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Omensford #1

Bedsocks and Broomsticks

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Village Fetes can be murder.

When Fi's electrical powers cause her to be fired from her job, the last thing she wants to do is help the Witches', Wizards' and Warlocks' Institute host the annual Halloween Fete. But when a judge collides with her, she's thrown into a murder investigation...as the prime suspect. Can she clear her name and catch the real killer?

Jam and Jerusalem meets Midsomer Murders meets magic.

If you like cozy British settings, sarcasm and witches, you'll enjoy this series.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2022

394 people are currently reading
639 people want to read

About the author

G. Clatworthy

28 books26 followers
Author also writes under Gemma Clatworthy

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5 stars
128 (29%)
4 stars
132 (30%)
3 stars
113 (26%)
2 stars
48 (11%)
1 star
13 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Rosie Amber.
Author 1 book82 followers
July 15, 2025
3.5 stars

Bedsocks and Broomsticks is a cosy paranormal mystery and book one of a series.

Set in a fictional Cotswold village the story focuses on the tri-village fete of the Witches, Wizards and Warlock Institute (WWWI). Competition is rife between the villages as they compete in classes for the best baked goods, the biggest vegetable and the best spell.

Unfortunately the fete comes to an abrupt end when an accident occurs. After the police arrive and start asking electrical witch Fi pointed questions, she gathers up her newly acquired familiar—a fire-breathing wyrm—and tries to solve the crime before the return of the police with a warrant to arrest a close family member.

This was a light read, laced with humour and magical mystery. It poked a bit of fun at the traditional English village fete scenario and boosted it with a modern-day witch theme. The next book continues with Fi heading to Wales for a spot of wyrm owner training.
Profile Image for Starfire.
1,378 reviews32 followers
September 24, 2023
DNF-ed at 50% due to realising I just didn't care what happened to any of the characters.

I loved the idea of this book, but something about the writing style generally and the characterisation specifically just didn't work for me. I was struggling to make myself keep reading from about 10% on, so in the end, I decided not to.

The vibe was sort of an our-world / Discworld crossover, with rural British village head witches who reminded me a little of more political Granny Weatherwaxes, and a couple of protagonists, Fi and Agatha, who reminded me of a blend of Magrat and Tiffany... except none of the characters really hit what it felt the author was aiming for, and - like I said - I just didn't feel invested enough in the story to keep reading it.

That's not necessarily a fault in the book itself - I suspect it's just a mismatch with my specific tastes. Which is fair: you win some, you lose some, and I'm sure there are readers out there that this will appeal to more than it did to me.
Profile Image for Shannon.
367 reviews
November 1, 2022
A fun paranormal cozy mystery set in Britain! I decided to give it a go since it'd been awhile since I've last read one and I'm glad I did!
I liked the cast of characters and the different perspectives that were included. It allowed the mystery to grow and have a larger suspect list.
It's a nice clean mystery (a part from the whole murder thing), with a reluctant pairing, and a cute dash of romance!
Profile Image for Ilona Nurmela.
681 reviews16 followers
October 23, 2024
A fun cosy witch mystery

Fi is fired from yet another IT consultancy job for destroying one too many laptops due to her flaring electrical powers (to which her human employers are, ofc, oblivious). Tragedy strikes at a Halloween fete her village and mom are organising and Fi inherits a familiar who insists her former owner was murdered.

This one is different from your usual cosy witch murder mystery and not just coz it’s set in England. For one, there is no MMC who the FMC is trying to upstage with her detecting skills. Dr Mort sounded yummy but nothing happens in this book yet to signal a steamy romance. If anything, Fi, the main character is a bit of a screwup, not fully in control of her powers (going through a laptop per month while trying to work in the IT industry). I liked the fact that the author is making fun of women taking to detecting based on regularly watching crime shows, because witch or not, working alone and against the police gets you into dangerous waters. Loved Cressida the wyvern’s way of redecorating - just destroy what you don’t like. Also liked Fi’s way of taming the familiar. I’ll probably continue with the series to see if anything comes from Dr Death and Fi’s flirting.

Recommended for lovers of easygoing NA cosy witch murder mysteries.
Profile Image for Andrew Claydon.
Author 13 books24 followers
November 4, 2022
I received a copy of Bedsocks and Broomsticks as a beta read from Gemma. What I was promised was a cosy urban fantasy, and Gemma delivered. She created a quaint, Midsomer Murders style world in which magic and the supernatural are part of everyday life. I never guessed that inter village fete politics could be so fraught.
Fi is a loveable character, as are the ensemble around her and the world they inhabit is seamless. It was a very enjoyable read, and I am not one for either cosy, or urban fantasy generally, so if you are already a fan of both those things...read this book!
Profile Image for Doug Parker.
Author 4 books4 followers
November 1, 2022
Being a dutiful daughter is tough, but helping your mother should never include getting accused of murder.

Fiona's a witch, who's more comfortable with technology than her magic. Between jobs, she helps run a fete organized by her mother, the head of the local Witches, Wizards and Warlocks Institute. But when a killer strikes, there's more at stake than who's grown the biggest pumpkin....

Bedsocks and Broomsticks is a fun and fast-paced mystery set in a magical English country village, complete with neighborly werewolves, a would-be dragon with a disdain for low-class crockery, and lots and lots of tea.
Profile Image for Mark Canty.
5 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2022
For those of us that have watched 'Midusmmer Murders' and like to read fantasy books, we have an official new home. A nice... quiet.. .little modern English country village that just happens to have a few minor quirks... like miniature dragons, witches on broomsticks (and hoovers), werewolves, and with a little dash of your basic murder. It's a fun little ride as we mix magic, tech support, baking competitions and intrigue. Whatever could go wrong?

I'd definitely recommend this to you, though you might want to binge it, so take the day off work ;)

Looking forward to book 2!
Profile Image for Ingrid.
246 reviews4 followers
August 6, 2023
Cute. I’ll read more in the series to see how characters develop.
Profile Image for Wayne Turmel.
Author 25 books128 followers
October 31, 2022
If Jessica Fletcher was a 20 something IT worker and a witch, you'd get this fun book. A Cozy Mystery wrapped inside urban fantasy, it's a quick, fun read.
Profile Image for Abeegail_8_reads.
200 reviews5 followers
June 28, 2023
This was a Christmas present from my sister, and I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read it. This cosy fantasy was exactly what I needed. The tag line Jam and Jerusalem meets Midsomer Murders meets magic just totally captures the feel of this book. For me, the pacing was just right and pulled in elements that you can tell will be picked up in other stories in the series (hello Dr. De'ath, I'm looking at you). A nice short read. I loved it. Literally, my only critique is that the cover doesn't reflect the story for me, the title, however, yes.
***
Village fetes can be murder

When Fi's electrical powers cause her to be fired from her job, the last thing she wants is help the Witches', Wizards', and Warlocks' Institute host the annual Halloween Fete. But when a judge collides with her, she's thrown into a murder investigation...as the prime suspect. Can she clear her name and catch the real killer?

Jam and Jerusalem meets Midsomer meets magic.

If you like cosy British settings sarcasm and witches, you'll enjoy this series
Profile Image for Andi.
2,209 reviews
September 20, 2023
3.5 stars. The mystery took a bit of a backseat to the other elements in this story, but it was fun getting to know Fi, her sister, Agatha, her mother, Nell, and her inherited familiar, Cressida. I’ll definitely read the next one!
Profile Image for Victoria Vassallo.
Author 8 books28 followers
July 30, 2023
This is the first book in Gemma’s ✨The Omensford Series✨ and introduces us to Fi (Fiona) and the magical mishaps that her electrical powers cause in her IT job. Throw in a pushy but lovable family, her mother, Nell, and sister, Agatha, all together in a quaint, quirky and magic-filled small English town and you have the start of a delightful story.

Or more precisely, murder mystery! Fi and her family are the most likely suspects, so she takes it into her own snarky, hilariously sarcastic hands to solve it. What follows is a fun, entertaining investigation that is eventually solved with an intense climax.

My favourite part is that all of the characters are well-developed and it’s easy to fall in love with them. Fi is my favourite, and Steve, her werewolf neighbor runs a close second. But the character that steals the show is Cressida, a golden wyrm with a serious attitude problem who’s also a bit of a snob.

Honestly, the only reason this isn’t a 5⭐️ review, is because the interactions between Fi and Cressida light up the back end of the story. I just fell in love with the beginnings of their relationship and their banter!

If you enjoy Iris Beagleholes ‘Myrtlewood Mysteries’, you will love this! And the best thing is that Book 2 is already out and ready to be devoured.

I bet you can guess what book I’m picking up now 🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amena.
Author 10 books43 followers
January 12, 2023
a fun and enjoyable read

This book had me hooked from the first page — there are so few fantasy stories about IT people, and the moment I saw the PIC-NIC, I knew I would like this book.
As far as fantasy books go, this urban fantasy story isn’t high-stakes and high-adventure. Instead, it feels more like an alternate supernatural version of a depiction of British country life, full of both magic and small village shenanigans. Together, these elements make the story feel real and the characters very relatable and engaging. The plot feels almost organic around their actual lives, and, while it isn’t enthralling and didn’t keep on the edge of my seat, it had an almost soothing quality. It didn’t need high stakes to be really good.

I recommend this book and will be looking out for the next one.
6,022 reviews45 followers
December 7, 2022
a clever combo of village politics, whodunnit, and exploration of the folks in this supernatural world - perceptions and prejudices

the flying vacuum cleaner is hilarious, along with negotiating adult and family ties, skills, responsibilities and relationships- loved the mutual descriptions of one mum as a terrifying dragon sort of a person

sisterly bonds as adults are humorously stretched, and an adorable niece and granddaughter seems to be an amusing figure who brings the women in the family together by just being herself

fun, funny and leaves me wanting to read on to the next story
118 reviews3 followers
July 17, 2023
What a find. The Omensford series is my first reading anything from Ms. Clatworthy. And what an auspicious start it is. Fi is a tech support rep who has a problem with electricity. She's also a witch and it seems she regularly fries things. After getting sacked again she "volunteers" to help her mom with the trip town Witches conference. A murder occurs and she is suspect #1. This alone is enough to prod her to solve the crime herself but somehow the victims Wyrm has attached itself to her and talks to her telepathically. Its a wonderful, funny, sharp and fabulous mystery which I can't wait to read more of in future adventures of Fi.
514 reviews5 followers
July 27, 2023
Think murder she wrote with Witches.

Fi is tech support with an electrical problem shes also a Witch but when she's fired again for frying yet another computer she's at a loss on what to do. She decides to help her mother with the village WWWI celebrations unfortunately there a murder the bossy head of the WWWl and Fi and her mother are suspects, let the mayhem begin with fiesty characters a snarky miniature dragon and lots of magic and humor you can't fail to love this new series, Baz
Profile Image for Ann.
478 reviews5 followers
November 2, 2022
Lovely story with some great characters. Fi is a witch, who is struggling to control her powers when she loses her job and has to help her mum organise a village fete. Unfortunately her mum's nemesis from a rival village is murdered so Fi wants to solve the murder before one of her family or herself is arrested. Some good twists and I admit I'd love to read and know more, bring on the next instalment.


I did get a free copy of this book but it is my honest review
1,086 reviews
April 25, 2023
Didn’t connect

I wanted to like this but none of the characters endeared themselves to me. The switching perspectives in third person was also a bit hard to connect with.
Profile Image for Shoshanah Lila.
266 reviews
November 9, 2022
3.75*, Book 1 of series, PN cozy mystery, British author

A paranormal murder mystery by a British author, so some phrases may be awkward for American readers.
We have a 20-something, somewhat self absorbed misfit witch with a, to her, overbearing mother, who has yet to be completely comfortable with her power of electricity. I suppose this might be considered a coming of age story, as this witch is not fully comfortable with her abilities, social situations, or able to hold steady employment. She does like to solve computer problems with her analytical mind, which dovetails nicely into following clues surrounding a local death. While murder may or may not be a crime of passion, it still follows three main criterion: means, motive, and opportunity and is a puzzle, of sorts. Because Fiona, her family and friends are suspects, this compels Fi to come out of her bubble to exonerate herself and those she cares for. While following the clues the local police seem too lazy or ill-equipped (as mundanes) to follow, Fiona becomes aware her view of people and the world around her may be different than she first thought. It is a growth experience and a step towards being a more emotionally mature person.

I am glad the next novella mystery in this series hints the episode isn't lethal, because death is not the only reason for intrigue and can be just as interesting to read.

** This has been my honest feedback of an (Epub) Story Origin reviewer copy, read with text to speech technology.
Profile Image for Wendy.
1,026 reviews22 followers
April 5, 2024
Fi, inherits a wyrm. They do not like one another

Fi is a supernatural whose "gift" is electricity. The problem that torments her life, is the talent reacts badly to her emotions.

In this world, supernaturals like witches and werewolves are part of a mundane world. Despite the awareness, mundanes are still ignorant

She lives in a village whose residents are mostly supernatural. It is obvious their town is a tourist designation

She has lost yet another job due to her untamed temper and talent. At the same time, the village is preparing for the annual festival where everyone around the countryside compete County Fair style. The competition of everyone's produce, foods and talent is fierce. Fi's own mother is at odds with another witch.

This wrym is the familiar to said witch. An unpleasant, self-important familiar with an an equally mistress.

The story progresses like most cozies. There is a body, law enforcement looking in the wrong direction and Fi herself investigating for the sake of the familar.
I will be reading more, if I can. The next book has dwarves!
Profile Image for Blake.
1,310 reviews44 followers
May 3, 2025
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)

2.5*

First time read the author's work?: Yes

Will you be reading more?: Possibly

Would you recommend?: Probably


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
378 reviews3 followers
January 21, 2024
I cannot remember how I received the first in this series free. However, within a few pages of reading, I was delighted to realize that I had found a new author to enjoy. As soon as I finished one book, I immediately downloaded the next and binge-read my way through all five of the published books. MC Fi is a fabulously flawed character - a bit insecure, entirely too judgmental of herself and somewhat clueless about social interactions. She also is terrified of hurting others with the power she feels she cannot control. She is not perfect but she is perfectly wonderful and (minor spoiler alert!) I thoroughly enjoyed her growth in the books I have read thus far. Although Fi does manage to solve the mystery of the murder, she is downcast to have used her powers to harm even though she saved others from the killer. Recommended!

Although it was my pleasure to receive this book for free, it was completely my choice to share my honest review.
Profile Image for Katy Foraker.
Author 1 book21 followers
November 13, 2022
Bedsocks and Broomsticks was such a cute cozy mystery read! Fi, who is essentially our witchy Nancy Drew, is recently fired from her job as a result of her not being able to control her magic. That gives her plenty of time to sleuth her magical town to find the person responsible for the murder of another witch in her community. There is a diverse cast of characters from witches to werewolves to talking dragon-like familiars which kept me engaged and entertained from the first chapter. This story was more on the lighthearted mystery-side of things, and the often quirky characters made it an overall fun vibe and read!
Profile Image for Larry.
3,046 reviews17 followers
October 1, 2023
I found myself liking this story far more than I expected. The characters are interesting, the plot is easily followed, and the premise keeping oneself out of jail, while seeking the real murderer. The poor main character has a lot on her plate with electricity as her witch power and sudden surges burning out her work computers and causing her joblessness. Also the murder victim's wrym decides that she is her new familiar and off we go into some crazy adventures. I definitely recommend this book.
5 reviews
December 17, 2024
I had the pleasure of discovering Bedsocks and Broomsticks by G. Clatworthy, and I’m so glad I did! This enchanting fantasy novel is filled with magic, adventure, and delightful characters that pull you into a whimsical world. 🧙‍♀️🪄 The writing is engaging, with perfect pacing and a great balance of humor and heartfelt moments. 😊❤️ The characters feel real, and the world-building is beautifully crafted. 🌍✨

If you're a fan of fantasy with heart and magic, I highly recommend Bedsocks and Broomsticks. G. Clatworthy’s talent shines through, and I can't wait to see what she writes next! 📚🌟
1,238 reviews1 follower
October 1, 2025
This one just isn't for me. I don't like books that bounce around and don't explain what's going on with the characters. There are plenty of references to why Fi has issues with her electrifying power, but no real attempts to learn it or work with it. She loses her job but still seems to run around like everything's ok. Cressida is another snarky "dragon", and I just don't think I'm up for that again. The murderer was pretty easy to guess, and Fi was told what to look for but ignored it - more than once. I don't plan to continue with the series.
Profile Image for Gemma Clatworthy.
Author 22 books51 followers
Read
June 10, 2023
Hi everyone!

I had so much fun writing this cozy mystery series about a witch who works in IT and can't control her electrical powers.

The vibe is Jessica Fletcher... if she worked in IT, had magic and lived in England or, if you live in the UK think Midsomer Murders meets magic.

I love reading which characters you love, and don't like (!) in this series - they are all so fun to write.

Let me know what you think.
423 reviews3 followers
August 8, 2023
Nice but a bit all over the place

For being a first book in a series this story jumps right into the middle of people who it seems like you should already know. The mystery was a little simplistic, I like the addition of Cressida she has to be one of my favorite parts of this, who doesn't like a wyrm. I do appreciate that the storytelling was show not tell, but there's a lot left unanswered.
303 reviews
July 18, 2024
The premise is fun, but the execution is lacking. The main character is not especially engaging, and the supporting characters are all tropes. The writing is flat. Mostly, the book does not manage to establish the atmosphere of any of its sources of inspiration. The plot is one where things just happen, there is no build-up or development or nuance to it. I did finish reading it, so I will give it that, but I would not say this is worth your time.
Profile Image for Rhona Connor.
329 reviews2 followers
September 24, 2024
Very good.

I have taken two evenings to read this, the story goes at a good pace, there is humour, there is a murder mystery and witches, supernaturals everywhere. I admit the cover is what pulled me in, as it does a lot of the time. At the end you can sign up, and get a free story, so that's good.
The storyline isn't difficult, or long. Just about 227 pages so not long, just right if you like good escapism. My kind of book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews

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