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Full Moon Mystery #1
Witch Hunt
Murder isn’t always crystal-clear . . . especially when the prime suspect discovers she’s a witch. Violet Mooney owns The Full Moon crystal shop in quaint North Harbor, Connecticut. Still grieving her beloved grandmother’s recent unexpected death, she takes comfort in her fat orange cat Monty and her work. Not everyone in town is thrilled with her business, however. When disagreeable town councilwoman Carla Fernandez picks a fight over Violet’s "voodoo shop," the two have a very public confrontation. Of course, when Carla turns up dead, Violet gets little sympathy from the police as suspect #1. But the shock of two policemen showing up at her door pales in comparison to the sudden appearance of her estranged mother Fiona and a surprise sister, Zoe. What Fiona reveals will rock her world and her sense of self—and reawaken her long-dormant mysterious power. Good thing. She’s gonna need it . . . Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2020
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2010 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews
June 18, 2020
WITCH HUNT by Cate Conte is the first book by this author that I have read. This witch cozy mystery novel is set in a small town in Connecticut. Violet Mooney owner The Full Moon crystal shop in downtown North Harbor. She is still grieving her grandmother’s death, but enjoys her cat Monty and her work. However, not everyone likes having her shop in town and when a town councilwoman harangues her publicly and then ends up dead later that day, Violet’s life is turned upside down.
Violet is someone you can root for, but I did not really connect with her. She seemed befuddled through most of the story line. However, she did have a distinct voice with flaws and virtues. Her goals were clear and her motivations seemed believable. She seemed to be somewhat naïve for her age. The story line was interesting and had plenty of red herrings. The ending was a surprise to me. Themes include murder, grief, family dramas, environmentalism, trust, secrets and much more.
Overall, this book was enjoyable and entertaining despite containing (for me) too much information on crystals. If you enjoy witch cozy mysteries set in small towns, then this may be the book for you.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Cate Conte for a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Violet is someone you can root for, but I did not really connect with her. She seemed befuddled through most of the story line. However, she did have a distinct voice with flaws and virtues. Her goals were clear and her motivations seemed believable. She seemed to be somewhat naïve for her age. The story line was interesting and had plenty of red herrings. The ending was a surprise to me. Themes include murder, grief, family dramas, environmentalism, trust, secrets and much more.
Overall, this book was enjoyable and entertaining despite containing (for me) too much information on crystals. If you enjoy witch cozy mysteries set in small towns, then this may be the book for you.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Cate Conte for a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
September 3, 2020
This is a paranormal cozy mystery. This is about Violet Mooney finds out she is a witch and her learning to be a witch. There is a murder that is being solve as well, but I really feel then solving the murder was second to her finding out she is a witch. I really wanted more of the murder solving. I did find this book good, and I will read more in this series if there is more. This book really just read like an introduce book for the first book in a series, and I hope it is. I did like the witch parts of the book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Kensington Publishing Corporation) or author (Cate Conte) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review , and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that. (*)
May 20, 2024
This is a paranormal cozy mystery, and this is the first book in A Full Moon Mystery series. This is about Violet Mooney finds out she is a witch and her learning to be a witch. There is a murder that is being solve as well, but I really feel then solving the murder was second to her finding out she is a witch. I really wanted more of the murder solving. I did find this book good, and I will read more in this series if there is more. This book really just read like an introduce book for the first book in a series, and I hope it is. I did like the witch parts of the book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Kensington Publishing Corporation) or author (Cate Conte) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review , and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
January 13, 2022
Witch Hunt by Cate Conte is the first book in the paranormal cozy A Full Moon Mystery series. As with most cozy mystery series each book in the A Full Moon Mystery series has it’s own mystery that will be solved within so they can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. There will be of course character development that carries over from book to book for those that follow the full series from the beginning.
Violet Mooney is still grieving from the loss of her grandmother after losing her unexpectedly taking comfort in her in her orange tabby, Monty, and running her shop. Violet owns The Full Moon crystal shop located in her small town of North Harbor, Connecticut which she loves. Not everyone is a fan of the Violet’s shop though with councilwoman Carla Fernandez letting it be known she isn’t. When the councilwoman’s body is found after a very public confrontation between Carla and Violet though Violet ends up the number one suspect in the murder.
Witch Hunt is not the first cozy mystery that I have read from Cate Conte having also begun her Cat Cafe Mystery series. When reading the first series I thought that the books fell into the it’s ‘alright’ category but wasn’t overly invested in them but seeing this new one with a paranormal twist my curiosity won out being one that loves crossed genre reads. Unfortunately I can only say yet again that this was an OK read as I didn’t find myself really connected to the characters or mystery with nothing that made it stand out from the rest.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Violet Mooney is still grieving from the loss of her grandmother after losing her unexpectedly taking comfort in her in her orange tabby, Monty, and running her shop. Violet owns The Full Moon crystal shop located in her small town of North Harbor, Connecticut which she loves. Not everyone is a fan of the Violet’s shop though with councilwoman Carla Fernandez letting it be known she isn’t. When the councilwoman’s body is found after a very public confrontation between Carla and Violet though Violet ends up the number one suspect in the murder.
Witch Hunt is not the first cozy mystery that I have read from Cate Conte having also begun her Cat Cafe Mystery series. When reading the first series I thought that the books fell into the it’s ‘alright’ category but wasn’t overly invested in them but seeing this new one with a paranormal twist my curiosity won out being one that loves crossed genre reads. Unfortunately I can only say yet again that this was an OK read as I didn’t find myself really connected to the characters or mystery with nothing that made it stand out from the rest.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
April 1, 2020
A fascinating new para-witch cozy series! Crystal shop owner, Violet Mooney, lives with her orange cat, Monty, in North Harbor, Connecticut where she operates the Full Moon Crystal Shop.
I loved the way this mystery felt like a magic carpet ride as I was swept away into Violet’s worlds—both Earthly and the Magickal realm which she is totally surprised to discover she belongs in, too! Short, fast-reading chapters fly by as different characters are introduced and the tension in the mystery builds toward the ending. There are multiple surprise reveals that kept me interested, and Crystal’s mother and sister provide some chuckles. I know a bit about natural gemstones, myself, and the author is spot on in her crystal readings for customers. I happily rate this novel, Witch Hunt, 5 Stars!
I honestly reviewed a galley arc provided by the author in a contest I won. Thank you.
I loved the way this mystery felt like a magic carpet ride as I was swept away into Violet’s worlds—both Earthly and the Magickal realm which she is totally surprised to discover she belongs in, too! Short, fast-reading chapters fly by as different characters are introduced and the tension in the mystery builds toward the ending. There are multiple surprise reveals that kept me interested, and Crystal’s mother and sister provide some chuckles. I know a bit about natural gemstones, myself, and the author is spot on in her crystal readings for customers. I happily rate this novel, Witch Hunt, 5 Stars!
I honestly reviewed a galley arc provided by the author in a contest I won. Thank you.
May 21, 2020
This was a great start to a new series. It was quick paced and kept things moving along without getting bogged down in minor details. I also appreciated the way the killer was revealed in an unusual way for cozy mysteries.
I was given an eARC by the publisher through NetGalley books.
I was given an eARC by the publisher through NetGalley books.
May 17, 2020
3.5⭐
I'm more of a dark-twisted-psychological thriller reader, but sometimes I like to read a cosy mystery, especially these days.
I enjoyed the story. I liked most of the characters. It has what makes a cosy mystery story, you know, a peaceful town, nice neighbours (with a few exceptions), a lovely café with delicious sweets and the best coffee.
A not so very dear citizen is murdered in town, and Violet Mooney is asked to make a statement to the police, because she was the last person seen with Carla (the victim) and they had a heated discussion according to some witnesses. Moreover, Violet has to deal with some other problems as well as peculiar and unexpected situations. Things are about to change for her, and meanwhile, she will have to prove her innocence.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I'm more of a dark-twisted-psychological thriller reader, but sometimes I like to read a cosy mystery, especially these days.
I enjoyed the story. I liked most of the characters. It has what makes a cosy mystery story, you know, a peaceful town, nice neighbours (with a few exceptions), a lovely café with delicious sweets and the best coffee.
A not so very dear citizen is murdered in town, and Violet Mooney is asked to make a statement to the police, because she was the last person seen with Carla (the victim) and they had a heated discussion according to some witnesses. Moreover, Violet has to deal with some other problems as well as peculiar and unexpected situations. Things are about to change for her, and meanwhile, she will have to prove her innocence.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2023
I read this in a day. It was actually charming and adorable. I gather there is more in the series, but I think I can just be one and done here. No literary awards here. Just a little fun October Witchy pleasure.
April 12, 2020
With the Coronavirus pandemic underway, I was in the mood for something fun. Fun is what I got when I picked up, Witch Hunt, by Cate Conte. It describes itself as a first in a spellbinding new series. That really about sums up this book. It’s a spellbinding series because Violet is a witch – a good witch who just happens to be excellent at solving crimes (See! I told you it was fun!). It is also spellbinding because the writing, the characters, the scene and the who-dunnit are fun. You just don’t want to put the book down. It just flows too well! If you love a mystery in a mystery, fun and quirky characters and a touch of paranormal in your cozies, I recommend you pick up a copy of this book.
April 28, 2020
Witch Hunt by Cate Conte is the first in a new witch cozy mystery series and was both an engaging read and an informative read for anyone who wants to learn more about crystals and minerals.
The smoothly paced plot, an unknown magical background for Violet, twists and turns and plenty of suspects who disliked the victim kept me turning the pages. Violet's mother and sister provided some quirky and lighthearted moments as they tried to adjust to Violet's human world. All in all, I found this to be a fun and appealing cozy mystery.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
The smoothly paced plot, an unknown magical background for Violet, twists and turns and plenty of suspects who disliked the victim kept me turning the pages. Violet's mother and sister provided some quirky and lighthearted moments as they tried to adjust to Violet's human world. All in all, I found this to be a fun and appealing cozy mystery.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
July 13, 2020
Crystal shop owner Violet is having a strange day. Confronted by a city councillor convinced she’s planning to host a seance (she isn’t), she’s shocked when Carla winds up dead… and Violet is questioned about it due to the confrontation. But that’s not nearly as much a shock as her mother Fiona turning up, an unknown half-sister in tow… and performing impossible magic right in front of Violet’s eyes. Not only that, but Violet is apparently heir to not one, but two of the oldest and most powerful magickal families, a seat on the Council on the line, and just possibly, someone willing to kill for it.
There are two parallel but quite different storylines here, as Violet tries to figure out who killed Carla (since she knows for sure it’s not her) and deal with mundane world issues, at the same time as Fiona basically turns up and tells Violet to stop worrying about all that human nonsense, she has witch business to take care of. Now, I expected at some point the two storylines would come together and tie off neatly, but here’s the thing; they really don’t. In fact, both storylines are left unresolved, with a heap of threads not tied off - what’s the deal with the black cat, for example? What about the reporter who got magically mugged? Violet was so concerned and then just… forgot about her, and she’s never mentioned again. And then the last chapter comes out of nowhere; there’s just a One Week Later and suddenly all this Stuff is happening with no build up, no discussions. It’s like the author suddenly realised they had only a thousand words left to tie up the story and thought they’d better just hastily chuck in an epilogue.
I did like some parts of the story - the author clearly knows what they’re talking about in regards to modern-day witchcraft, tarot, crystals, yoga and related topics, and that knowledge shines through in those parts of the story. However, I think the author’s trying to tell too much story for the length of the book, and the failure to really mesh the two different sides of the plot together brought that into sharp focus. I liked the concept, but it’s not well executed. Two stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
There are two parallel but quite different storylines here, as Violet tries to figure out who killed Carla (since she knows for sure it’s not her) and deal with mundane world issues, at the same time as Fiona basically turns up and tells Violet to stop worrying about all that human nonsense, she has witch business to take care of. Now, I expected at some point the two storylines would come together and tie off neatly, but here’s the thing; they really don’t. In fact, both storylines are left unresolved, with a heap of threads not tied off - what’s the deal with the black cat, for example? What about the reporter who got magically mugged? Violet was so concerned and then just… forgot about her, and she’s never mentioned again. And then the last chapter comes out of nowhere; there’s just a One Week Later and suddenly all this Stuff is happening with no build up, no discussions. It’s like the author suddenly realised they had only a thousand words left to tie up the story and thought they’d better just hastily chuck in an epilogue.
I did like some parts of the story - the author clearly knows what they’re talking about in regards to modern-day witchcraft, tarot, crystals, yoga and related topics, and that knowledge shines through in those parts of the story. However, I think the author’s trying to tell too much story for the length of the book, and the failure to really mesh the two different sides of the plot together brought that into sharp focus. I liked the concept, but it’s not well executed. Two stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
July 1, 2020
Witch Hunt by Cate Conte has Violet Mooney living in North Harbor, Connecticut with her cat and she owns The Full Moon, a crystal shop. She is picking up coffee with her best friend, Sydney when Councilwoman Carla Fernandez comes up and starts berating her about a supposed séance. After a very strange day, Violet goes home and takes a long nap. She is awakened by two policemen pounding on her door. Carla was found dead outside the yoga studio that Violet attends with Violet’s new scarf on the body. Violet is taken to the police station to give her statement and she is shocked when her estranged mother, Fiona appears with her other daughter, Zoe. Fiona reveals surprising information to Violet that she has hard time accepting as truth. Violet avoids her mother while searching for Carla’s killer. She does wonder if the powers her mother hinted that she has are real because they might come in handy. Witch Hunt is the debut of A Full Moon Mystery series. Violet Mooney is grieving the loss of her grandmother, Abigail who died a month prior. Violet is grateful for her friends in North Harbor now that she is without her grandmother and father. She owns a crystal shop called The Full Moon where she provides consultations. I have mixed feelings about Violet. She seems awfully naïve for a 32 year old woman and her attitude left a lot to be desired at times. I hope we see growth in Violet’s character as the series progresses plus, she needs a new boyfriend. As Fiona said Todd is subpar. The mystery of who killed Carla had several suspects and a red herring. Violet asks questions and does some snooping along with eavesdropping. She likes to think about the case and speculate. I did feel that the case information was repetitious. I was able to pinpoint the killer soon after the crime, but I did not know why until much later. I thought Witch Hunt was nicely written with steady pacing. The magical element was interesting, and I enjoyed how Fiona left glitter everywhere. I would like to see the magical element ramped up in the future (more witches using their power and learn more about the witchy world). There is a lot happening in this debut novel with a murder, Violet’s boyfriend acting sketchy, Sydney acting oddly, appearance of Violet’s mom and sister, learning about new magical powers, a mysterious black cat, and a critical reporter. Witch Hunt is a spellbinding new cozy mystery with a mystifying moggy, curative crystals, glorious glitter, a callous councilwoman, a bothersome boyfriend, a fetching friend, and mysterious magic.
May 31, 2020
My favorite cozy mystery is a paranormal one. And my favorite type of paranormal cozy is when a witch is just coming into her powers. I have read many of these so maybe because of that I’m being a bit harder on Witch Hunt by Cate Conte than others who have read it. But since I’ve read so many good paranormal series (Witchcraft Mysteries by Juliet Blackwell, Bewitching Mysteries by Madelyn Alt, and Wishcraft Mysteries by Heather Blake to name a few) Witch Hunt just didn’t leave me satisfied.
Cozies are notorious for the main character to reiterate information over and over while they try to work out what’s happening and which one of the people in their town is the killer. The good cozies also incorporate character growth and in depth details about the town or other historical facts while doing so. This is what makes the cozy series so enjoyable, learning new things about history or hobbies and finding characters that you could see yourself becoming friends with and wanting to invest your time reading future books with them in it. For me, Witch Hunt didn’t do this. Violet kept repeating the same information over and over but we didn’t get much history or growth of characters. Now it is the first book in a series so that could be overlooked, but Cate Conte aka Liz Mugavero has two other cozy mystery series out (Cat Cafe Mysteries and Pawsitively Organic Mysteries), so she knows how to write a cozy.
As for the magical aspect I was really enjoying the way the witches could move themselves and other objects through space and time… some while leaving a glitter trail! In a lot of witch cozies their powers are not as advanced. They might have premonitions or make magical potions, but to be able to teleport, that’s a very big power.
But I wanted more of the magic and magical townspeople. Conte does give us information on various crystals and a bit of history about witches, which was wonderful, but I wanted more. When Violet meets other magical townsfolk, it’s just to move the story along and we really don’t learn much about them. And there is division in the ranks of the witch world with someone trying to keep Violet from claiming her heritage, but while it’s talked about at the beginning nothing comes of it, and at the end of the book all is good.
I may give book two in the series a read, but I won’t rush out to get it and it would probably sit on my TBR pile for awhile.
Cozies are notorious for the main character to reiterate information over and over while they try to work out what’s happening and which one of the people in their town is the killer. The good cozies also incorporate character growth and in depth details about the town or other historical facts while doing so. This is what makes the cozy series so enjoyable, learning new things about history or hobbies and finding characters that you could see yourself becoming friends with and wanting to invest your time reading future books with them in it. For me, Witch Hunt didn’t do this. Violet kept repeating the same information over and over but we didn’t get much history or growth of characters. Now it is the first book in a series so that could be overlooked, but Cate Conte aka Liz Mugavero has two other cozy mystery series out (Cat Cafe Mysteries and Pawsitively Organic Mysteries), so she knows how to write a cozy.
As for the magical aspect I was really enjoying the way the witches could move themselves and other objects through space and time… some while leaving a glitter trail! In a lot of witch cozies their powers are not as advanced. They might have premonitions or make magical potions, but to be able to teleport, that’s a very big power.
But I wanted more of the magic and magical townspeople. Conte does give us information on various crystals and a bit of history about witches, which was wonderful, but I wanted more. When Violet meets other magical townsfolk, it’s just to move the story along and we really don’t learn much about them. And there is division in the ranks of the witch world with someone trying to keep Violet from claiming her heritage, but while it’s talked about at the beginning nothing comes of it, and at the end of the book all is good.
I may give book two in the series a read, but I won’t rush out to get it and it would probably sit on my TBR pile for awhile.
May 28, 2020
I am a fan of Cate Conte's Cat Cafe series so when I heard she was writing a new series that was a paranormal cozy mystery series I was interested. This is a wonderful start to a new series. It is well written and keeps the reader engaged with delightful characters, a quick pace, a strong plot, and the element of magic. Violet Mooney is in for a surprise when she starts her day. Little does she know that not only is she going to become a suspect in the murder of a disliked town council member, but everything she thought she knew about herself was going to be turned upside down. I really enjoyed Violet and I am looking forward to getting to know her, her mother Fiona, and her sister Zoe better in future books. If you are a fan of paranormal cozies, I would recommend you give this book a try. The author does a nice job of blending the human and magical worlds.
The mystery was well done. As I said, the victim was a member of the town council who seemed to have a problem with more people than not. The author provides many viable suspects as she peels back the layers causing Violet to rethink those she has known and with whom she is close. While the identity of the killer is not a surprise - she is certainly someone Violet has on her suspect list - I was a bit surprised by the motive.
This is a terrific start to a new paranormal cozy mystery that has great potential to keep readers coming back for more. There is a lot Violet has to learn about her newfound powers and the family she is just getting to know. That should make for many more adventures to come.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
The mystery was well done. As I said, the victim was a member of the town council who seemed to have a problem with more people than not. The author provides many viable suspects as she peels back the layers causing Violet to rethink those she has known and with whom she is close. While the identity of the killer is not a surprise - she is certainly someone Violet has on her suspect list - I was a bit surprised by the motive.
This is a terrific start to a new paranormal cozy mystery that has great potential to keep readers coming back for more. There is a lot Violet has to learn about her newfound powers and the family she is just getting to know. That should make for many more adventures to come.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
May 11, 2020
This was a good book. Violet Mooney is the owner of Full Moon, a crystal shop. Violet is unaware that she is part witch until a murder happens and she becomes a suspect. Her mother and younger sister come to town and Violet is shocked to say the least. She has never met her sister and hasn't seen her mother since she was five due to them living in separate realms. I liked the premise of this book. I enjoyed learning about the different crystals in Violet's shop. Violet's family provided a nice bit of humor. Though it took me awhile to understand the connections between some of the characters, it was still an engaging read. I enjoyed it enough that I would read more. I would like to see Violet learn more about her powers. I received this book from net galley in exchange for review.
June 8, 2020
Such a fun light hearted mystery. A beautiful setting, quirky characters, and a magical mystery all rolled into a web of words that keeps the reader engaged until the very last page. Can to wait to see what else the author has in store for these characters.
September 25, 2023
I wanted to like this book. I usually enjoy cozy mysteries, especially when spiced with magic. I just really struggled with this book until chapter 39 (out of 55). It almost joined my (very short) DNF list.
Honestly, if I had stopped before chapter 39 I would have missed out on the best chapter, and portion, of the book. I am happy I persevered through the first 38 chapters. I really enjoyed chapters 39 through 54, some nice character building and revealing, some nice twists and magic, but then the book didn't finish strong. Chapter 55 felt like it was way out of the picture painted of the main character, it happened just too soon and too abruptly.
Honestly, if I had stopped before chapter 39 I would have missed out on the best chapter, and portion, of the book. I am happy I persevered through the first 38 chapters. I really enjoyed chapters 39 through 54, some nice character building and revealing, some nice twists and magic, but then the book didn't finish strong. Chapter 55 felt like it was way out of the picture painted of the main character, it happened just too soon and too abruptly.
June 28, 2020
4.5 Stars
What a fun start to a new series. I love a mystery with paranormal elements. Violet Mooney owns a crystal shop and her world has been a little shaky lately. She's lost her grandmother, her love life is shaky and then a nasty town councilwoman is found murdered with something she owned. Then she is hit again with the discovery of her long lost mother and a surprise sister. There are plenty of suspects in town. The surface has just been scratched as Vi deals with the magical side of her heritage and I can't wait to find out more!
I received a review copy of this story thru NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
What a fun start to a new series. I love a mystery with paranormal elements. Violet Mooney owns a crystal shop and her world has been a little shaky lately. She's lost her grandmother, her love life is shaky and then a nasty town councilwoman is found murdered with something she owned. Then she is hit again with the discovery of her long lost mother and a surprise sister. There are plenty of suspects in town. The surface has just been scratched as Vi deals with the magical side of her heritage and I can't wait to find out more!
I received a review copy of this story thru NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 30, 2020
Witch Hunt is the first book in the new "Full Moon Mysteries" series by Cate Conte, published by Kensington Books. This is an engaging and lively read from start to finish.
Violet didn't know that magic was real, or that she was a witch. She spent her entire life thinking it was all make-believe. It isn't until her grandmother dies that her mother and a sister she never knew show up to shed light on the family secret. It becomes troublesome for Violet when she realizes that nothing she believed is the whole story and that her family, especially her father, have secrets she never even guessed could exist.
Violet is an interesting character; she could be a poster child for naiveté if it weren't for the fact that she is not a child. In many ways, she is immature, too trusting of her ideas of the past and the world around her. As a witch, she is hard to believe. I would have liked her grandmother to have played a more significant role in this story instead of starting with her being already dead. I think it would have made for a better understanding of all the characters. Fiona is not a character I can empathize with; she does not appear to be a mother who cared about her child. She left her to the care of her father and grandmother without ever seeing her or explaining why she wasn't around, then to top it off, she doesn't even introduce Violet to her sister. For these reasons, most readers will have a difficult time liking the character or feeling any sympathy towards her.
I enjoyed the location for this book; it is described well and gives readers a sense of what it would be like to grow up or to live there as an adult. Having magical residents, witches, and others, play a more significant part throughout the story would have made the book more interesting. Hopefully, their role will be expanded in the next installment. The murder was not unexpected from the moment the victim enters the story. The suspects are easy to pick out and understandable without too many twists and turns to confuse readers. In the end, the motive is a bit of a surprise, but perhaps the killer is not.
Witch Hunt is the debut book in this series, and overall it was entertaining, but as with any new series, it will grow and expand. I feel that many readers will enjoy the read and that there is an excellent opportunity in future volumes to bolster the main characters' quarks and personalities and mold the supporting cast into people who will be fun and entertaining in the next book.
Violet didn't know that magic was real, or that she was a witch. She spent her entire life thinking it was all make-believe. It isn't until her grandmother dies that her mother and a sister she never knew show up to shed light on the family secret. It becomes troublesome for Violet when she realizes that nothing she believed is the whole story and that her family, especially her father, have secrets she never even guessed could exist.
Violet is an interesting character; she could be a poster child for naiveté if it weren't for the fact that she is not a child. In many ways, she is immature, too trusting of her ideas of the past and the world around her. As a witch, she is hard to believe. I would have liked her grandmother to have played a more significant role in this story instead of starting with her being already dead. I think it would have made for a better understanding of all the characters. Fiona is not a character I can empathize with; she does not appear to be a mother who cared about her child. She left her to the care of her father and grandmother without ever seeing her or explaining why she wasn't around, then to top it off, she doesn't even introduce Violet to her sister. For these reasons, most readers will have a difficult time liking the character or feeling any sympathy towards her.
I enjoyed the location for this book; it is described well and gives readers a sense of what it would be like to grow up or to live there as an adult. Having magical residents, witches, and others, play a more significant part throughout the story would have made the book more interesting. Hopefully, their role will be expanded in the next installment. The murder was not unexpected from the moment the victim enters the story. The suspects are easy to pick out and understandable without too many twists and turns to confuse readers. In the end, the motive is a bit of a surprise, but perhaps the killer is not.
Witch Hunt is the debut book in this series, and overall it was entertaining, but as with any new series, it will grow and expand. I feel that many readers will enjoy the read and that there is an excellent opportunity in future volumes to bolster the main characters' quarks and personalities and mold the supporting cast into people who will be fun and entertaining in the next book.
July 5, 2020
Witch Hunt
Cate Conte
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Murder isn't always crystal-clear . . . especially when the prime suspect discovers she's a witch.
Violet Mooney owns The Full Moon crystal shop in quaint North Harbor, Connecticut. Still grieving her beloved grandmother's recent unexpected death, she takes comfort in her fat orange cat Monty and her work. Not everyone in town is thrilled with her business, however. When disagreeable town councilwoman Carla Fernandez picks a fight over Violet's "voodoo shop," the two have a very public confrontation. Of course, when Carla turns up dead, Violet gets little sympathy from the police as suspect #1.
But the shock of two policemen showing up at her door pales in comparison to the sudden appearance of her estranged mother Fiona and a surprise sister, Zoe. What Fiona reveals will rock her world and her sense of self--and reawaken her long-dormant mysterious power. Good thing. She's gonna need it . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Violet owns The Full Moon crystal shop and she really enjoys what she does. But when a member of council accuses her of having a seance in the street and a loud altercation ensues, she is upset. She becomes even more upset when that council member is found dead, and she is the prime suspect. Add to that the fact that her friend is lying to her, her boyfriend is not very attentive and having her mother and sister show up in her life, and she is about ready to lose her mind. She has not seen her mother in years, and she did not even know she had a sister. She cannot catch a break and nothing is as it should be. The things her mother tells her are mind-blowing and she does not know how to process it.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. There was so much going on in Violet’s life and I found myself reading eagerly to see what would happen next. The mystery was well plotted and fast paced. There were enough suspects to consider and suspects to consider.I really enjoyed trying to figure this one out.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted magical cozy. If you like great characters, a magical setting anda intriguing mystery, give this book a try.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Cate Conte
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Murder isn't always crystal-clear . . . especially when the prime suspect discovers she's a witch.
Violet Mooney owns The Full Moon crystal shop in quaint North Harbor, Connecticut. Still grieving her beloved grandmother's recent unexpected death, she takes comfort in her fat orange cat Monty and her work. Not everyone in town is thrilled with her business, however. When disagreeable town councilwoman Carla Fernandez picks a fight over Violet's "voodoo shop," the two have a very public confrontation. Of course, when Carla turns up dead, Violet gets little sympathy from the police as suspect #1.
But the shock of two policemen showing up at her door pales in comparison to the sudden appearance of her estranged mother Fiona and a surprise sister, Zoe. What Fiona reveals will rock her world and her sense of self--and reawaken her long-dormant mysterious power. Good thing. She's gonna need it . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Violet owns The Full Moon crystal shop and she really enjoys what she does. But when a member of council accuses her of having a seance in the street and a loud altercation ensues, she is upset. She becomes even more upset when that council member is found dead, and she is the prime suspect. Add to that the fact that her friend is lying to her, her boyfriend is not very attentive and having her mother and sister show up in her life, and she is about ready to lose her mind. She has not seen her mother in years, and she did not even know she had a sister. She cannot catch a break and nothing is as it should be. The things her mother tells her are mind-blowing and she does not know how to process it.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. There was so much going on in Violet’s life and I found myself reading eagerly to see what would happen next. The mystery was well plotted and fast paced. There were enough suspects to consider and suspects to consider.I really enjoyed trying to figure this one out.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted magical cozy. If you like great characters, a magical setting anda intriguing mystery, give this book a try.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
July 2, 2020
This first book in a new paranormal cozy mystery series was so fun. Witches, crystals, energy healers, long lost family, glitter, and murder!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own. #WitchHunt #cozymystery #paranormalcozy
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own. #WitchHunt #cozymystery #paranormalcozy
June 18, 2020
I’ve been on a reading binge of cozy paranormals, and this was a first for this author for me. At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book. It seemed a little slow, but not bad. Then, after the murder, things really picked up. By the last half, and especially by the end, I knew this was going to become a favorite. This book was well-written, I loved the very quirky characters, and the plot was very engaging. I kept guessing who had done it, and I was completely wrong. However, the journey to the end was fun. I really liked this book, and I can’t wait to see what the next one will bring. Highly recommend! I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
April 13, 2020
Witch Hunt, a new cozy mystery by the talented Cate Conte, will leave you with a smile on your face.
During these times of crisis, reading is something that will take me away for a short time, reuniting me with old friends, or making new ones.
Reading a new book by a favorite author was a special treat, and fans of this genre will be thrilled with this story.
During these times of crisis, reading is something that will take me away for a short time, reuniting me with old friends, or making new ones.
Reading a new book by a favorite author was a special treat, and fans of this genre will be thrilled with this story.
May 22, 2020
I had a hard time connecting with this book. I didn't really like the characters and the story felt like it didn't know if it wanted to be a cozy mystery or a fantasy book. There are many elements that just didn't make sense. #WitchHunt #NetGalley
May 8, 2020
Loved this first-in-a-series book! Such a fun and entertaining read! Can't wait for the next one!
January 28, 2022
2.5 stars
A cute and cosy mystery with witches, but nothing that really stands out much, if you like me read and/or listen to the genre a lot.
Violet, the main character, is kind of a hard pill to swallow, for me. She's over 30, but behaves more like she's in her early 20s. She got on my nerves sometimes, acting a bit too juvenile and immature.
The mystery isn't one that requires you to pay plenty of attention. I spaced out a few times and had no trouble following the plot so... There's that.
Bonus points from more than one cat though. Even if I thought it took far too long for Violet to adopt the black kitty. (I would have snatched him right up!)
One thing I somehow really appreciated (and this is rather silly) is that Violet actually spends time caring for her shop. It's a common thing in "cozy mysteries" that the main character has some sort of business, but then she runs around searching for a murderer more than she cares for her business, yet somehow makes things go round anyway.
I always find that a bit annoying - even if it's not the biggest plot-hole ever found in the genre.
Anyway, I liked that the shop actually plays a real part in the book and story. That's really nice for a change.
And I would love to shop there. I would leave the place sooooo broke, but happy.💎✨
A cute and cosy mystery with witches, but nothing that really stands out much, if you like me read and/or listen to the genre a lot.
Violet, the main character, is kind of a hard pill to swallow, for me. She's over 30, but behaves more like she's in her early 20s. She got on my nerves sometimes, acting a bit too juvenile and immature.
The mystery isn't one that requires you to pay plenty of attention. I spaced out a few times and had no trouble following the plot so... There's that.
Bonus points from more than one cat though. Even if I thought it took far too long for Violet to adopt the black kitty. (I would have snatched him right up!)
One thing I somehow really appreciated (and this is rather silly) is that Violet actually spends time caring for her shop. It's a common thing in "cozy mysteries" that the main character has some sort of business, but then she runs around searching for a murderer more than she cares for her business, yet somehow makes things go round anyway.
I always find that a bit annoying - even if it's not the biggest plot-hole ever found in the genre.
Anyway, I liked that the shop actually plays a real part in the book and story. That's really nice for a change.
And I would love to shop there. I would leave the place sooooo broke, but happy.💎✨
October 2, 2020
I love cozy cats, and this book as two! Violet is well-established and has a lot going for her. She has a lot of mixed feelings about her mother showing up after abandoning her all those years ago--and wants nothing to do with her. But her mother won't go away. Her mother, Fiona, can be a bit overbearing at times, but she means well. I adored Violet's half-sister, Zoe. She and Violet hit it off pretty well. Between the mystery of the murder of the councilwoman and the mystery surrounding Violet's past, Witch Hunt had me from the first page to the last. I found both story lines intriguing and could not wait to see how everything came together in the end. There were certainly several unexpected twists in this one! I always find it interesting to see the different ways magic manifests in cozy mysteries like this, and this one did not disappoint. I look forward to reading more by Conte in the future.
July 6, 2020
*edit to add review *
This is the first book in the Full Moon Mystery series, and I really enjoyed this magical offering from Conte. Violet Mooney owns The Full Moon crystal shop and she is somewhat of a spiritual person but when town councilwoman Carla Fernandez turns up dead and the police hear of their argument earlier on in the day and suspect her does she discover there is more than a little witchey in her blood.
When her estranged mother appears practically before her eyes and rocks Violets world by telling her that she is in fact a witch! I felt the murder mystery was more of a secondary story line to Violets discovering about her being a witch, and to be fair I quite liked it that way, I loved finding out Violets truth, and I also enjoyed whittling down the potential suspects. There was a fair few suspects who all had motive to bump off Carla, and I was right along Violet when the truth came out.
I look forward to reading more on Violets situation with her magic and her relationship with her mother.
This is the first book in the Full Moon Mystery series, and I really enjoyed this magical offering from Conte. Violet Mooney owns The Full Moon crystal shop and she is somewhat of a spiritual person but when town councilwoman Carla Fernandez turns up dead and the police hear of their argument earlier on in the day and suspect her does she discover there is more than a little witchey in her blood.
When her estranged mother appears practically before her eyes and rocks Violets world by telling her that she is in fact a witch! I felt the murder mystery was more of a secondary story line to Violets discovering about her being a witch, and to be fair I quite liked it that way, I loved finding out Violets truth, and I also enjoyed whittling down the potential suspects. There was a fair few suspects who all had motive to bump off Carla, and I was right along Violet when the truth came out.
I look forward to reading more on Violets situation with her magic and her relationship with her mother.
Read
October 14, 2021DNF - abandoned less than 90 mins into audiobook.
Not sure if it was the narrator of the audiobook or the actual character, but I did not like Violet 👎🏻
Not sure if it was the narrator of the audiobook or the actual character, but I did not like Violet 👎🏻
July 15, 2020
First book in New Cate Conte Witch Hunt Series.
We are introduced to Violet Mooney and her cat, Monty in North Harbor Connecticut who runs the Full Moon Crystal Shop.
While out getting coffee at the local shop with her friend Sydney she is in a verbal disagreement with the town council woman for all to see. On arrival to her shop she realizes she has lost her new pink.scarf. Before opening a woman shows up saying she's in need of a reading, so Violet goes ahead and gives her one. When her friend and co-worker shows up telling her she smells something and for her to go home and she would take care of it. Hours later she awakes to a knock on the door to two policemen who would like her to come to the station for a statement on the death of the council woman.
Fiona, Violet's mother who left her when she was a child is on her way that witch! No she really is and so is Violet. And her mother and her sister are about to change her life forever with the news. But first she needs to find a killer before she is the next victim. I was surprised at the ending. There was enough twist and turns in this story that it kept me interested and guessing until the very end. Violet's mom and sister had me laughing at there antics.
I thought this first book was a great start in a new series that I can't wait for the next one to see what happens next!!
We are introduced to Violet Mooney and her cat, Monty in North Harbor Connecticut who runs the Full Moon Crystal Shop.
While out getting coffee at the local shop with her friend Sydney she is in a verbal disagreement with the town council woman for all to see. On arrival to her shop she realizes she has lost her new pink.scarf. Before opening a woman shows up saying she's in need of a reading, so Violet goes ahead and gives her one. When her friend and co-worker shows up telling her she smells something and for her to go home and she would take care of it. Hours later she awakes to a knock on the door to two policemen who would like her to come to the station for a statement on the death of the council woman.
Fiona, Violet's mother who left her when she was a child is on her way that witch! No she really is and so is Violet. And her mother and her sister are about to change her life forever with the news. But first she needs to find a killer before she is the next victim. I was surprised at the ending. There was enough twist and turns in this story that it kept me interested and guessing until the very end. Violet's mom and sister had me laughing at there antics.
I thought this first book was a great start in a new series that I can't wait for the next one to see what happens next!!
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