Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders is an excellent new cozy mystery series that I truly devoured from beginning to end. I absolutely loved this book. It has it all: an excellent murder/mystery plot, fantastic cast of characters, wonderful/quirky small town in Oregon, wonderful main female character, and a perfect addition of a magical component. It also involves books (I love anything that has to do with libraries!) It has been a long time since I have been able to find a new cozy mystery series that I have been excited about (I have a few well established older series that I love of course), and this definitely checked every box for me.

Josie Way makes her way to a small out of the way town in Oregon in hopes of hiding out under the radar after informing law enforcement of a corrupt government bribe/deal while at work. To keep her family safe, she takes a job for a small town librarian in Wilifred. Little does she know that this action creates a cascade of events that ultimately helps change this town, for the better, forever and also in the process, helps her find herself.

I loved Josie. She is smart, she is feisty, she has a moral compass, and I love her loyalty to her newfound friends, and her family. I loved the addition of her family history and ancestors and their "powers" and finding out that the females in her lineage (including herself) are witches. I thought it was tasteful, well-incorporated, and a great addition to the book.

I also loved the murder /mystery plot. I love the old library, the full character cast with complex interactions and histories, and I loved the ending. There is so much wonderful material to draw from for future books for this series.

I have to say my favorite character (yes, even more so then Josie) is Rodney. How can one not love a fabulous black cat with a warm/feisty personality.

Everything about this book is perfect and everything that a cozy mystery should be. I cannot recommend this enough and I cannot wait until the next book is out.

5/5 stars enthusiastically.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

Cozy mysteries contain specific elements that the reader can trust and enjoy. The first in a new series, #BaitAndWitch sets up a highly enjoyable series to come. Librarian Josie Way needs to find a safe place to hide and she finds what she believes is the perfect set-up in Wilfred, OR. The town's library is located in a Victorian mansion that may or may not continue to be used for that purpose. With a cast of quirky characters, a beautiful setting, a handsome mysterious FBI agent, and Josie's discovery that she is a witch, this book kicks off a cozy series perfectly. #NetGalley

Josie Way is a great main character in this new series. She moves to take over a library in a small town. She needs a break and thinks this is the way to do that. Josie has a gift of listening to books and who needs to read them. She discovers she actually comes from a long line of witches. Developing her skills, adjusting to a new life and finding a body is an adventure!
#BaitandWitch #NetGalley