I had a hard time connecting with this book. I didn't really like the characters and the story felt like it didn't know if it wanted to be a cozy mystery or a fantasy book. There are many elements that just didn't make sense. #WitchHunt #NetGalley

This was a great start to a new series. It was quick paced and kept things moving along without getting bogged down in minor details. I also appreciated the way the killer was revealed in an unusual way for cozy mysteries.

I had the most wonderful last few days of reading. I was granted an ARC of Cate Conte's book Witch Hunt, a new paranormal cozy for a new paranormal series and I loved it.  I am not sure what I was expecting when I sat down to read it, I love a great paranormal cozy and this one had a great paranormal twist but it also had a great mystery. I was pleasantly surprised by the subtle magical twists, mysterious characters and the fact that the shop that the main character owns is a crystal shop. I loved the information in the book about the crystals and like that this was not your typical Witchy Cozy. This one has some fun characters, relationships I am looking forward to seeing pan out and a whole lot of glitter!

I love Cozy Mysteries! I love that the author did a lot of research about the  crystal readings, I actually learned quite a bit about it! I loved that the pages just flew by I enjoyed the light hearted laughts Violet and her mother provided to the story! I loved the story and the plot! The setting was almost picture perfect for the story, the nice neighborhood and most the characters were really lovely!
When a not so nice and loved citizen of the neighborhood was murdered in town and a lot of witnesses stated that Violet and Carla had a heated discussion and Violet was the last person to be seen with her before her untimely death Violet is questioned and asked to give a statement to the police. Throwing suspision in Violets direction! I loved a lot about this book and I loved the magical tidbits thrown in and the whole plot! Definitely a cute read! If you love paranormal cozy mysteries then this is the book for you!

Excellent start to a new series. Great start of the cast of usually characters with a seething that leads to many options.

This is the wonderful beginning of a new series. I enjoyed the characters, the mystery, the information about crystals, and Violet’s newly discovered witch heritage.  Lots of lines of character development for following books in the series. I will definitely be on the lookout for the next one. **My only complaint is that almost every cozy I’ve read in the last few months has involved a wedding. I don’t know where this “wedding fever” is coming from in the cozy community. Maybe because June – the perennial favorite month for weddings – is coming up.**

This was such a fun debut! I had never read a book by this author before, but I'm already looking forward to more books coming out in this series. I think that the magical elements really set this one apart because it introduced some interesting and unique magical folklore along with its cozy murder plot. The mystery elements were all very standard for a cozy: amateur sleuth, quirky side characters, small town vibes, some humor and romance peppered in, etc. I already feel pretty invested in this world and I look forward to seeing where things go in the next book.

3.5⭐

I'm more of a dark-twisted-psychological thriller reader, but sometimes I like to read a cosy mystery, especially those days.

I enjoyed the story. I liked most of the characters. It has what makes a cosy mystery story, you know, a peaceful town, nice neighbours (with a few exceptions), a lovely café with delicious sweets and the best coffee.

A not so very dear citizen is murdered in town, and Violet Mooney is asked to make a statement to the police, because she was the last person seen with Carla (the victim) and they had a heated discussion according to some witnesses. Moreover, Violet has to deal with some other problems as well as peculiar and unexpected situations. Things are about to change for her, and meanwhile, she will have to prove her innocence.

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

First in a new series.  Violet Mooney lives in her apartment with her cat Monty and her best friend Syd lives across the hall.  Violet is adjusting to life without her grandmother Abby who died a couple of months earlier and is feeling restless and just, alone and a little strange this Monday.  Violet heads to her morning session of yoga and then her favorite coffee shop.  While she is waiting in line council woman Carla Fernandez starts yelling at Violet about seances and although she swears there is no voodoo or seances at her crystal shop, Carla swears she is going to shut her down.  Carla is later found dead and Violet’s missing scarf is found at the scene.  Since she was home alone at the time she has no alibi and is taken down to the police station.  As she is getting ready to leave the police station two woman are there waiting for her and they say they are her mother Fiona and her half-sister Zoe.  This is complete news to Vi as she has not seen her mother in 27 years.  This is an entertaining mystery that has paranormal elements as the town of North Harbor is where the magical and human live together.  Fiona raises questions about her Grandmother’s death and she is confused as she tries to clear her name.  I enjoyed this and was surprised by the culprit and there are elements that are unresolved with her Mother and sister but they agree to work on it.  Good start and looking forward to the next in the series.

I’m a sucker for paranormal cozies and this is a promising start to a new series.
Interesting characters that I look forward to reading more about.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Witch Hunt is the first book in a new series about Violet Mooney the owner of a crystal shop in North Harbor, Connecticut.  Violet has always been able to sense people's energy, but things get even more intense when she finds herself reunited with her long lost mother who tells her she's a witch. 
On top of that there's been a murder in the town and she's a prime suspect. Violet must come to turns with her new identity, deal with her estranged family and try and clear her name before she ends up in jail or worse. 
I loved the world Cate Conte has created in this series, crystal and witchcraft! yes please. I can't wait to learn more about the cast of characters and continue with the series. It was a fun and quick read!

This was a good book.  Violet Mooney is the owner of Full Moon, a crystal shop.  Violet is unaware that she is part witch until a murder happens and she becomes a suspect.  Her mother and younger sister come to town and Violet is shocked to say the least.  She has never met her sister and hasn't seen her mother since she was five due to them living in separate realms.  I liked the premise of this book.  I enjoyed learning about the different crystals in Violet's shop.  Violet's family provided a nice bit of humor.  Though it took me awhile to understand the connections between some of the characters, it was still an engaging read.  I enjoyed it enough that I would read more.  I would like to see Violet learn more about her powers.  I received this book from net galley in exchange for review.

Cate Conte
Witch Hunt
A fun new Witch Cozy and New Author for me.
I enjoyed this clever and entertaining mystery.
Great characters, Violet is fun even though she has a lot to deal with and has to  come to terms of who she is .
Also loosing her beloved Grandmother and the sudden appearance of her mother and sister. 
Will definitely look forward to the next instalment.
I would have given it more stars ⭐️ if I could.

Loved this first-in-a-series book! Such a fun and entertaining read!  Can't wait for the next book in the series!

Engaging characters, magic, and a solid mystery. I love this first book in a new series that I’m so excited to continue reading.

Life messily runs it's course for Violet Moony, owner of a crystal shop in a small town - that is, till there is a corpse and she's a murder suspect.

The slice of life part was boring, and as the murder happened, it didn't get much better. Maybe the problem is that I love to read whodoneits, and that this was what drew me to the book - witches solving a crime.
Violet Moony clearly never read a crime novel, because she has no clue about what to do. Upon getting asked by the police some routine questions, she gets it in her head that she is the main suspect and the murder will get pinned on her if she does nothing. I can understand a lack of trust into the police, but I think that it should have been better presented, maybe by giving some stats about crime solving in the area. Or a personal vendetta from one police person with her as the focus point.

But if you want to solve a murder case on your own, wouldn't it be reasonable to sit down and think about how to achieve that, especially if you see you're getting no results? Violet simply talks to some people and things fall together magically. ... maybe the problem is that I've been on an Agatha Christie run recently, and admiring how Poirot simply happens to be there when relevant things are mentioned.

Or, another thought: Maybe this first book is influenced by more magic than we yet know. 
But even the plot with her family gets solved by having a problem and then the next chapter being a week later, all issues laid to rest in the meanwhile. It's tell, don't show, and I don't like it. It's bad storytelling.
I'm sorry, but no recommendation from me.

I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a fan of Cate Conte's Cat Cafe series so when I heard she was writing a new series that was a paranormal cozy mystery series I was interested.  This is a wonderful start to a new series.  It is well written and keeps the reader engaged with delightful characters, a quick pace, a strong plot, and the element of magic.  Violet Mooney is in for a surprise when she starts her day.  Little does she know that not only is she going to become a suspect in the murder of a disliked town council member, but everything she thought she knew about herself was going to be turned upside down.  I really enjoyed Violet and I am looking forward to getting to know her, her mother Fiona, and her sister Zoe better in future books.  If you are a fan of paranormal cozies, I would recommend you give this book a try.  The author does a nice job of blending the human and magical worlds.

The mystery was well done.  As I said, the victim was a member of the town council who seemed to have a problem with more people than not.  The author provides many viable suspects as she peels back the layers causing Violet to rethink those she has known and to with whom she is close.  While the identity of the killer is not a surprise - she is certainly someone Violet has on her suspect list - I was a bit surprised by the motive.  

This is a terrific start to a new paranormal cozy mystery that has great potential to keep readers coming back for more.  There is a lot Violet has to learn about her newfound powers and the family she is just getting to know.  That should make for many more adventures to come.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.

I love fun books and this one fits. This was a fast-paced and action-packed whodunit that captured my attention from the beginning until the last page was read. The mystery was nicely done with plenty of suspects and clues to match. The characters introduced all had pivotal roles that created an intriguing tale as I had to know who did what to whom and the outcome. I liked where the author was going with this tale providing visually descriptive narrative that let me be in the middle of all the action. I enjoyed the sprinkle of humor found within that lightened the mood a bit, especially with those little surprises that kept creeping in. All in all, this was a delightfully charming tale with a quirky cast of characters and I can’t wait to see what adventures await Violet and her friends.

I enjoyed this start to a new series. I just love cozy mysteries with a witchy element. I rate this 3.5 stars because I enjoyed the characters and the crystal lore. I am interested in getting to know this town and its inhabitants

I received an eARC of Witch Hunt by Cate Conte from Kensington Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
5 stars! Witch Hunt was a fantastic start of a new cozy series. The plot was engaging and the characters were magical. Cate Conte did a great job researching crystals. I look forward to the next book in the series!