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The Celtic Witch Mysteries #2
Playing Cat and Mouse
Librarian's Note: An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here
More magic and mystery with Bron, Welsh hedge-witch and healer - plus her American cousin Maddie, the cantankerous seer Great Aunt Dilys, and Harkin who is not your average cat…
All is not what it seems in the sleepy Welsh town of Llanfair. The snows have come late and the local police force (cute Adam and not-too-bright Polly) can’t keep up with demand (the demand being: “I’ve fallen over on the ice! Help me!”)
A man is found dead in a field and there’s nothing suspicious about it … except for the fact that he appears to have fallen from a great height. Wales does have birds of prey but nothing that could carry a full-grown man. So how did he die?
Bron is soon drawn into a very sinister group of families with ancient ties that echo to the present day. She’s helped by her druid friend Dean – he knows a lot of folklore. And her vicar friend Horatio – he knows a lot about people. And her blacksmith friend Gruffydd – he knows a lot … which he cannot tell her.
Things would be simpler if her cousin Maddie wasn’t trying to learn magic from the Faerie Folk, her Great Aunt Dilys wasn’t hiding something under her shawl, and bodies didn’t randomly fall from the sky.
Just another day in the magical town of Llanfair, then?
More magic and mystery with Bron, Welsh hedge-witch and healer - plus her American cousin Maddie, the cantankerous seer Great Aunt Dilys, and Harkin who is not your average cat…
All is not what it seems in the sleepy Welsh town of Llanfair. The snows have come late and the local police force (cute Adam and not-too-bright Polly) can’t keep up with demand (the demand being: “I’ve fallen over on the ice! Help me!”)
A man is found dead in a field and there’s nothing suspicious about it … except for the fact that he appears to have fallen from a great height. Wales does have birds of prey but nothing that could carry a full-grown man. So how did he die?
Bron is soon drawn into a very sinister group of families with ancient ties that echo to the present day. She’s helped by her druid friend Dean – he knows a lot of folklore. And her vicar friend Horatio – he knows a lot about people. And her blacksmith friend Gruffydd – he knows a lot … which he cannot tell her.
Things would be simpler if her cousin Maddie wasn’t trying to learn magic from the Faerie Folk, her Great Aunt Dilys wasn’t hiding something under her shawl, and bodies didn’t randomly fall from the sky.
Just another day in the magical town of Llanfair, then?
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2017
226 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 16, 2017
This series has delighted me. The series is set in Wales and the delightful Author has given us a simple 'vocabulary' to master in order that we can pronounce the lovely welsh greetings and locations with ease...Ms. Milligan states, "Good Luck." It's fun though.
The tale centers around a Hedge Witch, her aging Auntie, and now, her American Cousin living in a centuries old home mainly without electricity as Bronwen (Bron) is allergic to it.
Bron and Maddie, the Cousin take a walk (usual mode of transportation,) and come across a man's body. The police say he was 'thrown from great heights' but...there is only farmland local. What is going on? As the police close down the investigation as an accident...Bron and Maddie step it up as a 'Murder!'
This book is humorous and clever. It uses a great deal of mythology and magical beliefs. The mystery is solid and you get a good conclusion to solve it.
I'm looking forward to the next volume.
The tale centers around a Hedge Witch, her aging Auntie, and now, her American Cousin living in a centuries old home mainly without electricity as Bronwen (Bron) is allergic to it.
Bron and Maddie, the Cousin take a walk (usual mode of transportation,) and come across a man's body. The police say he was 'thrown from great heights' but...there is only farmland local. What is going on? As the police close down the investigation as an accident...Bron and Maddie step it up as a 'Murder!'
This book is humorous and clever. It uses a great deal of mythology and magical beliefs. The mystery is solid and you get a good conclusion to solve it.
I'm looking forward to the next volume.
June 20, 2017
Great
This series is still exceptional. Ms Milligan's matter of fact descriptions of the Otherworld woven seamlessly with ours is so real that you know it IS real. Her characters are well developed and her story well written. There is nothing that should keep you from reading this series.
This series is still exceptional. Ms Milligan's matter of fact descriptions of the Otherworld woven seamlessly with ours is so real that you know it IS real. Her characters are well developed and her story well written. There is nothing that should keep you from reading this series.
August 1, 2017
3.5 stars. There's a lot with this series that I'm drawn to, but it hasn't completely clicked with me yet as if there is an emptiness* (not sure how to explain it). I'm curious enough to continue with it, however.
*Bron's distrust of magic that is different than hers is somewhat off-putting, makes her seem very snobbish.
*Bron's distrust of magic that is different than hers is somewhat off-putting, makes her seem very snobbish.
October 16, 2017
Magical!
An imaginative and wondrous book! It is the perfect balance of good and scary that could be just the book for a Halloween book club meeting. It shows how energies that are neutral can be either used for good or bad, as can the life choices of the characters in it.
A fascinating look into the world of magical lore in an entertaining story.
An imaginative and wondrous book! It is the perfect balance of good and scary that could be just the book for a Halloween book club meeting. It shows how energies that are neutral can be either used for good or bad, as can the life choices of the characters in it.
A fascinating look into the world of magical lore in an entertaining story.
June 6, 2017
Book two review
Another good one by a good author. This is a really great series. Lots of twists and turns and really likeable characters. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
Another good one by a good author. This is a really great series. Lots of twists and turns and really likeable characters. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
July 23, 2017
Interesting
The story is a fascinating mix of mystery and Welsh folklore, and the characters are interesting and unusual. I'm looking forward to the next book!
The story is a fascinating mix of mystery and Welsh folklore, and the characters are interesting and unusual. I'm looking forward to the next book!
September 15, 2017
Great readd
It is so easy to get lost in this book. I got as caught up in Bron's magic as I do my own! On to the next book and Bron's next adventure of moving out!
It is so easy to get lost in this book. I got as caught up in Bron's magic as I do my own! On to the next book and Bron's next adventure of moving out!
March 6, 2018
Held me until the last page!
All I can say is an excellent read! I have read many fantasies but this was very well crafted and a wonderful ride!
All I can say is an excellent read! I have read many fantasies but this was very well crafted and a wonderful ride!
October 19, 2019
“Life lived small can be good.” - Bronwen
July 15, 2025
This book continued to charm me in all the ways I’ve come to love from this series. Set in the ever-enchanting Welsh countryside, it delivered a magical blend of folklore, mystery, and humor that kept me happily turning the pages. From the start, the story pulled me in with its clever premise—what began as a seemingly simple investigation twisted quickly into something much deeper, touching on old magic, shifting loyalties, and secrets that had been hidden in plain sight. It balanced tension with levity so well that even in the darker moments, I found myself smiling.
The worldbuilding was, once again, one of the biggest highlights. The way the supernatural is integrated into everyday life never feels forced. The Otherworld doesn't feel like a separate realm—it feels like it’s just slightly hidden beneath the surface of our own, and the writing made that blurring of worlds feel effortlessly believable. I love how mythology and local legends are treated as truth, without unnecessary spectacle. It gave the story so much weight and authenticity, and I truly felt immersed in a world where druids, fae, and spirits quietly coexist alongside the modern world.
The characters were sharp and full of personality. Bronwen continues to be one of my favorite leads—grounded, witty, and entirely capable, even when chaos unfolds around her. The supporting cast, both magical and mortal, added layers to the story that kept things unpredictable and vibrant. And the mystery at the heart of the book was just the right mix of cozy and compelling. It unraveled at a steady pace, dropping hints and red herrings without making the ending feel obvious. By the final chapters, everything came together in such a satisfying way that I immediately wanted to dive into the next one. This series hasn’t lost its magic—if anything, it’s only deepened it.
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
The worldbuilding was, once again, one of the biggest highlights. The way the supernatural is integrated into everyday life never feels forced. The Otherworld doesn't feel like a separate realm—it feels like it’s just slightly hidden beneath the surface of our own, and the writing made that blurring of worlds feel effortlessly believable. I love how mythology and local legends are treated as truth, without unnecessary spectacle. It gave the story so much weight and authenticity, and I truly felt immersed in a world where druids, fae, and spirits quietly coexist alongside the modern world.
The characters were sharp and full of personality. Bronwen continues to be one of my favorite leads—grounded, witty, and entirely capable, even when chaos unfolds around her. The supporting cast, both magical and mortal, added layers to the story that kept things unpredictable and vibrant. And the mystery at the heart of the book was just the right mix of cozy and compelling. It unraveled at a steady pace, dropping hints and red herrings without making the ending feel obvious. By the final chapters, everything came together in such a satisfying way that I immediately wanted to dive into the next one. This series hasn’t lost its magic—if anything, it’s only deepened it.
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
October 31, 2018
Taking on The Wild Hunt, the Pucca and the Faeries
A better read then the first book. Much more exciting and the characters have become clearer, more defined and better developed.
The trio have settled into life at the cottage, although more and more she feels that her presence is causing problems for the other two. Now their is the added question of how did the brash Englishman die. His injuries seemed to come from a fall but there is nothing around the spot his body was in to have been the cause. Add in The Wild Hunt, a wild snowstorm, a stone circle, old magic, the Faeries, revenge, a hurt female and a Pucca that is being forced to do things for it's master. Can they find how all these tie together? Will any of the three end up hurt? Can she continue to live in a house that has began to cause problems for the other occupants because of her magic?
A better read then the first book. Much more exciting and the characters have become clearer, more defined and better developed.
The trio have settled into life at the cottage, although more and more she feels that her presence is causing problems for the other two. Now their is the added question of how did the brash Englishman die. His injuries seemed to come from a fall but there is nothing around the spot his body was in to have been the cause. Add in The Wild Hunt, a wild snowstorm, a stone circle, old magic, the Faeries, revenge, a hurt female and a Pucca that is being forced to do things for it's master. Can they find how all these tie together? Will any of the three end up hurt? Can she continue to live in a house that has began to cause problems for the other occupants because of her magic?
March 14, 2018
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
May 20, 2023
Good
Unseasonable weather, an unusual death, and the trials and tribulations of dealing with the magical denizens of Wales, has Bron all at sixes and sevens.
This is a magical tale in which our Hedgewitch Bron has to face a number of home truths, and a few realisations. It makes for a tense time, even as she investigates the death of a man no-one seemed to like and which few even believe to be murder.
I love the characters in this series, the not-so-showy magic, and the deeply held folk beliefs of the Welsh and British which are wonderfully showcased.
It makes for a fascinating, and enjoyable mystery filled with magic.
This one is for the paranormal cosy mystery fans who love the folkways of Wales and the rest of the UK.
Unseasonable weather, an unusual death, and the trials and tribulations of dealing with the magical denizens of Wales, has Bron all at sixes and sevens.
This is a magical tale in which our Hedgewitch Bron has to face a number of home truths, and a few realisations. It makes for a tense time, even as she investigates the death of a man no-one seemed to like and which few even believe to be murder.
I love the characters in this series, the not-so-showy magic, and the deeply held folk beliefs of the Welsh and British which are wonderfully showcased.
It makes for a fascinating, and enjoyable mystery filled with magic.
This one is for the paranormal cosy mystery fans who love the folkways of Wales and the rest of the UK.
August 27, 2017
Reckoning
All things happen for a reason or do the saying goes. Bron is a hedge witch and she cannot be around any kind of electronics and this is causing problems at home but that is only the beginning. Magic is in full play here especially when there is a murder involved. Bron and Maddie come across a man dead but there are no clues as to have he died. Now Bron and Maddie feel they need to look into it and then are drawn into all of the mysteries around them.
In order to find out how this ends you will need to read.
All things happen for a reason or do the saying goes. Bron is a hedge witch and she cannot be around any kind of electronics and this is causing problems at home but that is only the beginning. Magic is in full play here especially when there is a murder involved. Bron and Maddie come across a man dead but there are no clues as to have he died. Now Bron and Maddie feel they need to look into it and then are drawn into all of the mysteries around them.
In order to find out how this ends you will need to read.
September 4, 2023
On the first on the MC was inquiring but in this one the MC is bitching ALL the time, did she mentally regressed when the spirits went through her on the first book? Then the detective work on this one is intrusive and careless, where in the first book they were researching intelligently. There is SOOOOOOOOOOOO much repetition and the internal monologues are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO never-endingly annoying!!! I loved the MC on the first book, one this book I wished someone killed her! Or maybe not, her ghost might be even more infuriating. Onto my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!
July 15, 2018
Delightful Paranormal Mystery!
Bron and her family - both blood and chosen - are growing as people/characters, and we get to see more into their lives.
The magic is coming along nicely as well. The mysteries are very intriguing and engaging.
Bron and her family - both blood and chosen - are growing as people/characters, and we get to see more into their lives.
The magic is coming along nicely as well. The mysteries are very intriguing and engaging.
September 30, 2020
I am a big fan of Molly Milligan’s writing but this series is my favourite. It is written with a deep understanding of magic but in a light hearted manner. This particular book is full of heady magic. I wish I could find other similar books. Thank you Molly for great writing.
May 16, 2017
Good read
Was very well written,held my interest quite well. Feel as perhaps learned a bit. Will be interesting to follow the series.
Was very well written,held my interest quite well. Feel as perhaps learned a bit. Will be interesting to follow the series.
May 24, 2017
Great Series
Really enjoyed this installment and am excited about the next coming in June! Another glimpse into the dark underbelly of Wales and some of the powers who dwell there.
Really enjoyed this installment and am excited about the next coming in June! Another glimpse into the dark underbelly of Wales and some of the powers who dwell there.
August 5, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series... and enjoyed this continuation. Looking forward to the third in the series.
November 24, 2018
Enjoyed this one more than I did book 1.
March 26, 2026
This was just as good as the last one. Again, it’s not a funny cozy mystery as the blurb and cover suggest. It’s a well thought out modern fantasy with the fae and fae Irish lore. It’s probably also Welsh lore. It was interesting. There were lots of types of magic used, all very different from one another and from typical urban fantasy fair. The hedge witch was a hedge rider, something that was quite fascinating.
There were lots of thrills. The smallish issues built up to an exciting last quarter with danger, deception, twists and turns. Just when you thought it was just about over, something else would happen. It was excellent.
I loved the characters and there was diversity. There were lots of women, some in positions of power, some great, one mildly incompetent. I like that because not all people are good at their jobs. It’s okay to make the marginalized minorities be negative characters as long as you have positive ones as well. That’s realistic. The cousin is of mixed Black and white heritage and is a foreigner (American).
They all had their own personalities and roles in the plot that were not interchangeable. While there’s a wonderful love interest who’s strong and intelligent, he doesn’t ride in to save the day but helps out. I like that he has trouble believing in the magic but believes her.
This ends on a mild cliffhanger, well really a tease into the next book which I can’t wait to read.
The narrator, Gemma Dawson, is superb. Her American accent is wonderful. She doesn’t sound Welsh to me but my only real exposure to a Welsh accent is from Torchwood and most of them were English and American. But some of the characters she read did sound like they were from there so perhaps it’s like here where some people from the South or New York have more generic American accents.
There were lots of thrills. The smallish issues built up to an exciting last quarter with danger, deception, twists and turns. Just when you thought it was just about over, something else would happen. It was excellent.
I loved the characters and there was diversity. There were lots of women, some in positions of power, some great, one mildly incompetent. I like that because not all people are good at their jobs. It’s okay to make the marginalized minorities be negative characters as long as you have positive ones as well. That’s realistic. The cousin is of mixed Black and white heritage and is a foreigner (American).
They all had their own personalities and roles in the plot that were not interchangeable. While there’s a wonderful love interest who’s strong and intelligent, he doesn’t ride in to save the day but helps out. I like that he has trouble believing in the magic but believes her.
This ends on a mild cliffhanger, well really a tease into the next book which I can’t wait to read.
The narrator, Gemma Dawson, is superb. Her American accent is wonderful. She doesn’t sound Welsh to me but my only real exposure to a Welsh accent is from Torchwood and most of them were English and American. But some of the characters she read did sound like they were from there so perhaps it’s like here where some people from the South or New York have more generic American accents.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews