Love Potions and Other Calamities

by Charlie Laidlaw

A comic tale of love and unintended consequences. Rosie McLeod, pub proprietor and a gifted herbalist of local renown, is thirty-nine and holding, but only just. The talons of her fortieth birthday are in her back and her bloody, bloody husband hasn't laid a lustful hand on her for months. Rosie sets out to discover if her husband is having an affair, using deductive powers based solely on the careful preparation of plants and herbs. But as her well-laid plans entirely fall apart, the sighting of a large black cat sets off another chain of events. Rosie now realises that a psychopath is on the loose and that she's been selected as his next victim.

Genres: Mystery, Contemporary

368 pages, Paperback

Published November 7, 2019

About the author

I was born in Paisley, central Scotland, which wasn’t my fault. That week, Eddie Calvert with Norrie Paramor and his Orchestra were Top of the Pops, with Oh, Mein Papa, as sung by a young German woman remembering her once-famous clown father. That gives a clue to my age, not my musical taste.

I was brought up in the west of Scotland (quite near Paisley, but thankfully not too close) and graduated from the University of Edinburgh. I still have the scroll, but it’s in Latin, so it could say anything.

I then worked briefly as a street actor, baby photographer, puppeteer and restaurant dogsbody before becoming a journalist. I started in Glasgow and ended up in London, covering news, features and politics. I interviewed motorbike ace Barry Sheene, Noel Edmonds threatened me with legal action and, because of a bureaucratic muddle, I was ordered out of Greece.

I then took a year to travel round the world, visiting 19 countries. Highlights included being threatened by a man with a gun in Dubai, being given an armed bodyguard by the PLO in Beirut (not the same person with a gun), and visiting Robert Louis Stevenson’s grave in Samoa. What I did for the rest of the year I can’t quite remember.

Surprisingly, I was approached by a government agency to work in intelligence, which just shows how shoddy government recruitment was back then. However, it turned out to be very boring and I don’t like vodka martini.

Craving excitement and adventure, I ended up as a PR consultant, which is the fate of all journalists who haven’t won a Pulitzer Prize, and I’ve still to listen to Oh, Mein Papa.

I am married with two grown-up children and live in East Lothian.

Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆ A Witty, Fun, Magical, Humorous Read


Love Potions and Other Calamities is a Witty, Fun, Magical, Humorous Read with some great historical aspects.

When I first started reading this book, I have to say it wasn't anything like I was used to reading and I felt a little out of my depth.
But I was so intrigued by the blurb I just had to keep reading. I'm so glad I did as once I got used to Laidlaw's writing style I soon found myself laughing out loud and enjoying all the mishaps and mayhem!

Rosie loves being a herbalist and is passionate about it, even though things never quiet go according to plan when she start experimenting.
But a big black Cat Sighting has gotten her well and truly spooked, but can she keep herself together and why is the black Cat freeking her out so much?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Quirky and Authentic Book.
It had a lil bit of everything, magic, mystery, secrets, A Cat, dramas, Comedy and some fabulous quirky characters!
I loved all this rich history and Legends Laidlaw has added it's beautifully written and you can see how much passion he has for writing this story.
What I really enjoyed was the start of each chapter there is a short verse talking about different herbs and there uses, I found it fascinating.

This is my first book by Charlie Laidlaw and im exited to read more!

Thank you to R&R Book Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.




My Review is also on my Blog Website :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/1...

[Cathy Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers can always expect something out of the ordinary with Charlie Laidlaw’s books. Love Potions and Other Calamities is no exception. Each chapter begins with a snippet from The Book of Secrets by Albertus Magnus, 13th century scientist, theologian and philosopher, which relates to the story.

Set in a small rural village in Scotland, Holy Cross is known to be a place of myth and legend. The trouble began with the Reverend Lionel Kennedy during a thunderstorm. A sudden, nightmarish experience on his way home after judging a Women’s Institute jam making competition, sent him hurtling (for him) to the police station. The sight of a very large black cat had completely unnerved him, being aware of the stories attached to Holy Cross from the previous minister.

Rosie McLeod, a certified herbalist and landlady of the Fox and Duck hostelry in Holy Cross, is rapidly approaching her 40th birthday and feeling less than desirable. Her husband, Jack, seems oblivious to her charms and Mara the temporary barmaid, is young and beautiful, further lowering Rosie’s self esteem. Rosie decides to take matters into her own hands and give Jack a little push in the right direction.

Rosie’s mood was further darkened by news of the minister’s sighting, and her upcoming birthday seemed less important in the light of the significant vandalism to the pub’s hazel tree and the church wall. The meaning those actions conveyed was obvious to Rosie, if no-one else. I loved the underlying theme of witchcraft and cringed at the situations some characters found themselves in. Perhaps the poor vicar would have been wiser to leave his sermon much earlier.

Rosie’s herbal ‘cures’ had unintended and comical consequences, creating confusion and disorder among the residents the village and total embarrassment to the recipients. Well written with wonderfully drawn characters and a vividly portrayed setting, Love Potions and Other Calamities must have needed a huge amount of research but it has more than paid off, resulting in an enjoyable and quirky read with laugh out loud moments.

I chose to read and review Love Potions and Other Calamities based on a copy of the book supplied by the author/publisher via NetGalley

[Nicole (TheBookWormDrinketh) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing I am going to say is that this book is not going to be for everyone. In fact, at first, I didn’t know if it was for me either. But, then Charlie’s technical knowledge, quirky characters and odd wit pulled me in.

I adored the town of Holy Cross to the point that I was looking it up wondering if it was a real place I could visit. Not only did Charlie come up with charming characters to fill this town, he came up with a rich and insightful history for the town itself that added to the mystery of this quaint little place. Full of mythos involving the Holy Grail and witchcraft, the town had me wrapped up in its history throughout the entire novel.

All of the mishaps had me laughing out loud. Rose and Jack are adorable and authentic, and this book will have you all second guessing losing communication with your partners! The “mystery” wasn’t quite what I expected. It didn’t even really enter into the story until later in the novel. But, the character development and getting to know these wonderful folks was definitely the highlight of this novel.

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of Love Potions and Other Calamities in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Love Potions and Other Calamities is the latest novel to come from the mind of Charlie Laidlaw, and it is as marvelous as it is hilarious. It’s a love story gone wrong, thanks to all of the unintended consequences of one woman – Rosie McLeod.
Rosie McLeod is a brilliant herbalist, but that description doesn’t explain what she can manage when she puts her mind to it. Back in the day, she might even have been called a witch. And based on some of the actions she’s accidentally set in motion, it wouldn’t be that far off of a claim.
Naturally, that means that Rosie is about to get herself into a bit of a situation. After all, she’s meddling with things she can’t predict. And there are more dangerous things than her lurking in this otherwise calm little town.

“It Began, as these things always do, with a thunderstorm.”

Love Potions and Other Calamities was a luminous and mirthful read. It tickled my funny bone, while also perfectly showing off the chaos created by humans and their actions. Rosie McLeod is not a woman to be messed with, though she might not know the true depth of that statement.
I honestly really enjoyed Love Potions and Other Calamities. It was silly at times, but startling serious at others. The two balanced each other out nicely, resulting in a fascinating book that was unlike any other I’ve read.
The chaos within these pages is comical, with events getting pushed to the logical extremes. It was highly entertaining to see Rosie plot out some clever scheme, only to have it all go awry due to a missing detail.
And to think that it all started with Rosie fretting so much about her impending age adjustment (aka her fortieth birthday). It was not the sort of start I was expecting from this tale…and yet it was oddly perfect. Rosie’s crisis is something we’ve all faced, or will have to face. And that made her human, despite her somewhat supernatural gift with plants and remedies.
One touch that I particularly enjoyed was how Charlie Laidlaw started out each chapter. Each and every chapter of this book started out with an herbal remedy or description. It was a nice touch, and one that I’m sure added significantly to the amount of work Laidlaw had to put into this book. And yet it took it to another level.
Once again I’ve found that I’m really enjoyed Charlie Laidlaw’s works. They’re unique and putting in the effort to stand out from the crowd. I’m looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Dee-Cee It's all about the books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I’ve had the pleasure of reading by Charlie Laidlaw, The Things We Learn When We’re Dead and The Space Between Time being the first two which I absolutely adored, I knew I was in for a real treat with this one and I wasn’t wrong.

I’m not sure how but Charlie Laidlaw has a way of writing that I’ve never experienced before, I don’t even think I can explain it properly to be honest, he has a way of drawing the reader in from page one, making the characters so real you almost feel like you could walk out your front door and bump into one of them. And although this book is quite different to his others I still had that same feeling, it’s quite magical really.

It’s very clear there has been a lot of research done for this book, the history and legends of Holy Cross really set the tone for this story which I loved.
The characters are so well described that they come to life, I love a story with relatable characters, some quite eccentric but all so real feeling.
I really don’t want to go into the plot and give anything away but what I will say is you are in for a real treat with this story. It has some real laugh out loud moments, the mystery is well done (I didn’t guess) and it’s just a fabulous book and i was really sad to finish the last page.

So if you’re looking for a book that is well written, that will give you a good laugh with a brilliant setting, characters that come to life and keeps you hooked from beginning to end then Love Potions and Other Calamities is definitely the one for you.

I can’t wait to read more from Charlie Laidlaw, hopefully I won’t have long to wait.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Potions and Other Calamities is quite the departure from the author’s last two books. His distinct style remains the same, and the story has a touch of whimsy like his other books, but Love Potions is a very different kind of tale, one that will have you laughing out loud, and at time, shaking your head.

One of my favourite things about this story, apart from the situations the characters find themselves in, is the vast amount of history and legend that sets the tone for the story. It is quite obvious that a lot of research was done and I appreciate the touch of realism this added to the story. As I mentioned, I also loved the over-the-top characters, especially Rosie! She’s a women many readers will relate to and yet, the unintended consequences of her herbal “remedies” make her such a fantastical character, one just wants to sit back (from a safe distance) and watch the drama and hilarity unfold, knowing this could never happen to you.

I found this book to be both entertaining, and very creative. The characters are living caricatures, and the writing is clever and captivating. I really enjoyed it and I look forward to reading what Charlie comes up with next!

Rating… A

[Steph Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

As usual, Charlie Laidlaw has blended a quirky brew of different genres and influences which requires a taste for the experimental and will leave a lasting flavour to remember it by. And, unlike Rosie’s special brews, there are no nasty consequences!

Rosie is the central character in the story, and seems intent on celebrating imminently turning forty by losing her herb-loving mind. Seriously. She spends most of the story jumping to wild conclusions on circumstantial evidence and responding by calmly and proportionately attempting to repeatedly spike her husband’s sustenance. The combination of hormonal instability and plantlore expertise is obviously a potent one!

While Rosie is living out her delusions on a real-life stage, a mysterious someone has seen the signs and is ready to purge the village of witchcraft. So, not the best time to be flinging her potions about willy-nilly… unless you fancy being burned at the stake at your own birthday party. The series of unusual events that ensue keeps the local police force busy investigating black cats, pub brawls, traffic incidents and the fallout of Rosie’s felonious mid-life crisis.

This gives us a combination of mystery and comedy, as Rosie attempts to find out who is after her and what her husband is up to, and does it in classic Brit-com style (think John Cleese in Fawlty Towers). There is also some philosophical, psychological romantic conflict between barmaid, Mara, and her police officer boyfriend, Richie, some local political wrangling, a doomsday-fearing vicar and more, as we gradually build up a picture of the small village beyond the Fox and Duck pub. The characters are endearing and engaging, and it doesn’t take long for the reader to be immersed in village life and anxious for the fate of its beloved and bemusing healer.

As an added bonus, Charlie Laidlaw has clearly done his research into the herblore and witchcraft background of his story and it shows in an abundance of fascinating factual material on the subjects, including the scientific details of specific chemicals within certain plants, and their effects on the chemistry and biology of the human body.

This is an interesting and entertaining read: a chaotic comedy of errors romp, police procedural mystery and herbal grimoire all rolled into one. Charlie Laidlaw is an expert on tying together the world of science with the world of magic and the intervening effect of human nature on the two. Love Potions and Other Calamities is another great addition to his canon of standalone cross-genre fiction.





The local paper had written a story about her some years beforehand, calling her – what else – Medicine Woman, an epithet that caused much local mirth and underlined her benign reputation in the community. Her university certificate, now behind glass, hung in the scullery. The newspaper cutting hung in the public bar. There were a few villagers who grumbled about her – including the good Dr Murray who believed with some justification that the practice of medicine should only be carried out by those more suitably qualified. The secret, Rosie would say, is to know what boundaries of treatment not to cross.

– Charlie Laidlaw, Love Potions and Other Calamities


Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...

[Karen Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having thoroughly enjoyed The Things We Learn When We're Dead and The Space Between Time, I knew to expect something completely different when I read Love Potions and Other Calamities; Charlie Laidlaw could never be accused of writing to a formula! This is perhaps a more lighthearted book but is still as perceptive and absorbing as I've come to expect from an author who has become a must-read for me.
From the start, it's obvious that this is a novel which takes a ribald look at life as Rosie and her husband Jack are interrupted at a rather inopportune moment by a telephone call asking about appropriate flowers for a funeral. It's also immediately evident that Rosie isn't mourning this person's passing and on the contrary, has things she would far rather be doing...
Two week previously, Rosie was more concerned with her upcoming fortieth birthday and her fear of ageing. Feeling dowdy and undesirable, she could have spoken to Jack about her feelings but instead decided to use her specialist knowledge of plants and herbs to either tempt him back into her arms or to discover the truth about his fidelity. However, through a combination of bad luck, coincidence and the actions of a disturbed individual, unexpected events occur in the seemingly quiet, peaceful village of Holy Cross but with potentially portentous omens also sighted - not least a large black cat - there is a sense of malevolence and mystery amidst the more comic elements of the book.
At the start of each chapter of Love Potions and Other Calamities, there are excerpts from The Book of Secrets by Albertus Magnus, a thirteenth century guide into casting spells and using potions and as the novel progresses it becomes increasingly clear just how much research must have gone into writing a story which manages to so successfully combine a rather madcap tale about a woman's desperate measures to attract her husband's attention with a more unsettling look at the history of witchcraft and particularly how those suspected - most often women, of course - were treated. There are some really funny scenes here; an unexpected interruption to a talk by a prospective Conservative MP and a sermon which proves uncomfortably memorable for all concerned are among the highlights but there are serious points raised too and as the central character, there is something actually quite moving about Rosie's story. She dreads becoming invisible in middle age but while her concerns could be dismissed as shallow, it is undeniably true that women are often cast aside once they reach forty. Her methods to reassure herself may be unconventional but her concerns are understandable. As is so often the case too, the scenes which give us an insight into Jack's thoughts and feelings show that a breakdown in communication can lead to all sorts of trouble.
There is certainly trouble in Holy Cross and Rosie isn't responsible for all of it. There is a genuine mystery here; as the sinister truth starts to come to light, there is very real danger and I second guessed myself throughout trying to work out who could and couldn't be trusted. The sense of place is fantastic too, from the entirely believable history of the village and its links to the Holy Grail casting it as a modern day tourist trap to the day to day community life, including a wonderfully realistic local cricked match.
Rosie is a wonderful character, of course but so too are the other villagers and I especially enjoyed the relationship between local policeman, Ritchie and barmaid, Mara. Would-be MP Adrian Mountjoy and his domineering constituency chairperson, Clare Derby are less likeable but just as vividly brought to life. Love Potions and Other Calamities is another hugely engaging novel by Charlie Laidlaw and is a delight to read from start to finish.

[loopyloulaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Scotland, Love Potions and Other Calamities is a warm and rich farcical tale of herbal ‘witch’ Rosie. She is struggling to cope with the idea of turning 40 and feels decidedly unattractive. She hopes to uses her plant power to entice her husband’s lust but the plan goes awry, kicking off a string of amusing consequences.
I admit to struggling to get into the book as the tone is quite literary and I felt that it jumped between the characters a little too much. However, around a quarter of the way through, the humour began to shine through for me and I enjoyed the events and disasters described within the pages.
Having visited Scotland for our holiday this year, I liked the description of the history and setting that Charlie Laidlaw includes within the novel. Village life is well described and the timing of the election in the book with the election in real life was good but not necssary to enjoy it!
The characters felt believable and their actions and behaviour realistic. Rosie is a fab lead character and as a woman approaching my own 40th birthday I could really relate to her!
There is also a mystery and murder threaded through the plot. A black cat is causing mischief and this is linked back to a murder 20 years ago but this is secondary to the main plot strand and I had no idea on the culprit until the very end!
Overall, this was a quirky and fun book, full of love and laughter as well as disaster and mayhem (the after effects of a chicken pie on the bowls is just sublime comedy…)

[Alexis Lantgen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to get an ARC of Charlie Laidlaw’s Love Potions and Other Calamities from Accent Press. It has a lovely cover and an intriguing premise, so I wanted to read it. I’m happy to say that while it may have a few flaws, it definitely delivered a charming array of characters and some very funny moments, as well as an intriguing mystery.

In particular, I enjoyed that characters of the book. I found the main characters—Rosie, Mara, Richie, and Jack—charming, interesting, and generally fun to read about. Each one of them had a vivid voice and compelling emotional stakes. They were so fully developed I felt as though I could walk into the Fox and Duck and meet them in person, or perhaps people they were inspired by. I enjoyed Rosie especially, since her gift for herbalism felt both scientific and well-researched, and instinctual, perhaps even magical. I also loved the relationships between the characters.

The setting of the book was also richly drawn and very enjoyable—the village of Holy Cross felt very vivid, full of interesting history and sights, and with lots of interesting local character.

If I had a criticism of the book, it’s that the mystery almost felt added on, as though the book almost didn’t need a plot beyond Rosie’s scheming and the romances. However, I did think that the mystery drew the characters together in an interesting way. It also kept me wondering, which is unusual, since I normally figure out the murderer long before the end of a novel (or movie, or TV show. I totally saw the ending to Watchmen coming three episodes ago).

Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries or slightly-steamy light fantasy romance, or well, Scotland. It’s a charming and enjoyable to read.

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the little village of Holy Cross in Scotland, Rosie McLeod is the owner of a local pub. She is about to turn forty and not very happy about it. So she decides to use her herbalism to help her out. But when Reverend Lionel Kennedy sees a large black cat Rosie finds this more interesting than her age. Something is happening and it’s going to be up to Rosie to solve the mystery along with dealing with her birthday.

Poor Rosie is just having a hard time dealing with turning forty. Her husband hasn’t touched her in ages and the new girl at the pub is young, pretty and getting all the attention. So she decides to start working her magic to help remedy this trouble. I love herbalism and Rosie’s witchcraft, they really added to the story. The potions don’t always go the way they were planned to but it just made me like Rosie more.

This book is a downright laugh out loud story. Poor Rosie is dangerous and determined to find answers. I will admit that it was not what I was expecting from the story when I read the blurb and I’m so glad that I decided to review this book. This is one of those books you just have to check out. It is the first book I have read from Charlie Laidlaw but it won’t be my last.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

[Noelle Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all of Charlie’s books, I was immediately intrigued by the idea of Love Potions and Other Calamities. A jealous wife, a mysterious giant, black feline and a town with a history of witch persecutions, what’s not to like?

The story opens with publican Rosie who is nearing forty. She fears her husband no longer finds her attractive and unknowingly kicks off a series of unfortunate events in Holy Cross. But something unholy seems to be happening and the residents don’t know what has hit them.

This is a funny, sweet and mysterious story. The author captures the essence and mindset of the sleepy town really well. The characters are lively, memorable and self-sabotage at every chance.

[Shaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Charlie Laidlaw, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rosie, of course, was no witch. Her only vanity was to understand the changing seasons and to blend the properties of plants and herbs to her own desires. It was an instinct, beyond her mother’s teaching: a gift of healing, not of magic, despite what some people laughingly said in the village.

Having read The Things We Learn When We’re Dead and The Space Between Time, I can safely say that Charlie Laidlaw has an ability to blend genres. Love Potions and Other Calamities is a mix of humour, mystery and romance. This novel retains a unique writing style, but unlike his last two books, the tone is more light-hearted.

The story centres around Rosie McLeod, a gifted herbalist who is dreading her upcoming fortieth birthday. Rosie wishes that her husband Jack was more passionate and she uses her knowledge of herbalism to find out whether Jack is being unfaithful. Things don’t go to plan, however, and after a sighting of a large black cat, Rosie realises that she is in danger because something sinister is going on in the village of Holy Cross.

Each chapter begins with an excerpt from The Book of Secrets by Albert Magnus, a 13th century scientist, philosopher and Christian theologian. It’s clear that a lot of research went into this book about herbalism and I found it interesting to learn about the properties of herbs and plants.

Rosie felt like an authentic character and whilst I didn’t agree with her actions, I could kind of understand why she felt compelled to take such drastic measures. I think her storyline with Jack is a great way of showing that communication with your partner is key. If Rosie had initially spoken to Jack about her feelings, it would have saved a lot of mishaps!

One thing that stood out to me is how the author was able to draw on the rich history of Scotland to create a memorable village. After reading the novel, I thought that Holy Cross was a real village in Scotland. Laidlaw vividly illustrates Holy Cross as a place of myth and legend. It was fascinating to read about the setting of Holy Cross with its history of witchcraft and the Holy Grail.

There are lots of different characters in this book and quite a few narratives which connect the inhabitants of Holy Cross. I enjoyed the descriptions of village life and how Rosie’s herbal concoctions turn everything upside down in a place where seemingly nothing ever happens.

Overall

This is a quirky read with a wonderful cast of characters, plus a dash of Scottish history and mystery.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the cover and then I fell in love with the story.
It's witty, well written, engrossing and entertaining. It made me laugh and I read it quite fast because I wanted to know more.
I loved the quirky and well thought cast of characters, the well crafted plot and the lovely setting.
I appreciated how well research the part about herbalism is, it's something I'm interested in and I loved the descriptions of the herbs and their usage.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Jo - Cup of Toast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laidlaw has a recognisable and extremely creative flair when it comes to his plot lines and characterisation.

Without spoiling the story, there is a dream like sequence in Love Potions and Other Calamities where the language used builds the imagery so vividly. It is at times laugh out loud funny, and at others alluring.

The intrigue through the book is built at a good pace, with background information superbly woven through so that as a reader the story develops without ever feeling stilted or slow. Rosie McLeod’s pub is so lifelike that I could absolutely imagine walking into it for an afternoon drink or Sunday lunch. The politics too, is very on point, especially after the year the UK has been through! The village of Holy Cross feels so familiar.

Part of Rosie’s character is built upon her knowledge and use of herbs, so it is a nice touch to open each chapter with a short excerpt of The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus. It is clear that a great deal of time, thought and wider reading have gone into the preparation of bringing this book to its final, published version.

If you want a fun, light but interesting read this book is definitely for you.

[Marie’s Book Boutique]

Review coming soon

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining enough but having just passed 50 my sympathy for Rosie having a crisis because of her 40th birthday was pretty small!