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Melting Pot Cafe #1
Pumpkin Pies & Potions
Witches, cats, pumpkin pies and murder!
I’m Evelyn Grayson and if you’d told me by the time I was 23, I’d have lost both my parents in a mysterious accident, moved in with the coolest Aunt ever, lived in a magical town, and I was a witch, I would have said you were crazy. Funny thing is, you’d be right.
Camille Stenson, the grumpiest woman in Saltwater Cove is set on making this year’s Halloween celebrations difficult for everyone, but when she turns up dead and my best friend is on the suspect list, I have no choice but to find out whodunit and clear her name.
Amongst the pumpkin carving, abandoned houses, and apple bobbing, it soon becomes apparent dark magic is at play and I must use all my newfound witches’ abilities to find the killer before another spell is cast.
Step into Evelyn Grayson’s magical world in the first book of the Melting Pot Café series, a fun and flirty romantic paranormal cozy mystery where the spells are flowing, and the adventure is just beginning.
If you like witty witches, cheeky talking cats, and magical murder mysteries, then you’ll love Polly Holmes’ light-hearted Melting Pot Café series.
I’m Evelyn Grayson and if you’d told me by the time I was 23, I’d have lost both my parents in a mysterious accident, moved in with the coolest Aunt ever, lived in a magical town, and I was a witch, I would have said you were crazy. Funny thing is, you’d be right.
Camille Stenson, the grumpiest woman in Saltwater Cove is set on making this year’s Halloween celebrations difficult for everyone, but when she turns up dead and my best friend is on the suspect list, I have no choice but to find out whodunit and clear her name.
Amongst the pumpkin carving, abandoned houses, and apple bobbing, it soon becomes apparent dark magic is at play and I must use all my newfound witches’ abilities to find the killer before another spell is cast.
Step into Evelyn Grayson’s magical world in the first book of the Melting Pot Café series, a fun and flirty romantic paranormal cozy mystery where the spells are flowing, and the adventure is just beginning.
If you like witty witches, cheeky talking cats, and magical murder mysteries, then you’ll love Polly Holmes’ light-hearted Melting Pot Café series.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2020
525 people are currently reading
1505 people want to read
About the author
Polly Holmes
60 books966 followersAuthor also writes under P.L. Harris
Polly Holmes is the cheeky alter ego of Amazon best-selling author, P.L. Harris. When she's not writing her next romantic suspense novel as P.L. Harris, she’s planning the next murder in one of Polly's mysteries.
Polly’s award-winning Cupcake Capers Series is rich in storyline and location with characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. She publishes her cozy mystery books with Gumnut Press. Pumpkin Pies and Potions is the first in her new paranormal cozy series.
Cupcakes and Corpses was a finalist in the Oklahoma RWA’s 2019 IDA International Digital Awards, short suspense category. Cupcakes and Curses claimed second place and Cupcakes and Cyanide gained third place making it a clean sweep in the category.
Polly Holmes is the cheeky alter ego of Amazon best-selling author, P.L. Harris. When she's not writing her next romantic suspense novel as P.L. Harris, she’s planning the next murder in one of Polly's mysteries.
Polly’s award-winning Cupcake Capers Series is rich in storyline and location with characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. She publishes her cozy mystery books with Gumnut Press. Pumpkin Pies and Potions is the first in her new paranormal cozy series.
Cupcakes and Corpses was a finalist in the Oklahoma RWA’s 2019 IDA International Digital Awards, short suspense category. Cupcakes and Curses claimed second place and Cupcakes and Cyanide gained third place making it a clean sweep in the category.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
December 17, 2023
This is a fun, unapologetically witchy mystery with plenty of suspects that keeps you turning the pages to the end. The characters are fun and their stories promise plenty of drama ahead.
I'd have given it four stars, but the repeated grammatical errors and typos in the first half of the book had me dropping it to three. For me, such errors always pull me from the story and are detrimental overall. The book could really use a proofreader or good Beta reader.
I'd have given it four stars, but the repeated grammatical errors and typos in the first half of the book had me dropping it to three. For me, such errors always pull me from the story and are detrimental overall. The book could really use a proofreader or good Beta reader.
September 13, 2020
Ms Holmes' new series combines supernatural elements with her wonderful cozy goodness.
Graduate witch, Evelyn Grayson, lives with her accomplished aunt, Edie, next door to the Melting Pot Cafe. Orphaned at a young age, it took time for Evelyn to accept her abilities, but as an adult, she's learning as much about magic as possible. Fortunately, in her aunt, she has a great teacher. Life's straightforward in Saltwater Cove. She and her aunt live as normal a life as possible. After all, being a witch is no secret in their beautiful town.
When one of her best friends is accused of murder, Evelyn knows she'll do whatever she can to help her. The only real problem, as a graduate, she has magical rules to follow, which only makes proving her friend's innocence all the more difficult. That and knowing who she can really trust.
Another fabulous story and brilliant start to a new series. I'm ready for the next book. :)
Graduate witch, Evelyn Grayson, lives with her accomplished aunt, Edie, next door to the Melting Pot Cafe. Orphaned at a young age, it took time for Evelyn to accept her abilities, but as an adult, she's learning as much about magic as possible. Fortunately, in her aunt, she has a great teacher. Life's straightforward in Saltwater Cove. She and her aunt live as normal a life as possible. After all, being a witch is no secret in their beautiful town.
When one of her best friends is accused of murder, Evelyn knows she'll do whatever she can to help her. The only real problem, as a graduate, she has magical rules to follow, which only makes proving her friend's innocence all the more difficult. That and knowing who she can really trust.
Another fabulous story and brilliant start to a new series. I'm ready for the next book. :)
March 7, 2022
This was a fun cozy mystery full of magic! Evelyn has some witch’s abilities. And she’s going to need them to help out her friend who has been accused of murder. There was a whole lot of fun characters in this story, including a special cat. And there’s Halloween holiday and magic throughout.
September 19, 2024
I would give another star 🌟 if they would just fix the grammar! Was there no editing? The flow of the story is constantly challenged because the grammar is so poor in spots. Killed the story for me, and honestly it was hard to finish. For shame.
March 15, 2025
I actually enjoyed this one. There’s magic, friendship, mystery and of course a murder. The best thing is that the main character isn’t written as a simpering idiot for the most part- other than the hint of a love triangle- which PLEASE NO!! She’s smart, loyal, sometime impulsive, but cares about her found family enough to protect them. I maybe found one TSTL (almost) in the plot,which is a miracle for most cozies. Overall a quick, quirky, enjoyable read.
January 2, 2021
What a fun read!
This book has it all. Quirky characters, magic, close family and friends, and a murder to solve. It kept me guessing and suspecting until close to the end. There might even be a little romance brewing.
This book has it all. Quirky characters, magic, close family and friends, and a murder to solve. It kept me guessing and suspecting until close to the end. There might even be a little romance brewing.
September 26, 2023
A simple, fun, Halloween-season freebie read.
This started off really fun with some quirky friends and revolving around their witchy bakery preparing for Halloween. But then the mystery hit and things just went downhill. There were just so many parts where I had to suspend ALL reality and I was almost pulling my hair out about it. For example - "Oh no! We broke into this crime scene and a cop is coming--he's right outside! Let's put our plan together FIRST and discuss everything we know, and THEN hide." Wait....what? OR "Our friend is inside and has been attacked. Don't call the cops OR the ambulance. Let me explain to you the ritual that's happening and why we have to stop it. Then we'll go in, find our hurt friends, and THEN you can call the ambulance!" NO! So...that just irked me. I'm somewhere between a 2 and 3 stars on this one.
This started off really fun with some quirky friends and revolving around their witchy bakery preparing for Halloween. But then the mystery hit and things just went downhill. There were just so many parts where I had to suspend ALL reality and I was almost pulling my hair out about it. For example - "Oh no! We broke into this crime scene and a cop is coming--he's right outside! Let's put our plan together FIRST and discuss everything we know, and THEN hide." Wait....what? OR "Our friend is inside and has been attacked. Don't call the cops OR the ambulance. Let me explain to you the ritual that's happening and why we have to stop it. Then we'll go in, find our hurt friends, and THEN you can call the ambulance!" NO! So...that just irked me. I'm somewhere between a 2 and 3 stars on this one.
April 27, 2021
Good and fun.
Good story and fun. The plot is good and kept me guessIng. I might have enjoyed it more if I hadn't encountered so many misused or misspelled words, missing punctuation, and tense changes. Perhaps this is a difference between Australian and American English, but I found it distracting.
Good story and fun. The plot is good and kept me guessIng. I might have enjoyed it more if I hadn't encountered so many misused or misspelled words, missing punctuation, and tense changes. Perhaps this is a difference between Australian and American English, but I found it distracting.
August 19, 2024
DNF @ 25% because I just couldn’t 😫 I wanted to push through the writing because it seemed so cute and cozy, and I thought it would give off the best fall vibes… but oh my goodness! It felt super repetitive, cringy, flat, and just blah. The writing style just wasn’t for me!
Read
March 1, 2021Fun and entertaining
November 15, 2020
Evelyn Grayson lost her parents moved in with the greatest aunt ever and was told that she was a witch like her aunt and all before she turned twenty-three. Evelyn enjoys being a witch and living in the magical little town Saltwater Cove. Evelyn and her Aunt Edie live beside the Melting Pot Café. The Melting Pot Café is Aunt Edie’s witch-themed café. Evie loves working at the Melting Pot Café with her Aunt Edie.
One of Saltwater Cove’s residents, Camille Stenson is found dead and Evie’s best friend Harriet is the number one suspect. Evie knows Harriet didn’t kill Camille and is determined to prove her innocents and with the help of her other two besties Jordi and Tyler they set out to do just that.
Pumpkin Pies and Potions is fun little read set in the magical cozy little town of Saltwater Cove. Pumpkin Pies and Potions will keep you jumping from page to page just trying to keep up with all its twists and turns as each of its secrets are revealed one by one.
I so enjoyed all the characters and getting to know them. I loved the sweet little town of Saltwater Cove with all its charms. I am so looking forward to getting to know more of Saltwater Cove and its residents in future books of the Melting Pot Café series.
If you like cozy little mysteries with a witchy theme then you are going to really enjoy this little gem that is Pumpkin Pies and Potions. Pumpkin Pies and Potions is a magical little read just in time for Halloween. Come join Evie, Tyler, Harriet and Jordi as they set out to solve a murder mystery.
One of Saltwater Cove’s residents, Camille Stenson is found dead and Evie’s best friend Harriet is the number one suspect. Evie knows Harriet didn’t kill Camille and is determined to prove her innocents and with the help of her other two besties Jordi and Tyler they set out to do just that.
Pumpkin Pies and Potions is fun little read set in the magical cozy little town of Saltwater Cove. Pumpkin Pies and Potions will keep you jumping from page to page just trying to keep up with all its twists and turns as each of its secrets are revealed one by one.
I so enjoyed all the characters and getting to know them. I loved the sweet little town of Saltwater Cove with all its charms. I am so looking forward to getting to know more of Saltwater Cove and its residents in future books of the Melting Pot Café series.
If you like cozy little mysteries with a witchy theme then you are going to really enjoy this little gem that is Pumpkin Pies and Potions. Pumpkin Pies and Potions is a magical little read just in time for Halloween. Come join Evie, Tyler, Harriet and Jordi as they set out to solve a murder mystery.
October 27, 2020
Murder, mystery, romance, and friendship. Pumpkin Pies & Potions follows a group of friends as they try to solve a murder, with new surprises that crop up along the way. Evelyn Grayson is a fun character with a big heart. There is nothing she won’t do to protect her friends, even if that means throwing herself in the middle of danger with hardly a thought for herself.
Although the story has a slow build-up, when the danger reached its peak, I found myself glued to the pages, wanting to know what happened next! I enjoyed the magic, spells, and humor weaved throughout the book, as well as the small bits of romance.
The ending set up a promise of more mystery to come in the series, with a love triangle I hope will unfold in the next book. Pumpkin Pies and Potions is a great first book to start out the Melting Pot Café series.
Although the story has a slow build-up, when the danger reached its peak, I found myself glued to the pages, wanting to know what happened next! I enjoyed the magic, spells, and humor weaved throughout the book, as well as the small bits of romance.
The ending set up a promise of more mystery to come in the series, with a love triangle I hope will unfold in the next book. Pumpkin Pies and Potions is a great first book to start out the Melting Pot Café series.
February 19, 2022
This was a fun story, but the author could use a good proof-reader and editor. There is little that disrupts the flow of a story as sentences missing a crucial word. I found at least a half dozen of these as well as several other issues such as miss-spelled words. Without these flaws I would have given this book 4 stars.
October 10, 2022
This wasnt for me im afraid. Im not sure if it is aimed as a YA but that is how it read to me and it just didnt have the depth, or jumpiness that I hope for in a thriller book. It was fun, but nothing I would carry on with.
October 19, 2020
I have to admit, “Pumpkin Pies & Potions” is the first Paranormal Cozy Mystery book I have ever read — as it’s not my normal preferred reading genre. Having said that, I was very pleasantly surprised and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it (even if I did have to look up what a ‘familiar’ was and what a ‘shapeshifter’ was — I now know!).
This delightful story is set in the magical town of Saltwater Cove where the main protagonist, witty young graduate witch, Evelyn Grayson, lives with her wonderful Aunt Edie (also a witch) above the Melting Pot Café. Evelyn and her magical friends, Harriet and Jordi, along with their good friend Tyler join forces to help solve a local murder.
“Pumpkin Pies & Potions” is a very well written story in the first person point of view (Evelyn’s). The characters are charming and delightful, and the plot is believable and well-paced. I found the story a nice break from heavier storylines. It is certainly ‘light entertainment’ at it’s very best.
It would even make an excellent TV show!
Congratulations to Polly Holmes. This book is a great start to the Melting Pot Café series and I highly recommend it.
This delightful story is set in the magical town of Saltwater Cove where the main protagonist, witty young graduate witch, Evelyn Grayson, lives with her wonderful Aunt Edie (also a witch) above the Melting Pot Café. Evelyn and her magical friends, Harriet and Jordi, along with their good friend Tyler join forces to help solve a local murder.
“Pumpkin Pies & Potions” is a very well written story in the first person point of view (Evelyn’s). The characters are charming and delightful, and the plot is believable and well-paced. I found the story a nice break from heavier storylines. It is certainly ‘light entertainment’ at it’s very best.
It would even make an excellent TV show!
Congratulations to Polly Holmes. This book is a great start to the Melting Pot Café series and I highly recommend it.
January 4, 2021
Witchy cooking
This is a book that you finish in a short time it’s great to mix cosy mystery with the main meaning of witch craft. You actually forget about the cosy mystery side as you wait to wonder what magic is going to fix this the author has gotten the mix just right. Thank you Polly Holmes
This is a book that you finish in a short time it’s great to mix cosy mystery with the main meaning of witch craft. You actually forget about the cosy mystery side as you wait to wonder what magic is going to fix this the author has gotten the mix just right. Thank you Polly Holmes
March 18, 2021
Evie
Evelyn, A graduate witch, lives with her Aunt Edie, A master witch who runs Melting Pot Cafe which is known for it's excellent food. Eve's friend, Harriet finds a dead body where she works at a bank. Aunt Eddie's friend Vivienne is accused of murder, as poison was found in the pumpkin pie she made. Her other friends Tyler the computer geek, and Jordi a shapshifter help her solve the murder mystery.
Fun enjoyable read !!!
Evelyn, A graduate witch, lives with her Aunt Edie, A master witch who runs Melting Pot Cafe which is known for it's excellent food. Eve's friend, Harriet finds a dead body where she works at a bank. Aunt Eddie's friend Vivienne is accused of murder, as poison was found in the pumpkin pie she made. Her other friends Tyler the computer geek, and Jordi a shapshifter help her solve the murder mystery.
Fun enjoyable read !!!
January 30, 2022
Pumpkin Pies &Potions
So much mayhem and laughter along with a few mysterys and murder .So well written with each event flowing behind another before you can catch your breath with so many charismatic and vibrant characters extending love, friendship and a helping hand when ever the next disaster strikes. And we can't forget the budding romances around the edges of it all. Acquire " Pumpkin Pies &Potions " today for hours of magical entertainment .😃Kat
So much mayhem and laughter along with a few mysterys and murder .So well written with each event flowing behind another before you can catch your breath with so many charismatic and vibrant characters extending love, friendship and a helping hand when ever the next disaster strikes. And we can't forget the budding romances around the edges of it all. Acquire " Pumpkin Pies &Potions " today for hours of magical entertainment .😃Kat
November 6, 2020
Mysteries galore with lots of witchy help to discover the truths.
With every thought and moment clear for the reader to place themselves into the setting as if we shapeshifted to a fly on the wall. Loved this book cant wait to read the follow ups.
With every thought and moment clear for the reader to place themselves into the setting as if we shapeshifted to a fly on the wall. Loved this book cant wait to read the follow ups.
March 19, 2021
Happiness, Heartache, Intrigue and of course Murder and Mayhem.
A great story full of all sorts of emotions. Lots of great charcters both good and bad and of course in between - are they what they seem?
I enjoyed this and am sure anyone else will. I look forward to the next adventure in this series.
A great story full of all sorts of emotions. Lots of great charcters both good and bad and of course in between - are they what they seem?
I enjoyed this and am sure anyone else will. I look forward to the next adventure in this series.
January 11, 2021
Great Book
Loved this book and on to number 2 🥰
It was fun and magical. Would definitely recommend This book.
Enjoy
Loved this book and on to number 2 🥰
It was fun and magical. Would definitely recommend This book.
Enjoy
February 4, 2021
Pumpkin pie and potions
I really enjoyed this book it moved right along. The characters were great and the story was interesting, I’ll be getting book 2
I really enjoyed this book it moved right along. The characters were great and the story was interesting, I’ll be getting book 2
February 5, 2022
Accidental find
I came across this book when looking for something to read. I wanted a cozy which it is. I have enjoyed meeting all the characters and travelling with them. I am now going to get second book in series
I came across this book when looking for something to read. I wanted a cozy which it is. I have enjoyed meeting all the characters and travelling with them. I am now going to get second book in series
October 19, 2024
A fun cozy mystery that I got on Stuff Your Kindle Day. It was a bit slow, but okay overall. There could’ve been a bit more magic.
dnf
June 4, 2025DNF: typos galore!!! Plus juvenile story, characters, and motivations
July 3, 2021
Great new series!
This series has fresh ideas and plots for a genre that has seen it all. I really enjoyed the take to the classic witch cozy and the characters and setting are promising.
This series has fresh ideas and plots for a genre that has seen it all. I really enjoyed the take to the classic witch cozy and the characters and setting are promising.
November 21, 2022
Another
Good mystery! Not that I doubted that, when I started this book. Every one of Lilly's books are five stars. Once you start, you can't quit until the last page. If you want a story that makes you laugh, gets your mind trying to solve a mystery, then pick up one of Lilly's books. You won't be sorry!
Good mystery! Not that I doubted that, when I started this book. Every one of Lilly's books are five stars. Once you start, you can't quit until the last page. If you want a story that makes you laugh, gets your mind trying to solve a mystery, then pick up one of Lilly's books. You won't be sorry!
November 17, 2022
oh my gosh ... need to read!
ok i give different reviews..i don't tell you all about the story and the people... just know that this series is going to keep you captivated and wanting to see what happens next! it'll keep you guessing!
ok i give different reviews..i don't tell you all about the story and the people... just know that this series is going to keep you captivated and wanting to see what happens next! it'll keep you guessing!
October 9, 2020
Wow! What a great start to the Melting Pot Cafe series! I loved Evie and her friends and I especially can’t wait to see what happens between her and Tyler. This book had lots of twists and turns that you expect in every good cozy mystery, and an ending you won’t predict. A great cast of characters, lots of fun spells, and clues to a much bigger mystery. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series.
November 15, 2022
Woof. This .... wow, was ok at best. Honestly, the writing and the plot and the characters were so thin and so flimsy, I have to say i'm being generous with the 2 star "it was ok" rating. I think the only thing i liked about this book was the idea of those with powers living alongside those without, without it being a big deal.
I generally don't read romance novels, I generally don't read the more prolific and formulaic mystery kinds of books, and I guess that was showing in my expectations. Yeah, I've read basically all the books by T. Kingfisher that i could get my grubby hands on and i can see how some would consider books like Swordheart or the Saint of Steel and other books set in the World of the White Rat to be romance, mystery, a bit formulaic, with magic thrown in. Let me just say, man, there is a difference! A big one.
The World of the White Rat books don't skimp on background, emotions besides lust or occasional bouts of uncertainty in the "will they, won't they" variety. The characters have backstories that, while i would love to see those stories fleshed out even more, also help advance the main story or their depth. In this story, you learn, as the blurb says, the main character lost their parents at a young age and moved in with their aunt. Ok. The blurb shares that info the exact same way the book does. That's as deep as it gets. The relationships between all the characters, be they potentially romantic, long time friends, or family get the exact same treatment of surface level showing. The plot, conflict, all of the main bits of a story get this treatment as well.
I read this book because of the Kindle Challenge and it was one of the cheapest (or free-est) books available to let me complete a challenge. So, at least i didn't pay for it?
I generally don't read romance novels, I generally don't read the more prolific and formulaic mystery kinds of books, and I guess that was showing in my expectations. Yeah, I've read basically all the books by T. Kingfisher that i could get my grubby hands on and i can see how some would consider books like Swordheart or the Saint of Steel and other books set in the World of the White Rat to be romance, mystery, a bit formulaic, with magic thrown in. Let me just say, man, there is a difference! A big one.
The World of the White Rat books don't skimp on background, emotions besides lust or occasional bouts of uncertainty in the "will they, won't they" variety. The characters have backstories that, while i would love to see those stories fleshed out even more, also help advance the main story or their depth. In this story, you learn, as the blurb says, the main character lost their parents at a young age and moved in with their aunt. Ok. The blurb shares that info the exact same way the book does. That's as deep as it gets. The relationships between all the characters, be they potentially romantic, long time friends, or family get the exact same treatment of surface level showing. The plot, conflict, all of the main bits of a story get this treatment as well.
I read this book because of the Kindle Challenge and it was one of the cheapest (or free-est) books available to let me complete a challenge. So, at least i didn't pay for it?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews