What do you think?
Rate this book
Just when she thought it was safe to tell her secrets.
Isabella Proctor has the usual problems a fourteen-year-old girl has, but she's pretty sure none of her non-magical friends have to deal with a murder in their guest room.
When her great aunt is murdered for the family grimoire but the police think she died of natural causes, the Proctor family has to come together to find the murderer - one of their houseguests.
Will Isabella be able to find the murderer before they have the chance to strike again?
***
Root Cause is a short story prequel to Lisa Bouchard's Isabella Proctor Mystery series.
Isabella Proctor has the usual problems a fourteen-year-old girl has, but she's pretty sure none of her non-magical friends have to deal with a murder in their guest room.
When her great aunt is murdered for the family grimoire but the police think she died of natural causes, the Proctor family has to come together to find the murderer - one of their houseguests.
Will Isabella be able to find the murderer before they have the chance to strike again?
***
Root Cause is a short story prequel to Lisa Bouchard's Isabella Proctor Mystery series.
- GenresMystery
34 pages, ebook
Published February 28, 2021
4 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Bouchard
39 books1,494 followersIt all started when she learned to read at five. One of her first and favorite memories is of words taped to all the objects in the house. Not long after that, books became the best thing ever and there was no turning back.
She suffered a crisis of confidence in High School and College and decided writing was too difficult, so she earned a degree in Chemistry instead. Three career changes and four children later, she’s back to writing and much happier for it.
Now she works from her home office in New Hampshire amid the books, kids, and occasional pets. Visit her at http://LisaBouchard.com.
She suffered a crisis of confidence in High School and College and decided writing was too difficult, so she earned a degree in Chemistry instead. Three career changes and four children later, she’s back to writing and much happier for it.
Now she works from her home office in New Hampshire amid the books, kids, and occasional pets. Visit her at http://LisaBouchard.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 9, 2021
Isabella Proctor was happy they would be learning more useful magic now. Her dream was to help people and potions were the answer to that. She and her cousins were getting ready for their “second investiture” which was an important ceremony to usher them into the next stage of their magic. Normally witches kept this private, but Grandma had invited a few other families as a sign of trust. They would also be spending the night here too.
When the three girls, Isabella, Delia, and Thea, finally went to bed, Isabella woke when she heard a creak on the landing. She called out to ask who was there, but after no response, she just went back to sleep. The house was warded and they were all safe inside from any outside intruder. In the morning, breakfast was put on the table and Isabella went to get Aunt Jemima who had not come downstairs yet. But when she threw the curtains open, Aunt Jem was dead! There was no sign of magic in the room, but they needed to call the police regardless.
When the family found that Great Aunt Jem was murdered for the family grimoire and the police are saying she died of natural causes, the Proctor family will have to work together to find the murderer – and that person has to be one of their houseguests!
I enjoyed reading this book with its intriguing story line. The story is entertaining, while also filled with mystery and suspense when a murder is committed right inside their home as they sleep. The interaction between the characters, both family members and neighbors, makes it feel real, bringing everything to life. I look forward to reading more from this author. This was a well-written mystery!
When the three girls, Isabella, Delia, and Thea, finally went to bed, Isabella woke when she heard a creak on the landing. She called out to ask who was there, but after no response, she just went back to sleep. The house was warded and they were all safe inside from any outside intruder. In the morning, breakfast was put on the table and Isabella went to get Aunt Jemima who had not come downstairs yet. But when she threw the curtains open, Aunt Jem was dead! There was no sign of magic in the room, but they needed to call the police regardless.
When the family found that Great Aunt Jem was murdered for the family grimoire and the police are saying she died of natural causes, the Proctor family will have to work together to find the murderer – and that person has to be one of their houseguests!
I enjoyed reading this book with its intriguing story line. The story is entertaining, while also filled with mystery and suspense when a murder is committed right inside their home as they sleep. The interaction between the characters, both family members and neighbors, makes it feel real, bringing everything to life. I look forward to reading more from this author. This was a well-written mystery!
February 6, 2023
Isabella Proctor and her cousins, Thea and Della are getting ready for their second investiture where they have to enumciate their "intentions" and are excited to learn some "real" witchcraft. Grandma invited a few other relatives to this ceremony in a sign of trust. The guests arrived and were shown hospitality by Thea and Della's aunts as well as Isabella's mother and grandmother. The ceremony would take place the next day since it would be a full moon. Isabella and her cousins shared Isabella's room to make room for the guests, but Isabella was awakened by a creaking on the floor late at night. When everyone but Aunt Jem showed up for breakfast, Isabella went up to awaken the aunt only to find her dead. Was it natural causes or murder? The family thinks Aunt Jem was murdered and it had to be one of the family staying in the house. The husband of one of the guest relatives kept pointing the finger at Isabella as the murderer. And the Grimoire was missing and found in Isabella's room. Who is trying to frame her? They just can't postpone the girls' ceremony and must find out who the murderer is. Isabella is apprenticing with a witch that is teaching her all about potions and intuition in witchcraft. Will they figure it all out in time? This is a fast fun read and I love the characters and the closeness of the family. I can't wait to read more! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
September 22, 2022
Review of eBook
Isabella and her cousins, Delia and Thea, all fourteen years old, are preparing for their second investiture, one of the most important ceremonies for a young witch. And, for the first time, Grandma had invited some neighbors, the Packards and the Brownes to the ceremony; generally, witches keep their secrets within the family, but Grandma thought it was time to trust other families.
The next morning, when Isabella finds Aunt Jemima dead in her bed, the police come to investigate. They believe Aunt Jem’s death was from natural causes, but after they’ve gone, Isabella’s mother tells everyone that Jem was murdered. And the family’s book of spells, the grimora, is missing.
Can Isabella identify the murderer before someone else dies?
=========
This short story, a prequel to the author’s Isabella Proctor Mystery series, introduces the characters for the series. Here readers meet the three teens who are moving on to the next phase of their magic training. They learn that Isabella has a talent for potions, but the three girls have agreed that they will work together to learn more.
Readers may be a bit disappointed that the various magical talents aren’t described a bit more, but the story is interesting enough to consider reading the next book in the series.
Recommended.
Isabella and her cousins, Delia and Thea, all fourteen years old, are preparing for their second investiture, one of the most important ceremonies for a young witch. And, for the first time, Grandma had invited some neighbors, the Packards and the Brownes to the ceremony; generally, witches keep their secrets within the family, but Grandma thought it was time to trust other families.
The next morning, when Isabella finds Aunt Jemima dead in her bed, the police come to investigate. They believe Aunt Jem’s death was from natural causes, but after they’ve gone, Isabella’s mother tells everyone that Jem was murdered. And the family’s book of spells, the grimora, is missing.
Can Isabella identify the murderer before someone else dies?
=========
This short story, a prequel to the author’s Isabella Proctor Mystery series, introduces the characters for the series. Here readers meet the three teens who are moving on to the next phase of their magic training. They learn that Isabella has a talent for potions, but the three girls have agreed that they will work together to learn more.
Readers may be a bit disappointed that the various magical talents aren’t described a bit more, but the story is interesting enough to consider reading the next book in the series.
Recommended.
August 3, 2025
I got the e-book for free during a promotion, and I am happy I didn’t pay for this. An editor is urgently needed because this short novella is riddled with mistakes, including a character that keeps changing names between Olivia and Octavia, a town mentioned a few times changed from Sewell and Sewall randomly, and at one point this line appears: “Did you find the book?” PERSON asked.
As if the author still had to figure out who would say that and just never reread to realise she had to change PERSON into a name.
The story itself was rushed and everyone acted in such a stilted way it didn’t feel remotely natural.
I won’t continue with the series.
As if the author still had to figure out who would say that and just never reread to realise she had to change PERSON into a name.
The story itself was rushed and everyone acted in such a stilted way it didn’t feel remotely natural.
I won’t continue with the series.
April 19, 2021
Great story how the “sisters”-by virtue of raised together, 3 weeks age difference, between them, the magical cousins- all come together, study for the next magical step.
Looking forward to reading more of their adventures, mastering their skills, trusting in themselves to grow into their magical abelites!
Looking forward to reading more of their adventures, mastering their skills, trusting in themselves to grow into their magical abelites!
October 20, 2021
Root Cause is a terrific beginning to a new series.
I enjoyed this short story and introduction to the characters. The story was quick and covered murdered and attempted murder within a few pages. Isabella seemed sweet and kind in spite of the excitement. Looking forward to more of the story.
I enjoyed this short story and introduction to the characters. The story was quick and covered murdered and attempted murder within a few pages. Isabella seemed sweet and kind in spite of the excitement. Looking forward to more of the story.
July 1, 2021
Quick coming of age story about three young witches about to discover their magic. Unfortunately everything goes horribly awry when a house guest is murdered under their roof while being protected by magic. Will the girls solve the murder and get their magic? Good read.
May 26, 2023
I had the chance to read this book and it was very interesting with a little suspense mystery and murder it was the first time reading anything by this author and I would look into getting more of her books she is a very talented writer
July 15, 2023
Isabella and her two cousins are to make their 2nd 7-year (ie 14 year old) magical direction choices. A great-aunt is murdered and it's important to solve the murder before the celebration.
Isabella discovers where her personal magic is going to take her.
Short but good
Isabella discovers where her personal magic is going to take her.
Short but good
June 18, 2022
I found this interesting. It was short but it was a good book. I like it.
August 21, 2022
Just reading this short story your going to want more.
December 18, 2022
Cute but too short intro to Isabella Proctor and family.
January 2, 2023
I received a free copy of this book and really enjoyed it. Love the cozy mysteries, not too heavy and quick to read. Will read more from this author.
January 6, 2024
Who killed Jemima and why??? She has a rare potions talent??? i enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
January 17, 2022
I really liked this short story introducing the main character of the series. I am definitely going to look for more stories by this author.
July 9, 2023
A competent series prequel
November 16, 2022
Great book!
A wonderful start to a exciting and wonderful series. I am glad she told the story of the time they were younger and were accepted their powers at 14. The story was quick and sweet. Great introduction to the Proctor family.
A wonderful start to a exciting and wonderful series. I am glad she told the story of the time they were younger and were accepted their powers at 14. The story was quick and sweet. Great introduction to the Proctor family.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews