Hidden powers. A dark legacy. Has she unleashed the ingredients for a devilish delicacy?
Fionna Simmonds has always been the odd one out. Suppressing an alarming magical heritage she doesn’t understand, the introverted witch keeps to herself while taking care of her grandmother’s collection of rare tomes. But when she stumbles on an old family cookbook, she’s shocked when the concoctions turn out to be mayhem-making spells.
Perturbed when a gutsy PI shows up looking for the book on behalf of a client, Fionna refuses to give it up. And as she juggles more culinary catastrophes, the chaotic young woman confronts a sinister enemy determined to repossess the pages of supernatural secrets.
As truths from the past come to light, will Fionna’s gift turn into a recipe for disaster?
Cooking Up a Witch is the fun third book in the Scottish Witches paranormal cozy mystery series. If you like relatable heroines, unpredictable twists and turns, and nail-biting drama, then you’ll love Felicity Green’s spirited adventure.
Buy Cooking Up a Witch to set trouble brewing today!
Felicity Green is the bestselling author of over 30 fantasy and paranormal cozy mysteries, including the beloved Scottish Witches Mysteries and Ghost Photographer Mysteries series.
With stories brimming with witches, ghosts, and magical intrigue, her books transport readers to the enchanting landscapes of England and Scotland, where mystery and the supernatural intertwine.
A native of Germany, Felicity spent over a decade in England, studying English literature and drama while pursuing her dream of acting. Touring the British Isles with theater groups deepened her love for the mystical settings that now inspire her novels. Writing plays eventually led her to discover her true passion: crafting spellbinding stories full of magic and mystery. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Sussex.
When she's not conjuring up her next cozy mystery, Felicity enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, hiking, and experimenting with new recipes. She lives on the German-Swiss border with her husband, two daughters, and a quirky Maine Coon cat.
Gratis Novellen SÜSSES GRAB (VIOLET GRAVE) und TEUFLISCH EINSAM (HIGHLAND-HEXEN-KRIMIS) gibt es hier: www.felicitygreen.com/leserclub
Über die Autorin:
Felicity Green schreibt Urban Fantasy und Paranormal Mystery-Serien für Leserinnen, die Mythen und Magie, unerwartete Wendungen, Gänsehaut und große Gefühle lieben.
Felicity wurde in der Nähe von Hannover geboren und zog nach dem Abitur nach England. In Canterbury studierte sie Literatur und Schauspiel. Später tingelte Felicity mit diversen Theatergruppen durch England, Irland und Schottland – eine Inspiration für die Schauplätze ihrer Romane. An der University of Sussex schloss sie einen MA in Kreativem Schreiben ab.
Mit ihrem Mann Yannic, zwei Töchtern und Kater Rocks lebt sie jetzt an der Schweizer Grenze und arbeitet als freie Autorin.
This is book 3 in the series and Fionna is the main character here. Fionna has spent her life being told she’s never enough and she’s come to believe it. In this book she learns how wrong she is. She learns a lot more about herself and her power.
This was an easy, compelling read. Questions arose that weren’t answered til later and I didn’t want to put the book down til I had those answers.
This was a great addition to the series and I’m greatly anticipating the next book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I would like to thank the author and BookSirens for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summary: Fionna feels like an outcast among her coven. Although recent events have brought her closer to Andie and Penny she still feels as if something about her isn't quite right. Feelings that grow stronger when private detective Abbey Fine shows up to "reclaim" a cookbook that Fionna recently acquired for her business. The more Fionna interacts with Abbey the more she begins to suspect that a secret she has held close to her heart for nearly a decade might just be true.
Thoughts: I was recently scrolling on Instagram and saw @dylaansreading post about his favourite "potato chip books". Potato chip books are what he defines as "might not be the best for you, but are enjoyable to consume" and I think this is what I love so much about Green's writing. It's so immersive and can keep you on the edge of your seat that you've devoured everything before you know it.
I think that this is my favourite book in the series thus far. In part because I found Fionna the most explored and interesting of the witch protagonists thus far. She's had a strong character arc in the books up until becoming the focus and I felt I had a strong sense of who she was before the book even began. Within her part of the narrative, there are two things that I wish we had explored more. First, she and Drew. Why was there not more of them on the page? Why did Drew change his mind about things? So frustrating and I would like a novel focused specifically on the development of the relationships discussed in the book thus far.
Second, I wanted a bigger resolution to things with Fionna and her mother. It's strong language to say that you hate a fictional woman, but I really hate Rosa. She is absolutely awful to Fionna all the time and then all of this information finally comes to light for Fionna and....nothing happens between the two of them. Where is the resolution?!
I enjoyed Abbey as a character and I hope that her career pursuits mean that she is getting a series of her own. I also really enjoy the way that Green can character and world build within each of the books. With every new readers have a better sense of the coven members, the town, and relationships. With the potential for Abbey to build upon that world.
I do however think that this book highlights that there needs to be a group therapy session in the Scottish Highlands. There is some unresolved generational trauma in addition to some serious miscommunication issues. It was really nice to see Penny reappear and highlight these facts a few times throughout the book.
However, if these issues were solved we would not have the completely bonkers (said with the most love) mystery that unravelled in this book. I enjoyed absolutely every minute of it and while I did see some twists coming there were a few that caught me off guard.
If you enjoy mysteries with a dash of paranormal I would highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death and Pregnancy
The content warning below contains a minor SPOILER:
Fionna is playing around with spells and one of them is designed for people to tell you their innermost thoughts. When Sally, Fionna's work colleague, is dosed the HORRIFYING secret she reveals is truly going to haunt me for the rest of my life. She describes a sexual fantasy she has about Prince Andrew and Prince Charles.......now it's disturbing enough because Prince Andrew is suspected of some very serious crimes and I in no way want to belittle that by drawing larger attention to a random comment in a book.... but the amount of detail this woman went into in such a short space of time is truly disturbing and created a vivid picture. beware.
I received an ARC of this book, which does not affect my review. Thank you to the author and Booksirens for the chance to read this book.
Fionna has spent her life feeling under confident and like she can’t measure up to her mother’s wishes, but she comes into her own in this book. It is so fun being able to follow a character you already know, but this time, from inside their own head. It gives answers to questions I had before about Fionna, or things I was curious about. In addition, we still get to see old characters in this book, like Penny, Dessie, and more. Fionna’s ability involves enchanting objects, which in my opinion is one of the best powers of them all (even though I do love Penny and Andie’s abilities). Yet her mother often puts her down, calling her irresponsible and not ready to wield this power, and Fionna doesn’t think highly of herself at all. Watching her come to stand up for herself and assert her worth was very affirming and a great storyline. Her arc was complemented nicely by Abbey’s, who is very different from Fionna in personality which makes for a very interesting relationship! Abbey is not a Tarbet witch, but she can hold her own, and she makes for a great part of Fionna’s overall story. Likewise, the reality about Magnus and his grudge against Fionna is thrilling to read.
Like both of the books before them, there is much to be unraveled when it comes to the mysteries and Fionna’s life. I love how each book deepens characters from before, yet at the same time, they could be read in any order and things would still make sense. It makes for a very accessible series that has a wonderful blend of mystery, magic, and enticing character development. And yet even though each book explores different themes, characters, and overall mysteries, the main message of sisterhood and the women in the coven supporting each other through thick and thin shines through. I absolutely love that. It’s really impossible to not fall in love with these characters, each and every one of them, and root for them deeply as they untangle past secrets and find out more about themselves, their abilities, and the people in their town. Abbey settles into her new job at the end, perfect for her, and Fionna finally has become content with all of her: the parts she used to not be confident about, the things she still might not know, and the things she used to want to hide or think made her a freak. Thus far, I have to say Fionna’s arc has been my favorite, though maybe that is because I relate to it most heavily. It is a heartwarming ending, with still more to come. I recommend the series as much, if not more, than I did before.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
This is the third book in the series but can be read as a standalone because the author provides several details of the previous books for the general understanding of witches' relations.
This book is about Fiona - a witch who can enchant objects but is so insecure that she doesn't believe in herself and mostly leads an ordinary life searching for and selling rare old books and working in a restaurant. But then one day two strangers (Abbey - the private investigator and Magnus Jr - a mage) come to town and change her life.
What I liked: 1. the humor. There were several funny scenes throughout the book. My favorite was the one in Mrs. MacDonald's house when Abbey and Magnus came to talk to her. He was so sure of himself and thought everyone was afraid of him, but the head of the coven showed him his place and I was so there for it. 😄
2. the story. We learn more and more about witches in the coven, their special abilities (Tara's talent just blew my mind!), there is also a mystery from the past, which makes the story dynamic and impossible to put down.
3. the characters. The author did a great job with the characters because they did not leave me indifferent. Magnus Jr was such an unpleasant guy, everything in him from appearance to his behavior made me dislike him with every interaction. In the end though when he was boasting about his talent and power - I had so much fun knowing that he was in for a surprise. I also liked Fiona's transformation throughout the book. She came a long way from a self-doubting witch with no major talent to a confident and positive young woman who finally believed in herself. You would know how difficult that was when you read chapter 26 in which Fiona talked to her mother Rosa and heard all these terrible things about herself.
Overall opinion: a great story in the series! The book is well-written, easy to read, and full of action. It also reminded me of a vital thing in children's upbringing - all you need is love and to believe in them - and they will blossom! I enjoyed the book very much and recommend it!
In this cozy magical series the focus this time is on Fiona, a member of the coven who has really low self esteem having been belittled by her mother almost from birth. When she discovers a love of cooking she settles in to working for Chef Drew, alongside her online rare book business. When private investigator Abbey arrives, Fiona is forced to stand up for herself, with interesting consequences.
Fiona is a really endearing character, lacking confidence, she tries to keep out of the limelight and believes that she is somehow very flawed. We get to learn a bit more about some of the other characters we’ve met in the previous books, and more about the magical abilities they have. I love the descriptions of Tarbat and the surrounding areas, and of the close knit community. At times the pace did slow a bit but it picks up again very nicely. I like the introduction of Abbey, a non witch who is thrown in amongst all of the magical goings on, having her life turned upside down by what she sees and hears, but who makes a valuable contribution to the story. A really enjoyable read, with all the loose ends nicely tidied up at in the epilogue.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I couldn’t put this book down and, also, didn’t want it to end; always a dilemma for the mind, when I thoroughly enjoy a book! The plot gathered momentum, relentlessly, with many surprising revelations. I loved how the author’s use of an epilogue tied up any and all loose ends. The story starts with a, seemingly, normal investigation, when Abbey Fine is hired to locate and retrieve a valuable, rare cookbook. When we are introduced to Fionna, we begin to see that this is not going to be a straightforward case, when we realise that Fionna is a witch and part of an established and ancient Scottish coven. Although a witch, Fionna believes herself to be without talent, something, which we learn, is far from the truth. Green creates characters with depth, who the reader grows to like, easily. Equally, her more sinister characters have a distinct aura of evil The exception is the enigmatic Mrs MacDonald, who you must make up your own mind about. Now that Abbey’s job is focused on paranormal investigations, I look forward to accompanying her on future cases! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received a free advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
This third book in the series can be read standalone, as it provides sufficient background on the witches’ relationships. It follows Fiona, a witch with the ability to enchant objects, who feels insecure and leads a mundane life selling rare books and working at a restaurant. Her life changes when two strangers, Abbey (a private investigator) and Magnus Jr. (a mage), arrive in town.
What I liked: 1. **Humor**: The book has several funny moments, especially when Abbey and Magnus interact with Mrs. MacDonald, where Magnus’s arrogance gets challenged. 2. **Story**: The plot is engaging, revealing more about the witches’ coven and including a captivating mystery from the past. 3. **Characters**: The author crafts memorable characters. Magnus Jr. is dislikeable, which adds to the enjoyment, while Fiona’s growth from self-doubt to confidence is inspiring, especially highlighted in her conversation with her mother.
Overall, it's a well-written, action-packed story that emphasizes the importance of love and belief in oneself. I highly recommend it!
3.5 I received an ARC ebook for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Cooking Up A Witch is the second book in the Scottish Witches Mysteries series and as I liked the first two books, I was again intrigued about reading the next one. As I learned, this series is not focused on a single person, but in every book, we get to know another witch from the Scottish coven. I also like that the author does not abandon previous characters, but we meet Dessie and Penny from the previous books again. This time, it's seventeen-year-old Fionna. She was a very likable character. She's not very confident, although she can enchant numerous objects and also handle old books. One day, she is experimenting with some recipes from her grandma's old cookbooks and, as you can guess, the results are not what she'd expected. Felicity Green takes us on an entertaining, easy and mostly funny adventure. You can again read this book as a standalone because the author gives you a lot of details from the previous books.
Readers are welcomed into a charming world where magic and culinary delights collide. The story follows the journey of a young witch who struggles to find her place in the magical community.
While the premise of the book is intriguing and the blend of witchcraft and cooking is unique, the execution falls a bit short of expectations. The pacing of the story feels uneven at times, with certain plot points feeling rushed while others drag on, leading to a lack of cohesion in the narrative flow.
On a positive note, Green's writing style is engaging and lively, with vivid descriptions that bring the magical world to life. The whimsical elements peppered throughout the story add a touch of whimsy and wonder, creating an immersive reading experience.
One area where "Cooking Up A Witch" excels is in its portrayal of friendship and community. The bonds forged between the characters resonate strongly and offer heartwarming moments that showcase the power of connection and support.
Overall, "Cooking Up A Witch" is a light and enjoyable read. Fans of cozy mysteries and supernatural fiction may find enjoyment in this charming tale of a witch finding her place in the world through.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
No, the book's not a disaster, but Fiona's life sure seems to be! She's trying, but everything she tries seems to go wrong. Oh, so very wrong!
Recipes with unintended side effects, mysterious mages, a PI in search of a "stolen" book and more all seem to be conspiring to upend poor Fiona's life completely.
It doesn't help that her mother finds her a complete disappointment and she believes there's something terribly wrong with her. As it turns out the real problem was the lies and secrets (shocking, I know!).
Once again the coven comes to the rescue of someone many of them aren't too fond of and who really doesn't want much to do with them, either. But the sisterhood is real and when it really matters they're all there for each other.
This is another winner from Felicity Green. Flawed characters with good hearts trying to do their best are relatable and inspiring. The layers of the mystery keep your attention. And the payoff is worth it!
I received a free review copy of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cooking Up A Witch is the third book in the Scottish Witches cosy mystery series. I've read the previous two, and I enjoyed them both.
Each story seems to focus on a different character, and this one introduced seventeen-year-old Fionna. I thought she was a lovely character, and I was pleased to see appearances from Dessie and Penny, whom I remembered from the previous two books.
Fionna was keen to try out some recipes from her grandma's old cookbook, and this led to some unexpected results. The story was entertaining, very light, easy reading, and made me chuckle.
If you haven't read the whole series, I think the stories can be enjoyed as standalones, but if you like cosy mysteries with a little touch of magic, I would recommend this series.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author for a free copy to review.
Cooking Up a Witch, the third book in Felicity Green's enchanting series continues the adventures in the mysterious Scottish Highlands, where magic and secrets intertwine with everyday life. The story follows Fionna, a young woman with a magical gift for enchanting objects, as she navigates her newfound abilities while facing personal challenges and uncovering her family’s hidden past. With engaging characters and an atmospheric setting, this book takes readers on a spellbinding journey filled with magic, intrigue, and personal growth.
I was just as captivated reading this book as I was with the first and second. Felicity Green has an incredible gift for drawing readers into the story and bringing the characters to life. Once again, I could barely put the book down, and I can't wait to see what adventures Green will take me on in her next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What a fabulous addition to the Scottish Witches Mysteries series! In Cooking Up a Witch, the story is focused on Fionna Simmonds, a quiet and unassuming young witch with an overbearing mother. When a Fiona accidently casts a spell from a magical cook book, all hell breaks loose and the story takes off. Secrets from the past, dark characters showing up for nefarious purposes, and such a well chosen cast of characters makes this such a wonderful read. Third in the series, in each book we take a deep dive into a different character and by extension some of the outer cast is filled out a bit more. This such a well written engaging series that each book is so so difficult to put down. I eagerly await the fourth in the series.
I received a free reader's copy of this book from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
GAH.
This is another book that could have been great - but the coven is not functioning at all. Why does anyone want to be a part of it? Nobody likes anyone else, the older witches keep things from the next generation, they don't really teach them, and the next gen despise one another in a very cliquey way.
The positives here are that people SEEM to be coming together, but even so it's still tinged with light hypocricy and judgement.
Why am I reading this? Because I really want to read the fourth book, and needed the first three to understand it.
But this is definitely a bit of a chore, unfortunately. It has all the elements to be really good, but the witches all behave like teenagers in high school.
Fionna Simmonds stumbles upon a magic family cookbook that comes with consequences. Perfect cosy mystery series. This is the third book and is soooo good . When a PI has an eye for the tome, she recognises that it’s not the norm. She learns from grandmother Matilda. Cooking up magic and a little mayhem. Even magical Culinary prowess takes practice I guess… The author has taken this to new heights.This book delights and leaves the reader wanting more. It’s an immersive story with awesome characters that have depth and a familiar feel. Surreal, I do believe in magic… perfect prose , descriptors sublime and beautiful storytelling. I read an advance of this book and I’m leaving my review voluntarily and in my own thoughts.
Fionna Simmonds is suspicious when a “collector” of old cookbooks shows up at her door in the tiny highland village of Tarbet looking for a rare cookbook that is part of her family’s heritage. The woman turns out to be a private investigator hired to find the cookbook for a client but Fionna won’t give it up. She discovers the magic contained in the recipes when the dishes she prepares have unexpected consequences. The PI’s client is persistent and soon chaos descends on the quiet village.
The diverse powers of the Tarbet witches make for an exciting story. There is plenty of magic action to keep the book interesting. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
The series gets better with each book and so does the magic and the mystery.
The third book focuses on Fionna, and how she has been neglected by her own mother. This leads to her having a lot of insecurities and she doesn't have many friends.
The story delves into her past present and future as she tries to find out who she is and why does her mother not care. The story also strengthens the bond between Fionna, Andie and Penny, while also showing Tara in a better light, who is often represented as superficial.
Felicity weaves a very good mystery and I just can't keep her books down and I am very much looking forward to the fourth book.
I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is the third book in this series, and I think this is my favorite so far. The author focuses on a different protagonist in each book, and the one for this one is Fionna. We learn so much about each character with them front and center, and I like that each character stays imperfect, but we generally come to find out WHY they are sometimes a little annoying. This is not exactly a mystery, but there is suspense, some secrets revealed, and a couple of “new” characters. I am hoping this series continues for many, many characters. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
I have read all the stories in this series, and I have loved all of them, this one no exception to that. They are very well-written, the characters are all engaging, even if they can be irritating at times, and the scenery is just gorgeous too! This story deals with not only Fionna, but also Abbey. These two women have a lot in common—they are both disappointments to their mothers and don’t really fit in with others. This is the story of how both of them find acceptance with the women they are and the choices they make for their future. I cannot recommend this series highly enough!
I so enjoyed reading this third clean para witchy cozy mystery. The array of familiar and new characters some so vibrant, some more colorful and yet others more quirky even though it's the characters that will at first attract your attention you will soon realize it's the plot enticing you further through intrigue, unfolding secrets discovery of betrayals a story so captivating and engaging having you turning tantalizing page after page not noticing the passage of time until all of a sudden you're reading this stories last words .Acquire " Cooking Up a Witch " for hours of intriguing , magical mayhem and enjoyable entertainment the third book in the ( Scottish Witches Mysteries ).Kat
Cooking Up a Witch is the third book in the Scottish Witches Mysteries.
Fiona is a witch who can enchant objects. When she stumbles across her grandmother’s cookbook, she whips up a recipe with unexpected results. After a PI comes to town, intending to steal the cookbook, Fiona learns more about her heritage, and secrets are revealed.
Fiona is a wonderful character. She is well-written and likeable. I loved watching Fiona grow and transform throughout the book. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and loved the character development and worldbuilding. The author was able to capture and convey the emotions of the characters.
I really should have read the first book before I committed to reading and reviewing the whole series. Like the others so far, this one took awhile to get through. It just didn't capture my attention. The first part of the book was slow, and although it did start to pick up, it still wasn't very exciting. It was actually kind of predictable. I am more interested in the coven leader's story than anything else. I hope more of it comes out in the rest of the series. I do really like the character growth in each book. I like the magical elements. I just wish the writing was more entertaining.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Another oh my. Fionna seems to have a small talent, and even her mother down plays her abilities as a witch.
So Fionna takes a job at a restaurant. Yum, making desserts. But these desserts are very special. She actually is making the desserts from a special cookbook she purchased, that her grandmother wrote. Now someone wants her book. I would be upset that someone was trying to get my family recipes from me too.
Really enjoyed this story. Lots of activity that kept me turning pages. Couldn't put it down! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. But you will see, Fionna has secrets and so do others!!!!
This, the third book in the Scottish Witches Mysteries series, is Fionna's story. A private investigator shows up in the village to find a cookbook that Fiona might have, with the intention of returning it to its previous holder. Thanks to the coven, this goes away, and many secrets are revealed before the cookbook and its true owner are reunited. I really enjoyed this story and the way it resolved so many questions. The next book in the series is due out soon, and I can't wait to read it!
Cooking Up a Witch by Felicity Green is a different slant on mysteries. There are no murders to solve, no talking animals, but WOW, this book will keep you guessing until the very end. The amateur sleuth is not a witch! The main witch is not a sleuth! What a twist! I loved it.
The plot and characters are well developed and will keep you turning pages well into the night. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy.
Abbey's journey to find a magical cookbook leads to so much more. She meets Fionna who doesn't want to sell the book. Fiona has her own secrets to uncover. I liked seeing Fionna grow and change and become more confident. She found out so much about herself, her powers, and her sire. Abbey isn't just a pawn to be used. She comes into her own too, and I was happy to see where her career is taking off to. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
Fionna’s story is like a rollercoaster. What that young woman went through in her life, just feeling like an outsider and never being enough for her own mother. Just so very sad! But what she learns about her origins was just jaw dropping!
I loved how the entire coven came together to help and support her. That was heartwarming and beautiful. The things they all learned about each other were eye opening for them all.
It’s been enjoyable reading how with each story they are all coming together and becoming stronger friends and coven.
Fionna gets to learn from her grandmother Matilda Simmonds that she was different. Meanwhile Abbey Fins who worked at the Bed and Breakfast owned by Dessie Mckendrick is asked to find the book of a F. Simmons in Scotland. Abbey then gets introduced to Fionna who collects rare books and was also a member of the Tarbet Coven. Lots of humour and magic to make this an intriguing read. I received this ARC copy and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.
Fionna Simmonds has always been the odd one out. Suppressing an alarming magical heritage she doesn’t understand, the introverted witch keeps to herself while taking care of her grandmother’s collection of rare tomes. But when she stumbles on an old family cookbook, she’s shocked when the concoctions turn out to be mayhem-making spells.This is a good mystery. Its full of paranormal activity. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.