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Sonoma Witches #5
Murder by Magic
I should’ve known the birthday party for a 113-year-old witch wasn’t going to be all cake and games. Especially with so many other witches around—and that scary magic wand.
I’d been desperate for a vacation from the rain on the California coast. But instead of snow and cocoa in a cozy mountain cabin, I got… a dead body. And the murder weapon wasn’t a candlestick in the billiard room.
Looks like it’s up to me again. My one friend is a Bright witch but not much of a fighter. I used to think I, too, was harmless, but the enchanted marks on my skin tell a different story. My moral code prevents me from killing anyone, but somehow my enemies tend to end up dead.
Trapped in the spellbound mountain retreat, I have to find the killer before anyone else gets killed. Or worse.
I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again.
Probably.
* * *
An enchanted lake house, a magic wand, and a murdered witch—life is never boring for ex-demon hunter Alma Bellrose, even if she’d like it to be. Can she use her developing powers to unravel a century of family secrets and save her friend’s life—or will an old curse claim another victim?
This is a standalone mystery within a series.
I’d been desperate for a vacation from the rain on the California coast. But instead of snow and cocoa in a cozy mountain cabin, I got… a dead body. And the murder weapon wasn’t a candlestick in the billiard room.
Looks like it’s up to me again. My one friend is a Bright witch but not much of a fighter. I used to think I, too, was harmless, but the enchanted marks on my skin tell a different story. My moral code prevents me from killing anyone, but somehow my enemies tend to end up dead.
Trapped in the spellbound mountain retreat, I have to find the killer before anyone else gets killed. Or worse.
I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again.
Probably.
* * *
An enchanted lake house, a magic wand, and a murdered witch—life is never boring for ex-demon hunter Alma Bellrose, even if she’d like it to be. Can she use her developing powers to unravel a century of family secrets and save her friend’s life—or will an old curse claim another victim?
This is a standalone mystery within a series.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2021
21 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Gretchen Galway
27 books367 followersGRETCHEN GALWAY is a USA Today bestselling author who writes mystery, fantasy, and romance. She lives in Sonoma County, California.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 15, 2021
3.5 stars
September 17, 2021
Not bad
It was a fun read, but not all that enlightening. It feels like a filler book. With that said it’s well written and interesting but there isn’t much character growth or new aspects to the magic system.
It was a fun read, but not all that enlightening. It feels like a filler book. With that said it’s well written and interesting but there isn’t much character growth or new aspects to the magic system.
December 11, 2021
Can’t wait for the next book in this cozy mystery series. And can we please get more Seth in the next book? 😊
September 18, 2021
Alma Bellrose knows all about loyalty– she feels it towards her morally-challenged, legendary thief father Malcolm. Alma also knows about a sense of duty – she still feels it towards The Protectorate, her former employer who found her so flawed that they kicked her out, yet when they need her help, she is there. So, when a long-ago friend Marcella contacts her to provide “extra security” for her short trip from the airport to city, Alma is slightly puzzled but of course willing to assist. Marcella gave her friendship all those years ago when few did, so what is it to do a favor for a long-ago friend? But in the blink of an eye, Alma is roped into a trip to Lake Tahoe with Marcella for a family celebration marking the 113th birthday of Marcella’s grandfather, the powerful witch Horace Gardner. Now what can possibly go wrong with a house full of powerful witches, a magic wand and a large lake filled with angry fae?
Once again, Alma faces challenges she never, ever would have sought out. Somehow fate draws our favorite hearth witch into another situation where deadly secrets and powerful magic – or is it powerful secrets and deadly magic? – force Alma to reach within herself to save friends and foes. I became totally immersed in this story, not only due to the mystery surrounding the murder referenced in the book’s title, but in Alma’s evolution. In this story, Alma taps into her intuition, her intelligence, and her strength in ways she had not before. She fends off verbal slings and magical arrows with a confidence that has slowly been building within. In each book, Alma may emerge victorious from her battle, but the thin dark tattoo rings on her wrist that documented those victories seemed to weigh on her soul. In this story, Alma finally seems to accept and actually embrace what those marks on her skin mean, for they are not brands of shame but a documentation of her strength and rising powers.
This series has certainly burrowed its way into my heart and auto-buy list. Some familiar places and names are mentioned, but compared to prior books, this book has a bit more romance (yayy!), a little less Radnor (now he intrigues me…) but the perfect amount of magic to make it a winner. I eagerly await the next adventure Alma brings us along on!
Once again, Alma faces challenges she never, ever would have sought out. Somehow fate draws our favorite hearth witch into another situation where deadly secrets and powerful magic – or is it powerful secrets and deadly magic? – force Alma to reach within herself to save friends and foes. I became totally immersed in this story, not only due to the mystery surrounding the murder referenced in the book’s title, but in Alma’s evolution. In this story, Alma taps into her intuition, her intelligence, and her strength in ways she had not before. She fends off verbal slings and magical arrows with a confidence that has slowly been building within. In each book, Alma may emerge victorious from her battle, but the thin dark tattoo rings on her wrist that documented those victories seemed to weigh on her soul. In this story, Alma finally seems to accept and actually embrace what those marks on her skin mean, for they are not brands of shame but a documentation of her strength and rising powers.
This series has certainly burrowed its way into my heart and auto-buy list. Some familiar places and names are mentioned, but compared to prior books, this book has a bit more romance (yayy!), a little less Radnor (now he intrigues me…) but the perfect amount of magic to make it a winner. I eagerly await the next adventure Alma brings us along on!
November 7, 2021
Yet another wonderful instalment in what has fast become an auto buy series for me. I love the characters, their growth, the world, the magic, it's all fun but with a serious side. This time Alma heads out of her town again, in order to help an old school friend and I loved how the story ended up with a sort of Agatha Christie feel to it, the mystery, the complicated family she was visiting, with their politics and loyalties and then the unknown magic added in. I love how each story is complete and whilst Alma's life carries on, with personal developments, each story is compete in it's own right.
October 3, 2021
Great story!
I love Alma’s story, and the character development over the five books (and prequel). Even though you don’t necessarily have to read all of the books, I feel that it will contribute to a better understanding and appreciation for this books underling storyline. Also, the mystery delivered as always, keeping me on my toes until the end. Loved this book!
I love Alma’s story, and the character development over the five books (and prequel). Even though you don’t necessarily have to read all of the books, I feel that it will contribute to a better understanding and appreciation for this books underling storyline. Also, the mystery delivered as always, keeping me on my toes until the end. Loved this book!
October 14, 2022
please write more Alma, Seth and friends!
The only thing I don’t like about this series is that this might be the last book in the series! I really enjoyed all of the books and read the entire five in a matter of days. On the upside, at least I’ll be able to get some stuff done around the house for a bit.
The only thing I don’t like about this series is that this might be the last book in the series! I really enjoyed all of the books and read the entire five in a matter of days. On the upside, at least I’ll be able to get some stuff done around the house for a bit.
September 17, 2023
There is an oppressive atmosphere in this story that hovers over both the victims and the perpetrators. To support a friend during a crucial family gathering, Alma once again strives to protect others and restore balance within the environment. And, her relationship with Seth continues to evolve into a nurturing bond for both of them.
September 25, 2021
Another great take with a twist
Love Alma, Seth and Random tales (and Willy's appearances, can't forget him) Thought that I had it worked out fairly early on but the twists kept coming. Enjoyed visiting Silverspring will look forward to the next chapter. Keep them coming please
Love Alma, Seth and Random tales (and Willy's appearances, can't forget him) Thought that I had it worked out fairly early on but the twists kept coming. Enjoyed visiting Silverspring will look forward to the next chapter. Keep them coming please
October 1, 2021
Aww I loved this book!!
Finally Seth is such a sweetheart, and her friend is great. It's a huge unexpected twist but it certainly kept me hooked reading time at 530 am to 6 worth the wait!
Finally Seth is such a sweetheart, and her friend is great. It's a huge unexpected twist but it certainly kept me hooked reading time at 530 am to 6 worth the wait!
February 7, 2024
I read an unhealthy amount of batman fanfiction in the past few weeks so the idea of picking up a book was really far away from me, but this series always helps me recover from a "reading slump" if we can even call it that this time
December 8, 2021
This terrific series just keeps getting better and better
October 20, 2022
so much fun
Gretchen Galway is a dear favorite with her Sonoma Witches series. I love all the characters and the settings are truly magic. She has a wonderful beautiful imagination.
Gretchen Galway is a dear favorite with her Sonoma Witches series. I love all the characters and the settings are truly magic. She has a wonderful beautiful imagination.
September 30, 2021
I've loved this series since it came out and I was curious how the slow burn between Alma and Seth would evolve and whether it would ever lead to anything. So, as soon as I started the story I knew something was off because now Alma and Seth are an established couple. I went online and checked the book series with bated breath. Have I read about their relationship and already forgotten about it? And then the horror hit!
I missed the 4th book in the series! Has that ever happened to you? It's a first for me. I'll double-check from now on. Also, I got book 4, Charmed to Death, and will read and review it as soon as I finish my current reads.
Murder by Magic can be read as a standalone. I think each book is written in such a manner that you can easily read it without the others and it makes sense. You can read my reviews of Dead Witch on a Bridge, Hex at a House Party, A Spell to Die For. I'll edit this post and add Charmed to Death when I'm done with it.
If I remember correctly, each book starts where the previous one ended, so I assume Murder by Magic is no exception. The story starts when a long-lost friend, Marcie, contacts Alma and askes her to accompany her to her Grandfather's 113 birthday party. If you've made it this far in the series, you know what happens next: a murder. And it's Alma's job to figure out who the murderer is, not as an agent of the protectorate, but as a friend.
Full review and more at: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-re...
I missed the 4th book in the series! Has that ever happened to you? It's a first for me. I'll double-check from now on. Also, I got book 4, Charmed to Death, and will read and review it as soon as I finish my current reads.
Murder by Magic can be read as a standalone. I think each book is written in such a manner that you can easily read it without the others and it makes sense. You can read my reviews of Dead Witch on a Bridge, Hex at a House Party, A Spell to Die For. I'll edit this post and add Charmed to Death when I'm done with it.
If I remember correctly, each book starts where the previous one ended, so I assume Murder by Magic is no exception. The story starts when a long-lost friend, Marcie, contacts Alma and askes her to accompany her to her Grandfather's 113 birthday party. If you've made it this far in the series, you know what happens next: a murder. And it's Alma's job to figure out who the murderer is, not as an agent of the protectorate, but as a friend.
Full review and more at: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-re...
September 25, 2021
I've enjoyed all of the books in this series so far, and Murder by Magic is another fun read.
I like the Sonoma Witches books because they are the perfect blend of supernatural, mystery suspense and romance. Basically, two pinches of supernatural, two pinches of mystery suspense and a single pinch of romance, suspended in a light but satisfying storyline.
The storyline held my interest from beginning to end and the secondary characters were well written and well developed. There are a couple of the characters that I would expect to see again in future Alma mysteries.
I also really enjoyed the house and grounds of the book. A well written space becomes a character in its own right.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys light mystery, suspense, supernatural with some romance. Or for anyone who enjoys a great and well written story.
I like the Sonoma Witches books because they are the perfect blend of supernatural, mystery suspense and romance. Basically, two pinches of supernatural, two pinches of mystery suspense and a single pinch of romance, suspended in a light but satisfying storyline.
The storyline held my interest from beginning to end and the secondary characters were well written and well developed. There are a couple of the characters that I would expect to see again in future Alma mysteries.
I also really enjoyed the house and grounds of the book. A well written space becomes a character in its own right.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys light mystery, suspense, supernatural with some romance. Or for anyone who enjoys a great and well written story.
September 11, 2021
Galway has weaved her magic again with the 5th in the series. Don’t let that scare you away if this is the first book you picked up. The only thing you’re missing out on is the background history of a handful of characters.
This story takes us to Lake Tahoe and the home of another historical magical family. Alma knows there is something going on but can’t quite figure out what. She will figure it out like she always does. But that’s the only spoiler I’m giving.
I enjoyed this story and found it hard to put down because I had to know how it ended. And make sure you read the epilogue. You’re sure to get a chuckle out of Willy the Gnome’s take on dried cranberries.
Thank you to the author for access to an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
This story takes us to Lake Tahoe and the home of another historical magical family. Alma knows there is something going on but can’t quite figure out what. She will figure it out like she always does. But that’s the only spoiler I’m giving.
I enjoyed this story and found it hard to put down because I had to know how it ended. And make sure you read the epilogue. You’re sure to get a chuckle out of Willy the Gnome’s take on dried cranberries.
Thank you to the author for access to an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 22, 2024
No good deed goes unpunished as Alma learns when she accompanies an old friend into a den of vipers affectionately known as “family”. So many twists and turns. Every time I thought I had a handle on what was going on around Alma, there’d be a new revelation that would completely change my understanding. This book was filled with suspense, a little bit of silliness, and a whole lot of magical powers. I’m now experiencing the terrible book hangover I get every time I come to the end of a volume in this series, and I can’t wait until there’s another new story and I can do this all over again.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
September 20, 2023
Another fun Alma book!
I always enjoy reading about Alma's adventures. She's such a strong character and has some very interesting friends. I will say that this book wasn't as strong as the others, at least for me...we get to see Alma in her element, but the supporting characters that I've grown to love are absent from most of the book. It did give us a chance to meet new people, and we get to see a little more of Seth, but there isn't a lot of character growth for anyone and the overall story of Alma doesn't really progress. However, that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it!
I'm already looking forward to the next story.
I always enjoy reading about Alma's adventures. She's such a strong character and has some very interesting friends. I will say that this book wasn't as strong as the others, at least for me...we get to see Alma in her element, but the supporting characters that I've grown to love are absent from most of the book. It did give us a chance to meet new people, and we get to see a little more of Seth, but there isn't a lot of character growth for anyone and the overall story of Alma doesn't really progress. However, that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it!
I'm already looking forward to the next story.
September 19, 2021
This series has such great world building! For those of us who love Northern California, in each book the settings are a treat and they capture the beauty and magic of the area. (Even if there were no fairies!) Alma continues to be a quirky, grounded and responsible witch who is, once again, drawn into a challenging situation where someone needs her - badly. I missed seeing the regular cast of characters, but it was great to watch a bit of her growing relationship with the wonderful Seth. Willy is a total hoot! I look forward to many more adventures!
September 20, 2021
Wow, these books just have me hooked. I love all the characters, but especially Alma, the witch who cannot kill, but is most certainly not defenseless. She is smart, resourceful and cares deeply and in this latest book has gained another friend. The gnome Wally is enchanting and his sentences delightful. And then there's Seth, the fairy boyfriend. I love how he makes her laugh and how he loves and supports her. The story is clever, as usual, and left me guessing who was the guilty party almost till the end. I would like to say that I love cranberries, though. Highly recommended.
September 12, 2021
A new challenge for Alma, making her better and stronger and even more deeply loveable. All facts and motives weave an intricate tapestry, which unravels to slowly uncover the whole picture in a very exciting way. It kept me invested the whole time.
I loved it - the mystery, the danger, the development of the plot. I still love Alma most of all, and Seth is on track to be worthy of her. A very talented writer, with an imagination to match. Can't wait for what's next!
I loved it - the mystery, the danger, the development of the plot. I still love Alma most of all, and Seth is on track to be worthy of her. A very talented writer, with an imagination to match. Can't wait for what's next!
September 16, 2021
A singing Gnome?
I think the author has a bit of magic in her too just like her delightful characters. This book was a pleasure to read I enjoyed it so much. I have not read a great many cozies lately so this was a refreshing change for me. I adored the characters Alma is on the case so everything is okay but what about Seth? It looks like in a charming fantasy there has to be something going on the needs a lawyer! I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I think the author has a bit of magic in her too just like her delightful characters. This book was a pleasure to read I enjoyed it so much. I have not read a great many cozies lately so this was a refreshing change for me. I adored the characters Alma is on the case so everything is okay but what about Seth? It looks like in a charming fantasy there has to be something going on the needs a lawyer! I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
September 18, 2021
Once again Alma finds herself in the thick of things... again... left to solve a murder surrounded by a powerful witch family, all while trying to protect her friend. There's plenty of drama as things unfold with this 113 year-old too powerful witch and his dysfunctional family while away in Lake Tahoe. This story was entertaining as we learn more about Alma's powers, and see more of Seth and Willy the gnome.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews