Bloom & Buried

by Scarlett Moss

Apparently, you can take the girl out of the witch town, but you can't take the murder accusations out of the homecoming.Dr. Sloan Kerrigan thought returning to Bellhaven Harbor meant inheriting some dusty herbs and facing a few awkward conversations about abandoning the family apothecary for medical school. Instead, she got a dead ex-boyfriend in the family cemetery and a whole town convinced she poisoned him with her mother's herbs.

Armed with her snarky terrier Paddy (who provides commentary no one else can hear), a spectral feline sidekick named Salem, and a fierce squad of friends who treat crisis management like a competitive sport, Sloan must clear her name before she becomes the town's next cautionary tale. Between dodging accusations, fighting off greedy developers, and learning that her late mother left more cryptic clues than an escape room designer, Sloan's got her hands full.

The good news? Her medical degree comes in handy for identifying poisons. The bad news? Apparently, it also makes you the primary suspect.

If you love your mystery with a side of found family, snarky animal companions, and small-town secrets that refuse to stay buried, welcome to Bellhaven Harbor—where the magic is real, the gossip is deadly, and coming home might just kill you.

Pour a cup of tea, settle in, and start Bloom & Buried today—the first book in the Wisteria & Wildwood Apothecary Paranormal Cozy Mysteries.

Perfect for fans of Practical Magic, Gilmore Girls, and The Good Witch.

Genres: Amazon

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Madison Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many descriptions for smells and not enough backstory. How many people in town are witches? Does everyone know? Medical school was mentioned hardly at all. Too many plot holes, and circling back to things that happened last chapter that the FMC already must have forgotten? Just dropping in a guy at the end? The friend can hear the dog talk, but no mention of her being a witch?

This had so much potential and lived up to almost none of it.

[Javon50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Sloan Kerrigan is returning to her hometown of Bellhaven Harbor after years away living in a large city. Knowing that she wanted more out of life than living in Bellhaven Harbour she left years ago, attended medical school and had successful medical practice far away from her hometown. After her mother Rosemary passes away Sloan returns home even though she has not always been made to feel welcome. Knowing that her mother had a thriving apothecary selling herbs and special teas, as a medical doctor Sloan is not sure that taking over her mother’s shop is what she wants to do with her life. When a local resident’s body is found behind her mother’s business, along with former prosecutor Lark Monroe and her close friends from Bellhaven, they band together to find the real killer, clear Sloan’s name and help her decide what her next step will be. Along with her toy poodle terrier mix, Paddy and a ghost cat named Salem and her friends, Sloan knows she is not alone. What a charming book with characters you can’t help but love and a mystery that may only be solved with a hit of magic. This is my honest and voluntary review of an advanced copy of this book.

[Kara Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a cute new paranormal cozy mystery series; I really like the setting of a seaside small town, to which Sloan, a medical doctor, has returned after the death of her mother. She has inherited her mother’s dilapidated haunted house, as well as her mother’s business, an apothecary that as a witch, her mother ran fairly successfully, she thought. The she finds out there were serious financial problems—and now a murder in which she’s a suspect. She’s surrounded by a fun group of friends, as well as her talking dog (only heard by her and her best friend) and a ghost cat. The story and writing are really good and I enjoyed the book a lot. I can definitely recommend this book and look forward to them next book. I received an ARC, which I appreciate, but these opinions are my own.

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the start to this new series. What wonderful characters! I think my favorites were Paddy, Sloan’s familiar, and Salem, the ghostly kitty haunting the shop. Just the perfect amount of snark! Sloan reconnects with her childhood best friends, Nora and Tessa, plus her best friend from the city, Lark, follows her back, because that’s what best friends do!
Secrets that her recently departed mother kept are discovered in a forceful way, via an ex. Then there is the murder, that poor Sloan is number one suspect. What follows is a fantastic adventure that uses everyone’s talents to their best potential.
I could not put down this book. Well, not until I started falling asleep and it literally fell on my face! Turns out I was 3 pages from finishing. Pretty much finished in a day, it was so good!

[Tess Ailshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could be a really interesting series - an MD who's also a witch, even if she doesn't accept the two can exist in one person until after her mother dies and she, for some reason, returns to her hometown.

Sadly, the writing style did nothing for me. By Chapter 4 I was noting to myself that one can have too much of a good thing; not all descriptors need simile. The writing style is overloaded with them, and it detracts from the story.

I really don't have a good sense of all the characters; apparently Rodney was a good guy, and somehow this firefighter who appears at the end is the be-all-and-end-all; the "coven" is a group of women who are friends, but without magical powers, IIUC. More a sorority than a coven, in my opinion, but hey, I can be wrong.

I just won't be reading further to find out. Too many loose ends and forgettable characters.

[J Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent start to the series.

Sloan Kerrigan left Bellhaven Harbor, putting medical school ahead of the family apothecary and science ahead of witchcraft. She is back, leaving behind a well-paying medical practice. Her mother is dead, the family home and apothecary are threatened, and the sheriff wants to pin her ex-boyfriend’s death on her. She will need the help of her unholy coven, her terrier sidekick, and a cat ghost to unravel the truth, clear her name, and save her family heritage.

This is an exciting cozy. I recommend this story full of witches, magic, familiars, ghosts, and villains to anyone who loves a good witch cozy. I received a free copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Sloan Kerrigan returns to her hometown of Bellhaven Harbor. She left because she wanted to become a doctor & left her witchinness behind, but that returns when she comes home. Her mother died some time before and the home and the Apothecary Shop need attention. But, first she’s told there is a loan outstanding & then someone is murdered & found in the special Garden Grave Cemetery behind the shop. Sloan is a suspect. Her friends, Lark, Nora and Tessa along with her dog Paddy and a ghost cat Salem decide to find out who did it. Also her home is going to be auctioned because of the loan not being paid. A very interesting story of how the group solve the murder and save her home.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this first in a new series by an author I’d already read and loved her sense of humor in the Swift Justice Club mysteries. I like a good paracozy at times and this book definitely didn’t disappoint. Sloan and her three friends, along with ghost cat Salem and little Paddy pup, all seemed like they’d be some people and pets I’d wanna be friends with. Paddy had some of the best lines he thought to Sloan.

I liked the more peaceful showdown which was still super satisfying. The very ending was a cute surprise and I hope Sloan and her potential boyfriend can grow into a relationship. It looked like they had a nice start.

[Lee Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could feel her anguish over everything she was experiencing. Only a good writer who knows how to use evocative writing could do that. So the Kerrigan family left a large legacy, but also a large debt in many ways. I would be so upset if someone did that to me and didn't let me know. Trying to figure out who caused the problems was very challenging and I didn't figure it out. I can't wait for the next book.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional start to what promises to be a five-star series! Excellent storytelling gives life to a plot which is nice and twisty and characters who are well-developed and believable. Highly recommended! I’m eagerly awaiting the next book. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

First in a series. Somehow, for some reason after thirty years of being gone, Sloan returns to her home town. She left because she wanted to be a doctor instead of a witch. Something never explained and fully accepted by the whole town. The day after she arrives, her ex boyfriend is found dead in the family plot and of course Sloan is accused. Same old, same old. Not interested in reading any further.

[DJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sloan left to become a “real” doctor; and left her mother in her home community to continue running the family apothecary. Sloan was certain that training to be a doctor would be a better future than being a witch.
It is only the loss of her mother that brings her back; to close up the family business or to stay; who’s to say

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloom & Buried: Wider is & Wild wood Apothecary cozy mystery book 1

A woman who left small-town to become a Dr. comes back home and gets involved with finding a body in the family cemetery. On top of that her house is to be auction ed off. Also she is a witch. Teat characters and great story.

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

I absolutely loved this book. The mystery, the charm, the characters. There was so much happening but it felt comfortable and warm. The strength of the women and their belief in each other makes this book great. The mystery of the book keeps you guessing and the ending is the best.

[Antonia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a deliciously devious read. The story was highly entertaining. I couldn't seem to get enough of it. The small town flavor added an extra bit of zing to the story. This was a very enjoyable read!!!!!

[Kathy J Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cozy well-written story!

I loved how descriptive the author was in setting the scenes for this book. I enjoyed reading it as well. I am looking forward to diving into the next book in the series!

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emotional

The story was so rushed and tensed that the author forgot to introduce the characters. She rushed through the story so fast that I didn't even get to feel the characters .

[Deborah Yunevich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and fun

Sloane comes home after her mother's passing. She reunites with old friends . Her ex boyfriend is killed and she is the prime suspect. I laughed, I worried, but enjoyed it thoughly.

[Sandra Linebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Ghostly Mother / Murder in a town with a Bait & Tarot Shop -- What More Could You Want?

"Bloom & Buried" is a fun cozy mystery. It has great characters & a plot with clues that keep you guessing. I plan to read more in this series.

[Darlene C Robold · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, this book never jelled. Too choppy. Felt as if I was already supposed to know more about the magical issues. Not my cup of magical tea.

[Conny CONE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered an incredible author whose writing captivates me completely. Their book was an absolute page-turner, and I'm thrilled to dive into the entire series, eager to explore more of their compelling storytelling.

[Ilene G> · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish.

I did not finish. I do not like the "someone is framing the main character " plot. Then, a ghost who knows who the murderer is, refuses to tell Sloan who it is .

[Lisa J. Lejeune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and cozy

This book is very cute and offers a cozy, easy read. Quick to finish and light hearted even though the story seems meant to be scary.

[Angie Titus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it quite a bit, but I found parts of it confusing and contradictory. The dog and cat were my favorite characters.