BAIT AND WITCH by Angela M. Sanders
The First Witch Way Librarian Mystery

When her co-worker disappears after they blow the whistle on government corruption, librarian Josie Way decides to run, at least until after the trial. Taking a job as head librarian in the tiny out of the way town of Wilfred, Oregon, Josie feels as if she's found home. Her senses have come alive and the unique library housed in a Victorian Manor seems to welcome her. Even the books call to her. Before she can get settled, Josie learns that the library is on the chopping block as the majority of the trustees want to sell and have a retreat center built in its place. Then she finds a dead body! Certain that the body is someone sent to silence her, Josie wonders if she can save both the library and herself!

I absolutely loved this book! A complicated mystery with several subplots, BAIT AND WITCH stands apart from other cozy mysteries in that our protagonist isn't trying to solve a murder or prove someone's innocence. She just wants to survive and save the town's library. The story is filled with twists and turns and lots of surprises keeping readers on their toes.

The First Witch Way Librarian Mystery gives us lots of unique complicated characters. Their nuances, their quirks, and their backstories provide a rich landscape that the author cultivates brilliantly. Almost everyone seems to have a secret agenda and even the books and portraits in the library have character and express emotion.

I love the way the magick reveals itself and can't wait for Josie to fully accept and explore her abilities. She had me quite put out with her at one point as I shouted at her to use her magick! Of course, I adore Rodney and look forward to seeing more of him.

BAIT AND WITCH gives a powerhouse start to a new series. I was completely engrossed and enchanted and can't wait to return to Wilfred, Oregon.

Bait and Witch is an exciting start to what is sure to be an entertaining cozy mystery series. Josie Way is on the run! When she and a colleague overhear a corrupt deal going down at their government job in Washington D.C., they find themselves in serious trouble. And when Josie's friend disappears, she assumes the worst and makes a run for it...all the way across the country to Oregon!

I loved Bait and Witch. The small town setting along with quirky characters, books, and a cat, give it all of the elements I love about the cozy mystery genre. The magic just gives it that extra, well, magic! Josie's unique skill set (no spoilers!) is enviable, and one I'd choose if I had gotten my letter to Hogwarts...still waiting...

Though there are a lot of  things to love about Bait and Witch, I'd have to say that the eclectic mix of characters gave the book that special something for me. Josie certainly didn't know what she was signing up for by heading to this small town, but she finds some special friendships among this quirky bunch.

I am looking forward to reading the following books in this series. If you like your cozies with a bit of magic, you'll enjoy Bait and Witch too!

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Working at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. was a dream come true for Josie Way until she overheard something that turned her into a whistleblower and put a target on her back. In fear for her life, she escaped to Wilfred, Oregon for a job as the small town’s lead librarian. She had hoped for a sleepy little town with no conflicts only to learn that the beautiful library’s fate may be dire. Someone is trying to buy it and tear it down to put up a retreat center. Worried about how long she will be able to stay in Wilfred without a job she comes up with a plan to try to thwart the sale. Then she finds a dead body in the woods behind the library and worries her fate may be dire as well.

As if that isn’t enough to scare the daylights over her, Josie finds she has a strange power regarding the books she has been entrusted to take care of. Unable to explain what is happening she calls her mother and learns she comes from a long line of witches. Her mother tells how she can curtail her witchy ways but soon after she does she realizes she may need those powers to save her life.

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I was a little nervous about reading this book because paranormal-themed stories are not always my cup of tea but the synopsis really made me want to know more about Josie Way and this Victorian mansion that had become a library. It was that unique library that drew me in. The author’s detailed description of the place brought the amazing building to life. Each room filled with books, the apartment Josie would inhabit, the paintings on the walls, and the amazing central atrium with its stained glass window set in the roof all felt magical to me before Josie realized she had powers.

I did enjoy the way Josie’s powers were introduced, a true gift for a librarian. The library also comes with a cat named Rodney who bonds with Josie right away. A witch and her familiar, a perfect pair. Josie is an intelligent and talented woman, comfortable in her knowledge, stepping into this new position in a new place. She is very likable and makes friends quickly with her coworker and library trustee/diner owner/pseudo mayor. We also meet several other residents of Wilfred, some thrilled by the demise of the library and others hoping the sale goes awry. We also meet a man whose family has a long history with the town and the local sheriff. The author does an excellent job introducing the characters and allowing them to evolve throughout the story while leaving them room to grow as the series continues.

I was totally entertained by the way the story played out with several secrets revealed and some nice twists and moments of suspense. I probably would have read the entire book in one sitting. I had to force myself to put the book down when the clock struck one and I needed to get to sleep.

Bait and Witch has gotten this series off to an extraordinary start. I wish the Wilfred Library was a real place. I would book my ticket for Oregon today. This paranormal story was a hit for me and I recommend it to everyone that loves a fun cozy mystery. I am really looking forward to Seven Year Witch coming out on August 24.

This book was crazy! A lot of fun to read, and I can't wait for more, but you never knew what would happen next. Very fun! So excited for the next book!

Angela Sanders gives us a first cozy mystery in a new Series; Bait and Witch. Josie Way has fled her cherished librarian job at Library of Congress after overhearing illegal transactions in the stacks. Her new job in Wilfred, Oregon has a traditional small community library where she relaxes with the books. Then she learns that it may be short term as the building may come down for a new business. And she discovers a dead body of an unknown woman. As if that isn't enough, her witchy powers start to activate with knowledge about the contents of books that would suit patrons(books she hadn't read or seen in the library. Is she safely hidden from pursuit? Who murdered the local corpse? Read and enjoy.

We meet Josie, who travels to Wilfred, Oregon, after accepting the position of librarian at the Wilford Library, and are immediately thrown into the magic of the mystery. A murder, a quaint town, and a mystery that weaves itself into the story quietly, immersing the reader in the problems of the community. The Wilfred Library is being sold, demolished, and replaced by a fancy resort.

The town of Wilfred may be surprised that their new and maybe temporary librarian has a secret of her own.

Bait and Witch was an enjoyable read. My heart was lighter the more I read. Can a murder mystery do this? Yes, it can. The magic was whimsical and fun. I found myself saying under my breath while reading, “Use your magic, use your magic.” One of the highlights was the way the author described the library, making a reader visualize every part of it, even the land where the library was built.

The characters in the book were believable and not boring but also very down to earth, so it wasn’t over the top with mystical imaginings. Making Rodney, the cat, a main character was genius.

As I was reading, I wasn’t sure the murder part of the mystery was kept in the forefront. In fact, at times I almost forgot about the murder. However, the ending changed my mind. Well crafted, well written, and a fun read.

A new cozy series with a paranormal theme - couldn't pass it up. Josie is the main character, a young woman on the run from danger as a result of being a whistle blower back in Washington, D.C. Her co-worker has disappeared and she fears she will be next. When she gets a job offer to become the librarian in a small town in Oregon, she can't get there fast enough. Not only will she be looking over her shoulder but a dead body appears as soon as she arrives and she discovers that she is a witch.
The town is hiding secrets and she may not even have a place to live and a job. It turns out that the great old Victorian house where the library resides and where she will live is going to be torn down. Josie's life has become very, very complicated.
I enjoyed Angela M. Sanders previous series the Vintage Clothing Mysteries set in Portland so I was happy to give this series a try. The mystery was well constructed and Josie came across as a believable character even with the witchy theme. I'm adding the next in the series, Seven Year Witch due out August 24, 2021 to my TBR list.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Bait and Witch: A Witch Way Librarian Mystery
By Angela M. Sanders
Kensington
January 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

If she hadn’t overheard that one conversation, Josie Way would still be working in her dream job as a librarian in the Library of Congress. But listening to a senator’s aide make an illicit deal with a contractor forced Josie to report it to the authorities, which had her fleeing D.C. after her fellow whistleblower disappeared and she feared that she could be next. The opportunity to become head librarian in Wilfred, Oregon seemed like the perfect opportunity to duck out of town and lay low, especially since it had the additional benefit of living in an apartment above the library itself. While the haunted-looking gothic building is definitely not what Josie envisioned, she’s even more devastated to learn that the library may not outlast the month. The will set by Marilyn Wilfred stipulated that the building must benefit the town, and trustees are divided on how to continue to fulfill that order. While library proponents proclaim it as a community center, educational necessity, and anchor for their history, an offer is pending to demolish the decrepit building and convert it into a retreat center. Josie had only planned to stay in the rural town until the heat died down and it was safe for her to return to her old job, but now she is beginning to feel invested in the antiquated but charming Wilfred Library.

Card catalogs, no computers, and rotary phones have their appeal, although the use of the bathroom and tub as a public bathing area is a little questionable. What is truly astounding for Josie though is that she is developing an eerie talent for suggesting the perfect book for her patrons. Giving out titles of books she never before knew is disturbing in itself, but even more so are the books that keep appearing just when she needs them. She’s going to need all the assistance she can get when she discovers a body outside of the library, and Josie can’t help but wonder if danger has followed her from D.C. While the sheriff makes a quick arrest, not everyone in Wilfred is as convinced that he has the culprit, especially as tension heats up before the library’s impending sale. The town nearly went bankrupt after the Wilfred mill shut down and then burnt down twenty-five years ago, and resentment towards the family still simmers. The chance to have a new tourist-attracting retreat center could vitalize the town, but it could also cost them their most valuable community gathering place.

For any librarian, Josie’s magical ability to gift library users with the exact book they didn’t know they need would be enviable, although she finds that her growing power to also be terrifying. Calls to her family members have her torn between embracing or tampering down a potentially dangerous force, and the choice she must make is heart wrenching. This first of the series introduces the new magical world Josie is discovering, from colors being brighter to a very opinionated familiar cat. When a Wilfred descendant arrives along with the body, and Josie is more than a little suspicious that he is linked to a break-in and arson at the library. The trustee who owns the local diner, the tarot-reading half-sister of the sheriff, and a secret romance-writing library assistant all make Wilfred a place Josie and readers quickly grow to love. A strong mystery with a surprising, action-filled ending will have readers anxious for the next adventure in this witchy, book-loving new series.

Loved this book so much! Takes plenty of the best tropes in paranormal cozy and subverts them in ways that are very satisfying. And has a fun, thought-provoking mystery at the heart of it all.

I really loved this first book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

Loved reading this book. I had it done in a book. Wish I had read it sooner. I highly recommend this book and series

Gosh I absolutely adored this debut. The mystery kept me guessing on who dun it. And I loved the multiple sub plots. I cant wait to see where they expand in the next book. This book touches on a type of magic that so many of us readers would only dare dream to experience. The small community seemed so unique and challenging and I look forward to that setting expanding more with time. Most def recommend to cozy mystery readers especially those who love paranormal aspects.

Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders is the 1st book in Witch Way Librarian Mystery series, and it is off to a good start. Josie Way moved to a small town in Oregon to take a librarian job, after she witness corruption at her prior job, and reported it. I really enjoyed this new series. It has so much going on, a murder of course, but was the person after her? Josie also learns she is a witch, and comes from a long line of witches. I am really looking forward to book two and Josie's continuing story. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy cozy mysteries. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book hit my favorite trifecta of reviewing -- a new-to-me author, the first book in a cozy series, and something fun and different! I love discovering new authors to enjoy especially cozy mystery writers. Cozies are my relax & just enjoy reading treat....and really enjoy trying a new writer and a new series! I haven't read a lot of cozies that involve magic or witches, so reading this book was fun! I usually go for culinary cozies or ones with cute pets. Nice to change from my usual sometimes!

The basics: after getting into hot water in a corruption case while working at the Library of Congress, Josie moves to Oregon to lay low for awhile. She should be able to hide pretty easily in a small town, right? Wrong. Not only does she discover her family's history of witchcraft, but her powers become active....and she finds a dead body.

This story is fun and entertaining. I like Josie as a main character. She has a lot going on in life....and it seems more just keeps coming! The story moves at a nice pace and has more than enough humor, sleuthing, suspense and interesting characters to keep my attention.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

Loved this first book in the Witch Way librarian mystery. A quirky librarian who finds out she a witch. To me it was a bit of a grown up Sabrina the teenage witch feels. I also loved the small town feel.. And can't wait for the next one in the series.

Bait and Switch was a great cozy mystery .
This is the first In the series of a cozy paranormal.
The characters were fun and well developed and the mystery was well done .

This was such a fantastic start to a brand new paranormal cozy mystery series. I loved the small town setting full of a vast number of quirky citizens, as well as the the unique and intriguing magical vibes surrounding the lead. Plus the mystery was captivating and full of a few surprises and twists.

Wilfred was a wonderful setting. I loved the idea of an old house that now serves as the town's library. The cast of nosy locals made it downright fun. Each were odd in their own way and absolutely fantastic. I loved how Josie helped many magically find the books that they were meant to have. Several were concealing some well kept secrets that added to their intrigue. My favorite character is Lyndon! Every time a new quirk of his was introduced, it was equally shocking and downright just made me smile.

Josie was a great lead. I was drawn into her story right from the start. Aside from the local murder, she is on the run from a very serious crime and it definitely added to the suspense as the two cases became intertwined. The fact that she is a witch and slowly discovers her very cool bookish powers and family history overtime was just perfect. I can't wait to learn more about her past as she learns more about her abilities ... especially after that last paragraph! Doesn't hurt that the story contains a protective black cat too!

I did pick up on the suspect almost immediately, but there were plenty of red herrings that made me pause numerous times to second guess myself. I also couldn't figure out the reasoning behind their murderous actions.

Overall, this was an entertaining read. I look forward to returning to this little Oregon town for the sequel, Seven-Year Witch. I definitely need to know more about Sam!!

This book was so magical and cozy! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. I really love books about libraries and the love of reading, so once you sprinkle magic and witches in the mix, this is the book for me!

Wilfred is adorable, its residents are amazing. It was such a cozy and fun mystery! I want to read it again in October! Thank you thank you!

This is the first book in the Witch Way Librarian series. Josie Way is on the run after overhearing something she shouldn't have at her job at the Library of Congress. She takes the position as librarian in Wilfred, Oregon, where she is hiding out. Not long after she is there, she discovers a dead body.
I loved the magic in this book. Josie learns she is a witch and that her powers had been suppressed. They start coming back to her when she works at the library. I love cozies that have books and magic in them. The characters were great. I loved Josie and all of Wilfred's townspeople. This is definitely a series I will be looking forward to reading more from.

This was a quick read. I loved the setting of a small-town library.
We meet our main female character Josie, who is moving from DC to this small town to be the librarian. Things are not as they seem. Josie has had a funny turn on the plane and she feels different. The town member (who happens to be the handyman around the library) is not telling her much about the town either.
We begin to meet the town’s people and find out that Josie was brought to the town under interesting circumstances both for her and the town. There is a big decision that has to be made by the town, Josie has to make some decisions as well.
There is a murder and Josie seems to be in the middle of it all. Why was that person murdered, what does it mean for not only Josie but the town?
This is a well written and all in all, a good start to a series and I look forward to seeing what happens next.