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Sweetland Witch #10

Witches, Recipes, and Murder

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When a stranger in Sweetland Cove asks for help... all hexes are off. 
.
Page Count: around 330 pages

Ava Fortune is not your average witch.
Her friends and family keep telling her to stop sleuthing,
But...
she just can't help it when a crime falls into her lap... or her bakery.

When a stranger shows up at The Mystic Cupcake asking for her help,
Ava doesn't know what to tell him...

Everywhere she looks, she finds suspects.
She can't do everything, even though she wishes she could,
So, for the first time, Ava says no.
But she just can't stay away from the investigation,
Especially when the killer isn't satisfied with just one death.

He's hunting down her friends and family, including Ava! 
.
Ava will have to enlist the help of her friends and family if she wants to solve this case,
Without them, she can hardly make cake, let alone catch a criminal.Can Ava find the killer before he strikes again?
Or will she be his next victim?

Page Count: around 330 pages

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2018

286 people are currently reading
93 people want to read

About the author

Zoe Arden

16 books111 followers
It was from reading Agatha Christie’s mystery books that inspired Zoe to write cozy mystery novels. Zoe liked the fact that cozy mysteries are able to offer readers a form of escapism that typical detective stories can’t.

Like what Marilyn Stasio, who has been the Crime columnist forThe New York TimesBook Review since the late 1980s, recently wrote: “The abiding appeal of the cozy mystery owes a lot to our collective memory, true or false, of simpler, sweeter times.” It is Zoe’s desire that her writings will evoke that nostalgic memory in all of us; those memories of the good old days.

What sets Zoe apart in her writings is her fusing of Mystery with Paranormal elements, a combination which will bring about fantasies that are intriguing and engaging. Her stories contain unexpected twists and sometimes light-hearted moments that will make one smile at Zoe’s quirkiness, fun and wittiness in her writings.

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5 stars
122 (49%)
4 stars
87 (35%)
3 stars
31 (12%)
2 stars
7 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Lin .
223 reviews4 followers
March 28, 2018
Six degrees of separation is definitely true on the island of Heavenly Haven. How many people knew Mack Heathrow and turned their backs on the owner of Mack’s Bar when he asked for help?

Ava may have her hands full with this mystery, but she must discover who is lying and why. My favorite episode to date. Read and see if you can solve the mystery. Challenge on!!!
3,282 reviews37 followers
February 12, 2018
Witches, Recipes and Murder by Zoe Arden is the next installment in the Sweetland Witch Series which revolves around Ava Fortune and her aunts, Eleanor and Trixie, and their bakery: The Mystic Cupcake. The story begins when Natalie Vargas, one of Ava's best customers as well as one of the most prolific gossips in town. Natalie is approached for help by her high school sweetheart, Mack Heathrow, who has a package he needs to hide and he would like Natalie to hide it for him. Meanwhile, Ava is trying to create a wrinkle reducer/complexion enhancer, but the results are not exactly what she wanted until Mack (yes, the same guy) gives her a hint that fixes the formula. Sadly, before you know it Mack ends up dead...

And someone appears to be trying to kill Natalie, and maybe Ava as well. Ava thinks it is Dean Lampton, director of COMHA and her boyfriend, Colt's, boss. Not many people like Dean but no one seems to thinks Ava's theory has any credibility. of course, Ava plunges headlong into the investigation, solves, the case, but not without putting herself and some of her friends into considerable danger.

Arden has created an interesting cast of character for this series: several vampires, a few humans, plenty of witches, some goblins, all endearing and all with way more human characteristics than paranormal. She has built an endearing small town-Sweetland Cove-with more and more business involved all the time. The mysteries are good ones, albeit nearly always paranormally based but simple enough to be interesting. She has grown as an author and turned this little series into one to be enjoyed more with each entry she makes. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Carol.
1,642 reviews70 followers
March 24, 2018
The Sweetland Witch Series finds Ava Fortune mixing
portions plus getting involved in solving a murder.
This adventure is the murder of a bar owner who
has something valuable that someone seems to
want but no one admits to knowledge of what this
could be.
This is a well plotted story filled with mystery, magic,
suspense, drama and danger from a hexed dagger.
The characters are colorful, zany and creatively
described even the three fur babies: Snowy the cat
(Ava's familiar), Tootsie the cat (Trixie's familiar)
and Rocky the wolfhound (Eleanor's familiar) add to
the well written story.
Although the book is part of the Sweetland Witch
Cozy Series, it can be read as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read this Advanced Readers
Copy. Thanks to the author for the opportunity.
My opinion is my own.
327 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2019
Cute funny mystery . Don't read on an empty stomach.

Interesting mystery. Typical of most of the recipe and food mysteries. But don't look for recipes. Not too scary or sexy. OK for teenage readers. More of a Nancy Drew mystery within a town filled with witches, goblins, vampires and such who all get along and live together in relative harmony. First of the series I read. Imagine the rest of the series is similar. A little bit too tame for my taste. I prefer a little more chills and thrills when I read about supernatural folks, even if the main characters are good guys. The story was good but not what I was anticipating.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
379 reviews5 followers
February 8, 2018
The prologue..it sets up the story..then it sucks you in.this book is my favorite in the series so far. Ava is busy creating a new recipe for wrinkle cream when a strange man comes in to the bakery and asks her to hide something for him.She refuses and while visiting her friend the next day,she accidentally tosses her debit card in to the dumpster. An climbs up to see if she can see it and discovers his (Mack) body. Thus begins the mystery. What was it that Mack wanted A a to hide for him..and why her? As the mystery grows so do the secrets and suspects. I highly recommend this book/series to everyone who loves a good read. I received a copy of this book and my review is voluntary
844 reviews40 followers
February 12, 2018
You never know what people are going through or what burdens they are carrying. Sometimes you may just be surprised by the person that you thought you knew, but turns out maybe not so much. The folks in Sweetland Cove should never complain about life being boring. I think it would be fun to be able to do just a few spells now and again……..but maybe not. Mine would probably backfire. Now to wait for the next adventure of Ava, Colt, and crew.
Profile Image for Suzanne Giorgione.
522 reviews19 followers
February 23, 2018
This is a wonderful series you need to read! We are back with all the wonderful characters at Sweetland Cove and another crazy mystery murder Ava Fortune somehow gets into the middle of. Fantastic storyline and more insight to characters we have met before. Loved the story from start to finish and can't wait for the next book. Zoe Arden is so very talented! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Jill DeBellis .
248 reviews
February 26, 2018
Secrets?

In this latest addition to lives of the witches of Sweetland there are secrets going around and these secrets are getting people killed. Ava has the misfortune to be around when a regular customer of the bakery almost gets killed, not once but three times. Ava decides she just needs to get involved and it leads to misunderstandings and people telling lies before the truth comes out.
Really a good read and the ending will surprise you. Enjoy.
Profile Image for JoAnne.
1,842 reviews97 followers
March 4, 2018
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and this book is another awesome read -- I love how Ava and her family stick together and go about solving mysteries and watching each other's back. The characters are so intriguing and the storyline is so well done, that you will find yourself totally suck into their lives and adventures. You will find lots of twists and turns and surprises along with interesting family ties and relationships. Zoe Arden certainly knows how to tell a story.
Profile Image for Debbie.
24 reviews
April 2, 2018
Just not my cup'a tea. Picked it up for a quick, easy read and it was just way to "easy" and way to predictable and the characters, likeable, but, one dimensional. Instead of savoring and being transported to their world, I found myself racing and skimming through the book just to get it done.
Glad it was free... While I do love mysteries, I don't think "cozy" mysteries are for me, at least this one wasn't.
13 reviews
February 11, 2018
Another wonderful story

Zoe Arden did it again. I love reading Sweetland mysteries. Ava gets into the middle of a mess but always saves the day. Reading is so comforting. I always check on the next date for the upcoming book & buy it. Price is great & loads of wonderful pages to read. Thank you, Zoe & keep on writing Ava's adventures.
1,024 reviews19 followers
February 18, 2018
Love this series. It is just fantastic. The characters are great and it is a pleasure getting to know them. Each new story in this series is better than the last. Cannot wait to read the next book in the series. You will be thrilled that you tried this book, or any of the books in this series. Another homerun book.
Profile Image for Jana Gundy.
1,919 reviews17 followers
March 4, 2018
Another fun read

I always enjoy the next book in this long standing series. Ava is a great character and the stories never get old. The writing is well done as is the mystery. I enjoy the characters and the world they live in.
Profile Image for Shelby Webb.
29 reviews2 followers
February 11, 2018
My favorite so far

I love this series. The characters are like old friends that you want to catch up with. This is a fast read and a fun series.
19 reviews
February 12, 2018
I love these books.

These books are so fun and exciting. Ava is so funny and she and Lucy are fun together. I would love to live in their world.
8 reviews
February 13, 2018
Flat

One dimensional characters with no back story. The title was the best part of this disappointing read. Good potential unrealized.
48 reviews2 followers
February 16, 2018
Great book

Kept me guessing all throughout the story and I can't wait to read the next book I the series. Live this author.
143 reviews
February 21, 2018
Countrylibrarian

Great series. I really enjoy all the various characters in her books. Can't wait for the new one in March.
Profile Image for Constance.
179 reviews1 follower
March 29, 2018
Adventure

Such a fun read. Characters continue to develop and give a great run thru mystic lands. Thank you for this.
Profile Image for Louisa.
593 reviews71 followers
May 16, 2018
A yummy mystery

A cute fun read with Ava and her family and friends involved with another murder mystery. Will they find the killer before someone else gets killed
Profile Image for Dianna Soto.
8 reviews
May 27, 2018
LOVE IT,

Zoe has the best characters, unfortunately I read them too fast. I will say my ultimate favorite character is Snowball..
2 reviews
April 20, 2020
Entertaining

Fun series .
I enjoyed the characters and the story was as interesting as the rest of the books in her series.

Profile Image for Lori Kern.
247 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2020
Witches, Recipes, and Murder

Imagination galore in this book. I was guessing who done it almost to the end. These stories are never dull.
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
June 22, 2018
A call for help has her sleuthing genes on high alert.

Sorry but this one seemed to have lost the spark from the earlier books in the series. It seemed a bit lacklustre. Okay the plot was a good one, the characters were as great as ever but the oomph wasn't there. A stranger coming into the bakery for help is not an everyday event. Drawn into sleuthing as she can't help herself is against her families wishes. Will she and the bakery come out on top or will she pay a price for her nosing around.
Profile Image for Ruthann Mccoy.
106 reviews
Read
February 9, 2018
Witches, Recipes, and Murder

Read for my opinion. Love Ava, Trixie,Elenor, and the rest. I'm this adventure, a big secret, near death a " accidents", are happening. It's another easy cozy read by Ms. Arden. Enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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