The Case of the Hexed Heart: Witchy magical mystery with cats

by K.E. O'Connor

Can a banished magical cat crack a cold case no one else could?Decades ago, a gifted healer was found dead in Badger’s Haze, a powerful brooch in her grasp. Angel Force failed to solve the crime and buried the file. Now it’s back. And so is the danger.

Exiled cat familiar Juno, stuck in the haunted village library, pounces on the mystery. But every clue uncovers fresh simmering rivalries, old spells, and a killer who still has claws.

With suspects circling and magic misfiring, Juno must untangle the truth before the case claims another life. Solving it might win her freedom, if it doesn’t end her nine lives first.

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The Case of the Hexed Heart is book two in the Feline Files. The series is perfect for fans of paranormal witchy puzzles, magical cats, supernatural sleuths, and twisty cozy mystery reads that enchant.

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

K.E. O’Connor is the author of the Witch Haven mystery series, the Crypt Witch cozy mysteries, the Lorna Shadow ghost mysteries, the Holly Holmes baking mysteries, the Zee Town paranormal cozy series, and the Old Sarum mystery series, along with other titles available if you cast the right spell. She can imagine dragons, taste cookies when they aren’t even there, and hear the crack of a witch’s broom at a hundred paces.

K.E. (the K stands for Karen) lives in the United Kingdom (it isn’t very united, but that’s a mystery for another time) among the mystical stones and fairy creatures of Somerset. She graduated from the Universities of Southampton and Reading, where she received degrees in Archaeology and Cognitive Evolution (both highly entertaining to take part in, but with the career options of a ground witch’s toe bone.)

If you’re of the curious persuasion and want to know more, visit her website at www.keoconnor.com for enlightening knowledge on all things cozy mystery, book news, and a peek into the magical world of a writer who believes animals talk and magic is just a finger click away.

To contact her, visit her Facebook page – www.facebook/keoconnorauthor, join her email list, or dust off that haunted mirror in your cellar and speak the ancient magical words to transport yourself into her lounge. There may be tea and cookies waiting, or there may be giants – it depends on her mood.

Reviews

[DianaRaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE CASE OF THE HEXED HEART is the second installment in K.E. O'Connor's newest series,The Feline Files. A new cold case brings another interesting plot and more snarky characters. The humor and  unexpected twists and turns make this series and installment another winner for the author. Juno and BFF Sage are still using snow globes  (magical communication devices).  This is the only way Juno can  keep in touch with anyone in Crimson Cove while she is banished to Badger’s Haze.

The library ghosts tried entertaining Juno with shows of epic battles from history, but that gets old quick. Finally, Juno finds the perfect case to solve. When she solves this 20 year old cold case of a renowned magical healer, the Angels are sure to forgive her and let her go home to Crimson Cove, her wonderful witch and all her friends. As Juno starts interviewing the original suspects, she finds Iona's familiar, Minnie, who wants to help with the new investigation. Sage doesn't trust Minnie, but Juno likes her and decides Minnie can help find her witch's murderer. Juno also gets some unexpected help and discovers a liar. 

I like that there are fewer snow globe communications than previously. This helps the story move along smoother.

I really enjoy this new series. I received an Advance Reader's Copyl of this fun, cozy mystery, and the above is my honest and freely given review. I also recommend this new series (and the Magical Misfits  Mysteries series) to anyone who loves entertaining mysteries and wise talking cats.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Case Of The Hexed Heart - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Witch Zandra's beloved familiar Juno has been stripped of her powers and banished to Badger's Haze, in K.E O'Connor's The Case Of The Hexed Heart. 
Connected with her feline friend Sage via their shared snow globe link and deciding to improve her plea for restitution by solving a cold case, Juno befriends Minnie - a murdered witch's familiar and together the trio start investigating...which leads to lots of uncomfortable and sometimes perilous encounters.

To find out if you guessed the real killer and the reason for Iona's death, get The Case Of The Hexed Heart today - it's definitely spellbinding!

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juno wants to get back in the good graces with the angels in hopes of ending his banishment. He decides to check cold cases and the one he chose is a twenty year old murder of a witch. That witches familiar finds Juno after hearing Juno is working on the case. Sage is helping as much as he can from talking thru a crystal ball. Using their collective skills and after going thru all the suspects they discover, one suspect never made it on the list. It was fun reading how they went about doing things. In true Ms O'Connor style this is a feel good page turning read.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad the format changed back to a regular story to be read. It now makes the sections of Juno learning about her cold cases from old files pop out a little bit more. Seems that Juno has a way of bringing misfits together no matter where she is. So looking forward to the next book!

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Vase of the Jesse Heart: Witch magical mystery with cats, The Feline Files book 2

Still living is a nasty town with little magic of Her own thanks to Angel Force. Jump meets another familiar while trying to solve a complicated cold case.

[Carolyn Roarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This format was much more enjoyable. It's nice to see Juno maturing. He should finish the tattoo!

[Marion Moxhay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun read. The cats are super characters. A lovely book altogether.