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The Viking Witch Cozy Mysteries #1
Body at the Crossroads
When her mother dies after a long illness, Ingrid Torfa must sell the family home to cover the medical bills. Her career as a book illustrator not yet exactly launched, Ingrid faces two options: live in her battered old Volkswagen, or go back to her mother's small town in northern Minnesota.
The small town that still haunts her dreams more than a decade since she last visited it. Or rather, not the town but the grandmother.
All of the drawings she fills notebooks with witches and the trolls that do their bidding? Not as whimsical in her nightmares as she sketches them in the bright light of day.
If not for her beloved cat Mjolner, living in the Volkswagen just might tempt her.
But the cat wants four walls and a door, so north she goes. And finds trouble in the form of a dead body before she even finds her grandmother's little town. How much can a town of stoic fishermen possibly be hiding?
As Ingrid is about to find out, quite a lot.
The small town that still haunts her dreams more than a decade since she last visited it. Or rather, not the town but the grandmother.
All of the drawings she fills notebooks with witches and the trolls that do their bidding? Not as whimsical in her nightmares as she sketches them in the bright light of day.
If not for her beloved cat Mjolner, living in the Volkswagen just might tempt her.
But the cat wants four walls and a door, so north she goes. And finds trouble in the form of a dead body before she even finds her grandmother's little town. How much can a town of stoic fishermen possibly be hiding?
As Ingrid is about to find out, quite a lot.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2020
412 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
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February 19, 2023No rating. I read Body at the Crossroads for my Professions in Publishing class this semester and upon finishing it, have concluded that this isn't for me.
March 3, 2022
This is an odd book and I have mixed feelings about it. I like the concept a lot, and the author did a nice job of immersing us in the Norwegian-American culture. And I like the idea of a witch who solves mysteries.
But...I really disliked the concept of us being in the head of someone who is clueless about what's happening. It made me feel lost through the whole book. The author has set up two Brigadoon-like communities along Minnesota's northern shore of Lake Superior. The one near the road is difficult to see, but is visible. But you have to be a special snowflake to see the one that's located on the other side of the waterfall. Ingrid has come back to these towns (and her grandmother) after visiting them as a child. At times she sees things (like the town hall) one way and at other times, another way entirely, and I'm not sure why that was the case. And she spends the entire book rushing from one location to another while completely clueless the whole time. Then in the last couple of pages the author tries to clear up all the confusion, but only manages part of it. So the reader is left with lots of unanswered question and a general feeling of disorientation.
It's free on amazon, which is fair. However, I'm not sure I'll continue with the series.
But...I really disliked the concept of us being in the head of someone who is clueless about what's happening. It made me feel lost through the whole book. The author has set up two Brigadoon-like communities along Minnesota's northern shore of Lake Superior. The one near the road is difficult to see, but is visible. But you have to be a special snowflake to see the one that's located on the other side of the waterfall. Ingrid has come back to these towns (and her grandmother) after visiting them as a child. At times she sees things (like the town hall) one way and at other times, another way entirely, and I'm not sure why that was the case. And she spends the entire book rushing from one location to another while completely clueless the whole time. Then in the last couple of pages the author tries to clear up all the confusion, but only manages part of it. So the reader is left with lots of unanswered question and a general feeling of disorientation.
It's free on amazon, which is fair. However, I'm not sure I'll continue with the series.
June 21, 2023
Good
Following the death of her mother, Ingrid has to pack everything up; but a surprise invitation from her grandmother leads her back to the childhood town she had all but forgotten.
There Ingrid discovers a magical world, one where she’s not entirely sure of the rules that govern it, or what her place in it is.
But it’s the murder that Ingrid stumbled across as soon as she enters the town that keeps her on her toes, and her grandmother drags her along in an investigation to find out who did it…
This is an enchanting tale, with a unique world and a fascinating set of characters. We don’t get to delve too deep into it, alas, because we follow along as Ingrid learns- and she is involved in a murder investigation!
It’s a quick read, with magic and mystery aplenty, and a cast of characters that are alluring and mysterious in their own way too.
The star of the show would be Ingrid’s cat Mjolner (I suspect that name will prove to be significant later), though her grandmother Nora is definitely a close second.
The author has put some care into creating characters consistent with what is known historically about the Viking era peoples, a touch I particularly enjoyed.
Altogether, this makes for an enjoyable, and quick read, that paranormal cosy mystery lovers will enjoy.
Following the death of her mother, Ingrid has to pack everything up; but a surprise invitation from her grandmother leads her back to the childhood town she had all but forgotten.
There Ingrid discovers a magical world, one where she’s not entirely sure of the rules that govern it, or what her place in it is.
But it’s the murder that Ingrid stumbled across as soon as she enters the town that keeps her on her toes, and her grandmother drags her along in an investigation to find out who did it…
This is an enchanting tale, with a unique world and a fascinating set of characters. We don’t get to delve too deep into it, alas, because we follow along as Ingrid learns- and she is involved in a murder investigation!
It’s a quick read, with magic and mystery aplenty, and a cast of characters that are alluring and mysterious in their own way too.
The star of the show would be Ingrid’s cat Mjolner (I suspect that name will prove to be significant later), though her grandmother Nora is definitely a close second.
The author has put some care into creating characters consistent with what is known historically about the Viking era peoples, a touch I particularly enjoyed.
Altogether, this makes for an enjoyable, and quick read, that paranormal cosy mystery lovers will enjoy.
August 31, 2022
I picked this up with minimal expectations...most "cozy mysteries" I've read have just passed the time, but not really engaged me. Think...summer reading.
This one though...blew me away and reeled me in. Granted there were a lot of unanswered questions as I finished the first book, but subsequent books tie everything together. I just finished the last book in the series, and am eagerly awaiting book #9 due out in February 2023.
Since I finished all 8 books (staying up sometimes until the wee hours of the morning because I just HAD.TO.KNOW) I'll write the review, hoping to spur you on to read the rest of the series.
The series is well written. Very well written. The words flow, the descriptions paint a picture without being overly effusive, the characters all have unique personalities which are fleshed out just enough, and just at the right times. There is drama, suspense, a wee bit of magic, and Norse mythology, with some ancient history thrown in. "Cozy" because there are no sex scenes, but this series is FAR from "cozy". Each book deals with a different murder that Ingrid, the protagonist, has to solve, all the while discovering who she is, where she came from, and juggling two hunky guys from two different villages who both adore her in their own way. Oh, and she is learning that she has magical powers that she never knew she had, and her kitty Mjolnir, may not JUST be a cat. (FYI - Mjolnir is the name of Thor's hammer. Although it dealt damage, it was also used to bless. Remember this as you read the series hah)
I don't want to give anything away, so that's all I'll mention. But...If you want a "cozy" mystery that is not vapid or vacuous, but has a bite, pick this up. You won't be able to put it down.
This one though...blew me away and reeled me in. Granted there were a lot of unanswered questions as I finished the first book, but subsequent books tie everything together. I just finished the last book in the series, and am eagerly awaiting book #9 due out in February 2023.
Since I finished all 8 books (staying up sometimes until the wee hours of the morning because I just HAD.TO.KNOW) I'll write the review, hoping to spur you on to read the rest of the series.
The series is well written. Very well written. The words flow, the descriptions paint a picture without being overly effusive, the characters all have unique personalities which are fleshed out just enough, and just at the right times. There is drama, suspense, a wee bit of magic, and Norse mythology, with some ancient history thrown in. "Cozy" because there are no sex scenes, but this series is FAR from "cozy". Each book deals with a different murder that Ingrid, the protagonist, has to solve, all the while discovering who she is, where she came from, and juggling two hunky guys from two different villages who both adore her in their own way. Oh, and she is learning that she has magical powers that she never knew she had, and her kitty Mjolnir, may not JUST be a cat. (FYI - Mjolnir is the name of Thor's hammer. Although it dealt damage, it was also used to bless. Remember this as you read the series hah)
I don't want to give anything away, so that's all I'll mention. But...If you want a "cozy" mystery that is not vapid or vacuous, but has a bite, pick this up. You won't be able to put it down.
February 22, 2024
intriguing
Ingrid and her pet cat Mlojnar are driving to see her grandmother and what a trip it is! Ingrid’s mother has passed, so it is time to visit. It has been many years since Ingrid and her grandmother have seen each other and the memories are dim, but Ingrid is shocked by finding a body in the middle of the highway - and herself in too close encounter with a tree as she swerves to avoid hitting it.
A lot more surprises are coming Ingrid’s way too - the handsome Thornbjorn, the odd Loke and Andrew, the girls she almost remembers growing up with as friends…unexpected presence of magic, and Lisa, who is now dead and was poisoned before left for dead - who moved her? And why? And who did it? Interesting and intriguing as a story, well written and an absolutely worthwhile read
Ingrid and her pet cat Mlojnar are driving to see her grandmother and what a trip it is! Ingrid’s mother has passed, so it is time to visit. It has been many years since Ingrid and her grandmother have seen each other and the memories are dim, but Ingrid is shocked by finding a body in the middle of the highway - and herself in too close encounter with a tree as she swerves to avoid hitting it.
A lot more surprises are coming Ingrid’s way too - the handsome Thornbjorn, the odd Loke and Andrew, the girls she almost remembers growing up with as friends…unexpected presence of magic, and Lisa, who is now dead and was poisoned before left for dead - who moved her? And why? And who did it? Interesting and intriguing as a story, well written and an absolutely worthwhile read
September 8, 2025
I liked this book. It has a different feel to it, but sometimes that is a good thing. It is disconcerting to be one type of person, ordinary and almost boring and find yourself in a totally different situation with magic practically knocking on your door. I get the new beginnings and the fresh start. We all need that from time to time, even if it's only in a story we read. We share in the fresh start and fell better for it. The characters in this story are different from what I am used to, but still quite interesting. The plot is straightforward, and the premise is finding out who poisoned the girl found on the crossroads and why. The answers included a village from a very different part of the world, hidden from the rest of the modern world, ancient magics, and of course the worst of the emotions, jealousy. I highly recommend this book.
July 16, 2025
Body at the Crossroads by Cate Martin was an entertaining story that left you hanging at the end. This is the first book in the series and I guess that it will continue into the next books. There was a lot of Norwegian influence to be informative. I liked the interaction among the characters, especially the Grandmother. She was mysterious and yet lovable. The plot and characters were well developed. There is a murder - that makes it a cozy mystery. There is also an amateur sleuth that uses magic - that she did not know she has - to solve the mystery. And there is a cat! I enjoyed this book and I recommend it. I am not sure if I will continue the series so I guess this book can be read as a stand alone.
April 19, 2025
The death of her mother, leaving Ingrid Torfa both an adult orphan and possessed of many medical bills, necessitates selling the family home and a move north to her estranged grandmother's house. Arriving late in the night and harrowed by the journey, Ingrid nearly runs over a dead body at the crossroads to her new village. With the obscurities of her ancestry swirling around, can Ingrid bring a killer to justice?
The story contained too many secrets and was too ethereal for me to grasp the concept and bond with the main character. It just wasn't my cup of tea—others may feel differently (and clearly do!).
The story contained too many secrets and was too ethereal for me to grasp the concept and bond with the main character. It just wasn't my cup of tea—others may feel differently (and clearly do!).
August 5, 2023
This was a pretty good book. It’s called a Viking Witch cozy, and I thought the premise was interesting. A witch and her village had to flee Norway hundreds of years ago to avoid marauders. They ended up in Lake Superior via her magic. They got along well with the Indians and decided to stay. She created a magical Viking village with mountains and all for them to live in, and it’s hidden away amongst the humans to this day. The story itself was a little thin, but I enjoyed the setting and think if the author builds the characters up more the sequels would be worth reading.
December 9, 2024
Discovering your talents
There were aspect of this story that I like but there were other aspects that made me feel as if I were caught in a time warp, flitting from one point to the next.
I liked the main character, Ingrid and her rather exceptional cat Mjolner and I also liked the story concept, however, certain aspects were not too clear, e.g. the things people remembered as well as the creation of the illusions. I am not sure that I liked those same but particular story, it was rather sad.
There were aspect of this story that I like but there were other aspects that made me feel as if I were caught in a time warp, flitting from one point to the next.
I liked the main character, Ingrid and her rather exceptional cat Mjolner and I also liked the story concept, however, certain aspects were not too clear, e.g. the things people remembered as well as the creation of the illusions. I am not sure that I liked those same but particular story, it was rather sad.
December 25, 2021
Body at the Crossroads
History in the making. A coming together of the past, present and a really good writer. Cate Martin has brought a bit of the Nordic Gods to life in a new witchy paranormal and cozey mystery murder gathering 😀. It's well written intriguing as well as suspenseful. Acquire " Body at the Crossroads " today so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have . 🙂 Kat
History in the making. A coming together of the past, present and a really good writer. Cate Martin has brought a bit of the Nordic Gods to life in a new witchy paranormal and cozey mystery murder gathering 😀. It's well written intriguing as well as suspenseful. Acquire " Body at the Crossroads " today so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have . 🙂 Kat
September 12, 2023
This book purposed an interesting premise, and for the most part I did find it to be an enjoyable read. Going in I was anticipating a cozy mystery, and in most respects I do feel that this book lived up to my expectations. The resolution of the mystery did feel a bit abrupt; I am crediting the awkward pacing of the murder investigation to it being the first book in series and other plot lines needing more attention.
June 21, 2024
Needs polished
If the author's intent was to confuse the reader and keep them that way then she succeeded. I feel like this was a first draft that was then self published. The premise of the story was good but the delivery definitely needed polished. Ever have that dream where you're trying to find something but aren't sure what and it keeps eluding you? That's the takeaway of this story. Too much diversion leaving you feeling frustrated.
If the author's intent was to confuse the reader and keep them that way then she succeeded. I feel like this was a first draft that was then self published. The premise of the story was good but the delivery definitely needed polished. Ever have that dream where you're trying to find something but aren't sure what and it keeps eluding you? That's the takeaway of this story. Too much diversion leaving you feeling frustrated.
November 21, 2024
4.5
Aa a norse mythology/viking loving person i absolutely loved reading this short cozy viking witchy mystery!
Its short and easy to get through, it is easy to understand and you dont need that much knowledge on vikings to understand even though it is nice to have that knowledge. I liked how witchery got mixed into this as well and i cant wait to read more books of this series!
Aa a norse mythology/viking loving person i absolutely loved reading this short cozy viking witchy mystery!
Its short and easy to get through, it is easy to understand and you dont need that much knowledge on vikings to understand even though it is nice to have that knowledge. I liked how witchery got mixed into this as well and i cant wait to read more books of this series!
September 12, 2025
Body at the Crossroads
This was definitely a different type of mystery book than I’m used to. But with that down. I just admit this book definitely kept me reading and trying to figure out who or what parts of these people were actually real or was it just an idea that Ingrid thought was right. Truly an interesting read.
This was definitely a different type of mystery book than I’m used to. But with that down. I just admit this book definitely kept me reading and trying to figure out who or what parts of these people were actually real or was it just an idea that Ingrid thought was right. Truly an interesting read.
October 14, 2020
Body at the Crossroads
This is a remarkable New way to start a Witch series. This is mystery and escapism all rolled up together. I enjoyed the begining of these stories and I plan to start the next volume this evening. I love the cat!
This is a remarkable New way to start a Witch series. This is mystery and escapism all rolled up together. I enjoyed the begining of these stories and I plan to start the next volume this evening. I love the cat!
December 16, 2021
This was a very confusing read. The characters were interesting enough, without trying to cloak them with an extreme sense of mystery. Even the possibility of a love interest is so far in fog, it makes it unreal. I did read the whole book, and didn't feel like there was any kind of ending.
May 18, 2022
I liked this because it was different and the writing felt natural. It was a bit frustrating that it seemed like the characters were always walking back and forth and the main didn't know what was going on half the time but I'll continue the series.
February 12, 2023
witches
Following a familiar outline of the powerful but unaware of her power untrained heroine, the author follows the outline with enough originality to make the story worth a read. Love the cat, can’t wait to see his story develop
Following a familiar outline of the powerful but unaware of her power untrained heroine, the author follows the outline with enough originality to make the story worth a read. Love the cat, can’t wait to see his story develop
March 22, 2023
I agree with some of the reviews I read. It started out great and then I was all, huh?! (A lot of unanswered questions too, but then again, it is the first book in the series!)
It is a new author to me so yay, new backlist!
It is a new author to me so yay, new backlist!
January 28, 2025
As it says on the cover Cozy Mystery
This book brought me back to my youth. Feel good factors all around with some added mystery and intrigued by the Viking witch world and powers. Great book to curl up to on a cold day with your most cosy jumper on.
This book brought me back to my youth. Feel good factors all around with some added mystery and intrigued by the Viking witch world and powers. Great book to curl up to on a cold day with your most cosy jumper on.
September 17, 2025
this is a different witch story
I liked this idea of a different world and its powers. It has interesting characters with different powers to help in situations. I hope to find more by Cate Martin.
I liked this idea of a different world and its powers. It has interesting characters with different powers to help in situations. I hope to find more by Cate Martin.
October 17, 2025
Not what i was expecting.
To start with death and ultimately begin with something new. A road unseen is a possible path with twists and turns in that. Plenty of possibilities for the characters.
To start with death and ultimately begin with something new. A road unseen is a possible path with twists and turns in that. Plenty of possibilities for the characters.
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November 9, 2020Dropped
July 29, 2021
Worth reading
This is not the usual witch book. The characters are distinct and original. The setting is amazingly wonderful. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
This is not the usual witch book. The characters are distinct and original. The setting is amazingly wonderful. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
December 21, 2021
A unique story
The author has developed an amazing and creative story to go with a interesting group of characters making this hard to put down
The author has developed an amazing and creative story to go with a interesting group of characters making this hard to put down
December 24, 2021
interesting fantasy
The author tells a gripping story of magic, heredity, and strange happenings. The Norwegian sounding names and places adds to the magic.
The author tells a gripping story of magic, heredity, and strange happenings. The Norwegian sounding names and places adds to the magic.
January 15, 2022
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
April 16, 2022
Fascinating
Absolutely astonishing imagination and wonderful story telling, the descriptions of the history and settings felt like a Norse myth and legend, very clever
Absolutely astonishing imagination and wonderful story telling, the descriptions of the history and settings felt like a Norse myth and legend, very clever
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews