Smoke and Sorcery

by Mara Webb

Let’s get one thing straight. It’s good to be bad.

Nyx Noirstar might be Dewdrop Grove’s resident dark witch, but that doesn’t make her evil. Mostly. With her mischievous brand of magic, she helps to protect the town and its residents—even if that does mean getting into trouble from time to time. But when a dying woman utters Nyx’s name with her final breath, she soon finds herself the chief suspect in a murder case.

At her side is Grimalkin, a temporary familiar who is working with Nyx on a probationary period. The scruffy gray cat is determined to stay on after her trial is done, but Nyx isn’t so sure. As a self-declared ‘lone wolf’, Nyx would rather the cat left her well alone. Who needs friends when you’re the best witch in town?

Also working to clear the case is Nate Starling, Dewdrop Grove’s most eligible bachelor. Nyx can hardly stand the man, but she must admit he is rather good looking, and why does her stomach churn like that every time he looks her way?

Before she realizes it, Nyx is running through haunted woods, being chased by evil smoke monsters, and uncovering dark ritual sites. With help from some new friends, they untangle the web of mysterious crimes plaguing their quaint village, but every step closer also brings danger.

Can Nyx clear her name before she takes the fall? Is she about to be kicked out of her coven forever? Is her stomach churning because of food poisoning, or is it just a regular old crush?

Smoke and Sorcery features a standalone mystery plot and can be read on its own. It’s fast, fun, and a clean read. It is book one in the Noirstar Witch Mysteries series.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2024

About the author

Mara Webb graduated from a child with a vivid imagination and a love of all things magic, to a professional writer. Mara writes cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, and delights in concocting new and unusual ways to murder characters in her books.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke and Sorcery introduces readers to Nyx Noirstar, the resident dark witch in Dewdrop Grove. Paired with a familiar on probation, Nyx finds herself trying to solve a murder after she’s unfairly accused. Used to being a lone wolf and shunned by the townspeople, she finds that she may need some help after all. Will she find she has more friends than she thought in town? And will she let Grimalkin stick around after her probation is over?

The start of a new series from Mara Webb with a wonderful heroine and great supporting characters. Nyx is a compelling character, a dark witch, but not evil or bad. She helps keep the town in balance and when the Guardians stop following up on her reports, takes it upon herself to hex those that deserve punishment. Initially disgruntled to find herself with a familiar, she soon learns Grimalkin is definitely handy to have around. I loved the friendships developing between the characters and look forward to learning more about Drusilia in particular. Her past sounds fascinating. The story is fast paced and the twist ending surprised me. Great fun overall.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am excited that Mara Webb is starting a new series. This is the start of the series featuring Nyx Noirstar who is a dark witch which means she is not popular in town. When a mysterious death occurs she has to clear her name. Being a loner by choice she has to depend on others to help and one of them is a familiar who is with Nyx but not by choice. There are a lot of twists and turns and some big reveals. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series. This book can be read as a standalone.

[LizJ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke and Sorcery is the first book in a new series Noirstar Witch Mysteries by Mara Webb. Nyx Noirstar, a dark witch who lives in Dewdrop Grove is not popular with the community and has been accused of murder. Nyx is a great character; snarky and funny and thought she was alone but then found out that she had friends that would help her clear her name. Grimalkin is her familiar and they work well together. This is a well written story with some twists, lots of snarky humor and really great characters!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Catherine E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your ordinary witch story!

This book is one of the most interesting which stories I have ever read, and I have read quite a few! There are so many of these on the market, and they often seem to have the same storyline.

I particularly liked the main character! She was kind of grumpy, and not what you would expect. There were some other situation’s that were quite different from your basic witch story, but I will keep those to myself so that I don’t run it for other readers.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smoke and Sorcery, the first book in the Noirstar Witch Mystery series, was just great!

It's packed with magic, mystery, and friendship, and topped off with a twist ending that left me completely flabbergasted. I did not see it coming!

The premise initially surprised me, but as the story unfolded, it ended up as a fresh, exciting spin on the classic good witch vs. bad witch story.

Looking forward to the next one!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Larisa Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely the Best!!

Smoke and Sorcery the first book in the Noirstar witch mystery series was phenomenal!!
So much fun. It was full of magic, mystery, friendship, and a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. I was flabbergasted!
The premise caught me off guard, but as I continued to read I was overwhelmed with pure happiness!
A different take on the whole good witch vs. the bad witch story.
This is a must read!
5 out of 5 🌟

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I like how it was a dark witch and her friends who solved the murder and how Nyx not letting go of the surface solution completely reveals the full truth of the crime. I like how this series starts and the role Nyx plays.

[Deborah Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

A new take on a heroine & twists that differ from the usual plotline for paranormal murder mysteries.

I definitely recommend this book & can't wait for more in the series.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

sometimes serious, sometimes humorous, sometimes action packed, and sometimes just ideas to think on : what is dark and dangerous, and what is just a different kind of msgic .

an intriguing bundle of laughs, tears, hmmmm and good reading.

[Rebecca Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book by author Mara Webb. I love reading all her
books they are all so good. And this one is no different.
I loved the characters and I really loved reading... Highly recommend...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[quillstronaut · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆ 4.5 ☆
Perfect bedtime read or after an intense story.

A mix of
☆ I'll be a Villainess who goes down in history
☆ Enchanted to meet you by Meg Cabot
☆ A wizard's guide to defensive baking by T. Kingfisher

[j swanborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I'm in love with nyx noirstar

I. Really enjoyed this book!!!!! Light and easy to read , need more of nyx, couldn't see any further announcements for another in a series. Please give us more Nyx!!!!!

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

Humor, mystery, and intriguing characters. This is a highly enjoyable book, and I hope to see more of this series.

[Barbara Carver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and good twist, only question is who's "Rosemary" in chapter 14? Haha..