The Backyard Suspects

Trouble Down Under #5

by P.A. Mason

A neighbor's suspicious fall. A magical awakening gone wrong. A mystery that hits too close to home.

Kat Crowe's life is anything but ordinary. When her neighbor Beverley takes a mysterious tumble from a ladder, Kat's green witch instincts tell her something's amiss. But before she can dig deeper, a shocking magical manifestation in her friend's daughter, Shianne, turns her world upside down.

As if juggling a landscaping business and keeping her magical abilities under wraps wasn't enough, Kat now faces a series of unexplained events that threaten the peace of her quiet rural community. With each incident more baffling than the last, Kat can't shake the feeling that these aren't mere coincidences.

With her coven at the ready, Kat dives headfirst into a whirlpool of mysteries. But as she chases leads and casts spells, her budding romance with Travis hangs in the balance. Can Kat uncover the truth and keep her town safe while hiding her magical world from the man she's falling for?

The Backyard Suspects is the fifth book in the Trouble Down Under series—a paranormal cozy mystery with a horticultural twist. If you enjoy small-town intrigue, magical mishaps, and the challenges of nurturing new love amidst secrets, you'll be enchanted by P.A. Mason's latest tale of witchcraft and mystery in rural Australia.

Genres: Fantasy

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2024

About the author

Paula Mason is an author from Australia who can’t quite decide if magic should be used for solving small-town mysteries, fighting dragons, or surviving a near-future war zone—so she writes all the things.

By day, Paula is a social worker with a deep grounding in social justice and a fascination with how culture, identity, and resilience help people navigate the messier parts of being human. Regardless of the genre, you can always count on two things: there will be magic (and usually witches), and there will be a story about people finding their way through the wreckage we call life.

Connect with Paula:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pamasonauthor/

BookBub - bookbub.com/profile/p-a-mason

Amazon - amazon.com/author/pamason

www.pamasonauthor.com

Reviews

[Katrina Carbonara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would not recommend

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overview: Katarina Crowe is hosting a backyard barbeque. However, she has noticed something wrong. Her neighbor, Beverly, the local grump, has fallen off of her ladder, presumably during a pruning session. It's just that something seems so wrong about the whole scene. Unfortunately, she has more trouble on her hands. First there's been a major breakdown of the nursery's computer system, then Auntie Mae's daughter, Cheyenne, has developed magical powers, seemingly overnight. And what's worse is that many of the women around Kat's home are coming down with the mother of all migraines. This all points to a magical problem. What is causing all of this trouble? Will Kat be able to keep up with her responsibilities and skill make her date with Travis? Let's find out.

Dislikes: Sorka is pretty awful. After all, she did possess Kat at one point in this series.

Beverly was described as being a rather bitter woman. Such people can easily push others away from them.

I'm not a fan of secret societies, particularly those who must lie to the world in order to stay hidden. Kat knew what was required to keep up the secret of the magical world from the mundane. If she couldn't be honest with Travis, then she should have put some space between them.

Likes: Billy the Bunyip was fun to spend time with. I wonder what his favorite brand of beer is?

Cheyenne has a hard choice to make in this book. To be almost forty when your magic comes out is more than just being a late bloomer. At least her mother and the others in Kat's micro-coven gave her some good advice.

The crew worked well together, especially after Cheyenne figured out what they were trying to teach her.

.It takes a big heart to sit with someone that you have every reason to dislike. Jen lived up to the Sermon on the Mount with this book.

Conclusion: This is a fun book. If you like a cozy mystery mixed with your urban fantasy, then give this series a shot. Enjoy the read.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Backyard Suspects is the fifth witchy cozy mystery in the Trouble Down Under series. When Kat finds her neighbor Beverly after a fall off a ladder she knows something is wrong immediately. Things don’t add up and the injuries don’t coincide with a ladder fall. While she’s trying to work this out one of her friends has a late in life magic awakening that has her world on its axis. Kat had a lot on her hands as she tried to figure out what is going on and get to the bottom of everything. With the help of her friends she’s on the track to unravel the confusion, but it also has a strain on her budding romance with Travis. Will Kat be able to solve everything and still be on her way to happily ever after or will something blow up in her face?

I haven’t read any of the other books in this series, but found it easy to jump into this book and not be too lost. I didn’t know that characters or some of the background, but was still able to fully enjoy this witchy mystery. I’m a huge cozy mystery fan, but haven’t read many series with a magic theme mixed in and I think I’ll need to add this series to my rotation. I really liked the witchy cozy mystery direction and think it’s perfect for the lead up to fall and Halloween. The world and characters in this book were well developed and likable. This story had a slot in it, but I think it was well down and overall was a quick read. If you are looking for enjoy a fun witchy cozy mystery I recommend this one. I need to check out the rest of the series!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I had not read any of the series before reading this book but I had no issues keeping up. I will definitely go back and read the rest of the series as this was interesting, kept me reading in one sitting. I liked the characters and how they were all interwoven with each other. I really enjoy reading about the setting as it is so totally different from what I'm used to. The stories are well written, which is a big must for me because it drives me crazy trying to read a book with terrible grammar, spelling, etc. I would definitely recommend this series for anyone who enjoys well written cozy, mysteries. I never give out 5 stars because I feel like everyone has room to grow - I wish I could give out 4.5!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read the first three books, but I didn’t see the next two. That’s ok, because the author did a great job of making it so new readers (or those that missed a couple) aren’t lost. I loved seeing Kat again, and it was fun to see her solve a mystery in almost her backyard. While this was a fast-paced mystery and a lot of fun, I was a little sad at how it ended. Not horribly sad, but I hope things get a tiny bit better in the next book. You’ll know what I mean when you read this latest installment in a well-written, fun, engaging cozy mystery. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite a story! Starting off with Kat finding her grumpy next door neighbour seemingly fallen off a latter & unconscious. There had been a large gathering at her place to honour Aunty May. The next day the strange things continue to arrive. Shianne, Aunty May’s daughter is suddenly having a great problem with magic shooting from her finger tips. Then Kelly, Kat’s other neighbour gets a dreadful headache & the water in Billy’s swamp is poisoned badly. Things finally come together in Kat’s mind & with help from her grandmother in the USA, Gus, Ash, Zoe & Shianne the problem is finally dealt with. Sadly there is some fallout which is upsetting for Kat.

[Javon50 · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Kat Crowe’s neighbor has a fall, she is not sure it was an accident. As a green witch, her gut is telling her that something is wrong. As the owner of a landscaping business Kat does not have the time to investigate the fall, nor does she have the time to mentor a friend who is suddenly showing signs of developing magical abilities when she seemingly had none before. This clever storyline kept my interest throughout the entire book, and I loved all the magical manifestations. It is a very engaging and entertaining book. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between the sales system crashing, her neighbor being in hospital after a mysterious fall off of a ladder, and now her cousin Shianne as an adult suddenly manifesting powers, Katerina has her hands full. Many in her circle of friends and family in Australia are trying to find out what is going on. It seems her only help might come by way of her grandmother, back in Arkansas. It seems an ancestor, Sorcha, a necromancer, might be creating this havoc. This is a wonderful action mystery seasoned with magic that has to be kept under wraps. Loved the characters and how they have been developing thru the series.

[Emily Grizzell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly could not put this book down. Kat and her friends are such an interesting dynamic to fall into and really fit the “found family” ideal perfectly. Magic is definitely at the forefront of this tale, and the secretive nature of it all brings a nice tension to the story because of Kat’s human friends. I loved the twists and turns and the classic “whodunnit” that this story had. It was a fun quick read with all the magic and drama you could want! I can’t wait to see what happens next! As a disclaimer I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Snowy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and I absolutely enjoyed it. I really appreciate the fact that I was able to read this without having to start at the beginning of the series. The characters felt fleshed out and I enjoyed the plot. I didn't notice any major grammar issues. I did find it cute that some Aussie came out of our FMC.

I would absolutely recommend giving this book and author a try. I will be starting at book one and going forward :)

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Backyard Suspects is book #5 in the Trouble Down Under series by P.A. Mason.

There was a lot going on in this book. Kat’s neighbor, Beverley, has a fall in her backyard. Kat feels something is off. Once she figures out what is going on, can she stop it? And what will the consequences be? I was holding my breath waiting to see what would happen. Part of it really saddened me even though it was a wonderful ending. I recommend this book and the entire series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about meddling relatives! I couldn’t even guess the cause behind all the strange occurrences. I liked that Kat was independent and stubborn about asking for help. She reminds me of myself. I also liked that she found out that help was always right there for the asking. She just needed to ask. I liked the whole Garden Gnome thing at her store… it shows she cares about people. This was an absolutely riveting book and I enjoyed reading it!

[Kate Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite of this series so far. Language flows easily, characers are relateable, plot handled well, with a few surprises for Kat. Looking forward to the next one and would love to reread all the others. I received this as an advance copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[LizJ. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Backyard Suspects is book #5 in the Trouble Down Under series by P.A. Mason and the story is really enjoyable. I liked revisiting Kat again; it's been a minute since I read the previous books. I highly recommend this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Catherine Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love hearing what Kat has been up to in Australia. She seems to be settling in despite being American and a witch. It’s always difficult to guess what will come up next for her but it’s fun to find out. I look forward to the next book.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when things seem to be settling down and her relationship with Travis is developing, there is more trouble. Bev, the grumpy neighbour falls from a ladder and goes to hospital and other neighbours starts acting weird.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story of a witch with special instincts. Will Kat be able to figure out what happened and quickly. Easy reading and something no one wants to miss.

[Angela Stoffels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cozy series. easy to read, fun to follow.

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining