Murder Most Owl by Sarah Fox is the first debut of the series set in Twilight Cove Oregon a beautifully written fictional small town. Georgie Johansen is the protagnist having returned to her Aunt's rescue farm to help with the farm while her Aunt Olive recovers from a broken ankle. Georgie was a TV writer who knew success in LA. She has not returned to the ranch in years. Once she reconnects with her Aunt and the townspeople she is drawn into the beauty and peace of the enviornment. She is enjoying caring for her Aunt's charming animals and the farm.

When a murder occurs Georgie is on the case decifering red herrings and clues that abound in the case. She had met the mysterious victim in the woods and has her own doubts about what happened. She is smart, savvy and good at finding clues. As she progresses in the case she discovers she has a natural talent for investigating. The mystery deepens when its found out that the victim left her property to Aunt Olive. Now the suspicion falls on both her Aunt and Georgie. She must work to clear their names amid the suspicion and save the farm. The victims dogs and a owl join in to be companions to Georgie .

I loved this cozy and read it cover to cover. The story is so well crafted it is intriquing from page one to conclusion. I loved how the characters were developed, the setting and the mysterious sleuth that kept me guessing. A wonderful debut to this fascinating new series that I highly recommend. Well done to the author ! Thank you to the publisher, Net Galley and the author for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

Murder Most Owl is a new start to a cozy mystery series. Georgie is coming back to help her aunt out at the farm when she breaks her ankle. When her aunts neighbor is found dead, she is on the hunt for the killer.

This book was just ok for me. I loved the setting and the animals throughout. There was a very whimsical feeling to this cozy town. There were a lot of cute animals described as well.

I didn’t quite connect with any of the characters though. I feel like everyone was a bit flat and I didn’t connect. I also feel like it was a slow read and it kept dragging for me.

I probably won’t be continuing with this series. It wasn’t bad but wasn’t amazing either. Thanks so much to netgalley and Severn house for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Sarah Fox does it again! I enjoyed this first book in the new series so much! I was curious to see how the magical elements were going to be incorporated and it was SO well done! Something I really enjoy about Sarah’s writing is how her stories flow so seamlessly. Overall, this was such an enjoyable read and I already can’t wait for book 2!

A really entertaining read, this ticks all the cosy mystery boxes and has the added bonus of a hint of magic and romance.
The discovery of a dead body in a small costal town leads to a riveting whodunnit, I couldn’t put this down.
I’m excited to see what happens next and am looking forward to the next in the series.

Murder Most Owl by Sarah Fox is the first book in the Magical Menagerie Mystery series.

Sarah Fox is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, I love all her series and was very excited for this new series.

The main character, Georgie Johnson moves back to Twilight Cove, and it doesn't take long for
her to get busy with a mystery and romance, and a murder.

I loved the characters in this book. Georgie's Aunt Olivia has an animal sanctuary which is such a nice addition to this story. I love Euclid, the great horned owl. All the characters, human and animal are so well written. I love the relationships that the author has built. Tessa is a great character as Georgie's' best friend.

This is such a great mystery with great characters.

I can't wait for more books in this new series.

Georgie hasn’t visited her Aunt Olivia’s farmin years and now it’s an animal sanctuary. She meets Dorothy who lives in the woods, who is believed to be a witch. When Dorothy is murdered, Georgie is suspected so she must find the killer.

An engaging mystery, quirky small town characters, some light romance, and loads of animals; what’s not to enjoy?

Not for me

The problem was, I didn’t feel any warmth from the main character. I didn’t make that connection that I so crave. I didn’t feel it. On the plus side, it’s well written and has a good flow. It just failed to excite me, failed to hold my interest. But it’s definitely not bad, just that I really need to connect with the main character. So it’s just a taste thing, you just try it for yourself and you might love it!

When her beloved aunt Olivia is injured, Georgie Johansen heads back to Twilight Cove to help her Aunt out on the farm while she recovers. It’s been a long time since Georgie has been back to see her aunt, and she find some old friends and make some new ones along the way.

When a rather reclusive neighbor is murdered in her cabin, both Georgie and aunt Olivia become suspects. Knowing that neither of them harm the woman, Georgie decides to clear their names before she heads back home. The question is whether George can clear their names, or if she’ll even be able to go back home.

This entry in a new, cozy series really knocked it out of the ballpark. There are quite a few suspects, quite a few red herrings, and yet a shocking conclusion at the end. This one has been added to my must read list.

Magical Doggos and a Mystical Owl! What more do you need in a new paranormal cosy? Oho, lets just give you a cinnamon roll farmhand, a seaside town, and a cracking mystery!

I must admit that I zipped through this cozy which isn't fair because it is absolutely fantastic! I wanted to give it more time! I will be putting it back on to my read again pile because I zipped through due to it being fun, well written and the character building was delightful as was the scene setting

Sarah Fox is definitely an author to follow and I recommend Murder Most Owl very highly!

Thank you to Netgalley, Severn House and Sarah Fox for this lovely ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This is an exciting start to a new series. It is an idyllic seaside town, great side characters, and especially lovable cozy companions - two adorable dogs and an owl! The main character is likable, and we have an extra swoony love interest too! I recommend this to readers who enjoy reading about animals because the MC lives at an animal sanctuary and there’s lots of detail about caring for animals. Another unique twist is that our cozy companions have some special abilities and seem to help the MC solve the case. I think this series has so much potential and I look forward to more books

This book wasn’t quite what I was expecting. It’s a mix of cozy/ spooky and romance. If you like those and animals this is for you!

“ Murder Most Owl” by Sarah Fox the 1st instalment in the "Magical Menagerie Mystery series”. I love Sarah’s writing style and totally loved her Sweet Confections series, Literary Pub Mystery series as well as the Pancake House Mystery series, so knew I wouldn't be disappointed!

Things are not always what they seem. Georgie Johansen returns to the charming, coastal town of Twilight Cove and quickly finds herself in a whirlwind of romance, magic and murder!

What a great start to a new series! I loved it! I really enjoyed visiting Twilight Cove, Oregon and the animal sanctuary owned by Georgie’s Aunt Olivia. Sarah is very good at descriptive writing so you feel like you’re right there walking amongst the woods or walking main street and seeing the picturesque stores. I know I would love to live there.

Everyone knows I’m a sucker for furbabies in my cozies so when you have two magical dogs named Fancy and Flossie , along with a great horned owl named Euclid, I was okay I’m in love. Another thing I enjoyed was the relationship between Georgie and her aunt Olivia, as well her high school bff Tessa.

I wasn't surprised by what happened to Dorothy but having all those suspects drew me in and I had to find out what happened to her as she seemed pivotal to the story!

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Georgie did.

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Severn House and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

this was a great start to the Magical Menagerie Mystery series, it had everything that I was hoping for when reading the description. It uses the mystery elements in a way that I was hoping for and enjoyed as a overall feel to the book. Sarah Fox does a great job in making a interesting world and characters throughout that setting. I was invested in what was happening and getting to know the world and characters within. I look forward to reading more in this series, as this was a strong start.

A lover of all of Sarah Fox's series, I couldn't wait to read the first book in her new series. I absolutely loved it. She is a masterful storyteller. I immediately connected with Georgie and the mystery surrounding the mystery of the murder of Dorothy Shale, a woman not everyone liked or understood. Taking them under her wing during the murder investigation, Dorothy's dogs protect Georgie more than once. Not only that, but so does a great-horned owl. Amidst all of the suspicion, Georgie gets to know the new farmhand at Dorothy's animal sanctuary, adding a fun element of mystery and romance. I found myself rooting for Georgie in more ways than one. The storyline kept me guessing, and I can't wait for the next installment. Thank you #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

Georgie, a screenwriter living in LA, has returned to the small Oregon coast town where her Aunt Olivia lives. Olivia needs help with her animal sanctuary while she heals from a broken ankle. Georgie meets the handsome sanctuary manager and a mysterious old woman who lives in the woods behind the farm. When the woman is murdered, Georgie and her aunt take in the woman’s dogs. Georgie becomes one of the suspects and begins to snoop into the circumstances. The dogs (and an owl) begin to show very special abilities. All of her questions soon land her in danger.
It’s a fun twist that the animals, not the people, have special abilities. I liked the setting and the characters, with a touch of romance.
Thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for the ARC.

In Sarah Fox's intriguing cozy mystery novel, "Murder Most Owl," protagonist Georgie Johansen returns to her Aunt Olivia's animal sanctuary in the coastal town of Twilight Cove after many years, finding herself entangled in a puzzling murder investigation. Upon her arrival, she encounters the enigmatic farmhand, the eccentric Dorothy Shale, and the rumors surrounding her alleged witchcraft. When Dorothy turns up murdered and suspicion falls on Georgie, she embarks on a quest to clear her name and uncover the truth behind the escalating murders. With the assistance of Dorothy's two dogs and a great-horned owl, Georgie delves into the secrets of Twilight Cove, encountering an array of colorful characters and navigating the tensions between the townspeople and the animal sanctuary. As the body count rises, Georgie must race against time to expose the real killer before becoming the next victim. Fox skillfully weaves a captivating narrative that blends mystery, humor, and a touch of the supernatural. Her vivid descriptions of Twilight Cove and its inhabitants bring the setting to life, while her well-developed characters add depth and relatability to the story. The mystery is cleverly crafted, keeping readers engaged with its twists and turns, and the introduction of Dorothy's magical presence adds an intriguing element to the plot. Georgie's journey of self-discovery and her growing connection with the animal sanctuary provide a heartwarming subplot, adding emotional resonance to the story. Fox's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making the novel a delightful read for cozy mystery enthusiasts and those who enjoy a blend of mystery and magical realism.

Big thanks to both #Severn House and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Murder Most Owl. The expected publication date is April 2, 2024.

"With the help of the unusual powers of Dorothy's two dogs and great-horned owl, can Georgie uncover the truth before she becomes the killer's next target?"

Murder Most Owl is completely out of the genres I normally read and I. Loved. It. I opted to read it because of the dogs and then fell in love with the entire book. It's part cozy, part romance, and part paranormal. The characters were very likable, as were all of the critters at the animal sanctuary. No surprise, though, that my favorite characters were the dogs and the owl. I want them to come and live at my house!

I'm very happy this is going to be a series.

#Whodunit #SarahFox

Murder Most Owl by Sarah Fox is a first in a new cozy mystery series set in Twilight Cove. Georgie Johansen is a successful screenwriter for TV who lives in LA. Her expertise is in writing thrillers and mysteries. When she returns to Twilight Cove, Oregon to help her aunt, who has broken her ankle, at her animal sanctuary little does Georgie know she will be embroiled in a real-life mystery/thriller of her own.

I really enjoyed this book. Olivia is a very likable and believable character. She is someone who has suffered a lot of loss in her young life and even though she loved living in Twilight Cove as a teen, she hasn’t really been back to the area much after her dad moved her away. It was too hard to leave the first time around. But once back, she falls in love with the animals at the sanctuary and is intrigued by her aunt’s new farm manager, Callum, who seems to have some secrets of his own. When Aunt Olivia’s reclusive neighbor Dorothy is killed, Georgie volunteers to take in Dorothy’s two dogs Flossy and Fancy. Though Georgie learns from town gossip that Dorothy was a witch, it’s her two dogs who actually have special talents. I really appreciated the way this author handled that light fantasy element. She doesn’t have them act outside the realm of how a normal intelligent dog might behave, and manages to incorporate their abilities into their characters in a way that compliments their normal behavior. Their special qualities aren’t revealed right away either, which adds another element of intrigue to figure out in the story as it unfolds. I also enjoyed the owl Euclid, who was Dorothy’s friend, and who soon becomes Georgie’s friend and protector. Though for a nocturnal animal, he does seem to be awake in the daytime an awful lot, something even Georgie comments on.

In terms of Georgie as amateur sleuth, I appreciated the way Fox handles how Georgie becomes caught up in solving Dorothy’s murder. At first, it is her normal curiosity that causes her to become unwittingly involved. But as clues and even deaths begin to mount up, she can’t let the puzzle go and becomes more invested. She even motivates others like her aunt and her old high school friend, Tessa, to help. The clues add a fun element to the puzzle as I could tell when some were important to the plot, and had a suspicion of who the murderer might be, but couldn’t figure out the connections for all of the pieces provided until near the very end. Another thing I liked about the story was the building attraction between Georgie and Callum. It added a fun touch of romance to the novel, even though, like Georgie, you aren’t sure he’s trustworthy. Other secondary characters like Tessa, Aunt Olivia and her knitting circle, and other less likeable ones such as local journalist Byron Szabo and Shanifa and Mo, local food truck owners, fill out this cast and make Twilight Cove feel like a real place full of real, if sometimes offbeat, people. Something that I can relate to living in a small close-knit community myself. All in all, the only detractor I had for the story was the obvious antagonist at the beginning, the developer Ed Grimshaw. Fox made him a bit too bombastic and two-dimensional for me as a character.

However, if you like cozy mysteries with a dash of fantasy and a touch of romance mixed in, then I highly recommend you check out Murder Most Owl. It is a fun and easy read and I look forward to reading more in this series.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Severn House for providing me with this ebook ARC to read in exchange for this honest review.

I have always enjoyed Sarah Fox as a writer so I was interested in this new series. I was not disappointed. It elements of paranormal and magic in it that wasn't overwhelming but added just a bit of intrigue and whimsy. The characters were so well developed that it was easy to imagine them within the story. I was drawn into the book and kept guessing- which is a good thing! It was an excellent read and well worth my time.