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Wardwell Witch Cozy Mysteries #2
Potion Sickness
The show must go on. The leading man, however, is unconscious.
Mari Wardwell came back home to Duskboro, just for the summer… at least that’s what she keeps telling herself. Now summer is winding down and she has a freelance gig, a growing soft spot for the local funeral director, and a talking cat who just appointed himself head dramaturg of the Duskboro Players’ inaugural production of Macbeth.
What could go wrong? It's not like the play is famously cursed or anything.
When Damien Carter – Broadway veteran and daytime TV legend – collapses mid-rehearsal into a sleep no doctor can explain, of course everyone thinks of the curse.
Mari knows better. Someone is to blame.
With whispers of backstage romance, an understudy hungry for the spotlight, and a director whose marriage just hit the tabloids, the suspect list is longer than the second act.
Alongside a sharp-nosed apothecary witch, a larcenous raccoon, and an eight-year-old investigator with a very thorough evidence log, Mari must unmask a poisoner, save a sold-out opening night, and keep her cat off the stage – because he knows every line of the Scottish play, and he is ready for his close-up.
Places, everyone – something wicked this way comes.
Mari Wardwell came back home to Duskboro, just for the summer… at least that’s what she keeps telling herself. Now summer is winding down and she has a freelance gig, a growing soft spot for the local funeral director, and a talking cat who just appointed himself head dramaturg of the Duskboro Players’ inaugural production of Macbeth.
What could go wrong? It's not like the play is famously cursed or anything.
When Damien Carter – Broadway veteran and daytime TV legend – collapses mid-rehearsal into a sleep no doctor can explain, of course everyone thinks of the curse.
Mari knows better. Someone is to blame.
With whispers of backstage romance, an understudy hungry for the spotlight, and a director whose marriage just hit the tabloids, the suspect list is longer than the second act.
Alongside a sharp-nosed apothecary witch, a larcenous raccoon, and an eight-year-old investigator with a very thorough evidence log, Mari must unmask a poisoner, save a sold-out opening night, and keep her cat off the stage – because he knows every line of the Scottish play, and he is ready for his close-up.
Places, everyone – something wicked this way comes.
Unknown Binding
About the author
Cleo Frost
4 books21 followersCleo Frost has been dreaming of being a witch since she was a little girl, but since that didn’t work out, writing about them is the next best thing. She writes paranormal cozy mysteries with quirky casts, talking cats, and lots of small town whimsy.
Cleo lives in the mountains of Upstate New York with her husband, a menagerie of cats, some aquatic snails, and a handful of chickens. When she’s not holed up at her desk in her historic (but hopefully not haunted) home office, she can be found wandering local trails, visiting craft breweries, and supporting her local music scene.
Cleo lives in the mountains of Upstate New York with her husband, a menagerie of cats, some aquatic snails, and a handful of chickens. When she’s not holed up at her desk in her historic (but hopefully not haunted) home office, she can be found wandering local trails, visiting craft breweries, and supporting her local music scene.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 22, 2026
First off, I love Cleo Frost and the world she’s built with Duskboro. I do. I love it with my whole chest. So of course when she offered the ARC for book 2, I was all over it like grey on a Millennial wall.
This time, we’re back in town for the production of… THE Scottish Play. That's right, the town is putting on a production of MacBeth. There’s ghosts, witches, curses… and that’s just the residents! The leading man falls down with a case of, wait for it, Potion Sickness. Now, it’s up to the lovable (ok, that’s a stretch) familiar to Mari’s long-dead grandmother, Englebert to save the day and the play. Hilarity and magic ensues.
Frost does something with her dialogue that is just otherworldly. You’re pulled in so thoroughly that you forget you’re reading a book. You SEE the characters in front of you, speaking to you. After a while, it just becomes your reality because you’re now a resident of Duskboro yourself. Every character feels familiar and known, and it’s a credit to her writing that the reader never questions it. Everything feels like it absolutely could happen, talking cat included.
Potion Sickness hits shelves just in time for the start of spooky season on Aug 31. I can’t think of a better way to kick off my most favorite time of the year than with a Cleo Frost book. So grab a fluffy blanket, a nice mug of tea, and settle in for a wild ride that will have you laughing out loud. I can’t wait to see what she gives us next!
As usual Cleo Frost gave us an absolute banger of a book, this one gets five cats (plus a Maude).
This time, we’re back in town for the production of… THE Scottish Play. That's right, the town is putting on a production of MacBeth. There’s ghosts, witches, curses… and that’s just the residents! The leading man falls down with a case of, wait for it, Potion Sickness. Now, it’s up to the lovable (ok, that’s a stretch) familiar to Mari’s long-dead grandmother, Englebert to save the day and the play. Hilarity and magic ensues.
Frost does something with her dialogue that is just otherworldly. You’re pulled in so thoroughly that you forget you’re reading a book. You SEE the characters in front of you, speaking to you. After a while, it just becomes your reality because you’re now a resident of Duskboro yourself. Every character feels familiar and known, and it’s a credit to her writing that the reader never questions it. Everything feels like it absolutely could happen, talking cat included.
Potion Sickness hits shelves just in time for the start of spooky season on Aug 31. I can’t think of a better way to kick off my most favorite time of the year than with a Cleo Frost book. So grab a fluffy blanket, a nice mug of tea, and settle in for a wild ride that will have you laughing out loud. I can’t wait to see what she gives us next!
As usual Cleo Frost gave us an absolute banger of a book, this one gets five cats (plus a Maude).
August 22, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from author.
This was the perfect sequel to Grimoires Gone Wild! I love a good cozy witch mystery and this hit every mark. Such an easy, light, fun read that is meant for everyone. I can’t recommend this enough! Definitely looking forward to reading more next!
This was the perfect sequel to Grimoires Gone Wild! I love a good cozy witch mystery and this hit every mark. Such an easy, light, fun read that is meant for everyone. I can’t recommend this enough! Definitely looking forward to reading more next!
August 31, 2026
Many thanks to Cleo Frost for this ARC, book 2 in the Wardwell Witch Cozy Mysteries series. Potion Sickness releases today, Aug 31, 2026.
If you've read book 1 in this series, Grimoires Gone Wild, you already know what to expect. If you haven't, I'm here to tell you that Potion Sickness is an adorable, fun, and engaging cozy fantasy/cozy mystery with no murders. It is set in Duskboro, Vermont, a quaint town filled with magic, witches, and familiars.
Marigold, Mari, Wardwell is a witch with almost no trace of magical abilities, taking care of her parents' somewhat temperamental house while they are busy travelling. She was only supposed to stay for the summer, but now it is autumn, and Mari finds herself deeply involved in the community theatre production of The Scottish Play, Macbeth. Not because Mari is an actor in the play, but because her familiar Englebert has appointed himself as casting director, acting coach, and assistant director, and forced Mari's cousin Pru to accept the role as Lady Macbeth.
But when Damien Carter, the actor playing Macbeth, falls into a deep, unnatural sleep in the middle of rehearsals and things continue to go missing during rehearsals, Mari finds herself once again investigating a mystery in Duskboro while at the same time trying to learn a kindling charm and negotiate grievances of real and imagined offences between Englebert the talking cat familiar, Maude the nontalking, actual cat, and Bandit, Addie's familiar raccoon.
It is whimsical, funny, light-hearted, and endearing, with lots of quirky characters, found family, rivalries, narcissistic actors, egocentric familiars, the magic of the stage, the actual magic of witches, the logic of an eight-year-old and a hint of the madness that accompanies any good stage production.
Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys humourous cozy fantasy and cozy no-murder mysteries.
If you've read book 1 in this series, Grimoires Gone Wild, you already know what to expect. If you haven't, I'm here to tell you that Potion Sickness is an adorable, fun, and engaging cozy fantasy/cozy mystery with no murders. It is set in Duskboro, Vermont, a quaint town filled with magic, witches, and familiars.
Marigold, Mari, Wardwell is a witch with almost no trace of magical abilities, taking care of her parents' somewhat temperamental house while they are busy travelling. She was only supposed to stay for the summer, but now it is autumn, and Mari finds herself deeply involved in the community theatre production of The Scottish Play, Macbeth. Not because Mari is an actor in the play, but because her familiar Englebert has appointed himself as casting director, acting coach, and assistant director, and forced Mari's cousin Pru to accept the role as Lady Macbeth.
But when Damien Carter, the actor playing Macbeth, falls into a deep, unnatural sleep in the middle of rehearsals and things continue to go missing during rehearsals, Mari finds herself once again investigating a mystery in Duskboro while at the same time trying to learn a kindling charm and negotiate grievances of real and imagined offences between Englebert the talking cat familiar, Maude the nontalking, actual cat, and Bandit, Addie's familiar raccoon.
It is whimsical, funny, light-hearted, and endearing, with lots of quirky characters, found family, rivalries, narcissistic actors, egocentric familiars, the magic of the stage, the actual magic of witches, the logic of an eight-year-old and a hint of the madness that accompanies any good stage production.
Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys humourous cozy fantasy and cozy no-murder mysteries.
August 31, 2026
Lots of fun
A local production of the Scottish play - but with real magic?? You have to read Potion Sickness for more details!
The whole town of Duskboro is involved in a production of Macbeth - including Englebert, the cat/familiar who has lived in Marigold’s home for decades. But the curse of the play runs true, with several incidents disrupting production before one *big* incident - Macbeth himself has fallen into a deep sleep and will not wake.
With their lead actor unconscious, the production is thrown into chaos. Mari must work out who poisoned Macbeth, save a sold-out opening night, and stop herself from blushing every time she makes contact with Macbeth’s replacement - all while fitting in a cut and colour.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There are plenty of wonderful small town cosy mystery moments, and even more references to Macbeth and its lore. There’s lots of running jokes (like the cast members disappearing outside to perform a ritual each time the play is mentioned) and fast, witty banter.
Mari and Gabriel are clearly very keen on each other, but we’re still in the slow part of the slow burn. There’s nothing spicy in the book at all. The story is basically trigger free.
This is the second book of a series. It reads best in order as book one explains who most of the characters are, but the plot works as a standalone. If you’re after a delightful cozy PNR mystery where the cat runs the show, add Potion Sickness to your TBR before something wicked this way comes.
A local production of the Scottish play - but with real magic?? You have to read Potion Sickness for more details!
The whole town of Duskboro is involved in a production of Macbeth - including Englebert, the cat/familiar who has lived in Marigold’s home for decades. But the curse of the play runs true, with several incidents disrupting production before one *big* incident - Macbeth himself has fallen into a deep sleep and will not wake.
With their lead actor unconscious, the production is thrown into chaos. Mari must work out who poisoned Macbeth, save a sold-out opening night, and stop herself from blushing every time she makes contact with Macbeth’s replacement - all while fitting in a cut and colour.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There are plenty of wonderful small town cosy mystery moments, and even more references to Macbeth and its lore. There’s lots of running jokes (like the cast members disappearing outside to perform a ritual each time the play is mentioned) and fast, witty banter.
Mari and Gabriel are clearly very keen on each other, but we’re still in the slow part of the slow burn. There’s nothing spicy in the book at all. The story is basically trigger free.
This is the second book of a series. It reads best in order as book one explains who most of the characters are, but the plot works as a standalone. If you’re after a delightful cozy PNR mystery where the cat runs the show, add Potion Sickness to your TBR before something wicked this way comes.
August 31, 2026
The Duskboro Community theater is tackling the Scottish Play for their first production and Englebert, has appointed himself head dramaturg. The leading man is a washed up Soap Opera star making his triumphant return home. Mari’s cousin Pru, has been roped in to play Lady Macbeth and Mari has a freelance byline and behind the scenes blog to write. As it’s the cursed play, things invariably go wrong - items disappearing, lights and fog machine malfunctioning, scenery falling. Then the leading man collapses into a mysterious sleep, and suddenly the stakes are higher. Can Mari find the cause and help the show go on?
Potion Sickness is the second book in Cleo Frost’s utterly charming paranormal cozy series. A thoroughly engrossing mystery with no murder and a multi-generational cast of quirky and genuinely likable characters. Despite Mari’s insistence that her return to town is temporary, she’s slowly becoming attached to Duskboro. There’s her sweet slow-burn attraction to the local funeral director, and her magic lessons with her parents’ tenant. As in the previous book, the children Emmy, Lily, and Addie, are well written and are integral in solving the mysteries. Despite their precociousness, they never come off as annoying or cloying. The familiars, Englebert and Bandit, steal every scene, and I loved the sunbeam standoff between Englebert and mundane cat, Maude. Theater aficionados and Shakespeare scholars will appreciate the attention to details during the rehearsal scenes, as well as the ritual to appease the curse.
I received a free review copy from the author and I am pleased to provide this voluntary review.
Potion Sickness is the second book in Cleo Frost’s utterly charming paranormal cozy series. A thoroughly engrossing mystery with no murder and a multi-generational cast of quirky and genuinely likable characters. Despite Mari’s insistence that her return to town is temporary, she’s slowly becoming attached to Duskboro. There’s her sweet slow-burn attraction to the local funeral director, and her magic lessons with her parents’ tenant. As in the previous book, the children Emmy, Lily, and Addie, are well written and are integral in solving the mysteries. Despite their precociousness, they never come off as annoying or cloying. The familiars, Englebert and Bandit, steal every scene, and I loved the sunbeam standoff between Englebert and mundane cat, Maude. Theater aficionados and Shakespeare scholars will appreciate the attention to details during the rehearsal scenes, as well as the ritual to appease the curse.
I received a free review copy from the author and I am pleased to provide this voluntary review.
August 31, 2026
Review of Potion Sickness by Cleo Frost
Thank you very much to the author for the eARC of this book!
Ratings out of 5 stars.
- Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Heartfelt Rating: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
- Interest Rating: 📖📖📖📖📖
- Tear Rating: 💧💧💧💧
- Coziness Rating: ☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️
- Predictability Rating: 💭💭
- Writing Style Rating: 🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️
Favorite character?
Most memorable scene/moment?
Did the ending satisfy you?
Yes! Everything wrapped up well, which I was concerned about at one point because there are a lot of aspects to the mystery in this book.
Would you read this book again?
I think I would actually. It's a really cozy and cute book with a very well-created mystery and lovable characters.
Will you be reading the next book in the series?
Absolutely. 1000% I will be reading the next book in this series. I love this series.
Additional Notes:
- The ending actually made me cry. It's not a sad ending by any means, but the way that things happen and the fact that you follow the characters through from beginning to end of something they're all working really hard on, seeing that come to fruition and it go so well was just something that struck me. That is the exact reason that this one is getting a 5-star rating from me.
- I think that, while some aspects were a little predictable, there was actually a lot of it that wasn't predictable and I kept jumping back and forth between who I thought was involved in what parts of the mystery. I like that it keeps you wondering and that there often isn't a clear answer as to who's involved because several people could be involved throughout.
- For people that haven't ever read or are unfamiliar with The Scottish Play (Macbeth... I will complete the ritual, IYKYK), I think this may be hard to follow at points. While a thorough knowledge of it is not required to read and enjoy the story, just a passing understanding of the characters and the plot line is really helpful in understanding what the characters are working on.
Thank you very much to the author for the eARC of this book!
Ratings out of 5 stars.
- Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Heartfelt Rating: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
- Interest Rating: 📖📖📖📖📖
- Tear Rating: 💧💧💧💧
- Coziness Rating: ☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️
- Predictability Rating: 💭💭
- Writing Style Rating: 🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️
Favorite character?
Most memorable scene/moment?
Did the ending satisfy you?
Yes! Everything wrapped up well, which I was concerned about at one point because there are a lot of aspects to the mystery in this book.
Would you read this book again?
I think I would actually. It's a really cozy and cute book with a very well-created mystery and lovable characters.
Will you be reading the next book in the series?
Absolutely. 1000% I will be reading the next book in this series. I love this series.
Additional Notes:
- The ending actually made me cry. It's not a sad ending by any means, but the way that things happen and the fact that you follow the characters through from beginning to end of something they're all working really hard on, seeing that come to fruition and it go so well was just something that struck me. That is the exact reason that this one is getting a 5-star rating from me.
- I think that, while some aspects were a little predictable, there was actually a lot of it that wasn't predictable and I kept jumping back and forth between who I thought was involved in what parts of the mystery. I like that it keeps you wondering and that there often isn't a clear answer as to who's involved because several people could be involved throughout.
- For people that haven't ever read or are unfamiliar with The Scottish Play (Macbeth... I will complete the ritual, IYKYK), I think this may be hard to follow at points. While a thorough knowledge of it is not required to read and enjoy the story, just a passing understanding of the characters and the plot line is really helpful in understanding what the characters are working on.
August 29, 2026
Another awesome read from one of my new, favorite authors, Cleo Frost. I loved Grimoires Gone Wild and was thrilled to be invited to read an advanced copy of book 2 in this series ... but enough about me!
Potion Sickness takes place in Duskboro with Mari and friends with their familiars from book one. The drama centers around the community production of McB..., oops, "the Scottish Play" with Englebert the cat (Mari's deceased grandmother's familiar) as the play's director. The leading man, recruited from an acting career in New York, is stricken with a case of potion sickness shortly before opening night and Englebert does his best to pull together another stand-in for the lead role. No spoilers here, but the cat pulls it off in a most delightful way!
There came a point in this book that I stopped reading critically and happily settled in for the ride. There's something so brilliant about the dialogue that I felt like I was there in Duskboro. It's so, so good. A book that pulls me in like this one does is so very deserving of my 5 star rating. Kudos! Can't wait for the next in the series!
Potion Sickness takes place in Duskboro with Mari and friends with their familiars from book one. The drama centers around the community production of McB..., oops, "the Scottish Play" with Englebert the cat (Mari's deceased grandmother's familiar) as the play's director. The leading man, recruited from an acting career in New York, is stricken with a case of potion sickness shortly before opening night and Englebert does his best to pull together another stand-in for the lead role. No spoilers here, but the cat pulls it off in a most delightful way!
There came a point in this book that I stopped reading critically and happily settled in for the ride. There's something so brilliant about the dialogue that I felt like I was there in Duskboro. It's so, so good. A book that pulls me in like this one does is so very deserving of my 5 star rating. Kudos! Can't wait for the next in the series!
September 21, 2026
The plot unfolds with genuine mystery, suspects pile up plausibly, red herrings genuinely misdirect, and the solution feels earned rather than arbitrary. A masterful balance between humour with tension, never letting the tone tip into either fluff or grimness. The supporting cast is particularly strong; characters feel distinct and purposeful rather than mere decoration.
What elevates this above standard cozy fare is the attention to detail. The magical system is consistent and creative, the small-town setting feels lived-in, and the protagonist's relationships deepen naturally. Potion-craft and familiar magic grounds the fantasy elements in genuine wonder rather than handwave.
The pacing is excellent—neither dawdling nor rushing—and the prose is clean and efficient without sacrificing character voice. Frost trusts her readers' intelligence, allowing us to gather clues alongside the detective rather than being led by the hand.
For anyone seeking sophisticated cozy mystery with heart and genuine mystery credentials, Potion Sickness is well worth your time. Highly recommended!
What elevates this above standard cozy fare is the attention to detail. The magical system is consistent and creative, the small-town setting feels lived-in, and the protagonist's relationships deepen naturally. Potion-craft and familiar magic grounds the fantasy elements in genuine wonder rather than handwave.
The pacing is excellent—neither dawdling nor rushing—and the prose is clean and efficient without sacrificing character voice. Frost trusts her readers' intelligence, allowing us to gather clues alongside the detective rather than being led by the hand.
For anyone seeking sophisticated cozy mystery with heart and genuine mystery credentials, Potion Sickness is well worth your time. Highly recommended!
August 30, 2026
Potion Sickness was such a fun cozy mystery. It had everything I want from the genre: a small magical town, witches, a strange mystery, quirky characters, and just the right amount of humor.
This time, the Duskboro Players are putting on Macbeth when the leading man suddenly falls into a mysterious sleep. Mari is determined to figure out what happened before opening night, and with ghosts, curses, potions, and a very suspicious list of characters, there is plenty to unravel.
What I enjoyed most was how immersive Duskboro continues to be. The characters and dialogue make it so easy to feel like you're actually part of the town rather than just reading about it. And Englebert? He absolutely stole the show. Literally. That cat had me laughing more than once.
This was one of those books that I kept picking up because I genuinely wanted to know what was going to happen next. It was cozy, funny, magical, and just plain entertaining. A perfect read for anyone who enjoys a witchy cozy mystery with a little personality.
Thank you to Cleo Frost for the ARC. I had such a good time with this one!
This time, the Duskboro Players are putting on Macbeth when the leading man suddenly falls into a mysterious sleep. Mari is determined to figure out what happened before opening night, and with ghosts, curses, potions, and a very suspicious list of characters, there is plenty to unravel.
What I enjoyed most was how immersive Duskboro continues to be. The characters and dialogue make it so easy to feel like you're actually part of the town rather than just reading about it. And Englebert? He absolutely stole the show. Literally. That cat had me laughing more than once.
This was one of those books that I kept picking up because I genuinely wanted to know what was going to happen next. It was cozy, funny, magical, and just plain entertaining. A perfect read for anyone who enjoys a witchy cozy mystery with a little personality.
Thank you to Cleo Frost for the ARC. I had such a good time with this one!
August 31, 2026
If you are a cozy, witchy mystery fan, this book series is perfect for you!!!
This book made me want to break out my fall candles and order a pumpkin spice latte and curl up under a black cat blanket for the coziest vibes.
This is a delightful continuation (2nd book) of in the world Duskboro. The author has done an absolutely fantastic job of continuing to pain the town/community of Duskboro and pulling you into the story.
The characters vividly jump off the pages at you and the dialogue keeps you invested and intrigued.
I was so happy to revisit with the characters especially Englebert, the fantastic sassy talking cat. He is still my top favorite character.
The mystery is very unique and executed perfectly. I enjoy and love how the author deviates from the typical and classical and places her own unique twist to cozy mysteries.
5⭐️
Thank you to author for allowing me to be an arc reader.
This book made me want to break out my fall candles and order a pumpkin spice latte and curl up under a black cat blanket for the coziest vibes.
This is a delightful continuation (2nd book) of in the world Duskboro. The author has done an absolutely fantastic job of continuing to pain the town/community of Duskboro and pulling you into the story.
The characters vividly jump off the pages at you and the dialogue keeps you invested and intrigued.
I was so happy to revisit with the characters especially Englebert, the fantastic sassy talking cat. He is still my top favorite character.
The mystery is very unique and executed perfectly. I enjoy and love how the author deviates from the typical and classical and places her own unique twist to cozy mysteries.
5⭐️
Thank you to author for allowing me to be an arc reader.
August 25, 2026
I am in love with Duskboro and its inhabitants... Being immersed in this magical town always feels like coming home.
This is the second book in Cleo Frost her debut series but you would not be able to tell. Cleo's writing is up there with big names like Sarah Beth Durst and Heather Fawcett.
The biggest strenghts of this book is the characters. I feel as if I know everyone in Duskboro and am part of the community.
Englebert, the sassy talking cat, is ofcourse the star of the book (sorry Mari). He is unbelieveably witty and funny and I adore him.
The mystery was once again very unique and well executed. I love how Cleo steps away from a classic murder and gives her own twist to cosy mysteries without taking away from the fun and excitement of solving it.
If you are a cosy, witchy mystery fan and looking for the most amazing found family then I highly recommend this book.
This is the second book in Cleo Frost her debut series but you would not be able to tell. Cleo's writing is up there with big names like Sarah Beth Durst and Heather Fawcett.
The biggest strenghts of this book is the characters. I feel as if I know everyone in Duskboro and am part of the community.
Englebert, the sassy talking cat, is ofcourse the star of the book (sorry Mari). He is unbelieveably witty and funny and I adore him.
The mystery was once again very unique and well executed. I love how Cleo steps away from a classic murder and gives her own twist to cosy mysteries without taking away from the fun and excitement of solving it.
If you are a cosy, witchy mystery fan and looking for the most amazing found family then I highly recommend this book.
August 30, 2026
Potion Sickness is a Superb story and series about Mari Wardell a Novice Witch who is learning from Marigold. Engelbert a very opinionated Familiar cat who belonged to Mari's Grandmother. The Theatre is rehearsing for Macbeth when one of the Actors collapses and goes into a deep sleep. A curse is linked to the play. But Mari and her friends start to look into the mystery and search for the truth. What will be uncovered?
I enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend that you read this book and series.
I received a free copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend that you read this book and series.
I received a free copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 31, 2026
I received this book as an ARC. Along with my thanks to author Cleo Frost, below is my honest review.
I absolutely adored this book. It was such a delight to re-connect with Marigold for another adventure.
Mari may continue to feel like the worst witch but is also such a wonderful person and an incredible journalist and investigator.
Get ready for mystery and mayhem with a local production of The Scottish Play, a very bossy familiar at the helm, potions galore and a butter obsessed, mischievous raccoon. Need I say more?
I love the writing style I’ve found in all three books I’ve read. I’m completely charmed, amused and intrigued by these stories.
I absolutely adored this book. It was such a delight to re-connect with Marigold for another adventure.
Mari may continue to feel like the worst witch but is also such a wonderful person and an incredible journalist and investigator.
Get ready for mystery and mayhem with a local production of The Scottish Play, a very bossy familiar at the helm, potions galore and a butter obsessed, mischievous raccoon. Need I say more?
I love the writing style I’ve found in all three books I’ve read. I’m completely charmed, amused and intrigued by these stories.
September 13, 2026
I had SO much fun reading this book! Engelberg has done it again!! He absolutely did not disappoint! His sassy, snarky humor is EVERYTHING. It was such a joy to be back in Duckboro with the gang, following Mari as she and the gang puts on a show and solve ‘crimes’. Join her again as she continues her hopeful (and sometimes hilarious!) journey into magic. And of course, all those quirky, lovable Duckboro characters that I missed so much!!!
This book was fun, magical, and exactly as usual. The exact escape you need. I’m already looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble the gang gets into next!
This book was fun, magical, and exactly as usual. The exact escape you need. I’m already looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble the gang gets into next!
August 27, 2026
This book was a perfect, cozy summer read. I laughed so much at Englebert's antics - who doesn't enjoy a cat that fancies himself MacBeth? There was nothing heavy or painful or fraught and that's exactly what I wanted and needed from Potion Sickness. Were there stakes? Yes. Was I rooting for Mari to solve the potion sickness? Of course. Was I ever worried that there was tremendous peril and all would be lost? No. We all need cozy books that bring us joy and give us a reason to laugh and this book hit that nail on the head.
I received an ARC and am leaving an unbiased review.
I received an ARC and am leaving an unbiased review.
August 31, 2026
Happy Release Day! @cleofrost.author you son-of-a-gun. You did it again! The ONLY problem is that we read your work far too quickly and the next book suffers, LOL. Great quotes, fun mystery, and wonderful character development. "[Englebert] doesn't even feel the sunbeam through all that ego"...died, we died. So many laugh out loud moments, we've said it before and we will say it again, Cleo Frost is one of our favorite authors. 5 Treats!
August 26, 2026
I really enjoy Duskboro and it's cast of quirky witchy characters. Englebert steals the show....and we get to see a bit more of the townsfolk in this one which adds to the whole fun of this series. Lots of potion related mishaps. Some not so great choices. all make for a fun cozy paranormal mystery.
August 28, 2026
I absolutely love the Wardwell witches and the town of duskboro.
This cozy mystery is the perfect mix of family, friendship, mystery and humor.
Can't wait to read more about the town of Duskboro and all its inhabitants. Including the sassy talking cat familiar and the raccoon familiar who just wants to be apart of it all.
This cozy mystery is the perfect mix of family, friendship, mystery and humor.
Can't wait to read more about the town of Duskboro and all its inhabitants. Including the sassy talking cat familiar and the raccoon familiar who just wants to be apart of it all.
August 30, 2026
Cleo Frost does it again in the second book of the Wardwell Witch Cozy mystery series. I loved being back in Duskboro with all its inhabitants. This series is so cozy and magical and whimsical. This time the town is putting on The Scottish Play and Englebert, The sassy, talking cat is in the director chair. As you can imagine, things go haywire. These books are so fun and i can't wait for more.
August 30, 2026
ARC review
An excellent addition to Duskboro. I love how the familiars showed up more in this one and how everyone came together to solve the mystery. I also love seeing the growth of characters continue as the story progresses. These are such fun books to read in between my usual genres. I am really excited to see what comes next!
An excellent addition to Duskboro. I love how the familiars showed up more in this one and how everyone came together to solve the mystery. I also love seeing the growth of characters continue as the story progresses. These are such fun books to read in between my usual genres. I am really excited to see what comes next!
September 2, 2026
Cleo Frost has done it again! I LOVE her books, and this one was no exception. It's down-to-earth, funny, and well thought out. Mari and her posse of feline companions snuggled deeper into my heart, and I really enjoyed seeing more of Englebert this time around. It was the perfect start to my Witchoween, and I am really looking forward to seeing this series continue.
I really enjoyed where the book took me and how some of the mysteries had a not-so-serious reason behind them. This series really is more about the telling than the ending, and I enjoyed visiting the world of Duskboro again.
I really enjoyed where the book took me and how some of the mysteries had a not-so-serious reason behind them. This series really is more about the telling than the ending, and I enjoyed visiting the world of Duskboro again.
August 29, 2026
Another cozy, witchy read from Cleo Frost. Just in time for the witchy season. I enjoyed “Grimoires gone wild” and this was another enjoyable trip back into town. Thank you for the opportunity to read this one as well. Bravo!
August 30, 2026
A theater play is in full preparation in the small town and Mari gets involved in more than one way. There is a curse, things go missing and there are potions that should not be.
It is a good book, but I personally don’t really enjoy theater, which affects my score a bit. I enjoyed the story and there were a lot of things I did not foresee.
Thanks for the ARC!
It is a good book, but I personally don’t really enjoy theater, which affects my score a bit. I enjoyed the story and there were a lot of things I did not foresee.
Thanks for the ARC!
August 31, 2026
The 3rd in a fabulous series! I just love these books. If I could visit the town of Duskboro I'd be there in a heartbeat. And I definitely want to meet Marigold and Englebert!
Can't wait for more!
Can't wait for more!
September 3, 2026
A friend has good intentions for a love spell,, but in their rush for quick results they almost cause a fatal overdose.. Good intentions can be overdonoverdone!! An entertaining love potion to die for! Lol.. Check this out!!!
September 25, 2026
This was such an enjoyable read if you have not read any of this series I recommend you do it is absolutely funny whimsical cozy witchy vibe read and I absolutely love Cleo frost books she is an auto buy author for me I can not wait to read what book she has in store next .
August 31, 2026
I’m always a sucker for cozy mysteries and this series has been so much fun to read. Of course my favorite character, Englebert (cat and theatre director extraordinaire), was my favorite again. He’s such a well written character and full of all the sass. This was the perfect follow up to Grimoires Gone Wild and I can’t wait to read the next one!
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