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Wanda Wayfair is a bit of a late starter.

At almost twenty-one she still hasn't received her magical powers, and she's running out of time. But that doesn’t bother Wanda. Much. Not when she can spend all of her time in the human world and pretend that her coven doesn’t exist. But when Wanda takes a job at Berrys' Bottlers, working with the handsome Will Berry and his unpleasant Aunt Alice, she soon realises that she's a lot closer to the magical world than she thought.

All over Dublin, humans are murdering witches. When asked why, all they'll say is, 'I dunno why I done it.' But Wanda thinks she does know why they’ve done it – and hopefully she’ll receive her power in time to help her coven discover the truth.

215 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2017

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562 people want to read

About the author

A.A. Albright

73 books106 followers
A.A. Albright lives in the Irish countryside with her husband.

She loves reading in every genre, but writing cozy mysteries is just about the most fun she's had in a decade.

To keep up to date with the latest news from A.A. and to be the first to hear about new releases, you can join her mailing list:
http://www.subscribepage.com/z4n0f4

Or visit her website: https://aaalbright.com/

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5 stars
418 (45%)
4 stars
316 (34%)
3 stars
152 (16%)
2 stars
24 (2%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
Profile Image for India.
Author 14 books97 followers
April 19, 2018
Wanda is used to being a witch without any powers so when strange things start to happen to her she brushes them aside. Starting a new job under the steamy gaze of Will Berry and the ever-watchful eye of his judgemental aunt are hard enough but moving to a new house with plenty of surprises should top her over the edge but it’s the talking rat that catches her focus once more.

This cosy mystery is not all that cosy when the main character is in constant motion but it makes up for that by introducing the reader to a whole new world with some really cool characters. I can’t say that I’m going to miss the rat when I pick up book two in this series but I’m sure Wanda will have a new friend to keep her ultra-busy.
Profile Image for Caryn - iam.caryn.
790 reviews87 followers
March 15, 2020
This was a really fun series opener. If I had had more time to read this week, I would have finished it in one sitting.

I can see so much potential for the upcoming books. This is a long series! It’s 11 books long, plus two side novels. Seeing how much I love Albright’s writing style, it’s not going to feel even remotely long enough.

This whole story was really fun. There were great twists that I didn’t see coming, a really likeable narrator, and a moment that made me shed more than a few tears.
388 reviews16 followers
September 4, 2018
I've mentioned that cozy witch mysteries are sweet innocuous reads - deliberately full of tropes, and, like cozies, chaste when it comes to romance descriptions and a bit slow for action book readers. All that said, if you want a relaxing break and don't mind silly, they often fit the bill. So, I'm on my cozy witch binge on Kindle Unlimited.

Like her Riddler's Edge series - the first two books in the series are pretty complete stories and on the third she moves more towards "episodes" than to something with a satisfying ending to her tale. I like satisfying endings to tales and feel a bit cheated when I get to the end and it's not there.

On the upside she does not go for inanely silly (some of Amanda's Lee's with Tilly) and can spin an inventive tale.
Profile Image for Tess Ailshire.
787 reviews4 followers
January 20, 2022
This is my first venture into Albright's paranormal universe, and I found too many cliches among the characters and actions to really grab my attention. All cozy mysteries are built on cliche, on coincidence, and on characters who are out of their depths by trying to be crime-solvers. And all paranormal stories introduce universes and rules about which the reader cannot know at first. I can't pinpoint why this juxtaposition just didn't work for me. I *think* I found Wanda nonplussed by things I expected would matter, and worried about what I thought trivia. We just didn't gel.

Not a bad read, but I won't be reading further. There are just too many books out there, and not all are for everyone.
Profile Image for Colleen Chesebro.
Author 17 books89 followers
March 6, 2019
Meet Wanda Wayfair, a young woman whose heritage stems from a long line of witches. There’s only one problem. It appears she didn’t inherit the witch gene. Wanda is what you would call an unempowered witch. At this point in her life, she’s given up all hope of ever possessing any witchy abilities. Even Accounting sounds like a decent option.

The story begins as Wanda arrives home in Dublin. Across the street from her house, Wanda notices a body being wheeled into an ambulance. She witnesses a twenty-something-year-old girl shoved into a police car, screaming, “I dunno why I done it!” over and over again. Now her curiosity is peeked… I mean, wouldn’t you wonder what was going on? I sure did!

For whatever reason, witches are being murdered in Dublin. As the mysterious events unfold Wanda’s powers surge into action. She’s had training in the magikal arts but never used magic herself, which forces her back into her family coven where her family gives her a helping hand.

As the novel unfolds, Wanda is forced to live within the world of magic. Everything’s not as it seems and she learns how to maneuver the class system of the magical world. Be prepared for vampires, talking rats, and weredogs!

I love cozy mysteries and when they have the paranormal mixed in they are great fun to read. On top of that, this book contains humorous characters you can’t help but love. The world building created the groundwork for the story. The mystery is simplistic but for me, that didn’t detract from my enjoyment. I will definitely read more from this author. This was an enjoyable read, and at $.99 for a Kindle copy, you can’t go wrong.

MY RATING:
Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 Stars
6,251 reviews40 followers
March 9, 2020
Wanda is supposed to be a witch with witchy powers but she doesn't seem to have any and if they don't develop within three days she'll never have them.

She gets a job at a bottling plant. Meanwhile witches are being murdered by non-witches, all of whom claim they don't know why they did what they did. The place where she stays is condemned so she gets put up at a strange hotel only to see a dog in the room she's assigned to and the dog talks to her.

At the job a woman named Alice takes a major dislike to Wanda. Then there's a Wyrd Court which is causing problems (there's always a group like them in these stories). So, the questions become whether or not she will get her powers in time, who is killing witches and why, why does Alice hate her so much, why is she so attracted to her boss at work, what's this 'community service' she's supposed to be doing and who let the dog out?

It's a neat story and quite different from others in its approach to witches and their powers.
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
June 19, 2018
A late bloomer or someone who will shake the foundations of the establishment?

Terrific! Being a witch with no power makes her a second class citizen in the eyes of her peers. That is why she has decided to live and work in the human world. However circumstances not only give her a new place to live and a new job firmly in the supernatural world. When witches start being killed by humans, she gets drawn further and further into the investigation. Then her witch powers are activated. Can she help her family (who are a form of Witch police) find out what is happening. Famililiars, magic and so much more are woven into a plot that won't let you go until you finished the book. A really great new view at a paranormal cozy mystery. Loved it and have already got book 2.
Profile Image for Aoife.
208 reviews12 followers
October 17, 2022
This was a very sweet and short enough cosy mystery set in Ireland. The writing was really easy to follow and the story had good pacing
Profile Image for Jae.
894 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2019
Coming from a long line of renowned witches, Wanda is disappointed that, at nearly 21, she has yet to come into her powers. If a witch does not achieve her power by age 21, she never will. As a result, Wanda spends her time among humans, working and going to college. She takes a job at Berrys' Bottlers, not knowing at first that the Berry family are witches. Wanda enjoys working for the handsome Will, but his Aunt Alice is a witch in every sense of the word.

When humans begin murdering witches all over Dublin, Wanda begins to suspect her new employers are somehow involved. In the meantime, she has moved into a room at a house with a weredog named Max, and an elderly rat familiar has come to her, asking Wanda to find out who killed his witch. If Wanda is to help her coven solve the crimes, she needs to come into her powers in time.

Cute story. Wanda was down to earth and likable, and I loved her family/coven, too. Will seemed too good to be true, and I found myself quietly cheering for Max in the romance department for Wanda. Even Dudley, the rat, was a well-written character. The plot moved quickly, and the penultimate showdown was almost more exciting than the final one.

Interesting beginning to a series, and it made me want to read more of Wanda's adventures.
Profile Image for Lyn Mckenzie.
876 reviews16 followers
May 7, 2020
I adore this author's books! I read one of this author's books before this one and fell in love with her writing style then and this book has just made me love her books even more!

This storyline is super addicting and I couldn't stop turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next in Amanda's world. I loved reading about her family, they seem so warm and caring and you can just imagine sitting around with them. This is such a new and exciting storyline and I can't wait to read more of this series and the other books that she has written!

The characters are absolutely brilliant and so entertaining, each completely different from each other and I loved reading about all of them but especially Wanda with her determination and her inner fire as well as her stubbornness.

I can't rate this book highly enough!!! It's absolutely amazing!!!
Profile Image for Dharia Scarab.
3,255 reviews8 followers
April 13, 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.
122 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2020
A fun paranormal mystery
Wanda is a fun witch. The characters are wonderful and well developed. Each character is unique. The plot flows along well. There is a lot of action. I'd recommend this book to those looking for an urban fantasy book with magic and paranormal characters. I read the book in two sittings because I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what was going to happen to Wanda next. I can't wait to read the next book.
 
It is a coming of age type book. It shows the importance of family and in this case, family is also the members of the coven. Wanda has a rough day that leads to maturing and coming into her powers as a witch. She makes some new friends and some enemies. She cares about other nationalities, not just witches.
725 reviews8 followers
December 3, 2017
Good start

I really liked the format for this series--the concept of the Wayfarer who solves the mystery with the familiar of the deceased. It was also a great idea to have her as something of an outcast, having gotten her powers late since it allows her to see outside the very corrupt system. There is obviously racism or specism at work in her world, and at times it seems to have something to say to us. The fact of having a little different concept at hand gives the author a five star rating, and I definitely recommend this series for a lazy afternoon.
106 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2018
A truly fun paranormal read

This book is about witches, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and murder. It is twisty and flippant and all together funny. Our heroine, Wanda, is a witch with no witchy powers and if she doesn't receive them by her twenty first birthday she probably never will. Mix this with finding the person committing the murders of witches in the community and a dash of romance and you have a great brew of a story. I plan to continue reading this series and definitely recommend it to lovers of the fun side of paranormal.
Profile Image for Teresa.
Author 1 book8 followers
July 28, 2018
This has a difficult start for book, you like the character of Wanda as she is and then she goes all magic on you and suddenly you're torn between liking her more or thinking 'Meh'. I'm still torn to be honest after reaching the end of the book. The dialogue was good, the writing was okay. Fun, frothy and light if I had to chose words to describe it, the writing that is. Plot was good, enough magic, mystery, and a scattering of murders. I'm going to look out for more from this author because I suspect I'll enjoy reading it.
Profile Image for Brad.
709 reviews3 followers
February 8, 2022
Great Introduction to the Series

I read this book after reading the second book in the series. Knowing a bit more did not reduce the enjoyment of reading this story.

The author is the story teller and a character in the story. It’s a ploy that works.

Character development is well done and the world view is explained through the narrative and dialogue. Even the minor characters, like Rover, were more than two dimensional additions to the plot.

The story works well as an introduction to Wanda Wayfair, her family, and her world.

Very engrossing story!
963 reviews2 followers
January 24, 2018
Wanda comes home to her roommate being taken away and told she can’t return to home there is mold. She’s given a voucher for a hotel room for a month it has rats. She gets a new job and finds a new place to stay with low rent. There’s a dog in the house the next morning and he talks says he’s her familiar but she doesn’t have any witch powers. She goes to see her mother and learns she has come into her powers. The rat she saw at the hotel was really her new familiar.
674 reviews7 followers
March 6, 2018
A new job, a new life.

Wanda has just gotten a new job with a drinks company and has moved to a fantastic new house. One little problem, people are dying around her for no reason. With luck and new friends she may be able to catch the bad guys and save the day. By the way, did I mention that Wanda is a brand new witch and all her friends are witches, familiars, and weredogs? Enjoy this adventure.
Profile Image for Jeanne  Brewer.
272 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2019
A witch with no magic?

Or is she? A lively, humorous and thoughtful take on the life of a witch not yet capable... Of being a witch! As the mystery unfolds so do ancient and not-so-ancient prejudices and biases, so similar to those present in the human world that we are shown an unflattering mirror of our society. When the murderers are finally revealed and all is again right with this world, you may just find yourself reluctant to return to your own. Recommended.
Profile Image for Amy Neumann.
39 reviews
April 26, 2020
Continue reading past the first few chapters

The beginning was unusual and I did consider stopping around chapter 2, but I'm glad that I continued. I enjoyed the world building in this story and see the potential for a good series. You learn about their supernatural world as the main character reveals more about her past. I didn't enjoy the insta love romance she and Will had, but that was not a main plot point. Overall a nice cozy mystery.
Profile Image for Angela Griffin.
1,704 reviews5 followers
November 30, 2020
Good start to the series

This is a charming start to the series. The world-building is very evident, although the prejudice component may be too much for more delicate readers. Wanda has great potential as a lead, and it will be interesting to watch her interactions with family and friends increase with her new admission into the realm of magic. There are also sure to be plenty of stories regarding the Wayfair's history.
Profile Image for Roy Murry.
Author 11 books112 followers
May 6, 2021
Bottling It

(A Wayfair Witches' Cozy Mystery #1)

A.A. ALBRIGHT

Review by Author Roy Murry

Wanda Wayfair, an unempowered witch, earns her stripes in this first novel of a fun witches' mystery. The story is a family affair.

Interwoven into the case of murders (Humans are murdering Witches?) are warlocks, vampires, werewolves, and the solution is on the funny side of the paranormal. During the investigation of a weak mystery, Wanda's witchy powers develop, helping in the case of the 'Bottling it.'

The background is Dublin, Ireland. However, I did not get an Irish feeling, but the series is a long one, and maybe in those books, a bit more or the culture will arise.

The characters and background stories are progressive enough to keep the reader interested, moving on to Book 2. The writing was enjoyable, but I did not hear the Irish dialect, making the story more interesting.

If you like a fun cozy mystery series with a twist, this is for you.
Profile Image for Sophia.
58 reviews
August 24, 2025
A magical start to a cozy new series!
Although the story had a slightly slow start for me, I quickly grew to love the characters—especially the protagonist, who was so easy to connect with. The writing is smooth and enjoyable, and the world A.A. Albright has created is absolutely enchanting. It’s the kind of book that draws you in and makes you want to stay a while. A perfect read to ease into the autumn season. I'm really looking forward to continuing the Wayfair Witches series!
441 reviews
February 13, 2018
A lot of fun

This book is great fun to read and funny to boot! Wanda Wayfair will be turning 21 but she has not yet come into her full powers. Surprisingly, she loses her room due to mold, finds a new job, and finds a new room in the same day. She becomes involved in solving a mystery of humans killing witches. Topping it off, she inherits a rat familiar. Funny and fun.
Profile Image for Kryss Summers.
152 reviews
July 17, 2018
This book was a lot of fun - especially Wanda's reaction to everything.

A series of crimes linked only by a popular beverage - that was my favorite part.

A world so much akin to harry Potter, I couldn't put the book down - houses bigger on the inside than the outside, entire communities of supernaturals living right along side the normal people, even flying on broomsticks!
1,769 reviews23 followers
August 28, 2018
In dead

I found Wayfair Witches to be a refreshing and charming ,writing even wholesome to the theme in fact I would suggest this book today to someone as young as nine years old to 90 years young. A.A.Albright is one classy writer,and now I suggest you start this enjoyable read in all i'ts form. Kat
Profile Image for Dale Fletcher.
33 reviews5 followers
June 21, 2019
Interesting

I wasn't sure bout this read, well at first I was but then by the third chapter I wasn't sure I wanted to finish it. But I'm so glad I did I enjoyed how right off the bat it was an attention getter. Though 3rd though 5th was a bit yawning I glad I kept reading,it was an amazing book.
Profile Image for Kerry Sharp.
Author 5 books5 followers
June 25, 2019
Sparkling

It doesn't need enotional anxst or yards of backstory to create dimensioned characters just the ability to weave a real life with words. Not only is that achieved with our lead, Wanda, but with many of the minor characters too.
The book's universe is original, consistent and convincing and the story interesting and well paced.
Not much more to say, buy, enjoy.
Profile Image for Safari.
311 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2022
So glad to keep reading adventures in AA Albrights fantastical world

I was sad to reach the end of the Katy Kramer stories, but like the shopping infommercials, "wait there's more". All Albright's stories happen in the same world in Ireland and this book is where it begins. It's EPIC and you should read them in order.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews

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