The Wonkiest Witch

Wonky Inn #1

by Jeannie Wycherley, Kim Bretton (Narrator)

Alfhild Daemonne has inherited an inn.

And a dead body.

Estranged from her witch mother, and having committed to little in her thirty years, Alf surprises herself when she decides to start a new life.

She heads deep into the English countryside intent on making a success of the once popular inn. However, discovering the murder throws her a curve ball. Especially when she suspects dark magick.

Additionally, a less than warm welcome from several locals, persuades her that a variety of folk – of both the mortal and magickal persuasions – have it in for her.

The dilapidated inn presents a huge challenge for Alf. Uncertain who to trust, she considers calling time on the venture.

Should she pack her bags and head back to London?

Don’t be daft.

Alf’s magickal powers may be as wonky as the inn, but she’s dead set on finding the murderer.

Once a witch always a witch, and this one is fighting back.


A clean and cozy witch mystery.

Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in this fantastic new witch mystery series, from the author of the award winning novel, Crone.

Read The Wonkiest Witch now!

Genres: Mystery, Fantasy, Paranormal, Cozy Mystery, Witches, Supernatural, Fiction

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2018

Reviews

[Danielle's · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wonkiest witch works perfectly as an audiobook. The descriptive writing helps build the story so it feels like a movie in your mind. Kim Bretton’s London accent works fabulously with the story. Her voice is quick paced and kept me engaged in the story right to the end.

This is a Cozy Mystery which is my new sweet. I’ve only read a few but I’m loving this genre. Wonky Inn is a series which I definitely want more of luckily for me there are more books already out and they are available on Kindle Unlimited.

Alfhild has turned her back on magic. She chose to enjoy the mundane life. When she inherits property she didn’t know exists she sets off on a new adventure. The wonky inn has a charm that appears to Alfhid but the body she finds puts a dampener on her plans. She has a mystery to solve and a town to infiltrate. Magic is the key to unlocking the secrets and the Wonkiest witch needs all the help she can get.

The main character Alfhid is a loveable character and I enjoyed her story. This is a full-length novel with a happy ending. I enjoyed every minute. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐
This would have been rated higher if it was longer, it’s about a two hour read but all two hours were fun. It’s not a LOL cozy there is some humor but the main focus of the book is to introduce the main character Alf, world building of the town of Whittlecombe in Devon and the Whittle Inn Alf has inherited.
The inn is rundown and underattack, Alf discovers a body upon arrival but unlike more traditional cozies the focus isn’t so much on the mystery but the renovation of the Inn.

All my favorite cozies have to do with the main character having an interesting occupation or hobby and I haven’t read any B&B or Innkeeper cozies so that is primarily what held my interest. I enjoyed this book so I’ll be diving in to the next book soon, along with looking for more cozies based on inns or B&Bs.

Cozies Reading Challenge

[S. Wigget · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I'd get into cozy mysteries. But this series is about witches and ghosts.

I read the 2nd book first--I must have found it via Bookbub--and now that I've read the first book, it makes so much more sense. Reading them ouf of order, I kept wondering why Jeb left his van at her inn.

[The Audiobookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started The Wonkiest Witch on a complete spur-of-the-moment whim and I'm so glad that I did! I've been listening to a lot of intense, action packed, even dark stuff lately and it's been taking its toll on me. I knew I needed something light and fun, but had no idea what. The Wonkiest Witch was right under my nose and it was just what I needed.

I've just finished organizing an audiobook blog tour for The Wonkiest Witch, but wasn't planning on listening to it myself. However, when I began reading the tour reviews and hearing how much everyone was loving it, I knew it was something I had to try. I was teetering on the edge of a listening slump and The Wonkiest Witch was like a splash of cold water to my face. It was a quick, light, and fun listen, as expected. But what I wasn't expecting was how involved I would become in the story.

The premise may seem slightly familiar at first: A witch who has shunned her powers and magical ancestry suddenly finds herself in a situation where she must face her magic- and her past- head on. But what sets The Wonkiest Witch a part is the absolute brilliance of the writing. Cozy mysteries are something that I want to love, but unfortunately, I've been spurned by juvenile writing too many times to keep returning to the genre that I could so easily adore. If all cozies were written this well, wouldn't life be lovely?!

The Wonkiest Witch combines magical world building with the coziness of a British murder mystery set in a small English Village. Think Midsomer Murders, if inspector Barnaby was a witch. Bizzarre, I know, but that's what kept popping into my mind as I was listening. It's an atmospheric story and the setting perfectly complements the protagonist.

What surprised me most about The Wonkiest Witch was how well Wycherley was able to pace the story. It's just over four hours long, but I don't exactly feel short changed by the short runtime. Of course, I would have loved it to have been longer, but it didn't need to be. Wycherley told a complete story and probably provided more background information and well-developed characters than do most 8-hour stories.

The Wonkiest Witch was a solid, well-rounded, and satisfying tale. I will 110% be listening to the next installment, which I'm told is only weeks away from being released on audio! I would binge this series in a heartbeat if it were already available. It's heartwarming and adorable, yet substantive at the same time. The Wonkiest Witch is the perfect little witchy cozy mystery and a magical start to a series.

Narration review: From the first sentence, Kim Bretton's narration had me hooked. Her voice was the first thing I noticed about this audiobook and it propelled this story from good to great. Her narration was absolutely delightful and she is clearly a talented performer. Her voicing of Alf, the protagonist, was wonderful. But what really shook me was her voicing of the secondary characters. She switched between accents seamlessly, with each of them as authentic as the one before it. That actually had me wondering about her natural accent, which I will have to investigate, because I honestly could not tell which one was native to her. They all seemed so natural.

If you're planning on giving The Wonkiest Witch a try (which I suggest you do, since it's likely better than whatever cozy you've heard lately), try it on audiobook! Bretton's performance amplifies the magic of the story in a way you have to experience to believe. ♣︎

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun story about a witch, her inheritance and a whole bunch of new friends. Of course there is good and evil to round out the plot. I enjoyed the writing, the characters and the unexpected twist at the end. I promptly bought the next book as soon as I finished this one.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was wonky and refreshing. A touch of cozy mystery but mostly paranormal. If you like having witches in your books read this. If not find another. I like the idea of having an owl as a friend.

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful start to a magical new series. The series is set in the English countryside so delightful is definitely the proper term with which to describe the Wonkiest Witch. Alf has moved to a small village to run an inn she inherited after her mother’s death. After her father disappeared when she was a teenager, Alf gave up the practice of magic. But something here at Whittle Inn is using dark magic and Alf must decide what is important to her and if she wants to fight to keep the inn. Alf is a very strong, likable character and the supporting characters were interesting also. This story had a nice mix of mystery, magic and romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cali Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotionally thrilling, action packed and engaging adventure filled with unknown danger, dark secrets and some seriously wonky magic..... Highly entertaining!

Alf is back home after her estranged mother passes and get some shocking news after the services.... So many things are not what she thought they were. Loved the witty banter, adorable charters and cozy yet wonky inn..... Very enjoyable reading.

[Sarah Northwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a lovely easy flow of writing and a warm, likeable main character, this is a story which is delightful and enjoyable. Harry Potter meets cosy mystery as we follow Alf, the wonkiest witch in her new adventure taking over an Inn she inherits. I would highly recommend reading!

[Darlene Chisholm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading more about Alf and her wonky Witch ways, as well as find out what she ends up doing with the Inn.

[The_bookblossom · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was good and cute.However it didn't feel like a mystery.I wasn't guessing or trying to solve the mystery since there wasn't much of one.It did take me a couple of days to finish because it wasn't capturing my full attention.If it only was as good as I hoped it would be,I would've finished it one sitting.

[Linda Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first of what looks to be a great series. I came across this author by recommendation of another author that i follow. I thought this book was an excellent introduction to the character Alfhild (wish i knew how to pronounce that) and her inn and village. I'm looking forward to continuing the series and - probably - all of Jeannie Wycherley's books.

[Kellye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a long time coming...

I have waited for a book like this for a long time. I get so bored with other books, that I have to make myself finish them (to see if they improve...nope, they don’t).

This book made me want to continue reading. I actually make the effort to find a quiet spot so I can discover more of Alf’s world. I like that she seems normal and flawed like we all are. I look forward to more in this series

Thank you for this, Jeannie!

[Mummy's Naughty Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good story. I did not see the big baddy coming and that through me. It'll be interesting to see what happens next. I like the ghosts helping within the hotel and I imagine you could have a lot of fun with that later on in the series. Alf is okay and it'll be nice to see her develop and grow stronger not just in herself but with her magic too.

[Kate ✨ is a dreamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars!

Check out my full review and others like it!

I picked up The Wonkiest Witch to fulfill my History of Magic exam for the OWLs Magical Readathon, which required me to read a book about a witch. I had several hard fantasy's on my TBR already, so I wanted something comfortable and easy to wrap up my month's reading with, so I went for The Wonkiest Witch, which I'd added to my Kindle Unlimited TBR not too long before. 

The Wonkiest Witch follows Alfhild Daemonne after her mother passes away, and she receives an inheritance from her father that she hadn't had until this point - it includes a hefty sum, an estate, and an entire village that she is now the landowner of. She and her mother had a falling out twelve years prior, and her father hadn't been part of her life since she was ten or so, after Alfhild denounced her witchy heritage and wanted to have a normal bartending life. But after she inherited a dilapidated Inn, with everything else, she decides to get that Inn running again, and has to fall back on her witchy heritage to keep it safe from those in the village who don't want her business to be a success. 

This book is one that I wrestle with, writing this review. I chose it to be a palette cleanser, and I would say that I was right on the nose with that one. It's a kind of cozy mystery (with no heat - it's what the mortals call a "clean romance" but I don't like that term), but also not. I want to be clear: I enjoyed this book for what it was, and I wrestled with myself for giving it three stars or not. I was looking for a palette cleanser, and that's what I got. But it just wasn't very well-written: It was a very simple read, with a very surface-level plot, and it's not much to write home about. It's a book that can be easily set down and picked back up later - or not if that's your choice - it's entertaining but not engaging or immersive, and is just a very surface and simple read. Which, admittedly, can be nice sometimes. 

The more I poked around, the more I was falling in love with the place. The Inn and it's contents were ill-fitting and mismatched, just like their new owner. I was a wonky witch in a wonky inn and I had never felt more at home. 

The main character is indeed wonky and wild and fun, but there was less "mystery" in this cozy mystery and just some magic and pleasant coziness. The fact that Alfhild - let's call her Alf - found a murdered man at her Inn in the first few chapters didn't let this become a cause for concern to her until 53 percent of the book or so speaks to this. Even then, there was no sleuthing involved, which was a disappointment to me. Instead, she decided to become involved with her craft again, and there was some kind of Showdown towards the end with a rag-tag team of witches and wizards who she didn't know, and there was an unlikely betrayal that we didn't really care about because there was little-to-no character development or depth; it was all very disorienting and chaotic. I found myself asking "Why?" an awful lot, as things happened for the purpose of them just happening. 

Most of the book is Alf moving into the town, exploring its various shops and meeting people, remarking on the fact that's a witch, chatting with Jed, the nice handyman and attempted love interest and then Things Happened. Perhaps this is because it's a short read, but this book's plot was seemingly held together with yarn and a wish. It was pleasant wish-fulfillment but didn't go where I'd hoped.

That said, I was mildly entertained. It wasn't that it was a bad book, it was just poorly held together. Perhaps that makes it just as wonky as the character and her beloved Inn. Some people are looking for a book exactly like this, full of warmth, wonky magic, and pleasant wish fulfillment of being a B&B owner, and for that, I would recommend it. But if you're looking for something distracting to sink your teeth into or an interesting whodunnit... look elsewhere, I'm afraid. 

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who like magic.

I was pleasantly surprised by this delightful book. Quirky and suspenseful with wonderful characters and a twist I didn’t see coming. Will definitely read the series.

[Texas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonky Inn Series:
The Wonkiest Witch: Wonky Inn Book #1 - This is my first read by this author and I enjoyed the story. As I became wrapped up in the pages, I started enjoying the storylines and the characters and wondering how much witch Alf would become. Since I've been reading about witches a lot lately, I get bored when I come across another witch refusing to be herself. Why deny what you are; do you give yourself a lobotomy if you're intelligent and want to dumb down to normal? One of my role models, as a kid, was Samantha Stevens, she remained true to herself, and an independent woman, regardless of her silly husband's demands; unlike Jeannie, a beautiful, two-legged Labrador (eager to please her master). Ms. Wycherley's writing style is conversational and casual. The likable and interesting characters are developing at a good rate and will probably gain more depth as the series continues. The storylines do a good job setting the foundation from which the series will build. Once the intros are made there's plenty of intrigue and suspense. A fire opens a can of troubles bringing the witch in Alf to full acceptance. A unique use of ghosts, which I've never read. I'm curious about the rest of the stories. I found this author on and her book through Booksprout. 4*

The Ghosts of Wonky Inn #2 - As much as I liked the first book, I loved this one. I absolutely love the ghosts and what they can actually do. This is one of the things I love about this series; plus the fact that the witch uses magic instead of denying who she is. The variety of ghostly characters are great. I couldn't put the book down, I was so immersed in the fast paced, funny and intriguing storylines. The characters range in personalities, eras and locations, lending the story depth and substance. 5*

Weird Wedding At Wonky Inn #3 - The additions to this series just keep getting better. Another hard to put down story. I love some of the guest characters; especially when she hit him (read the story), although why use blackmail in this case? Alf mixes a party with a vampire wedding and wonders what else is going to happen; lots do happen. Great-grandmother brings her share to the table and then splits, leaving a spot of bother. George is great with his acceptance of the vamps since he didn't get on board quickly about Alf being a witch previously; what trust is that. The past is over for Alf as she finds the Mori is still about. Oh, speaking of the past, how about crazed villagers and a burning (read the story). That's all the spoilers I've giving out. There's more but I want you to enjoy the book like I did, without a book report. 4*

Fearful Fortunes and Terrible Tarot #4 - I can't get enough of this series. I enjoy the characters and their functions throughout the series. This one has almost everyone undercover. Another well thought out addition full of intrigue and suspense, and humor. The storylines are developing and there's definitely bad news ahead. This book is darker than the previous ones and Alf gets to experience what witches suffered through centuries past. I didn't care for the ending; of course for the main reason (read the book) and Alf's attitude was nonchalant concerning that reason. I did enjoy Mama Henri, a voodoo queen from NOLA. 4*

The Mystery of the Marsh Malaise #5 - I absolutely love this series. You never know what to expect from Ms. Wycherley and her crew. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, there's a twist and you're off again working it out. The characters grow on you and the ghosts are a big part of the enjoyment. Yes, there's some darkness in this story; you've the good vs. the bad, plus a lot more in the storylines. There's a new ghost and he's great; I enjoyed what he and another ghost did to help Alf. With George, you know he's going to be found sooner or later, but what else is found and the result is hilarious. Alf is still my type of witch and she keeps kickin' it. Read these books sequentially, it is worth the time invested. A good, clean story full of interesting characters of all sorts and well thought out storylines with twists you just don't see coming sometimes.5*

The Mysterious Mr Wylie #6 – Entertaining and intriguing. Good storylines continued and new make this an interesting series. The past and the present come together with a bit of time travel to 1983, not a time I would have picked. The pace is fast and the characters, old and new, along with the humor help keep the reader immersed in the pages. It is great to see D back and he adds a bit of sexual tension to mix; good banter between him and A. 4*

The Great Witchy Cake Off #7 – There is a whole lot of intrigue with the murder, and pas and possible new love interest. I was happy with all the baking and not one bite available for me to sample, which is so sad since all the desserts sounded worthwhile to indulge with a cuppa. Again, there are good storylines, good characters with appearances from previous books and plenty of additional features in the background making Number 7 a toothy read. After reading so many of this series, it is hard not to get into a book report instead of a review, but I’ll let you discover that for yourself. 4*

Vengeful Vampire at Wonky Inn #8 - while it started slow for me, I was not in the mood for vampires, the pace picked up and I was immersed in the captivating storylines and good characters. This ended up being a good read. The author's talented blending of old and new storylines, vivid descriptions, I fell in love with Romania again, and her creative creation of characters made this story hard to put down once everything came together. Plenty of intrigue and suspense with touches of humor and romance. I contacted the author to review her books and received this book through Booksprout. 4*

The Witch Who Killed Christmas - If you at all can, read the other books first, there's spoilers. Another well written, entertaining story that starts around Christmas, just months later after Wonkiest ended. While not as intriguing as Wonkiest, there was a difficult problem to solve. The cast of interesting characters are still around. The writing style is still casual with humor and drama dispersed throughout the story, this is a quickly read novella. 4*

Magic, Murder and a Movie Star, #10 - I laughed myself silly with the names of the Witchywood movie cast. Fun. Entertaining. Good story lines with a seamless blending of the old with the new. The characters are always good in this series; you cannot help but love the regular crew and some of the new ones. Lovely surprise for Alfhind near the end. Well written and well thought out. 5*

Judge, Jury and Jailhouse Rockcakes, #11 - A wonderful story with plenty of humor through out the drama, a good balance. Well written and well thought out, the story lines were interesting and the book was hard to put down. Professor Dodo appears in this story; his interesting story is the first of the Wonderland Detective Agency series. Alf's experience as a Goblin is entertaining while performing a great deal of investigations in record time. 5*

A Midsummer Night’s Wonky, #12 - A lot of serious business going on this time around. There is a heatwave that does not help. 80 degrees F in Germany is almost as bad as 100 deg F in Texas, so imagine 70s in the UK. A whole lot of love is happening, including Manc and Silvan, which creates havoc for C and A. A good story. 4*

Pieces of Hate, #15 - It has been a long time since I read Vengeful Vampire at Wonky Inn, #8. I worried about missing the several books between Vengeful and Pieces. Silly me, it was like I never left. I still remembered the characters from the previously read stories. Pieces was fun and interesting, and I did not put the book down until the last page. It was enjoyable to return to Wonky Inn, and this story did not disappoint. Wonky Inn is one of my favorite series to get lost in at any time. 5*
Wonky Inn Series End.

Wonderland Detective Agency series.
Dead as a Dodo - I enjoy reading books by this author and this one fits in. There are characters from The Wonky Inn series. Eliseo is a good character along with the rest of the cast. Interesting. Fun. Good story lines. Better than a Cozy mystery. 4*
Wonderland Detective Agency series end.

[Lauren Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you were entrusted with an inn or even a house in a will, what would you do with it? Would you keep it and try to fix it up? Would you sell it and use the money for something else? Alfhild Daemonne and her adventures begin in this first installment. Readers are sure to enjoy Wycherley’s fun banter amongst characters and the witchy mystery running a muck in the town, making it clear that someone doesn’t want Alf there.

Alf is a witch, much like her estranged mother but she holds her magic back from the world because of the loss of her father. Upon inheriting an inn from her father, she packs her bags and heads straight for her new life. Arriving at the wonky and quite charming inn, she is ecstatic to get started on the renovations, but where does she start? The locals aren’t too friendly and don’t seem to take well to her being there, but one of the women recommends a handy man who is perfect for the job. With little money to start the work of getting the inn back to its glory days, the handy man works out perfectly and he is handsome to boot! Of course, there is no shortage of bumps in the road and the biggest one happens to be a dead body which clearly appears to have been caused by dark magic. Alf is determined to not let that stop her and her new life, but others may be plotting to destroy her newly found dreams whether she likes it or not. Being the newbie to the town, she may not have any choice other than to turn to her magic to help her through this pickle.

Wycherley’s story is light, but fun with a charge of mystery to liven the pages. The characters are energetic and well developed; however, the plot is a bit predictable. Since this review is complimenting the audiobook, Bretton did a fantastic job with her narration. The characters all had a sense of personality and pace was enjoyable. The story appears to be written well; however, this opinion is based on the clear and effortless vocal relay by the narrator. If you are a reader of cozy mysteries and paranormal or supernatural fiction, you may enjoy this read. Since this is the first installment within the Wonky Inn Series, readers are able to jump right in.

A copy of this audiobook was provided to Turning Another Page by Audiobookworm Promotions and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a five-star rating to The Wonkiest Witch by Jeannie Wycherley.

[bex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would read more

I liked the MC here and would read more. Something small jolted me early on and probably kept me from getting as invested in the book as I should and I also felt like it wrapped up very quickly and suddenly without enough try-fail. But I'd give more of the series, and the author, another chance.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, British, supernatural, cozy mystery. It was somewhat predictable, which was fine because I enjoyed the lightness of the story. The ending, however, was a bit disappointing and felt rushed.

[Esther Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book up until the ending when everything fell apart and all the questions were answered. This conclusion was too fast and didn't make sense.

[John Shrek Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️😈👽🛸😁 5 Stars ☀️

The Wonkiest Witch: Wonky Inn Book 1 By Jeannie Wycherley

Started: 8 October 2018.
Finished:  9 October 2018.
Amazon:      ?

Title:  
Ware those with ulterior motives

{This book is written by a British young lady and has British spelling and life s customs.}

Unfortunately, the book starts out with the funeral of the main character s {Alf (must remember Alf is the short version of Alfhild and not A.L.F.)} mother. And goes from there highlighting memories of both of her parents and her early life.

Then we travel to where the story begins:

Alf truly has a love for what could be, and doesn t appear to be frightened off by the unintended guest.  
Alf ends up with the usual stuff about dialing 999 (I was surprised that the officer didn t include the new “Emergency Number” of 111. Maybe it s not national yet.)

As the Bears took care of the unintended guest and things start to resemble :

There seems to be a contingent of people who follow the light. By the same token there s a few who s existence seems to be on the darker side of things as well. Her property seems to be up for grabs.

Alf decides to be one of the ones to stay and be a member of the community.  Like all long established areas, this one has ways and happenings that can seem to defy explanation.

Alf starts to care for a handyman who s helping her with rebuilding the inn. Her natural abilities start to show much to her dislike. In a land such as Britain, Magic and magical ways should be expected. People have always been able to tap the “unknown”, it s how it is used that defines who you are.

Some try to fight against what their ancestors have tried to cultivate and sometimes they succeed, generally this can be the biggest mistake of their lives.  Alf is trying to be normal at the expense of generations of natural adepts in her family history.  

Alf states quite plainly that she figured since she inherited an old family inn, there would be visitors of old visiting throughout her running it. It still can be startling when you least expect them. Imagine how a conversation can go between modern day and post timelines (especially when both believe that their s is the right timeline.

Especially nice is the inn seems to be coming alive along side of all the work being done to her (him/it), you know how some things seem alive even if they are supposed to be inanimate objects. Buildings can be this way far easier than some adepts.

The dark magic practitioners managed to thoroughly annoy Alf. I hope that they ve planned for the failure of their plans. It pays to always have a contingency plan and they probably will need one

[Lilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wonkiest Witch is a charming introduction to Jeannie Wycherley’s Wonky Inn series, with a blend of cozy mystery and magic, topped with a generous dose of humor. The story centers on Alfhild Daemonne, a witch who has decided never to use her powers, because of an incident in her past. After her mother’s passing, she inherits a dilapidated inn as well as several other buildings and businesses, in a small village in England. She takes it as a challenge to bring the inn back to its former glory, feeling a connection with the place. However, she did not expect to discover a dead body on the premises.

Although the plot is not extremely complex, there are many themes that shine through. Alf wants a place that can feel her own, and she struggles to reconcile the magical heritage with the desire for normalcy. Self-acceptance and identity are the themes that shine brighter than the others.

The story also touches on community and trust, as our main character learns who her true friends are in a world where secrets and supernatural quirks abound.

Alf Daemonne is witty and independent, yet vulnerable at times. Her reluctance to embrace magic makes her relatable, and her inner conflict adds depth to an otherwise lighthearted plot. The inn becomes a character in itself, with its charm and spirits (as in ghosts).

Jeannie Wycherley’s writing flows with ease, mixing the cozy mystery charm with whimsical fantasy and magical realism. The word “wonky” is woven into the title, as well as in Alf’s description of her (wonky) abilities. While there’s a mystery at center of the plot, much of the writing is focused Alf’s growth and interactions rather than solving the mystery.

I’ve experienced this book in its audio format, and I can tell you Kim Bretton is a delight to listen to. Her warm, expressive voice and authentic British accent are perfect for the setting and characters. She managed to give Alf an authentic voice, but she also did a fantastic job when it comes to the other characters. The way she transformed her tone to match their age, or their particularities…. Amazing!

All in all, The Wonkiest Witch is the ideal feel-good, witchy escape with cozy mystery vibes and a dash of magic. If you’re looking for a thriller with a heavy dose of magic, this book may not be for you. But if you want a cozy, charming story with a warm atmosphere, this is definitely for you!

[Katherine Paschal · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Review can be found at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/**
Alf left all witchy things behind years ago, instead living the life of a regular human, no magic around. But when her mother dies, she is thrown back into the world, even if only temporary for her mother's funeral. Shockingly, Alf has inherited an Inn and the village surrounding it, completely uprooting her life. But she may not be wanted in the village...

I am a sucker for cozy mysteries, even more so if they have humor, romance or paranormal elements mixed in with the mystery. The Wonkiest Witch had a nice mix of mystery and supernatural and just a touch of humor and romance, creating a nice balance to the plot that helped to keep the story engaging. The story was really fast at 4 hours and 20 minutes (roughly 150 pages) making it the perfect read for a single afternoon/day escapism.

I thought the narrator was really cute. She gave Alf the personality and spunk that perfectly suited her personality and the other characters had distinct voices so there was never any confusion as to who was talking. She even hooted in a very owl-like manner for the owl that occasionally showed up. My mom happened to over hear a part of the book and decided that she "liked her voice and would listen to her read a book"- high praise indeed, in case you were wondering.

Overall this was a really fun, fast paranormal mystery that I enjoyed and I would for sure pick up the rest of the books in the series because I am now invested in Alf and her struggles. This is a perfect choice for those who like cozy mysteries with supernatural flair.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Jeannie Wycherley. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

[Texas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wonkiest Witch: Wonky Inn Book #1 - This is my first read by this author and I enjoyed the story. As I became wrapped up in the pages, I started enjoying the storylines and the characters and wondering how much witch Alf would become. Since I've been reading about witches a lot lately, I get bored when I come across another witch refusing to be herself. Why deny what you are; do you give yourself a lobotomy if you're intelligent and want to dumb down to normal? One of my role models, as a kid, was Samantha Stevens, she remained true to herself, and an independent woman, regardless of her silly husband's demands; unlike Jeannie, a beautiful, two-legged labrador (eager to please her master).

Ms. Wycherley's writing style is conversational and casual. The likable and interesting characters are developing at a good rate and will probably gain more depth as the series continues. The storylines do a good job setting the foundation from which the series will build. Once the intros are made there's plenty of intrigue and suspense. A fire opens a can of troubles bringing the witch in Alf to full acceptance. A unique use of ghosts, which I've never read. I'm curious about the rest of the stories. I found this book on Booksprout.co. 4*

The Witch Who Killed Christmas - If you at all can, read the other books first, there's spoilers. Another well written, entertaining story that starts around Christmas, just months later after Wonkiest ended. While not as intriguing as Wonkiest, there was a difficult problem to solve. The cast of interesting characters are still around. The writing style is still casual with humor and drama dispersed throughout the story, this is a quickly read novella. I definitely want to read the rest of the stories. I found this book on Booksprout.co. 4*

[Brooke Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and fun, this is a magical mystery with lots of heart. I loved this book so much!! I got so attached to our Wonky Witch, Alf, and I fell in love with Whittle Inn right along with her. I am so glad this is the first book in a new series, because I was quite sad when the book ended....I didn't want to leave this world. Alf is a non practicing witch who has lived estranged from her mother, a powerful witch, and the rest of her community for many years. Upon her mother's death, she is surprised to learn that she has inherited an estate from her mother that she never knew existed--it was in fact, the property of her late father, who had disappeared many years before. Essentially, she is now the proud owner of much of a small village, including the abandoned for many years Whittle Inn. Having worked in the "real" world for many years as a barmaid and in various other areas of hospitality, Alf knows running an Inn is perfect for her, and she sets off to begin her new adventure. Discovering a dead body on the property starts things off a little less smoothly than she'd planned, but Alf remains optimistic. This is a magical cozy mystery, with a little romance mixed in. There are some wonderful secondary characters, but Alf is a really exceptional main character--I just love her. She's flawed, she's made mistakes, but she believes in herself, and she is willing to fight for what she wants. Even if that means opening herself up to things she had locked away many years before. I really loved this book, and cannot wait to read more about Alf and her adventures. Very fun read.

I received an ARC of this book from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Frances Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully wonky!

Alfhild has just lost her mother whom she has been estranged from for years and now it’s too late for a proper goodbye. Or is it? The fact is that her mother was a witch! Her father was a strong wizard but disappeared when she was only twelve. With those parents it is no surprise to learn that Alf is also a witch, a powerful one if she wants to be, but she decided that she didn’t want to be one when she lost her father. Instead she went into the hospitality industry and learnt all she could. That caused the rift with her mother. But now she has discovered that she is a landowner! In fact she owns a whole village and a very old, abandoned, inn. When she sees it she fall in love with it and decides to move in and renovate it. But then she walks into the back garden and finds a dead body. She immediately calls the police who cordon that area off. This is the start of Alfhild realising that she has never really lost touch with her witch side and she decides to embrace it. The village has people who welcome her and those who want to force her out but she cannot tell who is who.
This is good story that has you cheering for Alf and wanting to shake her at times. But, as she said, all the mistakes she made were meant to be for, when combined with her witchy talents, she was the perfect person to bring the inn back to life. I must say that I envied her! LOL! A great book for all ages.

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 4 out of 5]

FUN. MYSTERY. WITCH. MURDER.

Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars

Alf was the light-hearted character that I was looking for after the week had. She too was looking to get-away and start something new all of her own. Only to have her plans stalled by the unexpected and the obstacles placed in her way. Packing up and heading back home may have been an option but she was made of something more. I liked her determination. I liked the build in to a character and location. I loved the English countryside even if it was not initially welcoming to Alf.

Alf was one of a kind. She was independent by nature. A rocky relationship with her mother. A lost relationship with her father. And someone(s) were trying to scare her off of the one thing that tied her to the memories she had that were so fond. The ending was a surprise and not at the same time. This was the one part that I needed a little tissue. I very much enjoyed this little wonky witch. She was coming in to her own.

The narrator had a light and airy feel that brought out the coziness of the mystery and the paranormal aspect of it as well. The soft English accent help me feel right at home and just that much closer to the characters. The accent(s) felt real authentic.

[DianaRaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to spend a rainy afternoon, reading a story that makes you smile.

Alfhild is a witch that has rejected her calling and lives an unassuming life without magic.

When her mother dies, Alf finds out she has inherited an estate that includes an old inn in Whittlecombe in East Devon.  Unfortunately, it has sat empty for three years and needs a major redo, but the estate seems to be bleeding money and there may not be enough left for the Inn. 

Her first visit to the Inn finds a dead body on the patio and she meets the local law enforcement in the form of Deputy Gilchrist.

Follow Alfhild as she tries to save the Inn, get to know the interesting people of Whittlecombe and discover who used powerful magic to kill someone and leave the body at her Inn.

American readers may be thrown off by some of the UK/Devon terms, but that's where the story happens and the author resides.  As I love these fun cozies to relax to after the horrors of everday, I'm giving it 5 stars.

Now, will Detective Gilchrist take a more prominent roll in the future?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fight for the Inn

What a terrific start to a new series! Intrigues, murder, betrayal, love and loads of magic. The characters are so full of life that they jump out of the page.
After the death of her mother she was surprised to learn that she had inherited a whole village, lots of property, an old Inn and a woods. Considering that she and her mother had been estranged for years, after she refused to use magic, this came as a complete shock. The Inn, once she found it, was in a sad state. But she figured that with hard work she could get it running. That's if she didn't find anymore bodies like the one on her back doorstep. The reaction of the villagers varied from welcome to threats. But 20th the help of the local handyman she started to see results. However arson, the threat of someone trying to take over her land, missing funds made her think twice and call on her old mentor for help. Will she find out what is going on? Will she find the leader of the people working against her?