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Suburban Witch Mysteries #0

Mistletoe, Magic, & Murder: A Suburban Witch Mystery Prequel Story

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Meet the witches of Country Acres Coven, Kensleigh Landing East, where the suburbs and the supernatural just happen to overlap.

Mischa, Ellie, and Poe are more than just best friends and neighbors—they also form a coven of witches living right in the middle of a sleepy suburban town in North Carolina. They make the perfect neighborhood watch and always have an eye on what’s going on in their town. So, when a blonde bombshell with a mysterious past moves in, they’re understandably curious. Especially when, hours later, another neighbor drops dead.

Did their new neighbor murder their old one? Or did someone else want grumpy Edith Whitlow dead?

It’s up to the witches to solve Edith’s murder, but with PTA meetings, full-time jobs, and two talking cats underfoot, can they catch the culprit in time for their annual Christmas party?

If you're a fan of funny witches and (sometimes) desperate housewives, you'll love this!

This is a short, fun read that introduces the characters in the Suburban Witch series. This short origin story originally appeared in the anthology, 'Spells and Jinglebells'.

Suburban Witch Series reading order:

Mistletoe, Magic, & Murder
Demons Don't Play Fair
Spells Like Teen Spirit (Short story)

42 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2018

120 people are currently reading
444 people want to read

About the author

Ruby Blaylock

30 books29 followers
Ruby Blaylock (aka Jessica B. Woods) grew up in a small, southern town surrounded by colorful characters and lots of food. She loves a good helping of gossip and great food, not necessarily in that order. She is a country girl at heart and can often be found sitting on the back porch, sipping sweet tea and watching her fat hound dogs chase bugs.

If she's not reading a book, she's writing one, or reading one to her kids, who can always help her think up new ways to kill off annoying characters.

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5 stars
140 (36%)
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128 (33%)
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90 (23%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for MelMon Sanchez.
587 reviews8 followers
February 28, 2018


In quaint suburban Kensleigh Landing East, North Carolina a murder mystery transpires. Edith Witlow was not friends to anyone in the neighborhood, but the circumstances seem a bit suspect. Country Acres Coven is fast on it's toes and filled in on the gossip. Poe, Mischa and Ellie are an eccentric bunch of witches brought together by forces yet to be known.

Seneca Wolfram is new to the neighborhood and because of this, top of the suspect list. With their trusty talking cats Cloe and Raven the Country Acres Coven dive into the details and end up uncovering more then they bargained for. As the case falls into place enemies will be made and bonds will be formed.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
1,335 reviews266 followers
December 12, 2020
This is a short prequel to the Suburban Witch Series. It’s a great introduction to the characters. The witches, Mischa, Ellie and Poe are lively, quirky characters. There are also two talking cats. What could be better for me?

Their mean, elderly neighbor is found dead. The prime suspect is their new beautiful blonde neighbor. The three witches want answers and intend to get them. The mystery itself wasn’t too complex, but it’s the perfect read when you want to relax for a couple of hours.

It reminded me a bit of the old Bewitched comedy TV series. I found this to be a fun, cute read and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series. I feel as if I already know the main players and want to check up on them.


793 reviews4 followers
December 24, 2024
Cute novella

This is a cute holiday story that does a good job of introducing readers to the characters in the Suburban Witch Mystery series.

This was my first look at the series, and I'm eager to read more! A great introduction!
Profile Image for Chris Velazquez.
164 reviews4 followers
July 16, 2022
So, a cozy mystery about a trio of witches all living in the same neighborhood. Sounds interesting, and as far as introducing the concept and main cast, this book does an adequate job. The personalities are varied and the mystery's a decent one for so short a book.

If anything brings this down for me, it's Poe and Ellie. Poe's just not likable, coming across as a needlessly hostile drunk, whereas Ellie comes across as a whiner due to her complaining over the incompetent employees in her fast food place, rather than just trying to hire new employees who'll actually care about doing their jobs right. Both of them come across as quite judgmental, and they are also terrible sleuths.

By contrast, Mischa is very likable without being perfect and makes for an ideal main character. Her not being perfect came along in that just like her friends, she wasn't a good sleuth here, which helps balance her out and add to her likability, since perfection is boring. It also helps balance things out in that she's the level-headed one of the group, who tries to think things through and tries her best to rein in her impulsive friends. In general, Mischa was delightful. Poe's two talking pet cats don't do much here but are also likable themselves. And another thing that was a positive for me is that the dialogue here felt up to date for the most part, the characters spoke like people who actually live in modern times, instead of that overly formal, outdated, old fashioned way I see in many cozies.

Overall, I don't know if I'll continue this series, since two of the main cast did not leave good impressions on this first story, but overall, it was decent and fairly enjoyable read, much better than a bunch of cozies I've read this past year.
Profile Image for Texas.
1,685 reviews394 followers
March 8, 2019
Suburban Witch Series:
Mistletoe, Magic & Murder (Prequel) - What a cute story! A well written, quickly read, humorous, fast paced short story with some funny, but smart characters that keep the reader involved with the well thought out plot. There's even talking cats, which I love in any story, The ending was a hoot! Has an overview of the story, which I appreciate knowing. I've read other books by Ms. Blaylock and have enjoyed them, too. 4*

Demons Don't Play Fair #1 - OMGosh, I'm partway into chapter two and hurting myself laughing. Those cats are a trip! What started with humor ended with a pretty dramatic story. Well written, fast paced storyline; with the main characters developing more into their roles, still interesting and realistic; and some intriguing twists along the way. You know who the murderer is, but there's more to the story. Has an overview of the story, which I appreciate knowing. I've read other books by Ms. Blaylock and have enjoyed them, too. I contacted the author to volunteer for reviews. 4*

Date with Death #3 - I had problems reading this story. Plus, being redundant on the same points of the dating issue, the suspicions against the high school math teacher being a dating app killer struck me as wrong. After the coven just met, Ellie decides to go to the teacher's lakeside cabin, after only one date the week before. How stupid is this train of thought: everyone's running around frightened and Ellie is one with the doubts about Theo first, and yet she's leaving town with him?

I couldn't read any more of this ridiculous plot (location 1147 of 1968 and it took HOURS to get there) and I enjoyed the other books of this series and love this author, but this book reeks of intelligence like W. C. Fields drinking a pot of hot green tea, unsweet. I contacted the author to review her books. 2*
Suburban Witch Series: End
Profile Image for Linda (The Arizona Bookstagrammer).
1,017 reviews
August 28, 2025
Thank you Amazon Kindle @amazonkindle and Ruby Blaylock @rubyblaylock for this free ebook!
“Magic, Mistletoe, & Murder” (Suburban Witch Mystery Prequel) by Ruby Blaylock⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Genre: Fantasy Short Story. Location: Northwest Carolina, USA. Time: December.

THE SERIES: Meet the witches of Country Acres Coven, Kensleigh Landing East, where suburbs and supernatural meet. Mischa Henley, Ellie Watkins, and Poe Landry (with her talking cats Raven and Cleo) are more than best friends and neighbors-they’re a coven of witches in a sleepy suburban town. They make the perfect neighborhood watch, and always have an eye on what’s going on in their town.

THIS BOOK: When blonde bombshell Seneca Wolfram (with a mysterious past) moves in, Mischa, Ellie, and Poe are curious. Especially when, hours later, grumpy neighbor Edith Whitlow drops dead. Did their new neighbor murder Edith? Or did someone else want her dead? With PTA meetings, full-time jobs, and 2 sassy cats, can they catch the killer before Misha’s Christmas party?

Author Blaylock has written a short, fun prequel that introduces the Suburban Witch series characters. They’re quirky, colorful amateur sleuths who love a bit of gossip-and happen to be witches. Her story is short, entertaining, Christmasy, and it’s 5 stars from me 📚👩🏼‍🦳 #suburnanwitchesseries #rubyblaylock #magicmistletoeandmurder
Profile Image for Joan.
2,896 reviews54 followers
September 19, 2022
Review of eBook

There’s a mystery in Kensleigh Landing East, North Carolina, and the Country Acres Coven witches are determined to solve it. Poe Landry, Mischa Henley, and Ellie Watkins live next door to each other; as far as they know, they’re the only witches on their little cul-de-sac.

But one of their neighbors, Edith Whitlow, has died . . . and her death may very well be murder. Could Poe’s new neighbor, Serena Wolfram, be responsible?

=========

This short story, a prequel to the author’s Suburban Witch Mystery series, introduces the characters readers will meet in the series. The characters are charming, as are the talking cats, and they deftly handle the mystery surrounding Edith’s death.

There’s an unexpected twist in the story leading to a denouement that is sure to leave readers smiling . . . and reaching for the next book in this delightful series.

Recommended.
2,868 reviews11 followers
January 7, 2024
A one-hour mystery, thriller & suspense short read, introduction to the series. Mischa, Ellie, and Poe, a coven of witches, suspect their new neighbor of killing their old neighbor, Edith Whitlow. While the trio gossip and make poor assumptions, they want justice for the victim.

It's clear from the start that this trio are amateur sleuths at best. They seem to know less about the art of detection than the two talking cats. Such is frequently the case at the beginning of a cozy mystery series. The case wrap-up is unpredictable. It was good entertainment.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Romantic. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Lise.
1,066 reviews
December 16, 2020
Hours after a new neighbour moves onto the street, the neighbourhood crank dies a mysterious death. It's up to Poe, Mischa, and Ellie to solve the mystery and, perhaps, cast a little magic along the way.

This is the introduction story to A Suburban Witch Mystery series. We quickly get an idea of the players and their relationships with one another. One of the ladies has a couple of talking cats and all of them are modern witches who cast the hocus pocus type magic. It's a lot of fun! As a bonus, this story is set at Christmas time.

I enjoyed meeting the characters and will look forward to more in the series.
Profile Image for Christine Karmelreads2665 W..
1,824 reviews6 followers
March 17, 2018
Short sweet and a play is the best way to some up mistletoe magic and murder.

The main characters are Mischa Ellie and Pope and introducing the talking cat Raven and Clio. What's a witch supposed to do when the resident had on your street up and dies? Why you gather your friends of discuss it to death.

Okay seriously this book was cute not a lot of twist a nice surprise and a satisfactory ending what more can a reader want in the short read.

Profile Image for Lorraine O'Connor.
157 reviews
December 25, 2023
Mistletoe?

I just finished the story and I barely remember the Christmas parts. The story gave me the impression of dark and gray colors. I don't usually get an impression of colors from a story. The characters have the potential to be a really fun group. I realize this sets up the series, that being said, I say give the actual series a chance. Based on little glimmers here and there in this one, I think the series could be quite entertaining.
1,024 reviews19 followers
March 6, 2018
Poe, Ellie and Mischa are great characters. Just love the way they formed their little group and tackle life’s problems. The new neighbor, Seneca, is their main suspect in the death of an elderly neighbor. The story is quite entertaining and the characters help to make the story even better. Hope to see more books based on this story. A really fun reading experience.
480 reviews5 followers
May 21, 2019
A witch cozy?

This is a cute little story. Not much magic was used. It was kind of hard to grasp the fact that Ellie, Mishca and Poe were witches. But if you can forget the fact that this was a witch cozy, then the story, even though it's short, was very cute.
I volunteered an honest review in exchange for an ARC copy of this book.
1,769 reviews23 followers
November 30, 2019
A Chilly Murder

Now this is the kind of Christmas spirit I enjoy. Witches, thier familiars, and a mystery murder to be precise. Good writing, good caracters an a merry mystery. Full of drama from start to finish. I can't wait to see what is next in this new series. So it's time for you to aquier a copy and start enjoying "Magic, Mistletoe, & Murder " us much as I have. 🙄 Kat
Profile Image for Lynn.
357 reviews3 followers
May 24, 2020
I think Magic, Mistletoe,& Murder is a good introduction into the mind of Ruby Blaylock.
Who doesn't love a good murder, witch story? The one thing I was disappointed about was that the story ended to soon. I would have liked a little more in the results department about the crooks. Other than that it was great. Will look forward to reading more.
Cheers
Lynn🇨🇦
Profile Image for Melissa Basnight.
681 reviews19 followers
January 20, 2025
Suburban witch Christmas cozy

Mischa, Ellie and Poe are neighbors and friends that live in a neighborhood with many witches. They have regular family lives and when a neighbor is murdered they have many suspects to investigate. There are also some talking cats that help too. Short and entertaining mystery.
102 reviews
May 27, 2019
This is a enjoyable and interesting storyline.

The three witches are such great characters. They are funny. They are always getting in to trouble. They are now at it trying to figure out who kill Edith and who really is the new neighbor. What will happen next??
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,117 reviews
July 22, 2022
A well written short story mystery. When the death of a cranky neighbor occurs the coven gets curious and sets about to solve it. There is a new neighbor who gets involved though the bank and settling the estate. So learn about talking cats and more as the mystery gets solved.
Profile Image for Clare.
1,285 reviews5 followers
December 9, 2022
This was a very short Christmas story, I didn't realise how short but I suppose it was ok. I am going to read more of the series so it done its job I guess hooking me in. The characters were good and the story was ok but very thin.
Profile Image for Marie Campbell.
318 reviews7 followers
October 28, 2023
Magic, Murder, Mistletoe and Mystery!

Poe, Ellie and Mischa run into another like them that they don’t even realize is like them because they all are so invested in finding the murder of Edith, a neighbor of theirs. Cute spooky season and holiday read.
Profile Image for Mary.
44 reviews3 followers
November 19, 2023
Well written just not for me.

The story was good but I am not a fan of suburban drama. I guess I would have never know unless I tried to read them though. Needed to be more Christmas to the Christmas theme novela.

I love the witches in it though very snarky and funny.
Profile Image for Barbara Waloven.
617 reviews44 followers
November 3, 2024
Good Intro

Introduction to the suburban witches and their coven. Was a fun read for Halloween heading into Christmas holiday season. Enjoyed the sassy cat and quirky/gossipy witches.
Profile Image for _JayyIsReading.
205 reviews
December 31, 2024
4 stars

Nice, fast read.

I figured Seneca to be a witch as well. Didn’t figure Edith’s nephew and girlfriend to be the killers. He killed his aunt all because she wouldn’t give him and his mother money. How selfish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Crystal Anderson.
96 reviews6 followers
March 9, 2025
Why are prequels so...

Short? Sub-par mysteries? There is little to no evidence. The mystery is superficial, to say the least. Prequels should have just the same amount of meat on their bones as the main stories otherwise they could/should be the first chapters of the first book.
92 reviews
December 13, 2025
It was okay I guess

It was an okay story about 3 nosy neighbors plotting wild conspiracies with no evidence or really any reason why. They do stumble upon the killer literally but that wasn’t a plan they made or anything the guessed about.
Profile Image for alice Tileston.
737 reviews5 followers
January 6, 2019
Recieved free for review:
This is 2nd by this author I have read.
It's a fun series, with a little witchcraft, cats, and lots of fun.
Profile Image for Jennie Ersari.
409 reviews4 followers
May 24, 2019
Short and cute prequel!

A small coven of witches group together to find out who killed their mean and elderly neighbor, just minutes after a new woman moved in to the neighborhood.
Profile Image for Alicia J..
Author 11 books37 followers
December 26, 2020
This was a cute quick read. The “plot” I think was obvious, but the characters was very entertaining and ended well.
1,272 reviews6 followers
December 22, 2021
A fun cozy mystery, with humorous characters, especially the cats.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

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