A Cold Case Spoiled

Ice Witch Mysteries #3

by J.L. Collins

Charming Springs - Where every day is colder than a witch’s kitty! Reluctantly powerful witch Indie Warren is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Okay, it’s more like she’s stuck between the charming, hunky leprechaun and the brooding reaper with the crooked smile. But Indie finds herself distracted despite her current relationship woes, drawn to the mysterious hot springs that have quite literally shown up out of thin air. And in a town cursed with eternal winter, nothing screams front page-worthy than an excuse to break out your bikini… As the editor of the local newspaper, Indie really has her work cut out for her when a resident frog shifter turns up facedown in the springs. She and her best friend Goldie immediately start hunting for clues. Where did the hot spring come from and how did their victim end up dead within its rotten-smelling waters? And perhaps more importantly, can she and Goldie keep their supernatural neighbors from skinny-dipping in the deadly hot springs? A Cold Case Spoiled (Ice Witch Mysteries, book 3) is a lighthearted paranormal cozy mystery. Find out what happens next!

Genres: Mystery, Magic, Fantasy

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 23, 2020

About the author

J. L. (Jerri) lives in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, with her family and feisty canine. She loves delicious southern food, dogs, Carolina sunrises on the beach, shopping on King Street, and curling up with about twenty different books on the weekends. When she gets the rare chance, she also likes to go exploring and learning more about Charleston's rich history.

Make sure to sign up for Jerri's mailing list to receive her newsletter so you can find out all about her new releases, check out cover reveals, take part of fun giveaways, PLUS receive an exclusive cocktail recipe book from J. L. for free! https://www.subscribepage.com/u0d6c6

Feel free to contact J. L. Collins here: jlcollinsbooks@gmail.com

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good continuation of this series. Indie continues to work on tapping into her magic while settling into her position as the editor of the newspaper. A mysterious hot spring has appeared and a frog shifter has drowned. Indie and her friends are drawn into this investigation while still trying to break the curse that has kept the town in perpetual winter. It appears that Indie may have a new love interest in Julian the leprechaun who is the new photographer Indie has hired for the paper.

I have really enjoyed this series and am looking forward to Indie gaining more maturity and confidence in herself and her magic. At this point I’m going to reserve judgement on the romance aspect of the series and will wait to see where it goes.

[Amanda Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confused

So.. questions I have..

Why is the leprechaun, traditionally of Irish descent, speaking with a Scottish accent? Why only some of the time not all of the time?

Why is the leprechaun, known commonly as little people, six foot something tall?

Why has the reaper not been involved in reaping the soles of any of the victims of the series to date?

The Scottish leprechaun got to Charming Springs how? And why does his magic work here when it's been stated a few times that your powers weaken when you are away from the place you were born?

The end was messy.. it's like there's a few leaps of muddled thinking which gets them nowhere really and then they catch the killer red handed..

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Indie continues her magic lessons and working with Ash to figure out how to figure out a way to release Spell from it's icy isolation, things continue to change in the city. A newly formed hot springs seems to be the cause of many unusual occurrences. However when a frog shifter meets his death in the springs, Indie and Ash turn their attention to who is actually responsible for the murder. With the addition of a hunky leprechaun to the newspaper's staff, Indie has found another willing investigator.
This fun series continues to enchant readers! Interesting characters and quirky magic makes it so much fun!

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Copy for Review

In the midst of a relationship between a brooding reaper and a hunky leprechaun Indie’s life isn’t easy.

Throw in a mysterious hot springs that suddenly appears in the cursed town where winter is continuous, something isn’t quite right. When a frog shifter ends up dead in the springs, Indie the editor will dig up information.

Can she figure out how the spring suddenly appeared and why the shifter was killed before the murder strikes again? It is another cold installment in this witchy series.

[Miki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, the story is following the precedent books so it's better to be read in order however it's not my favourite. I did not like how Indie who is supposed to be very careful about her secret starts reacting with Julian the new guy in the team...i'm not saying she can't be friend with new characters but she opens up a bit too quickly, in my opinion, throwing caution to the winds...i really prefer Ash as well^^;;
That being said the story is good, the investigation is well written with a good suspens i really enjoyed it

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third in the series. Charming Springs is a town cursed with eternal winter. A hot spring pops up in the town. A resident frog shifter turns up face down in the springs. As the local newspaper editor, Indie is always looking for newsworthy material.

I like the characters quirkiness and all. The plot is well written and there are enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. Let’s find out why the springs appeared and why people are dying. Are they related?

I received this book free and am not required to leave a positive review.

[sharon g. stoddard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series

I’ve enjoyed reading this series and like the characters a lot. I just wondered how much longer it can continue in this frozen state, because it’s getting to where solutions need to be found to break the curse. Life can continue to improve and new adventures discovered once the curse is broken.

What I do have complaints about is when I write in my little notebook the date of the next release and by the way, book 4 for months was advertised to release on March 24; is now scheduled for a month later! Very frustrating.

[Dawn Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the Ice Witch Mysteries, but A Cold Case Spoiled was disappointing for me. In my opinion this dealt more with Indie's relationship with Julian than with the mystery. I don't mind expanding things in the series but I wanted more on the mystery part. I figured at the killer from the beginning, that's okay with me. I like finishing the story to see if I'm right. There are a lot of questions about this story. I like the main characters and I'm hoping there is a conclusion to the curse. I read on Kindle Unlimited.

[Myra Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cursed town isolated with eclectic characters

This series has lots of wonderful characters that are all stuck in a town isolated from the world. I like that the author does acknowledge that Indie had a life before wandering into town. I like that the town is stuck in perpetual Winter which adds creative elements to the story. The characters are likeable and relatable in a strange way.

[Barb Foerst · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hot spring has sprung up in Charming Springs the town of eternal winter. Indie is busy with her magic lessons and replacing the photographer at the newspaper. On Dru’s recommendation, she hires Julian a tall leprechaun as the photographer. When a frog-shifted dies at the hot springs, Julian is Indie’s perfect accomplice in solving the murder. This series has great characters with diverse talents. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indie is getting settled into her position at the newspaper and must hire another new photographer. On Dru's recommendation, Indie hires Julian, a leprechaun, who all the women seem to be attracted to. Julian is a big help to Indie as she tries to solve the murder of a frog shifter who drowned in the hot spring. Fun watching Indie learn to develop her powers.

[Pamela E. Burtraw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Another fine entry in this paranormal cozy series. Each book has a mystery or two that needs to be solved . Characters that are interesting and quirky in a town full of different species of the strange and wonderful. The adventure continues with action, a touch of romance and much humor. Once you finish one book in the series makes you want to read more.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuck in the frozen town of Charming Springs, Indie is making the best of this bad situation. Working with others to figure out how to break the curse, Indie is also the editor of the local newspaper.
Filled with interesting and quirky supernatural characters and a mystery with plenty twists and turns. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why has a hot spring has mysteriously appeared in frozen Charming Springs? And why has a resident drowned? Is the spring dangerous? Indie and her pals intend to find out! This delightful book is well written with a good deal of skill and imagination. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Naticia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better. I especially love the little insights into Indie's growing relationship with her new friends. The mystery in this one was a little light, but the character development was strong and I was excited to hear more about Ash's research into the overarching mystery of Charming Springs. Already looking forward to the next one!

[Mike Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series

This is an entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. With a great cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. Young woman trapped in a magical town find out she was actually a witch. As she learns to use her powers and tries to escape she becomes part of the town and helps solve mysteries. Entertaining check it out.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner

Each book is better than the last. This one is my favorite so far. I enjoyed the storyline and it flowed really well. I read it all in one sitting. I look forward to reading more about Indie and her powers.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hot spring has popped up in Charming Springs. When a frog shifter is found dead in the hot spring, Indie investigates. A new love interest (Julian, a leprechaun) may replace Ash. Well written and interesting, a good installment in the series.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot springs - Cold town!
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2021
Another charming mystery with engaging characters. There were plenty of twists to keep me guessing. The story kept my attention from the first page. I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.

[Tammie Jahshan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the book

Nothing like being stuck in a town full witches and other magical beings and not get out because of Mother Nature. Indie is stuck and has found a job and has knack of into and out of trouble by finding the truth.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun, quick read in this series. I'm loving it.

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t get enough of this series! The characters are wonderful and engaging. I love the mysteries to be solved and the whole stuck in a frozen town thing that’s going on. It’s so much fun!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some like it hot

There is a new hot spring in town. However, it comes with a dead body. Of course the police are not doing anything so Indie and friends investigate.

[Stephen Levesque · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is very well told and the characters are so well put together and strong, the story just flies by. Great character build up and story writing by this author. Great Reading Everyone!

[Ramona Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cold case

Good story the main character still gives me some problems. I vote team Ash forget the leprechaun. Now to start book 4

[Susan Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

A little romance with mystery thrown in for good measure. A very satisfying read. Thank you for sharing your stories.