Book 2, 2020

Cookies and Clairvoyance by Bailey Cates

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Earlier this evening, I finished reading Cookies and Clairvoyance by Bailey Cates. It's the 8th book in her "Magical Bakery" mystery series. Main character is Katie Lightfoot: hedgewitch, baker, and amateur sleuth.

Katie is busy working at the Honeybee Bakery, finalizing her wedding plans, preparing for her father's upcoming visit, and directing renovations to her small home. However, when Detective Peter Quinn calls, wanting Katie's take on an odd murder, she takes the time to join him at the scene of the crime. There, she finds that the victim had an eclectic collection of magical ephemera, and that his home was protected by a strong spell. The police are looking at firefighter Randy Post as their main suspect. He works with Katie's fiance, Declan, and he's also dating her fellow coven member, Bianca. Katie doesn't believe Randy killed the man; she feels that the victim was murdered for an arcane reason. She begins questioning suspects, putting clues together, and using magic to suss out a killer. Investigating this crime, however, might cost Katie more than she is willing to pay.

The story moved along at a fast pace. I enjoyed revisiting familiar characters and meeting new ones. There were some aspects I didn't care for, but that's merely my own, subjective opinion.

Favorite line: "...murdering one's employer is terrible precedent for acquiring a new position."

Good book, but far from my favorite of this series: 4 stars.