What a fun and humourous book this was. The topic could have been depressing but instead was humorous but in a fun way. I'm always love a culinary mystery and this was definitely worth more than 5 stars.

Lyn Cahoon is one of my favorite long time cozy authors. I was thrilled to read this new series. novella for review. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley. My review opinion is my own.

Thank you to the author for this charming new series . This is the introductory novella of the new "Kitchen Witch Mystery Series. " This is a fun paranormal cozy series with the prefect elements for fun enjoyable read with fun characters. Mia comes home to Magic Springs Idaho help her Grandmother with a project for the local food bank. Mia is a kitchen witch . When the local coven leader, Dorian is found dead at the food bank her Grandmother is under suspicion as they were dating. Mia wants to save her Grandmother and find the suspect.

This is a fun fast paced well crafted short mystery introduction to this fun new series. I look forward to the next in series.

Perfect short intro to a new series. I absolutely love the idea of an urban witch community. This book was just enough to introduce the characters and build a beautiful backstory to start the remainder of the series. I do not usually read the novellas in published series but I might need to change that. The mystery was straight forward due to the lack of suspects and played out beautifully.

Lynn Cahoon’s short introduction to her newest cozy series proves that a great author doesn’t need many words to craft a fully realized mystery. If anything, the truncated novella medium allows Chili Cauldron Curse to clip along at a tight pace—no scene goes wasted, from Mia’s surprise discovery of the body to the final pulse-pounding reveal. Yet, there’s plenty of time for sleuthing, culinary planning, and magic without ever feeling as though too much has been jammed into too few pages.

Of course, it helps that Cahoon has infused her work with a spellbinding cast of characters. Mia, who would much rather focus on her role managing a local chili cookoff, is the quintessential amateur investigator—and she has plenty of personal complications that’ll surely take center stage in later books. Grans, quirky and a total delight, is a wonderful friendly foil, with a couple of tricks up her sleeve to keep Mia on her toes.

Ultimately, though, it’s the town of Magic Springs that casts the biggest spell. Filled with a blend of magic and non-magic folk, it’s an easy world to slip into. Cahoon uses it to her full advantage, giving just enough of an enticing glimpse of a coven going through a power struggle and some non-believing denizens to set up future adventures and problems.

Light and fun, Chili Cauldron Curse is a magical start to a new series.

Chili Cauldron Curse by Lynn Cahoon is a prequel to a new series, Kitchen Witch Mysteries. I don't know how some writers can write several different series, and they are all good. This book was a nice intro to the series, and I can not wait to read more. Who doesn't love a little witchery. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I think this is the start of a new interesting series with a lot of potential.
This novella is quite engrossing and entertaining even if I didn't immediately warmed up to the characters.
The plot was solid and there's enough character development to make you think they will be really interesting in the next novel.
I look forward to reading the first novel in this series and I recommend this novella.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Chili Cauldron Curse
Kitchen Witch Mysteries, Book 0.5
Lynn Cahoon
5 Stars

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon introduces a new heroine with her own special brand of culinary magic in this novella to introduce her Kitchen Witch series.

When Mia Malone’s grandmother asks her to take a week away from her restaurant job and come to Magic Springs, Idaho, she’s happy to oblige. Like Mia, Grans has witchcraft running through her veins, and life with her is never boring. Plus, the cause is a good one—helping Grans get the local food bank up and running again. But there’s an unappetizing surprise in store. While Mia is knee-deep in boxes of donated produce, she encounters the body of Dorian Alexander.

Dorian was a warlock, leader of the local coven. He was also her Grans’ new beau. There’s no potion that’ll make this trouble disappear. But if Mia wants to keep her Grans—now a prime suspect—from serving a spell in prison, she’ll have to unearth the real killer fast. . . . (Goodreads)

Review:

This novella is an introduction to a new series by author Lynn Cahoon. We meet Mia and her grandmother and the citizens of Magic Springs. When Mia and her grandmother and friends are getting a food bank in order to meet the needs of the school-aged children, they find a body. Mia feels she needs to find the culprit because it was her grandmother's boyfriend.

The character’s are well developed and well rounded. I enjoyed getting to meet Mia and her grandmother to get to know them a little bit better. The writing style flows smoothly and the novella was an easy read. The descriptions from the author and actions from the characters kept me engaged and wanting to know more.

I would recommend this novella to anyone who enjoys a well crafted story. I cannot wait to read the first book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

This was a quick fun way to dip into a new series and try it out without the commitment of a full book. This book does a a great job of introducing the characters are providing a sense of the community and setting. The mystery was fairly simple, which it had to be given the shortness of the book but overall it was a really great read and I enjoyed it. I am certainly looking forward to continuing on with the series!

I am becoming a huge fan of the cozy mystery genre due to books like this. You can read this as an escape from the everyday in a weekend. A really good mystery.

The opening book for a new series, Chili Cauldron Curse sets up the scene and the main characters for future books.

I usually enjoy a good witchy cosy and this has the makings for an entertaining series. I did wonder why the author chose to start with a novella because its shorter length meant it did not have a lot of depth. The characters popped on and off the page without making much impression and the mystery was brief and easy to guess.

Still all the basics were there for a promising series and I will certainly watch out for the next book. (I am very concerned actually about the poor cat!)

I absolutely loved this book and I adore Lynn Cahoon. Her writing style kept me engaged with the story and the characters were easy to love. Mia and her grandmother had me in love from the start and they have me wanting to continues with this series. I can't wait until the full length books is out to get my hands on it.

Chili Cauldron Curse by Lynn Cahoon has Mia Malone in Magic Springs, Idaho. She has taken a week off work at her grandmother’s request to help get the Magic Springs Food Bank into shape before school begins. The place smells from rotting produce and Mia is quick to use a spell to help locate the offending items. The next day, the smell is back. While searching for the source, Mia finds the body of Dorian Alexander, the local coven leader and her grandmother’s new beau. When Gran becomes the prime suspect, Mia begins her own investigation. The killer, though, does not take kindly to Mia interference. Has Mia cast her last spell? Chili Cauldron Curse is a prequel to the Kitchen Witch Mysteries (Book .5). I thought the book was well-written with steady pacing and interesting characters. There are three main characters that we are introduced to (Mia, Gran, and Christina). The author took the time to establish them and gave them depth. I look forward to learning more about Mia, Gran, and Christina Adams. I enjoyed the paranormal aspect. Mia is a kitchen witch. We only learn a little about the craft in this novella. I am intrigued and eager to know more especially about Mia’s kitchen witch doll, Gloria. The mystery was light, but that is to be expected with such a short story. I enjoyed following Mia as she investigated, gathering clues, and listing the suspects. Magic Springs, Idaho seems like a magical town that I look forward to exploring more in this series. I thought Chili Cauldron Curse was an engaging cozy mystery. I look forward to reading One Poison Pie. Chili Cauldron Curse is a magical tale with a wiped out warlock, a chili cook-off contest, a higgledy-piggledy food bank, a hesitant helper, and a romance at the end of its rope.

This was a fun intro story in a new series. Normally I have trouble connecting to characters in short stories, but it didn't take me long to fall in love with Mia and her grandmother. I really enjoyed the witchcraft and the mystery. The pacing was good, and the story is well-written. I wish the final scene with Mia had played out a bit more, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment. I cannot wait to start the first book in the series!

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

What a delightful way to start off the new series, Kitchen Witch Mysteries, with the title Chili Cauldron Curse by Lynn Cahoon. This prequel is a fun filled beginning to the series where the reader is introduced to Mia Malone along with her familiar, Mr. Darcy and a vast array of characters from Magic Springs.

Mia is asked by her Grans to come and help her for a week to set up the local food bank just in time for the new school year. One learns rather quickly that Mia is a super organized individual with a well rounded skill set to develop and implement a structure to run an efficient food bank. One also learns rather quickly that Mia also has some witchcraft skills, which she does not use very often but when the need arises…just saying.

While trying to get the food bank up and running, Mia encounters a very foul smell. Turns out to be the body of one Dorian Alexander – the one in a leadership position in the coven as well as Mia’s Gran’s new beau. In order to keep to the timelines for the chili cook-off and opening of the food bank, it is imperative that the killer be identified as soon as possible.

While in Magic Springs, Mia is conflicted as her boyfriend (and boss) Isaac Adams is in Boise and given the state of their relationship – a serious conversation must be had.

I found even with this short read that I was able to get a good sense of the main characters. I became invested in short order and so wanted them to make the deadline for being able to open the food bank. I enjoyed getting to know Grans and hope to see her in future books. Grans and her bestie were priceless together and I can’t wait for more interactions between the two in future books.

The murder was solved in due course, but I really felt this story was more about introducing everyone for the first book in the series – One Poison Pie. A fun prequel to the series for those who enjoy paranormal/ witch cozy mysteries. This is only my second read by this author – but you can rest assured that it will not be my last.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

Chili Cauldron Curse by Lynn Cahoon is the opening salvo in a new series: Kitchen Witch. It is a charming look into the life of a witch. The series has hug potential. Let's see if Cahoon can live up to it. Mia Malone is visiting her grandmother in Magic Springs, Idaho, to help set up the local food bank for the school year. The supervisor, Tasha, has had some health issues and fallen behind. The first noticeable thing is the smell. Obviously, someone has ignored directions and donated perishables. Mia hunts them down and disposes. She actually makes a pretty good start on organizing that first day. The nest day, help arrives, in the form of her boyfriend's sister, Christina. Christina is kind of on the outs with her family and this is a form of purgatory for her. Isaac is acting weird, too, but Mia plans to deal with that when she gets back to Boise. More smells, and a dead body. Great.

Mia is a self-sufficient, independent witch who isn't part of a coven because she hates the politics. Her grandmother, Mary Alice, is a lovely 70ish lady who knows everyone in her small town. Mia's mother has forgone her witchy genes and lived a fully human life. Everyone is in shock. Murders are a rare thing in Magic Springs and this was a man who didn't deserve it; a good man. The plot is loose, but this is a novella so not much time in which to develop it. There is tons of bad grammar. A new editor might be in order. The characters of Magic Springs have potential to be rounded out and expanded upon. Hopefully this will happen, as this was a charming opener. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Chili Cauldron Curse by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #chilicauldroncurse

What?! A paranormal cozy mystery series from Lynn Cahoon?? Sign me up please.

I love cozies and PNR/witchy series, so I was super excited to read the first book in this new series. I enjoyed meeting Mia, her cat familiar Mr. Darcy, her gran Mary Alice, and the town of Magic Springs. Although only novella in length, this story is chock full of twisty, witchy, mystery goodness.

I can already tell I'm gonna love this new series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

I was so thrilled to get an advanced reading copy of , Chili Cauldron Curse, the first in a new series by Lynn Cahoon that is so close to my heart. This is the first in her Kitchen Witch Series and I loved it. This is a Novella, not as long as a typical cozy but it was packed with every element I love. Growing up my mom had a Kitchen Witch that I was obsessed with, when I was 11 years old we moved and some how the kitchen witch was lost. I searched for years to find another on, especially after my mom died, I did manage to find one a few years ago in need of a bit of TLC, she now hangs in my kitchen and makes me smile every time I see her. The main character, Mia, also has a Kitchen Witch and it is implied that this special doll, will have a bigger role in coming additions. I also love that the first book is centered around helping out at a food bank. Something I think we can all appreciate in these trying times, I also love that the local Witch Coven, seems to be a mostly a helpful addition to the area and not at odds with the "Muggles", so far anyway. This was a great start to what I hope will be a long running series by a truly favorite author.

Chili Cauldron Curse is a quick, easy to read novella by Lynn Cahoon. This is the introduction to her new series, The Kitchen Witch Mysteries. I could not put it down.
Mia, a non practicing witch, is back in town for a week to help her grandmother, a practicing witch, to set up a food bank. What could happen in a week. Mia stumbles upon a body and to her shock, it's her Grandmother's warlock boyfriend. When the police zero in on her grandmother as the top suspect. Mia knows she didn't do it, even if her alibi is iffy. She starts her own investigation and may have to use her power to save herself.
Cahoon gives plenty of twists and turns, likeable characters, family and friends, a touch of romance, just enough paranormal, and of course, a cat!
I was given an ARC from Kensington and NetGalley for an honest review.

‘Chili Cauldron Curse‘ is the introductory novella in the new series, ‘Kitchen Witch Mysteries‘. It’s a quick read that drew me in and kept me entertained throughout. I prefer this type of beginning to a new series where I get to meet the townsfolk, get a start on keeping everyone sorted out (there are a lot of names flying about), and just get an overall feel for the next full-length story in the series to come.

Mia is a natural-born witch who doesn’t use her powers all that much, at most you might call her a kitchen witch when she practices at all. Her mother has set aside her powers and lives a fully-non-magic life. But Mia’s grandmother fully embraces her craft and is at the center of much of this story.

Mia has returned to Magic Springs, Idaho to help her gran get the food bank sorted out before the beginning of the school year where it will be much needed and appreciated by local families. Her boyfriend’s sister will also arrive in town to help since she is on the outs with her family right now. But the boyfriend is acting distant recently so that’s a puzzle to sort out as well. When Mia discovers a dead body in amongst the spoiled produce it’s not long before Mia’s gran and Mia are prime suspects – it’s up to Mia and members of the local coven to figure out what truly happened to Dorian and track down the real killer before innocent women are charged.

I had fun with this introduction novella. Magic, mystery, laughs, and spells abound. In all, ‘Chili Cauldron Curse‘ was an enjoyable story, one that set the series up well enough that I can now dive into the first book release due in early 2021. If you love a good Cozy Mystery of the Paranormal kind, then get started on this series from the very beginning.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I am a big fan of Lynn's Tourist Trap cozy mystery series and when I saw that she had a new witchy one I just had to check it out. This novella was a nice introduction to her new series and I will definitely be reading more! This series has witches, mystery, murder and food. What more can you ask for.