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Witch of Edgehill #1
Pawsitively Poisonous
Every town has its secrets, but no one has a secret like hers.
Amber Blackwood, lifelong resident of Edgehill, Oregon, has earned a reputation for being a semi-reclusive odd duck. Her store, The Quirky Whisker, is full of curiosities, from extremely potent sleepy teas and ever-burning candles to kids’ toys that seem to run endlessly without the aid of batteries. The people of Edgehill think of the Quirky Whisker as an integral part of their feline-obsessed town, but most give Amber herself a wide berth. Amber prefers it that way; it keeps her secret safe. But that secret is thrown into jeopardy when Amber’s friend Melanie is found dead, a vial of headache tonic from Amber’s store clutched in her hand.
Edgehill’s newest police chief has had it out for Amber since he arrived three years before. He can’t possibly know she’s a witch, but his suspicions about her odd store and even odder behavior have shot her to the top of his suspect list. When the Edgehill rumor mill finds out Melanie was poisoned, it’s not only the police chief who looks at Amber differently. Determined to both find justice for her friend and to clear her own name, Amber must use her unique gifts to help track down Melanie’s real killer. A quest that threatens much more than her secret …
Amber Blackwood, lifelong resident of Edgehill, Oregon, has earned a reputation for being a semi-reclusive odd duck. Her store, The Quirky Whisker, is full of curiosities, from extremely potent sleepy teas and ever-burning candles to kids’ toys that seem to run endlessly without the aid of batteries. The people of Edgehill think of the Quirky Whisker as an integral part of their feline-obsessed town, but most give Amber herself a wide berth. Amber prefers it that way; it keeps her secret safe. But that secret is thrown into jeopardy when Amber’s friend Melanie is found dead, a vial of headache tonic from Amber’s store clutched in her hand.
Edgehill’s newest police chief has had it out for Amber since he arrived three years before. He can’t possibly know she’s a witch, but his suspicions about her odd store and even odder behavior have shot her to the top of his suspect list. When the Edgehill rumor mill finds out Melanie was poisoned, it’s not only the police chief who looks at Amber differently. Determined to both find justice for her friend and to clear her own name, Amber must use her unique gifts to help track down Melanie’s real killer. A quest that threatens much more than her secret …
7 pages, Audiobook
First published June 10, 2019
1593 people are currently reading
3444 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Erin Jackson
27 books531 followersMelissa is a professional pet sitter and an author of paranormal mysteries. There are two books out in her Riley Thomas mystery series--The Forgotten Child and Shuttered Secrets. Her Witch of Edgehill cozy paranormal mystery series is complete at five books. The first two books in her urban fantasy series, The Charm Collector, are out now. Unholy Magic and A Mythical Case of Arson are up next! She owns too many pets and lives in Northern California with her equally pet-obsessed boyfriend. For information about her books, you can join her newsletter at melissajacksonbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 525 reviews
June 7, 2024
This is a paranormal cozy mystery, and it is the first book in the Witch of Edgehill series. I loved this book. The book is about a small town and everyone talks about everyone else. The Amber is a witch, but no one in the town knows she is a witch. Her best friend is killed and she helps solve the murder, but at first the police chief thought she has something to doing with her friends murder. The ending leaves you hanging, so you will read book 2. I won a kindle copy of this book from a goodreads giveaway. This review is 100% how I feel about the book.
I read this book two times
The First time I gave it 5 Stars
The second time I gave it 4 Stars
Since reviewing this book I have keep reading this series, and I have to say this series as became one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I really think the books in this series just keeps getting better. If you love cozy mystery book then you should give this series a chance.
I read this book two times
The First time I gave it 5 Stars
The second time I gave it 4 Stars
Since reviewing this book I have keep reading this series, and I have to say this series as became one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I really think the books in this series just keeps getting better. If you love cozy mystery book then you should give this series a chance.
October 1, 2021
This was another easy listen cozy mystery that helped me pass the time at work.
Audio didn't make or break, but I did appreciate the narrator's attempt at giving different characters different-sounding voices. It really does make it easier!
The story is about a (good) witch whose friend turns up dead with a bottle from the witch in her hand. So now our friendly neighbourhood witch, Amber, has to solve the murder to clear her name. No one actually knows she's a witch, though, so she's going around casting witchy spells whilst trying not to get caught.
I was able to listen with only one ear at times and still keep up with the gist of the story, so that was good. It did feel like Amber was getting around a fair bit so I think I would probably have been bored reading it, but listening to it made that easier. There was a fun, diverse cast of characters to act as suspects, but there were other characters that were just fun to love.
There was also something about a Cat Festival? I definitely tuned that stuff out haha whoops.
The toys didn't really do anything for me but I imagine others will be quite taken with the cute details. I'm just not really a cutesy kinda person, myself.
All in all, it was a cute story that will likely delight fans of the genre. The mystery seemed a little simple to me, but the magic angle kept things entertaining.
Audio didn't make or break, but I did appreciate the narrator's attempt at giving different characters different-sounding voices. It really does make it easier!
The story is about a (good) witch whose friend turns up dead with a bottle from the witch in her hand. So now our friendly neighbourhood witch, Amber, has to solve the murder to clear her name. No one actually knows she's a witch, though, so she's going around casting witchy spells whilst trying not to get caught.
I was able to listen with only one ear at times and still keep up with the gist of the story, so that was good. It did feel like Amber was getting around a fair bit so I think I would probably have been bored reading it, but listening to it made that easier. There was a fun, diverse cast of characters to act as suspects, but there were other characters that were just fun to love.
There was also something about a Cat Festival? I definitely tuned that stuff out haha whoops.
The toys didn't really do anything for me but I imagine others will be quite taken with the cute details. I'm just not really a cutesy kinda person, myself.
All in all, it was a cute story that will likely delight fans of the genre. The mystery seemed a little simple to me, but the magic angle kept things entertaining.
January 13, 2023
This was a fun listen. It's a cozy mystery with a witch as the main protagonist. However, I've learned something after listening to 3 or 4 cozy mysteries. I'm not a fan. The plot goes too slow and there's so much time spent on the details about the town and people and not enough about the murder! Lots of comfort scones, tea shops, cafes. In this particular book, lots of reference to the "Here and Meow" festival. It's well written and good characterizations - the genre is just not my cup of tea. ;)
June 15, 2019
Amber Blackwood loves running her shop, Quirky Whisker, in Edgehill, OR. She sells an eclectic mix of things -- healing teas, herbal remedies, even toys -- each with a bit of a magical touch. Nobody in town realizes she's a witch....and Amber wants to keep it that way. One of her friends has been ill for quite awhile and never seems to get better. Melanie drops into the shop for a vial of headache remedy....and is later found dead clutching the empty vial. Amber finds herself drawn into a murder investigation. She knows it wasn't her herbal remedy that killed her friend.....so what did? And why?
Pawsitively Poisonous is the first book in the new Witch of Edgehill series. I loved the quirky characters and the concept of a shop that sells magical toys and remedies. The mystery is cozy (no graphic descriptions of blood, sex, etc...no cursing, etc) with a light supernatural touch. I would love to own one of Amber's magical animated toys! :) The mystery developed at a nice pace, creating suspense with plenty of suspects and twists. The magical/supernatural elements didn't overpower the mystery plot, but just added depth to the characters.
I will definitely read more of this series. It was an enjoyable, light, entertaining read. I liked the mix of humor, magic and mystery.
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Ringtail Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Pawsitively Poisonous is the first book in the new Witch of Edgehill series. I loved the quirky characters and the concept of a shop that sells magical toys and remedies. The mystery is cozy (no graphic descriptions of blood, sex, etc...no cursing, etc) with a light supernatural touch. I would love to own one of Amber's magical animated toys! :) The mystery developed at a nice pace, creating suspense with plenty of suspects and twists. The magical/supernatural elements didn't overpower the mystery plot, but just added depth to the characters.
I will definitely read more of this series. It was an enjoyable, light, entertaining read. I liked the mix of humor, magic and mystery.
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Ringtail Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
August 12, 2020
A moderately entertaining cozy mystery about a witch investigating the murder of her friend.
Despite the punny title cats don't really play a part in the story, they are just window dressing.
Despite the punny title cats don't really play a part in the story, they are just window dressing.
Read
June 1, 2022This five-book cozy paranormal mystery series is complete! Here are a few things to note about it:
+ If you've read The Forgotten Child, this is a much lighter series. Minimal cursing, no violence, no sexy times. This series is suited for teens to grandma! If you like the grittier stuff, the Pawsitively series might not be for you.
+ The setting is a town obsessed--obsessed--with cats. There are cat puns around every corner. The title is just the tip of the iceberg! You've been warned ;)
+ Romance is kept to a minimum.
+ The whole series is on audio! Book 1 can be found here: https://geni.us/7uFmhl
Thanks for reading!
+ If you've read The Forgotten Child, this is a much lighter series. Minimal cursing, no violence, no sexy times. This series is suited for teens to grandma! If you like the grittier stuff, the Pawsitively series might not be for you.
+ The setting is a town obsessed--obsessed--with cats. There are cat puns around every corner. The title is just the tip of the iceberg! You've been warned ;)
+ Romance is kept to a minimum.
+ The whole series is on audio! Book 1 can be found here: https://geni.us/7uFmhl
Thanks for reading!
June 11, 2019
A funny thing happened on the way to this review.
I was looking for quick read to add to my Netgalley tally when this cover leaped out at me. I almost didn't select it. The crisp black witch silhouetted against all that poison green just screams cozy, which I don't usually do. The words; quirky, odd-ball and gossip jumped out at me from the blurb and my knee jerk response was to just keep scrolling. But that cover drew me back. Maybe Ms. Jackson cast a spell on me with all that witchy green, because I found myself clicking request.
And something surprising happened. I found myself invested in this sweet little book.
Amber's magic is original, she uses it differently than anyone I've seen. That caught my attention. The setting is just plain sweet. A town structured around cats; cat named streets, cat inspired business names, sweet sweet, sweet.
I'm a small-town girl myself and the character interactions were spot on. She put those characters right into my head. I found myself smiling and asking myself "will she? wait for it, here it comes, bo-yah!" Before I realized it I was itching to know what was going to happen next.
Pawsitivley Posionous is more a mystery than I expected, which was a big plus for me. The characters are well defined and fun to read. And the MC never did what I expected, which was very entertaining.
If you like cozies, spend some time in Edgehill. I think you'll enjoy it. It's a quick fun read that's cleverly put together. Pawsitively Poisonous drew me in. It's small town vibe kept me interested. And the who-dunnit kept me guessing almost until the end. And I had a great time getting there.
I'll definitely be watching for more Melissa Erin Jackson. There's a hint of a family mystery, I really want to explore. And some off screen family I can't wait to meet. I don't do cozies very often, but I'll be looking for Witch of Edgehill, #2. I hope she writes fast.
I was looking for quick read to add to my Netgalley tally when this cover leaped out at me. I almost didn't select it. The crisp black witch silhouetted against all that poison green just screams cozy, which I don't usually do. The words; quirky, odd-ball and gossip jumped out at me from the blurb and my knee jerk response was to just keep scrolling. But that cover drew me back. Maybe Ms. Jackson cast a spell on me with all that witchy green, because I found myself clicking request.
And something surprising happened. I found myself invested in this sweet little book.
Amber's magic is original, she uses it differently than anyone I've seen. That caught my attention. The setting is just plain sweet. A town structured around cats; cat named streets, cat inspired business names, sweet sweet, sweet.
I'm a small-town girl myself and the character interactions were spot on. She put those characters right into my head. I found myself smiling and asking myself "will she? wait for it, here it comes, bo-yah!" Before I realized it I was itching to know what was going to happen next.
Pawsitivley Posionous is more a mystery than I expected, which was a big plus for me. The characters are well defined and fun to read. And the MC never did what I expected, which was very entertaining.
If you like cozies, spend some time in Edgehill. I think you'll enjoy it. It's a quick fun read that's cleverly put together. Pawsitively Poisonous drew me in. It's small town vibe kept me interested. And the who-dunnit kept me guessing almost until the end. And I had a great time getting there.
I'll definitely be watching for more Melissa Erin Jackson. There's a hint of a family mystery, I really want to explore. And some off screen family I can't wait to meet. I don't do cozies very often, but I'll be looking for Witch of Edgehill, #2. I hope she writes fast.
October 16, 2024
Writing ➳ 3.5/5
Plot ➳ 3/5
Development (history and characters) ➳ 3/5
Enjoyment ➳ 3.5/5
Plot ➳ 3/5
Development (history and characters) ➳ 3/5
Enjoyment ➳ 3.5/5
June 2, 2019
Pawsitively Poisonous by Melissa Erin Jackson is the first book in the Witch of Edgehill cozy series – a series that is definitely off to a good start! This first book is interesting and fun, filled with cats of all types, has engaging characters and definitely keeps the reader guessing throughout. I enjoy a good cozy but am often frustrated by the overly-silly/naive main characters or the nature of the crimes but this was a solid mystery set in a quirky small town in Oregon.
Amber Blackwood, a lifelong resident of Edgehill, Oregon – and its resident witch – runs The Quirky Whisker, a shop full of novelties, “animated” toys and herbal teas and tinctures. Amber generally maintains a low profile in order to keep her witchcraft secret but, despite the care she’s taken, the Chief of Police has been suspicious of her since he arrived in the town 3 years ago. This all comes to a head when Amber’s best friend, Melanie, is found dead…with a bottle headache tonic from Amber’s shop in her hand. With his suspicions regarding Amber and the goings-on in her shop, Amber has just become the chief’s number one suspect.
When word gets out that Melanie was poisoned, the whole town begins to look at Amber with suspicion. Needing to clear her name, as well as find out who really murdered her friend, Amber begins an investigation using her unique gifts to guide her. Along the way, Amber discovers secrets about people that she thought she knew well and takes risks that threaten to reveal her biggest secret.
Thank you to Ringtail Press, NetGalley and Melissa Erin Jackson for providing this thoroughly enjoyable story in exchange for my review. I will be watching for more in this series and plan to check out Ms. Jackson’s other series as well.
Rating: 4 stars
Amber Blackwood, a lifelong resident of Edgehill, Oregon – and its resident witch – runs The Quirky Whisker, a shop full of novelties, “animated” toys and herbal teas and tinctures. Amber generally maintains a low profile in order to keep her witchcraft secret but, despite the care she’s taken, the Chief of Police has been suspicious of her since he arrived in the town 3 years ago. This all comes to a head when Amber’s best friend, Melanie, is found dead…with a bottle headache tonic from Amber’s shop in her hand. With his suspicions regarding Amber and the goings-on in her shop, Amber has just become the chief’s number one suspect.
When word gets out that Melanie was poisoned, the whole town begins to look at Amber with suspicion. Needing to clear her name, as well as find out who really murdered her friend, Amber begins an investigation using her unique gifts to guide her. Along the way, Amber discovers secrets about people that she thought she knew well and takes risks that threaten to reveal her biggest secret.
Thank you to Ringtail Press, NetGalley and Melissa Erin Jackson for providing this thoroughly enjoyable story in exchange for my review. I will be watching for more in this series and plan to check out Ms. Jackson’s other series as well.
Rating: 4 stars
May 22, 2019
I am on a paranormal cozy kick as it’s one of my top three favorite genres, and when I saw this book, I knew I had to try it. I absolutely loved it! It was fun, the writing was great, and I had my suspicions about the killer, but I was wrong and it was great! While I felt that Amber was a little too isolated because she really didn’t have any friends/colleagues/close allies in the book to help her, I found that was probably the only thing I didn’t like about the book. And, to be honest, that’s not a terrible thing. All that showed me was that the author made me feel for the protagonist. The end was a gasp of “oh, no! What’s going to happen now?” and makes me want the next one. If you are fan of cozy paranormals, give this one try! Great book that I highly recommend, and I received a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
Want to read
July 16, 2019ревью: эта книга - для тех, кто любит Charmed и Gilmore Girls...
я: SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY
я: SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY
November 15, 2022
review to come
June 8, 2019
3 Stars
*A enjoyable cozy paranormal novella that could have used a bit more fleshing out*
ARC provided by Ringtail Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Last year, I read Jackson’s debut novel, The Forgotten Child, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve been on the lookout since for the sequel. It turns out Jackson’s next book is the start of a separate series – this one a cozy mystery series with a paranormal element. So although that isn’t a genre I gravitate towards, I was curious about it and was able to get an ARC from Netgalley.
The biggest disappointment about Pawsitively Poisonous was the length. At a mere 201 pages, this is only a short novella. It was fun and easy to read in a day. But I really wanted more meat to the story. Both the plot and the character development could have used some fleshing out.
The story is about Amber Blackwood, a young woman who runs an odds and ends store called The Quirky Whisker. Amber is also secretly a witch – the good kind. But when her friend is murdered and Amber is a suspect, she decides to use every tool at her disposal – including her magic – to help solve the case.
The story is set in the fictional town of Edgehill which centers everything around its cat festival. Yes, really. The story is full of cat puns, so if the title made you groan then you might want to skip this one. All of the streets are named for breeds of cats. All of the businesses have cat pun names. It was an awful lot of cats. It was cute and quirky but also a bit overwhelming.
Another thing I want to mention was that for “good witch” meant to do no harm, Amber spent a ridiculous amount of time using her powers to manipulate people. She spent most of her time using potions and spells to get people to reveal information or do what she needed – obviously without their knowledge or consent. It was handled in an uncomfortable way. And Amber couldn’t even rely on the excuse of good intentions, because she admits in the story that her motivation is as much about clearing her own name as it is about finding justice for her friend.
The mystery itself was straightforward. I was surprised that there wasn’t much romance in the story, because that usually goes hand in hand with cozy paranormal mysteries. But it does set up potential romance for the sequel as well as leaving several other threads to be followed later on. The story also ends in an obvious set up for the next book. But although the story was cute and entertaining enough, I’m much more excited for the sequel to The Forgotten Child than the sequel to Pawsitively Poisonous.
RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 3 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 3 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 3 Stars
Level of Captivation: 4 Stars
Originality: 3 Stars
*A enjoyable cozy paranormal novella that could have used a bit more fleshing out*
ARC provided by Ringtail Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Last year, I read Jackson’s debut novel, The Forgotten Child, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve been on the lookout since for the sequel. It turns out Jackson’s next book is the start of a separate series – this one a cozy mystery series with a paranormal element. So although that isn’t a genre I gravitate towards, I was curious about it and was able to get an ARC from Netgalley.
The biggest disappointment about Pawsitively Poisonous was the length. At a mere 201 pages, this is only a short novella. It was fun and easy to read in a day. But I really wanted more meat to the story. Both the plot and the character development could have used some fleshing out.
The story is about Amber Blackwood, a young woman who runs an odds and ends store called The Quirky Whisker. Amber is also secretly a witch – the good kind. But when her friend is murdered and Amber is a suspect, she decides to use every tool at her disposal – including her magic – to help solve the case.
The story is set in the fictional town of Edgehill which centers everything around its cat festival. Yes, really. The story is full of cat puns, so if the title made you groan then you might want to skip this one. All of the streets are named for breeds of cats. All of the businesses have cat pun names. It was an awful lot of cats. It was cute and quirky but also a bit overwhelming.
Another thing I want to mention was that for “good witch” meant to do no harm, Amber spent a ridiculous amount of time using her powers to manipulate people. She spent most of her time using potions and spells to get people to reveal information or do what she needed – obviously without their knowledge or consent. It was handled in an uncomfortable way. And Amber couldn’t even rely on the excuse of good intentions, because she admits in the story that her motivation is as much about clearing her own name as it is about finding justice for her friend.
The mystery itself was straightforward. I was surprised that there wasn’t much romance in the story, because that usually goes hand in hand with cozy paranormal mysteries. But it does set up potential romance for the sequel as well as leaving several other threads to be followed later on. The story also ends in an obvious set up for the next book. But although the story was cute and entertaining enough, I’m much more excited for the sequel to The Forgotten Child than the sequel to Pawsitively Poisonous.
RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 3 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 3 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 3 Stars
Level of Captivation: 4 Stars
Originality: 3 Stars
May 28, 2019
This book was rather a deception for me. I love urban fantasy, I love cosy mysteries and I love cats, but I still wasn’t charmed by this story. On the bright side I read the book rather easily, the sign that many readers may like it more then I did.
The main characteristic of the book is its settings: an imaginary little town (well I suppose it’s imaginary) where all streets and shops have names made with cats’ puns. It supposed to be sweet and charming, I guess, but I’m rather ashamed to say that I find it irritating and a little bit silly. Furthermore I often had the impression of a murder story in a small town mixed with a chicklitt romance – without romance -, which hold a weird tonality (even is some parts sounded oddly like romance where it couldn’t/shoudn’t have).
The witch part was very good in the beginning, I loved the idea of bewitched toys, but I was frequently startled the compulsion of the heroin to drug everybody around her to manipulate their emotions and make them do, or say, thinks they wouldn’t have want to do or say, or even falling asleep without being able to wake for hours. Morally wrong and potentially dangerous. Of course the excuse is that she must do that to find her friend's murderer; and if she really had to do it alone, I’d admit her techniques more easily. But the problem is that I never could suspend by disbelief about her legitimacy to meddle in an investigation that hadn’t even began. And when it finally has begun, she makes very absurd decisions, information retention and speaking mindlessly to people around her! In the end, if the murder mystery was neatly solved, and satisfying, it wasn’t a difficult case at all, and the police would have found the murderer quickly and easily. The heroine intervention was completely superfluous logically speaking (yes, I know, without her there wouldn’t have been any story).
Still, the writing is pleasant and the main character interesting, so if you’re not as an hairsplitter than I am, if the premises of the book appeals to you, you may appreciate it much more than I did.
2,5 stars / 5
(I thank Netgalley and Ringtail Press for sending me the ARC in exchange for my honest review)
The main characteristic of the book is its settings: an imaginary little town (well I suppose it’s imaginary) where all streets and shops have names made with cats’ puns. It supposed to be sweet and charming, I guess, but I’m rather ashamed to say that I find it irritating and a little bit silly. Furthermore I often had the impression of a murder story in a small town mixed with a chicklitt romance – without romance -, which hold a weird tonality (even is some parts sounded oddly like romance where it couldn’t/shoudn’t have).
The witch part was very good in the beginning, I loved the idea of bewitched toys, but I was frequently startled the compulsion of the heroin to drug everybody around her to manipulate their emotions and make them do, or say, thinks they wouldn’t have want to do or say, or even falling asleep without being able to wake for hours. Morally wrong and potentially dangerous. Of course the excuse is that she must do that to find her friend's murderer; and if she really had to do it alone, I’d admit her techniques more easily. But the problem is that I never could suspend by disbelief about her legitimacy to meddle in an investigation that hadn’t even began. And when it finally has begun, she makes very absurd decisions, information retention and speaking mindlessly to people around her! In the end, if the murder mystery was neatly solved, and satisfying, it wasn’t a difficult case at all, and the police would have found the murderer quickly and easily. The heroine intervention was completely superfluous logically speaking (yes, I know, without her there wouldn’t have been any story).
Still, the writing is pleasant and the main character interesting, so if you’re not as an hairsplitter than I am, if the premises of the book appeals to you, you may appreciate it much more than I did.
2,5 stars / 5
(I thank Netgalley and Ringtail Press for sending me the ARC in exchange for my honest review)
December 29, 2021
~*Check out all my reviews over on The Bent Bookworm!*~
Pawsitively Poisonous is the first in a new series of cozy paranormal mysteries by Melissa Erin Jackson, and it’s a very quirky little trip through a town famous only for its obsession with cats! I was somewhat suspicious but intrigued by the premise, and the main character, Amber, sounded like a cool sort of person. 😉 Hehe. As of right now there are two books published in the series with a third coming out later this year.
Things I Liked
- As I thought I would, Amber! She makes toys for kids, has an insatiable curiosity, and weird things happen around her. At least she can blame magic, mine is usually just sheer clumsiness.
- What’s up with the sheriff’s intense dislike of Amber? I was super intrigued by it and it’s never entirely explained, so maybe in later books.
- Amber’s cats are cute and hilarious and the author MUST have cats because they totally DO carry on conversations with their owners. All without ever saying a word.
- I loved that Amber uses her magic to run a toyshop. It’s so cute, and sweet, and she seems to genuinely like kids.
Small Complaints
- It’s so stinking short! As a result it really felt rushed. Only just over 200 Kindle pages. Why? I mean sure, it’s a super quick read but…so much left unexplained. I’m hoping for more from the next book!
- Pretty predictable. The bad guys were unlikeable and “bad” from the very beginning. The “big secrets” were all your typical small town secrets, nothing truly earthshattering.
3/5 stars overall. I’ll be reading the next book as well, hopefully we get to go more in depth with Amber’s backstory!
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Pawsitively Poisonous is the first in a new series of cozy paranormal mysteries by Melissa Erin Jackson, and it’s a very quirky little trip through a town famous only for its obsession with cats! I was somewhat suspicious but intrigued by the premise, and the main character, Amber, sounded like a cool sort of person. 😉 Hehe. As of right now there are two books published in the series with a third coming out later this year.
Things I Liked
- As I thought I would, Amber! She makes toys for kids, has an insatiable curiosity, and weird things happen around her. At least she can blame magic, mine is usually just sheer clumsiness.
- What’s up with the sheriff’s intense dislike of Amber? I was super intrigued by it and it’s never entirely explained, so maybe in later books.
- Amber’s cats are cute and hilarious and the author MUST have cats because they totally DO carry on conversations with their owners. All without ever saying a word.
- I loved that Amber uses her magic to run a toyshop. It’s so cute, and sweet, and she seems to genuinely like kids.
Small Complaints
- It’s so stinking short! As a result it really felt rushed. Only just over 200 Kindle pages. Why? I mean sure, it’s a super quick read but…so much left unexplained. I’m hoping for more from the next book!
- Pretty predictable. The bad guys were unlikeable and “bad” from the very beginning. The “big secrets” were all your typical small town secrets, nothing truly earthshattering.
3/5 stars overall. I’ll be reading the next book as well, hopefully we get to go more in depth with Amber’s backstory!
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June 9, 2019
I really love paranormal mysteries and crime procedure stories so I was interested in this book. I must have overlooked the fact that it was a cozy paranormal mystery. I don’t usually read that genre but I was willing to give it a try. The story is about Amber, who is a witch. She owns a shop that sells magical toys and helpful medicinal tinctures and salves that are popular with the people in her town. One of her friends, Melanie, is feeling bad and asks Amber for a headache cure. Amber gives it to her and later finds out that not only was Melanie murdered but she died after taking Amber’s potion. The police chief already dislikes Amber so it’s an uphill battle for her to try and clear her name and discover who the real killer is. For someone who was supposedly Melanie’s best friend, Amber really doesn’t know much about her. Also, Amber keeps saying she’s a good witch and will do no harm but she is constantly using her magic to manipulate people into revealing their secrets against their will. This story was an easy read and was just okay. The mystery is uncomplicated and rather simple. I was able to guess who the killer was almost immediately. The characters were rather shallow and the dialog was choppy. The whole cat themed town seemed rather silly to me and the pettiness of the people who run the town’s cat festival was ludicrous. I didn’t care for this book or for the cozy genre. It wasn’t horrible but it wasn’t really for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 19, 2021
Amber's a witch. She owns a shop in the cat-obsessed town of Edgehill, creating unique toys infused with magic. When she learns that her best friend Melanie has been poisoned, she is determined to find the culprit, especially since she is a suspect. Recommended for readers looking for a fun paranormal mystery with likable characters in a well-plotted story.
April 26, 2021
4/5 ⭐
This was a good first book in the series. I really liked the plot and what Amber could do with her powers was p cool.
This was a good first book in the series. I really liked the plot and what Amber could do with her powers was p cool.
May 20, 2019
Amber Blackwood of Edgehill, Oregon has a secret the the police are getting close to uncovering. Their suspicions get worse when she is suspected in the murder of her best friend. Quirky characters are revealed by Jackson along with a crime mystery. "A copy of this book was provided by Ringtail Press via NetGalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion." LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT IN THIS CUTE WITCHY SERIES.
August 14, 2019
What a fun cozy mystery ! I cannot wait for the next in series. I was immediately attracted to the cover and I love paranormal series so I was thrilled to receive this book for review. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the ARC. My opinion is my own.
The setting is pure catnip for cat lovers ! The town is all things cats; cat named streets, cat business names and lots of cat lovers with cats throughout the book . I fell hard for this book right away as a cat lover it is endearing and so interesting to read about a cat loving town.
Pawsitivley Poisonous is a cozy cat mystery. it is also the charming story of a very interesting and new protagonist Amber Blackwell. I loved the description of her shop, The Quirky Whisker which has a certain reputation of magical happenings. What I love is that she is her own person, not dependent on others and very private. I loved that she is a practicing witch and proud of her craft. Her shop is successful and she loves her life in her hometown in Edgehill Oregon. The author has created a favorite new protagonist for me as I enjoyed her independence and likable nature.
The characters are all enjoyable and add depth to the story. When Amber's best friend is murdered she steps up to find out what happened to her. She is up against a police chief who does not like her and assumes she is guilty of the murder which makes her more determined. The mystery was well crafted and kept me guessing. All in all a charming fun new series! I look forward to the next in series.
The setting is pure catnip for cat lovers ! The town is all things cats; cat named streets, cat business names and lots of cat lovers with cats throughout the book . I fell hard for this book right away as a cat lover it is endearing and so interesting to read about a cat loving town.
Pawsitivley Poisonous is a cozy cat mystery. it is also the charming story of a very interesting and new protagonist Amber Blackwell. I loved the description of her shop, The Quirky Whisker which has a certain reputation of magical happenings. What I love is that she is her own person, not dependent on others and very private. I loved that she is a practicing witch and proud of her craft. Her shop is successful and she loves her life in her hometown in Edgehill Oregon. The author has created a favorite new protagonist for me as I enjoyed her independence and likable nature.
The characters are all enjoyable and add depth to the story. When Amber's best friend is murdered she steps up to find out what happened to her. She is up against a police chief who does not like her and assumes she is guilty of the murder which makes her more determined. The mystery was well crafted and kept me guessing. All in all a charming fun new series! I look forward to the next in series.
Read
August 8, 2021Cute cozy, nothing cringe which is the big issue with most books in this genre.
Free on iBooks¹ , wouldn't have read it otherwise... It was there, I was bored, I had an hour to spare... so I read it. 😁
¹ The Apple book app/site that is mostly useless except for free books. If you actually use your iOS device for most of your reading, WHY would you do that to yourself?!
Free on iBooks¹ , wouldn't have read it otherwise... It was there, I was bored, I had an hour to spare... so I read it. 😁
¹ The Apple book app/site that is mostly useless except for free books. If you actually use your iOS device for most of your reading, WHY would you do that to yourself?!
May 27, 2020
This paranormal cozy is well-written, has an excellent mystery and an intriguing universe. I enjoyed it very much. Amber Blackwood is a witch who runs a toy store in a town that loves everything cat. Amber's store is called The Quirky Whisker and she has two felines of her own. Her toys run on magic and are a continuous source of wonder. But her world is full of sorrow and anger when her friend dies under suspicious circumstances. The story takes off from here with interesting characters with lots of secrets. The story has lots of drama but also a sense of humor. I liked Amber. She seeks to solve the murder of her friend but she also grieves, remembers and consoles others. I appreciate emotion in characters and certainly found it here. I received a free copy of this book but the honest opinion in this review is my own. I have already picked up the next book in this series.
June 13, 2019
This book was pawsitively wonderful! Such a bitter sweet tail of love, loss, and a little bit of magic. Okay more than a little and Amber only uses it for good, she is a Blackwell after all. I a tell that her working relationship with the Sheriff is going to take some time to work itself out and I sincerely hope that we see more of Reporter Declan. Great character development all the way through and I adored all of the cat-chy names for both streets and establishments. Cannot wait for the next one to learn more about Amber, the mysterious fire that claimed her parents, and Quirky Whisker.
November 4, 2019
Well this was adorable. I especially enjoyed all of the sensory details and all the cats!
June 19, 2019
Amber Blackwood, long time resident of the feline obsessed town Edgehill, Oregon and proprietor of the toy and herb shop the Quirky Whisker, has a secret. Her toys enchant the town's children with their movements and her herbal remedies work better than anything you can find at the pharmacy, almost as if by magic. Edgehills' Chief of Police has always seemed suspicious of Amber so when Amber's best friend Melanie turns up dead and a headache tonic from the Quirky Whisker found at the crime scene, Amber is his prime suspect.
Pawsitively Poisonous is the first in Melissa Erin Jackson's Witch of Edgehill cozy mystery series. I wish I could visit Edgehill! Living with four cats and being a tad cat obsessed myself, it would be great fun to visit a town that is cat themed.
The murder mystery is fairly straight forward, though Amber has a lot of work to do to solve the crime. She's not the only one in town with some secrets! It's lucky she has magic to help her out and Amber finds herself taking risks of exposing herself as a witch as she works to solve her friend's murder. Amber is likable and I found her sympathetic with how she's become relatively isolated due to trying to keep her witchy powers a secret. I hope she's able to have more friends in the future. The few side characters we are introduced to are also well done for such a short book.
This was the purrrfect weekend read. Short, fun, with a good mystery and likeable characters. I am looking forward to future installments and solving more mysteries with Amber.
I won a copy of this book in a GoodReads giveaway.
Pawsitively Poisonous is the first in Melissa Erin Jackson's Witch of Edgehill cozy mystery series. I wish I could visit Edgehill! Living with four cats and being a tad cat obsessed myself, it would be great fun to visit a town that is cat themed.
The murder mystery is fairly straight forward, though Amber has a lot of work to do to solve the crime. She's not the only one in town with some secrets! It's lucky she has magic to help her out and Amber finds herself taking risks of exposing herself as a witch as she works to solve her friend's murder. Amber is likable and I found her sympathetic with how she's become relatively isolated due to trying to keep her witchy powers a secret. I hope she's able to have more friends in the future. The few side characters we are introduced to are also well done for such a short book.
This was the purrrfect weekend read. Short, fun, with a good mystery and likeable characters. I am looking forward to future installments and solving more mysteries with Amber.
I won a copy of this book in a GoodReads giveaway.
November 4, 2021
I didn't get to read any Halloweeny books this year, mostly because the little Gremlin J takes priority over reading, but I was able to read one. I really love witchy cozy mysteries! and I am so glad I got to read this one. It has everything I wanted, a witch who actually uses magic and makes potions, a murder mystery, and small town vibes. Amber was great, not overpowered and too confident in her powers where she over uses them, but not some shy kitty cat who has trouble sticking up for herself (some authors try to play this off as being polite but come on).
Of course, it was pretty obvious from the get go who the murderer was, even if they try to misdirect you from it. Although, the way it went about was something I did not guess which caught me a little off guard but that just made me like the book even more. It also left off on a little cliffhanger which does make me excited to read the next book, which I will be doing.
One thing I did notice was that there was a bit of an absence of romance. It looks like they are trying to set something up for Amber, a little sprinkling of romance but nothing that would get in the way. I do like romances in cozy mysteries but of course the mystery should come first, so I like that they set it up but didn't make it take center stage. I guess I should get ready for a slow burn if there is to be one (if there isn't that's completely fine with me!)
Overall, a fun book that I very much enjoyed and a series I will definitely continue.
Of course, it was pretty obvious from the get go who the murderer was, even if they try to misdirect you from it. Although, the way it went about was something I did not guess which caught me a little off guard but that just made me like the book even more. It also left off on a little cliffhanger which does make me excited to read the next book, which I will be doing.
One thing I did notice was that there was a bit of an absence of romance. It looks like they are trying to set something up for Amber, a little sprinkling of romance but nothing that would get in the way. I do like romances in cozy mysteries but of course the mystery should come first, so I like that they set it up but didn't make it take center stage. I guess I should get ready for a slow burn if there is to be one (if there isn't that's completely fine with me!)
Overall, a fun book that I very much enjoyed and a series I will definitely continue.
June 4, 2019
Thank you @netgalley for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Pawsitively Poisonous is book 1 in the Witch of Edgehill series. It’s set to release 6.10.19!
This paranormal cozy mystery was a quick, entertaining read and a great start to a new series. Amber Blackwood is the proprietor of The Quirky Whisker. A store that specializes in healing tonics and toys that have a life of their own - with the help of a little magic. Amber is a witch who utilizes her powers to bring a touch of whimsy to her quaint Oregon town. Her ability has always been a secret, but when a friend dies with a vial of tonic in her hand, Amber must use her magic in a totally new way to carefully track down a murderer and not draw too much unwanted attention towards herself.
I love the cat obsessed town of Edgehill! I want to grab a scone / coffee from the brothers who own a bakery and check out all the fantastic shops. Amber’s store is such a fun setting and her toys are so imaginative. The mystery was really well done. There were a few suspicious suspects that through me for a loop until the very end! Especially once all of the secrets started to get revealed.
I loved watching Amber refer to her grimoire and use a few spells to help gather clues and insight into what happened. The fact that the police chief thinks she’s physic was perfect. A lot of their interactions were rather entertaining as you watched him trying to figure everything out. I look forward to seeing how they interact in future books after that ending!!
This is definitely a series to add to your list and keep your eye on. The characters and setting have great potential for many scenarios. I’ll be anxiously awaiting to hear about a sequel!!
This paranormal cozy mystery was a quick, entertaining read and a great start to a new series. Amber Blackwood is the proprietor of The Quirky Whisker. A store that specializes in healing tonics and toys that have a life of their own - with the help of a little magic. Amber is a witch who utilizes her powers to bring a touch of whimsy to her quaint Oregon town. Her ability has always been a secret, but when a friend dies with a vial of tonic in her hand, Amber must use her magic in a totally new way to carefully track down a murderer and not draw too much unwanted attention towards herself.
I love the cat obsessed town of Edgehill! I want to grab a scone / coffee from the brothers who own a bakery and check out all the fantastic shops. Amber’s store is such a fun setting and her toys are so imaginative. The mystery was really well done. There were a few suspicious suspects that through me for a loop until the very end! Especially once all of the secrets started to get revealed.
I loved watching Amber refer to her grimoire and use a few spells to help gather clues and insight into what happened. The fact that the police chief thinks she’s physic was perfect. A lot of their interactions were rather entertaining as you watched him trying to figure everything out. I look forward to seeing how they interact in future books after that ending!!
This is definitely a series to add to your list and keep your eye on. The characters and setting have great potential for many scenarios. I’ll be anxiously awaiting to hear about a sequel!!
June 19, 2019
Amber Blackwood’s best friend in town, Melanie, is dead and the Police Chief, who is already suspicious of her, is looking in her direction. What’s a witch to do? Well, Amber decides she’s going to find out why her friend is dead and maybe who done it! Like all small towns newcomers are held at arms length but somehow Melanie had become very popular with almost everyone in town, almost.
Edgehill’s streets are named after breeds of cats and cats seem to know they are welcome here. The stores play on the cat theme to attract tourists and because it’s just plain fun and this was a fun read with a murder mystery and a cast of quirky characters.
This is a cozy mystery with a delightful twist of a whisker and a nice move away from other new cozies that seem to be too similar. The author has created something a little different and I appreciate it.
This is the first in a series and I hope to read more about Amber and Edgehill and her magical shop with herbal remedies, fantastic toys and the most wondrous hot chocolate.
This book was won in a First Reads giveaway.
Edgehill’s streets are named after breeds of cats and cats seem to know they are welcome here. The stores play on the cat theme to attract tourists and because it’s just plain fun and this was a fun read with a murder mystery and a cast of quirky characters.
This is a cozy mystery with a delightful twist of a whisker and a nice move away from other new cozies that seem to be too similar. The author has created something a little different and I appreciate it.
This is the first in a series and I hope to read more about Amber and Edgehill and her magical shop with herbal remedies, fantastic toys and the most wondrous hot chocolate.
This book was won in a First Reads giveaway.
May 20, 2019
I received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
I’ve loved cozy mysteries for a while, especially paranormal ones. This has the best parts of both. There’s the spell work and witchcraft, and fear of discovery, but the selfless need to find answers as well. The plot moved along well, and had a good pace, and there weren’t too many red herrings. But, I wish there were more characters “in the know” on the magic secret, so that it wasn’t so much of a one woman pursuit. The world this was built in was fun, and I think I’d like to see it expand over a few stories. I liked that there wasn’t necessarily a love interest, but there was still emotional conflict for the main character.
I’ve loved cozy mysteries for a while, especially paranormal ones. This has the best parts of both. There’s the spell work and witchcraft, and fear of discovery, but the selfless need to find answers as well. The plot moved along well, and had a good pace, and there weren’t too many red herrings. But, I wish there were more characters “in the know” on the magic secret, so that it wasn’t so much of a one woman pursuit. The world this was built in was fun, and I think I’d like to see it expand over a few stories. I liked that there wasn’t necessarily a love interest, but there was still emotional conflict for the main character.
April 5, 2021
A cozy mystery that was easy to read, follow and understand. It was entertaining as well, and I know I will read the rest in the series, but there was nothing groundbreaking or new here. The book felt very much like Aurora Teagarden meets Sookie Stackhouse. A little bit of mystery, a little bit of scandal, and a lot of quirky characters. That's not a complaint. I really relish books like these as palate cleansers between heavier novels.
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