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Witches of Willow Cove #1
A Novel Death
Rowan Page has a plan.
It is not a good plan, but it is technically a plan. She’ll come to Willow Cove, sort out the seaside bookshop her late aunt left behind, sell the property before the money runs out, and move on with her life.
Quill & Tide has other ideas.
The shelves are beautiful but impossible to navigate. The bathroom mirror keeps leaving messages in her dead aunt’s handwriting. And Moss, the sea-glass gray cat who came with the building, keeps glowing every time someone lies.
Rowan would love to pretend all of that is normal.
Unfortunately, denial gets harder when a bestselling thriller author drops dead at the town’s Masques & Manuscripts festival, right in front of half the waterfront.
The police have a suspect. The town has gossip. Moss has strong feelings about everyone involved, most of them unflattering. And Rowan has questions she really should stop asking, especially once they lead to a stolen grimoire and secrets Aunt Oona apparently took to the grave.
Willow Cove is charming, magical, and very bad at minding its own business.
Rowan was supposed to sell the bookshop and leave.
Instead, she may have inherited a murder mystery and one extremely judgmental cat.
It is not a good plan, but it is technically a plan. She’ll come to Willow Cove, sort out the seaside bookshop her late aunt left behind, sell the property before the money runs out, and move on with her life.
Quill & Tide has other ideas.
The shelves are beautiful but impossible to navigate. The bathroom mirror keeps leaving messages in her dead aunt’s handwriting. And Moss, the sea-glass gray cat who came with the building, keeps glowing every time someone lies.
Rowan would love to pretend all of that is normal.
Unfortunately, denial gets harder when a bestselling thriller author drops dead at the town’s Masques & Manuscripts festival, right in front of half the waterfront.
The police have a suspect. The town has gossip. Moss has strong feelings about everyone involved, most of them unflattering. And Rowan has questions she really should stop asking, especially once they lead to a stolen grimoire and secrets Aunt Oona apparently took to the grave.
Willow Cove is charming, magical, and very bad at minding its own business.
Rowan was supposed to sell the bookshop and leave.
Instead, she may have inherited a murder mystery and one extremely judgmental cat.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2026
About the author
Sara Bourgeois
364 books393 followersSara Bourgeois is a Midwesterner through and through. She spends her time writing, reading, herding cats, and standing in her driveway during tornado warnings. (You can't see them from the basement.)
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 28, 2026
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
June 29, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
You know when you buy a comfy sweater and you already know exactly what you're getting?
That's this book.
A woman inherits a bookstore in a small town, discovers she's a witch, gets a magical cat, and finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. None of this is groundbreaking, but sometimes that's exactly what I'm looking for.
The real star of the show is Moss. If you gave me an entire book of Moss insulting people, I'd probably read it. The man—I mean cat—has opinions about everything and isn't afraid to share them.
The town is charming, the bookstore is cozy, the magic is fun, and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with these characters. I was invested in the mystery, had multiple suspects, and there are enough bigger mysteries brewing in the background to make me curious about future books.
My biggest issue is that the book occasionally feels like it's using cheat codes.
Need motives? Magic ink.
Need to know if someone is lying? Moss glows.
Need information? Magic.
More than once I found myself thinking, "Can we maybe investigate for five minutes?"
The mystery is still there, but I felt like I was occasionally being robbed of the fun of figuring things out myself. Some of the magical shortcuts made the investigation feel a little too easy and kept this from being a five-star read for me.
Also, Cal can go sit in time-out.
It's been a while since I've disliked a cop this much in a cozy mystery. Usually even the grumpy ones have something redeeming about them by this point. Cal mostly made me want to roll my eyes every time he showed up.
Overall, though, I had a great time with this one. Cozy, witchy, bookish, and featuring a sarcastic cat who is far more likable than some of the humans.
Will I continue the series?
Probably.
Will I continue the series for the mystery?
Maybe.
Will I continue the series for Moss?
Absolutely.
You know when you buy a comfy sweater and you already know exactly what you're getting?
That's this book.
A woman inherits a bookstore in a small town, discovers she's a witch, gets a magical cat, and finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. None of this is groundbreaking, but sometimes that's exactly what I'm looking for.
The real star of the show is Moss. If you gave me an entire book of Moss insulting people, I'd probably read it. The man—I mean cat—has opinions about everything and isn't afraid to share them.
The town is charming, the bookstore is cozy, the magic is fun, and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with these characters. I was invested in the mystery, had multiple suspects, and there are enough bigger mysteries brewing in the background to make me curious about future books.
My biggest issue is that the book occasionally feels like it's using cheat codes.
Need motives? Magic ink.
Need to know if someone is lying? Moss glows.
Need information? Magic.
More than once I found myself thinking, "Can we maybe investigate for five minutes?"
The mystery is still there, but I felt like I was occasionally being robbed of the fun of figuring things out myself. Some of the magical shortcuts made the investigation feel a little too easy and kept this from being a five-star read for me.
Also, Cal can go sit in time-out.
It's been a while since I've disliked a cop this much in a cozy mystery. Usually even the grumpy ones have something redeeming about them by this point. Cal mostly made me want to roll my eyes every time he showed up.
Overall, though, I had a great time with this one. Cozy, witchy, bookish, and featuring a sarcastic cat who is far more likable than some of the humans.
Will I continue the series?
Probably.
Will I continue the series for the mystery?
Maybe.
Will I continue the series for Moss?
Absolutely.
August 18, 2026
Another winner I’m happy to share.
Rating: 4.5⭐️
I love Sara Bourgeois’s many different paranormal murder mystery series, whether it’s situated in the Arizona desert mountains or in a small NW Pacific coastal town. Whether a woman has inherited a ghost filled desert ranch or a seaside bookstore or witchy herb shop that’s accompanied by a cat familiar, whatever the location or inheritance, the characters and community are intriguing, plot and character development well written, and the series one that expands into a ever deeper layered narrative and leads to wonderful relationships and even more mysteries.
This is our introduction to Rowan Page, her inherited bookstore, Quill & Tide, the familiar, cat Moss, and the very interesting seaside town of Willow Cove, where things are brewing. Murder and plenty of mystery to go around with the charm and quirky community.
Her aunt’s presence is still there, and magic is winding its way into Rowan’s life.
Bourgeois has, through her other series, kept her characters layered, even the murder mysteries, from victims to villains, have dimensions that have a reader feeling about them from multiple perspectives. There’s a sense of realness in their behaviors that makes us able to understand them, if not condone their actions.
Even for a urban fantasy or paranormal murder mystery novel, having the author write characters that a reader would find engaging and relatable, even while we laugh at the “nosiness” make this a series I can’t wait to continue.
Plus I want to visit any bookstore with the name Quill & Tide. I’m sold.
Another winner I’m happy to share.
Witches of Willow Cove (2 book series)
A Novel Death #1
Tides of Betrayal #2
Rating: 4.5⭐️
I love Sara Bourgeois’s many different paranormal murder mystery series, whether it’s situated in the Arizona desert mountains or in a small NW Pacific coastal town. Whether a woman has inherited a ghost filled desert ranch or a seaside bookstore or witchy herb shop that’s accompanied by a cat familiar, whatever the location or inheritance, the characters and community are intriguing, plot and character development well written, and the series one that expands into a ever deeper layered narrative and leads to wonderful relationships and even more mysteries.
This is our introduction to Rowan Page, her inherited bookstore, Quill & Tide, the familiar, cat Moss, and the very interesting seaside town of Willow Cove, where things are brewing. Murder and plenty of mystery to go around with the charm and quirky community.
Her aunt’s presence is still there, and magic is winding its way into Rowan’s life.
Bourgeois has, through her other series, kept her characters layered, even the murder mysteries, from victims to villains, have dimensions that have a reader feeling about them from multiple perspectives. There’s a sense of realness in their behaviors that makes us able to understand them, if not condone their actions.
Even for a urban fantasy or paranormal murder mystery novel, having the author write characters that a reader would find engaging and relatable, even while we laugh at the “nosiness” make this a series I can’t wait to continue.
Plus I want to visit any bookstore with the name Quill & Tide. I’m sold.
Another winner I’m happy to share.
Witches of Willow Cove (2 book series)
A Novel Death #1
Tides of Betrayal #2
July 9, 2026
This was a very interesting start to a series that is new to me. It had good character development with interesting characters. I'm looking forward to reading the next one. It comes out mid-August.
Rowan Page has a plan. It is not a good plan, but it is technically a plan. She’ll come to Willow Cove, sort out the seaside bookshop her late aunt left behind, sell the property before the money runs out, and move on with her life.
Quill & Tide has other ideas.
The shelves are beautiful but impossible to navigate. The bathroom mirror keeps leaving messages in her dead aunt’s handwriting. And Moss, the sea-glass gray cat who came with the building, keeps glowing every time someone lies.
Rowan would love to pretend all of that is normal.
Unfortunately, denial gets harder when a bestselling thriller author drops dead at the town’s Masques & Manuscripts festival, right in front of half the waterfront.
The police have a suspect. The town has gossip. Moss has strong feelings about everyone involved, most of them unflattering. And Rowan has questions she really should stop asking, especially once they lead to a stolen grimoire and secrets Aunt Oona apparently took to the grave.
Willow Cove is charming, magical, and very bad at minding its own business.
Rowan was supposed to sell the bookshop and leave.
Instead, she may have inherited a murder mystery and one extremely judgmental cat.
Rowan Page has a plan. It is not a good plan, but it is technically a plan. She’ll come to Willow Cove, sort out the seaside bookshop her late aunt left behind, sell the property before the money runs out, and move on with her life.
Quill & Tide has other ideas.
The shelves are beautiful but impossible to navigate. The bathroom mirror keeps leaving messages in her dead aunt’s handwriting. And Moss, the sea-glass gray cat who came with the building, keeps glowing every time someone lies.
Rowan would love to pretend all of that is normal.
Unfortunately, denial gets harder when a bestselling thriller author drops dead at the town’s Masques & Manuscripts festival, right in front of half the waterfront.
The police have a suspect. The town has gossip. Moss has strong feelings about everyone involved, most of them unflattering. And Rowan has questions she really should stop asking, especially once they lead to a stolen grimoire and secrets Aunt Oona apparently took to the grave.
Willow Cove is charming, magical, and very bad at minding its own business.
Rowan was supposed to sell the bookshop and leave.
Instead, she may have inherited a murder mystery and one extremely judgmental cat.
August 8, 2026
I have read several of this author's series, and each one stands out in its own way. I have yet to read anything by this author that I have not liked. In this one, it starts out with a tried, yet true story about a person losing everything in their old life and starting a new life in the small town they either grew up in or visited most of their adolescent life, In this book, the characters are vivid and invested in each other. The plot is easily followed, and the premise is finding out how the egotistical author died and why. The answers were mostly provided by magic, so inadmissible to us non magical humans, and yet the humans managed to find a way to get to the truth with a little help from the magicals. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to the next one.
September 20, 2026
So much better than I expected!
This little novel flies along developing so quickly that I was immediately hooked: the glowing cat probably sealed the deal. Characters have enough development to be enjoyable, and the plot takes off. It just seems important to read a few more minutes because it is a pleasure!
The town description is quite brief and painless allowing the action to roll along. The author wisely introduces only those creations that will play a part in this story, and endless explorations of wandering through each town business are mercilessly omitted. The plot moves on; the cat talks; the bad guy arrives; a death occurs; the town is shocked.
Hooray! There is a crime to solve! I do love a tidy mystery. And a magical cat.
This little novel flies along developing so quickly that I was immediately hooked: the glowing cat probably sealed the deal. Characters have enough development to be enjoyable, and the plot takes off. It just seems important to read a few more minutes because it is a pleasure!
The town description is quite brief and painless allowing the action to roll along. The author wisely introduces only those creations that will play a part in this story, and endless explorations of wandering through each town business are mercilessly omitted. The plot moves on; the cat talks; the bad guy arrives; a death occurs; the town is shocked.
Hooray! There is a crime to solve! I do love a tidy mystery. And a magical cat.
July 12, 2026
An enjoyable cozy mystery!
There are charming characters, a magical cat, evildoers doing evil deeds, a murder to solve (no graphic violence), perhaps a budding romance (no sex), no editing issues, and no cliffhanger ending!
I suggest reading the prequel “Nine Lives and Alibis” before you read this one. There is backstory in the prequel.
So, climb into a comfy reading chair with a pot of tea and figure out “whodunnit “.
There are charming characters, a magical cat, evildoers doing evil deeds, a murder to solve (no graphic violence), perhaps a budding romance (no sex), no editing issues, and no cliffhanger ending!
I suggest reading the prequel “Nine Lives and Alibis” before you read this one. There is backstory in the prequel.
So, climb into a comfy reading chair with a pot of tea and figure out “whodunnit “.
August 30, 2026
This is my kind of book store and Book.
Willow Cove could be a place I call home if it wasn’t a made up Utopia of imagination. Sara Bourgeois has created a place in a world where magic exists but few are magical. Of course a talking cat and a mirror writing spirit and a magic typewriter that only the newest owner of the bookstore find the roots she never knew she planted. The mystery is good but the store, town and world are sooo much better. Loved it.
Willow Cove could be a place I call home if it wasn’t a made up Utopia of imagination. Sara Bourgeois has created a place in a world where magic exists but few are magical. Of course a talking cat and a mirror writing spirit and a magic typewriter that only the newest owner of the bookstore find the roots she never knew she planted. The mystery is good but the store, town and world are sooo much better. Loved it.
October 20, 2026
A Pleasant Read
I have seen a few of the heir takes over the store because of... You fill in the blank and go from there. The contents are different though and that is what I like to read. Sometimes it's subtle like this one but it's sweet. The mystery was not easy, but it wasn't a head scratcher either. I liked how it was more "how do I prove it legally?" than this is how it was done. The sarcastic cat was a nice touch.
I have seen a few of the heir takes over the store because of... You fill in the blank and go from there. The contents are different though and that is what I like to read. Sometimes it's subtle like this one but it's sweet. The mystery was not easy, but it wasn't a head scratcher either. I liked how it was more "how do I prove it legally?" than this is how it was done. The sarcastic cat was a nice touch.
August 17, 2026
Great Mystery Book
I really enjoyed reading the first book in this series. I liked that it took place in a small town & book store owner, Rowan along with her magical cat, Moss & friends helped to solve the murder mystery of a writer at a festival. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes these kind of mysteries,
I really enjoyed reading the first book in this series. I liked that it took place in a small town & book store owner, Rowan along with her magical cat, Moss & friends helped to solve the murder mystery of a writer at a festival. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes these kind of mysteries,
August 19, 2026
Cozy "mystery" except that the culprit was blared with neon lights from the beginning. A ex-marketing exec with no idea how to market books or apparently do social media. A woman who is the former best friend of our FMC's aunt, but is only starting to question the cat. Overall, it was a quick, easy read though definitely light in plot and character.
September 24, 2026
Magical book shop mystery
Interesting premise but the murder was easy to figure out. Rowan has come to the small coastal town after being overlooked at her job to take over her aunt's bookstore. 2 years after her aunt Oona's death. She starts getting messages from her aunt via a smoked up bathroom mirror, the the cat Mosx begins speaking with her.
Interesting premise but the murder was easy to figure out. Rowan has come to the small coastal town after being overlooked at her job to take over her aunt's bookstore. 2 years after her aunt Oona's death. She starts getting messages from her aunt via a smoked up bathroom mirror, the the cat Mosx begins speaking with her.
June 17, 2026
nice
A new series with a good beginning. Rowan takes over her aunts book store and helps solve mysteries. I liked the story, the setting and the other characters. It’s quite comfy and laid back…….not that murder is laid back, just the vibe of the town and setting of the book
A new series with a good beginning. Rowan takes over her aunts book store and helps solve mysteries. I liked the story, the setting and the other characters. It’s quite comfy and laid back…….not that murder is laid back, just the vibe of the town and setting of the book
June 30, 2026
Novel DEATH (DEATH BY SARA BOURGEOIS.)
Great read clever plots imaginative, creative thinking. This is the second book. I’ve read from this author and I am not at all disappointed. It’s fantastic Great Read highly recommend.
LJJ
Great read clever plots imaginative, creative thinking. This is the second book. I’ve read from this author and I am not at all disappointed. It’s fantastic Great Read highly recommend.
LJJ
Read
August 3, 2026Oh, I just loved it. Miss Bourgeois is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. I am already on the next book in the series. I am also reading other series by this author, and they are all great.
August 3, 2026
Good first book in a new series by an author I enjoy. This one has a premise that is not too much of a stretch - similar to other series. The differences here are the characters, writing style, and small tweaks that keep your interest. I plan to read more of the series.
September 21, 2026
great read
This is the second series I’ve read from this author. I really liked her other one so it drew me to this. It got me interested immediately. I can’t wait to read the next book.
This is the second series I’ve read from this author. I really liked her other one so it drew me to this. It got me interested immediately. I can’t wait to read the next book.
June 21, 2026
Nice cozy mystery. I liked the little bits of humour.
Good light reading.
Good light reading.
July 12, 2026
Interesting characters!
I like the fact that the characters are learning and evolving. Magic doesn't solve all their problems but actually brings more.
I like the fact that the characters are learning and evolving. Magic doesn't solve all their problems but actually brings more.
July 16, 2026
Nice, short read - clean
This book has romance and mystery along with magic. Interesting and easy to follow with the promise of another book that I will read.
This book has romance and mystery along with magic. Interesting and easy to follow with the promise of another book that I will read.
July 23, 2026
Excellent character development. Enjoyed the engaging dialogue and feline protagonist. Highly recommended. Plan to continue with the series.
August 15, 2026
poison unknown
A lot of twists and turns in this fast paced murder mystery. Characters are well developed, and your interest is kept through the entire story well worth reading.
A lot of twists and turns in this fast paced murder mystery. Characters are well developed, and your interest is kept through the entire story well worth reading.
August 22, 2026
This was an easy, captivating read with mystery, murder, and magic. I was hooked from start to finish. It did wrap up fast but left no loose ends.
September 4, 2026
OK first book. Got a little slow about third of the way through. I liked the cat, but the other characters were, sadly, forgettable. Will probably not read this series.
September 13, 2026
Fun read
The story lines grow, develop become suspenseful and culminate in a satisfactory resolution. The characters are realistic and interesting. On to the next book. By
The story lines grow, develop become suspenseful and culminate in a satisfactory resolution. The characters are realistic and interesting. On to the next book. By
September 24, 2026
CATS!
A fun mystery solved with a little magic and a know it all cat. Or...A Cat.
The story is engaging and moves along quickly.
A fun mystery solved with a little magic and a know it all cat. Or...A Cat.
The story is engaging and moves along quickly.
October 7, 2026
Cozy, low stakes read
This was a fun, paranormal cozy mystery with a little romance. It sticks to the cozy even in the climax. It is very low stakes.
This was a fun, paranormal cozy mystery with a little romance. It sticks to the cozy even in the climax. It is very low stakes.
September 10, 2026
Rowen has inherited a bookstore in Willow Cove, Quill & Tide. She has also lost her job so she plans to go to Willow Cove and put the bookstore on the market. But once she arrives she begins to remember some of the unique qualities her aunt had. She decides to at least open up during the fall festival, hoping to make enough money to live on for awhile. Unfortunately, the key speaker at the festival dies while signing his book for fans. Rowen starts to investigate and it leads her to some unique suspects - all while she discovers her cat can talk and her aunt can communicate with her from beyond the grave.
July 13, 2026
4.25 stars. The WITCHES OF WILLOW COVE series has a similar plot to the WICKED WITCHES OF CAULDRON HOLLOW series—a young woman inheriting a home and business after being down on her own luck. But I actually like this premise, and A NOVEL DEATH is different enough that these similarities didn’t bother me.
Rowan Page inherits her great-aunt Oona’s bookshop and apartment after Oona’s death, and moves there after recently losing her job. She also inherits Oona’s intelligent familiar, a talking gray tabby cat named Moss who has an unusual ability.
Rowan witnesses the death of a famous author during a festival one week after her arrival, and decides to investigate the murder based on Moss’s reaction during the death. Oona hasn’t left her completely unaided, and Rowan soon has several trails to follow.
Rowan befriends a few locals, including Piper Bell, who manages the festival, and Jude Finch, the local librarian. Of course, Rowan gets in the middle of sheriff Cal Moreno’s investigation, and that causes a bit of trouble.
The plot of A NOVEL DEATH was multi-layered, and I enjoyed it very much. There are even some continuing plot points for the next book. I’ll definitely continue the series!
Rowan Page inherits her great-aunt Oona’s bookshop and apartment after Oona’s death, and moves there after recently losing her job. She also inherits Oona’s intelligent familiar, a talking gray tabby cat named Moss who has an unusual ability.
Rowan witnesses the death of a famous author during a festival one week after her arrival, and decides to investigate the murder based on Moss’s reaction during the death. Oona hasn’t left her completely unaided, and Rowan soon has several trails to follow.
Rowan befriends a few locals, including Piper Bell, who manages the festival, and Jude Finch, the local librarian. Of course, Rowan gets in the middle of sheriff Cal Moreno’s investigation, and that causes a bit of trouble.
The plot of A NOVEL DEATH was multi-layered, and I enjoyed it very much. There are even some continuing plot points for the next book. I’ll definitely continue the series!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews