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"Oh, good. Not a problem. I'll invoke the Gods of Pilates. I'm sure they'd be happy to help. Hang on just one sec while I dial them up. Oh, wait. I can't. Know why I can't? Because my hands are tied behind my back with zip ties, Win!"

A rib-tickling cozy mystery complete with an ex-witch, a dead British spy, a cotton ball bat and a cast of suspects that will keep you guessing right up to the end! Witch Slapped from USA Today bestselling author Dakota Cassidy is book one in her new cozy mystery series Witchless In Seattle. Join the hunt for a murderer with Stevie, Winterbottom, and Belfry in a race against time as the local police prepare an eight by ten cell for our intrepid ex-witch.

What's a girl to do when she's a broke, shunned ex-witch with a very tiny, very hungry bat familiar named Belfry to feed?

Hello. My name is Stevie Cartwright, and I've been witchless for thirty days.

If only there was a support group for down-on-their-luck ex-witches who've had their powers slapped right out of them (literally). Just as I was licking my wounds after returning to my hometown of Ebenezer Falls, WA, and navigating my suddenly non-magical existence with the help of my familiar, the only friend I have left in the world--things got sticky.

Enter an ex-spy and newly departed spirit named Winterbottom, who's infiltrated my life with his sexy British accent and a couple of requests...

Thanks to Belfry's successful attempt to use me as a human antenna to the afterlife, I can somehow hear Win. I should be ecstatic; helping departed souls used to be my witch specialty. It's like I got the teensiest piece of my old life back. Except Win's dropped me right at a dead woman's feet.

Madam Zoltar, the town's beloved fake medium, has been murdered, and Win wants me to catch the killer.

My old life won't be worth much if it gets me whacked before my new life has barely begun--and that seems to be exactly what the killer has planned!

Content Notes: This cozy mysteries women sleuths series has a complete cast of oddball characters from witches to ghosts and bats to psychics. Witchless In Seattle Mysteries is a spin-off of Dakota Cassidy's popular A Paris, Texas Romance Series.

222 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2016

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About the author

Dakota Cassidy

167 books1,940 followers
Dakota Cassidy is a national bestselling author with over thirty books. She writes laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, grab-some-ice erotic romance, hot and sexy alpha males, paranormal shifters, contemporary kick-ass women, and more.

Invited by Bravo TV, Dakota was the Bravoholic for a week, wherein she snarked the hell out of all the Bravo shows. She received a starred review from Publisher Weekly for Talk Dirty to Me, won an RT Reviewers Choice Award for Kiss and Hell, along with many review site recommended reads and reviewer top pick awards.

Dakota lives in the gorgeous state of Oregon with her real life hero and her dogs, and she loves hearing from readers!

Connect with Dakota online: https://twitter.com/DakotaCassidy https://www.facebook.com/DakotaCassid...

Join Dakota Cassidy’s Newsletter The Tiara Diaries! Join here: http://mad.ly/signups/100255/join

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 385 reviews
Profile Image for ☕️Kimberly  (Caffeinated Reviewer).
3,587 reviews785 followers
July 21, 2016
Witch Slapped by Dakota Cassidy is the first novel in the Witchless in Seattle series. Narrated by Hollie Jackson this story provided laughter, and an interesting murder mystery. It was the perfect start to a fun new paranormal cozy mystery series!

We meet Stevie Cartwright a witchless witch who lost her powers, thanks to a warlock. Unemployed with little prospect things take a turn for the worst when her familiar Belfry leads her to Madam Zoltar’s shop. Here she finds the dead body of Madam Zoltar, and a spirit by the name of Crispin Winterbottom. She soon finds herself suspect numero uno, She will need to solve the mystery to clear her name. Welcome home Stevie!

Brilliant, well-paced, and absolutely hilarious Dakota Cassidy entertained me from start to finish. The tale is cute but filled with snark, humorous situations, delightful characters and a well-developed murder mystery.

Banter between the Winterbottom and Stevie had me laughing aloud and left me eager for the next installment. Belfry is the BEST FAMILIAR EVER! The synopsis does not mention what Belfry is and I will not either. I will tell you it is not a cat and Stevie carries Belfry around in her purse.

Hollie Jackson perfectly captured Stevie. I loved her voices for Winterbottom and Belfry. She added just the extra touch to this already fun cozy.

Copy provided by publisher This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Profile Image for ● ᴢᴏᴇʏ ●.
179 reviews5 followers
May 4, 2018
● I REALLY hesitated to initiate this one, having previously started and ultimately DNF’ed Dakota Cassidy’s Accidental Werewolf or somesuch (wherein I essentially endured an insufferable, shallow woman prattering on about her Avon sales for… well, it seemed an intolerably lengthy period). But ratings from people I follow seemed promising, so I took the leap.

● Despite my general preference for romance or at least a romantic bent, the story moved right along and kept me more than entertained.

● The bat named Belfry made me smile every time he was mentioned. The concept of a talking animal is one of my favorites. Where do I apply for an awesome familiar? I would totally keep him in mangoes and kiwi.

● On a completely, uh, unimportant note… I love all the primary character’s names: Crispin (not to be confused with the vampire version), Stevie (as in Nicks) and Belfry (as in bats in the).

● I really hope Crispin can rejoin the mortal plane!

● Will definitely continue with the series. This was an excellent palate cleanser after the clusterf- that the Hollows series turned out to be. Completely rejuvenated my enthusiasm for audiobooks, which had derailed beneath the continued angst and unnecessary drama wrought by Ivy et al’s interspecies politics and general insanity.

● A bat named Belfry!


Tell me you wouldn't want one of these little cuties as your familiar. They're like flying cotton balls! And they nest in banana leaves!
Profile Image for ᴥ Irena ᴥ.
1,654 reviews241 followers
May 2, 2018
After being shunned and exiled by her witch community for the weirdest and illogical reasons, Stevie and her pet bat move across the country to start a whole new witchless life.
They are joined by a ghost of a spy who has his own reasons to contact her.

Stevie is then accused of murder and she has to find the murderer. She needs all the help she can get.
Profile Image for Theresa .
1,848 reviews77 followers
April 24, 2019
4.5 Stars... This was such a fun find on my overwhelming TBR... This is why challenges are so very helpful; it may have been years before I got around to reading this, but thanks to my group challenge I got to consume this read NOW... I have become a lover of cozy mysteries, but I have not yet had the pleasure of reading Dakota Cassidy... This story is witty, smart, fun, funny, and has potential elements of an intriguing romance; not to mention the mystery was engaging, thrilling, and even a little nail biting at the end... I enjoyed my introduction to Stevie, Belfry, and Win and I look forward to witnessing their future antics... Definitely a series I am eager to continue!:)
Profile Image for Brenda H.
1,042 reviews91 followers
September 29, 2018
Witch Slapped is the first book in the Witchless in Seattle series by Dakota Cassidy. This book is a cozy mystery with the addition of familiars, mediums, witches and more. I don’t usually read cozies but this one was by an author whose books I’d read before – the Accidental Friends and the Kiss and Hell series – and I was interested to see what she did with this one. I was not disappointed –the story had an interesting mystery, likable characters and snappy dialogue.

Stevie Cartwright is a former witch who often worked with departed souls, helping them to move on. She was stripped of her magical powers and shunned by her coven forcing her to flee to her hometown of Ebenezer Falls, WA, a small town outside of Seattle. When Stevie left her coven, she was joined by Belfry, a cotton ball bat (checkout the online photos of this very cute and tiny animal!) and her familiar.

Though Stevie has no powers, Belfry is still attached to the afterlife and is contacted by a spirit, named Winterbottom. Belfry is able to connect Stevie and Win so that Stevie is able to hear him. What she discovers is that he needs her assistance in solving a murder. Madame Zoltar, the town’s fake medium, has been killed and Win wants to catch the killer.

This is definitely a series to check out if you enjoy Dakota Cassidy’s other series, or even if you just enjoy cozy mysteries. It’s a fun, easy read and I will be reading others in the series. This is a spin-off of the A Paris, Texas Romance series which I also plan to check out.

Rating: 4 stars
Profile Image for Carly.
302 reviews
June 3, 2019
"Crispin Alistair Winterbottom?"
"You're using my full name. As I recall from my childhood, this is a parental tactic used to show one means business."
"Shut. Up. Shut up now. Stop reciting your spy DIY tips. I didn't know if it escaped you, but I don't have a bungee cord I can repel down the back of the building with."
"Oh stop. Don't exaggerate. I didn't tell you to use a bungee cord to do anything. That's only for the skilled, and while the time will come when all my secrets will be revealed, you haven't earned your wings just yet. I said, dig a hairpin out of your purse to pick the lock, and make sure you use a tissue so you don't leave behind fingerprints on the doorknob."
I rolled my eyes, keeping them peeled in the alleyway behind Madam Z's. "And then you went on and on about types of locks and cylinders and torque or something. What's next? Lipstick machine guns?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Stevie. I never used a lipstick gun for anything. It's a pen. Ball point, to be precise, and if you're not ready for bungee cords, not a chance in all of my mother country would I allow you a pen gun at this stage of the game."



I'm not sure what I expected when I started this book, but it wasn't to have liked it so much. I'm kind of shocked how much I enjoyed it. Cozy mystery stories are not generally my thing, but this book checked all the right boxes.
Down on her luck, old life is ruined, in the wrong place at the wrong time heroine. Check. But, Stevie isn't dumb, a bit klutzy sure, and maybe needs to think a bit before talking, but she's quick witted. I liked her a lot.
She has a cute little familiar sidekick. Check. Belfry the bat, he's a nice change of pace regarding familiars. A little funny, a little sweet, and has some good lines of banter.
The new partner of mysterious origins. Check. So the ghost, I wasn't totally sure about, but it works. He's funny, but helpful and even though he talks Stevie into doing things, he makes sure he helps her get out of them too.
A story arc for the book, and an open-ended story arc for continuing the series. Check. And I am perfectly fine with both of those things and how they turned out in the book. I would absolutely read book 2…if it wasn't five bucks. So, unfortunately unless there's a huge sale or they slide on over to KU, this will be the only time I see this particular gang. I'm almost a bit sad about that.
I actually only had 1, well 1 and a half problems with this book. The half - I thought it was romance. It's not, at all. But that's my own fault for thinking that and the story does not suffer at all because it's not there. And the only reason I'm even mentioning it is because I kept waiting for something to happen, in that regard. So no romance, but really didn't need it. My second problem…and this one is the big one…is…WINTERBOTTOM???!? Seriously that's his name? I can not get behind it, I don't care if you call him "Win" for short, I just don't think I can support Winterbottom. This is what pops in my mind every time I see Winterbottom:



"I can see by your jaw scraping the floor I've surprised you."
"Only confetti and a clown car would match my level of surprise."
Had he been kidding when he'd said he'd left the house to me. I looked out the big bay window in the parlor overlooking the Sound at the choppy gray waters and blinked.
"And I guess you want to know why I'd leave my most treasured possession to you, and not a family member - or the DIY Channel."
"I can't make a decision. I mean, there are a whole list of pros and cons I need to make before if I want to know why."
"I left it to you because you need this house, and it needs you. And the afterlife says you need help, and, above all, you can be trusted."
I scratched my head. "Is this your big afterlife pay-it-forward? Am I the charity case of the millennium to make up for all the charity cases you ignored in your former life? What are they feeding you in the afterlife to make such a big decision?"
Win scoffed at me. "I'm insulted you think I ignored charity while I was here on Earth. That cuts deep."
"Do spies donate to charity?"
"You'd be surprised what we spies do for a good cause. Haven't you ever heard of Spies For Tots? Never mind. Scratch that. No one's supposed to know we exist."
I fought a chuckle. "So why would you leave this all to me? You don't even know me."
"Honesty?"
"Should there ever be anything else between an ex-witch and the specter that's attached himself to her like a boil on her butt?"

~

For now, my head was swollen with whirring thoughts and theories. I needed to get back to the car and talk them out with Win.
Whirling around, I went for the door, but Officer Nelson, wet blanket award winner of the year, stopped me. "Miss Cartwright? In a rush to get somewhere?"
I gritted my teeth to keep from screaming. Turning, I pointed to my wrist as though I wore a watch. "Killing spree. I don't want to be late. Gotta run and set up the sacrificial table. It's tedious work to get everything right. Can we exchange pleasantries later?"
Officer Nelson actually smirked as though he were fighting a smile. Go figure. "I'll need to ask you about your side of the events with Mr. Von Adams."
"I've got an appointment with you guys at three today anyway. So it's a date. Gotta run, the chicken sacrifice waits for no one!"

~

"Is that all? Bah. That should be cake. I can't believe you don't want me to swing from the scaffolding into a half-gainer off the entryway wall as I somersault through the air, taking out cops like bowling pins as I go."
"Good point. Definitely a more solid stab at freedom. Do you think you can handle that? I'm not sure that's a level of escape you're ready for."
"Win?"
"Yes, Stevie?"
"Shut up," I warned, trying to keep my voice low. "I'm no more capable of making a jump rope of my arms than I am of winning the Kentucky Derby."
"No. I think you're too tall to be a jockey."
Profile Image for Imjussayin.
563 reviews11 followers
September 2, 2016
I have read a few books by Dakota Cassidy. They were okay. This one is a superb read. Do yourself a favour. Do not be put off by the publishers super long synopsis. It is fast paced, funny, quirky and a murder mystery.

The characters are so realistic and adorable. Our heroine, Stevie Cartwright, oozes happiness and fun. Remembering this is a cosy paranormal mystery, Stevie is believable. I'm in love with Belfry, and I want one. To say more would deprive you of a delight! Winterbottom (dead British spy) has been perfectly pitched as a 'Britisher' as the Americans say. The dialogue between these central characters is warm, witty and charming.

Dakota has also paid close attention to the supporting characters. They have developed personalities and are like friends. Or you want then to be. The baddie is just as well developed, and I look forward to meeting the late warlock in future books.

If you enjoy cosy paranormal mysteries, don't wait, jump your reading list for this. This book will make you laugh and smile. I cannot wait for book two :-)

Connect with me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/imjussayin2

Sexual Content Rating: None
Language Content Rating: Safe
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Will I read the second or again? Yes Yes Yes

My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A great read. A prominent example of the genre.
Profile Image for Sheryl.
1,890 reviews38 followers
February 10, 2017
I know this book has gotten a lot of great reviews but I personally had a hard time enjoying it. The 3 stars might be generous. I listened to it on audio so maybe that was part of my problem. I've listened to narrator Hollie Jackson before and don't remember having any issues with her. In fact, I thought I remembered liking her, and her voice for Stevie the main character was great. My problems with her narration were (1) slower than stink- she left a huge pause between every paragraph. I had to turn the speed up to 1.25 just to help get rid of those terrible pauses. (2) I hated her voice for Winterbottom. The British accent sounded wrong to me. I'm not an expert on accents but it just sounded fake. (3) I also wasn't a fan of her voice for Belfry either.

The story itself was OK. I didn't figure out "whodunnit" so that is a plus. I really did like Stevie, her attitude and sense of humor, but honestly I mostly found the story boring. There's no reason that I shouldn't have liked it; I just didn't. Hence, I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt and giving it 3 stars, but I don't think I will continue with the series. And if I do, it won't be on audio.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,314 reviews41 followers
October 8, 2023
4.9 stars

I have actually intended to read this author for years and have never gotten around to it until now. I have a thing for cozy mysteries, well mysteries in general, and really like it when they intersect with my love of the paranormal/supernatural. This was a decent mystery for the first in the series even though I had an idea who the killer was from the set-up. The characters are fairly well-developed though their backstories still have some ways to go before you can say they are really great. Ebenezer Falls, Washington is a fictional suburb of Seattle and so it is just a small community within a larger one, though the residents seem like your typical small-town folks.

Stevie Cartwright has been shunned by her fellow witches after losing her powers to a powerful warlock who blamed her for his death. Because of this, she leaves Paris, Texas which has been her home for many years, and returns to Ebenezer Falls, Washington the place where she grew up and left as soon as she was able. Things are not going well and she is down to the last of her savings when her familiar Belfry starts to get messages from the other side.

An ex-spy named Winterbottom has been trying to contact Stevie not only to help him but also to give her something. While she is annoyed at the intrusion she is happy to have something from her past life still available, while she may not be able to see him she can hear him and maybe she can do what she always loved and help those who cannot pass over without closure. The thing is Win drops her into the middle of a murder and guess who the prime suspect is.

This is the first in a spinoff of Paris, Texas, the romance series. The stories are set in a seaside town that has some very quirky characters among them a handsome British ex-spy who just so happens to be a ghost, a snarky sidekick, and of course murder. Of course, there is Stevie trying to get used to being without her magic and find her way in the mortal world. Fun and light with a few interesting twists.
1,383 reviews19 followers
September 27, 2018
A solid, laugh-out-loud, paranormal cozy mystery. Stevie is a witch without powers. Winterbottom is a ghost, a British spy, with a mission for Stevie. My favourite character however is Belfry. Yep, a bat. A cotton ball bat. Tiny, white and mouthy. I enjoyed the writing, the characters and the mystery. I will be reading more from this series.
Profile Image for Kavita Kumar.
341 reviews34 followers
July 28, 2018
I enjoyed this book ! It was an entertaining read !

So, we have the ex-witch Stevie, her hilarious familiar-bat Belfry and a mysterious-interesting ghost Win aka Winterbottom aka Winterbutt aka Weatherwarning and the list goes on. I love the names Stevie and Belfry come up for Win. Right, now our ghost is rich AF, ex-spy with a whole mystery about his death, and wants Stevie for some task. Sure, it begins with the death of the fake-yet-adorable psychic and Win's insistence on solving the murder. What does Stevie get in return? All of Win's money and mansion, plus a new car, plus new furniture.. Did I mention the mansion? Yeah, lucky witch! And so they began collecting clues since Stevie is the suspect in the murder. And in the end, the mystery is solved and a new partnership is forged. Blah blah..

What I didn't like ? For all the drama about how Stevie lost her witch powers, I'd expected a much more sinister motive behind the murder. When I read who it was, I was like 'Meh!'. What a let down ! I would have loved some warlock action ! Some spell throwing ! But it was not to be. Also, what's with Win's mysterious before-death ? Maybe we will get all that in the next book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie between Stevie, Belfry, and Win. Their conversations were hilarious. But, overall, it was a good book setting up the premises for a progressively better series.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
1,475 reviews81 followers
July 25, 2016
Snazzy Title and Witty Dialogue Pair-Up for WITCH SLAPPED
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...


This story features witty dialogue in a first person narrative. It also features a cottonball bat and in my blog post (link above) I include a picture of one.

The story starts off with Stevie and her bat familiar, Belfry, trying to figure out life without magic. The only problem is that she still hears from the dead through Belfry. When she discovers a body, she becomes a suspect in the mysterious death with only her bat-friend and the ghost trying to help her solve the mystery.

I did find the story cute; but as with the other story by Cassidy I read, THE ACCIDENTAL DRAGON, I found the story inconsistent. At one point they discuss Baba Yaga taking her powers and closer to the end they discuss her having lost them another way. Also, if she no longer has powers, how does she talk to her familar or to a ghost? When they enter a shop wherein they find a dead body she can smell herbs, a cologne and other subtleties, but not the dead body?

There is some real suspense that really could have gone either way. The friendship that develops between Stevie and the ghost, Her Majesty’s late spy, Winterbottom is charming.

The narrator does a great job with the English accent, but the way she reads the story sometimes sounds like she is reading a picture book to children. Sometimes, I cannot tell whether a character is a child or a woman, as in the case of the dead person’s granddaughter. She gives the bat a very high, squeaky voice.

I find the characters fun, or scary, depending on who they are, and I enjoy the aforementioned witty dialogue. The general plot is fun, but the details occasionally feel sloppy. Several story lines set up the next book rather neatly; but they are such that their resolution would effectively end the series. And, who can resist a fluffy, white talking bat?

Is something still a cozy mystery if there is quite a lot of violence?

If you like a paranormal mystery where the characters and plot are better than the mystery part then this might be great for you!

Profile Image for Stormi (StormReads).
1,936 reviews207 followers
October 2, 2023
Witch Slapped is the first book in a new series by Dakota Cassidy, and even though she is one of my favorites I am not real sure what I think of this one. I think a lot had to do more with the audio narration than the book itself. At times it just seemed a little silly.

Stevie is an ex-witch and she literally got her witch powers slapped out of her by an angry warlock from the grave. So she has moved out of the witching community of Paris and back to her hometown. She is broke and has a hungry bat familiar who needs food, but she can’t seem to find a job.

Then Belfry, the bat, hears a voice from beyond who wants them to come to a certain place and when they do they find a dead woman. Stevie who used to be able to commune with ghosts can not see the ghost who is talking to her but she can hear him. It seems a British spy who has died wants her to help him find out who murdered Madame Z. The only thing is, now that she has found the body the police show up and she is accused of murder.

So she really needs to figure out who the killer is and does so with the help of a ghostly British spy and her bat.

Witch Slapped is a snarky, and fun mystery. The best parts are the banter between Stevie and Winterbottom, the spy. I am not real fond of the bat. I like the play of names as one of the characters names is Forrest Sherwood.

It has all the fun of Dakota’s books and I am sure I will get use to it as I did start liking it more towards the end. Overall, I did like it and I am curious to see what kind of trouble that Stevie and Winterbottom can get into.

If you like cozy mysteries with paranormal elements and a snarky tone then you might like this one.
Profile Image for Ruckasaurus Rex.
224 reviews16 followers
July 10, 2016
Dakota Cassidy writes entertaining and fun tales across a range of genres – her stories are great for reality breaks and to pick up your mood. Witch Slapped is labeled as a “cozy mystery,” with some supernatural/paranormal flavoring as ghosts, witches, and bossy familiars take the stage. There is murder, intrigue, and a talking cotton ball bat. Who could ask for more?

A former witch turned mundane, Stevie is just looking to find employment in her old home town when she stumbles upon a dead body…in a loud and flamboyant manner. The locals immediately look to the new stranger as a potential perpetrator of the crime, and things start going even further south and she becomes further embroiled into the drama. Hired by the ghost of a former spy to solve the murder, Stevie ends up at the police station on multiple occasions as she continually paints herself into guilty corners. Throw in someone intent on taking Stevie down and a high school heartthrob, and things get really sideways.

Easily the best part of this tale is the writer’s voice. Her characters are cheeky and the heroine is fun, exasperated, and reactionary in so many delightful ways. I highly recommend her work if you are looking for some fast-paced, laughter-inducing reading. I usually prefer a happily ever after at the end of each book I read, but I could definitely read more about this main character and her strange entourage.

Check out my full reviews here: https://romancereviewsbyruckie.wordpr...
Profile Image for Melliane.
2,073 reviews350 followers
February 20, 2020
Mon avis en Français

My English review

I had this novel for free on amazon. But when I started the book, I didn’t pay attention to the fact that it was a spin-off story, even though I don’t think it’s actually a problem because I didn’t feel like something was missing.

Right now, I’m having a hard time finding novels that interest me and I’m having a little bit of a reading breakdown. So I got into some paranormal cozy and hoped I could get all this through. Unfortunately, it didn’t really work and I have to say that I had a lot of trouble connecting to the story. I don’t think it’s due to the story itself, because the reviews are quite good, but unfortunately, it was complicated for me. Apart from that, I can’t deny the fact that it was an interesting investigation involving an ancient witch who can communicate with the dead and whose familiar is a bat (which, it must be said, is still very nice!).

It probably wasn’t the best time for me to read this story and if it was fun, I couldn’t really get into it.
Profile Image for Gaele.
4,076 reviews85 followers
June 25, 2018
AudioBook Review:
Stars: Overall 5 Narration 5 Story 5

Quirky, funny and utterly madcap as the rush to solve the mystery of who murdered the fake psychic Madam Zoltar, and just how Stevie managed to arrive home minus her powers, fall under her familiar, Belfry’s influence, and just why there is a spy (in spirit form) giving her hints and tips.

Dakota Cassidy managed to spin an utterly plausible mystery in the middle of an utterly implausible set up with witches, spirits, magic and mortals all mixing together in ways unexpected and fresh. Stevie hasn’t had things easy for a while now – her powers are gone, yet she can still communicate with spirits and her familiar, Belfry, hasn’t deserted her. Yet. While the mortal world is looking at her as the prime suspect, she’s obviously got no reason to be – and a whole host of supporting characters (some more developed than others) to help her dig through clues, dead-ends and suspects to come up with the correct solution. Fast paced, snarky and full of twists and quirks that keep you guessing just as much as they delight with unique moments, this is a great start to a new series, and one that you should grab and listen right away.

Narration for this story is provided by Hollie Jackson, and her work is quickly becoming some of my favorite, particularly with quirky characters and fast-paced plots: in fact, she’s a perfect match for Stevie: youthful, adventurous and rather offhandedly snarky without crossing over into overdone. Other characters are distinct and clear, Jackson’s narrative style tends to the subtle: presenting the story clearly and cleanly, taking moments that are needed to absorb information (or laugh) without disrupting the flow or losing interest. A great intro to both author and narrator and a favorite start of a paranormal cozy for me.

I received an AudioBook copy of the tile from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Profile Image for Mary Lou Hoffman.
1,954 reviews35 followers
November 21, 2017
WITCH SLAPPED is the first in the Witchless in Seattle series. They do need to be read in the order of release, not because of a continuing story, but because of references to previous happenings.

Stevie, the witch… or should I say ex-witch… is a hoot, but her bat, Belfry is the star. The banter between them is enough to keep a smile etched on my face despite the murder they are trying to solve while keeping Stevie out of jail and alive. Add in Winterbottom, a British spy who has become a ghost, and the quips really begin to fly.

I loved this story so much, that I have already listened to it three times and I’ll be pushing “play” again real soon. This one is safe to listen to at work, so that’s where I listened while doing my data entry. Luckily, I work with a man who respects my space enough to allow this indulgence. I only wish I had more of the series (hint, hint for anyone thinking of Christmas).

Note: while I was given this book as a gifted Audible – hey, it was a prize, ya’all – my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: WITCH SLAPPED
Series: Witchless in Seattle #1
Category /Genre: Paranormal, Cozy Mystery
Recommended for: 18+ due to mature content
Received from: Dakota Cassidy (as an Audible gifted copy)
Profile Image for Nora Peevy.
568 reviews18 followers
July 8, 2019
Looking for a good paranormal cozy mystery series? Witchless in Seattle is the perfect book series for lovers of snark and suspense. Stevie and her familiar, a cotton ball bat named Belfry, make a great crime fighting duo, similar to Shaggy and Scooby. Lighthearted, laugh out loud dialogue and a fast paced tale set against the dramatic backdrop of a small town make this read a great summer vacation choice. My only complaint is there wasn't a more serious romantic element, but I have high hopes Cassidy will remedy this at some point in the series.
Profile Image for Emmalynn.
2,938 reviews29 followers
September 15, 2022
Belfry is a hoot! This was a good series start. Stevie has lost her witch powers and kicked limit of the witch community in Paris, Texas. Returning to Ebenezer Falls, Washington, she literally falls into being a suspect in a murder. Her familiar Belfry aids her in communicating with the dead and that’s where Winn comes in, or rather, Winterbottom, the ghostly British spy. Winn needs her help to solve the murder of Madam Z. Filled with surprises, ghostly humor, a sarcastic, cute, familiar, small town snobbery, and more, this book was better than I expected. Good first in series.
Profile Image for Debbie.
219 reviews7 followers
August 19, 2017
This was actually my first book by Dakota Cassidy, but it won't be my last. This was really fun! The heroine Stevie had a lot of spunk, the dialogue was witty, and her sidekick Belfry was adorable. Winn was a great supporting character, and his character was almost, if not more, fun than Stevie's. I'm really looking forward to seeing where the author takes this series. The actual murderer was not really a surprise, but overall the book was an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Mhairi.
160 reviews3 followers
September 4, 2017
I have been sucked into the cozy mystery genre and I love it. Witch Slapped is, of course, funny, it is after all written by our lovely Dakota Cassidy. Stevie is a well-rounded character someone you could be friends with, I adore her familiar and the book keeps you guessing on the murderer and leave you with enough questions about spy guy to keep you coming back.
Profile Image for Megan (BookWifeReviews).
1,564 reviews54 followers
March 29, 2019
I flipping loved this book. Turns out I DONT need a romance to enjoy a "mystery" type book. This book was so funny and quirky and I honestly loved every second of it.
Profile Image for JazzyReadz💜.
189 reviews
September 14, 2023
It was okay. Plot was predictable, characters were pretty surface level, writing was sub-par. Overall it’s not the worst thing I’ve read but I don’t think I care enough to read on. The other books have good reviews so maybe I’ll try one more but I don’t feel confident on this series being for me.
Profile Image for Janet Armentani.
174 reviews26 followers
June 24, 2017
Loved this! Great story, funny dialog, endearing characters!
What's a witch to do, when she's no longer a witch? Go home, get accused of murder and pick up a wayward spirit from the other side That's what! Fast paced and adorable, this is a wonderful cozy mystery!
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