Pawsitive Beginnings

Mystic Notch #0.5

by Leighann Dobbs

Willa Chance has just inherited her grandmotehrs bookstore... little does she know it comes with a couple of mischevious ghosts and a mystery solving cat!

When a body is found behind her store, Willa finds herself embroiled in a twisty mystery. She can't help but try to solve it despite the warnings of her sister, Gus, the county Sherriff. Luckily Willa has her senior sleuth bookstore regulars, and the Mystic Notch cats, to help her out!

Enjoy Willa and Pandora's first adventure in this Mystic Notch prequel!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Fantasy, Novella, Paranormal Mystery, Animals

126 pages, Paperback

Published June 16, 2024

About the author

USA Today bestselling author, Leighann Dobbs, discovered her passion for writing after a twenty year career as a software engineer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.

Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.

Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.

Reviews

[Sherry Sharpnack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is a prequel to the Mystic Notch Cozy series starring Willa and her paranormal cat, Pandora. Pandora is part of a group of cats who keep the magical stuff on the "down low" in Mystic Notch. Willa knows NOTHING about this when her Grandmother dies and leaves her a bookshop.
However, the two of them manage to solve the mystery of a dead man found by the dumpster behind the shop.
I had a suspicion as to the identity of the murderer, but wasn't sure, which is key to my enjoying a cozy mystery. I assume that WIlla will catch on to Pandora's abilities, as there is a complete series of these books by prolific cozy-mystery author, Leighann Dobbs. [I have apparently read "Ghostly Paws," book #1 in the series (according to my Kindle anyway)]. This was a short, enjoyable read on my way home from a bus tour of the Mississippi. 4 stars.

[Rebecca Cecil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This looks like it us going to be a great new series.
This first starter book was great. Never heard if this author but enjoyed her book very much.
A murder mystery with some magical cats who help the town. If only Pandora's human could communicate with her and visa-versa.

[monacia williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willa is finding her place in Notch

I read a few of the Pawsitive books before I read this introduction , I am not sure if I had read this one first that I would have read them. This book read almost like a stand alone rather than a teaser.
It was a fairly good read, the cats were intriguing. It is Pandora's story, but Otis was more than interesting and Willa did not have a clue as to cat behaviour.
Interesting characters, both human and feline. Go ahead and read.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stepping outside the back of the bookstore she inherited from her grandmother, Willa Chance made a grisly discovery - the body of the town's building inspector. Known for his inflexible attitude, the man had made many enemies. Who hated him enough to want him dead, and why?

This prequel to the Mystic Notch Cozy Mystery Series is a snapshot of all the good things to come in the following books. Willa is a sympathetic character and her cat, Pandora, is almost the star of the show. The mystery in this story is a condensed taste of the regular series but contains all the elements of a great cosy. What a fun read!

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a prequel to the Mystic Notch series, and it does exactly what a prequel should do - it left me wanting more. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, so it can also be read as a standalone, which I really appreciate.

Willa has inherited her grandmother's bookstore, complete with two famous resident ghosts who bicker a lot, and a mysterious cat named Pandora. Her grandmother has always had a gray cat named Pandora so Willa assumes every time one passes, it's replaced with a look-alike and she has always used the same name - because a cat can't live to be 50, can it?

Willa finds herself wrapped up in a mystery soon after taking over the book store when the body of a very much disliked building inspector dies behind her store. Luckily for Willa, her sister is the Sheriff since everyone begins looking at Willa like she's a murderess.

This is a story line that I've read before, but this one has some very interesting twists and turns that kept me reading. I'm always drawn to books with magick and that take place in book stores or libraries. This one is well worth reading.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Prequel

Always nice to have more of the backstory to a series. This is a short read and not every question is answered. Ahh, but book one awaits a re-read!

I truly feel for Pandora's frustration as she waits for Willa to truly hear her. Pandora and Team Cats are well drawn, as are the rest of the characters introduced. I am always impressed when a writer can give me a clear sense of multiple people, each one unique, in a short book. It was a fun read.

Content: Clean

Happy Reading!

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willa Chance has just inherited her grandmothers bookstore... little does she know it comes with a couple of mischievous ghosts and a mystery solving cat!

When a body is found behind her store, Willa finds herself embroiled in a twisty mystery. She can't help but try to solve it despite the warnings of her sister, Gus, the county Sheriff. Luckily Willa has her senior sleuth bookstore regulars, and the Mystic Notch cats, to help her out!

Enjoy Willa and Pandora's first adventure in this Mystic Notch prequel!

[M. Aiken · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast read a fun read and escape from reallity

I have read most of the other books in the series. I love them all But this one is a special favorite because I needed to get out of reality for a little while. I needed to spend time with old friends which the other books have made these characters for me. I don't think I ever want to run a bookstore but it's fun to listen to her talk about the people who come and go from the store. Willa trying to figure out who did the latest murder It's well worth the read

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat's meow

Willa inherited her grandmother's bookstore and her cat Pandora. Her sister Agusta, Gus, is the sheriff in Mystic Notch. Neither of them knows it is a magical place with a band of magical cats keeping watch. When the city building inspector is murdered Willa can't help herself from investigating the murder despite Gus's warning to stop. Will it cost Willa her life? Can the magical cats save her?

[Sharon M. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willa and Pandora Solve the Case

Willa has inherited her Grandmother's book store and cat named Pandora. Said cat is a magical creature that is charged with keeping her town safe from evil magical people. A body is found behind the book store and Willa feels that its her duty to find the killer. Short but sweet read!

[Huldie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Prequel

The Mystic Notch series by Leighann Dobbs is delightful. Willa inherits a bookstore from her grandmother and returns to the town where she and her sister, Gus, were raised. Neither sister knows that the town is filled with magic, nor that the town's cats help fight crime.

[Vicki M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of Paws

Very easy to read as this book keeps your attention at every page turn! Willa and her sister Gus, the sheriff, solve a murder with the help of Willa's paranormal cat...well all the Mystic Notch Protection Cat's Group as well as the feral cats. Can't wait to read the entire Mystic Notch Cozy Mystery Series!

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute novella. Beginning of the Mystic Notch series. Willa has inherited her grandmother's house & bookshop in Mystic Notch. Along with the shop she also inherits her cat who, along with other felines in the town, possess magical powers.

[Lisa Bussom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thankfully I got this book free from Prime first reads. The plot was dull and the characters had no depth. This is a prequel to a series and it assumes you already know much about the main characters.

[Alice Anne Bluhm · Rating 5 out of 5]

magic ,friends and cats

This was a surprisingly good book.I can’t wait for the next one and if it’s as good as the first,I will definitely buy the set.This was about family,friends and magical cats!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good start to a new series. Pandora, the cat, is the main character in this book. Willa the new owner of the bookstore has no idea of who Pandora really is. This book sets up the premise for the next books in the series. Recommend reading.

[Marilyn Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Having read the series years ago this was a refresher course. I love this series and Leighann does not disappoint. I love the small paranormal aspect and Pandora and the cats are great. I would recommend this book and the series to others.

[Crystal Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit too short

The murder was solved way too quick and the murderer confessed long before there was any real evidence against them.

Also, I kept expecting both Gus and Willa to start hearing Pandora in the last chapter.

[Debi Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

I love this series! It was so fun to go back and see how it all started. Great characters. Great mystery. I need to go back and re-read this series!

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Bradley and why??? For something he had??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[M M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novella.

I have read others in this series. This is a preview of what future books will be like . Enjoyable.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysterious doings & mystical cats

I loved the mystical cats, but the humans were almost boring sidekicks. I will look for more to read and see if this improves.

[Crystal Abbott · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. I honestly can’t recommend this. The plot was weak and the ending rushed. I’m glad I got it free.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Murder Mystery

The cats solved the case. The cats were magical and were really as smart as they could be.
I own this book. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Rose Mcclarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

[Chris Grizzle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an introduction to a new series. Looks like it will be a good one!

[Sienna S'Zell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet, a good start to lots of good stories.

[Kayla Gabbard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such a cute novella. I think I’m going to try the next book and see if it can keep my attention better.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ⭐⭐⭐
Short and sweet.
Got this book for free during stuff your kindle event.
The other books are not on ku and cost money so will.not be continuing with the series.

[Alayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't find this book interesting I'm afraid, and so I read the first part and the last part but not the middle.