Witches of Questionable Intent

Books of Dubious Origin #2

by Jenn McKinlay

A librarian witch must use her bookish knowledge to track down a dangerous, magical tome, in this enchanting novel from New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay.

Thanks to her training as a librarian and her newfound magical abilities, Zoe Ziakas thinks she has a handle on her job at the Museum of Literature safeguarding the secret collection of enchanted tomes known as the Books of Dubious Origin. But when Jasper Griffin—the colleague she’s been crushing on—reports that their most volatile acquisition, The Book of Shadows, has been stolen, Zoe’s carefully cataloged world unravels.

This isn’t just any magical text. It carries unquestionable power, twisting truth into illusion and turning allies into enemies. Once its power is unleashed, no one can trust what they see or who they are.

To track down the book, Zoe, Jasper, and the rest of the BODO team plunge into a perilous hunt that takes them from shadowy midnight markets to demon-infested streets, all while wrangling an unpredictable hellhound puppy. But when the thief begins to invoke the book’s darkest spells, Zoe faces an impossible challenge: How does she stop a curse that can rewrite reality itself?

If she can’t separate fact from fiction, the story won’t just end—it will be erased.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery, Romance, Cozy Mystery, Witches, Fiction

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 10, 2026

About the author

Jenn is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. She is also the winner of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for romantic comedy and the Fresh Fiction award for best cozy mystery. A TEDx speaker, she is always happy to talk books, writing, reading, and the creative process to anyone who cares to listen. She lives in sunny Arizona in a house that is overrun with books, pets, and her husband’s guitars.

Reviews

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰]

4.5 Stars

We're back with our BODO gang from the Books of Dubious Origin at the NY Museum of Literature. Zoe is pretty new at this witch job and she's still trying to find out how everything works - especially her family's old spell book. And suddenly they're right in the middle of another book mystery: the book of shadows has been stolen right from under their noses. Demons! Off we go to save the world again. With all that danger and excitement, there's also a little time for some romance and fun and we get a cute little magical puppy!
I really enjoyed reading this second book - please read the first book first!
I hope that this will be a very long series - I'm already in love with Zoe and Jasper and all the others!

WITCHES OF QUESTIONABLE CONTENT was a great 2nd book in this cozy magical crime series. Mysterious. Funny. Dangerous. Supernatural. Sweet. Adorable. Exciting.

If you can't click the buy-links
from your phone - click ► HERE!


💜 💜

[Darla Taylor]

Zoe Ziakas is a trained librarian who has newfound magical abilities. She believes she has a handle on things, especially with her new job at the Museum of Literature. There she helps safeguard a special collection of enchanted tomes known as the Books of Dubious Origin. But when her colleague, Jasper Griffin, tells her that their newest acquisition, "The Book of Shadows", has been stolen her carefully crafted world comes apart. This isn't just any magical book, it has unimaginable power that can twist truth into illusion and turn allies into enemies. Once its power is unleashed, nothing can be trusted.

To track the book down, Zoe and Jasper along with tbe rest of tbe BODO team start a perilous hunt taking them from shadowy midnight markets to demon-infested streets. Along the way, Zoe gains a hellhound puppy while she and Jasper develop a deeper bond. But when the thief begins to use the book's darkest spells, Zoe faces an impossible challenge ~ stopping a curse that can rewrite reality. To stop their story from being erased, she has to separate fact from fiction.

This is the second book in a new series by Jenn McKinlay and it was an absolutely thrilling read. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Berkley and this is my honest, unbiased review. I was drawn into this tantalizing tale and kept hooked from beginning to end. The book was incredibly well-written with well-developed characters and a fast-paced plot. This is a fascinating paranormal story with intrigue, romance, and suspense along with a magical crime to be solved. There's also an utterly adorable hellhound puppy who almost takes over the story in an amazing way. Jenn McKinlay is a fabulous author and storyteller whose books are automatic reads for me. Each of her books, from cozies and more, whisk you away for at least a few hours taking you to another world. I thoroughly enjoyed this magical series which is a first for the author. Both books were beyond excellent reads and I highly recommend them.

[S Mille]

A librarian who’s a witch, tracking down magical books? What’s not to love?

Zoe is one of five librarians of the Museum of Literature who use their magic to safeguard a collection of enchanted books called the Books of Dubious Origin. Jasper Griffin, her sort of boyfriend (as in they met, then he was sent off on a case before they got beyond a couple of dates) has just returned from a two month mission with a recovered book, The Book of Shadows. It’s safely locked in the library vault, but later during the Booklover’s Gala (the biggest fundraiser event for the library) someone steals it, although not before casting a wild spell on the guests. Now the team has to figure out who stole the book and get it back before they unleash it’s power.

Even though this is the second book in the series and not quiet a standalone, I adored it. A little romance, a little mystery, a little magic - and a lot of fun. Zoe’s a newbie witch, so she hast have people and things explained to her which works well to explain it to the reader as well. My only complaint is that there wasn’t enough detail about what happened to Zoe’s parents; a minor complaint as I’ve already added the first book to my TBR pile.

Recommended - I received a copy of this from NetGalley.com that I voluntarily chose to review.

[Marion]

– I’ve been enjoying this series by McKinlay which comes across as a cozy fantasy/mystery book. I think one of the reasons that I like this series is because it is about books, librarians and magic. What a great combination, especially from a librarian’s point of view. McKinley has written up strong characters that have grown over the two books in the series so far. I find the plot and the twist move the book at a great pace. I do find that you need to read the first book to really enjoy the second book in the series. Zoe is training to be a librarian for the Museum of Literature, which holds magical books that can be dangerous to the outside world. The librarian’s job is to find these dangerous and magical tomes and safekeep them in the museum. Well, one such book “The Book of Shadows” has been found by Jasper and brought back to the museum. While they are at a Ball, a mage has stolen “The Books of Shadows” and is causing havoc for the Zoe and her crew. Well worth reading if you enjoy a cozy fantasy or mystery. Thank you to Edelweiss and Ace for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica Bellemore]

The witchy sequel we all wanted is here and better than ever.

Zoe Ziakis finally feels like she’s acclimating to her role working with Books of Dubious Origin (BODO) at the Museum of Literature…until the Book of Shadows is stolen from right under her and her coworkers' noses. Now it’s up to them to find the book before it’s used for the wrong purposes.

The BODO is so deliciously described that I could almost see the spa-like room that reveals itself to Zoe after a tough encounter, and hear the crackling office fires.

The further building of the magical world is bar-none, not unexpected from the exceptionally talented Jenn McKinlay, and I refuse to spoil anything other than saying one of my favourite additions: Diego.

The story sets up readers for wanting further adventure with the BODO crew, and I for one can’t wait to get my little hands on book 3 in the hopefully near future.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group I Ace and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

[Sara]

Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to read the second instalment in the Books of Dubious Origin.

Zoe Ziakas is back and this time it is absolutely action packed! There isn't a moment of calm. The poor girl is just trying to learn her magic and the emotions of her grimoire. But seriously, I couldn't put the book down. And I love our newest Hellhound addition to the crew!

Zoe has been training her skills with the help of Agnes and the crew. Her beau, Jasper Griffin, returned from a secret trip where he obtained a powerful book, the Book of Shadows. But they weren't the only ones looking for this book. One night the museum was ransacked and the book was stolen from their vault.

Facing a rogue demon and a high ranking witch with ill intentions, the BODO crew set off to recover the book. When the most powerful spell is unleashed within the book, they must determine what is real and what is fake before it's too late.

[Laurel]

Witches of Dubious Origin by Jenn McKinlay introduced me to an interesting group of characters and a library that I would absolutely love to visit. McKinlay's second book in the series, Witches of Questionable Intent, steps a little bit out of the realm of cozy and Zoe has decidedly accepted her role as a librarian witch and taken command of her magical abilities. Well, some of them. The group of Zoe, Jasper, Miles, Tariq, Olive, and an adorable hellhound puppy named Diego leave the walls of the BODO in search of "The Book of Shadows," a powerful acquisition that has been stolen. Along the way powerful demons and witches are determined to thwart them.

A little bit darker, deeper, and fun, I felt more pulled into this second chapter in the lives and adventures of the members of the BODO library. There are unexpected touching family moments for both Zoe and Jasper and a hint of what's waiting for this magical team. I can't wait for the next book.

Thanks to NetGallery for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Kathy]

Bookwyrms! Hellhounds! Demons! What more could you ask for in this sequel to Witches of Dubious Origin? This book was even better than the first, and very fast paced and exciting. Jasper has found another special book, and it was placed in the vault. But a Demon found a way to get it and the chase is on to get it back. Zoe and friends battle new witches and demons and Zoe starts to come into her powers as a member of the team. Some interesting facts about Jasper are discovered along the way. They learn from a surprising source that there are actually five bonded books, and they decide to go on a quest to find the other three. I hope that the third book comes quickly so I can follow them on their adventures. Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley books for the chance to read this.

[Jeremy Reppy]

There are many enjoyable things in this story — bookwyrms (which would be appealing to have if they really existed); the jealous grimoire; the midnight market; the main characters (Zoe, Jasper, Miles, Tariq, Olive, Agatha); the BODO; Freya the book-cat; Diego the hellhound.

The plot was creative and clever. I liked seeing Zoe grow in confidence as to her powers and gain a better understanding of her abilities. Late in the book information is revealed that sets up the possibility of three more books in the series, which would be appealing.

[Darci Kester]

Cozy, witchy mystery with a dash of romance. Really enjoy the main and secondary characters. I liked that the story moved at a steady pace. I’d recommend reading the first book in the series before reading this one. It builds off the first book.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Witches of Questionable Intent to come out November 10, 2026.

[Alicia Alford]

Thank you to the publishers for this ARC!

I devoured these second book in the series and cannot wait for the next one! Diego was an amazing addition and I loved his snark. The adventure was well written and kept me engaged throughout!

[Marisa Huff]

Jenn's books are an automatic buy and read for me.
While this series is a switch from her cozies and rom coms, this hits all the levels for a witchy fantasy series

It is a longer book than most of her others, but it was still a quick read for me!