Blackmail and Broomsticks (Willowmere mysteries 4): A cozy midlife witch paranormal mystery

Willowmere #4

by Carmen Radtke

Blushing bride or malicious murderess?

Bex is enjoying the peace and tranquility of her new life in Willowmere - well, as much tranquility as running a lending library and mastering witchcraft under the critical eye of her familiar, cat Cosmo Merlin de Beaufort allows.
With the aid of her growing skills and modern medicine, even the double trouble of menopausal hot flashes and those cause by evil in her vicinity are under control. This middle-aged novice witch is more than happy to put the past aside - until her ex-husband’s bride Candice asks her for help with their business. She wants Bex to restore antique furniture bought at an auction.
Bex magnanimously agrees - why hold on to a grudge if the marriage had run its course anyway. But when the antique chest arrives, it contains more than sawdust and spiderwebs. Inside is the dead body of a man Candice used to date - a man she was last seen fighting with …
Now Bex is working against the clock, restoring furniture, Candice’s good name, and the course of justice. It will take more than just a little bit of magic to take care of all three.

Blackmail and Broomsticks is book 4 in the Willowmere mysteries series. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, magical mayhem, and heroines who believe it’s never too late for a new chapter - or a little witchcraft!

Genres: Cozy Mystery

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2026

Reviews

[Barbara Behning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cosmo Merlin de Beaufort, a familiar cat, is teaching the human Bex to master witchcraft while runnung a lending library in Willowmere. Working hard every day dispite the double trouble of menopausal hot flashes which plague her.

Ex-husband’s wife Candance asks for help putting her in the middle of a hidden body shipped to her town. It is an up hill battle to find clues to clear Candance’s name. A fun read you won’t want to lay down.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

When her ex-husband’s fiancée is accused of murder, will Bex clear her?

Honestly, I love these Willowmere Mysteries. The whole menopausal, newly divorced woman taking over for her aunt in the place she grew up, while learning magic from Cosmo, her cat and familiar, is just fantastic. Not to mention, the other members of the “Crazy Coven” who all happen to be her friends. There is a murder to be solved, Bex becoming more and more a part in the community again and making new friends along with the old. There is also plenty of humor, I love the way they showed up at the motel, and under it all, friendship. These stories are all well written and the plots well thought out.

I received an advanced reader’s copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[April Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen Radtke strikes again!  This fourth book of the Willowmere series continues with Bex and Cosmo growing and adjusting to their new lives.  An unusual turn of events has Bex reinvolved with her Ex. I never expected that twist!  As always, I'm thrilled with the characters and I'm packing my bags to move to  Cannon Hill!   I highly recommend this story and the entire series!!

[Kira Sivan]

Thank you to Carmen Radkte and BookSirens for this free ARC.


'Of all the antiques fairs in all the towns in all the world, she walked into yours'


❌ Thoughts

Blackmail and Hexes is the fourth book of the Willowmere Mysteries series. This time Bex Merriweather stumbles into another murder that makes her conflicted. After discovering a body in a chest, the main murder suspect happens to be her ex-husband's new fiancé, Candice. Bex is sure that Candice isn't guilty, but as they were last seen together during a heated exchange, Bex needs all the help she can get to uncover the mystery.

The pacing is as fast and engaging as the previous installments, though I felt that the mystery lacked tension or any real intrigue and suspense that would have helped elevate the narrative. For instance, the blackmail could have been used more offensively, like a race against time, to find the killer or solve the mystery before the one threaten to expose someone—not necessarily Bex—could follow through.

Bex: She has mastered all the basic spells, according to Cosmo, and is ready for the next level. And while she does learn a new spell or two, I like that we see her dealing with life and getting closure from to her old one by helping Candice. While she's helping the latter out, Bex keeps things civil and even friendly. There's no hard feeling as Bex is self-aware enough that her marriage had been stalling long before Candice became a thing.

Cosmo: The regal cat-mentor is still my favourite part of the series, and I felt for him in this one as he learns some things that had been kept from him. Luckily, Bex is there to pile on food and cuddles to help him get back on his paws.

While a good installment for the series, it's not my favourite, but it's still good enough if you want an easy, less tension-filled mystery.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bex and her crazy coven of friends, Ange, Harper, and Reina, decide on a girl’s weekend to visit an antique fair in a neighboring town. Also attending is her ex’s affair partner & new fiancée, Candice, who asks Bex for help acquiring items for staging a house. Bex offers her opinions and is hired to do some restorations as well. When the furniture arrives, however, it comes with a gruesome surprise and Candice under suspicion for murder. Can Bex and her friends clear Candice’s name?

Blackmail & Broomsticks continues the midlife magic Willowmere series with another fun challenge. Bex has done a great job strengthening her magic, and getting praise from her familiar, Cosmo. She also makes strides in enforcing her boundaries, especially with Rick. I admire her maturity in her interactions with Candice and ability to see that the cracks in her marriage were there before the affair. Bex also comes to an understanding with her lifelong nemesis, Linda, that leads to some nice growth on both parties. Linda’s surprise performance was truly impressive and was a delight to read. Ms. Vine also revealed a secret about her connection to Willowmere’s guardian and the revelation of her successor. I’m already looking forward to the next adventure with the crazy coven.

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kay Cobbold · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Blackmail and Broomsticks,” the fourth installment in the Cozy Midlife Witch Paranormal Mystery series, proves once again that this series is going from strength to strength.
This time, protagonist Bex is drawn into the life of her ex-husband’s fiancée, Candice, who finds herself accused of murder. It’s a compelling setup that gives Becks a powerful opportunity to finally move on from her past, and she embraces it wholeheartedly.
Meanwhile, Bex’s magical abilities continue to evolve, reaching a point where even her cat familiar, Cozmo, offers unexpected praise, a small but delightful touch for longtime readers.
As Bex and her friends chase the truth, they unleash plenty of magical mayhem. Carmen Radtke keeps the action brisk, skillfully scattering red herrings before guiding readers to a satisfying resolution. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Lora]

Blackmail & Broomsticks is the fourth book in the Willowmere Mysteries by Carmen Radke. Candice, formerly the affair partner and now the fiancée of Bex’s ex‑husband, finds herself at the center of the investigation into her former lover’s murder. Bex, Cosmo, and the Crazy Coven work together to keep Candice out of jail.

It’s refreshing to see a main character come into her powers as an older adult rather than as a late teen or young adult. I also love that she has a strong group of friends helping her protect Willowmere. I’m fully caught up on the series and am looking forward to Ghosts & Grimoires, the next installment.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackmail & Broomsticks is a Superb story and series about Bex who inherited her new Witch skills and Lending Library from her Aunt Violet with her Familiar Cosmo who talks and is helping to train Bex to improve her Witch skills. Bex with Ange, Harper and Reina are known as the Crazy Coven go on a buying trip. A chest arrives for restoration and Bex discovers a body inside. The Crazy Coven start to look for clues. But what will they uncover and can they discover the truth?

I enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend that you read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Joy]

If you enjoy cosy witch mysteries, this is the book for you. Menopause hot flashes not withstanding, this is a well crafted story that was equally exciting and truly intriguing. i will be looking for more of her work in the future.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Geraldine Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely read.
I enjoyed the little bits of Bex's past which come back to trouble her.
Her ongoing relationship with her cozy coven is also great, as is her amusing relationship with her familiar, the delightful cat Cosmo.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Martine]

Bex continues to grow into her abilities, and it’s especially satisfying to see her earn some of Cosmo’s hard-won approval. This installment is another strong addition to an already fantastic series, building on what makes these books so enjoyable. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries with a touch of magic and a delightfully snarky familiar, this one is definitely worth picking up. I’m already looking forward to the next book.
I received an advance review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh, this was a great mystery! I can’t believe who Bex has to prove innocent. Talk about crazy. I love that she keeps growing in her craft. I love that she has the best coven. I love who Ms. Vine picked as her successor. I can’t wait to read the next book!

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bex and the Crazy Coven are working hard on this murder. Surprising since the main suspect is her ex’s fiancée. Yup, the woman the ex cheated with. Bex is really growing.
The book was fun, eye opening, and full of great characters.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bez and Cosmo never disappoint and this is another winner that kept me turning pages and guessing.
A still-one-chapter type of book, I read it as fast as I could
Highly recommended. Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

[Mendy Wilson]

It was very interesting. Not what I expected. Kept me on my toes for the entire book. Also kept me guessing as to who was responsible. Look forward to the next one.

[Gregory Van Den Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Blackmail and Broomsticks"written by Carmen Radtke is a story of empowerment. The author atttmepts to prove thereis "midlife magic" for women in their 40s and 50s. She desires to prove a middle aged novice witch is able to handle both magical and everyday life with great resilience. According to the author, she writes these mysteries to restore order in a chaoitic world. She is directing the readers' attention to the fact how adventure. and self-discovery does not stop at middle age.

Her writing has been described as historical fiction with paranormal elements. This is often called historical fantasy. Historical fantasy blends research settings with ghosts, magic, or occult mysteries. Also, the author was influenced by the "Golden Age"of women mystery writers who include Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. The stories are characterized by fast, fun, and frivolity which may camouflage more serious issues. She views her mysteries as an escape where the truth will ultimately prevail.

The story begins quite innocently. Candice one of the main characters in the story brings an antique chest to be refinished by Bex, the protagonist in the story. When opened, the chest a corpse of a man is discovered. This was a man Candice once dated and she is immediatley a suspect. Bex utilizes her developing magic skills to assist in solving the mystery of who killed the man in the chest. Not only does she have to clear her friend Candice, but needs to keep her ex-husbands many dramas from upsetting and ruining her relatively placid life.

The conflict in the story is broken into three distinct parts. The three parts are:
1.The External Conflict(The murder)
2.The Supernatural Conflict(Magic vs. Experience)
3.The Internaland Interpersonal Conflict(The ex factor)
The story's resolution requires Bex to balance her professional as an antique restorer,amateur sleuthing, and erratic magic to bring the actual killer to justice.

There are several themes in the story. The themes blend the cozy comfort of the small town with the empowering elements of "mid-life" magic. The themes are:
1.Acts of Empowerment
2.Forgiveness and Maturity
3. Justice vs. Appearance
4.The "Found Family"and Companioship
5. Order created out of chaos


The themes in the story reveal to the reader how to reclaim the narrative of aging. The author wants to shift this period of fading away to one of becoming more active in one's life.The author desires deeply to normalize the second acto of Bex's life. There is a suggestion of how a person is able to reinvent oneself. The reader discovers how curiousity and emotional growth is not only reserved for the young. The story portrays a high level of emotional intelligence. This is a prioritizing justice over petty grievances.

Even though the story may be a light hearted mystery, the story does address several important issues. The story employs the supernatural setting to comment on the real-world experiences of women in their "mid-life." The key social issues addressed in the story include:
1.Ageism and Invisibility
2.The Phsical realities of Aging
3.Life after Divorce
4. Access to Justice

You need to read this story if you are looking for an excellent comfort read. The story is balanced as a clever mystery with a relatable lead character in Bex. The lead character is dealing with the problems a 50 year old woman faces in her life. The magic in the story is used fo humor and not horror. There is a comedic thread throughout the story which prevents the murder mystery from becoming too serioud of a read. Do not miss out read today.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bex, Cosmo and the "Crazy Coven" (Bex's 3 besties) are back once more.
Bex and her 3 best friends--Ange, Harper and Reina--take an overnight trip to attend an Antiques Fair in the town of Cannon Hill, because Ange is looking for a Tiffany lamp and Bex has a magical affinity for matching decor pieces to people.
She's also skilled at restoring old furniture and antique decor, which leads to the occasional consultation and restoration for her former husband/business partner and his new fiancee, Candice.
While attending the antiques fair, Bex is approached by Candice, who asks for help in locating a few pieces for a job she's on. Bex agrees. Purchases are made and an agreement is reached for Bex to do some restoration and refurbishing on the items.
Fast Forward: Bex and friends are back in Willowmere and Bex takes delivery of a large antique chest in need of restoration that Candice had purchased.
Imagine her shock and surprise when she discovers the body of a local man inside complete with the murder weapon still embedded between his ribs!
Once again Bex must put on her sleuthing cap to solve a murder because her witch-y intuition tells her the police are focusing on the wrong person. Their prime suspect is none other than Candice, Bex's ex's bride-to-be.
Will Bex, Cosmo and the Crazy Coven uncover the truth before Candice is arrested and charged with murder? You'll have to read the book to answer that question and a few others.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not every day that the woman who broke up your marriage asks for a favour. But Bex is trying to move on, so she agrees to help her ex-husband's fiancée, Candice, pick a few antique pieces for their staging business. When an item - a chest - is delivered containing a corpse, Candice is the prime suspect; her prints on the murder weapon seem to seal the verdict. Luckily, Bex is there to help.

One of the most endearing parts of this series is watching Bex settle so happily into her new life. Her mentor, her familiar, has bonded with her, and her friends are strong and true. Despite the messiness of the murders that Bex becomes involved in, the message is pure and uplifting.

Bex uses everything at her disposal to help her solve the crime in Blackmail and Broomsticks. She's intuitive and intelligent. And, having friends who are talented in their own ways really helps, too. For a paranormal cosy, the situation feels delightfully authentic.

Thank you to Carmen Radtke and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.

[Willow Poteet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is said that no good deed ever goes unpunished.
Bex Merriweather, a middle-aged, divorced, perimenopausal woman, who has just discovered that she is a witch, finds truth in the old adage.
With her feline familiar, Cosmo Merlin DeBeaucort by her side, Bex is enjoying her life as an antiques restorer and keeper of her late aunt’s lending library in Willowmere.
But, at the biannual antiques fair in nearby
Cannon Hill, Bex is approached by her ex-husband’s new bride, Candice, who begs for her help to restore some furniture for their business.
Thinking that there could be no harm in helping Candice, Bex has the furniture delivered to the shop where she does her restoration and discovers a horrible surprise!
This is another great book in the Willowmere Mysteries series! The author kept me interested from beginning to end!
Carmen Radtke does an excellent job of blending magic with mystery and I love this series! This is book #5, but they don't have to be read in order to be enjoyed.
I was honored to be included in the Advanced Reader team for this book and I’m happy to leave this voluntary review.

[Fraxinus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series since the heroine utilized blue hair dye to change her life. Bex's story is a perfect mish-mash of found family, snarky familiars, and magical mystery. It doesn't hurt that my dream job would be owning a lending library or bookstore in a quiet, magical town filled with my besties!

In this installment, Bex is starting to feel comfortable in her skin and her abilities. So, of course, in comes her ex-husband to spice up her life in a bad, bad way. It seems his new fiancée is the prime suspect in a murder, and he begs Bex to help clear her name.

Men.

Now, this book could go a very, very different way and to be honest, noone would blame Bex at all. But, this is a story of a woman stepping into her power, regardless of pig-headed, stupid men. In fact, while there have been a few potential suitors, I love how Bex is taking time to focus on herself and her personal growth. It is refreshing.

All told, this was fun read. I enjoyed every page, even without the significant and much-deserved body count. I can't wait to see where the crazy coven takes us next!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackmail and Broomsticks, the fourth book in the Willowmere mysteries series and hooks you from the beginning. Bex is learning more about her growing powers and how to handle them thanks to the careful watchful eye of her familiar, cat, Cosmo Merlin de Beaufort. Bex with her crazy coven of friends, Ange, Harper, and Reina decide to go to an antiques fair in the next town. They run into Bex's ex-husband and his fiancé Candice who ask for Bex's help in restoring a piece of furniture for them. Bex actually agreed but when the piece of furniture was shipped to Bex, she opens it and finds a dead body and Candice is charged with murder. Bex, Cosmo and her coven friends are on the investigation to try and prove Candice innocent. Can they? Or is she really guilty? And what interesting news did Bex find out about her aunt’s friend Ms Vine? This is a page turner with great characters! Not only do I highly recommend this book, but I highly recommend the entire series! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackmail and Broomsticks may be the fourth book in the Willowmere paranormal cozy mystery series; but the story is fresh and an entirely new take on Bex and her "crazy coven" friends.

The mystery begins with Candice, Bex's ex-husband's finance', asks for a favor. I cheered for Bex when she agreed to help because her it showed just how much she had grown in understanding her own self-worth. The mystery takes off when Bex discovers a dead body in a trunk and Candice becomes the prime suspect. Illusive clues, twists and turns, questionable motives and a surprising reveal all kept me intrigued until the end. The friendship between Bex and her coven "sisters" is heartwarming. They are so supportive of her and accept her magic as if it's a normal way of life. True friends! This is a very enjoyable series and I look forward to more in this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, BookSirens, for the opportunity.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bex continues to grow despite the hand she was dealt with her ex husband and his fiancé, the woman he cheated with, aka Candice. She is learning that her marriage was falling apart long before he cheated. Bex is also having to deal with her ex-husband's fiancé, is actually a nice person and has reached out for help from Bex on restoring some furniture. Once the furniture is delivered to Bex, a gruesome discovery is made with Candice being the main suspect. Candice begs Bex for help so Bex and her coven, Angie, Reina and Harper set out to discover what really transpired the night the murder occurred.

Bex is learning so much and growing in her witchiness and her girlfriends/coven make such a great team. Their strengths compliment each other so much and they are able to sleuth out who the culprit is and who the innocent party is.

I love Cosmo, Bex's familiar. He has plenty of sas in him!

I received an advanced reader copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[teacup_thoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the chance to read this as an ARC, and I absolutely loved it, I genuinely couldn��t put it down. This book perfectly blends cozy mystery with just the right touch of magic, making it such a fun and engaging read from start to finish.

Bex is such a refreshing and relatable main character, and I really enjoyed following her as she navigates both her everyday life and the chaos that suddenly unfolds. The story has a great balance of humor, intrigue, and heart, and it kept me hooked the entire time.

The mystery itself was so well done, with just enough twists to keep me guessing without ever feeling overwhelming. Overall, this was such an enjoyable and charming read, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves cozy mysteries with a magical twist.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kim C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment in the Willowmere cozy midlife magic mysteries. Bex and Cosmos are dealing with another murder and this time, the murder suspect hits too close to home.

Bex is progressing with her magical studies, learning to control and read her menopausal symptoms. She’s moved on from her divorce, has an awesome set of friends-her “crazy coven”, and is enjoying a local antiques show, when her ex-husband’s future wife runs into trouble and enlists Bex’s help. What follows is a mystery with plenty of twists & dark secrets coming to light.

Carmen Radtke pulls you in with relatable characters with supernatural abilities that enable them to navigate hormonal changes, old hurts, and new problems, taking you along for the crazy ride.

I received this book as an ARC reader, and am leaving my honest review.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

More crime solving fun with Bex and Cosmo from Willowmere! This addition to the series involves Bex's ex husband and his fiance, who gets tangled up with a murder that looks suspiciously like her fault. To her credit, Bex is willing and able to help the fiance, Candice, try to solve the murder. It's perhaps a bit surprising how willing Bex is to help her and clearly she has mixed feelings from time to time. This is a nice addition to this series and if you're a fan, you'll enjoy this book! The characters are familiar and true to their selves (if you've been reading this series) and the plot is interesting and just twisted enough to keep you from guessing the end.

This ARC was provided by BookSirens and the publisher, the opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

[Kathryn Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series makes for easy reading - nothing challenging, nothing scary just a cozy witchcraft mystery.

I enjoyed this, but less than the others in this series.

I've read all the books in the series so far and this one whilst fun is probably the weakest for me, as it felt a little bit "samey" compared to the past instalments. I feel like the series needs to move the main characters forwards more in order to stay fresh and interesting because otherwise it's just another variant on "crime is solved by the crazy coven".

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I'd certainly read the next in series, but hope that the author isn't sacrificing story quality for speed of publishing

[Catherine Stratman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chest, a body, and her ex's fiancé. What could go wrong?

Bex and her friends go to a flea market to look for various items. Bex runs into "the other woman" who asks for her help refinishing some items. When the purchases are delivered, there is an extra item included. It happens to be the body of the fiancé's ex. Are you confused yet? Bex and the crazy coven work to get Candice off the hook for the murder. And Bex and Cosmo are still working of her training. And Ms Vine, but no spoilers! Such a good mystery with lots going on. Can't wait for the next book!

I received an ARC. This is my honest review.

[Nordiana Baruzzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bex Merryweather has been learning witchcraft and solving murders ever since she inherited her Aunt Violet's role as Willowmere's guardian. On her forth outing, the late-blooming witch has to prove her ex-husband's fiancée didn't kill her ex. With the help of her talking cat/witchcraft tutor and her crazy coven (i.e. her best friends since forever) she'll use her witchy senses to solve another case.

A very well thought out murder, a clever use of witchcraft, lovable characters make up this series, which I intend to keep on reading

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackmail & Broomstick is Book 4 in the Willowmere Mysteries by Carmen Radtke. This series is very enjoyable. Bex is a good main character who is learning het craft with the help of her familiar cat… Cosmo Merlin de Beaufort. I found that magic was not the main focus, the mystery/murder is excellent. Bex ex husband has remarried and his bride, Candice, wants Bex to refinish a chest. Against her better judgement, she says yes. Unfortunately, the body of a former boyfriend of Candice is inside! Let the mystery begin! I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.