Review: Chili Cauldron Curse by Lynn Cahoon

Genre:
Paranormal Cozy Mystery

Format:
E-ARC

Publisher:
Kensington Books

Release Date:
August 25, 2020





Synopsis from Goodreads:


New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon introduces a new heroine with her own special brand of culinary magic in this novella to introduce her Kitchen Witch series.

When Mia Malone’s grandmother asks her to take a week away from her restaurant job and come to Magic Springs, Idaho, she’s happy to oblige. Like Mia, Grans has witchcraft running through her veins, and life with her is never boring. Plus, the cause is a good one—helping Grans get the local food bank up and running again. But there’s an unappetizing surprise in store. While Mia is knee-deep in boxes of donated produce, she encounters the body of Dorian Alexander.

Dorian was a warlock, leader of the local coven. He was also her Grans’ new beau. There’s no potion that’ll make this trouble disappear. But if Mia wants to keep her Grans—now a prime suspect—from serving a spell in prison, she’ll have to unearth the real killer fast. . . .

My Review

When Mia Malone’s grandmother asks for help, Mia has no problem helping out. She takes some time away from her boyfriend and job in Boise, Idaho and heads to Magic Springs, Idaho. Mia is more than happy to help her grandmother get the local food bank in shape as well as help with the chili cook off.

Magic Springs is a special place filled with witchcraft. Mia’s grandmother has magical powers and so does Mia. Her grandmother’s new boyfriend, Dorian Alexander, is a warlock and leader of their local coven. Things turn horrible when Mia finds his dead body in the food bank.

All eyes turn towards Mia’s grandmother as the prime suspect, but Mia knows she’s innocent. She vows to find the real killer, but quickly learns that Dorian had quite a few enemies to choose from.

Lynn Cahoon is one of my favorite cozy mystery writers, so I was thrilled to see she started a new series. This is a novella, a prequel to her new Kitchen Witch series. It’s a fast read and gives readers a chance to meet a whole new cast of characters. It’s just a taste of what I think will be a delightful paranormal cozy mystery series.

I liked Mia and her grandmother right off the bat. They are strong women who don’t back down. They are surrounded by a quirky supporting cast.

The story is mixed with mystery, humor and magic. This looks to be a fun series and I’m looking forward to reading the first full length book of the series.

For reading challenges:
Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge 2020
Literary Escapes Reading Challenge 2020 (Idaho)
Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge 2020

FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.