Witch Hunt was a fun and engaging read. I really liked Violet and her relationship with her deceased grandmother. I felt most of the characters were well developed and I felt the storyline was engaging. There was a couple of loose ends, but I suspect they might be dealt with further along in the series.

Overall, it was a decent start of a new series.

Love new series and this one promises to be a good one. I love Violet Mooney and the special relationship with her grandmother - now deceased - I was very closed to my grandmother, so I loved how the author threw in that special relationship.

It's a cozy murder mystery, and Violet finds herself investigating the death of the council woman and finding out she is a witch.

With the pandemic going around, I find myself having a hard time reading, and this book was just light and refreshing. Took my mind off things for a while.

Thank you netgally and Kensignton press.

Violet owns a crystal shop in a small town. She isn't in the best of terms with a woman council member Carla. After an argument in the coffee shop Carla is murdered. This leaves Violet looking guilty. Then out of the blue Violet's mother shows up after being gone almost all of Violet's life.
An interesting paranormal mystery.

This is a charming debut cozy mystery series by author Cate Conte. The author has incorporated all the perfect elements for a long running successful series that will be loved by her readers. I adored the characters, the setting and the well crafted sleuth that kept me guessing to the end . A very enjoyable paranormal cozy that I highly recommend for your reading enjoyment.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

We are introduced to a wonderful protagonist Violet Mooney who runs a crystal shop in her hometown of North Harbor, Connecticut. The shop descriptions and the crystals are beautifully described by the author. Violet does crystal readings in her shop which I loved as I work with crystals. In North Harbor some are not as pleased with her shop and Violet does have opposition from some in town especially one very vocal councilwomen. She is dealing with the death of her beloved Grandmother and starting over in life by herself hoping to make a success out of her business. Violet has a wonderful orange cat Monty who is a fun addition to this series and devoted to her.

When the police show up at her door and take her to the station as suspect in the murder of the councilwomen she believes she is being set up as one of her scarves was at the scene of the murder. While at the police station her quirky estranged Mother of 27 years and her sister she never knew show up.. They deliver the news they not only want to be in her life but that they are all witches. Now Violet must clear her name, find the real suspect while adjusting to her new family in her life and accepting she is a witch while learning her craft.

This is a wonderfully well crafted mystery with great charcters. I love the paranormal .aspect and the descriptions of the crystals and the shop. The sleuth kept this avid reader guessing until the end and had significant red herrings and clues to please every reader. The supporting charcters are all likable and have room to grow with this fun series. A very strong start to a new cozy series. .Congratulations to the author. I highly recommend this new series.

Witch Hunt
By Cate Conte
Kensington
July 2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

As the owner of The Full Moon crystal shop, Violet Mooney should have expected life to be anything but normal. Her Grandma Abigail’s death the previous month meant losing her last family connection, and Violet’s abilities as a sensitive empath have her even more aware that life is North Harbor was about to be very weird. A much-needed healing circle with the local yoga studio is threatened by the objections of town official Carla Fernandez, who proclaims that Violet’s business jeopardizes the Connecticut town’s real estate value. When Carla is found dead in the public courtyard, Violet ascends to the top of the suspect list as a result of their equally public confrontation.

Violet’s distress over being interrogated pales in comparison to her seemingly panic-driven teleportation out of the police station, where she is later is met by an even more astounding surprise. After an absence of nearly thirty years, Violet’s mother Fiona Ravenstar returns to claim her daughter and announces their status as prominent witches of the Magickal Council. Violet can barely wrap her head around the inexplicable arrivals of an unknown sister and their negligent mother, let alone the existence of another plane where magic and witchcraft flourish. Fiona’s disdainful attitude towards mundane “Lulus” - named after the Lululemon yoga-pants-wearing women of North Harbor – certainly doesn’t help Violet to accept this new status, especially when her mother only seems to delight in the chaos caused by the realtor’s death. “Encouraging” Violet’s neighbor and BFF to move out of her apartment, Fiona and Zoe Ravenstar move in next door to bring Violet back into the witchcraft fold and take her place among the most powerful women on the planet. Of course, Violet has to first ensure that neither she nor her friends land in prison, which has her following a path of environmental protests, construction projects, and marital complications.

This first in the series engagingly and deftly introduces both Violet and readers into a realm where magic exists and an entirely new field of knowledge exists to be explored. The debut novel sets itself up as a compelling introduction to a fun paranormal mystery series, especially as Violet accepts her new family and the reasons they were shielded from her life. Fiona is an uncontrollable force as a character, leaving chaos in her wake as she casts off both spells and the boring people in her daughter’s life. Violet will have to make some hard decisions about her relationships as she embraces her new role, which will be as fascinating for readers as it will be challenging for her. The author of numerous mysteries written under the name Liz Mugavero, Conte presents a blend of mystery, magic, and loads of humor that starts off on a high note and promises even more intrigue for the future.

This is the first book in a new cozy mystery series with a paranormal spin. I have to admit, this is not a series I will continue to read. I just did not connect with the witch, paranormal elements. I do wish the author the best!

First book in New Cate Conte Witch Hunt Series.

We are introduced to Violet Mooney and her cat, Monty in North Harbor Connecticut who runs the Full Moon Crystal Shop.

While out getting coffee at the local shop with her friend Sydney she is in a verbal disagreement with the town council woman for all to see. On arrival to her shop she realizes she has lost her new pink.scarf. Before opening a woman shows up saying she's in need of a reading, so Violet goes ahead and gives her one. When her friend and co-worker shows up telling her she smells something and for her to go home and she would take care of it. Hours later she awakes to a knock on the door to two policemen who would like her to come to the station for a statement on the death of the council woman.

Fiona, Violet's mother who left her when she was a child is on her way that witch! No she really is and so is Violet. And her mother and her sister are about to change her life forever with the news. But first she needs to find a killer before she is the next victim. I was surprised at the ending. There was enough twist and turns in this story that it kept me interested and guessing until the very end. Violet's mom and sister had me laughing at there antics.

I thought this first book was a great start in a new series that I can't wait for the next one to see what happens next!!

Crystal shop owner Violet is having a strange day. Confronted by a city councillor convinced she’s planning to host a seance (she isn’t), she’s shocked when Carla winds up dead… and Violet is questioned about it due to the confrontation. But that’s not nearly as much a shock as her mother Fiona turning up, an unknown half-sister in tow… and performing impossible magic right in front of Violet’s eyes. Not only that, but Violet is apparently heir to not one, but two of the oldest and most powerful magickal families, a seat on the Council on the line, and just possibly, someone willing to kill for it.

There are two parallel but quite different storylines here, as Violet tries to figure out who killed Carla (since she knows for sure it’s not her) and deal with mundane world issues, at the same time as Fiona basically turns up and tells Violet to stop worrying about all that human nonsense, she has witch business to take care of. Now, I expected at some point the two storylines would come together and tie off neatly, but here’s the thing; they really don’t. In fact, both storylines are left unresolved, with a heap of threads not tied off - what’s the deal with the black cat, for example? What about the reporter who got magically mugged? Violet was so concerned and then just… forgot about her, and she’s never mentioned again. And then the last chapter comes out of nowhere; there’s just a One Week Later and suddenly all this Stuff is happening with no build up, no discussions. It’s like the author suddenly realised they had only a thousand words left to tie up the story and thought they’d better just hastily chuck in an epilogue.

I did like some parts of the story - the author clearly knows what they’re talking about in regards to modern-day witchcraft, tarot, crystals, yoga and related topics, and that knowledge shines through in those parts of the story. However, I think the author’s trying to tell too much story for the length of the book, and the failure to really mesh the two different sides of the plot together brought that into sharp focus. I liked the concept, but it’s not well executed. Two stars.

Witch Hunt is the first book in a new series by Cate Conte.

Violet Mooney owns a crystal shop in North Harbor, Connecticut. She has a public altercation with local councilwoman Carla, who disapproves of Violet's shop. Not long after, Carla winds up dead and the police come knocking at Violet's door. In addition to dealing with a murder accusation, Violet's long lost mother and a sister she never knew she had turn up out of the blue.

If you enjoy reading cozy mysteries about witchcraft (which I do), then Witch Craft is for you. Violet and the residents of North Harbor, Connecticut provide a touch of whimsy mixed with a touch of magic mixed with a murder investigation.

My favorite character was her sister Zoe. Her mother got on my nerves a little too much especially with her cavalier attitude toward practicing magic on mortals (like Syd). However, I'm sure her character was purposefully written like that. I'm also definitely not a fan of Violet's suspicious dud of a boyfriend Todd - Here's hoping to someone better suited in the future.

I loved the black cat that keeps appearing and disappearing, the purple glitter, and Violet's unease and confusion as she begins to come into her witchy powers. I had to chuckle at the Mazzy Star reference.

Witch Hunt was a breeze to read and I did not expect the killer reveal.

Like TV show pilots, the first book has to set the stage for future ones to come. Witch Hunt is a solid first book in the series. I will definitely catch up with Violet as she tries to embrace her new witch life in future installments. For fans of Bailey Cates, Melissa Bourbon, and Heather Blake.

I received this book as an advanced copy from the publisher through NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

In Witch Hunt, by Cate Conte, Violet Mooney owns a crystal shop in North Harbor, Connecticut, a small city with a big tourist following. She has been mourning the death of her beloved grandmother, who was like a mother to her, since her own mother abandoned her when she was small. Unfortunately, her dad has also passed and she feels alone; luckily she has quite a few good friends, to help her through. While in line for coffee at her favorite coffee shop, a not-so-well-liked woman, Carla Fernandez, who is on the city council confronts Violet and yells at her for her “voodoo shop” and why she has no business running it. Violet is surprised, but so many have had to endure Carla’s rants, is okay with it. Carla is then found murdered, and Violet must help find the murderer because she is the number one suspect, since the confrontation was seen by dozens of the coffee shop.

Conte has done an excellent job of telling a good, almost believable story (believable for those who think witches are real), and has also done an excellent job of developing her characters, the main ones being likeable. There are also some iffy characters who readers will be wary of, but they are developed and viable suspects. Readers won’t have any idea who the murderer really is throughout, and it isn’t until the dénouement at the very end that things come together and the murderer is unmasked. This is a cute cozy with no blatant language, sex, or violence, so it is a good one for everyone. It’s entertaining, though and enjoyable.

With what has happened, this book seems to be the beginning of a new series; Violet has learned much about her past, her mother, and another world that she wasn’t privy to until now. There are plenty of places the subsequent novels could go, and most readers will look forward to reading them, since, just like Witch Hunt it is expected that they will be fun, fast reads. This one definitely leaves readers wanting more Violet Mooney, et al.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Book 1 in a new series.

I've come to the conclusion that this author is just not for me. Unfinished.

What would you do if the mother you've always craved for your entire live suddenly appears in your life? For Violet Mooney her life has turned upside down with shocking secrets about her family's history and her heritage which has her questioning everything she has ever known and held dear to her. As if her family drama weren't enough, Violet has been implicated in a murder that has rocked the small town of North Harbour. What's worst is that the prime suspects for the murder just happen to be her innermost circle of confidantes.

Poor Violet has her hands full playing detective, learning about her newfound family and their world, running her business, trying to connect with her unconcerned boyfriend and her suspiciously absent best friends.

Witch Hunt was an easy and entertaining read however I was a bit taken aback by the extremely abrupt ending, While the murder mystery was the focal point of the novel, the entire incident was handled in roughly one page and left a lot of loose ends. While the ending may be a prelude for future books as a reader I was stunned by the immediate personality changes and easy acceptance of Violet who has been fighting her true heritage from the beginning. I believe a proper conversation with her mother could have solved a lot of the burning questions and provide some much needed explanations.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with an arc. I have voluntarily left my unbiased review. This review will be published on my blog from 8th July 2020 and can be found here: https://jessicareadsit.wordpress.com/

This is a new series off to a good start, setting the stage for what looks like an engaging cozy series. I have read her other series, the Cat Cafe and this didn't disappoint. Violet lives in North Harbor, Connecticut and owns The Full Moon crystal shop. She does readings and sells crystal related items. At this point in her life she is dealing with the very recent death of her beloved grandmother and is trying to work through her grief. Not everyone in town sees the benefits of crystals and she has an altercation with a town councilwoman who has a major issue about a seance. Words are exchanged and both women walk away. Violet soon gets an unwelcome visit from the police - the dead body of the councilwoman is found outside the yoga studio Violet frequents and Violet's scarf is part of the crime scene. If she wants to stay in business and out of jail, she decides to do some investigating of her own.
While Violet is trying to stay out of jail, she also has to deal with the witchy side of her life. Turns out she is one and she is going to have to deal with this new talent. Add to that her mother has turned up after a very long absence and she has another daughter with her. Life has become very complicated indeed.
This series seems to have a bit of everything that I enjoy in a cozy. It has a small town setting, well developed characters, a bit of romance, strong friendships, a witchy angle and a well plotted mystery that kept me guessing. Add a great cat companion, Monty and I had no trouble putting this new series on my TBR list.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I'm a huge fan of Liz Mugavero's Pawsitively Organic Mysteries and and her alter-ego, Cate Conte's
Cat Cafe Mystery series, so when I saw Cate launched a new series, I was all-in.

Violet Mooney is a Connecticut resident who owns a crystal shop. When one of the local councilwomen aggressively confronts Violet in a coffee shop one morning about her unorthodox shop, things get quite heated. After returning home and calling it a day, Violet is questioned by the local police after the councilwoman is later found dead....with an item owned by Violet at the scene. The hits keep coming when Violet leaves the police department and walks into a confrontation with two women who claim to be her long-lost mother and sister. It's been 27 years so who is this person and if it really is her mother, why now after all these years? The family reunion is anything but joyous for Violet, especially after learning she's from a long line of witches.

Witch Hunt is a wonderful first book in this new series. I was completely engaged in the story from beginning to end. Violet's past collides with her present, blindsiding her with a life she was never told about. Raised as a human, Violet is anything but. Her reaction to her mother and the wildly spun tale of her heritage was apt. I felt her disbelief, irritation, and sense of abandonment. Violet's fear of being arrested for something she didn't do permeated the pages as she tried to rectify her mother's return, her discovery of witches, and find out who really killed Carla. The story flowed along and was well-written. The author did a wonderful job of stacking the deck of suspects. I didn't consider the culprit until almost the big reveal and even then I questioned the motive. Of course, everything fell into place perfectly. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

Witch Hunt
Cate Conte
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Murder isn't always crystal-clear . . . especially when the prime suspect discovers she's a witch.

Violet Mooney owns The Full Moon crystal shop in quaint North Harbor, Connecticut. Still grieving her beloved grandmother's recent unexpected death, she takes comfort in her fat orange cat Monty and her work. Not everyone in town is thrilled with her business, however. When disagreeable town councilwoman Carla Fernandez picks a fight over Violet's "voodoo shop," the two have a very public confrontation. Of course, when Carla turns up dead, Violet gets little sympathy from the police as suspect #1.

But the shock of two policemen showing up at her door pales in comparison to the sudden appearance of her estranged mother Fiona and a surprise sister, Zoe. What Fiona reveals will rock her world and her sense of self--and reawaken her long-dormant mysterious power. Good thing. She's gonna need it . . . (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Violet owns The Full Moon crystal shop and she really enjoys what she does. But when a member of council accuses her of having a seance in the street and a loud altercation ensues, she is upset. She becomes even more upset when that council member is found dead, and she is the prime suspect. Add to that the fact that her friend is lying to her, her boyfriend is not very attentive and having her mother and sister show up in her life, and she is about ready to lose her mind. She has not seen her mother in years, and she did not even know she had a sister. She cannot catch a break and nothing is as it should be. The things her mother tells her are mind-blowing and she does not know how to process it.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. There was so much going on in Violet’s life and I found myself reading eagerly to see what would happen next. The mystery was well plotted and fast paced. There were enough suspects to consider and suspects to consider.I really enjoyed trying to figure this one out.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted magical cozy. If you like great characters, a magical setting anda intriguing mystery, give this book a try.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

What if you were incredibly intuitive to the point where you could help people to heal using stones? What if a town council member thought that you were a loon and denounced you and your store both publically and quite loudly. What if that person was found dead and now you’re the main suspect. Oh dear! Then to top it off, your Mother and a sister you never knew you had, show up on your doorstep, and tell you that your intuition is a bit more mystical than just being really good at reading people and their auras. Family secrets will be revealed and old friends will be seen in a new light. Violet will need more than her wits to keep herself off of the police suspect list. Very entertaining story with plenty of unanswered questions making me want to see what comes next. The characters were developed at a great pace, not revealing too much or too little, just the right amounts at the right points in the story. I really liked the glitter effect, not sure that I would like to have to constantly vacuum, but it might be fun to leave a little sparkle behind. The only disappointing aspect of the story is that chocolate is a bad thing. Now I ask you, how could anyone make chocolate to be a bad thing!

This was an awesome start for a new witchy series (I'm still not sure what the series is called though, since I can't find it on the GR or Amazon page) by Cate Conte, the author of another favorite series of mine, the Cat Cafe. Violet aka Vi was a great main character and I absolutely loved her mom and sister when they came into her life. I wasn't thrilled at all with her boyfriend Todd, and I think Syd her bestie could grow on me, but since she was having issues of her own, it wasn't like the usual sleuth and bestie go sleuthing together.

I hadn't guessed the killer--there were some great red herrings, and the showdown was very low key, but then it wasn't like it was a beloved person who they killed or that Vi had been up in this person's face a lot. Vi had her own suspicions and worries that it could have been some of her friends. Once she learned about the witch world, she was surprised and probably pretty happy that some of her favorite people were witches. This is going to be a great series, and I can't wait for the next book!

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

First of New Witch Cozy Series
This is a pretty good story. Because it is the beginning of a new series, it was tough keeping track of all the new characters. Once I got all of them straight in my head, the read went smoothly. The mystery part was a no-brainer in spite of all the red herrings the author threw out. The witch story was much more interesting. It is also the paranormal or magic side that will lead me to read the next in series. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

Witch Hunt by Cate Conte is the first book in a new series. First of all I love Ms. Conte other series, Cat Cafe Mystery, so I was excited to read this book, and was not disappointed. Violet Mooney is the owner of The Full Moon crystal shop located in North Harbor, Connecticut. Violet was raised by her father and grandmother, now both deceased. When a women Violet fought with is found dead, Violet is the prime suspect. Out of the blue Violet's mother Fiona and her half sister, Zoe, show up to help her. There are so many twists and turns in this book, I loved it. Violet is not my favorite character in this book, but hopefully she will grow on me, but I love Fiona and Zoe. I can not wait for the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy a fun paranormal cozy mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This first book in a new paranormal cozy mystery series was so fun. Witches, crystals, energy healers, long lost family, glitter, and murder!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own. #WitchHunt #cozymystery #paranormalcozy