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Witch Sisters of Stillwater #1
Hoodoo and Just Desserts
Murder by Statue?
When a murder jolts the tourist town of Stillwater, known for its Civil War battlefield and witch coven history, it's up to two witch sisters and their stub tail cat to figure out who had it in for the victim.
Even the ghosts in the Civil War battlefield had no use for a business man hell bent on disturbing their peace. Narrowing the suspect pool can be difficult, especially when a sarcastic telepathic cat inserts herself into...well, everything.
***Find out what happens in this humorous romp that includes ghost talking witch sisters, a cat holding a grudge over her shortened tail, and a sister with visions from the dead.
When a murder jolts the tourist town of Stillwater, known for its Civil War battlefield and witch coven history, it's up to two witch sisters and their stub tail cat to figure out who had it in for the victim.
Even the ghosts in the Civil War battlefield had no use for a business man hell bent on disturbing their peace. Narrowing the suspect pool can be difficult, especially when a sarcastic telepathic cat inserts herself into...well, everything.
***Find out what happens in this humorous romp that includes ghost talking witch sisters, a cat holding a grudge over her shortened tail, and a sister with visions from the dead.
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2018
542 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Constance Barker
461 books205 followersConstance Barker lives in the Midwest with her husband and two Akitas where she can look out from her screened porch onto a wooded area brimming with activity. Since she was a young girl she read mysteries, often given to her by her grandmother. She loved figuring out who the culprit was and sometimes she was right and other times startled at who the author picked as the assailant. Now she enjoys writing mysteries herself. When she isn't writing stories, she can be found in her favorite vacation spot, Las Vegas or shopping for bargains.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 26, 2019
2.? stars
It was ok. So-so writing. A little overflowing with descriptions instead of pronouns (or names). An odd head hop near the end for the wrap up.
The mystery was blah. Predictable ending. At least it was free through Prime Reading.
It was ok. So-so writing. A little overflowing with descriptions instead of pronouns (or names). An odd head hop near the end for the wrap up.
The mystery was blah. Predictable ending. At least it was free through Prime Reading.
August 31, 2018
Mazie and her sister Fern live in the small town of Stillwater. Everyone knows your business and what goes on. Fern is a detective for the police in town. Mazie gives tours at the Civil War Museum and the battlefield. No one knows Mazie and Fern are witches. Fern doesn't like to use magic at all and Mazie tries to hide it but likes to use it every now and then.
One thing Mazie can do is see and talk to the ghosts on the Battlefield. She loves her job and at times takes Moody, their cat who can talk ,with her to take care of the rodents.
An outsider comes to town to open a water park and after he upsets the town and flirts with Hazel who works at the cafe, upsets people. The local moonshiner is keen on Hazel and his son is keen on Mazie's coworker Becky.
When the outsider is found dead on the battlefield everyone looks at the moonshiners as he did threaten the man. But who really killed him and who knows?
I liked reading about the sisters and Moody. There were some funny moments in the story and you were kept guessing until the end. The ghosts are fun to read about and some of the things they do is funny. There is not a lot of magic at all in the book but the story is great. I will be looking forward to another read.
One thing Mazie can do is see and talk to the ghosts on the Battlefield. She loves her job and at times takes Moody, their cat who can talk ,with her to take care of the rodents.
An outsider comes to town to open a water park and after he upsets the town and flirts with Hazel who works at the cafe, upsets people. The local moonshiner is keen on Hazel and his son is keen on Mazie's coworker Becky.
When the outsider is found dead on the battlefield everyone looks at the moonshiners as he did threaten the man. But who really killed him and who knows?
I liked reading about the sisters and Moody. There were some funny moments in the story and you were kept guessing until the end. The ghosts are fun to read about and some of the things they do is funny. There is not a lot of magic at all in the book but the story is great. I will be looking forward to another read.
May 22, 2018
In the small and closely knit town of Stillwater, everybody knows everyone and all their secrets. Or do they? They know two sisters live in a small house with their cat. One sister, Fern, is a detective for the police force and the other, Maize, is a tour guide at the Civil War Museum and Battlefield. But what they don't know is both sisters are witches, can communicate with their cat, and see ghosts-specifically the three ghosts who inhabit the battlefield. This closely guarded secret is an important part of the book, but the so are a pair of moonshiners and an out-of-towner who plans to build a waterpark on the edge of the battlefield. Other citizens appear to be the normal mix of shop owners and cafe workers. It sounds like an idyllic town to live in or visit. In fact it seems their main industry is tourism. It comes as a shock when there is a murder on the battlefield, especially to Maize when she finds the body impaled on a statue.
This new series opener by author Constance Barker is delightful and a fast book to read. I chuckled at the antics of Moody, the sister's cat who can communicate all too well at times! Although Fern doesn't want anything to do with using her magic, Maize isn't above making housework a little easier with the flick of the wrist! I enjoyed the way the sisters were close and kept watch on each other, yet had distinct personalities. Unfortunately the book was over too soon for me, and I am now wondering how Ms Barker will follow that story with the next book. Nothing spooky or overly witchy, no sex or offending language, just a fun book that makes you look at people and wonder...could they be a witch for real?
This new series opener by author Constance Barker is delightful and a fast book to read. I chuckled at the antics of Moody, the sister's cat who can communicate all too well at times! Although Fern doesn't want anything to do with using her magic, Maize isn't above making housework a little easier with the flick of the wrist! I enjoyed the way the sisters were close and kept watch on each other, yet had distinct personalities. Unfortunately the book was over too soon for me, and I am now wondering how Ms Barker will follow that story with the next book. Nothing spooky or overly witchy, no sex or offending language, just a fun book that makes you look at people and wonder...could they be a witch for real?
September 2, 2023
Mazie loves life in her small hometown of Stillwater. She and her sister share a house with their talking cat, Moody. The peace of Stillwater is threatened, however, by a real estate developer who plans to turn a large parcel of ground adjacent to the historic Civil War battlefield into a water park. Everyone in town is against the project, which means there's no shortage of suspects when the developer ends up dead, skewered on the sword of a statue on the battleground. Mazie's sister, Fern, works in the sheriff's office, and she is burning the candle at both ends in an effort to solve the case. Concerned for her sister, Mazie starts asking some questions of her own. Mazie has the ability to speak to ghosts, and she hopes the three ghosts haunting the battlefield will have some information. Unfortunately, they aren't talking.
An okay story. Not a lot of character development or back story. The plot wasn't smooth; it was somewhat disjointed. Mazie and Moody were fun characters, but Fern was a tad too solemn for my liking.
Cute read, but lacking substance. Three stars.
An okay story. Not a lot of character development or back story. The plot wasn't smooth; it was somewhat disjointed. Mazie and Moody were fun characters, but Fern was a tad too solemn for my liking.
Cute read, but lacking substance. Three stars.
May 22, 2018
Murder or accidental death?
A solid cozy but if you're expecting magic, there's hardly any there and the sleuthing is very half hearted. The best thing about this book was Moody the cat and even she couldn't save it. The two sisters love their town (one works for the museum and the other is a police officer). A developer wants to build a water resort on the outskirts of town and the locals are up in arms. When his body is found dead (skewered on a statue's sword), everyone starts looking at each other in suspicion. Can the killer be found? What are the ghosts hiding? The plot was frankly weak, which I was very disappointed with, as I have read other works by the author which were terrific. The characters felt flat and frankly apart from Moody I didn't like any of them.
A solid cozy but if you're expecting magic, there's hardly any there and the sleuthing is very half hearted. The best thing about this book was Moody the cat and even she couldn't save it. The two sisters love their town (one works for the museum and the other is a police officer). A developer wants to build a water resort on the outskirts of town and the locals are up in arms. When his body is found dead (skewered on a statue's sword), everyone starts looking at each other in suspicion. Can the killer be found? What are the ghosts hiding? The plot was frankly weak, which I was very disappointed with, as I have read other works by the author which were terrific. The characters felt flat and frankly apart from Moody I didn't like any of them.
June 19, 2018
There is trouble in the small Virginia town of Stillwater. An outsider has come to town and decided to build a water park on the edge of the town's famous battlefield. How dare he? That is what the citizens demand to know. Even the ghosts!
When two sisters, who by the way are of the true Witch variety, and their cat, Moody turn to finding out why this outsider has ended up on the edge of a sword on a statue in this battlefield, we meet the interesting inhabitants of this town.
Being that these sisters share an ability to speak with ghosts and their telepathic cat, this hunt for the real killer becomes a challenge. Was it an outsider or one of their own Stillwater residents.
A very quick read and great for gentle cozy readers.
When two sisters, who by the way are of the true Witch variety, and their cat, Moody turn to finding out why this outsider has ended up on the edge of a sword on a statue in this battlefield, we meet the interesting inhabitants of this town.
Being that these sisters share an ability to speak with ghosts and their telepathic cat, this hunt for the real killer becomes a challenge. Was it an outsider or one of their own Stillwater residents.
A very quick read and great for gentle cozy readers.
December 6, 2018
Disappointing
First of all, the premise was intriguing. Second, it is easy to care about the three main characters. But there were WAY TOO MANY glaring mistakes that a moderately decent editor should have caught. To me, the worst was Becky speeding off in her car after the readers being told earlier that she always rode the bus. Also, we REALLY needed background on the two sisters. We know far more about Moody’s story than theirs. Finally, the resolution was the equivalent of a soggy potato chip: nowhere near what was being craved. There is a great deal of good potential here. Please take my suggestions and provide us with what your talent can satisfy us with. Please?
First of all, the premise was intriguing. Second, it is easy to care about the three main characters. But there were WAY TOO MANY glaring mistakes that a moderately decent editor should have caught. To me, the worst was Becky speeding off in her car after the readers being told earlier that she always rode the bus. Also, we REALLY needed background on the two sisters. We know far more about Moody’s story than theirs. Finally, the resolution was the equivalent of a soggy potato chip: nowhere near what was being craved. There is a great deal of good potential here. Please take my suggestions and provide us with what your talent can satisfy us with. Please?
August 14, 2018
I don't get the title......
Very unwitchy witches, a snarky feline that can communicate with them and ghosts that can physically move a corporeal piece of evidence leads to a story that just seems thrown together. Why bother making the sister witches. So a carpet can be cleaned, hands free, with bleach and a brush? And who would use bleach on a carpet anyway?
The whole thing just seemed disjointed.
This is the first book I have read by this author. She is sure not my cuppa, although others seem to find this book worth reading. Sure glad it was short.
Very unwitchy witches, a snarky feline that can communicate with them and ghosts that can physically move a corporeal piece of evidence leads to a story that just seems thrown together. Why bother making the sister witches. So a carpet can be cleaned, hands free, with bleach and a brush? And who would use bleach on a carpet anyway?
The whole thing just seemed disjointed.
This is the first book I have read by this author. She is sure not my cuppa, although others seem to find this book worth reading. Sure glad it was short.
July 20, 2020
Was this the author’s first series?
No background story. There are suddenly 2 witches and a talking cat. One second Mazie loves her job then complains about it. Fern is apparently caught up looking at files 24/7. I’m not sure how many files you must have to look at them 24/7. There is no flow to the story or any character development. Mazie basically whines during the whole book. Fern is just there and has no real purpose. I have read other books by this author and actually wonder if she wrote it.
No background story. There are suddenly 2 witches and a talking cat. One second Mazie loves her job then complains about it. Fern is apparently caught up looking at files 24/7. I’m not sure how many files you must have to look at them 24/7. There is no flow to the story or any character development. Mazie basically whines during the whole book. Fern is just there and has no real purpose. I have read other books by this author and actually wonder if she wrote it.
July 23, 2018
"Witch Sisters of Stillwater"
Hoodoo and Just Desserts (#1)
Sisters (one who works at a museum) and the other who works with the Sheriff's department -- who happen to be witches -- are embroiled in the murder of a hated land developer at the museum.
The sisters along with their telepathic kitty, Moody, who is the best character in the book, help solve the mystery.
I'd read another series by the author and totally enjoyed the books to date. I feel this book skimps a bit on the characterization, except for Moody.
Despite having said this, I look forward to the next books in the series.
I give the book 4/5 stars.
Hoodoo and Just Desserts (#1)
Sisters (one who works at a museum) and the other who works with the Sheriff's department -- who happen to be witches -- are embroiled in the murder of a hated land developer at the museum.
The sisters along with their telepathic kitty, Moody, who is the best character in the book, help solve the mystery.
I'd read another series by the author and totally enjoyed the books to date. I feel this book skimps a bit on the characterization, except for Moody.
Despite having said this, I look forward to the next books in the series.
I give the book 4/5 stars.
January 28, 2025
The murder of a man who is trying to bring a waterpark to the town of Stillwater, right on the edge of the Civil War site that the town is famous for.
Now it's up to two sisters and their cat to solve the case, or an innocent person will be charged.
This was a decent story, that while a bit slow paced and characters that weren't fully developed.
The story did hold my interest, and there was a bit of humor in the mix also.
Now it's up to two sisters and their cat to solve the case, or an innocent person will be charged.
This was a decent story, that while a bit slow paced and characters that weren't fully developed.
The story did hold my interest, and there was a bit of humor in the mix also.
December 3, 2018
Two sisters, so different one works at the museum, the other at the sheriff department. Though basically they are both witches, which brings humor to this plot. Then an outsider and questions of why in town is murdered on the battlefield. With a telepathic cat, and sister’s that talk to ghosts.
Make an interesting cozy mystery to read.
Make an interesting cozy mystery to read.
May 1, 2019
In a small town an unliked man dies a strange death, leaving many innocent people to be blamed.
As the police work through the various suspects, eliminating many, only one is left, a city girl new to the area. Only the Witch sisters and their telepathic cat, Moody, are able to figure out what really happened.
As the police work through the various suspects, eliminating many, only one is left, a city girl new to the area. Only the Witch sisters and their telepathic cat, Moody, are able to figure out what really happened.
November 13, 2021
A decent story.
I like Maize, Fern and Moody, the telepathic cat. I like the three ghosts. The premise is good. I found the plot slow at times. There isn't much of a backstory. We never get to know why the two witch sisters are in a town where they have to hide the fact they are witches. I am hoping the next book explains it.
I like Maize, Fern and Moody, the telepathic cat. I like the three ghosts. The premise is good. I found the plot slow at times. There isn't much of a backstory. We never get to know why the two witch sisters are in a town where they have to hide the fact they are witches. I am hoping the next book explains it.
June 20, 2018
Enjoyable Read
I liked the characters and the mystery. The end was a surprise, which was pleasant. The pace of the story was a little slow. But since this is the first in series character and world building set the pace accordingly. I did very much like the cat named Moody and was happy she played more than just a cursory role.
I liked the characters and the mystery. The end was a surprise, which was pleasant. The pace of the story was a little slow. But since this is the first in series character and world building set the pace accordingly. I did very much like the cat named Moody and was happy she played more than just a cursory role.
December 22, 2018
Pedestrian
It took ages to get to the point and when it did it was not very sharp.
The premise has promise but the telling was pedestrian and despite lots of musings about the characters I felt they were hardly developed.
If you like slow meandering tales, this could be for you.
It took ages to get to the point and when it did it was not very sharp.
The premise has promise but the telling was pedestrian and despite lots of musings about the characters I felt they were hardly developed.
If you like slow meandering tales, this could be for you.
March 8, 2019
Great supernatural fantasy, plus cat!
A few typos on the ebook, but otherwise great! Cats are also my favorite! Supernatural mystery plus a talented cat! I’d love to read a spinoff about cats in this universe and learn about how they develop their sixth sense and telepathy.
A few typos on the ebook, but otherwise great! Cats are also my favorite! Supernatural mystery plus a talented cat! I’d love to read a spinoff about cats in this universe and learn about how they develop their sixth sense and telepathy.
April 28, 2019
A good read
A good read especially for young readers. My favorite part is the cat. She should have more action in the stories. Only saw a few editing errors, less than 5 for the whole book. Overall very good.
A good read especially for young readers. My favorite part is the cat. She should have more action in the stories. Only saw a few editing errors, less than 5 for the whole book. Overall very good.
April 1, 2019
Quick light read
Enjoyable cosy with sister witches and an interesting cast of characters, including a sassy feline. A small town, a murder and let's not forget the ghosts. Quite entertaining and a fast read.
Enjoyable cosy with sister witches and an interesting cast of characters, including a sassy feline. A small town, a murder and let's not forget the ghosts. Quite entertaining and a fast read.
May 18, 2019
Fun read, with nice ending
Many people believe there is an afterlife that all go to when we "pass on". This story describes what could happen if someone could stick around for awhile, to help other people.
Many people believe there is an afterlife that all go to when we "pass on". This story describes what could happen if someone could stick around for awhile, to help other people.
October 13, 2020
Hoodoo and Just Desserts
Cute story about two sisters trying to solve a murder in their small town. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and look forward to more books in the series.
Cute story about two sisters trying to solve a murder in their small town. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and look forward to more books in the series.
May 25, 2018
She writes such good stories.
Another great book by Constance Barker. I don't think she knows how to write one that isn't good. As always very well worth the read.
Another great book by Constance Barker. I don't think she knows how to write one that isn't good. As always very well worth the read.
June 4, 2018
Wonderful
Loved it...the telepathic cat is my favorite! Characters are very colorful and fun. I can't wait for the next book.
Loved it...the telepathic cat is my favorite! Characters are very colorful and fun. I can't wait for the next book.
June 26, 2018
Stillwater
It was an okay story. This was the 1st one I have read and may have read them out of sequence. I was a little confused about the overall story.
It was an okay story. This was the 1st one I have read and may have read them out of sequence. I was a little confused about the overall story.
July 22, 2018
Great Read
This author keeps me reading. Have enjoyed all I've read. Each series is very different theme. Have already recommended to friends.
This author keeps me reading. Have enjoyed all I've read. Each series is very different theme. Have already recommended to friends.
August 25, 2018
Not the best
It was slow, wasn't funny . Hard to follow. It wasn't even cute. I read a lot of cute little witch stories, to me it wasn't good won't even read the next one
It was slow, wasn't funny . Hard to follow. It wasn't even cute. I read a lot of cute little witch stories, to me it wasn't good won't even read the next one
October 12, 2018
Ok
Continuity errors in several places near the end. Not enough magic or explanation for why they even have it. Just alright
Continuity errors in several places near the end. Not enough magic or explanation for why they even have it. Just alright
October 13, 2018
Quick read
Cute story and nice rainy day book. I will read more of the series as my quick "relax" books now and then.
Cute story and nice rainy day book. I will read more of the series as my quick "relax" books now and then.
October 14, 2018
Disjointed
The premisis was fine, but the characters werent fleshed out and the plots was slow and disjointed. Ok read but she has had better.
The premisis was fine, but the characters werent fleshed out and the plots was slow and disjointed. Ok read but she has had better.
May 20, 2019
Good clean read
Keeps you guessing to the end. Shows that you don't have to be scary and gruesome to have a ghost story.
Keeps you guessing to the end. Shows that you don't have to be scary and gruesome to have a ghost story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews