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Amanda Cadabra Mysteries #1
Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth
Asthmatic furniture restorer and covert witch Amanda Cadabra is a survivor. After all, her family’s bus went over a Cornish cliff. Now the presentable but irritating Inspector Trelawney is dogging her footsteps as he investigates the unexplained deaths.
But that’s the least of her problems. Amanda has just got a furniture restoration job at the old English Manor of Sunken Madley with its murky past.
Armed only with a wand and Tempest, her grumpy reincarnated cat, she’s going in. A body, ghosts, hidden tunnels, chills and unexplained lights; can Amanda solve the mystery in time and save the village from the scandal of murder?
Please note that to help the reader to be immersed in Amanda's world, this British-set story uses British English spelling, grammar and usage, and includes accents, dialects and a magical language.
But that’s the least of her problems. Amanda has just got a furniture restoration job at the old English Manor of Sunken Madley with its murky past.
Armed only with a wand and Tempest, her grumpy reincarnated cat, she’s going in. A body, ghosts, hidden tunnels, chills and unexplained lights; can Amanda solve the mystery in time and save the village from the scandal of murder?
Please note that to help the reader to be immersed in Amanda's world, this British-set story uses British English spelling, grammar and usage, and includes accents, dialects and a magical language.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2018
638 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Holly Bell
8 books29 followersCat adorer and chocolate lover, Holly Bell is a photographer and video maker when not writing. Holly lives in the UK and is a mixture of English, Scottish, Cornish and Welsh, among other ingredients.
Whilst being an enthusiastic novel reader, Holly has had a lifetime's experience in writing non-fiction. Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth was her first official venture into the realms of fiction and after adding a further five books to the series, there is no looking back in the foreseeable future.
Her favourite animal is called Bobby. He is a black cat. Purely coincidental. Of course.
Whilst being an enthusiastic novel reader, Holly has had a lifetime's experience in writing non-fiction. Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth was her first official venture into the realms of fiction and after adding a further five books to the series, there is no looking back in the foreseeable future.
Her favourite animal is called Bobby. He is a black cat. Purely coincidental. Of course.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
March 2, 2020
When you first meet Amanda she is only a little girl being brought up by her lovely grandparents where she is home school because of asthma that she suffers from. It has made it much easier for her grandparents though because the first day that Amanda did magic was by accident and luckily they were the only ones to see it. It was time to tell Amanda about them and her. What a wonderful childhood Amanda has but it isn't long before the story jumps forward and the main event begins.
To the outside the world Amanda is furniture restorer like her grandfather but she and her reincarnated grumpy cat Tempest manage to get up to quite a bit of witchy business. There are some marvellous characters in the book, a lovely best friend and a couple of rather dashing gentlemen. At times I was nearly crying with some of the antics as it is so darn delightful. Amanda is a super sleuth at digging way back into the past and solving long ago mysteries, of course with a little help from some friendly ghosts and a touch of magic.
I am delighted to say that there is already a further three books out in this series so it is a perfect time to catch up now. There are some fabulous reviews on the series and if they are anything to go by this then they are gems. Highly recommended!
To the outside the world Amanda is furniture restorer like her grandfather but she and her reincarnated grumpy cat Tempest manage to get up to quite a bit of witchy business. There are some marvellous characters in the book, a lovely best friend and a couple of rather dashing gentlemen. At times I was nearly crying with some of the antics as it is so darn delightful. Amanda is a super sleuth at digging way back into the past and solving long ago mysteries, of course with a little help from some friendly ghosts and a touch of magic.
I am delighted to say that there is already a further three books out in this series so it is a perfect time to catch up now. There are some fabulous reviews on the series and if they are anything to go by this then they are gems. Highly recommended!
December 18, 2018
kindle unlimited, 1 was full of crap no one but historian MIGHT like IF they were interested in just that little bit of confusing doesn't really tell anyone anything about the area unless they already know it so hence wouldn't need to know it, full of words no modern Brit uses {and as Anglophile pretty much all round, do NOT have problems with the vernacular, it's just WRONG/incorrect}, with 2 being half repetivie and all uselessly incorrent, so many issues with both these books not even going to go into any of the way too many this don't make sense, you contradicted that back in previous chapters, and what does this have ot do with ANYthing except making the 'book' even longer with no actual use, etcetera ad nauseum. The titles for both books, neither made any sense in context of actual story.
Asthmatic furniture restorer and covert witch Amanda Cadabra is a survivor. After all, her family’s bus went over a Cornish cliff. Now the presentable but irritating Inspector Trelawney is dogging her footsteps as he investigates the unexplained deaths. But that’s the least of her problems. Amanda has just got a furniture restoration job at the old English Manor of Sunken Madley with its murky past.
Armed only with a wand and Tempest, her grumpy reincarnated cat, she’s going in. A body, ghosts, hidden tunnels, chills and unexplained lights; can Amanda solve the mystery in time and save the village from the scandal of murder?
The Amanda Cadabra Cozy Paranormal Mysteries
Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth #1
Amanda Cadabra and The Cellar of Secrets #2
Asthmatic furniture restorer and covert witch Amanda Cadabra is a survivor. After all, her family’s bus went over a Cornish cliff. Now the presentable but irritating Inspector Trelawney is dogging her footsteps as he investigates the unexplained deaths. But that’s the least of her problems. Amanda has just got a furniture restoration job at the old English Manor of Sunken Madley with its murky past.
Armed only with a wand and Tempest, her grumpy reincarnated cat, she’s going in. A body, ghosts, hidden tunnels, chills and unexplained lights; can Amanda solve the mystery in time and save the village from the scandal of murder?
The Amanda Cadabra Cozy Paranormal Mysteries
Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth #1
Amanda Cadabra and The Cellar of Secrets #2
August 11, 2025
Whimsical, Clever, and Utterly Charming
Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and magical mischief. Holly Bell enchants with a witty, asthmatic witch heroine, a wonderfully grumpy reincarnated cat, and a tangle of village secrets involving ghosts, hidden tunnels, and murder. Full of British charm, humor, and intrigue, it’s the perfect escape for fans of whimsical mysteries with a magical twist.
Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and magical mischief. Holly Bell enchants with a witty, asthmatic witch heroine, a wonderfully grumpy reincarnated cat, and a tangle of village secrets involving ghosts, hidden tunnels, and murder. Full of British charm, humor, and intrigue, it’s the perfect escape for fans of whimsical mysteries with a magical twist.
January 14, 2020
Interesting story
General mysteries main character solves, but main mystery is one that happens when character is 3 yrs old. This appears to be an ongoing mystery.
General mysteries main character solves, but main mystery is one that happens when character is 3 yrs old. This appears to be an ongoing mystery.
December 7, 2019
I love reading mystery novels and I particularly love reading mystery novels that a bit different to the rest of the genre- something that makes it stand out from the rest if you like. I read the synopsis for 'Amanda Cadabra & The Hidey-Hole Truth' by Holly Bell and it certainly sounded like a different and fun sort of read. I wasn't wrong either because I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Amanda Cadabra & The Hidey-Hole Truth' but more about that in a bit.
I loved the character of Amanda Cadabra. I absolutely love the name of Amanda but then I am a tad biased! Anyway the character's full name of Amanda Cadabra certainly made her stand out from the crowd. Amanda hasn't had it easy. Over the years she has lost her parents in a mysterious accident and following the death of her parents, her grandparents brought her up. When Amanda first showed signs of being interested and talented in magic and witchcraft rather than make her hide it, her grandparents nurtured her promising talent. Amanda has her health issues but she hasn't let that hold her back. She has just got a job as a furniture restorer but at the same time she is also an amateur sleuth. She has a habit of poking her nose in where she shouldn't but at the same time she can investigate some areas that are off limits to the detectives. I loved the fact that Amanda had the help of a grumpy cat called Tempest.
It didn't take me long at all to get into this book. The book seemed to develop a hold over me and it was an hold that I didn't want to break. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time. I lost all track of time whilst reading this book and having thought that I had only been reading for an hour, I was stunned to realise that I had actually been reading for a couple of hours. Usually I have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case because I was able to focus solely on the book and I was able to shut out all other distractions. It didn't take me long to race through the story and I was genuinely disappointed to get to the end of the story because it meant that I had to say goodbye to Amanda (what a lovely name) and Tempest. I soon cheered up though when I realised that I had the rest of the series to catch up on.
'Amanda Cadabra & The Hidey-Hole Truth' is well written. Holly has created great characters in the form of Amanda (have I mentioned how much I like this name?) and Tempest. Through Holly's fabulous writing, I felt that I had really got to know Amanda and Tempest and by the time I got to the end of the story I had started to consider them as being friends of mine. Holly has the perfect mix of drama, mystery and a generous helping of humour within the pages of this book. I found that I was periodically chuckling away to myself throughout the book. This book was just the tonic I needed.
In short, 'Amanda Cadabra & The Hidey-Hole Truth' is an exceedingly fantastic read, which I would thoroughly recommend to other readers. I will be reading more of Holly's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I loved the character of Amanda Cadabra. I absolutely love the name of Amanda but then I am a tad biased! Anyway the character's full name of Amanda Cadabra certainly made her stand out from the crowd. Amanda hasn't had it easy. Over the years she has lost her parents in a mysterious accident and following the death of her parents, her grandparents brought her up. When Amanda first showed signs of being interested and talented in magic and witchcraft rather than make her hide it, her grandparents nurtured her promising talent. Amanda has her health issues but she hasn't let that hold her back. She has just got a job as a furniture restorer but at the same time she is also an amateur sleuth. She has a habit of poking her nose in where she shouldn't but at the same time she can investigate some areas that are off limits to the detectives. I loved the fact that Amanda had the help of a grumpy cat called Tempest.
It didn't take me long at all to get into this book. The book seemed to develop a hold over me and it was an hold that I didn't want to break. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time. I lost all track of time whilst reading this book and having thought that I had only been reading for an hour, I was stunned to realise that I had actually been reading for a couple of hours. Usually I have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case because I was able to focus solely on the book and I was able to shut out all other distractions. It didn't take me long to race through the story and I was genuinely disappointed to get to the end of the story because it meant that I had to say goodbye to Amanda (what a lovely name) and Tempest. I soon cheered up though when I realised that I had the rest of the series to catch up on.
'Amanda Cadabra & The Hidey-Hole Truth' is well written. Holly has created great characters in the form of Amanda (have I mentioned how much I like this name?) and Tempest. Through Holly's fabulous writing, I felt that I had really got to know Amanda and Tempest and by the time I got to the end of the story I had started to consider them as being friends of mine. Holly has the perfect mix of drama, mystery and a generous helping of humour within the pages of this book. I found that I was periodically chuckling away to myself throughout the book. This book was just the tonic I needed.
In short, 'Amanda Cadabra & The Hidey-Hole Truth' is an exceedingly fantastic read, which I would thoroughly recommend to other readers. I will be reading more of Holly's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
March 3, 2020
Reviewers Note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Author: British non-fiction writer, photographer and videographer turned novelist, inspired by a lifetime of reading of Agatha Christie, Tolkien, CS Lewis, Georgette Heyer and PG Wodehouse to write the Amanda Cadabra series of humorous cozy paranormal mysteries.
The Plot: Orphaned by an unexplained accident, Amanda is raised by her eccentric grandparents in the lovely village of Sunken Madley. Amanda is from a family of witches and we follow her progress as she learns her craft. As a 'good witch' Amanda is instructed to keep her magic under-wraps and promises never to use it to harm a 'normal.' Alongside her lessons in magic, Amanda studies the craft of furniture restoration. While on a job in the ancient ghost filled Sunken Medley Manor, Amanda must put her magic to good use to solve the mystery of the Hidey-Hole.
Overall: British cozy paranormal mysteries are not my normal cup of tea. (see what I did there?) However, in a single day I received three separate requests to review books about witches. This seemed rather auspicious and I decided to review the trio of book together in a spellbindingly spectacular blog post. Sadly, of the three, one was so poorly written I lost consciousness half-way through and fearing some sort of black magic was at work, immediately deleted it from my kindle. The fate of the second book remains a mystery as it failed to materialize in my inbox. So that leaves me with one book. Amanda Cadabra by Holly Bell.
After only a few pages, I found I could not put this book down, despite the late hour. Was this also the effect of some writerly magic at work? Had I fallen under the spell of Amanda and her endearing grandparents? It seems I had. The book is chock-a-block with amusing characters as they go about their daily lives in the quintessential British village. I found it funny, engaging and thoroughly entertaining. I adored Tempest the cat from the moment he hacked a hairball on the carpet.
This book reminds me of other vintage British comedy and mystery books and shows. For some reason, Cold Comfort Farm stuck in my head. In any case it is a pleasure to read an innocent, simple tale without gratuitous sex and violence. The story has one foot planted firmly in the past, in a time when neighbors looked out for each other, without losing sight of the modern world.
There is a fair amount of back story here, which makes it clear that there are more Amanda Cadabra capers to come.
Recommendation: I think anyone who enjoys quirky British humor and 'cozy' style writing will love this book.
I give this book 4 1/2 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐✯
The Author: British non-fiction writer, photographer and videographer turned novelist, inspired by a lifetime of reading of Agatha Christie, Tolkien, CS Lewis, Georgette Heyer and PG Wodehouse to write the Amanda Cadabra series of humorous cozy paranormal mysteries.
The Plot: Orphaned by an unexplained accident, Amanda is raised by her eccentric grandparents in the lovely village of Sunken Madley. Amanda is from a family of witches and we follow her progress as she learns her craft. As a 'good witch' Amanda is instructed to keep her magic under-wraps and promises never to use it to harm a 'normal.' Alongside her lessons in magic, Amanda studies the craft of furniture restoration. While on a job in the ancient ghost filled Sunken Medley Manor, Amanda must put her magic to good use to solve the mystery of the Hidey-Hole.
Overall: British cozy paranormal mysteries are not my normal cup of tea. (see what I did there?) However, in a single day I received three separate requests to review books about witches. This seemed rather auspicious and I decided to review the trio of book together in a spellbindingly spectacular blog post. Sadly, of the three, one was so poorly written I lost consciousness half-way through and fearing some sort of black magic was at work, immediately deleted it from my kindle. The fate of the second book remains a mystery as it failed to materialize in my inbox. So that leaves me with one book. Amanda Cadabra by Holly Bell.
After only a few pages, I found I could not put this book down, despite the late hour. Was this also the effect of some writerly magic at work? Had I fallen under the spell of Amanda and her endearing grandparents? It seems I had. The book is chock-a-block with amusing characters as they go about their daily lives in the quintessential British village. I found it funny, engaging and thoroughly entertaining. I adored Tempest the cat from the moment he hacked a hairball on the carpet.
This book reminds me of other vintage British comedy and mystery books and shows. For some reason, Cold Comfort Farm stuck in my head. In any case it is a pleasure to read an innocent, simple tale without gratuitous sex and violence. The story has one foot planted firmly in the past, in a time when neighbors looked out for each other, without losing sight of the modern world.
There is a fair amount of back story here, which makes it clear that there are more Amanda Cadabra capers to come.
Recommendation: I think anyone who enjoys quirky British humor and 'cozy' style writing will love this book.
I give this book 4 1/2 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐✯
February 11, 2021
Very Interesting
Ok, first, do not be fooled by the cover. The cover reminds me of a Nancy Drew mystery. I like Nancy Drew, thought this would be a lighthearted fun mystery. Wrong. But it is a very interesting mystery. First you have to get through a whole bunch of background information. About the first 35% of the book is about how Amanda became an orphan, why her grandparents adopted her, the history of witchcraft in the area going back hundred of years, good vs bad witches, teaching a young Amanda how to do magic, and how to hide her magic from normals, etc. etc. etc. Honestly, it was interesting but too much. I think it all had to do with an overarching plot line about who killed Amanda's parents. Unfortunately, in reading the blurbs and reviews of other books in this series it looks like that mystery will not be resolved for at least 5 more books. But the last half of this book went much faster and the mystery that was resolved in this book was interesting once we got to it. It was not a murder mystery, but a mystery of missing jewels. The characters were excellent, and I still am not sure who are going to end up being true friends, or who may want to harm Amanda. That gets back to this over arching plotline. Personally, I do not like books that have a mystery that drags our over several books. But many people do not mind that. I have it 5 stars because it did keep my attention and I did find it all interesting.
Ok, first, do not be fooled by the cover. The cover reminds me of a Nancy Drew mystery. I like Nancy Drew, thought this would be a lighthearted fun mystery. Wrong. But it is a very interesting mystery. First you have to get through a whole bunch of background information. About the first 35% of the book is about how Amanda became an orphan, why her grandparents adopted her, the history of witchcraft in the area going back hundred of years, good vs bad witches, teaching a young Amanda how to do magic, and how to hide her magic from normals, etc. etc. etc. Honestly, it was interesting but too much. I think it all had to do with an overarching plot line about who killed Amanda's parents. Unfortunately, in reading the blurbs and reviews of other books in this series it looks like that mystery will not be resolved for at least 5 more books. But the last half of this book went much faster and the mystery that was resolved in this book was interesting once we got to it. It was not a murder mystery, but a mystery of missing jewels. The characters were excellent, and I still am not sure who are going to end up being true friends, or who may want to harm Amanda. That gets back to this over arching plotline. Personally, I do not like books that have a mystery that drags our over several books. But many people do not mind that. I have it 5 stars because it did keep my attention and I did find it all interesting.
September 6, 2018
A wonderful book - a delight
Awesome read. Taking you from her childhood (when she was orphaned at the age of three) to the present day. Her grandparents had legally adopted her as they had been absent when a traffic accident had killed the rest of the family as they where looking after her through another bout of asthma. Her childhood had been happy but secular and when she displayed signs of magic this had been nurtured and taught. Now with the death of her grandparents (still around as ghosts, so not gone) she has taken over the family business of restoration. This leads her to work at the newly sold manor. Secret passages, secret rooms and hidey holes lead her to finding items lost, reuniting lovers but also ghosts. All this is done against a backdrop of trying to find who killed the rest of her family. With the aid of the handsome detective and his retired chief. A wonderful plot, that has more information in it then most trilogies. The characters are vivid and imbue the plot with life and realism. A wonderful read,
Awesome read. Taking you from her childhood (when she was orphaned at the age of three) to the present day. Her grandparents had legally adopted her as they had been absent when a traffic accident had killed the rest of the family as they where looking after her through another bout of asthma. Her childhood had been happy but secular and when she displayed signs of magic this had been nurtured and taught. Now with the death of her grandparents (still around as ghosts, so not gone) she has taken over the family business of restoration. This leads her to work at the newly sold manor. Secret passages, secret rooms and hidey holes lead her to finding items lost, reuniting lovers but also ghosts. All this is done against a backdrop of trying to find who killed the rest of her family. With the aid of the handsome detective and his retired chief. A wonderful plot, that has more information in it then most trilogies. The characters are vivid and imbue the plot with life and realism. A wonderful read,
July 30, 2025
There's something intriguing about Amanda Cadabra; brought up by her grandparents, home-schooled, and just a shade unconventional, Amanda battles her asthma and her mysterious past. Oh, yes, and there's the whole being a witch part, too. Working as a furniture restorer, Amanda finds herself in the middle of a mystery at the local manor house.
A necessarily tremendous amount of backstory brought the character of Amanda Cadabra to life. Amanda is quirky and delightfully old-fashioned, as one raised by older guardians would be.
This story, being the introduction to the series, sets up the premise, yet still manages to find time to fit in a little bit of romance (and a mystery, to boot). Through its fluid narration, the reader is granted a vision into the past and gains insight into the family history.
Suited to those who enjoy a paranormal mystery set in England, this story is more a beginning to a series than a true cosy. If you enjoy a gentler-paced plot, this one is for you.
A necessarily tremendous amount of backstory brought the character of Amanda Cadabra to life. Amanda is quirky and delightfully old-fashioned, as one raised by older guardians would be.
This story, being the introduction to the series, sets up the premise, yet still manages to find time to fit in a little bit of romance (and a mystery, to boot). Through its fluid narration, the reader is granted a vision into the past and gains insight into the family history.
Suited to those who enjoy a paranormal mystery set in England, this story is more a beginning to a series than a true cosy. If you enjoy a gentler-paced plot, this one is for you.
September 27, 2018
This was a fun, light read, and I am looking forward to the next book. The plot moved along, and the Amanda, the central character, and those around her were enjoyable too. I liked that no-one was whiny or Too Stupid To Live. There was a reason for her to investigate. What I didn't understand is why this would be listed under Religious Mystery on Amazon. That is a category I stay well away from, for personal reasons.
All in all this was fun, with enough hints dropped that there are stories yet to be told. I really enjoyed Thomas Trelawney, and of course, Mike Hogarth. There are stories to be told and of course I wondered how Thomas could "smell" magic. What does Mike know about Thomas' suspected abilities, and how does he know it? Yes, I'm invested in the characters.
Buy it, read it, and enjoy it, just for the fun of it. I'm now anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
All in all this was fun, with enough hints dropped that there are stories yet to be told. I really enjoyed Thomas Trelawney, and of course, Mike Hogarth. There are stories to be told and of course I wondered how Thomas could "smell" magic. What does Mike know about Thomas' suspected abilities, and how does he know it? Yes, I'm invested in the characters.
Buy it, read it, and enjoy it, just for the fun of it. I'm now anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
December 19, 2019
3.5 stars
Amanda Cadabra And The Hidey-Hole Truth is a cosy paranormal English mystery.
The author uses a mix of old style amateur sleuthing and British comedy to deliver this relaxed paced tale which is sprinkled with nostalgia. The initial use of dual timelines introduces the reader to Amanda and the grandparents who brought her up. There is secrecy surrounding the death of Amanda’s parents which runs alongside a second mystery for Amanda to solve.
This books works if you are familiar with, and enjoy, British eccentricities which, in the past, have been the backbone of popular comedy. For instance, misleading those in authority, outrageous names, confusing conversations and slapstick fun. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-f8u
Amanda Cadabra And The Hidey-Hole Truth is a cosy paranormal English mystery.
The author uses a mix of old style amateur sleuthing and British comedy to deliver this relaxed paced tale which is sprinkled with nostalgia. The initial use of dual timelines introduces the reader to Amanda and the grandparents who brought her up. There is secrecy surrounding the death of Amanda’s parents which runs alongside a second mystery for Amanda to solve.
This books works if you are familiar with, and enjoy, British eccentricities which, in the past, have been the backbone of popular comedy. For instance, misleading those in authority, outrageous names, confusing conversations and slapstick fun. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-f8u
May 17, 2020
A great example of the cosy mystery genre, this fun book has just about everything I want from an easy read. I love the central character of Amanda Cadabra - a witch, but not reliant on constant magic. The primary plot for this book is slightly crazy as all the best cosy mysteries are! The beginning of the plot that will carry on through the series is clear and intriguing - but not pushed so hard that it takes away from the satisfaction of finishing this book.
It's not absolutely perfect, but as I can't give 4.5 stars the rounding up to 5 is definitely right in my eyes.
I am very much looking forward to reading the second book in the series, Amanda Cadabra and the Cellar of Secrets.
It's not absolutely perfect, but as I can't give 4.5 stars the rounding up to 5 is definitely right in my eyes.
I am very much looking forward to reading the second book in the series, Amanda Cadabra and the Cellar of Secrets.
September 25, 2018
Meh...a lot of back story, I am sure for future books. The plot of this story was thin though.
April 29, 2020
A cold case mystery, a quaint English village steeped in mystical lore and an orphaned girl with magical abilities all combine into this enchanting first novel in a series by an English author who makes no bones about the fact she writes in UK style. For this reader, that only adds to the enchantment and immersion into this marvelous tale that is reminiscent of some childhood favorites of mine along with a certain modern wizarding series that redefined children’s literature for a whole new generation.
More than just being a nod to these prior works, Bell’s series garners its own rightful place in modern young adult literature. There are even endearing references to beloved film stars like Emma Watson and character names like, Hogarth, that lightly pay homage to a magical series “that-shall-not-be-named” here. Like many children’s series, Bell adheres to certain tropes that have spell-bounded readers for centuries. Amanda Cadabra (as in abra cadabra?) is an ordinary orphaned girl with extraordinary abilities and a mystery to solve. Add in that she also has severe asthma and enjoys woodworking with levitated tools by casting a magical spell or two. When Detective Sergeant Trelawney comes to call to resurrect a 20-year-old cold case involving the deaths of her parents, he asks all the right questions of her evasive grandparents to lure the reader word by word into the story that keeps one turning pages to the end. Fortunately, there are more stories pending in the series and once these characters capture a reader’s heart, they’ll want to keep reading more.
The only issues I had with this story was the confusion over target audience. On the surface, it reads like a middle grade or possibly YA novel. The cover art is whimsical and stylized, thus reinforcing this notion. However, a few chapters in and I came to realize the protagonist is no child but a 30-something woman! A glance at the age bracket on the blurb and taglines indicate a suggested age range of 8 to 18. Not many children this age can relate to a 30-year-old woman and few adults would likely pick up this book, unless they are the 30-somethings themselves who were raised on magical YA series of the late 90s and early 2000s. Still, for those of us who somehow never outgrew children’s literature and still revel in our favorite school book stories and fairytales, this is the kind of guilty indulgence that every adult needs on occasion, to perhaps, find the magic in reading all over again.
More than just being a nod to these prior works, Bell’s series garners its own rightful place in modern young adult literature. There are even endearing references to beloved film stars like Emma Watson and character names like, Hogarth, that lightly pay homage to a magical series “that-shall-not-be-named” here. Like many children’s series, Bell adheres to certain tropes that have spell-bounded readers for centuries. Amanda Cadabra (as in abra cadabra?) is an ordinary orphaned girl with extraordinary abilities and a mystery to solve. Add in that she also has severe asthma and enjoys woodworking with levitated tools by casting a magical spell or two. When Detective Sergeant Trelawney comes to call to resurrect a 20-year-old cold case involving the deaths of her parents, he asks all the right questions of her evasive grandparents to lure the reader word by word into the story that keeps one turning pages to the end. Fortunately, there are more stories pending in the series and once these characters capture a reader’s heart, they’ll want to keep reading more.
The only issues I had with this story was the confusion over target audience. On the surface, it reads like a middle grade or possibly YA novel. The cover art is whimsical and stylized, thus reinforcing this notion. However, a few chapters in and I came to realize the protagonist is no child but a 30-something woman! A glance at the age bracket on the blurb and taglines indicate a suggested age range of 8 to 18. Not many children this age can relate to a 30-year-old woman and few adults would likely pick up this book, unless they are the 30-somethings themselves who were raised on magical YA series of the late 90s and early 2000s. Still, for those of us who somehow never outgrew children’s literature and still revel in our favorite school book stories and fairytales, this is the kind of guilty indulgence that every adult needs on occasion, to perhaps, find the magic in reading all over again.
January 5, 2025
**Book Review: Amanda Cadabra and the Hidey-Hole Truth by Holley Trent**
Amanda Cadabra and the Hidey-Hole Truth marks another delightful entry in Holley Trent's whimsical universe filled with magic, mystery, and a touch of humor. Set in the charming town of Wimberley, this story invites readers to follow the adventures of the feisty and spirited protagonist, Amanda, as she embraces her foray into witchcraft and uncovers the intricate web of secrets surrounding her family’s heritage.
The narrative shines brightly through Trent's vivid storytelling and rich character development. Amanda is relatable, a character who deals with both the mundane and the mystical challenges of life. It’s particularly engaging to witness her struggle with her identity as a witch against the backdrop of the charming yet quirky Wimberley community.
The plot is cleverly woven, featuring an intriguing combination of mystery and humor that keeps readers on their toes. As we turn pages, a series of unexpected twists and turns lead Amanda deeper into a conspiracy that adds layers to the enchanting tale. Trent incorporates clever insights about family, magic, and the importance of personal growth that resonate with readers on multiple levels.
The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, each adding depth and charm to the storyline. The relationships Amanda forges throughout her journey are beautifully portrayed, showcasing a blend of camaraderie and emotional depth that contributes to the novel's overall warmth. In addition, Trent's knack for light-hearted banter brings a playful tone to the interactions, enhancing the book's appeal.
Visually, the book's cover art captures the essence of its magical theme, luring readers into the pages even before they read the first line. The atmospheric descriptions Trent includes draw the readers into Wimberley, making it easy to picture the witchy happenings and setting.
Ultimately, Amanda Cadabra and the Hidey-Hole Truth is a magical read that blends fantasy and reality wonderfully. It not only entertains but also offers the reader a thoughtful exploration of self-discovery, courage, and the bonds of community. Whether you're a fan of witchcraft, mystery, or simply looking for a captivating story to enjoy, this book is a must-read. Holley Trent has truly enchanted us once again with Amanda's latest journey.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Amanda Cadabra and the Hidey-Hole Truth marks another delightful entry in Holley Trent's whimsical universe filled with magic, mystery, and a touch of humor. Set in the charming town of Wimberley, this story invites readers to follow the adventures of the feisty and spirited protagonist, Amanda, as she embraces her foray into witchcraft and uncovers the intricate web of secrets surrounding her family’s heritage.
The narrative shines brightly through Trent's vivid storytelling and rich character development. Amanda is relatable, a character who deals with both the mundane and the mystical challenges of life. It’s particularly engaging to witness her struggle with her identity as a witch against the backdrop of the charming yet quirky Wimberley community.
The plot is cleverly woven, featuring an intriguing combination of mystery and humor that keeps readers on their toes. As we turn pages, a series of unexpected twists and turns lead Amanda deeper into a conspiracy that adds layers to the enchanting tale. Trent incorporates clever insights about family, magic, and the importance of personal growth that resonate with readers on multiple levels.
The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, each adding depth and charm to the storyline. The relationships Amanda forges throughout her journey are beautifully portrayed, showcasing a blend of camaraderie and emotional depth that contributes to the novel's overall warmth. In addition, Trent's knack for light-hearted banter brings a playful tone to the interactions, enhancing the book's appeal.
Visually, the book's cover art captures the essence of its magical theme, luring readers into the pages even before they read the first line. The atmospheric descriptions Trent includes draw the readers into Wimberley, making it easy to picture the witchy happenings and setting.
Ultimately, Amanda Cadabra and the Hidey-Hole Truth is a magical read that blends fantasy and reality wonderfully. It not only entertains but also offers the reader a thoughtful exploration of self-discovery, courage, and the bonds of community. Whether you're a fan of witchcraft, mystery, or simply looking for a captivating story to enjoy, this book is a must-read. Holley Trent has truly enchanted us once again with Amanda's latest journey.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
March 24, 2022
Rarely have I enjoyed a book series more.
Since I lived there as a child, I’ve been captivated by all things British. In fact, I set aside all but the absolutely necessary and binged the six books in the series so far. As of this writing, Amazon incorrectly repeats Book 1 as Book 7, leaving me bitterly disappointed when I finished Book 6 and immediately wanted to plunge ahead.
The books are delightful. I both feared for the characters’ well-being and laughed along with them. The books are somewhat unusual in the genre because the protagonist isn’t an orphan, hasn’t had her life implode, and doesn’t inherit a bookstore/bakery/mansion/bed and breakfast from an unknown, wealthy relative. She doesn’t come upon her abilities suddenly and with surprise when she turns 16 or 18 or by accident. The books grow gradually and very naturally, expanding along their own storyline while creating new mysteries to be solved, without the repetition of essentially the same theme in book after book after book, ad nauseam.
They are timelessly British. The language and interaction between the characters is formally polite while maintaining affection and familiarity, with little modern popular language to spoil the mood. In other words, courteously old fashioned but set in today’s world. I also congratulate the author on her vocabulary.
The author manages to create depth in each character that I was able to relate to - I would seriously consider moving to Sunken Madly if it actually existed. The languages breathe life into the stories, and the names of places and people deserve a special mention for their creativity. Kudos, too, to the characters for drinking positive gallons of tea and the author’s lovely description of what is included in each meal. What truly British book could realistically leave out these details?
I not only highly recommend this entire series, I am waiting with baited breath for the next book. It can’t come soon enough. And, although he’s not quite a Tempest, my own ‘iddle bo fluffums may need a very special treat, just because.
FYI: To avoid writing six separate reviews, I shall be submitting this one for each of the other five books. I started the next immediately after finishing the previous one and didn’t want to stop my enjoyment of the read.
Since I lived there as a child, I’ve been captivated by all things British. In fact, I set aside all but the absolutely necessary and binged the six books in the series so far. As of this writing, Amazon incorrectly repeats Book 1 as Book 7, leaving me bitterly disappointed when I finished Book 6 and immediately wanted to plunge ahead.
The books are delightful. I both feared for the characters’ well-being and laughed along with them. The books are somewhat unusual in the genre because the protagonist isn’t an orphan, hasn’t had her life implode, and doesn’t inherit a bookstore/bakery/mansion/bed and breakfast from an unknown, wealthy relative. She doesn’t come upon her abilities suddenly and with surprise when she turns 16 or 18 or by accident. The books grow gradually and very naturally, expanding along their own storyline while creating new mysteries to be solved, without the repetition of essentially the same theme in book after book after book, ad nauseam.
They are timelessly British. The language and interaction between the characters is formally polite while maintaining affection and familiarity, with little modern popular language to spoil the mood. In other words, courteously old fashioned but set in today’s world. I also congratulate the author on her vocabulary.
The author manages to create depth in each character that I was able to relate to - I would seriously consider moving to Sunken Madly if it actually existed. The languages breathe life into the stories, and the names of places and people deserve a special mention for their creativity. Kudos, too, to the characters for drinking positive gallons of tea and the author’s lovely description of what is included in each meal. What truly British book could realistically leave out these details?
I not only highly recommend this entire series, I am waiting with baited breath for the next book. It can’t come soon enough. And, although he’s not quite a Tempest, my own ‘iddle bo fluffums may need a very special treat, just because.
FYI: To avoid writing six separate reviews, I shall be submitting this one for each of the other five books. I started the next immediately after finishing the previous one and didn’t want to stop my enjoyment of the read.
February 5, 2023
It seemed a rather long winded...
... way to get to the point... we start in the now, head back 30 years and painstakingly cover Amanda's childhood... that takes most of the novel and we don't really get to the hidey-hole until it's almost over.
The sudden emergence of so many people is rather poorly "cleared up" with weak explanations... one in particular seems rather weaker than the others... but no spoilers...
The investigation into the deaths of Amanda's family members and the withheld inheritance don't fit the standards for British law... if the bodies were found and Amanda was 2 she couldn't be responsible and therefore she would have inherited whether or not a cause was determined, a legal team would have been put in place to ensure the inheritance wasn't misused or misappropriated by anyone else including her grandparents... so that part is rather weird really...
It's obviously a build up to a bigger tale but the pace is so slow it feels like it won't end and I'm not entirely enamoured with our heroine who is rather wooden but maybe that's apt considering her trade as a furniture restorer.
Weak plays on place names fall flat because the rest of the tale doesn't have the same joviality or snark... it felt like Bell was trying too hard to fit in the American paranormal cozy market with these little bits but made her characters so staidly old fashioned British it just fell flat.
I have yet to check out the promised glossary... I can't wait... I just hope she really does know that we don't put cream in tea... a "cream tea" is something else entirely... lol
... way to get to the point... we start in the now, head back 30 years and painstakingly cover Amanda's childhood... that takes most of the novel and we don't really get to the hidey-hole until it's almost over.
The sudden emergence of so many people is rather poorly "cleared up" with weak explanations... one in particular seems rather weaker than the others... but no spoilers...
The investigation into the deaths of Amanda's family members and the withheld inheritance don't fit the standards for British law... if the bodies were found and Amanda was 2 she couldn't be responsible and therefore she would have inherited whether or not a cause was determined, a legal team would have been put in place to ensure the inheritance wasn't misused or misappropriated by anyone else including her grandparents... so that part is rather weird really...
It's obviously a build up to a bigger tale but the pace is so slow it feels like it won't end and I'm not entirely enamoured with our heroine who is rather wooden but maybe that's apt considering her trade as a furniture restorer.
Weak plays on place names fall flat because the rest of the tale doesn't have the same joviality or snark... it felt like Bell was trying too hard to fit in the American paranormal cozy market with these little bits but made her characters so staidly old fashioned British it just fell flat.
I have yet to check out the promised glossary... I can't wait... I just hope she really does know that we don't put cream in tea... a "cream tea" is something else entirely... lol
November 7, 2025
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
DNF at page 27
Wasn't enjoying the characterizations and then we're told that because the coroner couldn't determine cause of death for her family, that no death certificates were available so the MC couldn't inherit. That doesn't sound right, especially as in the UK after seven (or more) years you can have people declared dead, and of course get a death certificate. So if you've got bodies, clearly dead, even if no one can figure out what killed them, it makes no sense that no death certificates would be issued so tying up inheritances for 28 years.
I can enjoy witches in my books, but the 'real world' stuff needs to make sense!
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: No
Would you recommend?: No
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
DNF at page 27
Wasn't enjoying the characterizations and then we're told that because the coroner couldn't determine cause of death for her family, that no death certificates were available so the MC couldn't inherit. That doesn't sound right, especially as in the UK after seven (or more) years you can have people declared dead, and of course get a death certificate. So if you've got bodies, clearly dead, even if no one can figure out what killed them, it makes no sense that no death certificates would be issued so tying up inheritances for 28 years.
I can enjoy witches in my books, but the 'real world' stuff needs to make sense!
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: No
Would you recommend?: No
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
February 7, 2023
A Cozy Mystery That Had Me Hooked.
I loved this book and couldn't put it down. It's got everything that I look for in a 5star read; great scenes that get the adrenaline pumping, an intelligent mystery or two to get the little grey cells whirling, nail biting tension and well written humour (there may even be a bit of romance on the horizon for our heroine).
I just wanted to say that, as this is the first book in a new series there are questions left to answer about Amanda’s family and what her future may hold. In my opinion, this is a good thing as it leaves enough background story arcs to continue into the next book and beyond.
I also loved the way Ms Bell took her time building this world, setting the magical scene and introducing the concept of witchy and “Normal” people; the Sunken Madley mystery doesn’t really get going until half-way through the book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries within the paranormal genre and I'm looking forward to finding out what adventures Amanda gets caught up in next.
You can read my full review on my WordPress blog Flora's Musings...
I loved this book and couldn't put it down. It's got everything that I look for in a 5star read; great scenes that get the adrenaline pumping, an intelligent mystery or two to get the little grey cells whirling, nail biting tension and well written humour (there may even be a bit of romance on the horizon for our heroine).
I just wanted to say that, as this is the first book in a new series there are questions left to answer about Amanda’s family and what her future may hold. In my opinion, this is a good thing as it leaves enough background story arcs to continue into the next book and beyond.
I also loved the way Ms Bell took her time building this world, setting the magical scene and introducing the concept of witchy and “Normal” people; the Sunken Madley mystery doesn’t really get going until half-way through the book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries within the paranormal genre and I'm looking forward to finding out what adventures Amanda gets caught up in next.
You can read my full review on my WordPress blog Flora's Musings...
did-not-finish
September 10, 2025DNF at 58%
I couldn't keep going. This book is not for me
It was already hard going through the first half... the author spent 48% of the book telling us a summary of the life of both main leads, or at least the most important parts.... there were a few pages where some parts are shown but most of it is just told to us. That already made things a bit boring for me... but I kept on reading thinking that once we got back to the present things would start moving along... and well, they did start moving, but in a weird direction...
by what was told in the first half I had an image of the FMC, and her character was all fleshed out in my mind but then when things started happening her character, or what I thought I knew of her, started crumbling....
She started to behave in an irresponsible and childish way... ignoring red flags all around... and I just couldn't understand what happened to the character.but when she started being rude and judgmental about the silliest thing I just decided to stop reading...
And even after so much was told, there was so much I still didn't understand about their world and both leads, I don't know if all of that information was going to be important later on but it felt completely useless to me. I was lost, and I didn't understand the direction it was supposed to be going.
this is clearly not for me and reading more won't change that.
I couldn't keep going. This book is not for me
It was already hard going through the first half... the author spent 48% of the book telling us a summary of the life of both main leads, or at least the most important parts.... there were a few pages where some parts are shown but most of it is just told to us. That already made things a bit boring for me... but I kept on reading thinking that once we got back to the present things would start moving along... and well, they did start moving, but in a weird direction...
by what was told in the first half I had an image of the FMC, and her character was all fleshed out in my mind but then when things started happening her character, or what I thought I knew of her, started crumbling....
She started to behave in an irresponsible and childish way... ignoring red flags all around... and I just couldn't understand what happened to the character.but when she started being rude and judgmental about the silliest thing I just decided to stop reading...
And even after so much was told, there was so much I still didn't understand about their world and both leads, I don't know if all of that information was going to be important later on but it felt completely useless to me. I was lost, and I didn't understand the direction it was supposed to be going.
this is clearly not for me and reading more won't change that.
November 26, 2018
Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth (The Amanda Cadabra Cozy Paranormal Mysteries Book 1) by Holly Bell
Blurb- Asthmatic furniture restorer and covert witch Amanda Cadabra is a survivor. After all, her family’s bus went over a Cornish cliff. Now the presentable but irritating Inspector Trelawney is dogging her footsteps as he investigates the unexplained deaths.
But that’s the least of her problems. Amanda has just got a furniture restoration job at the old English Manor of Sunken Madley with its murky past.
Armed only with a wand and Tempest, her grumpy reincarnated cat, she’s going in. A body, ghosts, hidden tunnels, chills and unexplained lights; can Amanda solve the mystery in time and save the village from the scandal of murder?
I loved this book since the very beginning. Awesome read would be an underrated remarks about this book. The tightly gripping plot and hooking sequenced scenes made this book and fast paced intese read. Definitely recommendable for mystery lovers and suspense lovers. Thank you.
Blurb- Asthmatic furniture restorer and covert witch Amanda Cadabra is a survivor. After all, her family’s bus went over a Cornish cliff. Now the presentable but irritating Inspector Trelawney is dogging her footsteps as he investigates the unexplained deaths.
But that’s the least of her problems. Amanda has just got a furniture restoration job at the old English Manor of Sunken Madley with its murky past.
Armed only with a wand and Tempest, her grumpy reincarnated cat, she’s going in. A body, ghosts, hidden tunnels, chills and unexplained lights; can Amanda solve the mystery in time and save the village from the scandal of murder?
I loved this book since the very beginning. Awesome read would be an underrated remarks about this book. The tightly gripping plot and hooking sequenced scenes made this book and fast paced intese read. Definitely recommendable for mystery lovers and suspense lovers. Thank you.
September 14, 2025
This was a fun read and I enjoyed it.
I always love the small town setting and this one was perfect. Filled with all the quirky characters one expects and I liked all of them.
Amanda was very sympathetic as someone who lost her whole family (even though they were not nice people) and while raised by her very loving grandparents her asthma makes her life challenging. Fortunately she also has magic which is very helpful for her life.
I loved the grandparents - they were very fun characters, and their lessons for Amanda's learning to use her magic was a fun feature of the story.
Of course there is the potential for a love triangle, not to mention that one of Amanda's potential love interests is the police detective who is still investigating the mysterious accident that killed Amanda's entire family - except her and her grandparents who refused the invitation that got everyone else into the bus that went over a cliff 20 years ago.
This was just a fun, light hearted and entertaining story and I would read more in this series.
I always love the small town setting and this one was perfect. Filled with all the quirky characters one expects and I liked all of them.
Amanda was very sympathetic as someone who lost her whole family (even though they were not nice people) and while raised by her very loving grandparents her asthma makes her life challenging. Fortunately she also has magic which is very helpful for her life.
I loved the grandparents - they were very fun characters, and their lessons for Amanda's learning to use her magic was a fun feature of the story.
Of course there is the potential for a love triangle, not to mention that one of Amanda's potential love interests is the police detective who is still investigating the mysterious accident that killed Amanda's entire family - except her and her grandparents who refused the invitation that got everyone else into the bus that went over a cliff 20 years ago.
This was just a fun, light hearted and entertaining story and I would read more in this series.
March 20, 2025
I like reading mysteries, and I don’t relate much to witch stories, but I started reading “Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hold Truth” by Holly Bell and I couldn’t put it down. Ms Bell’s writing style is exceptional, and I was anxious to keep reading. The characters were believable, and the heroine’s upbringing was introduced at the beginning, and it was fascinating.
Amanda was brought up by her grandparents as her parents were killed when she was a toddler. She became a furniture restorer, just like her grandfather and, when training for her witchy attributes, was given a “familiar”, a grumpy, reincarnated cat called Tempest.
The mystery in the story was bland — no bodies, no bloodshed, no violence — but, instead, a search for jewellery. There were also hints of a possible romance with a couple of hunky guys.
I would recommend this book for a light read and maybe I may purchase another in the series, even though I’m not into paranormal stories.
Amanda was brought up by her grandparents as her parents were killed when she was a toddler. She became a furniture restorer, just like her grandfather and, when training for her witchy attributes, was given a “familiar”, a grumpy, reincarnated cat called Tempest.
The mystery in the story was bland — no bodies, no bloodshed, no violence — but, instead, a search for jewellery. There were also hints of a possible romance with a couple of hunky guys.
I would recommend this book for a light read and maybe I may purchase another in the series, even though I’m not into paranormal stories.
December 14, 2018
Amanda Cadabra And The Hidey Hole Truth introduces readers to the village of Sunken Madley where a mysterious road accident decades ago left Amanda Cadabra orphaned at 3 years of age.
The book is rather light on the details of a back story which was a huge stumbling block to understanding the point of the story being told. Too many vague or unexplained subplots left my mind wandering off in other directions such as eating, washing dishes and watching a movie.
Despite the negatives, Amanda Cadabra And The Hidey Hole Truth shows some promise for better stories to be explored in the future thanks to its characters. The book's title would not be my first choice but it does fit with the story.
The book is rather light on the details of a back story which was a huge stumbling block to understanding the point of the story being told. Too many vague or unexplained subplots left my mind wandering off in other directions such as eating, washing dishes and watching a movie.
Despite the negatives, Amanda Cadabra And The Hidey Hole Truth shows some promise for better stories to be explored in the future thanks to its characters. The book's title would not be my first choice but it does fit with the story.
November 28, 2020
Amanda Cadabra is my new favorite English Witch! I am not sure how I overlooked this delightful cozy that has so captivated me with it's story and unique characters that I binge -read all five books in less than a week. You are drawn in right off the bat, and you are sure to be bowled over (a little nod to the game of cricket). Amanda is the girl next door whom everyone loves and you can't help to think of her much like her Grandparents do, as Ammee. Then there the Inspector aka Thomas Trewlaney, who has his own mysterious back story, which he doesn't even completely know of understand. The townsfolk of Sunken Madley are pure Village and you should feel priveleged to be considered honorary village. The Hidey-Hole Truth is just the tip of the iceberg and while the cozy mystery may be solved there is bigger picture that we get little glimpses of as if looking through Aunt Amelia's crystal ball but looking at it the way Amanda does, as if there is a goldfish swimming around. A very good start to a very good cozy, much like a proper spot of tea just in time for elevensies.
December 28, 2021
Amanda's Story
If I am to be really and truly hones,t like Amanda, I will tell you that I honestly don't know what my thoughts are with regard to this story. The only thing I am certain of is that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and could not stop until I got to the last page. In a sense it is like the never ending story because what I would consider the main story is still unfinished, there are many questions still to be answered. These questions will serve to ignite the reader's imagination, they ignited mine!
Go ahead and be introduced to Amanda, her grandparents, Tempest, Trelawney, Claire and quirky village characters, you will enjoy meeting them.
If I am to be really and truly hones,t like Amanda, I will tell you that I honestly don't know what my thoughts are with regard to this story. The only thing I am certain of is that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and could not stop until I got to the last page. In a sense it is like the never ending story because what I would consider the main story is still unfinished, there are many questions still to be answered. These questions will serve to ignite the reader's imagination, they ignited mine!
Go ahead and be introduced to Amanda, her grandparents, Tempest, Trelawney, Claire and quirky village characters, you will enjoy meeting them.
January 5, 2022
I am off to buy the next book in the series, excellent reading
A pleasure to read a book set close to my home town in Herts and equally a pleasure to repeat a story that could easily be an Agatha Christie Miss Marple with a young Miss Marple (and I can easily envisage Amanda as a young Jane Marple, they share a similar outlook on life) with a dash of mystery and magic.
An excellent first book which gently tells the reader all about the main character as well as the important minor characters while allowing the reader to imagine them as real people, a rare talent in a writer.
Combining a more mundane mystery with the mystery of past affairs, coincides and a house with more secret entrances than known entrances the book is pure delight from beginning to end.
Highly recommended.
A pleasure to read a book set close to my home town in Herts and equally a pleasure to repeat a story that could easily be an Agatha Christie Miss Marple with a young Miss Marple (and I can easily envisage Amanda as a young Jane Marple, they share a similar outlook on life) with a dash of mystery and magic.
An excellent first book which gently tells the reader all about the main character as well as the important minor characters while allowing the reader to imagine them as real people, a rare talent in a writer.
Combining a more mundane mystery with the mystery of past affairs, coincides and a house with more secret entrances than known entrances the book is pure delight from beginning to end.
Highly recommended.
January 18, 2022
Admission : Absolutely not for me. I read 31% and I realized it was putting me to sleep. The writing style and storytelling is good, however I need more action, sexual tension, angst or something. I'm sure if you read cozy mysteries like this you're rolling your eyes at me, but that's okay. This just wasn't for me...what I did read was well written. I always try to read authors I might not automatically pick up bc I've been suprise and delighted by some and get new authors to add to my favorite list. So yes you might love this book, try it and see. I'm going to see if there are any new "Ice planet barbarian's" or Black Dagger Brotherhood out.
December 19, 2018
This book was very well written, I enjoyed the way it showed how people were walking around and being nosy, and I loved the way she had the help from gran parents to help her through a tough time.
I wished the book was longer, I wanted the cop put in his place, The end was very sudden and rather bland, I feel as though I was short changed.
Stories that are starting with meeting a man, Or the woman meets a man and they try to make it. But carn't fully get to the point, I really wanted this book to end different.
I wished the book was longer, I wanted the cop put in his place, The end was very sudden and rather bland, I feel as though I was short changed.
Stories that are starting with meeting a man, Or the woman meets a man and they try to make it. But carn't fully get to the point, I really wanted this book to end different.
July 30, 2021
WOW!
The tale of Amanda Cadabra is a wonderful tale told comfortably with strong inner warning signals going off, indicating that danger might be near. My favorite characters are Trelawney and Tempest. Sometimes it was difficult to identify a speaker. Plus i was quite sorry that Aunt Amelia disappeared early in the book. I feel that her presence would have improved the story. What I enjoyed the most was the lore about the area. I want to visit there! More in this series will most definitely be on my reading list.
The tale of Amanda Cadabra is a wonderful tale told comfortably with strong inner warning signals going off, indicating that danger might be near. My favorite characters are Trelawney and Tempest. Sometimes it was difficult to identify a speaker. Plus i was quite sorry that Aunt Amelia disappeared early in the book. I feel that her presence would have improved the story. What I enjoyed the most was the lore about the area. I want to visit there! More in this series will most definitely be on my reading list.
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