Pawsitively Poisonous by Melissa Erin Jackson
Book #1: Witch of Edgehill Series
Source: NetGalley and Ringtail Press
Rating: 3½/5 stars


Amber Blackwood is the local witch whose “enhanced” toys have all the local kids clamoring for her latest invention. Her dragons can fly and breathe fire, her cats can run and play, and her peacocks can shake their tail brilliantly colored tail feathers. While the kids are fascinated with Amber’s toys and often convince their parents of the “need” to possess the newest creation, none really know it’s magic that enlivens their greatest possessions.

In addition to her toys, Amber also uses her skills as a witch to aid the locals with their general aches and pains. Her knowledge of herbs and plants coupled with her magic allow Amber to truly help those in need, even they don’t know all the details of her tinctures and solutions. It is exactly one of these tinctures that puts Amber in the local police chief’s cross hairs following the death of her best friend! As if it weren’t bad enough losing her best friend, the small vial Amber gave to her friend to help with her headaches was found clutched in her cold, dead hand. While Amber knows, beyond doubt, her tincture didn’t cause her friend’s death, the local police chief isn’t so sure and has Amber in his sights.

With an aim to not only find out who hurt her friend, but also to clear her own name, Amber sets out to discover the truth of her friend’s murder. Living in a small town, everyone seems to know everyone else’s business so Amber isn’t lacking for information regarding her friend and her movements in her final days. While Amber thought she knew her friend, the information she’s uncovering tells a very different story. With something of a secret life both before and after coming to Edgehill, Amber’s friend may have gotten herself in over her head and Amber had no idea she was in trouble. Every question asked and every answer given brings Amber closer to the killer’s true identity and what she uncovers is a tangled web of lies, deceit, betrayal, jealousy, and evil.

The Bottom Line: While I liked this first-in-a-series book, overall, I found it to be quite simplistic and somewhat predictable. While that may sound like a total negative, it really isn’t for me. I don’t always look for books with complex and complicated plots and characters; sometimes, I’m looking for a book that doesn’t require much of me beyond sitting, reading, and enjoying. I got exactly what I expected and was looking for with Pawsitively Poisonous. Amber is a fine main character with loads of potential to be a very interesting, fun, and quirky character and she and the series evolve. Edgehill is just the kind of setting I enjoy with a small-town vibe, an emphasis on cats (YAY!), and a witch with nothing but good intentions. In all, I did like this book with its simplistic and not overly complicated plot, but, if the series is to survive and be truly successful, it is going to need to evolve.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Every town has its secrets, but no one has a secret like hers.

Amber Blackwood, lifelong resident of Edgehill, Oregon, has earned a reputation for being a semi-reclusive odd duck. Her store, The Quirky Whisker, is full of curiosities, from extremely potent sleepy teas and ever-burning candles to kids’ toys that seem to run endlessly without the aid of batteries. The people of Edgehill think of the Quirky Whisker as an integral part of their feline-obsessed town, but most give Amber herself a wide berth. Amber prefers it that way; it keeps her secret safe. But that secret is thrown into jeopardy when Amber’s friend Melanie is found dead, a vial of headache tonic from Amber’s store clutched in her hand.

Review:
I see people are labelling this as a "cozy mystery" and it's very fitting. At the beginning of the book I made a note of the calm and cozy atmosphere I got from it, and how relaxed a read it was. I had somehow forgotten the synopsis though, so when the mystery part of it happened I was thrilled and anxious and super intrigued!

What I liked about the book:
- From the first page, I was enthralled with the main character: Amber. Amber is a witch who uses her witchcraft to make kid's toys and special teas. She lives alone with her two cats and is basically the sweetest witch I've ever had the pleasure of reading about.
- The murder mystery is not as straight forward as one might think.
- The very cat-obsessed little town grows on you, it sure did on me!
- Even the police officer grew on me ... eventually. (This was my least fav character to begin with)
- The story is nicely paced and the plot is driven forward. At no point did I want to put the book down, or feel bored.

What I disliked about the book:
- The side characters could have been a little more fleshed out
- The whole cat-deal did get a tiny bit cringe-worthy at times
- The plot could have been a little stronger, the mystery could have been more mysterious

All in all, I really loved this book. I think I might be a little generous on my rating, but this is so far the best arc I have read and I'm just so happy with it! I am definitely continuing with this series when the next book comes out. I love the main characters, the setting and the witchcraft aspect of this story! If you want to read a murder mystery that is at the same time a very cozy story about a sweet and kind witch, this is the book for you!! I definitely recommend it.

It's like a young murder mystery solving Jessica Fletcher... if Jessica Fletcher was a witch... and owned a magic shop... and had cats. A quick, easy to read cozy mystery that literally takes cattiness to the next level. Good rainy day book.

Princess Fuzzypants here:

There are a number of entertaining cozies with witches as the central characters. In most of them, their feline companions play a major role in both the abilities to do magic and solve murders. This one is a bit different. Yes, there are cats including the two who live with our heroine and one gorgeous Maine Coon (all right perhaps I might be slightly biased) who lives across the street and lures customers into her human’s store. Other than their normal kitty charms, they are three ordinary (if cats ever are) moggies.

I confess. At first it put me off and I wasn’t sure I was going to get into the book but it snuck up and grabbed me. I loved the idea of a witch who is trying to hide her powers from the world but uses magic to create wonderful toys for the children of the town. It is these good deeds that makes the Chief of Police suspicious. He observes there is something different about her but cannot figure out what it is. So when her best friend is found dead with a vial from her shop clutched in her hand, our heroine becomes the primary suspect.

In her attempt to find out the truth using surreptitious magic, she manages to make herself look more suspicious until she is provided with an alibi and the Chief realizes what makes her different might also make her useful in solving the murder. The slippery bond between then builds slowly but she does help solve the crime.

Interesting and flawed characters, charming toys that delight the reader as much as the children in the book, and a sad tale of love and revenge, all make for a good read. It is the first book of a series and I am looking forward to more adventures....particularly when our Chief of Police stumbles across the truth of her witchcraft at the very end of the book. Things could get very sticky.

Five purrs and two paws up.

Set in a small cat-themed town, this book follows witch/herbalist/toymaker Amber Blackwood as she seeks to find the killer of her best friend, and clear her own name from suspicion. A light, cosy read, with a slightly predictable outcome, this was a nice book to settle in with on a winter's night.

A fun to read cozy mystery that I finished in one sitting, the characters were engaging and the mystery interesting I can't wait to read more

What a charming, cosy read! I loved how Amber's magic was woven into the story, and the idea of her making special magical toys for everyone was lovely. For a murder mystery it was a nice, light read but still had a good plot line. I didn't think it was obvious who the killer was and I enjoyed following Amber's investigations. I also liked the way the small village mentality was captured, and had a chuckle at all of the cat related business names! I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

What a fun cozy mystery ! I cannot wait for the next in series. I was immediately attracted to the cover and I love paranormal series so I was thrilled to receive this book for review. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the ARC. My opinion is my own.

The setting is pure catnip for cat lovers ! The town is all things cats; cat named streets, cat business names and lots of cat lovers with cats throughout the book . I fell hard for this book right away as a cat lover it is endearing and so interesting to read about a cat loving town.

Pawsitivley Poisonous is a cozy cat mystery. it is also the charming story of a very interesting and new protagonist Amber Blackwell. I loved the description of her shop, The Quirky Whisker which has a certain reputation of magical happenings. What I love is that she is her own person, not dependent on others and very private. I loved that she is a practicing witch and proud of her craft. Her shop is successful and she loves her life in her hometown in Edgehill Oregon. The author has created a favorite new protagonist for me as I enjoyed her independence and likable nature.

The characters are all enjoyable and add depth to the story. When Amber's best friend is murdered she steps up to find out what happened to her. She is up against a police chief who does not like her and assumes she is guilty of the murder which makes her more determined. The mystery was well crafted and kept me guessing. All in all a charming fun new series! I look forward to the next in series.

A funny thing happened on the way to this review.

I was looking for fun quick read and boy did I get it.

When this cover leaped out at me. I almost didn't select it. The crisp black witch silhouetted against all that poison green just screams cozy, which I don't usually do. The words; quirky odd-ball, and gossip jumped out at me from the blurb and my knee jerk response was to just keep scrolling. But that cover drew me back. Maybe Ms. Jackson cast a spell on me with all that witchy green, because I found myself clicking request.

And something surprising happened. I found myself invested in this sweet little book.

Amber's magic is original, she uses it differently than anyone I've seen. That caught my attention. The setting is just plain sweet. A town structured around cats; cat named streets, cat inspired business names, sweet sweet, sweet. I'm a small-town girl myself and the character interactions were spot on. She put those characters right into my head. I found myself smiling and asking myself "will she? wait for it, here it comes, bo-yah!" Before I realized it I was itching to know what was going to happen next.

Pawsitivley Posionous is more a mystery than I expected, which was a big plus for me. The characters are well defined and fun to read. And the MC never did what I expected, which was very entertaining.

If you like cozies, spend some time in Edgehill. I think you'll enjoy it. It's a quick fun read that's cleverly put together. Pawsitively Poisonous drew me in. It's small town vibe kept me interested. And the who-dunnit kept me guessing almost utill the end. And I had a great time getting there.

I'll definitely be watching for more Melissa Erin Jackson. There's a hint of a family mystery, I really want to explore. And some off screen family I can't wait to meet. I don't do cozies very often, but I'll be looking for Witch of Edgehill, #2. I hope she writes fast.

I received a digital review copy from Netgalley.
These are my honest thoughts.
#pawsitivelypoisonous#netgalley

Amber Blackwood has lived in  Edgehill, Oregon, her whole life. Even her parents' deaths couldn't drag her away and while her sister managed to leave it all behind. Amber has lived a semi reclusive life running her store The Quirky Whisker. While the residents of Edgehill think Amber is just running a shop like any other in this feline obsessed town, hers is a little bit more. Amber is a witch and uses her magic in the items she sells. 

No one has realised that there is something more to AMber except the new police chief who has been watching Amber closely since he arrived. When one of Ambers only friends is murdered its the chance the police chief needs to investigate Amber. 

Amber finds herself dragged into the investigation while trying to keep her secrets and begins to discover there is more to her friend than she thought. 

I love a book with a quirky town, and this book definitely had one of those. The murder mystery unfolds at a good pace, and it keeps you hooked. I loved Amber, and her shop is one I would definitely visit if I could. I thought there would be a romance element between Amber and the police chief but the presence of a pregnant wife and son rules that out. I am eagerly anticipated the next in this series to learn more about the wonderful cast of characters the author has created. 

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved this book. I fell in love with the town and how so much description was given to every detail. It was one of those books you could really picture yourself in.

I really did try to like this book, specially because it has all the elements that I love to read about, since the mistery until the character being a witch. Despite that I found the history bland and I didn't like at all of the writing style of the author. I gave up in the final half of the book and didn't finish.

This book started off interesting and I loved the description of toys that Amber created for the children at her shop. After that it just fell flat for me and I became to bored to finish. I love cats but I feel like the amount of time they were mentioned in this book was a little over board.

What a fun adventure into magic and mystery! When Amber’s best friend is murdered, Amber is a victim of small town gossip because she was the last one to see her alive and had given her a tincture to help her headache. There are many characters, all with memorable personality quirks. Once you think you know who the bad guy is, something changes and points the finger at another. This book will keep you on your toes.

Great First of Series Witch Cozy
I love this book and am excited about the series. I read the first half of this book, spent 3 weeks in the hospital and continued reading after I returned home. I needed to re-read the last chapter that I had read, but the whole story came pouring back. This story has a great plot. It is over the top about cats in a very cute way. I can't wait for the rest of the series! I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

I've recently become a fan of cosy mysteries, and this one adds such a wonderful, magical twist!

Amber is a witch and lives in a small town. Of course, no one is aware of what she is or can do. She uses her magic to create moving toys, which kids adore. And she sells herbal mixtures to help with all sorts of things...some infused with her magic spells. When her best friend is murdered, one of Amber's empty bottles of mixtures is found her the woman's dead fingers. The race is on as Amber tries to clear her name, find the murderer, deal with town gossips, and handle the hotheads all vying for the now open space on the town's comity for organizing a yearly...and well visited...marathon.

I wasn't really sure what I was getting into when I started this book, but enjoyed reading in more than I ever suspected I would. Amber is a young. self-assured woman, who enjoys running her little shop in the small town. Some like her. Some don't. In other words, typical, close-knit, small town life. She doesn't let people push her around, but she also doesn't go over board when asserting herself. Her decisions are level-headed and maybe somewhat on the shy side.

The author does a good job at weaving clues and personalities into a hard-to-guess mystery. It's not clear until the last chapters, who the killer is. Every page offers something new, holding the reader in the pages.

The back and forth with the police chief adds a nice amount of tension and mystery to where that relationship might go, especially in the future. Then, there's the journalist, a couple from the bakery...and Amber's cats. It's a great mixture with the promise of many more fun mysteries to come.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. It was a gorgeous, heart warming novel and a great comfort read.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Ringtail Press for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is a cute murder mystery. I really liked Amber. 3 stars

This is actually my first cozy mystery type book. After reading Melissa's last book I just had to get my hands on this one even though it's not the type of mystery I would normally go for. Well, let's just say I ended up reading this book in a day! It is fast paced and I was excited to get to the next page. The only thing I'm really disappointed about is that I have to wait for the next book to come out, especially with that ending!

Pawsitively Poisonous is the first book in a new series featuring Amber Blackwood, who is a good witch, living in the quirky town of Edgehill. Everything in the town has a cat theme (streets, shop names, festivals, etc.). Amber is on the Here and Meow committee with her friend, Melanie. Melanie comes to Amber’s shop, The Quirky Whisker, to get one of Amber’s tonics for her headache; Melanie has been sick and hasn’t been able to get better. Shortly after, Amber learns that Melanie has been found dead. The police chief, Owen Brown, doesn’t like or trust Amber, and since Melanie was found with a vial from Amber’s shop in her hand, the chief suspects her in the death of her friend. Amber decides she must find who actually murdered Melanie and while doing so, gets herself into several suspicious situations.

Since this is the first book in the Witch of Edgehill Series, it introduces the characters, as well as the small town. Everyone has cats – Amber’s are Tom Cat and Alley Cat (clever), who play a part in the story. There are a lot of references to food, and it is disappointing that the book doesn’t feature any recipes as many cozies do. However, the book is a fast read and quite clever and humorous. The characters are also well-developed and readers will feel like they can relate to them. The dénouement is a surprise, and the scenario at the very end of the novel will make readers highly anticipate the next installment.

A special thank you to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this fun novel.