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The Skeleton Crew #1
A Curse for Samhain
Welcome to the Skeleton Crew. Bring your knitting needles and a good, strong brew.
Gender fluid, autistic vampire Hyde Snodgrass runs Between the Leaves—a cosy village book store. Their life revolves around books, all things autumnal, and the two cats who rule their world. The shop also plays host to a weekly knitting group called the Skeleton Crew.
When one of the leaders of the village coven fails to show up for the weekly knitting meeting, Hyde finds themselves investigating a horrific murder side by side with their long-term crush, Teresa Vega.
Suspicion immediately falls on other members of their group. Hyde and Teresa struggle to find answers to the growing list of questions. It’s made all the more difficult when the killer has them in their sights.
Can working together spark the romantic flame within them?
Will they solve the mystery before death comes too close?
Gender fluid, autistic vampire Hyde Snodgrass runs Between the Leaves—a cosy village book store. Their life revolves around books, all things autumnal, and the two cats who rule their world. The shop also plays host to a weekly knitting group called the Skeleton Crew.
When one of the leaders of the village coven fails to show up for the weekly knitting meeting, Hyde finds themselves investigating a horrific murder side by side with their long-term crush, Teresa Vega.
Suspicion immediately falls on other members of their group. Hyde and Teresa struggle to find answers to the growing list of questions. It’s made all the more difficult when the killer has them in their sights.
Can working together spark the romantic flame within them?
Will they solve the mystery before death comes too close?
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2024
About the author
Dahlia Donovan
50 books780 followersDahlia Donovan wrote her first romance series after a crazy dream about shifters and damsels in distress. She prefers irreverent humour and unconventional characters. An autistic and occasional hermit, her life wouldn’t be complete without her husband and her massive collection of books and video games.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
October 15, 2025
So, romance isn’t my thing. Neither is fantasy. There was a bit (slight bit) of a mystery element here, so, you know, one out of three. I read as part of the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2025, prompt 22, Read a holiday romance that isn’t Christmas. I had really dreaded this task but it wasn’t too bad at all.
Hyde is a gender-fluid, autistic vampire (how is that for niche?) living and running a bookstore in South Myrddin in Scotland, a place where a lot of outcast mystical people (think druids, werewolves, etc.) make their homes. Hyde has fallen for Teresa, her next door neighbor, who is a witch and runs a taco business. A member of their knitting group is killed. Who is the killer and Will Hyde and Teresa get together?
This couldn’t be cozier and I can see why fans of the genre would like it. It’s the first in a series, but I don’t know how many there are. I won’t read any more, but if these types of books are your thing, it’s cute, and short.
Hyde is a gender-fluid, autistic vampire (how is that for niche?) living and running a bookstore in South Myrddin in Scotland, a place where a lot of outcast mystical people (think druids, werewolves, etc.) make their homes. Hyde has fallen for Teresa, her next door neighbor, who is a witch and runs a taco business. A member of their knitting group is killed. Who is the killer and Will Hyde and Teresa get together?
This couldn’t be cozier and I can see why fans of the genre would like it. It’s the first in a series, but I don’t know how many there are. I won’t read any more, but if these types of books are your thing, it’s cute, and short.
September 11, 2024
This was so cosy, perfect for some fall romance reading! I especially loved the characters - an autistic vampire???
July 28, 2024
I received a free copy through GRR and voluntarily reviewed it.
After reading the Honey Bear Cosy Mystery series I knew I wanted to read more by this author and this series just sounded so good, so I requested it right away when I saw it pop up on GRR. A Curse for Samhain follows genderfluid autistic vampire Hyde as well as witch Teresa. It's told in dual points of view and has a romantic plot line as well. One of Hyde's friends get killed and they and Teresa get involved in trying to figure out what had happened.
The mystery was a bit of a sad one as a friend of Hyde dies, so there are some parts that deal with the grief and mourning. Besides the murder there also are some other suspicious things happening as well. The actual mystery progresses quite quickly as it's a relatively quick read and there aren't many suspects, so not a big surprise who the murderer is, but despite that I still enjoyed seeing it all play out. And it was interesting how the mystery has a magical twist as well.
I really liked the characters in this book, both the main characters and side characters are all great. And the town and cosy vibe is well done too. I especially liked Hyde, whose a genderfluid autistic vampire. I thought they were just such a fun character to read about. I am autistic myself and it's inspiring reading about an autistic character who is more settled in their identity and can effectively communicate what they need to others. The whole town and community is all very accepting and while there are hints that most characters don't have a great past, in this town everyone accepts each other. It was very comforting and inspiring to read about that.
There's a romantic plot line as well as Hyde and Teresa who are close friends grow even closer throughout the mystery investigation. I liked reading about these two and thought they made for a great couple. I like how they are there for each other and seeing their friendship grow into romance was great to see.
I also really liked the paranormal aspect and reading a bit about the different types of paranormals that live in the city. It's also a pretty important part of the story and interwoven in the plot.
To summarize: I really liked this book, it's a nice cosy and comforting read. The paranormal aspect was well done and an important part of the plot. I liked reading about Hyde whose a genderfluid autistic vampire and I liked how settled they are in their identities and could effectively communicate what they needed, which is inspiring to read about. There is a well done romantic plot line as well and I liked reading about Teresa and Hyde and seeing their friendship develop into romance throughout the investigation. The mystery is pretty straightforward, but I still enjoyed seeing it all play out. All in all I had a great time with this book and look forward to the next one.
After reading the Honey Bear Cosy Mystery series I knew I wanted to read more by this author and this series just sounded so good, so I requested it right away when I saw it pop up on GRR. A Curse for Samhain follows genderfluid autistic vampire Hyde as well as witch Teresa. It's told in dual points of view and has a romantic plot line as well. One of Hyde's friends get killed and they and Teresa get involved in trying to figure out what had happened.
The mystery was a bit of a sad one as a friend of Hyde dies, so there are some parts that deal with the grief and mourning. Besides the murder there also are some other suspicious things happening as well. The actual mystery progresses quite quickly as it's a relatively quick read and there aren't many suspects, so not a big surprise who the murderer is, but despite that I still enjoyed seeing it all play out. And it was interesting how the mystery has a magical twist as well.
I really liked the characters in this book, both the main characters and side characters are all great. And the town and cosy vibe is well done too. I especially liked Hyde, whose a genderfluid autistic vampire. I thought they were just such a fun character to read about. I am autistic myself and it's inspiring reading about an autistic character who is more settled in their identity and can effectively communicate what they need to others. The whole town and community is all very accepting and while there are hints that most characters don't have a great past, in this town everyone accepts each other. It was very comforting and inspiring to read about that.
There's a romantic plot line as well as Hyde and Teresa who are close friends grow even closer throughout the mystery investigation. I liked reading about these two and thought they made for a great couple. I like how they are there for each other and seeing their friendship grow into romance was great to see.
I also really liked the paranormal aspect and reading a bit about the different types of paranormals that live in the city. It's also a pretty important part of the story and interwoven in the plot.
To summarize: I really liked this book, it's a nice cosy and comforting read. The paranormal aspect was well done and an important part of the plot. I liked reading about Hyde whose a genderfluid autistic vampire and I liked how settled they are in their identities and could effectively communicate what they needed, which is inspiring to read about. There is a well done romantic plot line as well and I liked reading about Teresa and Hyde and seeing their friendship develop into romance throughout the investigation. The mystery is pretty straightforward, but I still enjoyed seeing it all play out. All in all I had a great time with this book and look forward to the next one.
July 25, 2025
This was such a cute and cozy mystery read. I loved the whole idea of having this town with all these mystical beings all with a neurological disorder or something. I love having an autistic vampire lead this was such a refreshing comfort read
July 28, 2024
This was such cute and cosy paranormal mystery.
A Curse for Samhain - A Poisoned Witch’s Brew is the first book in The Skeleton Crew series and centres around Hyde who is a gender fluid, autistic vampire. Hyde runs the village bookstore and lives next door to their crush and best friend Teresa Vega.
When one of the leaders of the village coven fail to show to a weekly knitting group called the Skeleton Crew, Hyde and Teresa find themselves investigating a terrible murder.
There is very light romance with no spice and one of the most inclusive books I’ve ever read.
Overall it was a cute and cozy read, where outcast vampires, witches, shifters, dryads and chaos cats live together in a small Scottish village. It’s not too long and a perfect book for in between heavier reads for something light and fun.
Thank you to Hot Tree Publishing and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A Curse for Samhain - A Poisoned Witch’s Brew is the first book in The Skeleton Crew series and centres around Hyde who is a gender fluid, autistic vampire. Hyde runs the village bookstore and lives next door to their crush and best friend Teresa Vega.
When one of the leaders of the village coven fail to show to a weekly knitting group called the Skeleton Crew, Hyde and Teresa find themselves investigating a terrible murder.
There is very light romance with no spice and one of the most inclusive books I’ve ever read.
Overall it was a cute and cozy read, where outcast vampires, witches, shifters, dryads and chaos cats live together in a small Scottish village. It’s not too long and a perfect book for in between heavier reads for something light and fun.
Thank you to Hot Tree Publishing and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2025
the murder mistery itself was not a mistery and felt like the subplot of a subplot. the two main charcters are very nicely written but everybody else falls fully flat
August 12, 2026
Hyde is an autistic, gender fluid vampire living in a small village in Scotland with lots of other assorted magical residents who feel that they don't fit in elsewhere. When one of their knitting group is murdered, the town residents try to help the local police. Then her best friend's taco bus is vandalized, and many wonder what will happen next in a town unaccustomed to strife.
August 6, 2024
Imagine a chilly Halloween night, rain tapping on the windows, and you’re wrapped up in your favorite blanket with a steaming mug of tea. Now, add a sprinkle of magic, a pinch of mystery, and a dash of whimsy—and you’ve got "A Curse for Samhain"!
This book is the literary equivalent of a warm, fuzzy hug. Set in the South Myrddin, where “normal” is a word that’s left at the town’s edge, we follow Hyde, a gender-fluid character who runs the local bookstore (aka, heaven on earth for book lovers) and who also happens to be autistic. Hyde’s autism is portrayed with such authenticity and respect, making this one of those rare gems where representation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s beautifully done.
The village itself is a haven for those who don’t quite fit in elsewhere, and you’ll quickly feel like one of the gang. The atmosphere is so richly described, you can practically feel the warmth of the crackling fire as you flip the pages. The murder mystery at the heart of the story isn’t nail-bitingly intense, but that’s what makes it the perfect cozy read—it’s a gentle puzzle that’s as comforting as a cup of hot cocoa on a rainy day.
Now, let’s talk about the cast of characters—because they are as delightfully diverse as the magical beings that call Myrddin home. We’ve got witches, druids, shape-shifters, and a taco truck-driving witch named Teresa (yes, you read that right). There’s a lovely thread of romance between Hyde and Teresa that’s more sweet than spicy, and it adds just the right amount of heart to the story.
The only tiny downside? There’s not a motive for a murder and not all the secrets are revealed in my opinion, but maybe that will be more clear in a future books, and I’m already impatient for the next one! But hey, that’s just an excuse to re-read this one while I wait.
In short, "A Curse for Samhain" is a wonderfully inclusive, cozy mystery that’s brimming with charm, humor, and just the right amount of Halloween magic. If you’re looking for a book that will make you smile, wrap you in a warm, fuzzy feeling, and leave you wishing for a village like that, to move into, this is it. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a good cozy mystery with a side of supernatural fun !!! It was such an enjoyable read.
#dahliadonovanauthor
#hottreepublishing
#kasiarybka
This book is the literary equivalent of a warm, fuzzy hug. Set in the South Myrddin, where “normal” is a word that’s left at the town’s edge, we follow Hyde, a gender-fluid character who runs the local bookstore (aka, heaven on earth for book lovers) and who also happens to be autistic. Hyde’s autism is portrayed with such authenticity and respect, making this one of those rare gems where representation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s beautifully done.
The village itself is a haven for those who don’t quite fit in elsewhere, and you’ll quickly feel like one of the gang. The atmosphere is so richly described, you can practically feel the warmth of the crackling fire as you flip the pages. The murder mystery at the heart of the story isn’t nail-bitingly intense, but that’s what makes it the perfect cozy read—it’s a gentle puzzle that’s as comforting as a cup of hot cocoa on a rainy day.
Now, let’s talk about the cast of characters—because they are as delightfully diverse as the magical beings that call Myrddin home. We’ve got witches, druids, shape-shifters, and a taco truck-driving witch named Teresa (yes, you read that right). There’s a lovely thread of romance between Hyde and Teresa that’s more sweet than spicy, and it adds just the right amount of heart to the story.
The only tiny downside? There’s not a motive for a murder and not all the secrets are revealed in my opinion, but maybe that will be more clear in a future books, and I’m already impatient for the next one! But hey, that’s just an excuse to re-read this one while I wait.
In short, "A Curse for Samhain" is a wonderfully inclusive, cozy mystery that’s brimming with charm, humor, and just the right amount of Halloween magic. If you’re looking for a book that will make you smile, wrap you in a warm, fuzzy feeling, and leave you wishing for a village like that, to move into, this is it. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a good cozy mystery with a side of supernatural fun !!! It was such an enjoyable read.
#dahliadonovanauthor
#hottreepublishing
#kasiarybka
August 8, 2024
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
A Curse for Samhain is the first book in The Skeleton Crew series by author Dahlia Donovan. A new cozy mystery filled with a diverse cast of paranormal characters.
This novella sized mystery centers on gender fluid autistic vampire Hyde and their best friend Teresa, a witchy chef. They live in a little town that a haven for paranormal creatures who weren't expected where they originated from. Therefore it's not the norm for a citizen to turn up murdered or property to get ransacked. Hyde and Teresa find themselves in the middle of the drama and Hyde attempt to sleuth out the culprit on their own.
As with all of Dahlia Donovan's stories the Queer rep and the autistic rep are wonderfully done. Hyde sometimes wakes up feeling feminine with 'she/her' pronouns and other days not so much and feel more comfortable with 'they/them' . Hyde also has non verbal days as well and the entire town accepts and respects however he feels each day.
The innocent friends to lovers romance between Hyde and Teresa will warm your heart as they attempt to have a first date, share sweet kisses , and finally admit their long harbored crushes on each other.
Overall, A Curse for Samhain is a charming cozy mystery staring a gender fluid autistic vampire and a witchy taco bus owner. A small town mystery with a plethora of paranormal beings, murder, danger, sleuthing, and a happy ending for our MCs.
A Curse for Samhain is the first book in The Skeleton Crew series by author Dahlia Donovan. A new cozy mystery filled with a diverse cast of paranormal characters.
This novella sized mystery centers on gender fluid autistic vampire Hyde and their best friend Teresa, a witchy chef. They live in a little town that a haven for paranormal creatures who weren't expected where they originated from. Therefore it's not the norm for a citizen to turn up murdered or property to get ransacked. Hyde and Teresa find themselves in the middle of the drama and Hyde attempt to sleuth out the culprit on their own.
As with all of Dahlia Donovan's stories the Queer rep and the autistic rep are wonderfully done. Hyde sometimes wakes up feeling feminine with 'she/her' pronouns and other days not so much and feel more comfortable with 'they/them' . Hyde also has non verbal days as well and the entire town accepts and respects however he feels each day.
The innocent friends to lovers romance between Hyde and Teresa will warm your heart as they attempt to have a first date, share sweet kisses , and finally admit their long harbored crushes on each other.
Overall, A Curse for Samhain is a charming cozy mystery staring a gender fluid autistic vampire and a witchy taco bus owner. A small town mystery with a plethora of paranormal beings, murder, danger, sleuthing, and a happy ending for our MCs.
February 2, 2025
Thank you to hottreepublishing for providing me with a review copy of this lovely book!
4⭐️
In January I finally jumped into The Skeleton Crew Cozy Mystery Series and I have been having a great time!
The series follows Hyde, an asexual, gender fluid vampire who lives within a closely knit supernatural community. Their life gets flipped upside down when a resident within the town is mysteriously murdered and Hyde finds themselves tangled in the investigation and with their own life threatened.
I love a cozy mystery and the cast of characters we have are all so interesting and fun and I love learning their background. A key character is Teresa, a witch who owns a food truck, and who Hyde is falling for who gets swept up in the mystery. She is such a strong character and a lot of fun to read about.
There are also the members of their local knitting club who all have their own quirky personalities and backstories! The characters really are the backbone of the series and due to them I couldn’t help but fall in love with the little town of South Myrddin! Hyde also has two cats who are full of personality so of course I was all in 🥰🥰
This series is definitely shaping up to be a comfort read, it is full of quirky characters, wholesome found family dynamics with an interesting mystery plot line that seems will be continuing on in the rest of the series. I’d definitely recommend checking this series out!
4⭐️
In January I finally jumped into The Skeleton Crew Cozy Mystery Series and I have been having a great time!
The series follows Hyde, an asexual, gender fluid vampire who lives within a closely knit supernatural community. Their life gets flipped upside down when a resident within the town is mysteriously murdered and Hyde finds themselves tangled in the investigation and with their own life threatened.
I love a cozy mystery and the cast of characters we have are all so interesting and fun and I love learning their background. A key character is Teresa, a witch who owns a food truck, and who Hyde is falling for who gets swept up in the mystery. She is such a strong character and a lot of fun to read about.
There are also the members of their local knitting club who all have their own quirky personalities and backstories! The characters really are the backbone of the series and due to them I couldn’t help but fall in love with the little town of South Myrddin! Hyde also has two cats who are full of personality so of course I was all in 🥰🥰
This series is definitely shaping up to be a comfort read, it is full of quirky characters, wholesome found family dynamics with an interesting mystery plot line that seems will be continuing on in the rest of the series. I’d definitely recommend checking this series out!
September 3, 2024
Tropes:
cozy mystery
LGBTQ+
mental health
neurodivergent
paranormal
friends to lovers
found family
I found A Curse for Samhain super cute and cozy. It takes place in the Scottish village of South Myrddin, a place for the paranormal odd balls- as some call them- can live in peace and found family. The story focuses on autistic, gender-fluid vampire Hyde and their friend Teresa, a witch. A member of the witch coven was found murdered and Hyde and Teresa investigate their friend's murder in the small village.
Hyde is adorable. She/They (depending on the day) lives with her 2 cat familiars and they are beloved by the community. Hyde is innocent, and friendly, and I found their inner dialogue to be authentic. Teresa suffers from anxiety and I found that so relatable in today's world. I wanted to know who committed the murder and I wanted the Hyde/Teresa to be more than friends. I'm excited to read more Skeleton Crew (the knitting group) books in the future to learn more about the other characters who live in South Myrddin. Overall, very cute cozy mystery and a nice quick read!
cozy mystery
LGBTQ+
mental health
neurodivergent
paranormal
friends to lovers
found family
I found A Curse for Samhain super cute and cozy. It takes place in the Scottish village of South Myrddin, a place for the paranormal odd balls- as some call them- can live in peace and found family. The story focuses on autistic, gender-fluid vampire Hyde and their friend Teresa, a witch. A member of the witch coven was found murdered and Hyde and Teresa investigate their friend's murder in the small village.
Hyde is adorable. She/They (depending on the day) lives with her 2 cat familiars and they are beloved by the community. Hyde is innocent, and friendly, and I found their inner dialogue to be authentic. Teresa suffers from anxiety and I found that so relatable in today's world. I wanted to know who committed the murder and I wanted the Hyde/Teresa to be more than friends. I'm excited to read more Skeleton Crew (the knitting group) books in the future to learn more about the other characters who live in South Myrddin. Overall, very cute cozy mystery and a nice quick read!
August 8, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
I snapped this one up because I loved the idea of a cozy paranormal. But almost from the start, I had issues with this book. I did enjoy the MCs, and liked their banter as they got closer to each other. I liked that there was disability, mental health, and multiple sexuality representations. But I found the whole thing to be very surface level, and much of the story is glossed over instead of explored with any kind of depth.
Overall, this book had tons of potential that, for me, was never really realized. It had its good moments and things I really liked seeing. But as a whole, it missed the mark for me. I’d only recommend this to readers who are looking for a quick read that don’t mind if the mystery isn’t a surprise.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
I snapped this one up because I loved the idea of a cozy paranormal. But almost from the start, I had issues with this book. I did enjoy the MCs, and liked their banter as they got closer to each other. I liked that there was disability, mental health, and multiple sexuality representations. But I found the whole thing to be very surface level, and much of the story is glossed over instead of explored with any kind of depth.
Overall, this book had tons of potential that, for me, was never really realized. It had its good moments and things I really liked seeing. But as a whole, it missed the mark for me. I’d only recommend this to readers who are looking for a quick read that don’t mind if the mystery isn’t a surprise.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
August 10, 2024
This book, while short, was sweet, tense, and cozy. I loved how the author depicted autism, anxiety, OcD and mental health disorders. It was beautifully written. I loved the inclusion of gender fluidity, how beautifully accepted it was, the care shown by the community to consider whether Hyde was a they or a she each day, and the considerations taken to accept her autism requirements. I loved the love between our main characters, I loved how it developed and how you felt the shyness between them. The mystery in the murder and other happenings was well done, you were guessing until the end, however I do wish there was more investigation, more diving into grimouirs and discoving who was the murderer, or the culprit to the poisoning and break in. Ultimately i really enjoyed this story and I would recommend it. I look forward to reading more from this author.
August 9, 2024
What a cute little PNR cozy mystery! It isn't quite fall yet but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the aesthetic of this book. Although it'd be perfect for a Halloween read. This one follows gender fluid and autistic vampire Hyde, and they try to solve a murder with the help of their "motorcycle kitchen witch" and crush Teresa (what a badass).
It's cozy and full of fall vibes and awesome rep. It's easy to read and a great one for if you want a shorter story that still has lots to it. Hyde and Teresa complimented each other nicely and I enjoyed their dynamic. A good read!
It's cozy and full of fall vibes and awesome rep. It's easy to read and a great one for if you want a shorter story that still has lots to it. Hyde and Teresa complimented each other nicely and I enjoyed their dynamic. A good read!
February 18, 2025
This was a cute little gay romance had me smiling kicking my feet and throwing my kindle. I wish this book was longer especially because I wanted to know more about the love story! Morter and pestle were my favorite characters out of all this one of the best reads I've read so far
April 8, 2025
As sweet cozy fantasy mystery with romance. I loved Teresa and Hyde together - they were so respectful and lovely as a couple. The author did a great job with the setting, making the town a warm place to visit. Can’t wait to read the next in the series!
July 5, 2025
4.5 stars, for the autistic nb mc who runs a bookshop and gets to have a shhhhh sign. The dreeeeam. And everyone in the town just gets it. Is so understanding of everyone else.Is it the best murder mystery of all time? Absolutely not. But we are here for the vibes. Quozies forever.
August 10, 2024
Hyde is a genderfluid autistic vampire living in an amazingly accepting town full of beings who had been outcasts. Their feelings, changing gender and energy levels were so beautifully accepted and easily taken into account by others that it gave me lots of warm fuzzy feelings. The careful beginning of a romance with Teresa was really sweet. The murder mystery was interesting, although I didn't really find a motive - perhaps more in the next book? Delightful short read.
October 21, 2025
This was a refreshing read. Really enjoyed it. Autistic nonbinary vampire, Latinx witch with anxiety, druids, warlocks and more; with different ethnicities, etc. Found family in a cozy accepting community. Also, amateur sleuthing and a murder mystery. It really has it all and it does so beautifully. Looking forward to reading the second book in the series.
April 2, 2025
Cosy read with fav representation. Really nice to have a neurodivergent main character be so well written .
August 31, 2025
Can a murder mystery really be cosy, though??
August has decided it’s actually autumn, and I fuckin' love autism season so I wanted to get a headstart on the seasonal reading. I also wanted something kinda light after Hell Followed With Us, if only for contrast. So I found this funny little novel(la?) about a genderfluid vampire of autism, which sounded kind of up my street. Cozy murder mystery, though?
My concern from the outset was that these “genres” (as much as you could call “cozy” a genre) don’t really go together. The only other murder-mystery I’ve read is Whispering Oaks by Stephanie Shea, and that’s a nice dark-ish read with smouldering protagonist Cassidy always angsting about making out with her terrible new gf, right? Surely one of these “genres” will eat the other, I thought, but as it turns out they just kinda rub up on eachother uncomfortably.
It’s a small contemporary Scottish village for like, wayward urban-fantastical creatures, so there are werewolves and seers and shifters and vampires, like our Hyde, who has some familial issues with their vampire lineage. Primarily their uncle Pacheco is chief inspector of the local cops and eldest of the local vampire coven. As a result they aren’t at all interested in the bloodsucking community. They do hang out with plenty of people in town, they run a bookstore, have a flirt or two with the witch lady who lives out of a bus, (Teresa) it’s all kind of fit to be described as “twee” until a local witch gets murdered.
Mostly A Curse For Samhain is a pretty normal (if non-grisly) murder mystery with a bunch of lifestyle signifiers strewn about. Is this what “cosy” actually means, small-town Euro-coded cottagecore semi-pastoral living? It’s a book of small-town chumminess, specific and presumably expensive teas, small business, neighbours looking out for one another, artisan production, you know, stuff that’s not really objectionable on its face but that tends to be the domain of weird retvrn fantasies. It’s like point-for-point what Tolkien longed for, but with less outwardly scuffed shit. As a result it kind of runs up against the same problems I have enjoying Harvest Moon games, for example, like social links feeling insincere because the world they reside in is too.
I think the attempt to insert queer (and neurodiverse, waow) characters into the cozy fantasy is well-meaning but doesn’t gel well. Maybe it feels like the chief detective guy would be a casual queerphobe if he were a real guy, maybe my brain is just poisoned by reading too much absurd and forward-looking trans lit and stuff, but it feels like instagram posts, like a sign downtown that says support your local businesses! and shit like that. I’ll always feel better about making our own traditions than co-opting dorky ye-old-timey cottagecore stuff, I guess.
Despite all of that I don’t dislike A Curse, mostly on the strength of Hyde. She’s not a super complex character, but the gender fluidity and big autism serve as well realised foundations for their guileless demeanour and bookish dweeb behaviour. Even with the weirdly close-knit village I still had a pretty good sense for how being autistic changes Hyde’s everyday goings on, which I like, and she hates and has disowned her family which rules. I hate when this kind of retvrn stuff tries to extol the virtues of the nuclear family for queers, so Hyde wins extra points in my book. Also they wear a jumper with the collar of a button-up sticking out the top which made me feel very validated.
I’m less warm about Teresa, who doesn’t really seem to have a ton of character traits. We know what Hyde likes about Teresa, i.e. that she seemed like a super hardcore motorcycle witchdyke or something, but actually just uses magic to make tacos and chill, but the same doesn’t really apply for Teresa in this book. She likes their cats and stuff, knows how to interact with their sensory needs and such, but other than clinging to the family grimoire we don’t get a ton about her. She and Hyde have decent chemistry at least, their flirting is fun to read and I like that they’re sort of an established couple to begin with. Talking of established couples though, you know the extremely famous webnovel Unjust Depths? You know Murati and Karuniya? I do sorta see some parallels...
The murder of a friend of theirs also doesn’t disturb Hyde and Teresa’s ongoing courtship, which is good! I think maybe a cosy setting, a murder mystery and a romance all-in-one either needs to be longer (this is a series to be fair, but still) or pick two. There were a bunch of times when Hyde and Teresa are relationshipping that I honestly forgot there was a murderer afoot. I think it’s a lot to juggle at once. It’s a weird combo and ping-ponging back and forth between the beginnings of a new love and quasi-investigating a murder don’t really blend well for this one. It’s fine I guess, my hunch is that the murder-mystery component of this is not gonna be huge for genre fans, but it also doesn’t help that the writing is kind of basic.
You start every day (about three or so in this one) with what kind of pronoun day it is for Hyde, for example, which is detail I appreciate... even though she has a sign in the bookstore for it. Plus, this book uses per-chapter POV labels even though it’s close-third-person narration. Things get told to you before you’re shown, is my point. There’s a lot of that actually, mostly for dumb little things and character introductions. Every time a new name comes up there’s a guaranteed paragraph of expository narration which I think could be worked into the story more elegantly.
Most of A Curse For Samhain isn’t super elegant, though. Around chapter 17 you go from literally a scene of Hyde and Teresa being very serious about their relationship and mushy, to the chief detective guy barging in to question Hyde, to Teresa getting captured by an unknown assailant. What’s to be considered the limit of “cosy” fiction? To me it feels really weird that these genre ingredients all got intertwined. For me to like it, I think A Curse needed either a more grounded (read: less cottagecore) setting or for the murder mystery to be rejigged. As it stands it’s like reading half a dorky romance novel and half a whodunnit, which is not a combo I appreciate much. Having said that though, A Curse is also not bad, it’s short and has a strong lead, and I enjoyed it enough while it was there. It’s Fine, I Guess(TM)
August has decided it’s actually autumn, and I fuckin' love autism season so I wanted to get a headstart on the seasonal reading. I also wanted something kinda light after Hell Followed With Us, if only for contrast. So I found this funny little novel(la?) about a genderfluid vampire of autism, which sounded kind of up my street. Cozy murder mystery, though?
My concern from the outset was that these “genres” (as much as you could call “cozy” a genre) don’t really go together. The only other murder-mystery I’ve read is Whispering Oaks by Stephanie Shea, and that’s a nice dark-ish read with smouldering protagonist Cassidy always angsting about making out with her terrible new gf, right? Surely one of these “genres” will eat the other, I thought, but as it turns out they just kinda rub up on eachother uncomfortably.
It’s a small contemporary Scottish village for like, wayward urban-fantastical creatures, so there are werewolves and seers and shifters and vampires, like our Hyde, who has some familial issues with their vampire lineage. Primarily their uncle Pacheco is chief inspector of the local cops and eldest of the local vampire coven. As a result they aren’t at all interested in the bloodsucking community. They do hang out with plenty of people in town, they run a bookstore, have a flirt or two with the witch lady who lives out of a bus, (Teresa) it’s all kind of fit to be described as “twee” until a local witch gets murdered.
Mostly A Curse For Samhain is a pretty normal (if non-grisly) murder mystery with a bunch of lifestyle signifiers strewn about. Is this what “cosy” actually means, small-town Euro-coded cottagecore semi-pastoral living? It’s a book of small-town chumminess, specific and presumably expensive teas, small business, neighbours looking out for one another, artisan production, you know, stuff that’s not really objectionable on its face but that tends to be the domain of weird retvrn fantasies. It’s like point-for-point what Tolkien longed for, but with less outwardly scuffed shit. As a result it kind of runs up against the same problems I have enjoying Harvest Moon games, for example, like social links feeling insincere because the world they reside in is too.
I think the attempt to insert queer (and neurodiverse, waow) characters into the cozy fantasy is well-meaning but doesn’t gel well. Maybe it feels like the chief detective guy would be a casual queerphobe if he were a real guy, maybe my brain is just poisoned by reading too much absurd and forward-looking trans lit and stuff, but it feels like instagram posts, like a sign downtown that says support your local businesses! and shit like that. I’ll always feel better about making our own traditions than co-opting dorky ye-old-timey cottagecore stuff, I guess.
Despite all of that I don’t dislike A Curse, mostly on the strength of Hyde. She’s not a super complex character, but the gender fluidity and big autism serve as well realised foundations for their guileless demeanour and bookish dweeb behaviour. Even with the weirdly close-knit village I still had a pretty good sense for how being autistic changes Hyde’s everyday goings on, which I like, and she hates and has disowned her family which rules. I hate when this kind of retvrn stuff tries to extol the virtues of the nuclear family for queers, so Hyde wins extra points in my book. Also they wear a jumper with the collar of a button-up sticking out the top which made me feel very validated.
I’m less warm about Teresa, who doesn’t really seem to have a ton of character traits. We know what Hyde likes about Teresa, i.e. that she seemed like a super hardcore motorcycle witchdyke or something, but actually just uses magic to make tacos and chill, but the same doesn’t really apply for Teresa in this book. She likes their cats and stuff, knows how to interact with their sensory needs and such, but other than clinging to the family grimoire we don’t get a ton about her. She and Hyde have decent chemistry at least, their flirting is fun to read and I like that they’re sort of an established couple to begin with. Talking of established couples though, you know the extremely famous webnovel Unjust Depths? You know Murati and Karuniya? I do sorta see some parallels...
The murder of a friend of theirs also doesn’t disturb Hyde and Teresa’s ongoing courtship, which is good! I think maybe a cosy setting, a murder mystery and a romance all-in-one either needs to be longer (this is a series to be fair, but still) or pick two. There were a bunch of times when Hyde and Teresa are relationshipping that I honestly forgot there was a murderer afoot. I think it’s a lot to juggle at once. It’s a weird combo and ping-ponging back and forth between the beginnings of a new love and quasi-investigating a murder don’t really blend well for this one. It’s fine I guess, my hunch is that the murder-mystery component of this is not gonna be huge for genre fans, but it also doesn’t help that the writing is kind of basic.
You start every day (about three or so in this one) with what kind of pronoun day it is for Hyde, for example, which is detail I appreciate... even though she has a sign in the bookstore for it. Plus, this book uses per-chapter POV labels even though it’s close-third-person narration. Things get told to you before you’re shown, is my point. There’s a lot of that actually, mostly for dumb little things and character introductions. Every time a new name comes up there’s a guaranteed paragraph of expository narration which I think could be worked into the story more elegantly.
Most of A Curse For Samhain isn’t super elegant, though. Around chapter 17 you go from literally a scene of Hyde and Teresa being very serious about their relationship and mushy, to the chief detective guy barging in to question Hyde, to Teresa getting captured by an unknown assailant. What’s to be considered the limit of “cosy” fiction? To me it feels really weird that these genre ingredients all got intertwined. For me to like it, I think A Curse needed either a more grounded (read: less cottagecore) setting or for the murder mystery to be rejigged. As it stands it’s like reading half a dorky romance novel and half a whodunnit, which is not a combo I appreciate much. Having said that though, A Curse is also not bad, it’s short and has a strong lead, and I enjoyed it enough while it was there. It’s Fine, I Guess(TM)
October 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
This book is a cozy fantasy with a touch of mystery and just enough danger to keep things interesting, while still wrapping you up in sweet, magical vibes where everyone belongs.
I picked this book up for free during a Stuff Your Kindle event and honestly, it really surprised me. I’m honestly wondering why we’re not talking about this book more… and why it has more 4-star reviews than 5-star ones?
A lot of readers (myself included) love the “Pumpkin Spice & Poltergeist” and “Curses and Cold Brews” Maple Hollow books (a newer series). I gave those 5 stars too. This book has a very similar feel: cozy, magical, and full of heart. But, with some meaningful differences that deserve recognition.
✨ What’s similar
It’s set in a small, magical town built intentionally for magical folks who’ve been outcasted by their families or other communities. There’s a wonderfully diverse range of magical beings including witches, vampires, werewolves, druids, and more. Each have their own role in the community.
Unlike the Maple Hollow series, this town is closed to outsiders, focused on keeping its residents safe. I loved this concept.
🧠 What sets it apart (and why this matters)
This book shines with its neurodivergent representation. It doesn’t just hint at it—it’s central to the story and beautifully woven into the characters’ identities.
🎃 One FMC is non-binary and doesn’t always identify as “she.” They’re also a vampire living with autism, and the way the author portrayed their lived experience was so well done 👏🏼.
🎃 The second FMC is a witch with severe anxiety, and the narrative doesn’t shy away from showing what that actually means for her day-to-day life.
🎃 Other characters deal with OCD and other mental health challenges, and the story treats these with care and respect.
I can’t express enough how meaningful it was to see these identities represented as magical, capable, and part of a supportive community. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider due to neurodivergence or sexual orientation, this story will make you feel seen.
🌶️ About the spice level
There is no spice in this book, and honestly that was very appropriate for this story. The intimacy and connection between characters were portrayed in a way that made sense for who they are. If the story had been spiced up, it honestly wouldn’t have felt true to their neurodivergent experiences.
I know a lot of us love sapphic spice, and that’s totally fine! I do too! But, not every sapphic book needs it to be good. I hope people aren’t rating this book lower simply because it doesn’t include it. It’s sweet, real, and exactly right for these characters.
🧡 Final thoughts
The pacing was perfect, the characters were authentic, and I couldn’t put it down. It’s almost cozy mystery adjacent but firmly rooted in fantasy with its magical town and cast.
If we’re giving the Maple Hollow series 5 stars, this series deserves it too, especially with its real representation of neurodiversity. This book was such a beautiful, cozy surprise, and I’ll absolutely be reading the rest of the series.
This book is a cozy fantasy with a touch of mystery and just enough danger to keep things interesting, while still wrapping you up in sweet, magical vibes where everyone belongs.
I picked this book up for free during a Stuff Your Kindle event and honestly, it really surprised me. I’m honestly wondering why we’re not talking about this book more… and why it has more 4-star reviews than 5-star ones?
A lot of readers (myself included) love the “Pumpkin Spice & Poltergeist” and “Curses and Cold Brews” Maple Hollow books (a newer series). I gave those 5 stars too. This book has a very similar feel: cozy, magical, and full of heart. But, with some meaningful differences that deserve recognition.
✨ What’s similar
It’s set in a small, magical town built intentionally for magical folks who’ve been outcasted by their families or other communities. There’s a wonderfully diverse range of magical beings including witches, vampires, werewolves, druids, and more. Each have their own role in the community.
Unlike the Maple Hollow series, this town is closed to outsiders, focused on keeping its residents safe. I loved this concept.
🧠 What sets it apart (and why this matters)
This book shines with its neurodivergent representation. It doesn’t just hint at it—it’s central to the story and beautifully woven into the characters’ identities.
🎃 One FMC is non-binary and doesn’t always identify as “she.” They’re also a vampire living with autism, and the way the author portrayed their lived experience was so well done 👏🏼.
🎃 The second FMC is a witch with severe anxiety, and the narrative doesn’t shy away from showing what that actually means for her day-to-day life.
🎃 Other characters deal with OCD and other mental health challenges, and the story treats these with care and respect.
I can’t express enough how meaningful it was to see these identities represented as magical, capable, and part of a supportive community. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider due to neurodivergence or sexual orientation, this story will make you feel seen.
🌶️ About the spice level
There is no spice in this book, and honestly that was very appropriate for this story. The intimacy and connection between characters were portrayed in a way that made sense for who they are. If the story had been spiced up, it honestly wouldn’t have felt true to their neurodivergent experiences.
I know a lot of us love sapphic spice, and that’s totally fine! I do too! But, not every sapphic book needs it to be good. I hope people aren’t rating this book lower simply because it doesn’t include it. It’s sweet, real, and exactly right for these characters.
🧡 Final thoughts
The pacing was perfect, the characters were authentic, and I couldn’t put it down. It’s almost cozy mystery adjacent but firmly rooted in fantasy with its magical town and cast.
If we’re giving the Maple Hollow series 5 stars, this series deserves it too, especially with its real representation of neurodiversity. This book was such a beautiful, cozy surprise, and I’ll absolutely be reading the rest of the series.
October 14, 2024
Overall: C+
This book has so much potential. I love the setting and the concept. Honestly? This is the first book that I read that has a wide representation of race, cultures, disabilities and mental health. Everyone is just accepting and respecting each other regardless of who they are. I wish I could live in a world like this. The supernatural aspect was a nice addition but I'm not sure how some of the nonhuman races worked. For example: Hyde is a vampire. They have strong sense of smell and heightened hearing. Why does Pacheco, the head constable and leader of local vampire coven, not have similar abilities? If I missed something, someone let me know.
Speaking of Hyde, their friends talk about how special and amazing they are but I don't see anything special about them. They show their perceptive abilities in some ways and they seem like a nice person but I didn't get the praise they got so much (maybe I just expect nice people to be nice people? I dunno). Also, their amazing perception is called into question for me when
There is some tension between Pacheco and Hyde that is given a minor explanation that isn't expanded on. So, because of this, we should dislike Pacheco off the bat. However, he didn't come across as assholish to me? We just have Hyde and other characters' saying that he is. It felt like he was rude because people were rude to him first. After a while, Hyde's constant distate for the man was annoying and felt like getting in the way. HE IS JUST DOING HIS JOB, HYDE!
I will say Teresa is likeable and her personality complements Hyde's well. Their relationship development is cute. The other characters are fine but because of the book length, they aren't that deep or super interesting.
The story is just surface-level. Maybe because I'm just dipping my toes into the cutesy cozy mystery genre but this is too shallow for me. We had a red herring that was never followed up with (they were introduced in the beginning and only show up at the end). There were no clues or twists to help the reader determine who the culprit was. The book just says "This person did it! Roll end credits." Maybe the problem is the books brevity? The ending feels like a rushed conclusion rather than a gratifying resolution.
I'm in the same boat as Hyde (autistic queers unite!). It was nice to see a character cut from the same cloth even if I didn't completely agree with their actions. As hard as I am on them and the story, I'm still going to read the next one. I really love the concept and maybe the next one will be better.
This book has so much potential. I love the setting and the concept. Honestly? This is the first book that I read that has a wide representation of race, cultures, disabilities and mental health. Everyone is just accepting and respecting each other regardless of who they are. I wish I could live in a world like this. The supernatural aspect was a nice addition but I'm not sure how some of the nonhuman races worked. For example: Hyde is a vampire. They have strong sense of smell and heightened hearing. Why does Pacheco, the head constable and leader of local vampire coven, not have similar abilities? If I missed something, someone let me know.
Speaking of Hyde, their friends talk about how special and amazing they are but I don't see anything special about them. They show their perceptive abilities in some ways and they seem like a nice person but I didn't get the praise they got so much (maybe I just expect nice people to be nice people? I dunno). Also, their amazing perception is called into question for me when
There is some tension between Pacheco and Hyde that is given a minor explanation that isn't expanded on. So, because of this, we should dislike Pacheco off the bat. However, he didn't come across as assholish to me? We just have Hyde and other characters' saying that he is. It felt like he was rude because people were rude to him first. After a while, Hyde's constant distate for the man was annoying and felt like getting in the way. HE IS JUST DOING HIS JOB, HYDE!
I will say Teresa is likeable and her personality complements Hyde's well. Their relationship development is cute. The other characters are fine but because of the book length, they aren't that deep or super interesting.
The story is just surface-level. Maybe because I'm just dipping my toes into the cutesy cozy mystery genre but this is too shallow for me. We had a red herring that was never followed up with (they were introduced in the beginning and only show up at the end). There were no clues or twists to help the reader determine who the culprit was. The book just says "This person did it! Roll end credits." Maybe the problem is the books brevity? The ending feels like a rushed conclusion rather than a gratifying resolution.
I'm in the same boat as Hyde (autistic queers unite!). It was nice to see a character cut from the same cloth even if I didn't completely agree with their actions. As hard as I am on them and the story, I'm still going to read the next one. I really love the concept and maybe the next one will be better.
September 2, 2024
If you’ve ever wanted your cozies bundled into one package, it has finally happened!
Mystery cozy – check!
Bookstore cozy (complete with cats) – check!
Knitting cozy – check!
Romance cozy – check!
Paranormal cozy – check!
Whole town coziness? Check, check, and check!
Somewhere in Scotland is a village hidden from the world where paranormals who are not accepted for who they are by family can be welcomed for who they are. It’s an eclectic community who understand, accept, and even celebrate each other’s differences be they LGBTQ+, genderfluid, witch, vampire, druid, autistic, or cope with OCD.
Hyde is a genderfluid autistic vampire who has figured out how to convey who she/they are on any given day and it’s wonderful watching how the community interacts with her/them. Teresa is a witch who’s converted a double decker bus into a taco stand on the bottom and house on the top. Teresa is patiently wooing Hyde and the romance is very sweet.
Hyde finds one of her/their friends and one of the town’s coven leaders murdered in the witche’s home. The plot attempts to cast Hyde as murderer, but it’s a weak attempt at best and more of plot device to show even in this welcoming town, not everyone gets along.
Dovetailing on that, I did find the book description a bit misleading, however, as Hyde doesn’t really investigate anything in the usual sense of a murder cozy. Hyde and Teresa ask a few questions at what I consider appropriate times and places more out of curiosity and a sense of loss, narrowly avoid being killed themselves, and eventually the antagonist is caught. I thought the whodunit was anticlimactic, but it worked for the setting and characters.
My overall impression is ‘A Curse for Samhain’ is about building relationships, defining friendship and family, and standing up for oneself when others want to put you in a box because that’s where they think you’ll be “safe” and “happy”. I also think this would be an excellent book to market to GLBTQ+ and autistic (or similar) pre-teens, teens, or young adults.
This is a very sweet, no-angst, all-inclusive “cozy” perfect for unwinding after work, a vacation read, or a lazy weekend escape.
NOTE: This book was provided by GRRT and the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Mystery cozy – check!
Bookstore cozy (complete with cats) – check!
Knitting cozy – check!
Romance cozy – check!
Paranormal cozy – check!
Whole town coziness? Check, check, and check!
Somewhere in Scotland is a village hidden from the world where paranormals who are not accepted for who they are by family can be welcomed for who they are. It’s an eclectic community who understand, accept, and even celebrate each other’s differences be they LGBTQ+, genderfluid, witch, vampire, druid, autistic, or cope with OCD.
Hyde is a genderfluid autistic vampire who has figured out how to convey who she/they are on any given day and it’s wonderful watching how the community interacts with her/them. Teresa is a witch who’s converted a double decker bus into a taco stand on the bottom and house on the top. Teresa is patiently wooing Hyde and the romance is very sweet.
Hyde finds one of her/their friends and one of the town’s coven leaders murdered in the witche’s home. The plot attempts to cast Hyde as murderer, but it’s a weak attempt at best and more of plot device to show even in this welcoming town, not everyone gets along.
Dovetailing on that, I did find the book description a bit misleading, however, as Hyde doesn’t really investigate anything in the usual sense of a murder cozy. Hyde and Teresa ask a few questions at what I consider appropriate times and places more out of curiosity and a sense of loss, narrowly avoid being killed themselves, and eventually the antagonist is caught. I thought the whodunit was anticlimactic, but it worked for the setting and characters.
My overall impression is ‘A Curse for Samhain’ is about building relationships, defining friendship and family, and standing up for oneself when others want to put you in a box because that’s where they think you’ll be “safe” and “happy”. I also think this would be an excellent book to market to GLBTQ+ and autistic (or similar) pre-teens, teens, or young adults.
This is a very sweet, no-angst, all-inclusive “cozy” perfect for unwinding after work, a vacation read, or a lazy weekend escape.
NOTE: This book was provided by GRRT and the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
July 23, 2024
This is one of the most inclusive books I've ever encountered!
In the heart of a quaint village, Hyde Snodgrass, a gender fluid, autistic vampire, finds solace in their bookstore, Between the Leaves, where books and autumn reign supreme alongside their two feline companions. The store is also home to the Skeleton Crew, a cozy knitting group. When a member of the village coven mysteriously vanishes from a knitting meeting, Hyde joins forces with their crush, Teresa Vega, to unravel a chilling murder. As suspicion grips the group, Hyde and Teresa navigate a web of secrets and danger, their own feelings deepening amidst the threat of a relentless killer. Can they uncover the truth before they become the next targets?
Set in a mystical village where creatures like vampires, witches, druids, and shape-shifters coexist, it celebrates diversity in every sense. The characters span the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, featuring gender-fluid and two-spirited individuals, and represent various body types, races, and ethnicities. What's especially commendable is the authentic portrayal of characters with autistic traits and mental illnesses like OCD, anxiety, and panic attacks, adding depth and realism to their experiences.
The village itself, described as a haven "for the lost to find their way," embraces outcasts and the disowned, forming a touching narrative of found family. The atmosphere is beautifully warm and accepting, creating a cozy mystery that feels like a comforting hug on a chilly autumn night.
The narrative is rich with a plethora of characters, each with a brief but intriguing history that leaves the reader eager to witness their growth throughout the series. The book balances its mystical elements with quirky statements and humor, poking gentle fun at the various supernatural beings involved.
Overall, this is the warmest, fuzziest cozy mystery I've read, blending inclusivity, romance, and a delightful sense of humor into a captivating tale of belonging despite tragedies around us.
In the heart of a quaint village, Hyde Snodgrass, a gender fluid, autistic vampire, finds solace in their bookstore, Between the Leaves, where books and autumn reign supreme alongside their two feline companions. The store is also home to the Skeleton Crew, a cozy knitting group. When a member of the village coven mysteriously vanishes from a knitting meeting, Hyde joins forces with their crush, Teresa Vega, to unravel a chilling murder. As suspicion grips the group, Hyde and Teresa navigate a web of secrets and danger, their own feelings deepening amidst the threat of a relentless killer. Can they uncover the truth before they become the next targets?
Set in a mystical village where creatures like vampires, witches, druids, and shape-shifters coexist, it celebrates diversity in every sense. The characters span the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, featuring gender-fluid and two-spirited individuals, and represent various body types, races, and ethnicities. What's especially commendable is the authentic portrayal of characters with autistic traits and mental illnesses like OCD, anxiety, and panic attacks, adding depth and realism to their experiences.
The village itself, described as a haven "for the lost to find their way," embraces outcasts and the disowned, forming a touching narrative of found family. The atmosphere is beautifully warm and accepting, creating a cozy mystery that feels like a comforting hug on a chilly autumn night.
The narrative is rich with a plethora of characters, each with a brief but intriguing history that leaves the reader eager to witness their growth throughout the series. The book balances its mystical elements with quirky statements and humor, poking gentle fun at the various supernatural beings involved.
Overall, this is the warmest, fuzziest cozy mystery I've read, blending inclusivity, romance, and a delightful sense of humor into a captivating tale of belonging despite tragedies around us.
August 2, 2024
This is the cutest most inclusive paranormal cozy mystery I have ever read 🧡
Alright let’s get to the good stuff!
Tropes:
🧡Found Family
✨Mental Health Reps
🧡LGBTQAI+
✨Paranormal Romance
🧡Autistic MC
✨Murder, Break-in, Poisoning
🧡Cozy Mystery
A Curse for Samhain - A Poisoned Witch’s Brew is the first book in The Skeleton Crew series.
The book centers around Hyde. They are a gender fluid, autistic vampire who is extremely cute & very witty! Hyde runs the towns bookstore (Between the Leaves) & has cute little signs that they change every day depending on wether they feel more inclined to be addressed as a she or they & if they feel chatty or need silence 🧡 Along with running the bookstore he also cares for Mortar & Pestle the two cutest cats who are very smart!
Hydes bookstore is right next to Teresa’s Guac-A-Mole food bus (not truck 😅)! Teresa is a long time friend that became Hyde’s crush 🧡
When one of the members of The Skeleton Crew Knitting Club did not show up one night, Hyde & Teresa set out to investigate what happened. Turns out the member of the club was murdered & now Hyde & Teresa have a mystery on their hands.
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Overall this is an amazing book!
Donovan wrote this cute cozy paranormal mystery in such a way that kept me hooked & guessing what would happen next.
I absolutely loved the variety of different creatures due to the village being a haven “for the lost to find their way”. There were druids, vampires, witches & shifters (honorable mention for the duck shifter) 😅🧡
The sense of found family was strong in this one, especially because everyone protected Hyde & they were so understanding & supportive.
If you are looking for a cozy mystery look no further. This is the one 🧡 Safe to say I will be reading more books by this Author.
Alright let’s get to the good stuff!
Tropes:
🧡Found Family
✨Mental Health Reps
🧡LGBTQAI+
✨Paranormal Romance
🧡Autistic MC
✨Murder, Break-in, Poisoning
🧡Cozy Mystery
A Curse for Samhain - A Poisoned Witch’s Brew is the first book in The Skeleton Crew series.
The book centers around Hyde. They are a gender fluid, autistic vampire who is extremely cute & very witty! Hyde runs the towns bookstore (Between the Leaves) & has cute little signs that they change every day depending on wether they feel more inclined to be addressed as a she or they & if they feel chatty or need silence 🧡 Along with running the bookstore he also cares for Mortar & Pestle the two cutest cats who are very smart!
Hydes bookstore is right next to Teresa’s Guac-A-Mole food bus (not truck 😅)! Teresa is a long time friend that became Hyde’s crush 🧡
When one of the members of The Skeleton Crew Knitting Club did not show up one night, Hyde & Teresa set out to investigate what happened. Turns out the member of the club was murdered & now Hyde & Teresa have a mystery on their hands.
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Overall this is an amazing book!
Donovan wrote this cute cozy paranormal mystery in such a way that kept me hooked & guessing what would happen next.
I absolutely loved the variety of different creatures due to the village being a haven “for the lost to find their way”. There were druids, vampires, witches & shifters (honorable mention for the duck shifter) 😅🧡
The sense of found family was strong in this one, especially because everyone protected Hyde & they were so understanding & supportive.
If you are looking for a cozy mystery look no further. This is the one 🧡 Safe to say I will be reading more books by this Author.
August 15, 2026
A cozy, low-stakes mystery (with a splash of romance) set in a fantasy world, fantasy both in the witches/vampires/druids/etc of it all and also in the existence of a place like South Myrddin, a safe space accepting of all outcast and also being so socially well-run and economically sustainable. This story is perfect for anybody who just wants a feel-good vibe without any complicated plot.
The length of the novella serves the story well: not too long such that this lower-tension mystery/romance becomes boring, but it’s also not long enough to have this many characters. The amount of times I had to ctrl+F for characters is staggering for a short read time. The too-many-characters syndrome also results in the problem of characters appearing and disappearing from scenes randomly. Every characters is also all described with such obvious traits that it wasn’t even a mystery who the two final suspects are. Also one of the suspects admits to the crime off-scene?? Kind of a wild choice imo but not the worst.
As a huge romance lover, the romance plot line is rather disappointing. Hyde and Teresa is cute and all, but there isn’t any proper tension or build-up throughout the book to make me invested in their relationship. Their kiss scene has absolutely zero build up that I, a sucker for kiss scenes, felt nothing towards it. I would say Hyde’s relationship with Pacheco is more engaging and has a more interesting growth trajectory compared to their romance.
Overall, if you’re looking for any kind of mystery or romance, I wouldn’t recommend this book. But if you just want a good time cozying up in a feel-good fantasy world with fun and cute characters, this book would be worth a quick check.
The length of the novella serves the story well: not too long such that this lower-tension mystery/romance becomes boring, but it’s also not long enough to have this many characters. The amount of times I had to ctrl+F for characters is staggering for a short read time. The too-many-characters syndrome also results in the problem of characters appearing and disappearing from scenes randomly. Every characters is also all described with such obvious traits that it wasn’t even a mystery who the two final suspects are. Also one of the suspects admits to the crime off-scene?? Kind of a wild choice imo but not the worst.
As a huge romance lover, the romance plot line is rather disappointing. Hyde and Teresa is cute and all, but there isn’t any proper tension or build-up throughout the book to make me invested in their relationship. Their kiss scene has absolutely zero build up that I, a sucker for kiss scenes, felt nothing towards it. I would say Hyde’s relationship with Pacheco is more engaging and has a more interesting growth trajectory compared to their romance.
Overall, if you’re looking for any kind of mystery or romance, I wouldn’t recommend this book. But if you just want a good time cozying up in a feel-good fantasy world with fun and cute characters, this book would be worth a quick check.
August 12, 2024
Hyde is a vampire that was thrown out of their coven and family. Because they were different from everybody else they were autistic, and have different pronouns they/them/she. What I like about their character is how the author wrote them. I love the way how they described in detail about this character goes through on a day-to-day basis with their autism also with their identity. And also how they cope with every day life. I also like that Hyde can be themselves around Teresa. Teresa is a witch that suffers from anxiety. I like that she is a carefree person and knows what she wants. I also like that she is so patient with Hyde and doesn’t want to rush things between them, because she knows that they may uncomfortable. Right off the bat. When you see these two together you can see they belong together. I like the fact that they help each other out with their mental health, and everything else going around in their lives, and they stick around for each other. Both of them together have so many funny and wholesome moments and there’s so much more that you’ll read throughout the book that will make you laugh and smile. I love the fact of the story is a cozy, romantic mystery story. You see them working on the mystery of finding out what happened to one of the other people and their knitting group. And that’s what brings them together and the towns people closer to them. What I like about this whole town is the appreciate and except outcast. Then these two cats in this book they’re so funny, and I love the fact that they help protect Hyde, and help them with was every day life. I cannot wait to see what else this author writes next’s for the series.
August 8, 2024
Reviewed by Robyn for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner
“Samhain is a pagan religious festival. It is usually celebrated from October 31 to November 1 to welcome the harvest and usher in “the dark half of the year.” Celebrants believe that the barriers between the physical and spirit worlds break down during Samhain.” I love learning new things, and this was so much fun.
Nobody can write a cosy mystery quite like this author, with her autistic lead characters, small village support and atmosphere, and quirky little bits and pieces. Was it predictable? Not really, but it does make you ponder things after the author throws out some clues.
I’m not usually a big paranormal fan, but I can honestly say that I enjoyed every single part of this entertaining story, from its vampires to its witches and loads more. The romance between lead characters Teresa and Hyde is so sweet, too.
This is a fabulous book. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great cosy mystery, and I’m already looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
“Samhain is a pagan religious festival. It is usually celebrated from October 31 to November 1 to welcome the harvest and usher in “the dark half of the year.” Celebrants believe that the barriers between the physical and spirit worlds break down during Samhain.” I love learning new things, and this was so much fun.
Nobody can write a cosy mystery quite like this author, with her autistic lead characters, small village support and atmosphere, and quirky little bits and pieces. Was it predictable? Not really, but it does make you ponder things after the author throws out some clues.
I’m not usually a big paranormal fan, but I can honestly say that I enjoyed every single part of this entertaining story, from its vampires to its witches and loads more. The romance between lead characters Teresa and Hyde is so sweet, too.
This is a fabulous book. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great cosy mystery, and I’m already looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
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August 4, 2024
A paranormal cozy murder mystery type series, oh yes please! This first instalment by Dahlia Donovan hits all the right cozy paranormal places. It’s a short easy read and I got lost in it for an afternoon. It’s got mystery, found family, paranormal, magic, small quaint interesting village and easy to follow storyline.
Our GFMC(gender fluid main character, don’t know if that’s a thing but I like it) Hyde is a book obsessed autistic vampire. Got awesome realistic representation in a fantasy world. Bringing real world challenges to paranormal beings.
A town to find your own family, a place to call home.
When a member of the knitting crew is found unalived and seems like people are targeting her and her long term crush Teresa. Hyde and Teresa must get to the bottom of what’s going on whilst navigating their feelings for each other.
“I’m very good with other people’s crises. Terrible with my own” if that ain’t the truth!
I know inclusivity should be everywhere but gosh I loved the rep in this book! Probably the most inclusive and realistic one I’ve read so far!
This is book one and I can’t wait for more! I’m super keen for book two in this series!!!
“ I am a chubby ginger icon.
I can sieze the day.
Or I can sieve a book to read.
That sounds better.
I’ll seize a book”
Also I love the dedication ‘For my found family’. Gorgeous!
Thankyou so much to Hot Tree Publishing these are my totally honest and totally awesome opinions
Our GFMC(gender fluid main character, don’t know if that’s a thing but I like it) Hyde is a book obsessed autistic vampire. Got awesome realistic representation in a fantasy world. Bringing real world challenges to paranormal beings.
A town to find your own family, a place to call home.
When a member of the knitting crew is found unalived and seems like people are targeting her and her long term crush Teresa. Hyde and Teresa must get to the bottom of what’s going on whilst navigating their feelings for each other.
“I’m very good with other people’s crises. Terrible with my own” if that ain’t the truth!
I know inclusivity should be everywhere but gosh I loved the rep in this book! Probably the most inclusive and realistic one I’ve read so far!
This is book one and I can’t wait for more! I’m super keen for book two in this series!!!
“ I am a chubby ginger icon.
I can sieze the day.
Or I can sieve a book to read.
That sounds better.
I’ll seize a book”
Also I love the dedication ‘For my found family’. Gorgeous!
Thankyou so much to Hot Tree Publishing these are my totally honest and totally awesome opinions
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