Josie is eager to show off Wilfred’s delights to her visiting sister, Jean—even though Josie must conceal her magic from her. In any case, Jean is excited to attend Cookie Masterson’s trademark “Ready-Set-Go!” workshop on becoming a life coach. Then there’s the grand reopening of Darla’s Café, where the doors are thrown open to reveal . . . a dead man, stabbed in the back. That was definitely not on the revamped menu…
 
Even more worrisome, the sheriff receives a report of a fresh corpse at the retreat center. Maybe murder isn’t so uncommon in Wilfred anymore, but two unfamiliar bodies within an hour certainly is! Josie’s willing to let law enforcement take the lead—after all, she’s gotten into some trouble from the hints the library’s spellbound books keep feeding her about the patrons. But when her sister receives the killer’s chilling calling card, she’ll use everything within her otherworldly powers to divine just who in town has homicide as his new slogan . . .

Titles in the A Witch Way Librarian Mystery series include — Bait and Witch —♦— Seven-Year Witch —♦— Witch and Famous —♦— Witch Upon a Star —♦—

NetGalley ARC

Title:  Witch Upon a Star
Series:  A Witch Way Librarian Mystery #4
Author:  Angela M. Sanders
Genre:  Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Published:  May 23, 2023
Publisher:  Kensington Books
My Rating:  4

Witch Upon a Star is the fourth title in the A Witch Way Librarian Mystery.  While any series is best read from the first book onwards, I picked up the series with this title and wasn’t the least bit lost, so it could be read as a standalone title, in my opinion.

I loved the premise of this world where the library books give messages to Josie with the exact information that is needed at the moment, whether it’s information about a patron or about a murder suspect.  Quite a handy bit of magic to have!  Of course, this magic must remain hidden, and I adored her black cat, Rodney who has his own uniqueness.  When Josie’s sister, Jean, arrives in town for an event things start getting lively.  Two dead bodies in a tiny town are certain to turn heads, but when it seems that her sister is also in the killer’s sights, well, magic or not, Josie isn’t going to just sit around and do nothing.

As with any review of a cozy mystery, I’ll not be giving away details.  What I am comfortable saying is that there are twists, turns, and red herrings galore — along with some chuckle-worthy moments in Witch Upon a Star.  I had my suspicions, but I think I’ll keep those thoughts to myself and let you experience this mystery for yourself.  In all, I had fun in this world where the characters are quirky, the mystery made me think, and the writing had everything flowing smoothly from one scene to the next.  I would return to this world to get caught up on the earlier books without hesitation.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

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