What do you think?
Rate this book
Witches Be Crazy #1
Down the Hatch
Helga owns an antique shop in the bustling French Quarter in New Orleans. She's a witch with fiery silver eyes when her witchiness takes control. But right now she's burdened with three ghosts who like to keep her company while working. But that's not the worst of it. When a dead body with an arrow to the heart lies in her path, will she be the one who is blamed? The ornery critter had a jealous wife. Or maybe the arrow has significant meaning. Could Cupid be on the warpath? Is the deadly deed black magic or evil lurking in the mundane world?Helga's coven consists of Gwen her sister, and friends from the Shear Magic hair salon. Can they help her or is one of them to blame.Jacob, the detective in town, is an old school chum of Helga's. While he may not possess the skills Helga has, he does have a few of his own, not counting his dreamy eyes.***Find out what happens in the first book of the Witches Be Crazy Cozy Mystery Series***
195 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2020
611 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Constance Barker
461 books205 followersConstance Barker lives in the Midwest with her husband and two Akitas where she can look out from her screened porch onto a wooded area brimming with activity. Since she was a young girl she read mysteries, often given to her by her grandmother. She loved figuring out who the culprit was and sometimes she was right and other times startled at who the author picked as the assailant. Now she enjoys writing mysteries herself. When she isn't writing stories, she can be found in her favorite vacation spot, Las Vegas or shopping for bargains.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 7, 2025
This was... ok. Interesting premise but an unlikeable protagonist. Some of the FMC's dialogue seemed a bit out of touch or even tone deaf. There were some errors also. It was entertaining enough, though. I already have the second book, so I'll read that one eventually. Not sure if I'll continue the series, though.
May 17, 2020
Set in New Orleans where we all know magic and ghosts and all sorts of supernatural beings walk about so, It should come as no surprise that Richardsons Antiques is haunted by 3 spirits (one who takes a weeping and a wailing to a whole new level ) from different era's in history, nor should it come us surprise that Richardson's Antique's is run by a witch, Helga, who can see the ghosts, some of whom are in her store, and can use her magic to reveal the history of the items she is purchasing for her store, (No "Made in China" antiques in her store!)
When Helga thrown the town's flirty bar fly out of the antique shop (Helga is the one who won't say yes, catnip to the casanova that is the very married Thomas Jamison) she thinks nothing of it, until she finds him dead in very unusual circumstances, because she found the body and that she had thrown him out of the store in a rather public manner, the court that is public opinion has already decided it must have been Helga ,
Jacob Brody is not just Helga's friend he is also the detective investigating the murder of Thomas, he knows Helga is innocent but because she found the body she is a suspect, Determined to not leave any stone unturned, and helping the police in ways that only a witch can she sets about helping find out who killed Thomas Jamieson.
Helped by her familiar cat Andromeda and her sister and friends Helga begins to investigate. Who killed Thomas Jamieson though as she starts to ask questions it becomes who DIDN'T have a reason to kill him! Then it seems someone wants her to stop asking questions, but who?
This is not a bad book, I like the setting on New Orleans it would be nice to hear a little more about it, I did not understand the distribution of magic, how was it that Helga's sister Gwen can "nudge" people's minds but Helga cannot do that (though it would have been handy for speaking to suspects) but the book has a nice feel good feel, with a hint of romance to come, I will certainly be looking out for book 2, I think this will grow into an interesting series.
When Helga thrown the town's flirty bar fly out of the antique shop (Helga is the one who won't say yes, catnip to the casanova that is the very married Thomas Jamison) she thinks nothing of it, until she finds him dead in very unusual circumstances, because she found the body and that she had thrown him out of the store in a rather public manner, the court that is public opinion has already decided it must have been Helga ,
Jacob Brody is not just Helga's friend he is also the detective investigating the murder of Thomas, he knows Helga is innocent but because she found the body she is a suspect, Determined to not leave any stone unturned, and helping the police in ways that only a witch can she sets about helping find out who killed Thomas Jamieson.
Helped by her familiar cat Andromeda and her sister and friends Helga begins to investigate. Who killed Thomas Jamieson though as she starts to ask questions it becomes who DIDN'T have a reason to kill him! Then it seems someone wants her to stop asking questions, but who?
This is not a bad book, I like the setting on New Orleans it would be nice to hear a little more about it, I did not understand the distribution of magic, how was it that Helga's sister Gwen can "nudge" people's minds but Helga cannot do that (though it would have been handy for speaking to suspects) but the book has a nice feel good feel, with a hint of romance to come, I will certainly be looking out for book 2, I think this will grow into an interesting series.
June 29, 2020
Cute but...
The author really needs to give the readers more credit. We are supposed to believe she is the main suspect over the wife that hated him and profited greatly, when she didn't have the murder weapon or any archery skills. We are also supposed to believe that the police are particularly dense.
Sigh. A little more time on the plot is a must.
The author really needs to give the readers more credit. We are supposed to believe she is the main suspect over the wife that hated him and profited greatly, when she didn't have the murder weapon or any archery skills. We are also supposed to believe that the police are particularly dense.
Sigh. A little more time on the plot is a must.
November 2, 2020
Down the Hatch by Constance Barker is a cool New Orleans witchy mystery.
Can Helga figure out who shot the Quarter's drunk?
Helga is our witch sleuth. She is trying to mind her own business and work in her family's antique shop. All that is changed when she finds the same man's dead body known around the quarter as a drunk. Helga is a different type of witch than I thought that she would be. Technically I didn't know what I thought a New Orleans witch would be like but probably not someone like Helga. Until I read this story, it's pretty entertaining. She also is dealing with ghosts in her store that are okay but not that great.
Helga is a character that I'm not sure I would be friends with at all. She is totally different than me, and I don't know if we would have anything in common. I can't say that there is anything that I like or don't like about her.
The Mystery
Earlier in the day, Helga ends up being our prime suspect because she threw the quarter drunk on his butt when he was flirting with her, and she didn't want anything to do with it. Helga is now the prime suspect even though she called in the body. To clear her name, she is going to have to figure out who killed him. That is a pretty long list as not only was he the quarter's drunk but the quarter's drunken flirt. Helga and her detective friend, Jacob, have a lot of hard work ahead to go through all of these potential targets.
Three Stars
Down the Hatch by Constance Barker is the start of an okay mystery series. I'm not really into this one despite it being a paranormal cozy mystery. Ms. Barker has a good story, but she does need to go over and edit the book a bit. Other than that, I am giving it three stars.
The Other Books in the Series
Can Helga figure out who shot the Quarter's drunk?
Helga is our witch sleuth. She is trying to mind her own business and work in her family's antique shop. All that is changed when she finds the same man's dead body known around the quarter as a drunk. Helga is a different type of witch than I thought that she would be. Technically I didn't know what I thought a New Orleans witch would be like but probably not someone like Helga. Until I read this story, it's pretty entertaining. She also is dealing with ghosts in her store that are okay but not that great.
Helga is a character that I'm not sure I would be friends with at all. She is totally different than me, and I don't know if we would have anything in common. I can't say that there is anything that I like or don't like about her.
The Mystery Earlier in the day, Helga ends up being our prime suspect because she threw the quarter drunk on his butt when he was flirting with her, and she didn't want anything to do with it. Helga is now the prime suspect even though she called in the body. To clear her name, she is going to have to figure out who killed him. That is a pretty long list as not only was he the quarter's drunk but the quarter's drunken flirt. Helga and her detective friend, Jacob, have a lot of hard work ahead to go through all of these potential targets.
Three Stars
Down the Hatch by Constance Barker is the start of an okay mystery series. I'm not really into this one despite it being a paranormal cozy mystery. Ms. Barker has a good story, but she does need to go over and edit the book a bit. Other than that, I am giving it three stars.
The Other Books in the Series
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Down the Hatch by Constance Barker.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
December 17, 2020
Reviewed at Paranormal-y Romantic
Down the Hatch begins the Witches Be Crazy series with a fun, intriguing Cozy Mystery of the Paranormal Kind… and a puzzle to figure out before more people end up dead.
Helga owns an antique shop – along with the three ghosts who share the space with her, one, in particular, has been searching for a beloved necklace for decades and is quite vocal in her distress at not finding it. Roxanne is a wailing ghost that we’ll get to know very well.
The town drunk and notorious flirt (although a married man) has gotten on Helga’s last nerve so she kicked him out of the antique shop. Little did she know that soon she will see Thomas again – hidden behind a dumpster, an arrow through his heart. Somehow, as the person who found the body in this small magical town that makes Helga the main suspect in almost everyone’s eyes. But now Helga has not only her innocence to prove but a murderer to find… and the clues are few and far in between. Time for this witch to solve a puzzle that will have twists, a few red herrings, and an interesting conclusion – all in good time.
I enjoyed Down the Hatch. Although the actual killer was among my suspects they weren’t a strong one… just shows how bad I’d be at detective work. Good thing I read any Cozy Mystery to discover the how and why of the story and not necessarily the who did it part.
If you love solving puzzles, a touch of magic, and a really good Paranormal Cozy Mystery then you’ll want to get started on this series soon. I’ll be binge-reading the series since many of the titles are already out now.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Down the Hatch begins the Witches Be Crazy series with a fun, intriguing Cozy Mystery of the Paranormal Kind… and a puzzle to figure out before more people end up dead.
Helga owns an antique shop – along with the three ghosts who share the space with her, one, in particular, has been searching for a beloved necklace for decades and is quite vocal in her distress at not finding it. Roxanne is a wailing ghost that we’ll get to know very well.
The town drunk and notorious flirt (although a married man) has gotten on Helga’s last nerve so she kicked him out of the antique shop. Little did she know that soon she will see Thomas again – hidden behind a dumpster, an arrow through his heart. Somehow, as the person who found the body in this small magical town that makes Helga the main suspect in almost everyone’s eyes. But now Helga has not only her innocence to prove but a murderer to find… and the clues are few and far in between. Time for this witch to solve a puzzle that will have twists, a few red herrings, and an interesting conclusion – all in good time.
I enjoyed Down the Hatch. Although the actual killer was among my suspects they weren’t a strong one… just shows how bad I’d be at detective work. Good thing I read any Cozy Mystery to discover the how and why of the story and not necessarily the who did it part.
If you love solving puzzles, a touch of magic, and a really good Paranormal Cozy Mystery then you’ll want to get started on this series soon. I’ll be binge-reading the series since many of the titles are already out now.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
February 17, 2021
Thank goodness I didn’t pay for this, I would have been extremely disappointed. Heck to be honest, if it wasn’t for bookclub, I wouldn’t have finished. First off is how the book is formatted. It appears to be self published, or from an extremely small publisher. With the line breaks after every paragraph it’s hard to tell where chapters breaks are, plus they have a tendency to CAPITALIZE things that do not need to be capitalized. A few of us in the bookclub mentioned it. Then the font size is quite large, which is nice, but seems to be done to make a higher page count. Then for the life of me I can not figure out what the title or the book cover have to do with the book at all. Down the Hatch. What hatch? Yes this is a witchy mystery, yes it has a fluffy cat, and yes there is a cemetery scene, but that is the only similarity. I can not connect everything, and I think that will disappoint a lot of people. Plus the lackluster writing, the plot holes, and the wrap up that was way too quick. This book was not for me, and if you really want a witchy mystery, I can name lots of better ones.
#Bookd2021 - Authors First Name Starts with A B or C
#ReadHarder - Book cover I dont like
#Bookd2021 - Authors First Name Starts with A B or C
#ReadHarder - Book cover I dont like
December 31, 2020
Solid start to this series.
However, I did have a couple of issues with it which is why I lowered the rating.
1 - The use of ya'll in the beginning by Thomas (the guy who dies) was done incorrectly. That really grates my Southern soul. Use it correctly or don't use it all. The author is from the Midwest and writing a story set in Louisiana. SIGH.
2 - The MC being the murder suspect. What? Just because she had an argument with Thomas and found his body? She has no archery knowledge! She didn't have the murder weapon. They didn't consider the wife who stood to gain the most the main suspect? None of this would have stood up in any court. It was so flimsy that I found it annoying.
The reason I gave it a 4-star rating though is because in spite of the two things above, I really enjoyed the book.
I liked the MC. I liked her sister and friends. I liked her familiar. I even liked her ghostly companions (not Roxanne though). I'm not sure about Jacob, a little more time needs to be spent developing him.
I didn't care for the murder mystery part of the story, I found it a stretch.
As long as the author dials back on trying to write "Southern" when she clearly has no clue, I'll continue to read this series.
However, I did have a couple of issues with it which is why I lowered the rating.
1 - The use of ya'll in the beginning by Thomas (the guy who dies) was done incorrectly. That really grates my Southern soul. Use it correctly or don't use it all. The author is from the Midwest and writing a story set in Louisiana. SIGH.
2 - The MC being the murder suspect. What? Just because she had an argument with Thomas and found his body? She has no archery knowledge! She didn't have the murder weapon. They didn't consider the wife who stood to gain the most the main suspect? None of this would have stood up in any court. It was so flimsy that I found it annoying.
The reason I gave it a 4-star rating though is because in spite of the two things above, I really enjoyed the book.
I liked the MC. I liked her sister and friends. I liked her familiar. I even liked her ghostly companions (not Roxanne though). I'm not sure about Jacob, a little more time needs to be spent developing him.
I didn't care for the murder mystery part of the story, I found it a stretch.
As long as the author dials back on trying to write "Southern" when she clearly has no clue, I'll continue to read this series.
May 13, 2020
Helga is one her way home after an interesting day at her antique store. She sees the man she threw out of her shop, Thomas. She calls the police and she goes home. The next day at work, it is what everyone is talking about. Her friend Jacob comes in to talk to her. She is a suspect as she doesn't have a real alibi. So Helga decides to look into the murder. She will have a some help from unlikely sources. Helga will have her hands full trying to figure out just who wanted him dead. This guy had enough people that didn't like him. Helga's name is not in jeopardy but her life as well. Will she figure out just who it was before it is took late.
This was a interesting cast of characters that you are being introduced to. There is a character that is slight annoyance, hopefully that character is done in this book. I am looking to see where the series goes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a interesting cast of characters that you are being introduced to. There is a character that is slight annoyance, hopefully that character is done in this book. I am looking to see where the series goes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 13, 2020
Helga is a witch who owns an antique shop in New Orleans where she restores things and finds the right buyer who will appreciate them. She has three ghosts who also hang around her shop. One day, has a visit from Thomas, an annoying drunk, and when she angrily tosses him out, people will remember!
On her way home, Helga finds Thomas’ corpse covered in lipstick kisses, having been killed with an arrow to the heart. With his womanizing ways, that could lead to many suspects! Naturally everyone recalls her tossing Thomas out and they point their fingers eagerly at her! But with her detective pal, Jacob, her three ghostly tenants, family, friends, and her familiar, they are ready to look for suspects and find the true murderer. Can they do that before it puts Helga in danger?
Good start to another cozy series! Join the fun and find out who shot the arrow that killed Thomas!
On her way home, Helga finds Thomas’ corpse covered in lipstick kisses, having been killed with an arrow to the heart. With his womanizing ways, that could lead to many suspects! Naturally everyone recalls her tossing Thomas out and they point their fingers eagerly at her! But with her detective pal, Jacob, her three ghostly tenants, family, friends, and her familiar, they are ready to look for suspects and find the true murderer. Can they do that before it puts Helga in danger?
Good start to another cozy series! Join the fun and find out who shot the arrow that killed Thomas!
May 9, 2020
Love gone wrong. An arrow to the heart. Helga is at her wit’s end. She has a wailing ghost to help, and the town flirt, Thomas was found dead (an arrow to his heart), hours after everyone saw her get angry at him and throw him out of her shop. Now people are pointing at her, but too many others had more motive. The wife he was cheating on, the numerous women he charmed then abandoned , the husbands of the wives he cheated with, the Cupid in town (after all they are experts at shooting bow and arrows), or someone else. But once she tries finding the murderer, she is a target, and possibly those close to her. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
May 29, 2020
Cute
A cute but quick paranormal cozy mystery.
Helga is a witch, with all the inherent powers, who owns an antique shop in New Orleans.
When she finds a customer she threw out of her shop murdered, she becomes a suspect. Luckily the main detective on the case is her friend Jacob, and between the two of them, they are sure to solve the mystery!
This short yet sweet mystery, was an enjoyable one. The book was a quick and easy read, the setting in spooky New Orleans fun, and the characters were intriguing.
The short length of the book meant that we didn’t really get a chance to know many of the characters, which would probably be my biggest complaint.
Otherwise this is an enjoyable way to while away an hour or two.
A cute but quick paranormal cozy mystery.
Helga is a witch, with all the inherent powers, who owns an antique shop in New Orleans.
When she finds a customer she threw out of her shop murdered, she becomes a suspect. Luckily the main detective on the case is her friend Jacob, and between the two of them, they are sure to solve the mystery!
This short yet sweet mystery, was an enjoyable one. The book was a quick and easy read, the setting in spooky New Orleans fun, and the characters were intriguing.
The short length of the book meant that we didn’t really get a chance to know many of the characters, which would probably be my biggest complaint.
Otherwise this is an enjoyable way to while away an hour or two.
June 19, 2020
Our heroine is a witch running an antique shop in New Orleans with three ghosts as her main companions. When she finds a man dead, everyone is quick to point their fingers at her. So it is up to her and perhaps a couple of friends to find the real culprit before it is too late.
Hmmm, cozy with mysteries. This is becoming something of a weakness for me as I really enjoy the combination of mystery and magic. I have found that these stories often include a good dose of humor and this one was no exception. I rather enjoyed both the setting and the characters and look forward to exploring more of both in future books.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes
Hmmm, cozy with mysteries. This is becoming something of a weakness for me as I really enjoy the combination of mystery and magic. I have found that these stories often include a good dose of humor and this one was no exception. I rather enjoyed both the setting and the characters and look forward to exploring more of both in future books.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes
December 18, 2020
Helga runs an antique shop. She has three ghosts that live with her (live being a relative term in their case). Helga's a witch. She has a problem with Thomas who is drunk (as usual) and he ends up dead (not usual.) Guess who is the suspected murderer. Yep, Helga.
Gwen is her older sister (also a witch) and Jacob is a friend of hers (he's with the police).
Thomas's wife is now rich due to his death which, of course, makes her a suspect. Meanwhile one of the ghosts is greatly upset because her necklace is missing. Then there's also the problem of her being chased while in the cemetery, her store being trashed and her sister being kidnapped.
Rather a lot for her to deal with. It all goes together well, though, and is the start of what will probably be a very good series.
Gwen is her older sister (also a witch) and Jacob is a friend of hers (he's with the police).
Thomas's wife is now rich due to his death which, of course, makes her a suspect. Meanwhile one of the ghosts is greatly upset because her necklace is missing. Then there's also the problem of her being chased while in the cemetery, her store being trashed and her sister being kidnapped.
Rather a lot for her to deal with. It all goes together well, though, and is the start of what will probably be a very good series.
June 18, 2020
Wonderful new series. Love mysteries? Love magic? Love fun reads? Join the fun and start from the first book. Will not be disappointed.
Antique shop with ghosts run by witch. Has incident with local drunk, finds body on way home and is main suspect. Has to find who did it. Difference is this world.
I know I am going to love Andromeda!!! Hi there.
I love reading this author. Always has fun, easy to read, if I don’t start the book at night, I can usually finish it in one sitting.
Looking forward to more.
This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book.
Sorry for lateness of review.
Antique shop with ghosts run by witch. Has incident with local drunk, finds body on way home and is main suspect. Has to find who did it. Difference is this world.
I know I am going to love Andromeda!!! Hi there.
I love reading this author. Always has fun, easy to read, if I don’t start the book at night, I can usually finish it in one sitting.
Looking forward to more.
This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book.
Sorry for lateness of review.
July 14, 2020
Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series
Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. Great cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. A young woman who happens to be a witch and also owns an antique store in the French quarter of New Orleans. Her every day life includes selling antiques to tourists and others. In her store among the antiques is also a few ghosts. She can see ghosts and talk to them. She also tends to have a knack for solving crimes. With a local womanizing drunkard The focus of the current crime. Follow along as she picks out the clues and helps the local detective solve the crime. Very entertaining and a fun read. Check it out
Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. Great cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. A young woman who happens to be a witch and also owns an antique store in the French quarter of New Orleans. Her every day life includes selling antiques to tourists and others. In her store among the antiques is also a few ghosts. She can see ghosts and talk to them. She also tends to have a knack for solving crimes. With a local womanizing drunkard The focus of the current crime. Follow along as she picks out the clues and helps the local detective solve the crime. Very entertaining and a fun read. Check it out
February 26, 2024
Helga has an antique shop that she runs.
When she forcefully throws out the town flirt and lush.
She gets back to work and thinks it's going to be a good day.
That is until she finds the same mans body just a few hours later and becomes the prime suspect.
This was my first book by Ms. Barker.
There were developed characters and a solid plot line.
I listened to the audio version.
The virtual narrator did a decent job, but I have a harder time remembering points of the story when it's not a real person doing the narrating. There were also a couple of technical issues that I had to deal with.
All in all, I'll get at least one more book from this series.
When she forcefully throws out the town flirt and lush.
She gets back to work and thinks it's going to be a good day.
That is until she finds the same mans body just a few hours later and becomes the prime suspect.
This was my first book by Ms. Barker.
There were developed characters and a solid plot line.
I listened to the audio version.
The virtual narrator did a decent job, but I have a harder time remembering points of the story when it's not a real person doing the narrating. There were also a couple of technical issues that I had to deal with.
All in all, I'll get at least one more book from this series.
May 13, 2020
Witches and Antiques in a New Orleans Cozy Mystery – New Series
If the rest of this series is like this first book, we are in for a fun ride! The characters act like real people without unnecessary angst or obsessive compulsions with fashion or foods. This is a very refreshing story where I never felt that any of the characters were idiots. The final reveal was a surprise and that is always a plus in a cozy mystery. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprouts and this is my honest review.
If the rest of this series is like this first book, we are in for a fun ride! The characters act like real people without unnecessary angst or obsessive compulsions with fashion or foods. This is a very refreshing story where I never felt that any of the characters were idiots. The final reveal was a surprise and that is always a plus in a cozy mystery. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprouts and this is my honest review.
May 16, 2020
What a great new start to a new series. This was an entertaining read that I really enjoyed. It is a paranormal, cozy mystery with great characters, entertaining story line,
essy to visualize detailed descriptions and engaging dialogue.
Written as a 1st person single point of view with a completed mystery ending.
Would I recommend this book? Yes
Would I read more of this author? Yes
Sassy Beta Reading and Review
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
essy to visualize detailed descriptions and engaging dialogue.
Written as a 1st person single point of view with a completed mystery ending.
Would I recommend this book? Yes
Would I read more of this author? Yes
Sassy Beta Reading and Review
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 30, 2020
A fun and ghostly cozy!
I just love Helga and her antique store. She has three resident ghosts, one of which is almost always crying over a lost necklace. Walking home one night, she finds a dead body. Not just any dead body either, but a man that loves to flirt with women and drink. Unfortunately, Helga is the only suspect and she needs to find out who really did it. This is a very entertaining paranormal cozy with a good plot set in the French Quarter of New Orleans and great characters. I'm looking forward to reading more of these.
I just love Helga and her antique store. She has three resident ghosts, one of which is almost always crying over a lost necklace. Walking home one night, she finds a dead body. Not just any dead body either, but a man that loves to flirt with women and drink. Unfortunately, Helga is the only suspect and she needs to find out who really did it. This is a very entertaining paranormal cozy with a good plot set in the French Quarter of New Orleans and great characters. I'm looking forward to reading more of these.
July 12, 2020
Good cozy
This a solid start for a new paranormal cozy series. The book has a great setting with New Orleans and likeable characters. Personally, I like characters that are a bit edgier and less perfect. All of Barker's main character in her series feel similar and a bit too perfect with the settings just changed. I do like Helga more than some of her other series' heroines. I plan to read more in this series but a bit of spice would be nice. Barker is a dependable author that does deliver a cozy with great plots.
This a solid start for a new paranormal cozy series. The book has a great setting with New Orleans and likeable characters. Personally, I like characters that are a bit edgier and less perfect. All of Barker's main character in her series feel similar and a bit too perfect with the settings just changed. I do like Helga more than some of her other series' heroines. I plan to read more in this series but a bit of spice would be nice. Barker is a dependable author that does deliver a cozy with great plots.
May 13, 2020
Helga tosses out Thomas for causing a scene in Richardson’s Antiques. Unfortunately, she finds his body and must solve this mystery to clear her name and her reputation. I loved the characterization in this novel including Andromeda the cat (part bloodhound?), and shoplifter-spotting ghosts: Orchid, Zephyr, and Roxanne, the weeping child bride.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 13, 2020
Helga is a witch that owns an antique shop in the French Quarter of New Orleans.Her shop is haunted by three ghosts, and they help her solve the murder. When a local drunk named Thomas is found dead with an arrow through his chest, Helga becomes the main suspect. Can she figure out who killed Thomas and clear her name?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 15, 2020
This is a really good little cozy mystery. There is a touch of romance, lots of ghosts and a murder. The victim is a womanizer and there is no end to the suspects. Unfortunately, Helga is the main suspect after tossing Thomas out of her shop when she had had enough of his flirtatious ways. The ending was a surprise to me. I enjoyed the story and would recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2020
I love reading books by Constance Barker. The characters give the reader something to latch on to and grow with. This is the same with the characters in Down the Hatch. I appreciate the the change in location and type of industry that our main character has. I'm sure as the series develops those two elements will play more into the plot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 27, 2021
Three stars because it could use some copy editing
Overall, the story was engaging. I loved her relationship with Andromeda, the cat, although I'm pretty sure Andromeda is supposed to be a girl's name. I could have given it four stars because I love witchy stories that don't have a lot of romance or sex in them, but it lost one star because there were too many errors that could have been caught by a quick copy edit.
Overall, the story was engaging. I loved her relationship with Andromeda, the cat, although I'm pretty sure Andromeda is supposed to be a girl's name. I could have given it four stars because I love witchy stories that don't have a lot of romance or sex in them, but it lost one star because there were too many errors that could have been caught by a quick copy edit.
May 13, 2020
This was a great start to a series. The story line was great, the character work was fantastic, and the book had a smooth flow to it. I was highly entertained from beginning to end and found myself laughing throughout the book. I look forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 15, 2020
This is book 1 of the Witches Be Crazy Cozy Mystery series. This was a great book. I enjoyed Helga and found the characters well developed. The storyline holds your interest and is well written. If you love witch cozy mysteries then I recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 22, 2020
Ok
This wasn’t a terrible read. It was just ok... I dnt feel it had a strong storyline and I didn’t get a sense of who the characters were. The reveal of who done it was a let down also. It was the first story in the series and the book wasn’t that long so I may read the second installment before I decide if it’s worth following or not
This wasn’t a terrible read. It was just ok... I dnt feel it had a strong storyline and I didn’t get a sense of who the characters were. The reveal of who done it was a let down also. It was the first story in the series and the book wasn’t that long so I may read the second installment before I decide if it’s worth following or not
December 30, 2020
I really enjoyed this one because of the ghosts. I’ve been reading a lot of cozy mysteries lately and was hoping for a friendly ghost to help, or just be around. I would have liked a little more of that ghost interaction with our witch Helga. However, there is Cupid’s and probably could be more mythical creatures in the coming books. There was some grammatical issues in the book, but I would not say it effected the whole story.
December 28, 2021
A good mystery.
I like Constance Barker's book. Helga is a witch, who must solve a murder to clear her name. The plot is good, and I like the variety of supernatural creatures mentioned. I never before read a mystery with a cupid in it. I will be reading the next book in the series.
I like Constance Barker's book. Helga is a witch, who must solve a murder to clear her name. The plot is good, and I like the variety of supernatural creatures mentioned. I never before read a mystery with a cupid in it. I will be reading the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews