PJ Norris and the Town with the Butterfly Problem

Firewing Investigations #1

by S. Usher Evans

After flunking out of university, PJ Norris has been given a new search a world newly-freed from an evil queen for more dragon shifters like himself. Along with his best friend Grant, they set out with nothing but an amulet and PJ's burgeoning dragon senses to guide them.

The first stop is a former queenside stronghold of Gilramore, where townsfolk are being bothered by swarms of butterflies. The mayor and townsfolk swear there's no one with magic in their midst, but as PJ uncovers more of their secrets, he realizes the queen's grip might've not been as strong as advertised.

PJ Norris and the Town with the Butterfly Problem is the first book in the Firewing Investigations series, a brand new cozy fantasy mystery set in the same world as the Weary Dragon Inn and Pobyd Perfections Bakery series.

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Books in the Firewing Investigations Series

1. PJ Norris and the Town with the Butterfly Problem
2. PJ Norris and the Village with the Gnome Dilemma
3. PJ Norris and the Hamlet with the Monster Problem

More to come in 2026!

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy, Mystery

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

S. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in Pensacola, Florida, she left the sleepy town behind for the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C.. There, she somehow landed jobs with BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Television before finally settling into a "real job" as an IT consultant. After a quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided consulting was for the birds and rekindled a childhood passion for writing novels. She sold everything she owned and moved back to Pensacola, where she currently resides with her two dogs, Zoe and Mr. Biscuit.

Reviews

[Chels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun reading this. If you're coming from the other two series set in this world, you'll love this one too. If you haven't read the others, what are you doing? But you absolutely don't need to read them to start this one!

I did find this book a lot funnier than the other series! I think it was the banter between the two MCs. They just always make me laugh with their shenanigans. PJ is very hard-working and genuinely wants to help people out. Grant is...Grant. I'm kidding. He's special in his own way and can sweet talk himself out of anything. The perfect duo really.

I like that we get to see more magic in this series since it's no longer illegal to have magic in this world. I'm really looking forward to seeing what other magical creatures they run into on their journey to find more dragon shifters! And I do hope they actually find more dragons!

[Lacey Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I’m going to need an entire ten book series for PJ and his adventures. If you loved Bev and Pigsend, you will love this new storyline, possibly even more as the show is now on the road and involves a hunt for more dragons. A win all around. Can’t wait to read about the gnomes next!

[Phi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! Even though it was more of an adventure than the other series set in this world, it was still full of cozy vibes. An absolutely delightful story! I can't wait for the rest of these!

[Ingvild Lockheart Lind · Rating 4 out of 5]

“PJ Norris and the Town with the Butterfly Problem” is for sure giving me cozy fantasy. This is a story full of heart, magic, mystery.

PJ is a dragon shifter who’s kind, a little naïve, and driven by an honest desire to help others while quietly searching for more of his own kind. Alongside his more chaotic (and sassy) best friend Grant, he finds himself swept into a local mystery that slowly unravels secrets.

I really enjoyed how the author let the magical world unfold at the same pace PJ discovers it. Magic is returning to society, legally and visibly, and that sense of wonder comes through as we follow PJ’s perspective.

This was light, wholesome, and charmingly written, with enough mystery and worldbuilding to keep me turning pages. It’s got a soft heart, found-family vibes, and I don’t complain!

Definitely recommended for fans of:
🐉 Cozy fantasy
🕵️‍♂️ Small-town magical mysteries
💛 Kind-hearted main characters

This book was an ARC and my reviews are honest!

[Jasmine Shouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This is a spin-off of the Weary Dragon Inn series, but you don't *have* to read those first. 

This is a fun cozy fantasy mystery featuring the dragon shifter PJ and his charming best friend Grant. If you haven't read Weary Dragon Inn, you miss details of the background and world building, but it explains enough to dive in without it. I'd only read the first in that series and was able to enjoy this. 

I had fun with this. The banter between Grant and PJ was fun, and the various characters in town were interesting and dynamic. The mystery is a cute story that maintains a lighthearted air throughout. I really liked how PJ earnestly tries to do good. I'd definitely continue the series. 

Another thing I love is the queernormative world. There were several queer side characters and no homophobia.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review. 

[Mariah DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whimsical, magical, and full of heart!
Pj and Grant’s adventure is such a fun ride. The story follows two boys on a mission to track down other dragon shifters, but of course, the journey comes with its own set of twists and challenges.

The banter between the two is hilarious—Pj is doing his best to take his responsibilities seriously, while Grant is the comedic relief and the best friend everyone wishes they had. If you’re ever in trouble, Grant’s definitely the one who could talk your way out of it!

The world is rich with magic and wonder, and even though I haven’t read the previous series, I’m definitely planning to go back now. I want to understand more of the backstory and the world that shaped these characters.

Highly recommend if you love fantasy adventures with heart, humor, and a dash of dragon magic!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @susherevans and @sperryreads for sending me a copy of this book for review ❤️

This was a delightful, easy read that is eminently suitable for the younger crowd. There’s a mystery involving butterfly attacks, a wonderful friendship, and themes centered on how to be strong and kind when others are not.

I think if I’d read the trilogy beforehand it would have contextualised the undercurrents of the book but it was still a great read. Plus, I don’t think kids or the younger crowd would be put off by not having full contextualisation. Do recommend for anyone but particularly those of the younger crowd who are after a quick, fun, intriguing fantasy mystery novel.

I have the second and I’m looking forward to seeing what PJ gets up to next!

[MyDoRyS · Rating 1 out of 5]

My reviews are my own. If you liked this book, I’m glad you enjoyed it. If not, I respect your opinion. This is merely my opinion, so let's keep it courteous.

I hated the Grant character out of the gate for being a stuck-up airhead and PJ for being a stupid doormat. Awful!

On to my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!

[Shannon H · Rating 4 out of 5]

PJ Norris and the Town with the Butterfly Problem is a cute, easy read that feels like a DnD oneshot brought to life. The mystery is fun and cozy, and the tone is perfect for younger or newer fantasy fans who love smalltown quests and charming magic. This is a fun start to what promises to be a delightful series!

[emeraldragonlady (Maddie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh so much fun and hilarious!! Pj is that model teen/ya that every parent strives to raise and his buddy Grant is typically the teen/ya that many parents get ha ha. But it’s that fun love/hate relationship that truly save Grant everytime. Grant doesn’t always want to do things but when it matters most he’s always there. This mystery definitely kept me guessing. I did not see the who was behind it. A great cozy fantasy mystery. I would recommend to cozy mystery readers that like fantasy and to ya that might need a fun read with interesting mystery.

[Kimthebookishbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

PJ and Grant did not disappoint! Of course, they're themselves with PJ being a bit of an overachiever and Grant causing frustrations by being a bit of an underachiever. Poor guys find themselves in a town that isn't big on magic at all, nor do they particularly like strangers. However, PJ is set on helping the town figure out their issue, despite the opposition from the vast majority of the population, while Grant would rather just move on. On the bright side, once they really put their skills together and to good use, the problem is solved and the town is saved from more than one problem.
The narrator did a fabulous job, I could definitely tell the different people at each time they're talking.

[Tanvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful start to the series. I loved the writing, the mystery as well as the characters.

PJ and Grant have a lot to learn but I loved how they made up after bickering.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Villy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC, and I'm glad I did. This is such a cute and quick read. Fast paced, lighthearted adventure with cozy vibes. I will say that I have never had characters in a cozy book make me quite as angry as the townsfolk in this story. 🤣 PJ is a better person than I am, because I would have left those people to deal with their own problems.

Still, I love PJ and his friend Grant, and I'm eager to read more of them. This was a perfect, low stakes romp to lift my spirits after some of the heavier stuff I've been reading.

I also highly encourage you to give the audiobook a listen! Caleb Summers does a fantastic job!

[Alicia Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me more Weary Dragon Inn vibes than that Pobyd series did (though I still liked those books). This one just gives those majorly warm fuzzy feelings that WDI does and I’m excited to keep reading!

[Lilivette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, cozy read! I can't wait for the next books!

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2025 bk 141. What a delightful new series in Evans' Universe, this time with a map! I enjoyed getting to know PJ in the series about Bev and am delighted that he has his own series now. After being expelled from university, PJ and Grant set out to find other dragons, solving problems along the way. The first town they come to chases them out, but the second, well, there is a magical problem that needs some time to solve. Will the town allow the two to work out the issue? I'm looking forward to book 2.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy fantasy mystery with a young hero trying to leave everywhere he goes a better place. P. J. Norris’ The Town with The Butterfly Problem definitely gives, “There is no war in Ba Sing Se” vibes.

[Lemon Twist · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the spin off series but I see where they're going with this and I like it

[Jeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 rounded down

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love PJ he's adorable but I want Grant to go jump in the river. When in doubt, "What would Bev do?"

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

S. Usher Evans strikes again with another brilliant series in the world of the Weary Dragon Inn. In this spin-off series, the reader follows PJ Norris (the dragon shifter from WDI) and his best friend Grant as they trek across the land looking for other dragon shifters. Usher Evans brings a new lens to the cozy fantasy mystery in this book. PJ and Grant don’t really know what they are supposed to do. They aren’t as self-assured as Bev, or as determined as Lillie. Grant often encourages PJ to take the path of least resistance, while PJ tries his best to do the right thing, but he questions himself. I absolutely loved the friendship between PJ and Grant. It felt so authentic. They get irritated with each other and even argue, but they recognize how much they cherish their friendship.

The mystery was great, and I loved the big reveal! I cannot wait for the next installment. Thank you to S Usher Evans for the ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.