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Mystic Inn #7

Potions, Poison, and Pumpkin Spice

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Nothing says fall like candles, comfy socks, and pumpkin spice lattes.

At least, that’s what Mayor Parish thinks. She’s determined for Silverlake to win the prestigious Best Fall Getaway award for Witch Reader's Magazine. Our cozy town is already a top contender.

But when the journalist covering Silverlake writes a scathing review and turns up dead, things go from fall festive to fatal misfortune.

The Mystic Inn guest had his fair share of critics, but the killer couldn’t possibly be someone living in Silverlake, could it?

That’s what my friends and I are racing to find out. We love our enchanting town, and we’re not about to let one bad pumpkin poison the patch.

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2022

123 people are currently reading
111 people want to read

About the author

Stephanie Damore

90 books160 followers
I'm a mystery author with a soft spot for romance and humor, too. I love all things girlie with a dollop of danger, have a strong affinity for the color pink (especially in diamonds and champagne), and, not to brag, but chocolate and I are in a pretty serious relationship.

My books are fun and flirty, and feature smart and sassy sleuths. If you love books with a dash of spice and twist of whodunit, you're going to love my work!

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Miss W Book Reviews.
1,783 reviews153 followers
October 27, 2022
Potions, Poison, and Pumpkin Spice is Book 7 in the Mystic Inn Mystery Series.
This is such a fun Halloween cozy magical mystery.

I love revisiting the town of Silverlake especially in the fall.

I had to go get a pumpkin spice latte while I was reading this book.

Silverlake is contending for the Best Fall Getaway award that is being hosted by Witch Reader's Magazine. Silverlake has a really good chance until a reporter writes a bad review is found dead.

Angela and the gang are on the case. I love the characters in this book. They are so well written and fun.

The mystery was fantastic, and I really LOVE all the fall fun in this book.





Profile Image for Samantha.
2,613 reviews181 followers
October 12, 2023
I’m not big on traditional cozies for the most part, but this was cute and appropriately short, and the magical elements were surprisingly well done.

This is a fun story and a bit more substantive than most in this sub genre, and the setting is charmingly evocative of fall and Halloween.

The mystery itself is pretty simple but satisfyingly structured and solved, and far less hokey than the title implies.

Unlike most cozies that include magic, this doesn’t feel like ripoff of an already popular magical series. Rare for me when it comes to this type of book, but I would happily read another from this series.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Profile Image for Yamini.
652 reviews36 followers
October 2, 2023
This magical small town is easier to miss for a muggle eye, but with Halloween coming around and a new town inspection on the list, people really have to be on their toes.
Well... only if things were that simple, the narcissistic inspector who came to evaluate the town is now dead and it appears to us that in his increasing list of grievances about this town, someone found their name and managed to return the favour or two.

Quite a humorous writeup, with an autumnal vibe and pumpkin-spiced lattes 🎃, this one was a quick and enjoyable read. M not sure if I will remember all the details later as I couldn’t find any characters to be prominent or an impact(apart from the end), but it was good for a one-time read and you will have fun while it lasts.

Thank you @netgalley @dreamscape_media @steph_damore_author for the ARC

Genre: #mystery #thriller #fantasy
Profile Image for Anna ✨.
567 reviews2 followers
October 5, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review

Stephanie Damore's novella, "Potions, Poison, and Pumpkin Spice," offers a charming escape into the whimsical town of Silverlake, where mystical creatures dwell and a murder mystery unfolds.

Set in the heart of Silverlake, this novella exudes cozy fantasy vibes that make it a pleasant, light-hearted read. The story combines the intrigue of a murder mystery with the warm embrace of a close-knit community, resulting in an engaging and enjoyable narrative.

One of the novella's strengths lies in its portrayal of the town's diverse mystical inhabitants. Their quirky personalities and unique abilities add a delightful layer of charm to the story, making Silverlake a place readers will want to visit.

The way the community bands together to solve the mystery is heartwarming, showcasing the power of unity and friendship. Each individual character's story arc contributes to the overall sense of resolution and closure, providing a satisfying conclusion to their personal journeys.

However, with its shorter format, some aspects of the plot and character development may feel a bit rushed. A deeper exploration of the central mystery and character backstories could have added more depth to the narrative.

In summary, "Potions, Poison, and Pumpkin Spice" is a cute and cozy fantasy novella that combines elements of mystery and community. While it may not delve into the deepest complexities, it offers an enjoyable and heartwarming reading experience for those seeking a light-hearted escape into a mystical world.
Profile Image for Cristina Elena | LaaA.
341 reviews
October 14, 2023
Get into the Autumn season mood with a short story about romance, supernatural, and murder mystery with Stephanie Damore’s “Potions, Poison, and Pumpkin Spice” novel. Set in the the magic town of Silverlake, the story follows curious witch Angelica as she prepares her small business for Halloween and try to solve a murder at the same time. While only 168-pages long, the story touches on a lot of story lines and characters. The pages / audiobook is filled with bits and pieces of description of the town, the magic system, and relationship building between characters.

All in all, it’s a good story, good for autumn fans, good for supernatural fans, and part of a multi-book series called “Mystic Inn Mystery”. This is the 7th book in the series, so make sure to look for the previous books in the series if you want to take them chronologically or look for the rest if this one sparked your interest.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #PotionsPoisonandPumpkinSpice #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning
Profile Image for Olivia Clark.
304 reviews11 followers
September 29, 2023
I received an audio arc copy and this is my honest review.

The narrator was phenomenal! I love it when they are able to have different voices for each character, and I can easily follow.

This book was just such wholesome fun mystery. It gave hallmark movie vibes with a bit of a murder mystery thrown in. We also have some fantasy elements with witches and other supernatural entities.

This book is short and very suitable for all ages. If you want a quick fun fall read I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Joni Owens.
1,530 reviews10 followers
October 5, 2023
Sweet, cozy mystery. I wasn’t aware this was a series before j started and now I need to go back and start with book 1! Super quick read so I’m looking forward to many more!!
Profile Image for Shannon Oehlerking.
69 reviews
September 29, 2025
I didn’t know this was a series and was very confused 😂, my fault. It was a cute, cozy mystery I might go and read the first one now.
Profile Image for Lora.
53 reviews
September 28, 2023
Potions, Poison, and Pumpkin Spice by Stephanie Damore is a cozy fantasy mystery that takes place in Silverlake, a town full of magical people. It’s autumn and the town is trying to win an annual autumn decor contest, but the journalist writing about the competition turns up dead. There’s also an important jewel that goes missing shortly thereafter. The book was released in 2022, but the audiobook is newly released.

We primarily follow Angelica Nightingale, owner of the inn, as she tries to find out what happened to the journalist and the jewel, and everything that happens in between. It’s the 7th of a series and I hadn’t read any of the others, though I felt like the author described who Angelica and all the community members were well enough that I didn’t need all the history. There were nods to previous books, for those who like the call backs in their series.

My negative is that the book is a little victim blamey at times. The initial victim is one dimensionally unlikeable and Angelica thinks that a subsequent victim was involved in something he shouldn’t be. I didn’t like that, because regardless of what people are involved in, they don’t deserve to be killed.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Aimee Reid, did well with all the voices and maintaining the flow of the story. Overall, it’s a sweet, autumnal mystery that was a cozy read as we slip into a new season.

Favorite quote: “What in the world is happening?” she asked as she clutched her pearls. The strand was no longer around her neck, but held tightly in her fist.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for allowing me to listen to this book as an ARC to review.
Profile Image for Tiffany (BookAndCoffeeAddict).
186 reviews5 followers
October 25, 2024
It’s fall time in the enchanting small town of Silverlake, home to witches, shifters, and other magical people. With the town in the running to be named Witch Reader’s Magazine’s Best Fall Getaway, the mayor is obsessed with making sure the local atmosphere is extra cozy and charming. Unfortunately, the journalist the magazine sent out to evaluate the town ends up being kind of a bigoted jerk… and then he ends up dead on his hotel room floor.

A cozy mystery with a dash of magic, Potions, Poison, and Pumpkin Spice is the 7th book in the Mystic Inn Mystery series but reads well as a standalone. Angelica, the main character of the series, is warm and likable and runs the local Mystic Inn with her aunt. The whole town is full of wonderfully unique, magical townspeople who all play their part in the story and give the book charm. The mystery is interesting and not predictable, with just the right amount of twists and turns.

I listened to the audiobook, and it was the perfect accompaniment as I puttered around my house this fall. The narrator (Aimee Reid) did a fantastic job of bringing the story to life, capturing the tone and mood of the book. The audiobook was only a little over 4 hours long, the perfect length to finish in one sitting.

Potions, Poison, and Pumpkin Spice is a fun and festively fall read with everything you want in a cozy mystery: a likable heroine, a charming setting, a clever plot, and a touch of magic.
Profile Image for Bri.
107 reviews4 followers
November 13, 2023
I really don't enjoy negative reviews so I will mostly just say that this book was not for me. I have not read this series and I can't really tell if the info dumping was because the author was trying to catch up one-off readers (like me) or if that is generally how these books go. That being said, I felt that the first part of the book was kinda like when you watch an episode of a TV show with a friend and you don't know anything and they stop and pause and give you the cliff notes of each backstory every time a new character shows up. I think I craved more than surface level on...a lot of things. For one, I wanted a fall read and this mentions pumpkin spice a whole bunch but I really wanted more atmosphere. Also, the dialogue was so cut and dry that I think any character could have said any other character's lines and I wouldn't have really noticed. Everything is just - I did this, and they did that, and I said this, and they said that...I really needed depth. Aimee Reid was a good narrator and did a fine job with the material. I know some people follow the series and I'm sure this is another enjoyable installment for them so I may be in the minority for my review. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Bhuku.
680 reviews15 followers
September 29, 2023
This was a quick (surprisingly quick) read with lovely, cozy autumnal vibes! It's the perfect way to get your fall spirit going.

Angelica is a witch in the charming small town of Silverlake. A very unpleasant journalist visits to cover the town's harvest festival, but on his departure day he's found dead in his hotel room! Angelica and friends have to figure out who poisoned him, but before long the town's cursed amulet disappears and more victims pop up. Can they find the killer before it's too late?

The vibes in the story are super sweet and are the main reason for my high rating. The mystery wasn't anything too new or exciting and the final whodunnit discovery felt a bit deus ex machina to me (right place, right time). The villain's justification didn't really sell me, either.

I share all of those cons to explain just how charming the fall vibes are - I would absolutely reread this for the coziness in future Septembers/Octobers, because it was as good at jumpstarting my fall spirit as Home Alone is at jumpstarting my Christmas spirit!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Debbie Lacey.
337 reviews7 followers
September 30, 2023
Setting the Scene: "Nothing says fall like candles, comfy socks, and pumpkin spice lattes. At least, that’s what Mayor Parish thinks. She’s determined for Silverlake to win the prestigious Best Fall Getaway award for Witch Reader's Magazine—the town is already a top contender.

But when the journalist covering Silverlake writes a scathing review and is found dead, things go from fall festive to fatal misfortune. The Mystic Inn guest had his fair share of critics, but the killer couldn't possibly be someone living in Silverlake, could it?"

Angelica and her friends are racing to find out. They love their enchanting town, and they're not about to let one bad pumpkin poison the patch. Will they be able to unmask the killer and clear Silverlake's name, or will the town's reputation be forever tarnished?

What I Thought: This is a light cozy paranormal mystery with likeable characters and a well plotted mystery. This latest outing in Silverlake brings a few surprises and the potential for some welcome changes; although I am ready for Angelica to master her magic. Her mishaps are getting old. Nonetheless, I look forward to the next visit with Angelica and her friends.
1,397 reviews22 followers
October 1, 2023
🎧3.5⭐️

#7 Mystic Inn series

I had the audiobook read by Aimee Reid. She does a good job with the narration. It’s very short at 4hrs 20 mins.

Despite being deep into the series this is my first book by this author.

A witchy cosy mystery set in a town full of witches.
Fall has arrived Mayor Parish is keen for Silverlake to win the best fall getaway award in the witch reader’s magazine. The journalist covering Silverlake writes a scathing review and turns up dead. Also an important jewel goes missing. The main character is Angelica, she runs the Mystic Inn, she investigates the murder and missing jewel to try and save the reputation of Silverlake for the competition.

A light fluffy cosy autumnal quick listen. It has a chatty writing style so feels inclusive for the reader. I quite like a witchy book. It has a bit of an autumnal feel. This one didn’t really grab me, found it a bit waffly and lacking substance. It might be that I haven’t got to know the characters from the previous books.it’s pleasant enough making it an ok listen for me.
356 reviews
October 4, 2023
Potions, Poison and Pumpkin Spice is an enjoyable cozy murder mystery that embraces all things witchy and Fall! This was just the fun and short spooky season read that I needed. If you are intrigued by the title and it sounds like your cup of Pumpkin Spice, then look no further because this book lives up to all that the title promises.

I truly enjoyed this cozy read and will for sure be checking out the other books in this series now. For the most part the characters were a lot of fun and the sleuthing was just what I needed from this cozy read. If you are looking for the next "What just happened?" mystery, this is not it because it is not all that shocking in the end, but the ride was still super enjoyable. The only other thing that I just did not jive with was the whole "a telepath told me I was in for a broken heart" so I tried to self-sabotage my relationship....yeah, that really bugged me.

Overall, I will be reading more by this author and plan on reading her backlog list. The audiobook was just lovely and the narrator really brought the story to life. I think it is the perfect cozy fall mystery. Supe3r enjoyable and full of magic!
1,621 reviews25 followers
October 2, 2023
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review

Mayor Parish is determined Silverlake should win the prestigious Best Fall Getaway award for Witch Reader's Magazine. But when the journalist covering Silverlake writes a scathing review and is found dead the next day, Angelica and her friends are determined to find the killer and clear Silverlake's name.,

This is a short but fun cozy witch mystery that is sure to put you in the mood for fall, with all of the pumpkin spice references. Although this is the seventh book in the series, I believe it can be read as a standalone. I haven't read any of the previous books in the series and had no trouble following along. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, or books with a witchy theme to them, or even if you are just looking for something fun to put you in the fall spirit, then you should check this out.
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,192 reviews28 followers
October 18, 2023
Potions, Poison, and Pumpkin Spice (Mystic Inn Mystery #7) by Stephanie Damore
Narrated by Aimee Reid
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: General Fiction (Adult),Mystery & Thrillers, Sci Fi & Fantasy
Published: October 3, 2023

Potions, Poison, and Pumpkin Spice is the seventh book in the Mystic Inn Mystery series by Stephanie Damore. I had not read the previous books and I was able to enjoy this as a standalone mystery. This was a fun and fast read!

I loved the narration by Aimee Reid! She did a great job bringing the story to life!

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I thought the story was cute and the mystery was interesting. I do want to go back to the Mystic Inn so I can get to know the characters better. I'll definitely be checking out the other books in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Steph Gottsacker.
174 reviews4 followers
October 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery! I haven't read any of the other books in the series (but I plan to pick them up now), and it was delightful all around.

They have the cozy magical town, the myriad of different townspeople, and of course, the "Nancy Drew" type lead who just cannot help herself when there is a mystery to be solved.

I don't want to spoil it, but it's the perfect fall flavored mystery if you're looking for one! This time of year it really hit the spot in that special way you want, too.

I read this on audio and the narrator was perfect for this book, I would absolutely choose her as my reader again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Sandy.
876 reviews15 followers
October 31, 2022
The books in this series are fun to read. The town of Silverlake is a top contender for the Best Fall Getaway award, putting it’s best foot forward with decorations and festivities. When a journalist covering the contest is found dead there are plenty of suspects, as he was not a particularly pleasant person. Angelica and the gang swing into action to help the Sheriff solve the case. The multi-layered plot is great, with plenty of twists and turns. I was very surprised when the murderer was revealed! I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.
Profile Image for Marty Doskins.
150 reviews2 followers
September 28, 2023
This is a nice, solid cozy mystery set in a magical town. I haven't listened to any of the other entries in this series, but I will definitely going back and starting from the beginning. The town of Silver Lake is holding a big celebration and putting its best foot forward. But a writer is trying to bring the town celebrations to a halt with insulting and critical remarks about the town. I bet you can guess who the victim will be in this murder mystery.

It looks like this is a new release of the audiobook of this selection since it was published in October 2022.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jami Seymore.
335 reviews
October 6, 2023
Cozy murder mystery meets spooky autumn. The town of Silverlake is pushing to make it in Witch Reader’s Magazine, from their cozy inn, Magic in every corner of town, and prized Pumpkin Spice Lattes. But when they get a bad review and the journalist who wrote it winds up dead at the hands of a poisoned PSL, the search is on to find the person responsible among the enchanted residents. This is a fun, quick read perfect for the start of fall. If you’re a fan of murder mysteries, this is part of a series but also fine to read as a stand-alone.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is out now!
Profile Image for Apilrain.
153 reviews9 followers
December 11, 2023
I received an advanced reader's copy from netgalley in exchange for my honest opinions.

For me there are times when it feels like everything is happening all at once and I don't have the bandwidth for complicated things- one way to be kind to yourself is to declare cozy paranormal seasons and roll with it!

I'd not read any before this by this author but I liked the idea of a town full of witches, shape shifters and poltergeist doing life and solving mysteries. And it was everything I'd hoped for - checked all the boxes for me. No gore, no sex scenes, mild language and witches making chocolates. I'm in for more of the series!
Profile Image for Mooncat.
367 reviews2 followers
August 31, 2024
I liked this one, one of the best so far in this series. The case twisted and turned quite some times and it overall was a bit more serious than cosy cases sometimes are, which I enjoy. There again was also some character growth involved, especially with Angelica. Plus, there are some new regulars added to the mix I think.
Unfortunately, once more, the fate of Gunner, the rescued dog out of the last book, remains unknown. Seriously, for the pet owners out there, don’t do that. This is the second time Vance took a potential pet home with himself to it then disappear without another mention. Well, the first one’s fate was explained in the last book, but that was two books too late.
6,233 reviews40 followers
August 15, 2025
It's the town's bicentennial celebration and the mayor is all over everyone's cases about doing more for this grand celebration.

There's also a guy that is checking out the town to see if it has done enough to win an award.

A guy that ends up dead. Now he's been pretty much nasty to everyone so the list of suspects is pretty long. To make things worse the town sapphire has been stolen, the florist's shop catches fire and other bad things are happening.

Can the murderer be found out before the celebration is totally ruined? Read the book to find out!
Profile Image for Monica.
1,111 reviews
October 27, 2022
I love this series and it's always fun to visit Silverlake and its wonderful characters. Another great mystery by Stephanie Damore kept me hooked and guessing. Plenty of twists and plenty of suspects and a few surprises along the way. The characters and the relationships keep developing and wonderful to see the twins being very helpful in this one. I definitely can't wait for the next book since we have a couple of hints to what's ahead.
4,540 reviews38 followers
October 31, 2022
In Potions, Poison and Pumpkin Spice the reader gets to visit Silverlake at fall festival time. This magical, cozy town is full of pumpkins, candles, pumpkin spice lattes - and murder! I love that I can never figure out the culprit. Join Angel and crew as they seek to discover the murderer in their midst. You know there will be too many suspects, too many motives and possibly some red herrings in this well written, well plotted adventure. I could not put it down!
Profile Image for Brittany Mcconnell.
710 reviews31 followers
October 12, 2023
Now when I requested this book did I look to see if it was part of a series nope sure didn't (book 7)

But did I still enjoy it yes yes I did
Yes I probably could of got more from the story if I started at the beginning but I loved the community and how witches and other supernatural all live together in a town it was a short read but a fun one

Thanks NetGalley for this audio arc in exchange for my honest opinion
Profile Image for Mandy Kell.
444 reviews15 followers
October 22, 2023
Potions, Poison, and Pumpkin Spice by Stephanie Damore is the perfect short and sweet cozy mystery for Pumpkin Spice season! I really enjoyed the narration of the audiobook and how fun each of the characters were! These small town books get almost all of their charm from the cozy descriptions and adorable side characters and this book was no different. I liked how subtle the magical and supernatural aspects of the story were and it definitely had a Gilmore Girls meets Halloweentown vibe.
Profile Image for Kristi.
271 reviews2 followers
January 8, 2025
My favorite of this series so far

Fall time , silver lakes having celebration bicentennial I think , but national witch magazine sent reporter to be artic le review of city. He staying at the Inn , he rude mean degrading to everyone , two new people move to town mother normal and her physic daughter who becomes friends with the twins. Have couple murders stolen sapphire fire attacks on couple locals .
Profile Image for Heather S.
34 reviews
June 24, 2025
I adore this series. When I want to a cozy mystery that I know will make me smile, I reach for these. The author immerses you into the tiny town filled with witches, shifters, and more. After a while, you start to feel like you personally know the characters. Think Hallmark movie centered around witches and mysteries.

This specific book had lots of fall vibes and a good twist in the end as you follow Angelica and her friends to determine who the killer was.

I rate these books 5 stars because of the joy they bring me every time I read them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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