Although it’s a decent offering for a first book. I wanted to like this one more than I did. The apothecary aspect is interesting, but the witchcraft elements feel a bit forced and artificial. As far as the mystery goes. It is fine. All in all, it was a so-so read for me.

Unfortunately, I was unable to finish this book. I was in the middle of chapter 2 when I realized that I was bored out of my mind, that I didn't care about these characters and that the whole story was just really boring and banal. In this time where we are over-saturated with cozy mysteries, you really need to be remarkable right from the beginning and capture the attention or there will be a lot of these type of reviews.

I was looking forward to this one and am really disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, cute cozy! I loved the atmosphere and the characters. It was charming and I really enjoyed my time reading it!

Aleksandra Daniels hasn't visited her relatives since her mother's death 20 years ago. She was mysteriously forbidden from visiting her aunt and cousins by her father. Now her father has passed and she's at a turning point in her life. She realizes it's time for her to visit.
Her mother's family welcomes her with open arms and she starts working with them at their herbal apothecary shop.
All is going well until a local is murdered and Alex's aunt is arrested.
Alex is determined to find the evidence that will prove her aunt innocent, but during her investigation she finds out a lot of secrets surrounding her family and the town.
This was a nice read with good characters.

This is my first paranormal cozy mystery and I gotta say I enjoyed it a lot! My favorite part of the book were the interactions between Alex and her family. the dynamics between specific family members made their relationships seem more believable and not sugar-coated (see Lidia and Kamila). I will say that I enjoyed whatever was going on between Alex and Dylan (more of that please!) When you start missing the story/characters shortly after missing the book, you know it was a good one. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

After the death of her father Aleksandra Daniel's returns to Ballamy Bay, NC with her dog Athena to the only family left, her aunt Lidia and cousins who run an apothecary store. Alex hasn't seen them in 20 years since the terrible death of her mother. She is quickly remembering how charming the area is and how much of a hold it has on her. Until one day her aunt is brought in for the murder of a local man after purchasing some tea at the shop. But there is more to the story as a local reporter is digging up common rumors about the Soleski and Wesley family and how their heritage is known their powerful magic.

Except Alex doesn't believe and she struggles on who she can trust. When the police are definitely not looking at other suspects, she decides to start taking matter into her own hand. I absolutely LOVED this book. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters and I cannot wait to see what the next book brings. Bring on more magic, more mystery and more of Bellamy Bay, NC!

After her father dies, Aleksandra returns to Bellamy Bay, where her aunt Lidia and cousins Minka and Kamila live. When Detective Jack Frazier arrests her aunt for the murder of Randy Bennett, Alex discovers she is a witch from a long line of witches that includes her aunt, cousins, and long-dead mother.

Esme Addison’s first Enchanted Bay Mystery provides an enchanting introduction to the Sobieski family of witches and their herbal apothecary, Botanika. Ms. Addison concocts an engaging story, complete with red herrings, fascinating characters, and a little magic. A spellbinding read that augurs well for more adventures in Bellamy Bay.

A different kind of cozy mystery. As the first book of a new series, we are introduced to a diverse cast of characters with family connections and a unique community. Set mainly in the family's local apothecary, the main characters will find themselves investigating the death of man who has often argued with the owners of the store. As Esme Addison builds her characters and their community, she gives us a look into what suddenly becomes a family of natural witches. What a great addition to the cozy mystery! The story and characters are original and very entertaining. A very good read to add to your TBR pile.

The cover drew me in and the mystery kept me there between the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this debut book of author Esme Addison. I loved the shop Botanika with the oils and soaps, herbs. The witchy theme. The characters were well developed as was the mystery. I look forward to more books in this series. Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for letting me review. All thoughts are my own.

A new witch series "An Enchanted Bay Mystery" from Crooked Lane Books, A Spell For Trouble is the debut cozy for author Esme Addison.

Characters in this book are somewhat eccentric and unique. Alex seems to be a bit on the distrustful side, and she takes some warming up too in order to truly be likable. After the first half of the story, readers will begin to enjoy Alex and get to know her. The fact that her personality evolves throughout this book is an excellent indicator of what she will become as other volumes are added to the series. Lidia is a beautiful character; she has depth and substance already and is easily understood. Alex's cousins are complete opposites from each other, and from Alex, this works in the author's favor. The characters will grow over time, but for now, they will hold the reader's interest.

The setting of Bellamy Bay is enchanting. I hope we get to learn more about the town and the secret witch world that plays such an intricate part in this first book. The mermaid aspect of this story was a bit hard for me to enjoy. It seems a bit outdated and runs the risk of being too unbelievable. Hopefully, the author will give us more detail and bring the mermaid myth out of the stone age and into the 21st century.

The victim was common and ordinary in so far as not deserving what befell him. All of the suspects and there are enough to keep the mystery alive; even the witch ones are intriguing; all are easily believable with motives that can and should be interesting to most readers. The resolution of the crime is fraught with twists and turns and takes readers on a journey worth their time. I knew who the killer was almost as soon as the character was introduced, which made it difficult to continue reading to the end.

I found some aspects of A Spell For Trouble a bit too common, and other elements too far fetched. I found having a love interest and possibly a triangle this early in the series distasteful and not within the personality the author established at the beginning of the book for Alex's character. The witchcraft aspects could have been done better, it seemed a bit hokey. I want to read the next installment if for no other reason than to find out more about Alex's cat, Athenia. Overall this was a good beginning in a new witch based cozy series that has potential and room to improve.

This is going to be such an awesome series! I just loved this first book with all the unique magical characters, and I can't wait to visit with them again. The setting was awesome and I could just picture the gorgeous beaches. I just loved Minka who was probably my favorite character. Alex was a good strong main character and I have some high hopes for her and Jack the police lieutenant.

The killer was a total surprise to me, what a great twist! I love how so many things are possible when it's a magical world. The story about Alex's mom seems to be one that might stay around for awhile until it's completely resolved, but that's fine. The main mystery was solved, and the side mystery gives us a little something to look forward to.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

This is the first in a new series and I hope it has a long run. It was the perfect escape. Set in Bellamy Bay, NC and a family owned herbal apothecary, Botanika. Alex lost her mother when she was young and her father has just passed away. Because her father didn't like Alex's Aunt Lidia, saying she and her family were 'not like us' he made it clear she shouldn't have anything to do with them. All of Alex's memories of them are from her early childhood. When she decides to make a life change and quit her job in New York without any backup plan, she heads for Bellamy Bay and a reconnect with Aunt Lidia and her cousins. Things get very interesting and Alex ends up playing sleuth when Aunt Lidia is accused of killing one of her customers.
When I see that a mystery has witchcraft, spells, etc. as a theme, count me in. I love getting lost is spells, potions and the like so this was an easy five stars. There were plenty of threads to follow and they show promise for future books in the series. The mystery itself was well crafted and kept me guessing with a great ending. I'm adding any future books by Esme Addison to my must read list.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be my last. This was a cute cozy paranormal mystery filled with lots of secrets and family history. I just loved the characters, the plot, and the writing. I was surprised to learn (I think this is right) that this is the author’s debut. It’s an excellent one. Alex was a very down-to-earth protagonist who learns there is magic in her family going back a long time. I loved the way the book played out, and I am anxious to see what comes next as I saw the author is hard at work on a sequel. If you like this genre, give this book a try. Highly recommend! I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

When Alex went back home to heal, I doubt she really expected the surprise she got from her family. Of course, they welcomed her with open arms, as families do. I really like Alex and Athena. Alex’s family, her aunt Lidia and cousins Minka and Kamila are pretty neat folks too. I enjoyed getting to know them. Lidia and Minka run the family business, which Alex was fitting right into and enjoying learning their trade. I always love when family sticks up for each other. This storyline is great with several little surprises along the way. If you are looking for a magical story, I think you will love this one. I hope I can make another trip to Bellamy Bay. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

A Spell for Trouble is the first in Esme Addison's new Enchanted Bay Mystery series.

After Aleksandra's father passed away, she decided to finally accept her Aunt Lidia's yearly invitation to visit her relatives in Bellamy Bay. Alex visited had visited there often when she was young. She hadn't been there since her Mom passed away and her father began to refuse to take her there to visit. When Alex becomes disenchanted with her lot at work, she decides to accept her aunt's invitation which allows Alex to get reacquainted with her aunt and cousins Minka and Kamila..Alex takes her dog Athena along with her.

Lidia and Minka run the town's herbal apothecary where Alex begins working to help out. I loved hearing about the items they had for sale and the suggested uses for the salves, lotions, and other items they had for sale. Alex slowly begins to understand that Bellamy Bay is a town where supernaturals and humans both live.

The trouble and mystery begin when Randolph Bennett dies and Lidia becomes the prime suspect. Alex begins working to prove her aunt is innocent. There is a lot to be discovered about the town of Bellamy Bay, its interesting inhabitants, and Alex's family history as Alex works to solve the case. Such as, to her surprise, Alex discovers her family is descended from mermaids.

I loved the characters, learning about the other characters in Bellamy Bay, and I will look forward to reading the next installment of this series. I also enjoyed the references to Polish food and other Polish words sprinkled throughout.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.

A Spell for Trouble: An Enchanted Bay Mystery
By Esme Addison
Crooked Lane
2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

After the death of her Police Chief father and losing out on a promotion, Alex Daniels needed to retreat back to her mother’s hometown of Bellamy Bay, North Carolina. It had been nearly twenty years since Alex had last seen her Aunt Lidia and cousins Minka and Kamila, and she had forgotten the beauty of their beautiful and relaxing garden home. A former risk management consultant, it takes a bit of adjustment for Alex to fit into the women’s Botanika herbal apothecary store that offers soaps, beauty products, and alternative medicine treatments. Even more alarming is Lidia’s angry outburst against customer Randy Bennett, rejecting his pleas for help and nearly throwing him up against a wall. When Randy is later found dead in his home, it doesn’t take long for suspicion to fall upon Lidia, especially when the cause of death is a reaction to deadly nightshade and a Botanika tea bag left by his side. Although Lidia is eventually released on house arrest with a restrictive ankle monitor, Alex refuses to leave the investigation to the police; even though it is being led by the admittedly attractive Jack Frazier.

As Alex looks into who would have wanted Randy Bennett dead – and the philandering multimillionaire real estate magnate left suspects aplenty – the secrets she discovers about her own life are far more surprising. For reasons unknown, Alex’s mother hid from her their heritage as water witches, descended from mermaids and gifted with the power over water. Living among the Mundanes not only caused Alex to forget her talents, it prevented her from learning spells and how to control her abilities to read minds. She’s quickly brought up to speed by her aunt and cousin Minka, while Kamila abstains and choosing instead to pursue a life as a police officer. Also leading Alex into the world of witchcraft is Dylan Wesley, scion of a powerful family and someone to whom she is both drawn and distrusts. Alex quickly finds herself sorting out the warring witch families, decades of resentment, and an entire magical legacy, all while attempting to track down a murderer and where she fits into this new community.

This debut series introduces a very intriguing and complicated new heroine. Alex is not without her flaws, blustering into scenarios and often ungracefully demanding answers and making accusations. Her career as a risk management consultant has given her a pessimistic view of the world, distrusting first and only slowly allowing others into her life. The shocking secrets she discovered about her life definitely have her unsettled, but thankfully her supportive cousins always have her back and empathize with her confusion. Alex’s use of her new skills are not always wielded deftly, especially when it comes to dealing with the mind and consent. She learns from her mistakes though, and readers are always on her side as she struggles through her challenges and makes her way towards solutions to the growing mysteries in her life. In a world of mermaid witches and spellcraft, the final resolution is handled realistically with not every puzzle resolved or wound healed. It will be fascinating to see where Alex’s new life takes her next, and where she fits in as she is embraced by her charming family and a fascinating new world.

This was a fun paranormal mystery woven around a delightful family of witches. It is centered around Alexandra Daniels who returns to her hometown of Bellamy Bay, North Carolina after being passed over for a promotion at work in New York. Her mother had died when she was young and she recently lost her father. Alexandra comes to visit with her Aunt Lidia and her cousins, Minka and Kamila (her father had never wanted her to accept an invitation to visit them and had made her promise not to go there). Alexandra ends up helping out at her Aunt's herbal apothecary and begins to feel she is part of the family. Then, her aunt is accused of murder. Alexandra extends her stay and begins to investigate because she knows that her aunt is not a murderer. She also finds out that her family has some special talents that have always been hidden from her.

I found the book to be charming and loved the characters. I enjoyed my time spent with the book and look forward to another in the series.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books through Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to read this book unfortunately I never was able to connect with the storyline or the characters, I am bummed because I really loved the idea of the book, but I just couldn’t get into it. Based on other reviews I may come back and give it a second chance, but for right now this was is a no for me.
I want to thank Netgalley for an e-ARC copy of this book that I voluntarily reviewed.

Such a good start to a new series! Love the characters and location! Can't wait for the next book to see where this series is going to go.

A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison is the 1st book in An Enchanted Bay Mystery series, and it's off to a great start. Alexandra Daniels is returning to the seaside town of Bellamy Bay, North Carolina for the first time in twenty years. After Alex's mother died, her father forbid her to visit her mother's relatives there. Alex decides to accepts an invitation to visit her relatives and help with their herbal apothecary business and she agrees. When a local man dies after Alex's aunt sold him the tea, she is arrested for the murder, Alex is determined to find the real killer. I really enjoyed this fun paranormal mystery book, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book, perfect for a quiet escape.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.