Four Charming Spells by Lynn Cahoon is the latest Kitchen Witch mystery, and, as always, it is a lot of fun. Get back together with Mia, Christina, Levi, and Trent as they try to discover who is casting aging spells on women, which are leading to their deaths. The stakes get notched up a bit when Mia’s grandma is targeted as well. As always, I am enjoying the series and the latest book is pretty great. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Great addition to the series! Really liked meeting more witches and learning a bit more about the coven. The mystery was zippy and the food so tempting.

I enjoyed the first couple of books in the Kitchen Witch Mystery series by author Lynn Cahoon. So, I was excited to read Four Charming Spells. But there was something about book four that just didn’t work as well for me.

This series follows Mia Malone, a kitchen witch, and her friends and family in a small magical town in Idaho. The premise of a kitchen witch is that they aren’t terribly powerful, but what magic they do have is intended to help others.

In Four Charming Spells, Mia does very little herself with her magic. But the paranormal world created in this series is expanded a little more.

What bothered me about this installment of the series is that so much time was spent on the world-building and even character growth that the mystery felt to be more of a secondary plot and not given the attention it should have gotten. I felt the solution to the mystery came out of left field and wasn’t particularly supported by the book. Mia only did a little sleuthing as she had so many other things going on.

I like Mia and her relationships with everyone around her, including her grandmother and her boyfriend, Trent. In Four Charming Spells, her grandmother seemed to have gone off the deep end and wasn’t at all portrayed as she had been in the previous books, which threw me a bit. In fact, there were several times during this story that I felt I had been missing something, and I know I’ve read all the previous books. It all felt a little off.

I enjoyed Four Charming Spells, but feel it’s the weakest book in the series up to this point. I wouldn’t jump into the series here, but I would recommend reading it if you’re already invested in the series. While it’s not the strongest mystery, the world and character-building make it worth your while.

This is book four in the Kitchen Witch Mystery series. To fully appreciate this fun series and its entertaining characters, it’s best to start at the beginning. This series is filled with food, magic, mystery, witches, ghosts, family, friendship and, of course, murder. This installment seemed a little light on the mystery. There was quite a bit of focus on Mia’s catering activities and upcoming decisions she needs to make to keep Mia’s Morsels afloat. I did still enjoy the book because I like the series as a whole and it was nice to revisit these well developed engaging characters, but I did feel that the mystery needed a bit more development and a more detailed resolution.

Magic and ghosts and food, some of my favorite things! This is the 4th installment in this series, but I decided to jump in here for the first time. I definitely think to appreciate this fully, readers should actually start at the beginning because it took me a little bit to get the full picture of what was going on (Character relationships, past, what is going on in Mia's life). I didn't see much of Mia's kitchen witch magic in this book, but was assured that previous books showcase that more. This book you can see her magic skills growing and I think some big magical break throughs are coming in her future. I loved the storylines with the ghosts and how that may or may not have tied in with a few of the other mysterious circumstances going on.
This mystery was a bit different because there was a death in the past that wasn't being treated as mysterious by the authorities, but the loved ones and also Mia knew something was off so she was investigating the magical side while urging the police to also look into the death. Some of the nuance of how they could hide the magical side from the non-magical chef of police was a bit unclear, but I am willing to accept that they can coexist without much scrutiny because it was such a dramatic and surprising ending.
Mia has some serious decisions to make in this book and I'm curious to see what happens from here.

Four Charming Spells

By: Lynn Cahoon

Publish Date: 28 March 2023

Publisher: Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies

Mystery and Thrillers

#FourCharmingSpells#NetGalley

100 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both Kensington Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Good Reads Synopsis:

In this spellbinding continuation of the Kitchen Witch Mystery series by New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon, witchcraft trainee Mia Malone summons tasty dishes and unearthly murder suspects . . .

Before Mia Malone can sip tea at Time for a Cuppa, the charming new shop in Magic Springs, Idaho, her life changes course in downright supernatural ways. First her blossoming catering business and cooking school get a boost with the addition of an enchanting cake decorator. Then she catches the attention of the tea shop owner herself, local coven member Mahogany Medford, who’s set on immersing Mia in a twisted mystery that appears all but unsolvable without a special kind of help . . .

Still reeling from the recent loss of her mother and believing there was more to the abrupt death, Mahogany urges Mia to cast light on the truth. But old secrets might come back to haunt her in an investigation that demands conjuring up phantoms from the past on the property of Mia’s Morsels. Now, wearing Gran’s protective stone and empowered by a circle of trusted confidants, Mia must reveal who—or what—killed Ms. Medford as another deadly surprise brews!

Review:

I gave this book 4 stars. It is the fourth book in the series called A Kitchen Witch Mystery. I read the first book but not the other two before reading this one. The author made it fairly easy to understand what is going on. This series is different because the mystery spans over several books which makes you want to pick up the next book, so you can find out who done and why.

In this book I was a little lost because like I said earlier, I hadn’t read two of the books, so I was a little behind on what was happening. Mia has opened her own business and is trying to get it off the ground. She learns that the local lodge is going to hire their own caterer, and this will take business away from her. The person who normally hands these jobs to her has asked her to apply for the position. She is trying to figure what she needs to do about this and figure out if she can and still keep her business afloat. Along with this issue she is hired to organize a wedding and they want it to be at the school which Mia just bought. The problem is that the school is starting to be haunted by some people who were buried there before the school was built. Everyone has told her that the graves had been removed but she isn’t so sure. The couple said that the uncle was involved with the building of the school, and he can take a look at the wards set around the school so that they can be married there. Mia agrees. She is also trying to help a friend who owns a tea shop find out what happened to her mother. They both think she was murder, but the local police chief doesn’t agree.

There is a lot that is happening in this book that it was hard to put down. To find out the answers you have to read the book. I suggest you read the books before this one so that you have the full picture.

Kitchen witch mysteries are set in Magic Springs, Idaho. It’s a place I’d like to visit.
Four Charming Spells is book #4 in the series. Mia is trying to balance her catering business with figuring out what happened to a coven member who recently died, her witch education and the school where she lives and works.
The character development is excellent for the main characters of the series. I enjoy Mia, Christina, Trent, Levi, Mia’s grandmother and Abigail. It’s interesting to see their development and developing relationships.
The magic in the book feels more threatening than usual as it has killed two women. There is upheaval due to Christina’s mother, and the move of all her possessions at the beginning of the story.
The different elements didn’t come together quite so well in this book. The issues with Christina’s mother appear at the beginning and end of the story, but feel removed from the subject of the deaths, the spells and a wedding for the catering business.
The ending felt abrupt. The author brings us to the point of finding the murderer and then drops the subject and finishes with a visit from Christina’s mother.
These two issues subtract a star.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Cozies for the opportunity to review this book.

Number 4 in the Kitchen Witch series which is proving to be a lot of fun.

Mia Malone is a witch who operates a catering business in Magic Springs. She is the centre of a delightful group of characters, some witchy and some not who live in the town. My favorite has to be Mr. Darcy the cat, who is now occupied by the spirit of Dorien a deceased witch. There is a lot of humour in the way the witch manipulates the cat.

Of course there is a murder and Mia and her boyfriend Trent investigate. There are ghosts to be dealt with and magic spells going round which no one seems totally in control of. Worst of all Mia's business is threatened and the solution is one she does not like at all.

We all have to wait for book 5 to see what happens.

This series has really grown on me and I find that I am always checking to see when the next one comes out! I was pretty excited about this one and for the most part, it was a really good addition to the series [and one of the stronger ones as everyone is starting to meld well]. Let's break it down shall we...
WHAT I LIKED:
*Mia, Christina, Levi, Trent, Gran [though she is...well, more on that later] and the addition of Abigail [Trent and Levi's Mom]. THIS is a great group of characters. They are [mostly] realistic, fun, cranky etc etc. Just like a group of real life friends would be and that makes reading their exploits even more fun.

*The anti-aging spell "side-bar" - Ohhhh Gran. SMH. This was a hilarious little side-bar mystery and even when Gran's personality was less than stellar, the whole thing was very funny and a good addition to the story.

*Sheriff Mark Baldwin and his wife Sarah. I like this cop. He is a good man, who does a good job, who just needs nudges here and there when magic is involved as he isn't a believer in it. Mia is respectful of him and really tries to just let him do his job; it is very refreshing to have a MC that doesn't believe that she [even with magic] is smarter than the cops and that she can do their job better. That is probably one of the biggest reasons I love this series.

*ALL. THE. MAGIC. It is very cool. I love how it doesn't dominate the story, but it is a big part of it and how it weaves in and out of the story and their lives. It is also interesting how Christina is starting to react to things happening around her <--I SO appreciate a character that doesn't go running because the people around her are infused with all kinds of magic. Glorious.

*There is no murder in this book. This book is the solving of two deaths that have already occurred [see previous book] and it was really nice to not have a bunch of dead bodies all over [ghosts not withstanding].

*Parts of the mystery were very good and kept you guessing. Until it didn't and that leads me to...
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE:
*The parts of the mystery that became very obvious very quickly. I knew who the bad people were the minute they were introduced [even with a red herring thrown in there, it was pretty obvious] and there were moments of real eye rolling as stuff that had been discussed by the main characters is completely forgotten just a day later. I know they are all busy but really?? I like I like my bad guys a little more cloaked than they were in this book.

*There was a real issue with continuity in this book. Mia would "think" about how someone was coming at one time, but when asked by another character would give a completely different time, things like that. And it was always really close together. Thankfully, it wasn't all the time [because then I'd have been writing a completely different review], but it was enough to be jarring and have me both scratching my head AND going back to make sure I wasn't losing my mind.

*Trent and his continuance to say he is not practicing magic ALL WHILE PRACTICING MAGIC [with his mother's encouragement I might add, which is also a no-no]. From all the other witch/paranormal books I have read, this is a ginormous NO-NO and would/will absolutely come back to bite him in the butt. I can only hope that it will come to that in this series. I'd love to see him have to truly make a decision regarding his magic. He is totally a force for good and add Mia's power, they would be a very magical couple and I'd love to see that, but he is going to have to have a real moment where he absolutely decides before that can happen. Please Ms. Cahoon? Pretty please??

*The reveal and the end. Uh....okay? Really? Did the author run out of steam/story? That was the most tepid reveal ever [I cannot even claim that as a reveal to be honest] and then the book very abruptly ends. I mean, you think there will be a couple more pages and it is just done. Did the ARC not get all the pages? I am so confused and it was very disconcerting. Had the rest of the book not been as good as it was, the abrupt end would have dropped this rating fast for sure.

Overall, this was a great addition to the series and I will be waiting with baited breath for the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lynn Cahoon and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Four Charming Spells is the fourth paranormal cozy mystery in the Kitchen Witch Mysteries series. When Mia Malone, a kitchen witch and owner of Mia’s Morsels, is pulled into another investigation, this one involving an aging spell and two dead witches, she gets to the bottom of it with help from her friends.

I have been a fan of this series, and all of Lynn Cahoon’s mysteries, since the beginning. I enjoy the paranormal element of this series and like the characters. As always this was a fun, enjoyable mystery with witty moments throughout the book. There were some questions that were left unanswered, and I know they will be resolved in the next book, but I wanted a little more info about what was going to happen! It’s not exactly a cliffhanger, the end of the mystery is wrapped up pretty well, but there are some questions about where Mia will go next with her life and business that we are going to have to wait to find out. Overall this was a great read and I can’t wait to see what comes next for Mia and the gang!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

This is the fourth book in the Kitchen Witch Mysteries. This is an enjoyable cozy series with characters that I like returning to time and again. The setting in Magic Springs, Idaho is small-town comforting and the main characters care for each other shines through.

In this book there are two interesting mysteries. The murder that occurred in the past, and what's going on with Gran's appearing younger. There were some humorous moments, and Gran was definitely hard to get along with throughout much of the book. The ending was just weird as it was so sudden and kind of just cut things off. It left me with a lot of questions.

I enjoyed the characters and I really like Mr. Darcy - the cat. I do recommend this series overall as a great cozy series and the books have been fun and interesting reads.

Thanks to Kensington Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on March 28, 2023..

Mia becomes more involved in the witchy side of Magic Springs. First, she caters a funeral in the old schoolhouse. Later the daughter comes to Mia and says she believes her mom was murdered. As Mia feels the ghosts encroaching on the schoolhouse, a couple insists they’ll be married there in just a few weeks. They’ll send their uncle to take care of the ghosts. Mia feels like turmoil is building and things will never work out. Fortunately, her boyfriend Travis as there for her as her grandmother who now looks like Mia is certainly not. Read this fun edition of Kitchen Witch and wait for more.

This is the fourth book in Lynn Cahoon's delightful Kitchen Witch Cozy Mystery series. I was happy to receive an ARC from Net Galley and dive back into Mia's world. I thought this was a pretty good mystery. This series has a substantial amount of scenes showing the day-to-day life of Mia and her catering business. If you don't like reading about the interworking of a small business person who is also a kitchen witch, this is not the series for you. For me, the scenes of daily life focused on the preparation and sharing of food is cozy to read. I also find comfort in the idea of magic all around us.

In this book, Mia has become a go-to source for Magical Springs when a mystery needs to be solved, so it is no surprise when Mahogany asks Mia to solve the death of her mother. The police think her mother died of old age, but Mahogany is certain it is murder. Mia, of course, helps and ultimately solves the murder. Unlike many cozies, Mia doesn't confront the murderer herself in a desolate area, she calls the police.

I was surprised at the ending point, we don't get any resolution to Mia's job situation and we don't get to see the wedding. I wonder if the next book will take place seconds after this one ends?

My rating for this book is 4 stars.

Thank you #NetGalley for this book! All opinions are mine! #FourCharmingSpells

Mia Malone is a witch, still practicing her magic, who runs a catering business and cooking school in beautiful Magic Springs, Idaho. She has repurposed a haunted schoolhouse to live in and run her business from, complete with ghostly inhabitants. Local tea shop owner, Mahogany, approaches Mia for help with her mother's mysterious death. A rapid aging spell has been spun against some local witches, causing their untimely death. Can Mia figure out who is doing it and why while keeping her clients happy and the ghosts on her property from causing problems?

Lynn Cahoon is one of my favorite cozy authors. I find her books entertaining and particularly enjoy this series's supernatural aspects and characters. The characters across the series are vivid, and I particularly like Mia, who juggles a lot in this book. This one picks up right after the events of book three and reading at least that one will help the reader understand what is going on because of the ongoing sub-plots underpinning the series.

The Idaho setting is so appealing and charmingly described. Adding to the atmosphere is the haunted schoolhouse and other magical touches like the enchanted cat. Cahoon mixes the supernatural and the murder mystery in an engaging way, and it doesn't feel overdone but lends more to the mysterious mood surrounding the place and its inhabitants. The ending was a bit rushed, but I still enjoyed this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to review this ARC!

Fans of the paranormal cozy will enjoy this latest in the series set in Magic Springs, Idaho- but know that it might be a bit of a tussle if you haven't read the earlier books. Mia, who is trying to get her flower business going, is once again investigating a suspicious death at the behest of one of her friends. Some residents of the town have powers and others, like the Chief of Police, are mortal, which means there's a bit of tension. There are ghosts, witches, and a cat (love the cat) which, well over to you to find out how Mr. Darcy is doing these days. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Classic cozy with a twist.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

This is the fourth in the Kitchen Witch Mysteries written by Lynn Cahoon. I have read most of mystery series and enjoy each for different reasons. Ms. Cahoon has a breadth and depth of writing that I enjoy.

This is not the first series of her’s to be set in Idaho. I enjoy the descriptions of the countryside and her vivid imagination. Mia Malone is our magical sleuth and caterer. She has begun a catering, delivery, and pickup meals program.

She has been snookered into catering a coven funeral for Theresa Ann Holly at a dramatically reduced price by the head of the coven.

I found several subplots going on and loved the way they were intertwined throughout the stories.
I love a reveal with multiple levels. This was a well-written and crafted story. It kept me turning the pages.

I was given an advanced reader’s copy by Netgalley and am not required to write a positive review. I enjoy Lynn Cahoon’s books and this one did entertain me on several levels.

These are always such a pleasure to read, I find myself disappointed when they end and I have to wait for the next book.

Mia Malone's business, Mia's Morsels, is thriving in the town of Magic Springs, Idaho. Except that she has recently learned that the school house she both lives and works in was built on top of a cemetery and some of the residents have not yet departed. She is also dealing with trying to discover the magical murderer of her friend Mahogany's mother. Aging spells, catering gigs and murder mysteries overwhelm Mia in this supernatural cozy mystery.

I adore these Magic Springs mysteries. I love the addition of the paranormal to the cozy genre. It's a pleasant touch without being overtly sci-fi/fantasy (although I love those too - the hybrid is nice). This book is indeed charming and I do hope there are more to come!

The fourth full book in the series, Four Charming Spells, is another great book. In fact, they keep getting better. The main character, Mia, is very likeable, as are her friends. She is very responsible and tries to help everyone around her. Her assistant (& roommate), Christina, is very likeable as well. I like how Mia tries to include Christina in things, so she feels she is an important part of everything.

The mystery is a good one, with lots of interesting things going on. While Mia is asked to help with some of the strange happenings, she continues with her catering business. It’s fun hearing about all her creations, and I enjoy hearing about the business side as well. The magic aspect is light, just the right amount. The relationships and main character’s personality drive the story, while the light magic adds to the overall positive feeling one gets while reading the book. I’m looking forward to the next in the series! I can’t get enough of Mia and her friends. This is my favorite series by this author and has become one of my favorite cozy mystery series.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books/Kensington Cozies for this wonderful ARC. I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I will post this review to my blog, Goodreads, Bookbub, & Amazon accounts on the publication date, 3/28/23.

Things are changing at Mia's Morsels - she has hired her BF's mother to bake enchanted cakes, she's hired another assistant but still things aren't exactly going smoothly. Her grandmother accidently put a spell on herself reversing her age and her new assistant appears to have some secrets, At the same time, Mahogany Medford wants Mia to find out why her mother died, All this at the same time as her catering business is expanding,

The magical aspects are woven throughout very cleverly and the food descriptions make my mouth water, Great addition to the series!