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Tabby Kitten Mysteries #1
Familiar Magic
A Crafty Witch, a Wily Kitty Familiar and a Murder in a Gazebo
Thea Beal owns the Stitch in Time, a crafty shop in the middle of the sleepy town of Ardensville along the Mississippi river. She has all the knitting, crocheting and painting items needed for all your crafty projects, as well as a few witchy spells if you're so inclined. While her magic is secret to the mundane, her circle of close friends and family all have their own mysteries.
Take Sybil, her fluffy tabby kitten familiar. While Sybil may look young she's much older and has been by Thea's side since she was a wee sprout. She's a sassy kitty who can take care of herself. Thea's half human friends include a detective bear shifter and a best friend fox shifter. Granny rounds out Thea's inner circle. Granny has raised Thea from a small girl when her parents disappeared. A mystery that haunts Thea to this day.
When the small town of Ardensville is rocked by a murder of a young woman found in the city park's gazebo, the mundane and the magicals must work separately to find a killer. The victim was just starting her own craft store, which puts a target on Thea. But others, including members of the victim's family and friends, have reasons of their own to wish the victim dead.
Can Thea, Sybil and her friends discover the fiend who's taken out one of their own without getting themselves into deep dodo?
***Find out in the First Book in the Tabby Kitten Familiar Series***
Thea Beal owns the Stitch in Time, a crafty shop in the middle of the sleepy town of Ardensville along the Mississippi river. She has all the knitting, crocheting and painting items needed for all your crafty projects, as well as a few witchy spells if you're so inclined. While her magic is secret to the mundane, her circle of close friends and family all have their own mysteries.
Take Sybil, her fluffy tabby kitten familiar. While Sybil may look young she's much older and has been by Thea's side since she was a wee sprout. She's a sassy kitty who can take care of herself. Thea's half human friends include a detective bear shifter and a best friend fox shifter. Granny rounds out Thea's inner circle. Granny has raised Thea from a small girl when her parents disappeared. A mystery that haunts Thea to this day.
When the small town of Ardensville is rocked by a murder of a young woman found in the city park's gazebo, the mundane and the magicals must work separately to find a killer. The victim was just starting her own craft store, which puts a target on Thea. But others, including members of the victim's family and friends, have reasons of their own to wish the victim dead.
Can Thea, Sybil and her friends discover the fiend who's taken out one of their own without getting themselves into deep dodo?
***Find out in the First Book in the Tabby Kitten Familiar Series***
129 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2020
About the author
Constance Barker
1,224 books204 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 20, 2020
Good read!
I recommend this sweet introduction to the Tabby Kitten Mystery series to all readers of paranormal fiction. It is a full length who done it, and no cliffhanger. I'm off to get the next book in the series. Enjoy!
I recommend this sweet introduction to the Tabby Kitten Mystery series to all readers of paranormal fiction. It is a full length who done it, and no cliffhanger. I'm off to get the next book in the series. Enjoy!
October 6, 2020
Witches, shifters and a body...
A great first book in a promising new series! The characters are well developed. And the mystery is, well, a good mystery. I would love to get to know this quint little town with its fascinating citizens a lot better!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A great first book in a promising new series! The characters are well developed. And the mystery is, well, a good mystery. I would love to get to know this quint little town with its fascinating citizens a lot better!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 15, 2020
A new series from Constance Barker. Like all of her books, this one continues to hold the attention of the reader and the plot unfolds. I was kinda expecting to be more from Sybil and her magic. It appears that Thea's story will bloom as the series goes on. This is something that should keep the readers coming back for more.
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.
November 1, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book and I have a feeling I am going to love the series! I found that the idea of a familiar having its own magic was perfect! I liked the characters, they were quit endearing and I could easily visualize the environment. I am looking forward to more! I loved it!
December 1, 2020
Constance Barker/Corrine Winters are gifted authors, rising stars in the cozy mystery genre. I was so impressed with their storytelling style I was only one-third of the way into Familiar Magic the Tabby Kitten Mystery Series Book 1, when I put it down long enough to log on to Amazon and buy the remaining four books in the series.
In all honesty, I have to confess that I’m an adrenaline junkie. I thrive on blood and guts thrillers and horror tales. I have never been into cozy mysteries, but; I discovered several new authors that have me hooked and I’ve been binging on their books.. I don’t believe in the existence of witches, warlocks, demons, shape shifters, familiars and other like creatures but authors like Barker and Winters craft characters that are so lifelike, so humanlike that it’s easy to suspend disbelief and believe that what happens to them might happen to you or me in real life.
Familiar Magic has something for everyone. It’s a murder mystery with an entire cast of likely suspects in which a young witch who owns a store called A Stitch in Time teams up with a shape shifting detective to solve the brutal murder of another young witch. The two witches are from different covens between which a blood feud exists. But Thea, our young heroine, a witch herself, wasn’t even aware of its existence. All I’m going to say here is that Rebecca wasn’t a victim of the feud.
The characters that Constance has created for this story are characters that you will love to love or love to hate; either way, they are characters that you will never forget. Familiar Magic is long enough to be satisfying, yet short enough to be read in one evening. Now, with that said, I’m off to read Creature Magic, Book 2 in the series.
In all honesty, I have to confess that I’m an adrenaline junkie. I thrive on blood and guts thrillers and horror tales. I have never been into cozy mysteries, but; I discovered several new authors that have me hooked and I’ve been binging on their books.. I don’t believe in the existence of witches, warlocks, demons, shape shifters, familiars and other like creatures but authors like Barker and Winters craft characters that are so lifelike, so humanlike that it’s easy to suspend disbelief and believe that what happens to them might happen to you or me in real life.
Familiar Magic has something for everyone. It’s a murder mystery with an entire cast of likely suspects in which a young witch who owns a store called A Stitch in Time teams up with a shape shifting detective to solve the brutal murder of another young witch. The two witches are from different covens between which a blood feud exists. But Thea, our young heroine, a witch herself, wasn’t even aware of its existence. All I’m going to say here is that Rebecca wasn’t a victim of the feud.
The characters that Constance has created for this story are characters that you will love to love or love to hate; either way, they are characters that you will never forget. Familiar Magic is long enough to be satisfying, yet short enough to be read in one evening. Now, with that said, I’m off to read Creature Magic, Book 2 in the series.
October 1, 2020
Thea is awoken early by someone knocking on the door. Her grandmother has her answer the door. Thea is taken by her visitor, she is surprised at why he was there. Thea visitor is Detective Blaine Coburn about a murder that has taken place. He wants to know her interaction with Rebecca Smith. She realizes that is the woman her cousin was yelling at. She gives him all the information she has.
Thea decides to look into the crime when her employee is upset his former art teacher Miranda is mentioned. Thea along with her friends will try to track down who had a problem with the victim. Thea will slowly learn things about the case. Thea asks her familiar to help her, that leads to Thea being a suspect. Thea relationship with Blaine is interesting as well.
This was an great start to this new series. You will enjoy reading Thea's adventures with trying to figure out the murder, she learns about her parents and her family. Loved the interaction between her and Blaine, hopefully it will move slowly and all of a sudden they are together. You will not suspect who the person is that committed crime. I look forward to more adventures featuring these characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thea decides to look into the crime when her employee is upset his former art teacher Miranda is mentioned. Thea along with her friends will try to track down who had a problem with the victim. Thea will slowly learn things about the case. Thea asks her familiar to help her, that leads to Thea being a suspect. Thea relationship with Blaine is interesting as well.
This was an great start to this new series. You will enjoy reading Thea's adventures with trying to figure out the murder, she learns about her parents and her family. Loved the interaction between her and Blaine, hopefully it will move slowly and all of a sudden they are together. You will not suspect who the person is that committed crime. I look forward to more adventures featuring these characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 1, 2020
Thea Beal, a witch still developing her powers, owns an arts and crafts shop in Ardensville, Illinois, called “A Stitch In Time”. Her familiar is a kitten named Sybil. When a witch and a human, Rebecca and Zach, stop in to buy supplies for the new store across the street, even though they may be competitors, things should work out since they are buying supplies from Thea. But a few hours later, apparently the witch Rebecca was found dead!
Detective Blaine Coburn shows up the next day to question her about the murder! Not only is she a potential competitor who would have a motive, but there is a family feud among the ancestors that turns up. Will her interference in the investigation help or make things worse?
This is a good beginning for the new series. The reader eagerly awaits getting to know the new characters as the series moves further along. The mystery was handled well and moved at a comfortable pace. Grab your copy and follow along, because you KNOW that Thea won’t be able to stay out of things and that can only lead to chaos and fun!
Detective Blaine Coburn shows up the next day to question her about the murder! Not only is she a potential competitor who would have a motive, but there is a family feud among the ancestors that turns up. Will her interference in the investigation help or make things worse?
This is a good beginning for the new series. The reader eagerly awaits getting to know the new characters as the series moves further along. The mystery was handled well and moved at a comfortable pace. Grab your copy and follow along, because you KNOW that Thea won’t be able to stay out of things and that can only lead to chaos and fun!
September 21, 2020
Fun new series shows great promise. Thea, a witch with a kitten familiar named Sybil, owns what sounds like a delightful hobby type shop, selling art supplies as well as many other things. She has a new customer who tells her she is opening a competing business. The next morning, a detective is at her door to question her about the murder of that new customer.
Thea begins to investigate when she learns of a blood feud between the woman's ancestors and her own. Research turns up some other pretty big issues she needs to address when this murder is solved.
Interesting characters, minor mysteries aside from murder, and red herrings combine to make this book captivating. Having a kitten for a familiar isn't unusual, but this kitten can do things that Thea can't master. All combined makes it a great start to a series that is sure to appeal to many readers. I am already wanting to read more !
Thea begins to investigate when she learns of a blood feud between the woman's ancestors and her own. Research turns up some other pretty big issues she needs to address when this murder is solved.
Interesting characters, minor mysteries aside from murder, and red herrings combine to make this book captivating. Having a kitten for a familiar isn't unusual, but this kitten can do things that Thea can't master. All combined makes it a great start to a series that is sure to appeal to many readers. I am already wanting to read more !
October 5, 2020
Thea Beal runs a hobby shop - A Stitch In Time. When Rebecca Smith and her boyfriend, Zach come in to purchase some items, Eric came in and threatened her about a "blood feud" between the Smiths and Beals. The next morning, Rebecca's body is found in the town's park. Why? There are a few suspects including an art teacher Rebecca had fired. Her own sister who doesn't have anything nice or kind to say about Rebecca, and of course Eric who threatened her. Then Thea makes a grave mistake while checking things out and becomes a suspect herself. Can she find the real killer and clear herself? Even with the help of Sybil her familiar cat, things get pretty tense. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Booksprout.
November 9, 2020
Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series
Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters with a fun and entertaining storyline. Thea a witch who owns a craft store in a small town and lives with her grandmother. With the assistance of her kitten familiar and a couple of friends one who works for her and another who runs a bookstore down the street. She investigates a mystery. She meets a police detective who happens to be someone that seems familiar to her. Read on to see if she can keep her self out of trouble and out of danger while assisting on her own the investigation of a murdered young woman who just happens to also be a witch. Extraordinarily entertaining with great characters.
Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters with a fun and entertaining storyline. Thea a witch who owns a craft store in a small town and lives with her grandmother. With the assistance of her kitten familiar and a couple of friends one who works for her and another who runs a bookstore down the street. She investigates a mystery. She meets a police detective who happens to be someone that seems familiar to her. Read on to see if she can keep her self out of trouble and out of danger while assisting on her own the investigation of a murdered young woman who just happens to also be a witch. Extraordinarily entertaining with great characters.
January 28, 2021
Jessica Fletcher meets Bewitched
I don't know what to think of the book. The characters are loveable and fun. Thea is the main character who actually is a horrible detective. She falls into the murder by accident like Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote but allows prejudice and emotions to rule her investigations... Which doesn't make sense that she feels the need to get involved. Strange mystery series, but I stayed for the characters.
And if someone could please explain to me at what point the detective and Thea became friendly I would appreciate it, I seem to have missed that in the book. One moment he was a vague memory of someone she knew in school and the next she is bringing him coffee to talk about the case like a colleague.
I don't know what to think of the book. The characters are loveable and fun. Thea is the main character who actually is a horrible detective. She falls into the murder by accident like Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote but allows prejudice and emotions to rule her investigations... Which doesn't make sense that she feels the need to get involved. Strange mystery series, but I stayed for the characters.
And if someone could please explain to me at what point the detective and Thea became friendly I would appreciate it, I seem to have missed that in the book. One moment he was a vague memory of someone she knew in school and the next she is bringing him coffee to talk about the case like a colleague.
October 2, 2020
Thea was able to open a craft store in her home town not far from the bookshop owned and run by her fox shifter best friend Pippa
When tragedy strikes a customer, Thea finds herself dragged into trying to resolve the rumors and the murder
Along the way, Thea learns more about her own family history and a bit about their supernatural small town and the crazy traditions and feuds that sometimes linger today
Fun and fascinating, except for the tragic parts
Strong friendships and community ties - that sometimes support and sometimes get lethal!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When tragedy strikes a customer, Thea finds herself dragged into trying to resolve the rumors and the murder
Along the way, Thea learns more about her own family history and a bit about their supernatural small town and the crazy traditions and feuds that sometimes linger today
Fun and fascinating, except for the tragic parts
Strong friendships and community ties - that sometimes support and sometimes get lethal!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 8, 2020
I am an avid fan of Constance Barker so I was excited to see a new book out and in a new series. This gives me something to look forward to. As always I was entertained by another clever cozy mystery story.
Thea is the owner of a local craft store, and along with her tabby cat named Sybil they must find out who murdered a young woman in town center. It may take some magic to help Thea not be the main suspect, since the young woman was starting her own craft shop.
Quick read that will appeal to anyone who likes quirky mysteries.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thea is the owner of a local craft store, and along with her tabby cat named Sybil they must find out who murdered a young woman in town center. It may take some magic to help Thea not be the main suspect, since the young woman was starting her own craft shop.
Quick read that will appeal to anyone who likes quirky mysteries.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read
October 18, 2020Such a great new series. I enjoyed it very much. Thea owns a hobby shop that show great potential. Her kitten . Sybil is her familiar. When a shop is to open next door to her that has the same items, Thea gets concerned. There is a family feud that goes back several generations and she is caught in the middle of it. A young girl is murdered at the gazebo in the park and all eyes are on one certain person. It involves a male who accused the victim of being on the wrong side of the feud.
This series is a must read and I can not wait until I can read the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This series is a must read and I can not wait until I can read the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 7, 2020
Thea owns A Stitch In Time. A new customer, who is opening a competing business, is found dead and she is a suspect. As she investigates, she finds more information that may give more motive for Detective Blaine Coburn to accuse her. I have enjoyed works by both authors and this novel is a great start to a new series.
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 1, 2020
I'malways happy to find a new series. This paranormal cozy has it all... a witch named Thea, a familiar named Sybil, an interesting occupation ( craft store) and a well written storyline. I think this is an excellent start to a new series and ill anxiously wait for book 2.
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 8, 2020
Constance Barker is an amazing author! I love her books and this new series is going to be another favorite of mine. I liked the characters. The mystery played out well. I guessed the right person as the killer, but had no clue why, so I liked how it was all wrapped up!
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 18, 2020
Entertaining.
Very enjoyable story. I would like to see some paranormal activity from the witch and not just the kitten but other than that this was a very good story. Plot was interesting and exciting and well thought out. Characters mostly likable. There are s few editing errors like using a word twice in a sentence so the sentence don't make sense. Satisfying conclusion.
Very enjoyable story. I would like to see some paranormal activity from the witch and not just the kitten but other than that this was a very good story. Plot was interesting and exciting and well thought out. Characters mostly likable. There are s few editing errors like using a word twice in a sentence so the sentence don't make sense. Satisfying conclusion.
November 12, 2020
Witches and Familiars
Thea is a witch and Sybil is her familiar. When her distant cousin, Eric, comes into her shop and yells at a young woman about a blood feud and then the woman is killed, she becomes involved in the investigation and is even arrested and spends a night in jail. Plenty of twists and turns to make for an interesting mystery.
Thea is a witch and Sybil is her familiar. When her distant cousin, Eric, comes into her shop and yells at a young woman about a blood feud and then the woman is killed, she becomes involved in the investigation and is even arrested and spends a night in jail. Plenty of twists and turns to make for an interesting mystery.
November 26, 2020
Enoyable
I liked this relaxing story as it helped me get away from the news of the day and the stress we are all going through. I loved Sybil and looked for more from her, and realized that, as a kitten, she needed more sleep than a grown cat. I will look for more stories from the ladies.
I liked this relaxing story as it helped me get away from the news of the day and the stress we are all going through. I loved Sybil and looked for more from her, and realized that, as a kitten, she needed more sleep than a grown cat. I will look for more stories from the ladies.
January 8, 2021
The kittens have to learn the way of their way in world.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. I like to ferret out who has done the dastardly deed. I was a little surprised at outcome when I got to the end of the book. I won't say whodunit, that means you have to read the book.
I am going to read more of the Tabby Kitten Mystery Series. So keep the kittens coming.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. I like to ferret out who has done the dastardly deed. I was a little surprised at outcome when I got to the end of the book. I won't say whodunit, that means you have to read the book.
I am going to read more of the Tabby Kitten Mystery Series. So keep the kittens coming.
January 11, 2021
Short Stories
The stories aren't very long and they are easy to read. Older children could be given the books to read. There are words they could look up and a bit of fantasy to think about. It could be a parent/child experience. I do need to say that I enjoyed them because I didn't have to invest a lot on them. Colleen Segroves
The stories aren't very long and they are easy to read. Older children could be given the books to read. There are words they could look up and a bit of fantasy to think about. It could be a parent/child experience. I do need to say that I enjoyed them because I didn't have to invest a lot on them. Colleen Segroves
January 19, 2021
Not a fan of cities but this was fun
First cozy that I can say I actually enjoyed. Love the setting and the slow reveal on the characters. The heroine has a lot of common sense and strong relationships with other characters. Looking forward to more of Sybil the kitten and the whole town.
First cozy that I can say I actually enjoyed. Love the setting and the slow reveal on the characters. The heroine has a lot of common sense and strong relationships with other characters. Looking forward to more of Sybil the kitten and the whole town.
October 1, 2020
This is a super fun paranormal cozy mystery! I loved it!! It is clever and unique, with amazing characters and an inventive storyline..
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 1, 2020
I enjoyed the start of this series. It will be interesting to see what happens with Thea and Blaine also what happened to her parents. I would recommend this 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.
October 1, 2020
I have read a lot of her books and each one was great. This one was no exception. I loved it! Keep up the good work!
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 6, 2020
Great book that combines a mystery, a whole host of interesting characters, and an adorable kitten as a familiar. What more could you really want? Adding in great storytelling just makes it all that much better.
October 14, 2020
Enjoyable Read
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are delightful . Love the kitten. I read this book cover to cover in one evening. Tried several times to put it down but couldn't that's how good it is. Story moves right along no lag moments.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are delightful . Love the kitten. I read this book cover to cover in one evening. Tried several times to put it down but couldn't that's how good it is. Story moves right along no lag moments.
November 19, 2020
A good cozy mystery.
I enjoyed this book and will read the rest of the series. I like the characters. Thea's familiar is a kitten named Sybil, who has her own magic. The plot is good.
I enjoyed this book and will read the rest of the series. I like the characters. Thea's familiar is a kitten named Sybil, who has her own magic. The plot is good.
January 5, 2021
A sweet read
I enjoyed this book. It had a good plot . I liked the sweet nature of the book and the characters. The only thing I didn't care for, is when out of the blue, the word bastard came out of the sweet little kitty's mouth. Made me cringe. Overall a good book. Thanks!
I enjoyed this book. It had a good plot . I liked the sweet nature of the book and the characters. The only thing I didn't care for, is when out of the blue, the word bastard came out of the sweet little kitty's mouth. Made me cringe. Overall a good book. Thanks!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews