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Wicked Witches of Shadow Woods #1
Witch Hunt
Reva Brennan is a witch unlike any other.
She owns The Dimidio Inn, a haunted hotel that’s been in her family for generations.
With her best friends, Cyrus the Victorian ghost, and Pistol, a snarky tabby kitten that will never grow up, at her side, life is pretty good.
That is until a dead body turns up at the cemetery next door to the inn. A dead body in a cemetery might not sound so bad, but this one was murdered.
An arrow to the heart took out Burton Crabb, the owner of Terror Tales, a local ghost tour company.
Detective Matt Carver pegs Reva’s Aunt Alva as the prime suspect in the killing, so Reva’s got to pull out all of the stops to clear her Auntie’s name.
It doesn’t help that Aunt Alva fought with the deceased over his disrespect of the cemetery’s inhabitants.
Can Reva find the killer and keep her beloved Aunt out of prison? Or is she walking right into a killer’s deadly snare?
Come along as Reva and friends solve this crime one spell at a time.
She owns The Dimidio Inn, a haunted hotel that’s been in her family for generations.
With her best friends, Cyrus the Victorian ghost, and Pistol, a snarky tabby kitten that will never grow up, at her side, life is pretty good.
That is until a dead body turns up at the cemetery next door to the inn. A dead body in a cemetery might not sound so bad, but this one was murdered.
An arrow to the heart took out Burton Crabb, the owner of Terror Tales, a local ghost tour company.
Detective Matt Carver pegs Reva’s Aunt Alva as the prime suspect in the killing, so Reva’s got to pull out all of the stops to clear her Auntie’s name.
It doesn’t help that Aunt Alva fought with the deceased over his disrespect of the cemetery’s inhabitants.
Can Reva find the killer and keep her beloved Aunt out of prison? Or is she walking right into a killer’s deadly snare?
Come along as Reva and friends solve this crime one spell at a time.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2021
451 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
About the author
Sara Bourgeois
237 books345 followersSara Bourgeois is a Midwesterner through and through. She spends her time writing, reading, herding cats, and standing in her driveway during tornado warnings. (You can't see them from the basement.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 23, 2022
It was good took be a while to get into the book but once I did really enjoyed it so on to book 2.
September 29, 2021
OK
The main character, Reva, was not very likable through most of the book. However, the plot and subplots move quickly and the conversations flow naturally. I'm hopeful that the next book will be better and maybe Reva will be a little more interesting.
The main character, Reva, was not very likable through most of the book. However, the plot and subplots move quickly and the conversations flow naturally. I'm hopeful that the next book will be better and maybe Reva will be a little more interesting.
June 15, 2022
Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars
I know I'm in the minority here, but this one was not for me. I could not stand the main character. In my opinion, she was rude, annoying, demanding, stubborn, childish and very unlikeable. Her interactions with Matt Carver, the (of course) hunky, sexy detective were way over-the-top and cringe-worthy. I know one of the concepts of these types of books is the antagonism and conflict that instantly springs up between the amateur sleuth, who uses sometimes flimsy excuses for butting into an investigation, and the professional detective, who tells her over and over again until he is blue in the face not to get involved. But, this book seemed to really exaggerate this trope. I couldn't understand Reva's intense dislike and distrust of Carver and his skills as a detective. I actually admired his remarkable restraint in not flinging her into jail and throwing away the key for her obstruction of the case!
I don't think this will become a favourite series of mine any time soon. Despite the ending, I really can't muster up enough enthusiasm or interest to pursue any further books.
I know I'm in the minority here, but this one was not for me. I could not stand the main character. In my opinion, she was rude, annoying, demanding, stubborn, childish and very unlikeable. Her interactions with Matt Carver, the (of course) hunky, sexy detective were way over-the-top and cringe-worthy. I know one of the concepts of these types of books is the antagonism and conflict that instantly springs up between the amateur sleuth, who uses sometimes flimsy excuses for butting into an investigation, and the professional detective, who tells her over and over again until he is blue in the face not to get involved. But, this book seemed to really exaggerate this trope. I couldn't understand Reva's intense dislike and distrust of Carver and his skills as a detective. I actually admired his remarkable restraint in not flinging her into jail and throwing away the key for her obstruction of the case!
I don't think this will become a favourite series of mine any time soon. Despite the ending, I really can't muster up enough enthusiasm or interest to pursue any further books.
September 15, 2022
Horrible female Mc
I could not even finish this book. The female MC was so over the top hostile it ruined what could have been a good story. She was so unlikable that I couldn't relate or root for her. She was a bully and childish and stupid in the worst way. I get she was trying to look out for her aunt. But this was beyond that. Antagonizing the lead detective, inserting herself into the investigation, and bullying potential suspects who likely had nothing to do with it. Even the overdone tropes ,(talking cat familiar, ghost love interest?!) could not help this story when you have such a bad MC. It was clear why she had no living friends.
I could not even finish this book. The female MC was so over the top hostile it ruined what could have been a good story. She was so unlikable that I couldn't relate or root for her. She was a bully and childish and stupid in the worst way. I get she was trying to look out for her aunt. But this was beyond that. Antagonizing the lead detective, inserting herself into the investigation, and bullying potential suspects who likely had nothing to do with it. Even the overdone tropes ,(talking cat familiar, ghost love interest?!) could not help this story when you have such a bad MC. It was clear why she had no living friends.
January 23, 2022
Entertaining fantasy listening 🔰😡
A will written fantasy thriller adventure novel one in the Wicked Witches of Shadow Woods by Sara Bourgeois about witches and murder. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story line is about witches and their magic during the investigation attempting to help the police in their investigation and relationship. I would recommend this novel to readers of fantasy mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or 🎶 listening to 👍novels 🔰🏡😠2022
A will written fantasy thriller adventure novel one in the Wicked Witches of Shadow Woods by Sara Bourgeois about witches and murder. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story line is about witches and their magic during the investigation attempting to help the police in their investigation and relationship. I would recommend this novel to readers of fantasy mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or 🎶 listening to 👍novels 🔰🏡😠2022
September 28, 2021
A great new supernatural cozy mystery series
This is a great new supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters in a unique and entertaining storyline. Reba is a witch who owns a small in in their little town. Her family has owned this in for generations. Rivet inherited it from her parents when they passed away and she runs along with her aunt who helps her out. The weird thing is this hotel caters mostly to ghosts but also has a few rooms it holds aside for mortals. As the end sits next to a graveyard where there are a lot of ghosts and spirits there’s always a few of them wandering around. There is a crime that happens and Reva must help solve it to clear someone close to her. It was extraordinarily entertaining and another unique twist on the genre. Very entertaining, check it out.
This is a great new supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters in a unique and entertaining storyline. Reba is a witch who owns a small in in their little town. Her family has owned this in for generations. Rivet inherited it from her parents when they passed away and she runs along with her aunt who helps her out. The weird thing is this hotel caters mostly to ghosts but also has a few rooms it holds aside for mortals. As the end sits next to a graveyard where there are a lot of ghosts and spirits there’s always a few of them wandering around. There is a crime that happens and Reva must help solve it to clear someone close to her. It was extraordinarily entertaining and another unique twist on the genre. Very entertaining, check it out.
October 12, 2021
Good story
A new series is always good from Sara Bourgeois
A paranormal cozy mystery
I really liked the story but found Reva lacking in the interesting new character department. She seemed sort of flat and I really didn't like her. This us hard for me to say because I have been a long time ARC reader for Sara and have loved her other books and characters.
However the story was quite good and I loved the pranks that she has pulled on the detective and another character in the book.
Reva is a witch who has a ghost as a friend and a mouthy cat familiar.
Reva's aunt is accused of murder when a body is found in the cemetery next to Reva's inn. Her guests are quite different which you will discover reading the story.
I will read the next one in the series because I have to see if they discover what is going on with the inn
A new series is always good from Sara Bourgeois
A paranormal cozy mystery
I really liked the story but found Reva lacking in the interesting new character department. She seemed sort of flat and I really didn't like her. This us hard for me to say because I have been a long time ARC reader for Sara and have loved her other books and characters.
However the story was quite good and I loved the pranks that she has pulled on the detective and another character in the book.
Reva is a witch who has a ghost as a friend and a mouthy cat familiar.
Reva's aunt is accused of murder when a body is found in the cemetery next to Reva's inn. Her guests are quite different which you will discover reading the story.
I will read the next one in the series because I have to see if they discover what is going on with the inn
September 24, 2024
Witch Hunt
By Sara Bourgeois
No Spoilers
This was a cute story, although, the book could use some more editing. I found several grammar mistakes and spelling errors.
The story itself was easy to follow and surprisingly I didn’t guess the killer until the very end. This was a different kind of book for me and I enjoyed the main character, a witch, and her friends, a ghost and talking kitten. Their determination to solve the murder mystery was fun to read. Pistol, the talking kitten, frequently had me laughing out loud. It’s an easy read and would be great for people that enjoy stories but struggle with complex writing. It also leaves you with a desire to pick up the next book in the series.
This was a nice and light read. I rated it at 3.5 stars, but, it would’ve been an easy 4 star for me had there not been so many editing issues.
By Sara Bourgeois
No Spoilers
This was a cute story, although, the book could use some more editing. I found several grammar mistakes and spelling errors.
The story itself was easy to follow and surprisingly I didn’t guess the killer until the very end. This was a different kind of book for me and I enjoyed the main character, a witch, and her friends, a ghost and talking kitten. Their determination to solve the murder mystery was fun to read. Pistol, the talking kitten, frequently had me laughing out loud. It’s an easy read and would be great for people that enjoy stories but struggle with complex writing. It also leaves you with a desire to pick up the next book in the series.
This was a nice and light read. I rated it at 3.5 stars, but, it would’ve been an easy 4 star for me had there not been so many editing issues.
May 9, 2022
Reva Brennan is a witch that owns The Dimidio Inn, a haunted hotel which is run by herself, her Aunt and her cat familiar Pistol and Cyrus the Victorian ghost. They have both human and ghostly individuals checking in and out. The Inn is located next to a cemetery that they supervise for litter and any vandalism. The dead body of Burton Crabb, the owner of Terror Tales, a local ghost tour company. Her aunt Alva is considered the prime candidate for having committed the murder by the local Detective Matt Carver. With the help of Pistol, Cyrus and a few others Reva is going to solve this murder and clear her aunt! An enjoyable fantasy with plenty of possible suspects! You may want to give it a read!
March 19, 2022
Not wonderful
I hate to say this because I truly enjoy this author’s books in the past, but I really did not care for this one nor will I read any more in this series. Aside from the annoying sentences with words that didn’t make sense (thanks, to automatic spellcheck) but our heroine is not particularly likable, she also didn’t seem to be someone who could think straight enough to solve the mystery. I could be more specific but I don’t want to give any spoilers for those of you who may decide to try the book anyway.
I hate to say this because I truly enjoy this author’s books in the past, but I really did not care for this one nor will I read any more in this series. Aside from the annoying sentences with words that didn’t make sense (thanks, to automatic spellcheck) but our heroine is not particularly likable, she also didn’t seem to be someone who could think straight enough to solve the mystery. I could be more specific but I don’t want to give any spoilers for those of you who may decide to try the book anyway.
October 15, 2022
Reva is determined to solve the mystery.
This murder mystery was quite intriguing. I enjoyed that Reva, the main character has a hotel that hosts both mortals and ghosts and her best friend is a ghost as well. She has a familiar who is a little spitfire of a cat. Reva is determined to solve the mystery of whom her Aunt is the prime suspect for. I am looking forward to learning more about the hotel that Reva and he'd Aunt operate in the next book.
This murder mystery was quite intriguing. I enjoyed that Reva, the main character has a hotel that hosts both mortals and ghosts and her best friend is a ghost as well. She has a familiar who is a little spitfire of a cat. Reva is determined to solve the mystery of whom her Aunt is the prime suspect for. I am looking forward to learning more about the hotel that Reva and he'd Aunt operate in the next book.
February 4, 2023
A fantastic beginning to a new series (for me)!
Great story line with a wonderful introduction to this truly amazing cast of characters. Pistol is very appropriately named. He's definitely that - A pistol! Full of spit and vinegar! Cyrus is an interesting ghost and I hope we learn his back story in a future book. Reva is also an interesting character and I'm wondering how all this will play out with her, Matt, and Cyrus. This is going to be an amazing series!
Great story line with a wonderful introduction to this truly amazing cast of characters. Pistol is very appropriately named. He's definitely that - A pistol! Full of spit and vinegar! Cyrus is an interesting ghost and I hope we learn his back story in a future book. Reva is also an interesting character and I'm wondering how all this will play out with her, Matt, and Cyrus. This is going to be an amazing series!
February 28, 2025
Ghost friends and grouchy detectives
Reva runs a local inn that is haunted by ghosts...that she can see. When a body turns up in the cemetary next door, the new detective stops in to let her know. They instantly clash and Reva spends the investigation trying to prove her own aunt's innocence. On top of that, something is wrong at the hotel. And Reva isnt sure she alone is up to the challenge.
A fun first book in the series. Lots of mystery and clues! Talking cats are a plus!
Reva runs a local inn that is haunted by ghosts...that she can see. When a body turns up in the cemetary next door, the new detective stops in to let her know. They instantly clash and Reva spends the investigation trying to prove her own aunt's innocence. On top of that, something is wrong at the hotel. And Reva isnt sure she alone is up to the challenge.
A fun first book in the series. Lots of mystery and clues! Talking cats are a plus!
November 8, 2021
Sigh, I wanted to love this book, but the main character is seriously rude and annoying. I loved Cyrus though and his formal manners and kind nature. Pistol was closer to a reflection of the main character, though his rude behavior could be somewhat written off because he is still a kitten.
Its was a quick read, but I don't know if I'll go back for another one.
Its was a quick read, but I don't know if I'll go back for another one.
January 5, 2022
This was a quick and uninspired clean read. The characters were all interesting, except for the main character. A ghost with a crush on a living person, was definitely unique. There was an ending to the murder, but all the other problems were let unanswered. Thus turning it into a cliffhanger, which I am not going to seek out the next one in the series.
February 4, 2022
A good mystery.
I like this mystery. Reva and her familiar Pistol and a ghost Casy investigate a murder. There are several suspects with various motives. Teva and her Aunt have a good relationship. I give this 4 stars because of the animosity Reva has for the detective, Matt. I will read the next book, but I would like to see the animosity go away.
I like this mystery. Reva and her familiar Pistol and a ghost Casy investigate a murder. There are several suspects with various motives. Teva and her Aunt have a good relationship. I give this 4 stars because of the animosity Reva has for the detective, Matt. I will read the next book, but I would like to see the animosity go away.
September 17, 2022
Good but not great.
I have read 6 or 7 books by this author and gave most 5 stars. This book should have been another terrific read but the main character was so annoying I wanted the police to lock her in jail for a while. I think the author should have toned the character down a bit. I did enjoy it enough to read the next in this series.
I have read 6 or 7 books by this author and gave most 5 stars. This book should have been another terrific read but the main character was so annoying I wanted the police to lock her in jail for a while. I think the author should have toned the character down a bit. I did enjoy it enough to read the next in this series.
August 30, 2023
A new series for me.
Reva is a witch and a skilled one at that. A bit of a hot head and jumps to conclusions right or wrong. She immediately takes a dislike to the new detective trying to solve a murder. I found her attitude a bit brash, but I will give the series a chance and read the next book of the series.
Reva is a witch and a skilled one at that. A bit of a hot head and jumps to conclusions right or wrong. She immediately takes a dislike to the new detective trying to solve a murder. I found her attitude a bit brash, but I will give the series a chance and read the next book of the series.
May 7, 2024
I posted this review after reading this title as part of the series boxed set.
A murder in a cemetery and new detective in town has the hackles of Reva, the young witch running the local spook inn, otherwise known as "The Dimidio Inn."
There's lots of potential killers, but really, the clues are all there. You can read all about it!
A murder in a cemetery and new detective in town has the hackles of Reva, the young witch running the local spook inn, otherwise known as "The Dimidio Inn."
There's lots of potential killers, but really, the clues are all there. You can read all about it!
September 27, 2021
Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. In shadow wood at the Dimidio Inn reva brennan , Cyrus a ghost and her cat pistol is on the case to find a killer. Love these crime stories.
October 4, 2021
The new detective.
A horrible man was killed in the cemetery that Alva and her niece Reva take care of. Alva becomes a prime suspect, and the new detective in town is sure she's guilty but Reva is going to prove him wrong.
A horrible man was killed in the cemetery that Alva and her niece Reva take care of. Alva becomes a prime suspect, and the new detective in town is sure she's guilty but Reva is going to prove him wrong.
November 11, 2021
Witch Hunt is a good read. Reva seems to be a force to be reckoned with and she plans to stand her ground. I'm sure that this book only shows just a fraction of the power within Reva. I can't wait to read 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.
December 21, 2021
Plot good
An interesting plot but background of site and family stays undeveloped too long. I also did not enjoy the constant verbal aggressiveness of the main characters for most of the story.
An interesting plot but background of site and family stays undeveloped too long. I also did not enjoy the constant verbal aggressiveness of the main characters for most of the story.
December 30, 2021
Interesting new series
Fun to read and interesting concepts on relationships. A new device in town and murder in a graveyard. To many suspects and motives and a confession lead to an interesting story.
Fun to read and interesting concepts on relationships. A new device in town and murder in a graveyard. To many suspects and motives and a confession lead to an interesting story.
January 12, 2022
great start to the series
A wonderful start to a new series by Sara Bourgeois. I love this author’s books. So many wonderful characters and a confusing murder to figure out. What’s not to love?!
A wonderful start to a new series by Sara Bourgeois. I love this author’s books. So many wonderful characters and a confusing murder to figure out. What’s not to love?!
April 21, 2022
Witch Hunt
Reva is now in charge of the family Inn.
With the help from her Aunt and Cyrus the ghost.
Thing were in hand.
Then all of a sudden things were happening.
And there was the murder of the guy who ran ghost tour.
Good read.
Reva is now in charge of the family Inn.
With the help from her Aunt and Cyrus the ghost.
Thing were in hand.
Then all of a sudden things were happening.
And there was the murder of the guy who ran ghost tour.
Good read.
May 29, 2022
Witch Hunter
SPOILERS
Sara Bourgeois has heart when she kills one of her characters off by shooting him through his heart!?
The worst thing about this book is we need to grab book 2 to find out what is wrong with her inn!
Thanks for the cliff hanger Sara!
SPOILERS
Sara Bourgeois has heart when she kills one of her characters off by shooting him through his heart!?
The worst thing about this book is we need to grab book 2 to find out what is wrong with her inn!
Thanks for the cliff hanger Sara!
October 24, 2023
DNF
The heroine is SO UNLIKEABLE, I just couldn't continue. I read the reviews of the next book and it seems like it doesn't improve. So I called it at 45%. Liked other books by this author but this series is just not for me.
The heroine is SO UNLIKEABLE, I just couldn't continue. I read the reviews of the next book and it seems like it doesn't improve. So I called it at 45%. Liked other books by this author but this series is just not for me.
October 11, 2021
Good
This is a quirky paranormal cozy. If you like a clean paranormal with a few quirky characters you will like this.
This is a quirky paranormal cozy. If you like a clean paranormal with a few quirky characters you will like this.
October 12, 2021
Cliffhanger
Would have been good if the author didn't use a cliffhanger.
Don't bother because the next book will probably end in a cliffhanger as well.
Would have been good if the author didn't use a cliffhanger.
Don't bother because the next book will probably end in a cliffhanger as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews