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Murder, She Witches #1
As the Grimoire Pages Turn: A Murder, She Witches Mystery
A serial memoirist. A tell-all witchy memoir. A body in the bookstore reading nook.
In the cozy corners of the Three Witches Bookstore, life’s usually a charming mix of tea, books, and the occasional magical mishap. For Octavia Grimstone, a witch and mystery writer, life’s just taken a turn for the intriguingly grim since she discovered a lifeless body in the store’s beloved reading nook.
Elzadora, their ancient feline familiar, is set on bringing back the store’s old magic, and she wouldn’t mind if Octavia’s co-owners were part of the ‘out with the old’ strategy.
Octavia’s the prime suspect in this unsettling murder. Not the best place for a fifty-plus witch to be. But then Cassius Morgenthrall, Grimstone Grove’s local witch doctor, comes into the picture. Awkward introductions and intriguing distractions aside, they are tangled up in breaking a curse that the memoirist left behind, threatening not just the bookstore but the lives of every author in Grimstone Grove.
As the mystery unravels, with the threat of the curse looming over them, Cassius and Octavia delve into the realm of magic and motives. Solving this mystery will take more than her usual flair for fiction and require every ounce of her magical gumption. In this case, the final chapter isn’t just about unmasking a murderer but saving the heart and essence of their magical community as the grimoire pages turn.
In the cozy corners of the Three Witches Bookstore, life’s usually a charming mix of tea, books, and the occasional magical mishap. For Octavia Grimstone, a witch and mystery writer, life’s just taken a turn for the intriguingly grim since she discovered a lifeless body in the store’s beloved reading nook.
Elzadora, their ancient feline familiar, is set on bringing back the store’s old magic, and she wouldn’t mind if Octavia’s co-owners were part of the ‘out with the old’ strategy.
Octavia’s the prime suspect in this unsettling murder. Not the best place for a fifty-plus witch to be. But then Cassius Morgenthrall, Grimstone Grove’s local witch doctor, comes into the picture. Awkward introductions and intriguing distractions aside, they are tangled up in breaking a curse that the memoirist left behind, threatening not just the bookstore but the lives of every author in Grimstone Grove.
As the mystery unravels, with the threat of the curse looming over them, Cassius and Octavia delve into the realm of magic and motives. Solving this mystery will take more than her usual flair for fiction and require every ounce of her magical gumption. In this case, the final chapter isn’t just about unmasking a murderer but saving the heart and essence of their magical community as the grimoire pages turn.
286 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2024
227 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Kat McGee
52 books48 followersSoutherner Kat McGee writes paranormal cozy mysteries set in the magical South, including visits to the mystical shores of Maine and the haunting streets of New Orleans, with a bit of mayhem thrown in. Fast-heading toward crazy-cat-lady status, she enjoys chocolate nonpareils, and her favorite mystery book and movie is Where the Crawdads Sing.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 17, 2024
This book was just to muddled for me and I nearly didn't finish it but I did and I want to say I understood it but.... The witches never seemed to understand what was going on and were just happy to accuse everybody, then immediately feel sorry for the accused. I never connected to the characters as we were introduced to too many all at once and I couldn't get to know them or get a sense of there character before the next, which is a shame because I liked the cover art and the blurb. The mystery was very complicated for a cozy with a lot of not what you think going on. Not sure I will be joining them again.
For the first time three witches own the book shop and they have big plans, like holding author readings but this don't go as planned and there first guest is found dead. She tried to buy the book shop and had an argument with all three witches, as well as a number of shoppers and even her own daughter. With her dying breath she curses the shop and now if Octavia and her friends want to continue running the shop, they will have to find her killer and remove the curse.
For the first time three witches own the book shop and they have big plans, like holding author readings but this don't go as planned and there first guest is found dead. She tried to buy the book shop and had an argument with all three witches, as well as a number of shoppers and even her own daughter. With her dying breath she curses the shop and now if Octavia and her friends want to continue running the shop, they will have to find her killer and remove the curse.
March 16, 2024
Who's Who and better yet Why
“You know yourself that being supernatural doesn’t make us all-powerful. Magic can only do so much.”
Octavia,Blanche and Violet: three witches who a bookstore chose to own it and Elzadora the familiar cat. The 4 of them face a conundrum when a "serial memorialist dies in their store and leaves behind a curse that threatens the whole of Grimestone Grove.
This is a very muddled mystery that I almost gave up on more than once. I admit to being captivated by the new cover art of Octavia and the overall reviews but there were times it seemed like the end was as murky as the curse on the bookstore. Revenge, care, truth all spun me around as falsehoods and truth did a dance. Loved the characters but the story wasn't that clear at times so I give it a 4/5
“You know yourself that being supernatural doesn’t make us all-powerful. Magic can only do so much.”
Octavia,Blanche and Violet: three witches who a bookstore chose to own it and Elzadora the familiar cat. The 4 of them face a conundrum when a "serial memorialist dies in their store and leaves behind a curse that threatens the whole of Grimestone Grove.
This is a very muddled mystery that I almost gave up on more than once. I admit to being captivated by the new cover art of Octavia and the overall reviews but there were times it seemed like the end was as murky as the curse on the bookstore. Revenge, care, truth all spun me around as falsehoods and truth did a dance. Loved the characters but the story wasn't that clear at times so I give it a 4/5
October 12, 2025
A little confusing
It took some time to clear things up, but I'm still a little confused. Convoluted mystery and not sure I agree with how it ended with Rowan and her mom. So much conjecture and with three main characters, not surprising. A few missing words and one entire paragraph duplicated meant I had reread sentences to be sure I did not miss anything. I liked the concept but felt it needed some clarity.
Three witches invite an author to host a book signing in their newly owned bookstore, where she is murdered, after reading parts of her book that hint at others actions, rather than her own. With many feeling she stole their stories and passing them as her own, the suspect list is long. Add a hex, another murder, and too many with their own magic, and the situation is almost impossible to solve.
On to book two.
It took some time to clear things up, but I'm still a little confused. Convoluted mystery and not sure I agree with how it ended with Rowan and her mom. So much conjecture and with three main characters, not surprising. A few missing words and one entire paragraph duplicated meant I had reread sentences to be sure I did not miss anything. I liked the concept but felt it needed some clarity.
Three witches invite an author to host a book signing in their newly owned bookstore, where she is murdered, after reading parts of her book that hint at others actions, rather than her own. With many feeling she stole their stories and passing them as her own, the suspect list is long. Add a hex, another murder, and too many with their own magic, and the situation is almost impossible to solve.
On to book two.
June 26, 2025
I wanted to like this book, and I thought the premise seemed interesting.
The book, objectively is pretty well-written (grammar, voice, etc.). From that perspective, there's really nothing wrong with it. In fact, anything that you might say is "wrong" with it could be seem wholly as a matter of my personal taste. I simply couldn't get into the book. It dragged in an odd sort of way, seemed a bit muddled, and I couldn't really connect with any of the characters.
On the whole, I didn't really enjoy this book, but I think that everyone should give it a chance, if it seems interesting, because we're all different in what we like. It may be your new favorite book!
The book, objectively is pretty well-written (grammar, voice, etc.). From that perspective, there's really nothing wrong with it. In fact, anything that you might say is "wrong" with it could be seem wholly as a matter of my personal taste. I simply couldn't get into the book. It dragged in an odd sort of way, seemed a bit muddled, and I couldn't really connect with any of the characters.
On the whole, I didn't really enjoy this book, but I think that everyone should give it a chance, if it seems interesting, because we're all different in what we like. It may be your new favorite book!
March 15, 2024
Three Witches, a Cat, and a Magical Bookstore
This was a different kind of cozy - and no, I won’t say why because that would give away the story.
What I liked: the characters. They are quirky and fun. And who doesn’t love a magical bookstore.
What I didn’t like: the ending. There are so many threads left dangling that the end was rather confusing and unsatisfying. This is obviously part of a series, but the end just left me frustrated.
Recommendation: As part of a series that you’re going to continue to read, recommended. But not as a stand alone.
This was a different kind of cozy - and no, I won’t say why because that would give away the story.
What I liked: the characters. They are quirky and fun. And who doesn’t love a magical bookstore.
What I didn’t like: the ending. There are so many threads left dangling that the end was rather confusing and unsatisfying. This is obviously part of a series, but the end just left me frustrated.
Recommendation: As part of a series that you’re going to continue to read, recommended. But not as a stand alone.
March 25, 2024
Curses, magic, scandals, a mystery, and a book shop
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this one. The world building was terrific. The characters were entertaining. The storyline was fascinating. There was just so much going on between the magical storyline, the scandal, and the mystery. The twists and turns were great. I also really enjoyed the bookish touches of both being set in a magical book shop and the fact that these witches were apparently writers too. It was just a good time to be had.
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this one. The world building was terrific. The characters were entertaining. The storyline was fascinating. There was just so much going on between the magical storyline, the scandal, and the mystery. The twists and turns were great. I also really enjoyed the bookish touches of both being set in a magical book shop and the fact that these witches were apparently writers too. It was just a good time to be had.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2025
It's nice seeing a novel that doesn't revolve around a 20-something. Octavia and her fellow witches, who own the Three Witches Bookstore, are all in their 50s (or somewhere around there), so they are able to use life experiences as well as their magic to solve the murder that is threatening their store.
There were a few places where I felt the author was retelling us things we'd already learned, which brought this rating down slightly from 4 stars. But, overall, it was enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
There were a few places where I felt the author was retelling us things we'd already learned, which brought this rating down slightly from 4 stars. But, overall, it was enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
June 28, 2023
a magical bookstore, shared with mundane mortals, is plagued by a jealous want to be owner and her extended family drama- followed by death.
can the three witches and their associates unravel the related mysteries, spells, and other associated action?
it's certainly fun to read while they try!
can the three witches and their associates unravel the related mysteries, spells, and other associated action?
it's certainly fun to read while they try!
October 26, 2023
I was enthralled from the beginning with this book. The storyline was intense and kept the reader guessing what would happen next. The twist at the end was unexpected. Characters were strong and well developed. A little romance, witches, hexes and curses--what more can you ask for. Recommend reading.
April 5, 2024
My First Book by Kat McGee
Not my favorite subject in reading material. I'm not a witch and magic fan, but this book was very entertaining. I usually read cozy mysteries, although this book has the most beautiful book cover and it was free I couldn't resist.
Not my favorite subject in reading material. I'm not a witch and magic fan, but this book was very entertaining. I usually read cozy mysteries, although this book has the most beautiful book cover and it was free I couldn't resist.
September 15, 2024
Another paranormal bookstore that also has readings of books in the Three Witches Bookstore that has tea, books and magical mishaps. I loved Elzadora, feline familiar bringing back the store's old magic. There is murder, a surprise and a possible curse on the bookstore.
July 10, 2023
Engaging and entertaining
April 18, 2024
I liked it.
April 18, 2024
loved it
Lots of twists and turns. Kept me on my feet. Better than I thought it would be.So if you want ha quick read, enjoy!
Lots of twists and turns. Kept me on my feet. Better than I thought it would be.So if you want ha quick read, enjoy!
July 30, 2024
the golden girls influence was a tad bit too potent but i felt the vibes and what the author was going for so, i enjoyed it
October 9, 2025
You'll get whiplash from trying to follow the plot
There was a lot going on in this book, too much. But there was also a lot of fully developed characters and details.
There was a lot going on in this book, too much. But there was also a lot of fully developed characters and details.
October 29, 2025
Free for review:
Good story line. Needs better proofing. Couldn't make myself finish. Not for me. I like the cat character tho, cute.
Good story line. Needs better proofing. Couldn't make myself finish. Not for me. I like the cat character tho, cute.
April 28, 2025
A fun little story. Nothing special, but very cozy and entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews