Book 24, 2021

Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I stayed up until almost midnight last night to finish reading Bait and Witch by Angela M Sanders. This is the first book in the author's "Witch Way Librarian" mystery series. The main character is Josie Way--experienced librarian and novice witch.

Josie enjoyed her job at the Library of Congress, but when she overhears a senator's aide making a corrupt deal and reports it, Josie is compelled to lay low, in fear for her life. She accepts a job as the librarian in the small town of Wilfred, Oregon, which is about as far from DC as she can get. Josie is immediately enchanted with the library and the old Victorian mansion it's housed in. Unfortunately, she learns that the library may be sold and demolished to make way for a modern retreat. The townsfolk are divided on the issue: some want to hold on to their historic library, while others welcome the new jobs the retreat would bring. All of that pales in comparison when Josie finds a body in the woods. Is the dead woman connected to the trouble in DC, or to the trouble brewing in Wilfred? Josie's life depends on the answer, but she has help in the form of the cat who adopted her as soon as she arrived, as well as from the books themselves. Josie learns she is descended from a line of witches, and now she must decide if she wants to block her power or tap into it.

I loved this book! Josie is likable and relatable, and I enjoyed meeting new acquaintances and making new friends right along with her. Rodney, the cat, is wonderful, and I was intrigued by how the books seemed to hum and whisper as they "spoke" to Josie. The plot was different, in that Josie spent more of her time trying to figure out how to save the library as compared to trying to solve a murder. The narrative flowed smoothly, and other characters were portrayed well.

Favorite lines:
♦ "Possibly the worst first day of work in history."
♦ I knew better than to fall for the furry booby trap of a cat's belly.
♦ I'd have much rather spent my days with Trixie Belden than quadratic equations.

Delightful, and I am looking forward to more in this series. Five stars!