A great book by a fantastic author. The writing is excellent and the mystery keeps you turning the pages. Characters are well developed. Highly recommend.

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and this book did not disappoint. Obviously, with the Salem setting witches have always been a part of the story and with Lee's gift of visions there's always been a bit of a paranormal element. However, in this book both witches and the supernatural are front and center. I enjoyed seeing more of the Wiccan population of Salem and was intrigued by the mentions of Bridget Bishop. I definitely would enjoy learning more about her. The mystery itself was very entertaining and really kept me guessing right up to the end. There was some receptiveness and it took a bit for the investigation part to get really up and running but it was enjoyable from beginning to end.

If you enjoy a paranormal, witchy cozy, you will love this story. It is the 6th in the series and this one has the most paranormal action of them all. When Lee finds out that Bridget's spell book was not destroyed in the house fire, she gives it to River to take care of. Right about that time, several witch's end up dead, possibly murdered and crows descend upon Salem in droves, stripping trees and scaring the residents. River thinks she has brought a curse to Salem. Lee's scrying abilities are developing quickly and she is now seeing visions everywhere. Are the witches being murdered? How will they get rid of the crows? What are the witches in Lee's visions trying to tell her?

I am enjoying this series. Lee has really come into her own in this one. She is dealing with her visions better and her relationship with Pete is such a stable, loving influence. Lee and River both have paranormal abilities that seem somewhat believable. The witches belong to the Wiccan religion, not the Wizard of Oz type. I enjoy the wonderful friendship between the two of them and how they support each other. Aunt Ibby is also a great character, with her research, listening and reasoning skills she is always there to help Lee solve a mystery. Finally, the animals, O'Ryan the cat and the crows are able to give Lee a lot of clues and also keep her out of trouble several times. The investigation unfolds with clever twists and turns, but no juvenile hocus-pocus. This books has a well-written descriptive style, fun banter, and a clever story. It Takes a Coven can be read as a standalone book. The author provides Lee’s backstory along with details from the previous books in the series. I recommend this one to cozy mystery lovers who enjoy a paranormal twist. The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to read. The opinions expressed are my own.
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“It Takes a Coven” earns 5/5 Magical Mysteries!

I am a “better late than never” fan of Carol J. Perry’s “It Takes a Coven,” the seventh book in her Witch City Mystery. My fascination with the title font, book cover illustration, and setting of Salem, Massachusetts, got me to open up the book, but it was the well-written descriptive style, fun banter, clever story, and fascinating characters that have made me a fan. There were enough references to background and character connections to keep me engaged, and Lee Barrett and her cat O’Ryan are marvelous. Several mysterious deaths have residents of Salem, Mass, on edge. Is it a curse? Something worse? The investigation unfolds with clever twists and turns, but no juvenile hocus-pocus. I love magic and magical creatures woven into my cozy, but newbies should not shy away…it is very entertaining! You can definitely start here, but you'll be find yourself compelled to go back and read the rest of the series.

"There’s a new witch-hunt in Salem, Massachusetts...

When Lee Barrett joins a former student’s bridal party as maid of honor, she expects cake tastings and dress fittings. But wedding planning becomes more peculiar than Lee’s scrying talents could ever predict. There’s a magical baker, a best man with a checkered past, and a talking crow named Poe as the ring bearer. There’s also a kindly old man dead under his apple tree—one of a series of unexplained deaths hanging over the Wiccan community...

With witches dropping dead before they even come out of the proverbial broom closet, Lee’s best friend, River, fears she might have somehow unleashed a terrible curse on the city. Now, aided by Poe and her clairvoyant cat, Lee sets out to investigate. Are lives being claimed by vengeful supernatural forces—or by something more shocking? She soon discovers, casting light on the wicked truth can be one killer commitment..."

I can't be the only one occasionally needing to scratch the mystical cozy read now can I?

I enjoyed reading this paranormal cozy mystery. It is the sixth book in the series, but the first one I've read, and first book I've read by this author. I had some confusion early on as to the characters, but it didn't take long to figure relationships out. The story was very well done and a good read. Now I want to go back and start at the beginning of the series!

I had trouble enjoying this book. I usually enjoy cozy mysteries, but the combination of witches, Wicca, curses and weddings was just to much. It was very quirky and I am sure other readers will enjoy this book.

I really enjoy the world Carol J. Perry has created with the Witch City Mystery series and I was really looking forward to this installment because the build up to learning more about the spellbook and the mystery cat/bridget bishop was so intriguing. That said, I was disappointed. I felt like Lee would be more involved with the coven and developing her powers, but it still feels like she is fighting them. I want more magic! The reveal of Bridget Bishop's power in Salem should have been a book of it's own in my opinion and really fleshed out because she's such an interesting figure, maybe with River being more involved (she did mirror her actions in the book). I was also not into Lee's new job as an investigative reporter, a least when she was a teacher she was doing almost the same work but had the interactions with her students to add a lot of layers to the story.
I still gave the book 3 stars because it was entertaining and the mystery had unexpected twists. It's just that I enjoy this series so much, I hold it to a higher level than a lot of other cozy mysteries and I expect more from it. I am look forward to the next installment from Lee and her friends in Salem!

The Witch City mysteries by Carol J Perry continue to be fresh and entertaining, easily avoiding the trap of becoming formulaic and repetitive. Lee Barrett and her cat O’Ryan are a memorable pair, and while there is magic, it definitely takes Lee’s creativity and intellect to solve the puzzle.


In It Takes a Coven, Lee is facing a serious challenge - being the maid of honor for one of her students.  But along with this, a more complex issue has come into view. Witches are dying and Lee’s friend River believes she might be responsible.  At the same time, a murder of crows has descended upon Salem and no one knows why, particularly not Lee who is interning as an investigative reporter.  But between her scrying ability and nose for news and O’Ryan’s magical connections the murders plaguing Salem may be solved before it’s too late.


5 / 5


I received a copy of It Takes a Coven from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


— Crittermom

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 6 in the series.

This series has been kind of hit or miss for me. I had a really hard time getting in to this one. It started off slowly and even when it picked up a bit, I kept losing interest.

I still like the characters and the setting, so I will keep reading, but this book was far from my favorite in the series.

Didn't know this was from a series and I haven't read the rest yet... so can't read this... sorry!

Lee Barrett has to find out who is killing witches in Salem with the aid of her cat familiar in It Takes a Coven. Carol Perry whirls through a froth of wedding preparations, Lee's term as investigative reporter intern for the local radio station, her romantic adventures with her cop boyfriend and a lurking homicidal murderer. A dash of paranormal actions and a good mystery will engage the reader. Be sure to pick this up.

These Witch City Mysteries make me so happy. They're always cozy, they're always a quick and engaging read, and the storyline is always a good one. I adore the characters (especially Aunt Ibby)

Though this is the 6th installment in the series, it can easily be read as a stand alone. Lee is a woman in Salem, MA and is a scryer (she sees images in shiny or reflective objects) It's not uncommon for her to find herself involved in some mystery or another and this book is no different. Someone appears to be targeting the witches of Salem and Lee wants to help get to the bottom of it.

Like I said earlier, it's a quick, cozy, and easy read, well worth picking up if books with a slight paranormal twists are cup of tea.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2336435427

This a is cute cozy series with a touch of magic and a coven of witches that are happy to assist law enforcement in their small town. Lee is happy to help plan a friends wedding but gets distracted when 3 witches die very suddenly. Lots of side stories help along with a talking crow have Lee and boyfriend Pete working hard before another witch dies. I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is the sixth book in the series but my first one reading. I think it did fine as a standalone. Some of my favorite quotes were: "Who loves ya baby" and "Hey red who loves ya." - from an unexpected character. The mysterious crows terrified me! "A murder of crows." Eek. This was well written. All the ends tie up. The victiums were avenged. And a few side stories were resolved. Recipes included!

I’ve greatly enjoyed the Witch City Mystery series and this 6th installment didn’t disappoint. Lee, Pete, River, and Aunt Ibby are now near and dear to my heart. As usual the mystery and paranormal aspects to the story were well done. There’s not too much I can say without spoilers. I will continue to read and enjoy any other novels in this series.

It Takes a Coven by Carol J. Perry is the sixth A Witch City Mystery novel. Lee Barrett is finishing up the semester at Tabitha Trumball Academy for the Arts where she teaches TV Production and investigative reporting. Lee has agreed to be maid of honor for Shannon Dumas in her upcoming nuptials to Dakota Berman and imagines a relaxing summer with cake tastings and getting fitted for her dress. Then she is offered the opportunity of an internship (in other words an unpaid position) at WICH-TV as an investigative reporter. This gives Lee a chance to look into the recent deaths of witches and the crows that have descended upon the city. The crows have stripped all the apple and quince trees. River North is afraid that she has caused these incidents to occur and she is quite distraught about it. When another witch is shot at, Lee dives into her investigation. Lee has the aid of her scrying ability, O’Ryan (her cat), Pete Mondello (her boyfriend and local detective), and a crow named Poe. It seems, though, the cause for the abundance of crows may have a more sinister, supernatural explanation. Lee must work in her sleuthing between her numerous maid-of-honor duties (isn’t that what the wedding planner is for). Will Lee get a fix on the killer before he strikes again? What will it take to get the crows to leave Salem?

It Takes a Coven can be read as a standalone book. The author provides Lee’s backstory along with details from the previous books in the series. The book contains good writing, but I found the pace to be a too slow in the first half of the book (when the pace is too slow my mind starts to wander from the book). It does pick up considerably later in the novel. I did feel there was a significant amount of repetition (it gets tiresome). Lee’s car was mentioned sixteen times (her corvette). I was happy to see more paranormal elements in It Takes a Coven (finally). The paranormal elements give the story life and depth. It also seems that Lee is starting to accept her ability (about time). The characters are well-developed and established. There are a couple of quirky characters like River North (though she can be a little over-the-top at times). It was great that Aunt Ibby had a bigger role in this book. She is my favorite character, and I hope she continues to have a prominent role in future books. The setting of Salem, Massachusetts is a delight (I have always wanted to visit). I appreciate the author’s descriptions of the area and landmarks. There was not enough focus on the murder of the witches (of course, there is a quite a bit jammed into this one book). I would have liked more active investigating and action. Two pieces of information provided me the identity of the culprit. The paranormal element behind the crows was more complicated (I do not want to say too much and spoil it for readers) and overshadowed the witch killings. I found it compelling. I did feel that the author tried to put too much into one book. The wedding, crows, the murders, Lee’s new job, a talking crow, a funeral, cooking, scrying, eating, romance and so much more. All the loose ends are wrapped up at the end of It Takes a Coven, and there was a good epilogue. There is a preview of Bells, Spells and Murder at the end. It Takes a Coven is a lively book that will bewitch readers.

I love paranormal in my reading and I really enjoyed IT TAKES A COVEN. The story is well paced with likeable heroine Lee and her boyfriend Pete. The story is about the murder of some witches as Lee and her friends try to help prevent more witches dying. There are lots of twists and turns and a very catchy and satisfying ending. I am new to this series, but I enjoyed it anyway and look forward to more in this magical series.

It Takes a Coven by Carol J. Perry is the 5th book in the Witch City Mystery series, and another great book. I really enjoy this series, and there is always something new in each book to keep you suck in to Lee Barrett's life. Lee is the maid of honor in one of her former students wedding, witches are dying at an alarming rate, and Crows are flying around town, just like in the movie the Birds. Lee's psychic visions are expanding to the point where she doesn't know if she can believe what she is seeing. This book has everything you want in a cozy mystery, plus a little paranormal thrown in. The story kept me intrigued and kept me reading page after page. I am looking forward to reading Lee's next adventure. I strongly recommended this book for cozy book lovers, you won't be disappointed.

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Princwaa Fuzzypants here:
One of the things I like best about cozies is the prominent roles that animals, especially cats, can and do play. This series happens to have a cracking good kitty named O’Ryan who might or might not have been a recently departed witch’s familiar. He and Lee are now partners and she needs all the help she can get.
Some one is killing witches in Salem and a witch who was executed back in the bad old days is not well pleased. In fact, she sends a murder of crows to inundate Salem. No one but Lee can understand why the crows have gathered and what is required to convince them to depart. At the same time she is launching her career as an investigative reporter, serving as maid on honour in a wedding party and being besieged with increasing visions. Thankfully her personal life is going along well and one of the best parts of the series is her relationship with her detective boyfriend who has come around to appreciate Lee’s unique talents.
As in all good mysteries, not everyone is as they seem and sometimes the bad guys turn into good guys and vice versa. It keeps the tension building. There is just the right amount of magic mixed into the story which turns it into a most enjoyable read. I am sure it is O’Ryan’s influence but it is nice to see an intelligent heroine who acts like she is smart.
I have become a real fan and give it five purrs and two paws up.