Ghosts & Gateaux

Wicked Witches of Brookdale #2

by Sara Bourgeois

When a nasty and unpopular resident of Brookdale is murdered, Fern has to set aside personal feelings to find justice for the victim. Unfortunately, her investigation puts her directly in the killer's line of sight.

The danger also pushes her closer to Detective Mitch Landry. Will Fern's involvement in the case put their new feelings on ice?

Can Fern deal with all of Gumbo's sass?

Come along and enjoy the journey as Fern and friends try to solve this crime one spell at a time.
Ghosts & Gateaux is the second book in the Wicked Witches of Brookdale cozy mystery series. It contains no adult language, situations, or gore and is suitable for mystery lovers of all ages.

Genres: Paranormal, Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fantasy

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2020

About the author

Sara Bourgeois is a Midwesterner through and through. She spends her time writing, reading, herding cats, and standing in her driveway during tornado warnings. (You can't see them from the basement.)

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have enjoyed some of the author's other works but gave up on this book one-third of the way through it. What is this - paranormal witches book plot #3? Witch with cooking powers owns a bakery... finds a murder victim... is a suspect...decides to investigate the murder in spite of attraction for main law enforcement officer...decides to break and enter someone's house to do her own sleuthing. That's when I closed the book. Authors - find a new plot!


Amazon synopsis:
When a nasty and unpopular resident of Brookdale is murdered, Fern Moonfall has to set aside personal feelings to find justice for the victim. Unfortunately, her investigation puts her directly in the killer's line of sight.

The danger also pushes her closer to Detective Mitch Landry. Will Fern's involvement in the case put their new feelings on ice?

Can Fern deal with all of Gumbo's sass? The snarky calico doesn't always make it easy...

[Katie Storer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. I like the characters, and the premise of the series. But I just finished the author’s Dark and Stormy Night series and it blew me away. The only similarity between the two story lines is that there are cats in both worlds. In this world, the cat is a magical familiar and can speak to his witch. He is sarcastic, funny, and very entitled. Entitlement is adorable in cats. In humans, not so much. Haha. In the other series our little cat was feral and spends time with his human neighbors, but doesn’t allow them to touch him. It is important to note that the cats are the only real common point between the series. I appreciate the differences very much.

I will continue reading this series. The books are short, sweet, and a quick read. But I think I’m going cleanse my palette by reading an historical fiction before returning to the second book of this series.

[Janice E. Ryberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosts & Gateaux book 1 of a new series. 4.3 series

Fern is a kitchen witch and Gumbo is her calico cat familiar. Unfortunately she tries to hand an evil medium a glass of wine, but when she goes into Marcel's room, she finds an enchanted knife in his back. Things go downhill from there. Fun and lighthearted and a quick read. Don't miss!

[Kim Loomer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gumbo adds power.

I found this witch story with a murder, a familiar, best friend and a handsome cop very mild for one of Sara's book. It was a good story and it kept e guessing but it didn't grab me right from the beginning like most of her books do. I did enjoy the book nevertheless.

[Neena Christianson Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mediums

A local and hated medium was murdered and Fern the owner of a local bakery seems to be the prime suspect. There are plenty of zany characters, loads of twists and turns, and maybe a little romance in the future.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talismans and Cupcakes

Loved it! Great story, great characters and of course magic and a little romance.
Read it - I am sure you won't regret it.
Looking forward to more from this series.

[Barb Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosts and Gateaux

Well written fantasy with well developed characters, and a good story line that holds your attention. An entertaining read for lovers of the good witches and snarky, grumpy familiars.

[Sandy Winn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally love this authors books, can't wait for the next in the series. This book did not effect me the same way. I was ok, but there were several times I nearly gave up, and I have no interest in reading any more in this series. Just an 'ok' book, but not one of her best.

[lisa langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok enjoyable

I enjoyed this book but I have one thing I surprised by Calaco cats are only ever female it's extremely rare for there to be a male calico and if they have kittens they can give birth to tabbies ginger toms and tor tortashes

Is this series a follow-up from another

[Patricia Kearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosts & Gateaux

Great witchy Cosy Murder mystery.
Fern discovers the body of a murdered psychic.
And she seems to be the number one suspect.
Love Fern and Mitch as well as the other characters.

[sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosts and Gateaux is a fun read

Fern is a kitchen witch.. she seems a little flighty .. and gets in a bit of trouble
But with the help of her friends and her protective cat , she comes up with the clues to put the bad guys in their place.

[Matthew Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed

I have enjoyed reading this latest book of yours and the new series and I am looking forward to the next one.

[Darlena D Doak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This book is a winner. It is a clean cozy with a touch of humor from the cat and a little romance. Wonderful read.

[Conny CONE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story

The Book was very entertaining I like not knowing who done it till the end.The characters We're great Everything just kind of Went together

[Penny Perse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosts at Gateaux

Good story and I’m still eating for the cop and heroine to really get together. I also don’t like the restriction on how many words o can use or not use.

[Ruben & Amiy Estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Love all the characters and all the antics they seem to be up to. I can't wait to see what else they have in store in the next book.

[MacMelody · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent read!

I enjoyed every word! I recommend this book because it is an entertaining, interesting, and well written paranormal book! Thanks!

[Mary Roya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosts & Gateaux

This was a fun story. I really enjoyed Gumbo, the talking cat. I like Mitch, the cop hero. The strange mixture of people produced a really fun story. Good read!

[David]

do not remember this one either

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitchen witch Fern Moonfall owns a bakery and has a huge job coming up for the Medium Association of Brookdale’s annual Darlington Séance. She was upset that Jenny Mae was not responding to her many phone messages, fairly sure she was obsessed with dragon racing and ignoring her job at the bakery. Medium Marcel Love had hired Fern’s Blue Moon Bakery for the job since she had done well catering Elizabeth Sullivan’s wedding, so it was important that she not fail now. Gumbo, her calico cat, strutted in and recommended she fire Jenny Mae. She wouldn’t, but she did need to hire an additional worker.

When Marcel Love, the medium who hired her to cater this event, is murdered, Fern becomes a suspect in the stabbing death and knows she must quickly investigate to clear her name. Marcel was hated by many people. He had loved to spread gossip and reveal secrets in public which made him very unpopular in Brookdale. So she will once again have her work cut out for her in this investigation! And if she can’t clear her name quickly, her business will suffer. Who wanted this nasty medium dead and for what reason? And how will Detective Mitch Landry react to her involvement in his investigation?

This is another good mystery in this series. The characters are becoming better known to the reader and the story line is intriguing. Will Fern find the murderer before she or her friends are harmed by the killer? Grab your copy and find out what happens!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fern is a talented kitchen witch. She was very pleased to get the coveted job of catering for the Medium Association at the Darlington Seance. Unfortunately for Fern and the victim, there are some deadly secrets around the event at the expected participants. The victim is also unpopular throughout the area for spreading nasty gossip allegedly for the good of the region, but apparently for malicious pleasure and power, and accruing some serious bad karma on his own behalf

Tangled loyalties lead to some misplaced blame when a friend tries too and and inadvertently puts Fern in more jeopardy and in a worse light in public opinion

Secrets will out in the end - but surviving all the related action and keeping herself and her friends and family intact, along with keeping their relationships with each other intact - things get a little witchy and tricky.

Fun and intense witchly adventure!

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

[Krystyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the going gets tough, the knives come out

Much better than the first book. The characters have grown and developed although I must admit that i have a soft spot for her familiar. A rather quarrelsome cat who can be bribed by his favourite food. The plot revolves around a mean spirited medium, who has picked rows with most of the town and damaged people's reputation by his public statements.
Her bakery is chugging along but she seriously needs another helper if the current orders are anything to go by. The order for the medium society meeting should have been run of the mill but finding the body of the star medium with a hexed knife in his back isn't. Now not only does she have this to worry about but also the fact that she us the number one suspect. Death curses, rumours, a new employee, a stolen familiar and a showdown. Who wanted the medium dead and why? Will she find out before someone she cares about is hurt and before her business is ruined?

[Sassy Beta Reading & Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 of the series and each book can be read as a stand alone. Each book is so well written that I recommend reading book 1 if you have not already, then come back for this one. This is a paranormal cozy mystery with a completed mystery ending.

This story is highly entertaining with great characters, an awesome story line, engaging dialogue, and easy to visualize detailed descriptions. The majority of the characters carried over from the previous book.

Written as a 1st person, single pov.

Would I recommend this book? Yes

Would I read more from this author? Yes

Sassy Beta Reading and Review

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

[Anne-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fern is hired to do a catering job for a seance...running late she gets to the hotel holding the seance and starts prepping the food.
But she is interrupted by a murder. Since Fern was the one to discover the body she is at the top of the suspects list...did she do it?
The victim is despised by a lot of people in the town of Brookdale...and Fern is being blamed for the victims murder by a few members of the town...
Will her business suffer?
Will the police find the killer? There are so many things leading back to Fern...
A good clean mystery...I love how the author writes...

A received a digital ARC from Booksprout for an honest opinion of the book...this is my honest opinion

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcel Love was a poison pen writer - not the anonymous letters with nasty contents - his were more literal - his writing dripped poison.. They were long detailed newsletters that he had published in the local paper, oozing with vitriol and meanness, deliberately out to target, hurt and humiliate whoever his chosen victim was for that time. So it was hardly surprised that he ended up with a knife in his back.

Poor Fern is a suspect again, but now Mitch is wiser to things around him. The characters have grown and developed and the plot is a lot neater and more enjoyable. Good read!

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Bourgeois books are wonderful. This story had a good murder mystery. A very unlikeable man was murdered and there are so many people that hated him that the entire town was on the suspect list. Fern and Jenny try to solve the mystery, but they were in way over their heads. Who killed Marcel and who kept leaving dead talismans for Fern. Read this book to find out, you will not be disappointed.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Wicked Witches of Brookdale series a well written murder mystery story that kept me turning pages. Fern Moonfall gets herself into a lot of trouble but Detective Mitch Landry is there to help her. The story has suspense,drama, danger, twists, turns, a villain, and friendship. I want to read the next book. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun series with unique mysteries.

Ferns magical bake shop is doing so well that she decides to hire another kitchen witch to help out. But when the medium who hires her to cater an event is murdered, and she becomes the prime suspect, Fern feels she must investigate to clear her name.

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

[Lucrecia Tolbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosts & Gateaux started off differently to me than other books by Sara Bourgeois. The main character Fern appears to have recovered from the events of the first book. Business is doing well and she needs more help around the shop. Fern's determination throughout the book made this book worth reading.

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

[Mike Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series

Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. A fun cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. Follow along as a young witch named fern who owns her own bakery stumbles across mysteries murders in trouble to solve. Fun and entertaining from beginning to end and check it out