Genres: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Published by Tantor Audio
Released on 7July 28, 2020
Length: 6 hours 4 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Review
After nearly dying in the last adventure, Holly is now facing a grand opening of her potions’ shop, a deepened commitment in her love life, and, oh yes, a spot on a reality TV potions contest. She’s sailing nicely until a body shows up and she’s back under suspicion. Light and entertaining and the narration is sensational.
First Place Witch is the eighth in an engaging paranormal cozy mystery series, Beechwood Harbor Magic Mysteries. They work best when read/listened to in order.
The last book, A Royal Witch, was pretty action-packed and heavy on the paranormal and stirred up a lot of emotional drama. I was wary that this would be much of the same when it came to the excess drama, but instead it was calmer and more focused.
It had several plot threads going, but they were all going along steadily and not just focused around Holly. There is a second chance romance plot for Evangeline. Harmony is proving to have really matured since her days as a troubling side character in her sister’s series. Holly herself faces up to her life that now includes a legit potions shop and committed relationship with Adam, but now she joins the TV show potion’s contest because she still feels like she has to prove herself to others that she is beyond her past and deserves some respect. Unfortunately, she gets framed for a murder and people are more than ready to believe she did it because of said past though she has a loyal group of friends to stand by her and help her out of a jam.
The mystery was another clever one. I figured out part of it, but not all. There was a few exciting moments and a really low point for poor Holly, but she comes through.
Amanda Ronconi is fabulous as the voice of Holly and the series. I hear her voice for each character and catch the tone of the story easily. Her work is easy to listen to and get absorbed into the book. I can’t recommend her work enough.
All in all, this was another fun one in the series with the TV show setting and the potions contest and that swoony final chapter. Those who enjoy paranormal mixed with cozy mystery should definitely put this series on their list of listens.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met
New Release #103
Audio #60
Romanceopoly #59
About the Book
First Place Witch by Danielle Garrett
It’s the chance of a lifetime, but Holly’s not sure she can survive the spotlight’s harsh glow.
With her potions shop officially open for business, Holly sets off to the San Francisco Haven to compete with the most elite potions masters in the entire country. But what should be a fun and potentially life-changing experience quickly sours when Haven Council officials show up and start poking around Holly’s workstation.
When one of the competitors is found murdered, all eyes swivel to Holly and her apprentice.
Holly doesn’t know who killed the egotistical wizard, but she knows it wasn’t her or Harmony. She also knows that there are some on the esteemed Haven Council who wouldn’t hesitate to blur the lines of the investigation if it means getting rid of her once and for all.
Holly, Adam, Evangeline, and Harmony have to find the real killer before the clock runs out and Holly ends up wearing SPA handcuffs.
Shari
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several plot threads going on? I’m glad it didn’t get all tangled up for ya.
Haha! Nope, she kept her threads from knotting up. 🙂