Charms and Chocolate Chips: A Magical Bakery Mystery

I have found I really enjoy cozy mysteries, especially when cats or witches are involved. This one is somewhat different in that the focus is based in a bakery that the main character, Katie, owns and operates with her aunt and uncle. Katie's familiar is a dog, but the other members of their magickal group have all kinds of familiars, which I think is fun. Poor Katie really is not thrilled to keep finding dead bodies from time to time in her new home town, but is slowly coming to terms with the fact that it is part of her destiny in a way. I find her character to be appealing and relatable. There is enough going on in her life other than a murder mystery to be interesting and at times even captivating. The magick and celebrations are very realistic based on Wiccan beliefs, but of course with literary license as needed for the story. I find that very refreshing. I am so tired of the skewed and downright misrepresentations of what Wicca is all about, that a book like this is most welcome. Add to that it is well written and just plain fun, and you have a winner.

Note: I chose the immersion reading deal (Kindle version + audio narration.) I greatly recommend it! Synced perfectly between reading on my Kindle and listening on my iPhone. Review Charms and Chocolate Chips is the third book in the Magical Bakery Mystery series. It has some of the common elements found in contemporary cozy mysteries: 1. The detective is an amateur who does her sleuthing on the side. 2. The detective has a dream job in a creative field. In this case she is part owner of an adorable bakery. I think this is a bit of wish fulfillment for readers. We all love the idea of making a living doing what we love, but let’s face it, running a small business is a tough gig. Most of us would rather dream about it than do it. 3. While romance is definitely relegated to subplot there is a romantic triangle and I’ve noticed this in a number of other recent cozies. 4. As in most culinary mysteries, recipes are included! I am not a baker but would definitely be willing to taste test. In genre fiction, the format is pretty much a given. But what the author can do within the format is what matters. Cates has woven a delightful story over hers. This is what makes the Magical Bakery Mysteries stand out from similar cozy mysteries: 1. There is a story arc that covers all the novels. Although you could read each as a stand alone, it is better to follow the story starting at the beginning. In the first book Katie discovers that she is a witch and that magic is real. She also finds out that she’s a catalyst. In the second book she discovers that she is a light witch, a powerful sort of witch that can only do white magic. In Charms and Chocolate Chips Katie tries to figure out what it means to be a light witch and what distinguishes white magic from black. She volunteers at Georgia Wild, a conservation organization, to avoid dealing with the whole “light witch” issue but discovers that she cannot escape her destiny when a murder occurs there. 2. Cozy mysteries often allow the reader to learn about things like baking, needlework or home renovation while enjoying the mystery. In the Magic Bakery Mysteries the reader learns about magic. This is a bit different from learning about antiques or cake decorating, but Cates has done a good job of it. I suspect that she, like Katie and her coven is wiccan, but I don’t know that for sure. While following Katie on her adventures the readers can learn about hedgewitchery, or the use of plants in magic. Katie and her aunt use their magic to enhance their baked goods with what they feel their customers need. Other witches in the coven practice other types of magic including voodoo and color magic. 3. Pets are another common feature of cozy mysteries and part of the reason I love cozies. But the pets in the Magical Bakery Mystery are more than furry companions. They are also familiars, or magical helpers. While the animals are not anthropomorphized in any way, they definitely have their own personalities and you can see how each one matches their owner. 4. The books are well written, lighthearted and charming. The characters are three dimensional and very likable. The common locations in the books, mainly the Honeybee Bakery and Katie’s house, are indeed cozy and places readers like to imagine themselves in. In contrast the murders that occur are dark and disturbing and the mysteries are challenging puzzles. This may seem like a given but there are novels out there that get by on strong narrative drive rather than a well developed, well written story.

Fans of Katie Lightfoot will enjoy this latest adventure where the action is fast-paced and the mystery will have you rooting for Katie and her friends as they try to thwart out evil amongst their community. The whimsicality in this lighthearted drama is both entertaining and appealing as the story captivated me from beginning to end. It was fun seeing the old gang and I was pleased with the character development of Katie and her friends. A visitor from Katie’s past added a surprise and welcome element to this delightfully charming tale. Boasting good conversations, a great cast of characters and a comfortable atmosphere, the author did a good job in delivering a well-written whodunit in this endearing series. I look forward to the next book with Katie and her circle of friends.

I chose 5 stars because once you got through the first part of the book the story finally started to snag your interest. However I really was happy when she broke up with Declan however I was disappointed when they got back together. I really don't believe she has real love for Declan. there is a lack of chemistry. To me the mystery was secondary to the love life of the main character. my opinion only. I love the magic in the book and it keeps it interesting.

I've just discovered Bailey Cates and Katie Lightfoot, and can't wait to read the next book. Great mystery, excellent supporting characters, and an enchanting lead. The books are fast-paced and interesting, and I love the extra edge they get from being set in Savannah, which is a mystical place on its own. Love these books!

Pleasant book to spend your time on. Gave it 4 stars as this theme of a private citizen always interfering with police investigations and then solves the crime is getting redundant! Characters are more pleasant then some of the other books I read. Helps while away the hours.

These books are fun and quick, and maybe not the deepest stories you will find. But they are still a good, fun read, and I enjoy them as a sort of bubble gum read. In this one, Katie is volunteering at a local environmentslist group, and when the founder is murdered she needs to use her magic to find out why a particular piece of swampland nearby is important.

Well things are really moving along with the newest witch in town. Katie is working at her bakery, trying to help a local eco group and trying to come to terms with her abilities. But when the founder is found dead, and another friend is threatened Katie needs to put down her rolling pin and do a little magic in order to find out what is so special about the Fagan Swamplands, help her relationship with Declan and perhaps heal her relationship with her mother. overall I did enjoy this story (it took me a little longer to read as I had 4 other books to read and review), the mystery kicked off quickly and kept you spellbound until the end. There was enough twists and turns to keep anyone guessing until the end and also a few questions about her past can be answered. Now I will agree the relationship with Declan is getting a little stale and I hope in the next installment things shake up a little. But I do give it a big thumbs up and hope the next one is soon (and if the author reads this I would honored if she sends an advance copy for an honest review)

The story line is becoming a little fantastical. Someone who didn't know she was a witch is suddenly a very powerful one????? With amazing magical talents? Becoming too far fetched.

Je suis ravie avec cet achat. Merci beaucoup. Je vous souhaite de bonnes fêtes ! Que du plus +++++ ++++

Great series, can almost smell the coffee and cookies.

All the side stories are developing at a nice rate alongside the main "who dunnit" in this series and yet thete are enough new "loose ends" to want to visit again. For a pleasant easy read, join us in the bakery!

Very entertaining read. Several sub-plots and the wonderful characters kept me engaged while I waited to see if I was right regarding the killer.