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Water Witch Cozy Mystery #1
Under Lock & Key
Granny’s got witch dementia, and Boris the goat may be drinking too much!
Penelope Weaver’s back in Wickford, hoping to relax after a four-month trip aboard her boat. Relaxation is not something she should really have expected though – after all, she is a member of the only witch family in town.
It’s no ordinary witch family either. Granny’s developed witch dementia, and Boris the goat is getting used to his new life of brandy and biscuits whenever he demands it. He’s starting a blog too, but that’s a whole different story.
Penelope’s mother is still visiting the magical haven on a regular basis, and continuing her conquest to get Penny off her boat and back onto dry land. All things considered, everything’s relatively normal in town.
When a murder occurs in Wickford, Penny, her best friend, and her sister are drawn into the mystery, helping their oversized and under skilled policeman friend to solve it.
There’s also a rumour going around that Barney may have the hots for Penelope, but Penelope’s mother disagrees. She thinks Barney may be Scottish, you see? Penelope’s mother is a complicated woman.
There’s a barking goose too. Come to think about it - the only normal animal in Penny’s life is her cat, Rosie.
Join the residents of Wickford for some light-hearted fun in this 60,000 word cozy mystery novel, which contains no blood and gore, and only very minimal use of the tamest of bad language.
Under Lock And Key is book number One in the Water Witch Cozy Mystery Series
Penelope Weaver’s back in Wickford, hoping to relax after a four-month trip aboard her boat. Relaxation is not something she should really have expected though – after all, she is a member of the only witch family in town.
It’s no ordinary witch family either. Granny’s developed witch dementia, and Boris the goat is getting used to his new life of brandy and biscuits whenever he demands it. He’s starting a blog too, but that’s a whole different story.
Penelope’s mother is still visiting the magical haven on a regular basis, and continuing her conquest to get Penny off her boat and back onto dry land. All things considered, everything’s relatively normal in town.
When a murder occurs in Wickford, Penny, her best friend, and her sister are drawn into the mystery, helping their oversized and under skilled policeman friend to solve it.
There’s also a rumour going around that Barney may have the hots for Penelope, but Penelope’s mother disagrees. She thinks Barney may be Scottish, you see? Penelope’s mother is a complicated woman.
There’s a barking goose too. Come to think about it - the only normal animal in Penny’s life is her cat, Rosie.
Join the residents of Wickford for some light-hearted fun in this 60,000 word cozy mystery novel, which contains no blood and gore, and only very minimal use of the tamest of bad language.
Under Lock And Key is book number One in the Water Witch Cozy Mystery Series
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2017
266 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Sam Short
20 books60 followersSam Short loves writing, narrowboats, and laughing. It's his dream to one day be able to leave land behind and live on the canals in a narrowboat of his own. The day he steps aboard his own narrowboat will be the day he laughs the loudest!
Sam discovered his joy for writing three years ago, and it's helped him overcome a lot of obstacles in his life - he intends to continue writing for the rest of his life.
When he's not at his desk, Sam loves metal detecting on a nearby beach and walking his unruly hound.
Sam discovered his joy for writing three years ago, and it's helped him overcome a lot of obstacles in his life - he intends to continue writing for the rest of his life.
When he's not at his desk, Sam loves metal detecting on a nearby beach and walking his unruly hound.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 6, 2019
A quick read and quite entertaining. Penny is a witch as are her mother, grandmother and sister. This combines some light hearted witch craft with a cosy murder, sort of like Midsomer meets Bewitched.
Light and amusing, not sure yet if I will continue the series, given the number of series I have on the go at the moment, but perhaps one day I will come back to it.
Light and amusing, not sure yet if I will continue the series, given the number of series I have on the go at the moment, but perhaps one day I will come back to it.
May 4, 2018
I'm admitting up front that I chose this book because I needed books that started with U for some challenges and it was free on Kindle Unlimited. It ended up being a good choice! It was a quick, easy read that I enjoyed quite a bit even though it was a little silly and quirky - but it did make me laugh. And I thought the plot line about living on a boat and traveling through England's canals was really interesting. So if you are looking for something "just for fun", I would recommend it.
May 7, 2017
And then the goat said...
No doubt about it, this book should get six stars! Great characters, a wonderfully ridiculous magickal spell that went wrong, and an Oxford educated goat. Don't mind the goose that barks or all the false trails you wander down before you find out who done it. Oh, there's a delightful cat whose just a cat, what a novelty! I laughed so much I wound up having to read long parts to my beloved. Now to get book two!
No doubt about it, this book should get six stars! Great characters, a wonderfully ridiculous magickal spell that went wrong, and an Oxford educated goat. Don't mind the goose that barks or all the false trails you wander down before you find out who done it. Oh, there's a delightful cat whose just a cat, what a novelty! I laughed so much I wound up having to read long parts to my beloved. Now to get book two!
May 6, 2017
Witches and laughs
Penny lives and works on a narrow canal boat in England . She and her family are the only witches in town and this can lead to funny situations . Granny has witch's dementia which means when she tries to cast a spell it often goes wrong . The local Bobbie has a crush on Penny and when a murder happens on the canal path , Penny , her sister Willow and friend and journalist Susie help solve the crime . There are many laughs along the way .
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series .
Penny lives and works on a narrow canal boat in England . She and her family are the only witches in town and this can lead to funny situations . Granny has witch's dementia which means when she tries to cast a spell it often goes wrong . The local Bobbie has a crush on Penny and when a murder happens on the canal path , Penny , her sister Willow and friend and journalist Susie help solve the crime . There are many laughs along the way .
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series .
November 3, 2020
This book was so funny when it came to Boris and how he became a talking goat. I won't go into that and spoil it, but it's pretty hilarious. I just loved the character of Granny, she was really a hoot! I liked that Penny and her sister were close to their mom even though she liked fussing over them now that they were old enough to live on their own. Penny and Barney were kind of cute together, and I'll be interested in seeing if their friendship ever turns into anything more serious.
I hadn't guessed the killer, and there was a good showdown at the end. Someone thought to be not such a good person turned out to be a very nice and generous person with a little surprise for Penny and her sister. I know I'm going to be reading more of this series!
I hadn't guessed the killer, and there was a good showdown at the end. Someone thought to be not such a good person turned out to be a very nice and generous person with a little surprise for Penny and her sister. I know I'm going to be reading more of this series!
June 24, 2020
Penelope is a witch living in a boat in the UK. She uses her boat to travel up and down the Thames selling her herbal remedies and potions. But she is back in her home town now and ready to relax. But her grandmother has witch dementia and her goat is drinking way too much.
This is a new one for me and really well done. I love the characters and the premise and think it has a lot of potential. Her grandmother is very funny and her family dynamics is great.
Well done to the author - I will read on.
This is a new one for me and really well done. I love the characters and the premise and think it has a lot of potential. Her grandmother is very funny and her family dynamics is great.
Well done to the author - I will read on.
April 25, 2020
Granny with witch dementia...lol! Penelope lives on her boat, the Water Witch. She goes up and down the canal selling trinkets and potions. No one believes she is really a witch. Her Mum keeps pushing her and her sister, Willow, to learn spells so they will someday get to visit the Haven. A murder happens while she is moored at her hometown. Penny and Willow end up solving the mystery. Fun cozy for those who like good witches!
February 16, 2017
Under Lock & Key is a cute and funny cozy mystery with a cast of characters that will leave you giggling. The mystery drives the book in interesting and surpising ways. The magic just adds a little something extra to the story to make it even more enjoyable. A good cozy mystery in what promises to be a good humorous series. My voluntary review is based upon a review copy.
February 20, 2017
A great start to a new series. Penny, her best friend, sister and granny are a hoot to read about and the barking goose it wonderful. Cute, funny and a murder to boot makes this an all around cute story.
What a cute and funny cozy this turned out to be.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
What a cute and funny cozy this turned out to be.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
September 8, 2017
Heroine not so spunky
I didn't finish reading. When the lead character runs panicking from a guy who is described in such a way I think he's simply grieving and asking for a potion (her livelihood).... well she's not really a 'heroine'. And not someone I want to invest time in.
The style of writing seems a bit amateurish. Not horrible though.
I didn't finish reading. When the lead character runs panicking from a guy who is described in such a way I think he's simply grieving and asking for a potion (her livelihood).... well she's not really a 'heroine'. And not someone I want to invest time in.
The style of writing seems a bit amateurish. Not horrible though.
February 18, 2017
Quick, great read. It has a lot of fun and cozy mystery. Witches, odd assortment of pets and magic to make this story even more enjoyable. I can't wait to read next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
February 22, 2017
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
This was a great paranormal mystery. I loved the characters and their story. I didn't want to put this down. Definitely recommend.
This was a great paranormal mystery. I loved the characters and their story. I didn't want to put this down. Definitely recommend.
May 20, 2017
Cute
Nothing spectacular, but solid writing and a decent storyline. The characters are the best part --quirky, odd but relatable. Definitely worth continuing the series to see where it goes.
Nothing spectacular, but solid writing and a decent storyline. The characters are the best part --quirky, odd but relatable. Definitely worth continuing the series to see where it goes.
October 5, 2017
I found this book to be a fun little adventure with Penelope the water witch! She has an unusual lifestyle and career that I really enjoyed reading about. There is a great cast of secondary characters that add flavor to the story. Will be reading more in this series!
September 16, 2018
A delightful and funny book!
Penny lives an exciting life as a new witch! She lives on a small, but marvelous canal boat. With a witch little shop on board! Granny and Boris add to the magic and merriment! If she keeps practicing her spells she'll soon be invited to Haven!
Penny lives an exciting life as a new witch! She lives on a small, but marvelous canal boat. With a witch little shop on board! Granny and Boris add to the magic and merriment! If she keeps practicing her spells she'll soon be invited to Haven!
March 31, 2019
I loved Sam Short's spellbinder Bay series. I found this one less immediately likeable and a touch overly absurd. Worth reading but if it had been my first by the author I probably wouldn't have bothered with more.
May 30, 2019
Great fun to read. Long oats, talking goat and a murder thrown in.
Great read- full of witches and spells, long boats and canals, and a shy policeman..as just a few happenings in this fun story.
Recommend to all.
.
Great read- full of witches and spells, long boats and canals, and a shy policeman..as just a few happenings in this fun story.
Recommend to all.
.
September 23, 2017
A cute story
Bitterly this book was a little young for me, but I still enjoyed it. It made me laugh. It will make you laugh too.
Bitterly this book was a little young for me, but I still enjoyed it. It made me laugh. It will make you laugh too.
October 4, 2017
I very much enjoyed this, Boris and Granny's witch dementia made the book for me!
Instantly got the next one so I'm keen to see what happens...
Instantly got the next one so I'm keen to see what happens...
July 11, 2018
Quirky and amusing
I do enjoy quirky British fiction and this cosy mystery is full of quirky characters and subtle as well as laugh out loud humour
I do enjoy quirky British fiction and this cosy mystery is full of quirky characters and subtle as well as laugh out loud humour
August 14, 2018
A very amusing paranormal mystery. A witch lives upon a canal boat in England and comes home to find not only murder, but an unusual goat incident.
This book will have you chuckling.
This book will have you chuckling.
April 1, 2019
Fun and light read
You laugh out loud. And he respects the English language. I enjoyed it so much I didn't skip a word!
You laugh out loud. And he respects the English language. I enjoyed it so much I didn't skip a word!
April 20, 2019
Enjoyable Story
A few witches, a couple cops, a goat, a goose, and a cat all in a mystery that in portions can make you laugh.
A few witches, a couple cops, a goat, a goose, and a cat all in a mystery that in portions can make you laugh.
May 12, 2019
Funny!
This is a funny and interesting story with lots of action and mystery. It will keep your interest and not let you put it down. Very entertaining!
This is a funny and interesting story with lots of action and mystery. It will keep your interest and not let you put it down. Very entertaining!
June 2, 2019
A witch with a barge shop? A waterwitch of course!
But when there is a murder in town she is the first one to step up and find the murderer!
A good storyline with talking goats
But when there is a murder in town she is the first one to step up and find the murderer!
A good storyline with talking goats
May 14, 2020
This book is to funny, I had tears all over my face from laughing! I love it. The goat and the goose are hilarious, I have to read more of this series...
October 8, 2020
Real good.
This is a wonderful little cozy with some paranormal thrown in. I am not familiar with long boats or canals but it was interesting.
This is a wonderful little cozy with some paranormal thrown in. I am not familiar with long boats or canals but it was interesting.
February 21, 2019
Very good, really enjoyed it
August 6, 2017
I can't express how much I completely loved this book. This is the perfect 'beach read.' I laughed out loud several times throughout this book. I loved every characters especially the women of the witch family. I can't wait to read the second book. I just adored everything about this book. Definitely a feel good read.
March 13, 2017
A Fun Read
Penney is an interesting character. She is a bit rebellious in not doing what her mother wants. She, her sister and friends manage to solve a murder, further her magic, and use her magic to prevent a murderer from harming more people. I like the characters and story. I found the humor with tame language refreshing. I look forward to the next book.
Penney is an interesting character. She is a bit rebellious in not doing what her mother wants. She, her sister and friends manage to solve a murder, further her magic, and use her magic to prevent a murderer from harming more people. I like the characters and story. I found the humor with tame language refreshing. I look forward to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews