I adored this book, adored it! And it couldn’t have come out at a more perfect time because this book will give you all the small-town fall and witchy vibes.

Brynn helps her aunt run their family’s bed and breakfast and has pretty much sworn off magic. At least, her abilities seem to have disappeared since her husband died in an accident.

But when a guest dies while under their roof and suspicions turn to her aunt Nora, Brynn will do whatever she has to in order to clear her name.

I’m pleased as a toad in magic (read the book to get that one) that this is only book one in the new Evenfall Witches B&B series! The second book, When the Crow’s Away is due to come out in April 2022! I can’t wait!

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

In the Company of Witches is the excellent and entertaining debut of the Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery Series. A tightly plotted murder mystery and multilayered characters make this one of the best cozy mysteries I have read this year.

Local resident Constance is not well liked around town and is estranged from her siblings since the death of their father. She is staying at the Warrens’ bed and breakfast while some long overdue repairs are made to her dilapidated family home. She is demanding, difficult, and generally unpleasant. Even so, she does not deserve her untimely death. What at first seems like an accident in the bath is quickly determined to be murder, and Constance’s ghost has taken up residence in the B&B. Brynn, who is a witch of the dead, would normally be able to communicate with Constance but has been unable to since her husband passed away. When Brynn’s aunt Nora falls under suspicion, Brynn exchanges her witch’s hat for a sleuthing cap to get to the bottom of things and clear Nora’s name.

What is there not to love about a quaint New England setting with a beautiful old home run by three witches? This installment even takes place around Halloween. I love so much about this book. Brynn, her aunts Nora and Izzy and reclusive Uncle Gideon each have different witchy abilities and complement each other. Brynn is relatable, carrying the heavy grief of her husband’s sudden death and losing her abilities. Nora and Izzy raised Brynn following her parents’ death, and their love for each other and close relationship are the foundation of this series. I like Gideon, too, as he faces his own demons of the past. Their clueless next door neighbor provides a lot of comic relief. Though there are no other B&B guests during this story, I see so much potential for future guests’ demise to keep them all very busy.

The mystery of Constance’s death is well plotted and executed. Since Constance lived in Evenfall, there are plenty of available suspects with valid motives. Despite Constance’s bristly demeanor, I sympathize with her ghost. Her life was ultimately so very sad. There are plenty of clues sprinkled about, but I was still surprised by the killer’s identity. It all makes sense in the end though. And speaking of the end, please have a tissue handy for the book’s final pages. This installment ends with so much promise for forthcoming books; I cannot wait to read them. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher for a free digital copy!

Sometimes in the world of publishing, the marketing of a book doesn't match up to the story within. It seems like if there is even a sprinkle of suspense, a novel gets marketed a a "thriller", when that isn't really the case. So I was wondering just how "witchy" this cozy mystery was going to be. Was it going to go all in on the witches, or just have a few cutesy element and call it a day? I can happily tell you that this is indeed a story about witches!

Not only is the main character, Brynn, a witch, but so are her two quirky aunts and they use their magic to do funny things throughout the book but also solve the mystery. The aunts, Nora and Izzy, are polar opposites and their banter made for a very fun family story. I would 100% recommend this book if you liked Practical Magic as it has a lot of the same elements, but in my opinion In The Company of Witches has a stronger plot line. I'm so glad I read this the week of Halloween, it was a perfect seasonal read! I'm looking forward to book 2!

Don’t mind me, I’m just here packing my bags to go live in Evenfall. Fans of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch take note: This is the witchy cozy mystery novel you need in your life! I can’t say enough about how much I loved this book!

The main character, Brynn, lives with her two aunts in a B&B in the small town of Evenfall. Everyone in the town knows something is different about the “Warren women,” but most people aren’t rude enough to actually accuse them of (gasp!) witchcraft! They just happen to be around when good things happen in the town...and good things always happen when Aunt Izzy brings her baked goods!

Evenfall’s attitude toward the women changes when there is a death at their very own B&B. Not just a death, but a (dun dun dun!) MURDER! Could it be that the townsfolk will now go on a (gasp!) witch hunt? Can Brynn help save her aunts and her family’s reputation? And can I please move in with them all???

In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace is the first book in her Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery series and it is a fantastic beginning to the series. This is a truly masterful tale of magic, love and the power of family togetherness. At least the togetherness of the Warren family is a wonderful thing. The ugliness of a broken family filled with hate and revenge plays a significant part in this story. The hate and ugly feelings of the Graves family looms large throughout the storyline. The loss of life of Constance Graves through foul play leads Brynn Warren to do what she must to find the person responsible in order to prove her Aunt Nora's innocence. I was fascinated by Brynn's efforts and the final results. I loved this story and look forward to the next book in the series.

Set in the New England town of Evenfall Thrive, the Warren Witches have quietly used their magic to help where needed. But when Constance Graves dies while staying at Brynn Warren and her Aunt's Bed & Breakfast, it is soon discovered that it wasn't an accident. Now all eyes are on Brynn's Aunt Nora as the prime suspect. Brynn wants to prove her Aunt's innocence and Brynn has the special powers to do so. However, she hasn't used those powers since her her husband died and isn't even sure if she can.

A fun, cozy, witchy mystery but with a deeper layer within. I enjoyed the layer of how Brynn deals with grief and her own issues. The element of the mystery and solving the crime was well written to discover the clues and hints along with Brynn. I enjoyed the supporting character and the humor they brought along.

I definitely picked this book because it had witches in the title. I thought it was OK. If cozy mysteries are your thing, you will probably love it.

The first in the Evenfall Witches B&B series, this cozy witchy mystery is set in a small New England town where the local Bed & Breakfast is operated by the magical family, the Warren’s.

Brynn, the niece of the elder Warren witches, must clear her aunts names after the death of a member of the oldest family in the community happens in their establishment. Brynn’s personal cauldron is already overflowing as she is trying to overcome the grief of her husband dying. She also wants to wants to hang-up her broomstick - NO more spells or hijinx in her life.

Who murdered the guest? Can Brynn save her aunts and clear the family name? Will she abandon her lineage as a witch? Who are friends and foes In the Company of Witches?

Find out in this charming, spooky debut novel - PERFECT Fall Read!

Thank you Berit @berittalksbooks Kenzie @thephdivabooks and Deborah @dg_reads for hosting a buddy read and Berkley for the complimentary copy.

In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace is the debut of An Evenfall Witches B&B Mysteries. Brynn Warren is a likeable and relatable protagonist. She is still dealing with the loss of her husband which makes her sympathetic. Brynn lives in the carriage house behind the bed-and-breakfast and helps her aunts take care of their guests. When their demanding guest, Constance Graves is murdered, Brynn’s fiery Aunt Nora becomes the prime suspect. Brynn works to clear her aunt whose actions are making things worse. I thought the story contained good writing with some interesting characters. Each Warren woman has a unique personality. The animals are fun & quirky especially Dog. I like the magical elements. They enhance the story. The mystery was thought out. There are several good suspects in Constance’s death. It does not help Brynn’s investigation that Constance was a pain-in-the-you-know-what. Her own siblings are on the suspect list. There are clues to help readers solve the crime. I had fun cracking this whodunit. I like that all the details were wrapped up so there were no loose ends. The story had whimsy and humor that made it enjoyable to read. I look forward to reading When the Crow’s Away next spring. In the Company of Witches is a spirited tale with a challenging guest, an angry aunt, an odd death, an irritating itch, a modicum of magical mayhem, and a killer confrontation.

I love a fun cozy mystery and this one is simply perfect for the witchy season - the setting is in the New England town of Evenfall where for over four hundred years, the Warren witches have low-keyed used their magic to help the townsfolk. All is great until a local dies and fingers point to Nora, one of the Warren witches.

I really enjoyed this magical cozy for a riveting mystery, magic, and murder. I loved the characters, the setting, and determining the whodunnit, with the help of some supernatural to solve this case. This was a fun start of the series and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.

In The Company Of Witches is the first book in a new cozy mystery series. Set in the charming small town of Eventfall home of the Warren witches for the last four hundred years. Brynn runs a B&B with her two aunts. She needs to solve the death of a guest before one of her aunts is accused. This is where the story takes off with humor, mystery and heartwarming characters. I love how the reader discovers clues along with Brynn. Not only is it a whodunnit, but it also about family and acceptance.
This is the perfect cozy mystery to pick up.

I love cozy mysteries, so I jumped at the chance to read this new witchy cozy series! Thank you to @berkleypub and @letstalkbookspromo for including me in this buddy read and supplying a NetGalley ARC!

Pub date: Oct 19
Series: Evenfall Witches B&B (book 1)

In one sentence: Brynn hasn't used her witchy powers since her husband died, so when a difficult B&B guest dies in her room, she’ll have to find the culprit…without magic.

This book gave me serious Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (the ABC series, not the Netflix series) vibes. Brynn's aunts were hilarious comic relief, and I loved their unique family relationship. Brynn is a protagonist to root for - she's clearly still struggling with her husband's death, and I was excited to see her come out of her mourning period to solve the case. The mystery kept me guessing - plenty of suspects and red herrings abound!

If you need a witchy Halloween read, pick this one up!

Brynn Warren, still grieving the tragic and untimely loss of her husband, has sworn off magic. She and her aunts run a cozy B&B in Evenfall, a small town where everyone knows everyone’s business. Well, nobody knows for sure if the Warren women are witches, but they have their suspicions. When Constance Graves is found dead at the B&B, Brynn sets out to clear her aunt’s name and discovers more than just a murderer.

Evenfall was the perfect picturesque small town setting for this cozy mystery. There was one scene in particular that was so beautiful, heartwarming, and magical! I have never read a cozy with witches or supernatural elements, and I loved that fun aspect! Brynn was an extremely likable and relatable MC, and her aunts were a hoot, especially Nora. While the Warrens definitely had their issues, the Graves were drowning in family drama. Everyone had a motive for killing Constance, so there was plenty going on to throw me off and keep me guessing up until the end! I just adored this whimsical, magical, and humorous book!

In the Company of Witches was the best cozy mystery I’ve read in awhile, and I’m looking forward to the next book in this new series! This is a perfect fall read for those who don’t like scary stories!

Thank you so much Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for my gifted eARC!

First time reading this author. I like the characters and the setting. The mystery kept me guessing. I liked the resolution at the end, since there were no major hanging threads. I look forward to the next in the series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was the best cozy mystery I've read this year! I loved the setting and the characters. There was more humor than I expected too. Brynn Warren and her aunts all have different motivations but underneath their family bond is strong and they have each other's backs. They're the complete opposite of the fractured Graves family. The book was rounded out with a nice cast of secondary characters.

I enjoyed the mystery of the murdered guest but found the second storyline of Brynn coming to terms with her grief and her magic very compelling. The last chapter was especially poignant. I'm looking forward to book two. Loved this witchy fall read!

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for an e copy of this book.

In the Company of Witches is a spell-ectrifying cozy mystery! Follow along a fun, quirky family of witches try to solve a case of a murder that implicates one of their own. If you love witchy cozy mysteries, this definitely won't disappoint.

This book is the first in a series and is spot on for the witchy season. It’s a cozy mystery that has great characters, and fast dialogue. The mystery itself is well done with a perfect balance of complexity and suspects.

I really liked the way the backstories on both the victim and our main character, Brynn are presented throughout the book.

Two sisters and their niece run a B&B where the sweets are amazing and the plants are lush. All three ladies have gifts but Brynn wants out of the witch game due to a tragedy that happened two years ago. Even though talking to ghosts is her gift, she decides to use old fashioned investigative tools to try to solve a murder of a grouchy neighbor in the B&B now that her her Aunt Nora has become the prime suspect.

I will definitely continue on with this series when the next book comes out!!

Brynn Warren lives with her aunts Izzy and Nora, and her reclusive uncle Gideon, in the bed and breakfast they’ve made of their ancestral home of Ivywood Hollow. For centuries, the Warren family has been seen as a sort of guardian element for the small town of Evenfall, Connecticut. Residents would come to the Warrens for words of wisdom, advice and comfort, and occasionally for help of an even more ephemeral nature or, as Brynn puts it bluntly:

QUOTE
Magic.

Enchantments and conjurations. Spells and incantations. Divinations and charms. All the hocus-pocus old wives used to speak of in hushed tones by the fire. My aunts could do all of those things. They could do them because they were witches.

I was too.

Or at least I used to be.
END QUOTE

Since the death of her husband Adam, Brynn has felt increasingly disconnected both from her own magic and from her life in town. Kindly Izzy thinks she just needs more time and encouragement to reconnect, while the snippier Nora feels that Brynn is just slacking off. Fortunately or otherwise, Nora has lots of other things to absorb her prickly attentions given the obnoxious behavior of their latest resident, Constance Graves. Constance has rented out the entire B&B while her own stately home, Graves House, is under renovation, but her demanding manner is doing very little to endear her to her hosts. Nora is doing a lot of injudicious public grumbling to the effect of wanting to kill this annoying guest of theirs, but even she is shocked and appalled to find Constance dead in the bathroom one evening.

When it looks increasingly certain that Constance’s death was less tragic accident than the result of foul play, Nora quickly falls under suspicion of murder. Nora, of course, is spitting mad at the very idea: she would never sully herself with anything so prosaic as bashing someone’s head in. She’s also irritated that Brynn won’t use her own special gifts as a ghost whisperer to find out what really happened to Constance, refusing to believe that Brynn’s inability to use magic is at all involuntary.

While Brynn might feel ambivalent about magic, she’s confident that she’s more than capable of getting to the bottom of the mystery by using her investigative skills alone. As she digs into Constance’s life, she uncovers a tale of family tragedy that led finally to murder. She also discovers, to her dismay, that several Evenfall residents have begun to turn on the Warrens, while others have begun to inquire a little too closely into what exactly it is they do to help the community. Brynn will have to tread a fine line of protecting her family’s secrets and satisfying the demands of the truth in her efforts to bring a killer to justice.

More than just a grown-up riff on Sabrina The Teenage Witch in the form of a charming cozy murder mystery, In The Company Of Witches is a surprisingly thoughtful meditation on family, forgiveness and grief. Brynn’s increasingly strained relationship with her magical heritage has everything to do with the loss of her husband, and the guilt and pain that come from knowing that there was nothing she could do to save him:

QUOTE
The enormity of the loss gripped me in a way I hadn’t allowed it to in a long time, and I could feel the quickening of power that had been building inside me falter. The pain was pushing the magic away, crowding it out.

That was the thing about grief I had come to know so well. It was always too much. The loss always too big. The pain always takes up too much space. It takes all the room you have until there is nothing left, and then it takes even more.
END QUOTE

As Constance and Brynn’s stories intertwine, this cozy goes from being a fun paranormal romp to a genuinely moving treatise on love and letting go. I freely admit to crying through the ending of this deeply affecting novel, which is not at all my usual reaction to murder mysteries! I’d highly recommend this not only to fans of paranormal cozies but to anyone looking for a meaningful, but not too heavy and still highly entertaining, mystery read.

Want to read a Halloween cozy mystery? Then pick up this book! I had fun reading this. It reminded me of the old tv series Ghost Whisperer, except that Brynn here is a witch and that she also has some issues that she needs to face. Although it’s a light read, it did touch on grief and bereavement; don’t worry, it’s nothing too heavy, so it really didn’t deviate the focus from the mystery. I’d recommend this cozy mystery to bookworms seeking something Halloween-y to read but are not too keen to delve on hardcore ghosts and ghouls!👻

In the Company of Witches is a cozy mystery that takes place in the coziest of places, a New England bed-and-breakfast run by the Warren witches, two sisters, a brother, and their niece Brynn. Nora is not good with people and takes charge of the garden and floral arrangements while Izzy takes care of the cooking and seems to weave comfort and other useful spells into every morsel. Samuel is agoraphobic and stays upstairs, providing warnings when they might be helpful Unfortunately, all their magic did not prevent the murder of their most annoying guest, Constance Graves, an unhappy woman whose goal seemed to be spreading ill-will wherever she went.

Of course, Nora is a suspect because she’s always threatening death and dismemberment in the most colorful terms. The murderer also set out to frame her. Brynn is determined to find out who the real murderer is and set things to rights. Normally she could just ask Constance as she talks to the dead, but her gift has not worked since her husband died and she’s decided to quit magic altogether.

In the Company of Witches is a pleasant and fair mystery. You learn the important clues along with Brynn and she solves it without her magic, though she did use a bit at the end, but not so much to solve the mystery as to tidy up. The arc of the story is in many ways two-fold. Yes, there is the whodunnit, but it is also about Brynn accepting her husband’s death and not blaming her magic for its limitations.

It is also a story of families and what drives them apart and what pulls them together. The Graves and the Warrens are founders of the town and yet hardly know each other. Many in the village are wary of the Warrens, but they also find true friends when the town seems to suspect them of murder and witchcraft.

I received an e-galley of In the Company of Witches from the publisher through NetGalley.

In the Company of Witches at Berkley | Penguin Random House
Auralee Wallace author site