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The Witches Three Cozy Mysteries #1
Charm School
Amanda Clarke thinks of herself as perfectly ordinary in every way. Just a small-town girl who serves breakfast all day in a little diner nestled next to the highway, nothing but dairy farms for miles around. She fits in there.
But then an old woman she never met dies, and Amanda was named in her will. Now Amanda packs a bag and heads to the big city, to Miss Zenobia Weekes' Charm School for Exceptional Young Ladies. And it's not in just any neighborhood. No, she finds herself on Summit Avenue in St. Paul, a street lined with gorgeous old houses, the former homes of lumber barons, railroad millionaires, even the writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. Why, Amanda can practically hear the jazz music still playing across the decades.
Scratch that. The music really, literally, still plays in the backyard of the charm school. Because the house stretches across time itself. Without a witch to protect this tear in the fabric of the world, anything can spill over. Like music.
Or like murder.
"Charm School", Book 1 in the Witches Three Cozy Mystery series. If you're a fan of Amanda M. Lee, N.M. Howell, or Amy Boyles, this mélange of magic and murder mystery is sure to charm you.
But then an old woman she never met dies, and Amanda was named in her will. Now Amanda packs a bag and heads to the big city, to Miss Zenobia Weekes' Charm School for Exceptional Young Ladies. And it's not in just any neighborhood. No, she finds herself on Summit Avenue in St. Paul, a street lined with gorgeous old houses, the former homes of lumber barons, railroad millionaires, even the writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. Why, Amanda can practically hear the jazz music still playing across the decades.
Scratch that. The music really, literally, still plays in the backyard of the charm school. Because the house stretches across time itself. Without a witch to protect this tear in the fabric of the world, anything can spill over. Like music.
Or like murder.
"Charm School", Book 1 in the Witches Three Cozy Mystery series. If you're a fan of Amanda M. Lee, N.M. Howell, or Amy Boyles, this mélange of magic and murder mystery is sure to charm you.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2018
667 people are currently reading
710 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
February 17, 2022
This book has made me fall in love with everything magical and anything to do with witches all over again - it has definitely got me out of my reading slump 😌 I can’t wait to purchase and read the other books in this series! If I could give this a 10 star rating I would! But a 5 star rating for this from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 13, 2021
This was a very enjoyable read.
Amanda is a young girl in a normal little small town world who serves breakfast in a diner with farms and countryside as far as the eye can see. It's perfect for her.
Her "normal" life is upended when she receives a notice that an old woman whom she has never met has died and she is required to be at the opening of the will. Not only that, it's at a weird place called Miss Zenobia Weekes' Charm School for Exceptional Young Ladies - located in a city where the rich and famous once lived, far away from her country life. She decides to go.
Once there, she is greeted by Cynthia, a sweet person who obviously knows why she is there - but she's not giving up any information just yet. Soon two more girls arrive, also summoned to the reading of the will.
Amanda will soon find out she's as far from "ordinary" as a person can be. Thrown into a mystery, and finally learning her mother's true fate many decades prior, Amanda realizes that her life will never be the same.
Amanda is a young girl in a normal little small town world who serves breakfast in a diner with farms and countryside as far as the eye can see. It's perfect for her.
Her "normal" life is upended when she receives a notice that an old woman whom she has never met has died and she is required to be at the opening of the will. Not only that, it's at a weird place called Miss Zenobia Weekes' Charm School for Exceptional Young Ladies - located in a city where the rich and famous once lived, far away from her country life. She decides to go.
Once there, she is greeted by Cynthia, a sweet person who obviously knows why she is there - but she's not giving up any information just yet. Soon two more girls arrive, also summoned to the reading of the will.
Amanda will soon find out she's as far from "ordinary" as a person can be. Thrown into a mystery, and finally learning her mother's true fate many decades prior, Amanda realizes that her life will never be the same.
November 13, 2018
An invitation to a new life
A good read that should get better as the series progresses. Okay the ending was a bit hurried compared to the rest but all-in-one not a bad read. The characters too should become more defined with time, at present they still seem slightly flat. However the concept that the series is based on in great. Witches and a time travelling portal.
When she is told that she should attend the reading of a will at a school she had never heard off, she agrees but only because her inner feeling tells her to and it has never failed her. Plus the attorney made her feel secure. Getting to the school was a nightmare but she was still the first to arrive. Two more young women were due. After an evening meal with the attorney and the housekeeper/butler/custodian they all retired to bed. With the reading to be held the next night. Only to discover the body of the attorney in the back yard. Then at the reading of the will they are told that they are witches and guardians of a time travel portal, that the attorney was actually from 1927 and split her time between now and then and that she was in charge of an amulet that let her do so. An amulet that is now missing. Can they go back and find the killer? Will the killer strike again? Where is the amulet? Will they stay and do what was asked?
A good read that should get better as the series progresses. Okay the ending was a bit hurried compared to the rest but all-in-one not a bad read. The characters too should become more defined with time, at present they still seem slightly flat. However the concept that the series is based on in great. Witches and a time travelling portal.
When she is told that she should attend the reading of a will at a school she had never heard off, she agrees but only because her inner feeling tells her to and it has never failed her. Plus the attorney made her feel secure. Getting to the school was a nightmare but she was still the first to arrive. Two more young women were due. After an evening meal with the attorney and the housekeeper/butler/custodian they all retired to bed. With the reading to be held the next night. Only to discover the body of the attorney in the back yard. Then at the reading of the will they are told that they are witches and guardians of a time travel portal, that the attorney was actually from 1927 and split her time between now and then and that she was in charge of an amulet that let her do so. An amulet that is now missing. Can they go back and find the killer? Will the killer strike again? Where is the amulet? Will they stay and do what was asked?
May 23, 2024
New series for me-and I like it
I discovered Cate Martin by getting caught up in her Viking Cozy Mystery series. I’m waiting anxiously for the next book!
Charm School has much the same voice, and the characters are fun and well-developed. The story is interesting but -to me- bogged down a bit in the middle. I think I wanted Amanda to find her place rather than questioning herself, and what happened to cause her mother to never speak? The story picked up speed and ended on a high note, and I’ll likely move on to book two. I’ll be curious how traveling between times continues and how the three young witches develop and combine their talents.
Postscript: I am now into book 4 of this series and am enjoying them. The three witches are quirky but smart, their time travel brings along some truly interesting characters, and the mysteries carry on to the next book
I discovered Cate Martin by getting caught up in her Viking Cozy Mystery series. I’m waiting anxiously for the next book!
Charm School has much the same voice, and the characters are fun and well-developed. The story is interesting but -to me- bogged down a bit in the middle. I think I wanted Amanda to find her place rather than questioning herself, and what happened to cause her mother to never speak? The story picked up speed and ended on a high note, and I’ll likely move on to book two. I’ll be curious how traveling between times continues and how the three young witches develop and combine their talents.
Postscript: I am now into book 4 of this series and am enjoying them. The three witches are quirky but smart, their time travel brings along some truly interesting characters, and the mysteries carry on to the next book
January 3, 2021
Low 3
I liked the main character and some of the buildup, but I wasn't completely happy with the ending. It felt like it tried to wrap everything uup very suddenly, but didn't really succeed. Even rereading the last few chapters, I felt like some threads were neglected. Also the magic in the ending was too strong too fast. This makes it feel like a deus ex machina resolution instead of a natural growth.
I liked the main character and some of the buildup, but I wasn't completely happy with the ending. It felt like it tried to wrap everything uup very suddenly, but didn't really succeed. Even rereading the last few chapters, I felt like some threads were neglected. Also the magic in the ending was too strong too fast. This makes it feel like a deus ex machina resolution instead of a natural growth.
October 19, 2022
An average story of murder and magic, a bit light on the character development and very light on the copyediting. Even with the story narrated from Amanda's perspective, I don't feel I know her any better than Sophie or Brianna, and their characterization seems superficial. Perhaps one needs to read further in the series to gain a better understanding, but I'm not prepared to do so.
The novel hit some of my pet peeves as well -- "Brianna and I" instead of "Brianna and me", use of apostrophes when attempting to indicate plural nouns, homophone errors.
Amanda is the only person I have ever in my life heard of putting butter in her coffee. Is this a thing? There is no explanation.
The novel hit some of my pet peeves as well -- "Brianna and I" instead of "Brianna and me", use of apostrophes when attempting to indicate plural nouns, homophone errors.
Amanda is the only person I have ever in my life heard of putting butter in her coffee. Is this a thing? There is no explanation.
September 8, 2025
This was also a very good book from an author I am fairly new to. The main characters are diverse, each with a different personality and skill set. Two are fairly rich and one is brainy, while the second one is a very good dancer. The third one whom I identify most with although a female, she is lower middle class and in her own mind hardly exceptional, although strongly imaginative. Boy, is she going to get a surprise near the end of this story. The plot is easily followed and the premise is finding out who killed the lawyer woman who brought them all together, and why. I think you will love this story! I do, definitely recommend this book.
January 23, 2021
Amanda's plain-Jane life transformed into a paranormal mystery when she accepted the invitation to hear the reading of Miss Zenobia's will. Three young women attend the midnight session and discover that they have inherited something quite special. This first in the series introduces them to each other and to the magic of their inherited new home. Together they helped solve a murder mystery and discover their powers. Some glaring typographical errors jarred the reader, but otherwise it was a fast, light read with interesting characters and situations.
June 10, 2021
Wow
It's an adorable cozy mystery. Amanda Clarke lands up in Miss Zenobia's Charm School with two other students Brianna and Sophie. Ms. Cynthia Thomas, a lawyer, brings them together for the midnight reading of Miss Zenobia's will. The three friends discover Cynthia's body next day. However, there is no pool of blood around her bashed up head. It seems that she was murdered somewhere else and her body has been dumped here. What follows next is simply amazing! Do read this book to find out how Amanda and her friends solve this murder mystery.
It's an adorable cozy mystery. Amanda Clarke lands up in Miss Zenobia's Charm School with two other students Brianna and Sophie. Ms. Cynthia Thomas, a lawyer, brings them together for the midnight reading of Miss Zenobia's will. The three friends discover Cynthia's body next day. However, there is no pool of blood around her bashed up head. It seems that she was murdered somewhere else and her body has been dumped here. What follows next is simply amazing! Do read this book to find out how Amanda and her friends solve this murder mystery.
June 19, 2023
Time traveling cozy witch mystery. The mystery in this one is better written than in Witch Hunt, with good, solid characters, and an actual reason to investigate. However, the main character cannot seem to make up her mind about which guy to fall for, either in the present or the past, and that was annoying. In any case, I found myself ultimately bored with the plot and the characters.
Still looking for a really good witch story!
Still looking for a really good witch story!
April 7, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up
I loved loved loved this book. All of the characters had such comforting personalities. I loved the witchy aspect and how easy this book was written. I flew through it on my broomstick. And the mystery!?!? Omg I didn't know this would be such a good crossover! Amanda, sophie and Brianna are witches and they have to protect this time portal that goes back to 1927 and when Cynthia dies they have to move through the portal to solve the murder and gosh how I enjoyed this book!! I will def read the rest of this series
I loved loved loved this book. All of the characters had such comforting personalities. I loved the witchy aspect and how easy this book was written. I flew through it on my broomstick. And the mystery!?!? Omg I didn't know this would be such a good crossover! Amanda, sophie and Brianna are witches and they have to protect this time portal that goes back to 1927 and when Cynthia dies they have to move through the portal to solve the murder and gosh how I enjoyed this book!! I will def read the rest of this series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2025
Charm School by Cate Martin is a book that will keep you turning pages until the last one! It is a cozy mystery with time travel and 3 wonderful witches coming of age (sort of). I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. Amanda is the main character and she is telling the story, but she is also coming of age into her wonderful power.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I feel that I will be reading many more. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like paranormal mysteries. Enjoy.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I feel that I will be reading many more. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like paranormal mysteries. Enjoy.
December 9, 2025
Fun and exciting mystery story
The Charm School Mystery story was fun and exciting had time travel elements included. Jazz music from prohibition times, murders that need to be solved, a will that is to be read at midnight on the first full moon after the person dies all these things lead to some exciting moments in this the first book of the The Witches Three Cozy Mysteries by Cate Martin. Now I have to buy book 2 to find out what happens next to Amanda, Brianna, and Sophie and I can't wait to find out. It is well worth the time to read it. Excellent book!
The Charm School Mystery story was fun and exciting had time travel elements included. Jazz music from prohibition times, murders that need to be solved, a will that is to be read at midnight on the first full moon after the person dies all these things lead to some exciting moments in this the first book of the The Witches Three Cozy Mysteries by Cate Martin. Now I have to buy book 2 to find out what happens next to Amanda, Brianna, and Sophie and I can't wait to find out. It is well worth the time to read it. Excellent book!
December 16, 2025
although the story was a fairly good mystery, I figured it out after I met the killer. it wasn't involving enough nor drawing enough to keep me interested. it seemed long and drawn out. what would normally have taken me maybe a week to read between other things I managed to put off to almost 2 months, it just didn't grab me. I probably won't be reading anymore of this author and for sure won't be listening to anymore of this narrator. the narrator is very monotone and not enough delineation between character speaking.
November 29, 2020
Awesome
What an absolutely brilliant book! From characters so real you feel you know them to storylines that leap from the page to ensnare your mind and imagination, suspend disbelief and just enjoy. A magical roller coaster ride of sheer enjoyment not to be missed, highly recommend a must-read, I've purposely not mentioned anything about the actual story, way to many spoilers, just enjoy, Baz.
What an absolutely brilliant book! From characters so real you feel you know them to storylines that leap from the page to ensnare your mind and imagination, suspend disbelief and just enjoy. A magical roller coaster ride of sheer enjoyment not to be missed, highly recommend a must-read, I've purposely not mentioned anything about the actual story, way to many spoilers, just enjoy, Baz.
July 29, 2022
Friends
Three young women are summoned to the reading of the will of a woman they don't know. Two have known their whole lives that they are witches. The third's parents were in a car crash, killing her father. Her mother neither spoke or was able to write again, unable to communicate to her daughter just what they were.
The woman who told the girls where to come for the reading was murdered the morning of the reading and the three set out to solve it.
Three young women are summoned to the reading of the will of a woman they don't know. Two have known their whole lives that they are witches. The third's parents were in a car crash, killing her father. Her mother neither spoke or was able to write again, unable to communicate to her daughter just what they were.
The woman who told the girls where to come for the reading was murdered the morning of the reading and the three set out to solve it.
November 28, 2018
Wow!
I love this story. I really like that it's written in the first person, from the point of view of a young woman who has found herself in the middle of something that she doesn't understand, but is doing her very best to figure out where she fits in and how she can help. I've already ordered the next book, and I can hardly wait to read it
I love this story. I really like that it's written in the first person, from the point of view of a young woman who has found herself in the middle of something that she doesn't understand, but is doing her very best to figure out where she fits in and how she can help. I've already ordered the next book, and I can hardly wait to read it
May 22, 2020
Great story - needs a quick look-over by an editor
I enjoyed the story, but found myself being pulled out of it several times by glaring mistakes that an editor would easily fix. I'm going to check out the next book in the series. Maybe since this one is free, the author didn't bother with an editor, but I hope she did for future novels in the series.
I enjoyed the story, but found myself being pulled out of it several times by glaring mistakes that an editor would easily fix. I'm going to check out the next book in the series. Maybe since this one is free, the author didn't bother with an editor, but I hope she did for future novels in the series.
August 31, 2020
Fun.
I finally decided to give this book a try and I'm glad I did. The story and characters were intriguing and engaging. There were times when I hated putting the book down--one does require sleep. There were two loose ends that were not resolved, but perhaps in the next book. This book is definitely worth reading.
I finally decided to give this book a try and I'm glad I did. The story and characters were intriguing and engaging. There were times when I hated putting the book down--one does require sleep. There were two loose ends that were not resolved, but perhaps in the next book. This book is definitely worth reading.
September 4, 2020
Charming, I'm sure
The book was a little.confusing.I'n the beginning, Amanda wasn't sure why she was summoned to a reading of a will. After meeting with the others, she learned that the owner of a charm school had invited them , they were surprised to find.out they were witches. Walk beside them as they learn the duties of protecting a charm school.
The book was a little.confusing.I'n the beginning, Amanda wasn't sure why she was summoned to a reading of a will. After meeting with the others, she learned that the owner of a charm school had invited them , they were surprised to find.out they were witches. Walk beside them as they learn the duties of protecting a charm school.
March 1, 2021
Charm School is a fantasy meets thriller kind of book.
I really enjoyed the first half with Amanda discovering a whole new life.
However, the thriller part was pretty obvious (for me). I figured out who did it almost right away so the second half was a little less interesting. Nevertheless, was a nice read, just wasn't memorable.
I really enjoyed the first half with Amanda discovering a whole new life.
However, the thriller part was pretty obvious (for me). I figured out who did it almost right away so the second half was a little less interesting. Nevertheless, was a nice read, just wasn't memorable.
June 14, 2021
Charm school witches
A really, really nice book. I mean that in a totally good and wonderful way. It was down to earth yet had the paranormal going on. It had a mystery and murder yet friendship and kinship. Even a little humor. A truly good book, good plot, and good vibes Totally enjoyed
A really, really nice book. I mean that in a totally good and wonderful way. It was down to earth yet had the paranormal going on. It had a mystery and murder yet friendship and kinship. Even a little humor. A truly good book, good plot, and good vibes Totally enjoyed
September 6, 2021
I want to go to this school
I love cozy mysteries but this one topped off my reading preferences. To be able to go back in time/ history, have a touch of paranormal, mixed with friendships and romance all in a cozy mystery is right up my alley. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
I love cozy mysteries but this one topped off my reading preferences. To be able to go back in time/ history, have a touch of paranormal, mixed with friendships and romance all in a cozy mystery is right up my alley. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
August 4, 2025
Exciting!
A lot of this book was rather far fetched, but interesting and fun! It's a story about a charm school for girls, but definitely not the type of charm school most of us know! The characters are described well and I had a picture of each in my mind. The one question I have though, what happened to Mr Trevor?
A lot of this book was rather far fetched, but interesting and fun! It's a story about a charm school for girls, but definitely not the type of charm school most of us know! The characters are described well and I had a picture of each in my mind. The one question I have though, what happened to Mr Trevor?
February 20, 2020
I received the prequel Enter Three Witches free which tells how Cynthia meets Amanad, Sophie, and Brianna.
I thought Charm School was a good 1st book in this series. At times it was a bit confusing but overall a good read.
I thought Charm School was a good 1st book in this series. At times it was a bit confusing but overall a good read.
March 25, 2020
The Witches Three
A lovely witchy mystery. Twists and turns in abundance, suspense, action, humor and lots more to find between the pages of this book. Thank you for a most enjoyable story. I was spellbound from the first word until the very last.
A lovely witchy mystery. Twists and turns in abundance, suspense, action, humor and lots more to find between the pages of this book. Thank you for a most enjoyable story. I was spellbound from the first word until the very last.
April 14, 2021
Great story
Wow, this story is so good. From the start it grabbed me and I could not stop reading, you have some great characters that just come to life when reading this book. You got a fan. Catha Watkins Reese
Wow, this story is so good. From the start it grabbed me and I could not stop reading, you have some great characters that just come to life when reading this book. You got a fan. Catha Watkins Reese
May 31, 2021
Charm School
This is a fun and funny book. I found it very entertaining, and I believe that is the point. To come across and devour all the craziness in stories is the best entertainment ever.
This is a fun and funny book. I found it very entertaining, and I believe that is the point. To come across and devour all the craziness in stories is the best entertainment ever.
July 3, 2022
Surprise
This was a particularly good "girl discovers that she is a witch" story. This girl feels quite ordinary but, admits she sometimes has strong premenitions. when introduced to two other young witches she begins to find her real self.
This was a particularly good "girl discovers that she is a witch" story. This girl feels quite ordinary but, admits she sometimes has strong premenitions. when introduced to two other young witches she begins to find her real self.
October 17, 2022
Charm School: A witches three Cozy Mystery
Kept me turning pages very fast to see what would happen next! Enjoyed it so very much. Absolutely refreshing to read a book that is so G rated.
Kept me turning pages very fast to see what would happen next! Enjoyed it so very much. Absolutely refreshing to read a book that is so G rated.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews