Member Reviews
In the enchanting mystery novel, "Gone With The Witch," Angela M. Sanders takes readers on a captivating journey through the mystical town of Wilfred. The story revolves around Josie, a librarian with an extraordinary gift for communicating with magical books. When mysterious human bones are discovered beneath an old outhouse, Helen Garlington, a determined elderly woman, believes they might hold the key to the disappearance of her long-lost husband. As the investigation unfolds, unexpected twists and turns arise, plunging Josie into a web of intrigue and danger. Sanders skillfully weaves together a tale that combines elements of mystery, magic, and suspense. The author's vivid descriptions transport readers to the charming yet eerie setting of Wilfred, where blackberry vines and old secrets intertwine. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each harboring their own secrets and desires. Josie, with her unique ability to consult the spellbound books, becomes a strong and engaging protagonist, determined to unravel the truth. The author masterfully builds suspense throughout the narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. From the unexpected discovery of a doppelgänger contestant on a game show to the shocking demise of the look-alike guest, each twist leaves readers craving for more. The incorporation of supernatural elements adds an extra layer of intrigue, as frightening images haunt Josie through an abandoned movie theater and a menacing flock of crows seemingly follows her every move. One of the highlights of "Gone With The Witch" is the author's ability to seamlessly blend elements of classic literature into the narrative. By introducing the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, Sanders creates an exciting crossover that seamlessly merges the worlds of fantasy and mystery. Josie's pursuit of solving the perplexing puzzle, with the help of Holmes, adds depth and complexity to the storyline. As the story unfolds, readers are immersed in a rich tapestry of secrets, hidden motives, and dark pasts. Sanders expertly crafts a plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. With every chapter, the suspense intensifies, and the stakes are raised, culminating in a heart-pounding climax that will leave readers breathless. Angela M. Sanders showcases her remarkable storytelling skills in "Gone With The Witch." With its engaging characters, atmospheric setting, and an intricately woven plot, this book is a must-read for fans of mystery and supernatural fiction. Prepare to be spellbound as the twisted vines of this mystery are unraveled, and the truth is revealed. Will Josie conquer her own Moriarty before another life is claimed in the colorful story of Wilfred? Dive into this captivating novel to find out.
I really enjoy this series. The way the series in starting to lean is very exciting and I can not wait until the next one.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Kensington Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Josie Way is the Wilfred librarian, living in the old mansion converted to the library. She also happens to be a witch who gains power from books.
When Helen Garlington thinks she sees her long missing husband on a game show, she naturally asks Josie to investigate. Josie tracks the man down, but when he visits Wilfred a few days later, Helen realizes that he’s not her husband. However, when he’s found dead the next day, she feels guilty - if she hadn’t asked him to visit, he would still be alive - so could Josie ask a few questions about the man? Using her magic, Josie gets The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes, and thus Sherlock himself, involved to help her investigate. There’s lots of plot twists including events from 50 years earlier, when Helen’s husband disappeared, and a mysterious adversary, Josie’s “Moriarty” who appears to be following her using crows. Meanwhile, Josie’s got her own dilemma: how can she tell her boyfriend Sam she’s a witch?
I enjoyed this book. Sometimes books involving witches and similar magical topics go a little overboard, but I found this book had a nice balance and seemed….logical? if that’s the right term for magic. I liked the variety of characters and the hints about the back story of several, presumably revealed in detail in previous books. I loved how there’s hints about something else going on, about Josie having an arch enemy, without it being neatly resolved. My only complaint is that it seems every time Josie say Sam, she’d have the same concern about telling him she’s a witch. She realizes that she’ll need to tell him sometime doesn’t know how he’d react. I understand her quandary, but I would have preferred to hear about it about half as many times.
This is the fifth book in the series; I haven’t read any of the previous ones, but didn’t have too much trouble following the characters.
Highly recommended. I’m planning on picking up a few previous books and look forward to reading the next book!
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.com and that I voluntarily chose to review.
I am really enjoying this series. It can be a standalone as the author creatively gives enough information that a reader can easily catch up to the story. I love Josie and Sam's relationship and how accepting they are of each other. It is a novel idea that as a witch and librarian, the books are able to speak to her. The mystery in this one expands decades and will keep readers intrigued!
A fun read. Not sure which number this one is in the series, but that is not important as you will not be lost. She is a witch, who communicates with books, which help her solve murder mysteries. And also allows her to help her hunky cop boyfriend. In some ways touches on many typical story lines, but again, that is fine with me, as I enjoy these characters and the story lines. This one has Sherlock Holmes helping her solve a current and past mystery. Highly recommend this book, series and author.
GONE WITH THE WITCH is the fifth book in the Witchy Way Librarian Mysteries by Angela M. Sanders. I just love this series and as soon as each new book comes out, I can’t wait to dive in! This newest release didn’t disappoint, and I devoured every word until I’d read the last sentence. From the opening sentence, the stage is set for murder, mayhem, magic, and humor, which provided plenty of chuckles. Protagonist Josie Way is Wilfred, Oregon’s small-town librarian. Except she’s no ordinary librarian…she’s a witch with a gift for talking with the books and being able to know exactly which book each patron needs to read. While this can be read as a standalone, the buildup of each of the core characters is a delight to follow. I especially have enjoyed the budding romance between Josie and Sam, the local sheriff. It’s sweet and I’m looking forward to what happens next in their relationship. I especially loved the inclusion of Sherlock Holmes in this newest release, and his help in solving a murder. Sherlock’s banter with Josie is humorous, as is imagining his opinions on what he thought about all the adaptations of his character.
From abandoned old bones, to a decades-long missing husband, to a stranger visiting town, the intricacies of the multi-faceted mystery kept me turning pages. And while there might have been clues to help me solve the case, I was having too much fun enjoying the characters and their antics to tax my little gray cells. In the end, the murder mystery was solved quite nicely and questions are answered in a satisfactory manner. However, there are a couple of situations left open for future books to answer, which makes me quite impatient for the next book to be released!
Gone with the Witch by Angela M. Sanders is a great cozy mystery that is the Witch Way Librarian Mysteries series.
I really, really like that this book is set in a small town (Wilfred) in Oregon. That adds such a unique element to this adorable cozy mystery series.
I also like the appropriate mix of paranormal threads within the realistic and charming cozy murder mystery setting. The balance makes this book appeal to us CM fans that do not like a ton of sci-fi. Josie Way is a great main character and I have enjoyed seeing her character and the rest of the cast grow through the previous four books and into this fifth. Adding the bewitching kitty and a library full of spellbinding books…and the reader has a gem to experience.
4/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful 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 on 2/20/24.
This was a cute cozy mystery, but was v slow. I did not realize it was number 5 in a series and I could be missing background. Books are magic but the famous sidekick was a head scratcher for me. Overall, I am not the audience for this but book but thank you NetGalley for giving me this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
This has been an interesting series to read. I like how Josie's magic is increasing with the books. This book has a lot going on within it. It will keep you guessing until the end. I found it an enjoyable mystery that is well written and fun.
I am a fan of the Witch Way Librarian Mysteries series. I am all about a small town with a lot of kooky characters. I love a little supernatural fun. And I very much enjoy Angela Sanders's prose. She has a clean style that moves a story along.
Gone With the Witch was not my favorite of the series. There were a lot of subplots and that distracted a bit from the mystery and its resolution. I would have liked to see more about the town's history and how it related to the families involved in the mystery.
The author has two subplots that are continuing after this book and I am hopeful that the next book will focus on those two ideas (and resolve at least one of them). This wasn't my favorite book in the series, but it was still a fun read and I am looking forward to the next book.
Gone with the Witch, written by Angela M. Sanders, is a captivating cozy mystery that skillfully blends suspense with delightful small-town humor.
This series is such a joy to read. I picked up this book last night and I had the hardest time putting it down to sleep. The book flowed so well and was so intriguing. I was entranced with the words. The mystery of a missing husband, a found skeleton and a fresh dead body. It kept me on the edge of my seat needing to know the answers to the cold cases of robbery. Josie Way and her magic and a new sidekick made this book so much fun to read.
#GonewiththeWitch #NetGalley is the newest book in this magical series.
Josie Way is a librarian in Wilfred, Oregon, who is still learning about her magical gifts.
When bones are discovered beneath an outhouse, A local resident hopes they belong to her husband.
Helen Garlington's husband disappeared years ago, without a trace, never to be heard from again, until Helen spotted him on a game show.
When Helen finds out the bones aren't her husband's, she pleads with Josie to help her, to reach out to the game show contestant, to help her find the truth so she can move on.
This story takes a wild turn when another body is found, and adds to the confusion around who is who.
This book is my favorite so far, the dynamics of the characters is well done, the mystery itself is intriguing, and the author wove a tale so believable, I found myself holding my breath at times, wondering how things would play out.
I'm looking forward to recommending this book and the series to other readers who enjoy a well written book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.