| Title | : | A Witch Named Hazel (Crafty Witch Mysteries Book 1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 251 |
| Publication | : | Published February 2, 2021 |
A surprising call from a rather crabby lawyer was an unpleasant interruption to Hazel Holloway's otherwise blissful day off. She's baffled at the news that a great uncle she's never even heard of before has left her his old funeral home. Stranger still, the mortuary is in an unfamiliar small town. Fullmourn is less than thirty minutes away, but the place is a complete mystery.
Things get even weirder, though…
More shocking than a surprise Great Uncle and a peculiar small town is the "gift" she receives from a ghost. The gift is the craft. Witchcraft, to be exact. The spirit of an old witch has to pass her magic onto someone before crossing the veil to the afterlife. Since no one shows up for her memorial, Hazel was the "lucky" recipient of her strange and unusual powers.
But, the whole witchcraft thing might have to wait…
When Hazel gets into an argument with grouchy Fullmourn resident, George Cadell, she knows her reputation is about to bite the big one. Of course, George appears to be innocent in the squabble, so when he's found dead in front of the funeral home Hazel just inherited, she becomes the prime suspect.
Hazel is one toadstool short of an alibi, and the hunky town Sheriff, Nicodemus "Nico," Quillen doesn't entirely believe in her innocence. But Hazel isn't the only one in Fullmourn who might have wanted George – an unrepentant jerk - on the other side of the grass. Hazel needs all the help she can get exhuming the real culprit.
With her new familiar, Loftus, the cursed mouse, and her cousin, Rook, the mortician, at her side, Hazel's prepared to harness her unique abilities and summon any spirit, to catch the real killer. She's desperate to clear her name before the funeral home goes belly up, but will her mission lead her right into a killer's snare?
A Witch Named Hazel (Crafty Witch Mysteries Book 1) Reviews
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Whilst the story idea was actually quite good, the writing was so bad that several times I just wanted to stop reading. I am glad I persevered because it was a good story. This book needs major editing, and then it could be great. Would I read more in the series without? No.
The story is of a young girl who is living very hand to mouth in the city, eking out a meager salary. She gets summoned to a solicitor in a fairly nearby town to be told a distant relative that she has inherited a house and a business. The business, which is tied up with the house, is an undertakers. She has also taken on a very strange adopted cousin. The complication in all of this is that she can see and talk to the dead, and after becoming a witch, she has a small mouse as a familiar - with wings. Hazel has to solve the murder of one of her first clients, before he finds a way to retaliate - and he can be pretty scary - dead or alive. As I say, had this been better written it would have been 4 or possibly even 5 stars. -
Prior to reading: One star lost for block paragraphs. One star lost for the "doll" on the cover.
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An amazing start to a new series! Loved it!
Hazel is contacted by a lawyer of her great uncle that she didn't know about....the lawyer is from Fullmourn and he has something he would like to discuss with Hazel.
Hazel is living paycheck to paycheck and doesn't have much left each week to pay for gas or food but she tells the lawyer she will meet with him. It's a half hour drive away almost out of gas she stops at a gas station where you have to pay first to pump if paying with cash. She is in back of an old man who decides to play scratch tickets and make other customers wait. Once the old man is told to move Hazel is on her way.
Hazel makes it to Fullmourn and meets with the lawyer. Hazel has been left a funeral home in the great uncles will. So off she goes to check out the funeral home and meets her cousin, sort of. Hazel decides to give the funeral home a go because she has nothing back in her hometown.
Seeing a ghost of a woman whose relatives decided to not go to her funeral so Hazel is the lucky one to receive a gift from the woman. The woman says its a gift of power, witchcraft.
Poor Hazel thinks she is going crazy seeing a ghost and a talking mouse. But Hazel doesn't have time because someone left a body on the funeral parlours front porch.
Sara Bourgeois knows how to write a book that keeps her readers enthalled until the book is done. For me it ended way to fast but I love Sara's stories. I can't wait to see what happens to Hazel in the next book. There was a little hint of a romance in this book....hope to see more.
If you like cozy witchy mysteries with clean fun then this book is right up your cemetery (hahahaha). Enjoy the story I know I did -
Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series
This is an entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters and an intriguing storyline. A young woman who happens to work in a medical examiners office and it’s barely making ends meet living in a small apartment suddenly inherits a funeral home from her great uncle. As she is the black sheep of her family she did not even know the uncle. As she goes to meet them lawyer and find out the details she learns a few things and will have to make a decision whether she wants to uproot her life and change everything or sell it and remain in here basically dead end job. Very entertaining with a quirky bunch of characters and a unique twist in the matter of magic and supernatural leanings. Check it out -
Great start to a new series.
Loved the oddball quirkiness of it all.
There was a bit of awkwardness at times. Not sure if it was a writing issue or intentional to make the mc seem a bit awkward.
The "case"/mystery seemed to be a bit of an afterthought, like we're almost half way through the book before there's even a body.
Some half-assed attempt at sleuthing which oddly actually makes more sense then a complete novice suddenly acting like an old pro.
The whodunnit wasnt as much of a surprise as the motive, that came practically out of nowhere.
Let's see how this continues, afterall there's still plenty of mystery left to uncover... -
Incomplete
I'm really ambivalent about this book. I generally enjoy this author's work, so I'm very surprised that this reads like a rough draft. I get no real sense of Hazel; she seems a bit flaky, possibly young, and possibly goth. There are plenty of questions regarding her backstory but no answers. Same with her roommate/cousin, Rook. The sheriff's wife and her garden are more questions, and does he know anything? The mystery is poorly paced, and the resolution is rather abrupt. That said, the premise has great potential to be an entertaining paracozy. I have enough faith in this author to try Book Two. -
A Witch Named Hazel by Sara Bourgeois is the first book in a brand new cozy paranormal series.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I absolutely loved it!
Hazel Holloway is the main character who is delightful! Her character is well written.
She learns she has inherited a funeral home from a long lost relative.
I won't give any spoilers, but this was an amazing story and I loved all the characters and the mystery was great.
Can't wait for the next book in the series. -
LOVED IT!!!
OMG, what a terrific series starter!!! This is an excellent book and the beginning of what holds the potential to be a fabulous new series that I'm looking very forward to diving into. Sara is a terrific author period, however she was definitely on top of her game with this starter. It gives you just enough teasers to sink your teeth into good enough where you know you want more! I definitely recommend this book and can't wait for the next one in this series. (Until then, I'm off to read something else from her). -
what kind of witch
I really enjoyed this short story. Hazel inherits a funeral home with an adopted cousin in it—she isn’t a witch until no one shows up for the first funeral and the lady was a witch and was supposed to pass on her powers but only Hazel was there. Then of course Hazel thinks she is crazy, there is a murder, a cute cop and more. If you want to read an enjoyable book this is the one. -
Not a bad beginning.
I liked this, but it seemed like everything was a bit bare bones. Not a lot of world building, nor much background for the characters. The premise was pretty good, and I rather enjoyed the quirky occupation of the MC. Not one you really come across in a paranormal cosy. Hoping it picks up a bit in the next book. -
Pleasantly surprised how good this book was. I’ve read a few other book series by this author that were just lacking important information for the story or just repeated story lines over and over. This was a really good read. I was little disappointed in the ending when the sheriff wanted to talk to her but we never got to that point. I guess it’s a good hook to get you to read then next book.
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A new Funeral Director
Hazel leads a mundane life, until an unknown great-uncle dies and she inherits a funeral home. Then she gets passed on powers of a witch, and finds her unusual familiar in the form of a fairy mouse. Story is a quick, fun read with a murder to solve. Pleasant. -
ARC Review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Hazel Holloway finds she got a great uncle Charlie that she is to inherit property in fullmourn and finds that she is getting more then she thought. Awesome story
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Inheritance
Hazel gets a call from a lawyer telling her she is the beneficiary from her Great-uncle Charlie. She is in for the surprises of a lifetime. Great characters and a new and somewhat spooky location. -
Witches or not a Witch?
Hazel inherited an unknownuncles Funeral Parlour. So begins her strange new life with of course a murdur of a disliked local.
Great story full of intrigue - liked it and recommend it -
Did I really see that?
I loved Hazel and the way she and Rook just kind to seem like they knew each other but really did. I never would have solved this murder and gotten it right. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next one. -
Amazing new series!
This book has a fresh take on the way Hazel becomes a witch. Plus, a mouse familiar with fairy wings. The characters are well written and interesting. I highly recommend this book.
