almost as if this is the second book in the series even though it’s listed as the first.
November 18, 2025
Not interested in reading the rest of the series. Just not for me
February 20, 2022
Darcy has made the big move from the UK to the States to the small town of Brookhaven where she has a job at the local marijuana dispensary where she previously helped solve the theft. She also hopes to learn more about the magic she has discovered she has. Staying at the B&B owned by Tania where she stayed on her last visit, Darcy is all set to settle into her new home town.
But nothing can be that easy. When a young woman turns up at the B&B looking for a room there is something strange about her, she seems frightened of something, or somebody. Darcy manages to get her a small part time job at High Time but is shocked to find her dead and she has some missing time, could she have done it? Chief Hayes and his gossipy sister Ginny certainly seem to think so . Can Darcy prove her innocence and find the real killer, can she find her magic,
A good mystery, I am not sure the significance of her working in a marijuana dispensary, it could just as easily have been a plant nursery or garden centre. But the storyline itself was ok, some of it is a bit of a stretch, I can't imagine starting a new job and getting quite as much time off as Darcy seems to manage!
A nice easy read, nothing overly complicated.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
But nothing can be that easy. When a young woman turns up at the B&B looking for a room there is something strange about her, she seems frightened of something, or somebody. Darcy manages to get her a small part time job at High Time but is shocked to find her dead and she has some missing time, could she have done it? Chief Hayes and his gossipy sister Ginny certainly seem to think so . Can Darcy prove her innocence and find the real killer, can she find her magic,
A good mystery, I am not sure the significance of her working in a marijuana dispensary, it could just as easily have been a plant nursery or garden centre. But the storyline itself was ok, some of it is a bit of a stretch, I can't imagine starting a new job and getting quite as much time off as Darcy seems to manage!
A nice easy read, nothing overly complicated.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 5, 2025
I was so disappointed by the writing in this book. I love a cozy, witchy mystery, without a big long drawn out plot, as a palate cleanser between bigger world building fantasy, but this is not it. The first chapter reads like it's a second book in a series, casually referencing events that happened previously, but this is the first book and her one line references to a previous heist, and relationships between characters, is trying to build on a previous story line that doesn't exist.
Phrasing is oddly chosen and the story doesn't build or evolve at all.
Toward the end the main character has two people she suspects for the crime and goes to meet the guilty party. When she sees that it is indeed one of those two people she "can't keep the confusion out of her voice", as if it were someone she hadn't expected.
She also describes a knife as "inching towards her" while someone is trying to stab her.
If it had just been that soft plot building, maybe I would continue the series but the writing was too bad and I have no clue how this has almost a 4 star rating!
Phrasing is oddly chosen and the story doesn't build or evolve at all.
Toward the end the main character has two people she suspects for the crime and goes to meet the guilty party. When she sees that it is indeed one of those two people she "can't keep the confusion out of her voice", as if it were someone she hadn't expected.
She also describes a knife as "inching towards her" while someone is trying to stab her.
If it had just been that soft plot building, maybe I would continue the series but the writing was too bad and I have no clue how this has almost a 4 star rating!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2024
Absolutely unreadable. DNF.
July 13, 2024
Meh 🤷🏼♀️
February 27, 2022
Fun Supernatural Mystery in Small Town of Brookhaven!!!
High Noon is first book in Brookhaven Cozy Mysteries series but High Time, the prequel of this series, is part of the collection in book "Magical Mayhem and Murderous Mysteries: A Limited Edition Collection of Paranormal Mysteries " https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5..., a collection of 10 paranormal cozy mysteries by 10 bestselling authors.
In the Prequel book - High Time Darcy Ingram comes to the nice charming little town of Brookhaven, Massachusetts for a nice holiday away from her home of England and stays at Tia Tania's Bed and Breakfast. Darcy is a hedge witch who just has her magical talent that she can talk to plants, when she told her parents about her talent they told her that she was mental and just looking for attention. Tania, the owner of bed and breakfast, is also has a gift for sensing emotion of what people are feeling and tell Darcy that Brookhaven is literally a haven for those who have gifts that might be misunderstood in other places, or rejected by those close to them. Darcy also learn that High Time Dispensary is the pride and joy of Brookhaven that breathed life back into town. At the B&B Darcy encounters a telepathic chameleon Beau and Sam the resident ghost. It's the start of 4th of July celebration and on the way that Tania is taking Darcy to see the fireworks there is a hit-and-run accident that Darcy suspects it might have something to do with the High Time Dispensary, it turns out to be a robbery so Darcy use her hedge witch powers to help Rick Hayes, the handsome Chief of Police, solve the mystery.
In this book - High Noon Darcy comes back to Brookhaven to stay and is living at Tania's Bed and Breakfast again. Darcy gets a job at the High Time Dispensary taking care of the plants, when her co-worker is murdered and she becomes a suspect Darcy needs to investigate to prove her innocence.
I really like this book, it's an enjoyable easy reading, the plot about the marijuana dispensary is very unique, it's a fun, fast-paced, paranormal cozy mystery with interesting characters full of mystery, suspense and action that keeps you entertained while trying to figure out the mystery, the story keep me interested from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book to any cozy mystery fans and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
High Noon is first book in Brookhaven Cozy Mysteries series but High Time, the prequel of this series, is part of the collection in book "Magical Mayhem and Murderous Mysteries: A Limited Edition Collection of Paranormal Mysteries " https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5..., a collection of 10 paranormal cozy mysteries by 10 bestselling authors.
In the Prequel book - High Time Darcy Ingram comes to the nice charming little town of Brookhaven, Massachusetts for a nice holiday away from her home of England and stays at Tia Tania's Bed and Breakfast. Darcy is a hedge witch who just has her magical talent that she can talk to plants, when she told her parents about her talent they told her that she was mental and just looking for attention. Tania, the owner of bed and breakfast, is also has a gift for sensing emotion of what people are feeling and tell Darcy that Brookhaven is literally a haven for those who have gifts that might be misunderstood in other places, or rejected by those close to them. Darcy also learn that High Time Dispensary is the pride and joy of Brookhaven that breathed life back into town. At the B&B Darcy encounters a telepathic chameleon Beau and Sam the resident ghost. It's the start of 4th of July celebration and on the way that Tania is taking Darcy to see the fireworks there is a hit-and-run accident that Darcy suspects it might have something to do with the High Time Dispensary, it turns out to be a robbery so Darcy use her hedge witch powers to help Rick Hayes, the handsome Chief of Police, solve the mystery.
In this book - High Noon Darcy comes back to Brookhaven to stay and is living at Tania's Bed and Breakfast again. Darcy gets a job at the High Time Dispensary taking care of the plants, when her co-worker is murdered and she becomes a suspect Darcy needs to investigate to prove her innocence.
I really like this book, it's an enjoyable easy reading, the plot about the marijuana dispensary is very unique, it's a fun, fast-paced, paranormal cozy mystery with interesting characters full of mystery, suspense and action that keeps you entertained while trying to figure out the mystery, the story keep me interested from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book to any cozy mystery fans and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 19, 2025
I met Sarah at a local event and mentioned I was in the mood for something different from my usual taste in fantasy. I'd previously read a comfy, low-stakes fantasy novel with Legends and Lattes and was curious what else this subgenre had to offer. She recommended this book, pitching it as a comfy mystery novel. I've read a few suspense and mystery novels in the past, so I figured I'd give this a shot.
I actually went into this without even reading the back of the book, something I rarely do these days. So it was a bit of a shock when the murder happened. I distinctly recall thinking "well, that's not very comfy" while reading. But there was enough mystery to keep me engaged. My only issue with the initial setup was the rather sudden shift from Darcy's backstory and her arrival to several weeks later when the murder happens. I wish a bit more could've been done with Darcy and Vera's relationship, even if only to show how cagy Vera was.
I found that, while the inciting incident generated plenty of questions, the overall pacing seemed a bit slow. The middle third of the book felt like it meandered, with Darcy having to confront everything largely alone. Her 'newcomer' status in town leaves her with few allies, and the ones that are on her side don't seem to provide much in the way of assistance. Even her magical block seems to be a bit of an afterthought in the ongoing storyline. And though the stakes seem fairly high - her reputation in a town she wants to stay in - there's a lack of tension to drive her quest to prove her innocence.
The ending also ramps up pretty quickly. And while the scene certainly added a much-needed injection of excitement, the pacing again felt a bit off. It felt like the murder got resolved behind the scenes, and Darcy suffered no lasting consequences for her actions. I did find the tie-in to the next novel to be fairly intriguing, but I also feel like there could've been more clues dropped throughout the story.
In the end, I found the story to be fairly engaging, though portions started to drag a bit. The overall premise of Brookhaven being a place to escape to was interesting, and there's clearly plenty more to explore with magic and the paranormal.
I actually went into this without even reading the back of the book, something I rarely do these days. So it was a bit of a shock when the murder happened. I distinctly recall thinking "well, that's not very comfy" while reading. But there was enough mystery to keep me engaged. My only issue with the initial setup was the rather sudden shift from Darcy's backstory and her arrival to several weeks later when the murder happens. I wish a bit more could've been done with Darcy and Vera's relationship, even if only to show how cagy Vera was.
I found that, while the inciting incident generated plenty of questions, the overall pacing seemed a bit slow. The middle third of the book felt like it meandered, with Darcy having to confront everything largely alone. Her 'newcomer' status in town leaves her with few allies, and the ones that are on her side don't seem to provide much in the way of assistance. Even her magical block seems to be a bit of an afterthought in the ongoing storyline. And though the stakes seem fairly high - her reputation in a town she wants to stay in - there's a lack of tension to drive her quest to prove her innocence.
The ending also ramps up pretty quickly. And while the scene certainly added a much-needed injection of excitement, the pacing again felt a bit off. It felt like the murder got resolved behind the scenes, and Darcy suffered no lasting consequences for her actions. I did find the tie-in to the next novel to be fairly intriguing, but I also feel like there could've been more clues dropped throughout the story.
In the end, I found the story to be fairly engaging, though portions started to drag a bit. The overall premise of Brookhaven being a place to escape to was interesting, and there's clearly plenty more to explore with magic and the paranormal.
April 12, 2025
I did enjoy this book but the ending lost a star from me. The main mystery does get solved but in doing so it created another mystery that continues on to the next book. Which is okay but if you haven't read this book or don't read the books in order it can get annoy, especially as it is such a big focus for this book. The mystery took a number of twists as the story unfolded and got quite complex (if a little confusing) even though there was only ever two real murder suspects. I just admit The author had me scratching my head over who was responsible. I liked the unusual characters, especially the helpful familiar and the very quirky town. Living in England the choice of a marijuana shop seems very strange to me but for the main character it's the perfect job as she learn how to control her powers. Off to find the next book, to find out what happens next.
Darcy isn't the only new person in town. The secretive Vera also moves to the magical town of Brookhaven looking for somewhere to live and work. Darcy helps her to get a job working in the marijuana dispensary but even doing that doesn't make them friends. So when Darcy find her dead body stuffed in the trunk of the car she is driving she becomes the police's main suspect. Especially when it is discovered she was killed with a plant. Darcy has not choice but to investigate. Can she learn the secrets that Vera was hiding in order to unmask her killer? With both an ex fiancee and her brother in town it seems Vera's hidden past has caught up with but is she who she seemed to be?
Darcy isn't the only new person in town. The secretive Vera also moves to the magical town of Brookhaven looking for somewhere to live and work. Darcy helps her to get a job working in the marijuana dispensary but even doing that doesn't make them friends. So when Darcy find her dead body stuffed in the trunk of the car she is driving she becomes the police's main suspect. Especially when it is discovered she was killed with a plant. Darcy has not choice but to investigate. Can she learn the secrets that Vera was hiding in order to unmask her killer? With both an ex fiancee and her brother in town it seems Vera's hidden past has caught up with but is she who she seemed to be?
July 6, 2024
Let's start off with what I didn't like. It wasn't much. I kind of feel like we, the readers, got left out of the mystery solving. I don't like when the killer is someone we haven't/barely met. There wasn't enough information on the killer or the victim, or even the other suspects. I like when I can try to put the clues together and try to figure it out before the MC does, and then see if I was right or not. Also, is there a prequel book? There's mention of a case in the past, and it would be nice to read about that. Might give us a little more background on the characters. I did like that the mystery and intrigue caught my attention right away and held it the whole time. The writing was well done, which I appreciate. I also liked that this author decided to be different when it comes to the MC's job and familiar. It was a breath of fresh air. I will definitely be looking for the rest of the series.
I received a free digital copy and this is my honest opinion.
I received a free digital copy and this is my honest opinion.
March 6, 2022
Many interesting mysteries that all converge on this town full of magical inhabitants. Darcy and Vera are both new to town and work at the High Times Dispensary, with Darcy attending to the plants which is her magic. When Vera is killed the finger points to Darcy so she needs to clear herself. Walter is looking for his sister. The fiance of Vera, who she is running from, is in town. Who is really telling the truth and who is lying? So many clues and false IDs. The townspeople themselves are a quirky bunch that love to know what is going on, just like any small town. Loved the chameleon who helps hide people, the ghost who gives hints and the owner of the B & B, Tania. Great ending and a tag to a future story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 6, 2024
Darcy and Vera are both new to Brookhaven and their jobs at High Times, the local marijuana dispensary. When Vera is murdered, Darcy becomes the prime suspect. Can Darcy harness her previously hidden magical talent and rid herself of the town's mistrust?
Admittedly I was fighting my anti-grass bias the entire time I was reading this story, but it wasn't the only thing that dropped my rating. This book is labelled the first in the series, but it heavily alludes to a prequel (and virtually spoils that story). I also didn't "buy" Darcy as a sleuth - she seemed to lack the gumption to get the job done.
I wish I could have gotten more from this book. I adored the starting mystery from the Reverend Margot Quade series and wish the author had expanded that series instead.
Admittedly I was fighting my anti-grass bias the entire time I was reading this story, but it wasn't the only thing that dropped my rating. This book is labelled the first in the series, but it heavily alludes to a prequel (and virtually spoils that story). I also didn't "buy" Darcy as a sleuth - she seemed to lack the gumption to get the job done.
I wish I could have gotten more from this book. I adored the starting mystery from the Reverend Margot Quade series and wish the author had expanded that series instead.
September 12, 2024
HIGH NOON
A Brookhaven Cozy
Mystery Book 1
S.E. BIGLOW
Review by Author Roy Murry
In this paranormal mystery, a woman, Darcy, a chameleon, and a ghost acquire magical powers. Many other witchy characters live in the American town; Darcy, an Englishman, moves there to develop her skills.
A newcomer arrives and becomes friends with Darcy and her High Noon apothecary boss, Sage. Unfortunately, the new arrival is found dead in the trunk of the car Darcy is driving.
With the help of her colorful witch friends, Darcy goes sleuthing against the Shariff's wishes. The twists and turns, combined with her new-found witchcraft, bring this mystery to a near-deadly ending.
The writing is crisp, and the well-developed characters will pull the reader into book 2 of this series.
A Brookhaven Cozy
Mystery Book 1
S.E. BIGLOW
Review by Author Roy Murry
In this paranormal mystery, a woman, Darcy, a chameleon, and a ghost acquire magical powers. Many other witchy characters live in the American town; Darcy, an Englishman, moves there to develop her skills.
A newcomer arrives and becomes friends with Darcy and her High Noon apothecary boss, Sage. Unfortunately, the new arrival is found dead in the trunk of the car Darcy is driving.
With the help of her colorful witch friends, Darcy goes sleuthing against the Shariff's wishes. The twists and turns, combined with her new-found witchcraft, bring this mystery to a near-deadly ending.
The writing is crisp, and the well-developed characters will pull the reader into book 2 of this series.
May 27, 2022
Our heroine is a witch looking for a quiet place to start over and hone her skills. A murder does not exactly fit into her plans.
This is book one of the series, so a good place to start.
This is a cozy witch mystery with a supposedly quiet town. The story is well written and easy to read with a fun setting and cast. This one is a bit more down to earth than many of this genre, but it still has its quirks. It also provides a solid mystery with enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. Overall, a great start to a series and I am definitely looking forward to the next book.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
This is book one of the series, so a good place to start.
This is a cozy witch mystery with a supposedly quiet town. The story is well written and easy to read with a fun setting and cast. This one is a bit more down to earth than many of this genre, but it still has its quirks. It also provides a solid mystery with enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. Overall, a great start to a series and I am definitely looking forward to the next book.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
September 11, 2023
High Times - I was surprised, this prequel is a better read than I expected. A quickly read story with a few interesting characters and story lines. Free link in High Noon. 4*
High Noon - This is the first book of Brookhaven Mysteries series. My favorite characters are Beau and Maggie. I especially like the scenes with Beau. An average, quickly read story with OK story lines and good characters. Sage is a bit unrealistic in some ways, overboard as a people pleaser and dogooder, but still a nice character. Some parts did not feel right but this is a Cozy. It helps to read the prequel first, free link in this book. The HT rehash is not well done in HN. Source: Booksprout. 3*
High Noon - This is the first book of Brookhaven Mysteries series. My favorite characters are Beau and Maggie. I especially like the scenes with Beau. An average, quickly read story with OK story lines and good characters. Sage is a bit unrealistic in some ways, overboard as a people pleaser and dogooder, but still a nice character. Some parts did not feel right but this is a Cozy. It helps to read the prequel first, free link in this book. The HT rehash is not well done in HN. Source: Booksprout. 3*
February 5, 2024
Darcy returns to start her new life in Brookhaven. She is starting to learn how to use her powers and it is none to soon since she has a mystery to solve before her new life ends with her in an orange jump suit for life. I had read the prequel to the series so I was familiar with the main characters. I think this can be enjoyed as a standalone since many of the main points from the prequel were lightly reviewed. I think Beau is the true star of the series. Who doesn't love a chameleon familiar that can make you invisible?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 15, 2025
Good first book for a series
It took me a chapter or so to get into the story, but as Darcy became more alive, as did some of the secondary characters, I found myself being pulled into the story. There are a few grammatical issues, but not as many as I see in some books these days. The plot was captivating, and I was glad to see the antagonist was the person I suspected.
I’d recommend this book to lovers of paranormal and heroines who grow into themselves. It’s a quick, easy read, and if you are fans paranormal, cozies, flawed heroines who learn and grow, and good plots, then you should give this book a try.
It took me a chapter or so to get into the story, but as Darcy became more alive, as did some of the secondary characters, I found myself being pulled into the story. There are a few grammatical issues, but not as many as I see in some books these days. The plot was captivating, and I was glad to see the antagonist was the person I suspected.
I’d recommend this book to lovers of paranormal and heroines who grow into themselves. It’s a quick, easy read, and if you are fans paranormal, cozies, flawed heroines who learn and grow, and good plots, then you should give this book a try.
February 22, 2022
Darcy Ingram came to the small town of Brookhaven for a fresh start. When settling in she becomes ill and someone becomes dead. Darcy decides to investigate and prove her innocence. Being new to town and for some reason hated by the Police Chief she needs to protect herself!. Will her ghost friend Sam and her telepathic chameleon Beau help her find the real killer?
I think I missed something. Past events and characters were brought up as if from a previous book. A bit confusing
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I think I missed something. Past events and characters were brought up as if from a previous book. A bit confusing
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 25, 2024
Darcy is finding herself
This was a good way to spend a few hours of spare time. The book wad not overly exciting, the chameleon and the snazzy dressing ghost added a certain degree of charm. There still remains a few mysteries to be explained, who drugged Darcy and what is Tania hiding among others. It seemed as if Darcy left all traces of being British when she took her luggage out of the 'boot.'
Interesting characters, really not that much evidence of magic, everyone seems to be skirting the issue in a town where it is supposed to be prevalent.
This was a good way to spend a few hours of spare time. The book wad not overly exciting, the chameleon and the snazzy dressing ghost added a certain degree of charm. There still remains a few mysteries to be explained, who drugged Darcy and what is Tania hiding among others. It seemed as if Darcy left all traces of being British when she took her luggage out of the 'boot.'
Interesting characters, really not that much evidence of magic, everyone seems to be skirting the issue in a town where it is supposed to be prevalent.
September 25, 2024
I look forward to reading the other books in the series but I feel like I missed an entire story. I know I started with book one but it keeps referring to another "case" that Darcy solved the first time she was in Brookhaven. It would have been nice to start with that one. It is still possible, obviously, to jump back but I always find that frustrating (like on TV where they flash on the screen "12 hours ago"). You already know what is going to happen that way. Anyway I hope the rest of the series improves
October 10, 2024
Darcy Ingram is a witch; actually, she’s just now learning how to develop, harness and use her witchcraft. To get a clean start she moves from England to the small community of Brookhaven, Massachusetts where many low-key witches live to work in a marijuana dispensary where she uses her fledgling powers to help the plants grow quicker and better. Soon after arriving one of her coworkers is murdered and, being new in town, suspicion falls on her. She sets out to try proving her innocence in the company of Beau, a telepathic chameleon and Sam an eccentric ghost.
February 20, 2022
Darcy seems to be facing some challenges trying to consistently call and use her powers, especially after an encounter that leaves her blacked out for around an hour
lethal troubles near High Times, and complications that leave the Inn in some sort of jeopardy
sisterhood sleuthing and magical murderous mayhem
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
lethal troubles near High Times, and complications that leave the Inn in some sort of jeopardy
sisterhood sleuthing and magical murderous mayhem
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 14, 2024
GHOSTLY FRIEND AND ODD FAMILIAR BUDDY
WHAT AN INTERESTING FLOW OF SUSPENSE AND QUESTIONS AND CURIOSITY GROW AMID ODD MAGICAL PUZZLE . OH HOW MAGIC CAN CAUSE THROUGH DENYING TRUTHS IN VIEW ! A DEATH FILLED WITH CONFUSION ! A LIZARD FOR COMPANION .
HERE ARE THE PIECES OF A MURDER , WITH MONEY AND A RING ! WHERE IS THE LIVING DOUBLE FROM , AND AT RIGHT NOW ! WHY DOES ALL THE MIXTURE MATTER ? BUY THIS BOOK NOW ! BUY IT NOW ! RIGHT NOW BUY IT ! 😁🤗🤔
WHAT AN INTERESTING FLOW OF SUSPENSE AND QUESTIONS AND CURIOSITY GROW AMID ODD MAGICAL PUZZLE . OH HOW MAGIC CAN CAUSE THROUGH DENYING TRUTHS IN VIEW ! A DEATH FILLED WITH CONFUSION ! A LIZARD FOR COMPANION .
HERE ARE THE PIECES OF A MURDER , WITH MONEY AND A RING ! WHERE IS THE LIVING DOUBLE FROM , AND AT RIGHT NOW ! WHY DOES ALL THE MIXTURE MATTER ? BUY THIS BOOK NOW ! BUY IT NOW ! RIGHT NOW BUY IT ! 😁🤗🤔
February 25, 2026
I really enjoyed this intro novel. Darcy was a fun character to follow, and I really like reading mysteries with a side of magic. I'm looking forward to reading more about her journey to understand her magic better. I do need to find the prequel novella, High Time, since the beginning of this book references some things I assume happened in it, but I'm not mad at having more to read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 20, 2023
. This story was a good start for a new series. I enjoyed reading it, thought the story was well written and even though I thought I knew the villain, the journey to get there was what made the story so good. Darcy and her friends were fun and interesting. I received the book from a cozy mystery promotion. Recommend reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews