Wow! While I enjoy cozy mysteries, and they are all usually pretty good when published by Kensington, this is definitely my favorite this year.

I love books that have librarians and cats. The two seem to go together perfectly in my opinion. But this author also added a touch of magical realism, and that is also a quality I like in books. The characters are well developed with little details that truly show what they are like ; the scenes are set to perfection, and the plot is well-written with details that kept me glued to the pages. What more could I ask for?

I wouldn't be surprised if Angela M. Sanders is a witch with her ability to write a book like this. I am looking forward to the next one in this series.

In this series debut, Josie is on the run and accepts a library job in Oregon after overhearing something she shouldn't have in the basement of the Library of Congress. Unfortunately, she shows up to discover that her job and the library are on the chopping block, and there's also a dead body nearby. Not an auspicious start. Add in her discovery of her magical abilities, and it's a lot going on.
The ability to match patrons with exactly the right book is an amazing one for librarians and I love how the character's magic fits what they do, it's a unique take on it. There was an occasional struggle with pacing and not enough clarity in world building, but Bait and Witch is an intriguing debut and I will be continuing to read the series. A good fit for patrons looking for cozy mysteries with a magical touch - this time it's books that "speak" to the heroine.

From the beginning, this draws the reader in with secrets hinted at but not fully known.then the author builds an engaging story with the mystery staying hidden till near the end.
Magic plays a role in the story. I really enjoyed all the elements of the story - a likable main character and supporting characters, a library, books, a small town, people would look straightforward but aren’t and a paranormal element.
This was five star material until Josie reacted instead of thinking things through. In some ways she was so logical but then at a critical juncture Josie let fear rule and turn her off the course of her true path. By the end, it looks like things are getting back on course but the behavior that had me yelling at the book took a star away. Despite my bit of irritation this is an excellent book. This is a new author for me and I am so glad I took a chance. I am really looking forward to more books - at least I hope this will be a series.

First and foremost, on the cozy name scale, this is a 5/5. This is the start of new series about a magical librarian, so what else do I need? A coffee shop maybe where they can drink their drinks and discuss?


I love this as an opening for this series. It was fun and mysterious. The characters and the cozy ness were absolutely perfect.

I felt we were left on a bit of a cliffhanger, which I understand, but still wish it could have been wrapped up a bit cleaner to anticipate the next book.

Thank you Kensington and NetGalley for the gifted copy! I am so excited to see where this series will take us! Bait and Witch is out Dec 29th!

BAIT AND WITCH by Angela M. Sanders brings corruption and magic to a new paranormal cozy mystery series set in Wilford, Oregon. A Victorian house that is the small town’s library is just the place for Josie Way to hide, or so she thinks.

Our protagonist, 25 year old Josie, arrives in town to be the new librarian. While working at the Library of Congress, she and a colleague overheard a conversation that deals with corruption. After they go to the FBI, her colleague disappears and Josie decides to get out of town until the trial. However, her hiding place isn’t as calm as she expected. The library is set to be torn down so that a retreat can be built. On top of that, Josie finds out she is descended from a long line of witches and her powers have suddenly been activated. The library books are actually talking to her. Finding a dead body the first night she arrives only adds to her terror. Will the crooks find her? What will happen to the library? Is Josie able to control her magic? How long will she spend in Wilfred? Who was killed on the library grounds and why?

The writing style felt warm and friendly. I was able to vividly see the picturesque library, the town, and the people of Wilford. I quickly related to Josie and wanted her to be safe and successful. Of course, things don’t always go smoothly, but I was rooting for her to win. The secondary characters were a mixed lot of the unusual as well as ever-day folks that you could meet in any small town. While their depth varied, it felt adequate for a first book in a series. Of the secondary characters, Rodney the cat stole the show.

Overall, this was a story that quickly drew me into Josie’s world. It was filled with the challenges of starting over against a backdrop of murder, corruption, secrets and more. This was a fun and entertaining read that I did not want to put down. I also enjoyed the way the historical aspects of the town and a possible romance were woven seamlessly into the story.

This is the first book in the Witch Way Librarian Mysteries series, and I highly recommend it to those that enjoy the genre. If you love share Josie’s and my love of books and libraries, this may be the next book for you. It was a fun, relaxing, and entertaining read and I can’t wait for the next book featuring Josie.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books and Angela M. Sanders via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 29, 2020. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

A wonderful cozy mystery to read during the Halloween season since this story is about a witch.

The librarian learns that she has mysterious powers and the possibility that she is a witch. She learns during the story from a relative that she Is a witch.

Synopsis: The librarian is on the run and when she sees an open position for a librarian in a small town, she grabs the opportunity. She moves to the small town only to discover a dead body within days of her move to the town. We meet characters, including possible suspects.

This story was not too long nor too short. Just right!

This first in a new series will have you hooked from the first page and leave you wanting more when you get to the very end. There were so many different layers to this story, but instead of confusing the reader, it just adds more to the story, the characters. The touch of magic added in is just like the cherry on the cake. I can't wait to see what comes next!

Honestly, I had a feeling I'd love this one and I really did. The first in a new series, this paranormal cozy features a librarian who, fearing for her safety after whistleblowing about something she overhears at her job at the Library of Congress, takes a job clear across the country as the director of a small town's quirky (and, unbeknownst to her, about to be sold off) public library (the librarian in me is dying at the for-public-use bathtub). This has all the trappings of a good cozy series with a fun community setting and interesting characters. In her new role, Josie is discovering a "talent" for matching readers with the exact right book which is entertaining to watch. Loved it and can't wait for the next.

This is one of my favorite cozy mysteries of 2020 ! I found this debut charming, well crafted and enjoyable from start to finish. I read this in one sitting I enjoyed it so much. I cannot wait to read book two in the series ! Thank you with gratitude to the author, the publisher and Net Galley for making this available for advanced reading. This is such a fun read as its unique to the cozy world and has a wonderful paranormal magical aspect .

This is the debut book in the new "Witch Way Librarian Series" by cozy author Angela Sanders.

Our protagnist Josie was a Librarian at The prestigious Library Of Congress. She overhead corruption and reported it. In doing so she was afraid she was a target for criminals so she fled to Oregon to a small town . She hopes to hide until the case goes to trial and stay safe. She took a job immediately as a librarian. The library she works in is in a charming Victorian that Josie adores. She soon finds she has the ability to know what each patron needs at the library. When she finds out her library and the house are to be demolished she is upset and determined to fight it and keep her job. On top of that she finds a dead body in the woods and soon finds out she has magical powers. Josie is shocked to find out she descends from a long line of powerful witches. Soon a cat appears who she realizes is her familiar and is her constant companion. While she deals with worry over the upcoming trial and if the criminals have found her, she try's to solve the murder while saving her beloved library.

I loved Josie as a savvy smart independent woman. She has a great appeal as a favorite protagnist . The sleuth was fun and interesting to conclusion with clues very well crafted to please every cozy reader. I look forward to the next in series.

Josie Way had a job she loved, working for the Library of Congress, until the day she accidentally overheard a corrupt deal being made and becomes a whistleblower. Fearing for her life, she goes on the run. She takes a job as a librarian in Wilfred, Oregon, convinced that the place is so obscure that no one would ever find her there. Not one day into her "new" life, however, she stumbles upon a body in the woods, and it looks like that person may very well have been sent there for her. Still reeling from that, and from the discovery that her new job is temporary since they are planning to tear down the library to build a retreat, Josie doesn't know which way to turn. Then strange things start happening to her, and she discovers that she not only comes from a long line of witches, but her powers are back......and wow, is she powerful!
This is the first book in a new series, the Witch Way Librarians series. I am so glad there are going to be more, because this was a fun, quick read with a great mystery and I loved the way it left it open in the end for the next book. Josie is great female protagonist. She is lots of fun, smart and then a powerful witch to top it off. I highly recommend this one!

Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders is a great start to a new paranormal cozy mystery series. And if you’ve been reading my reviews for any amount of time, you’ve probably come to realize witch cozies are my catnip. Since I’ve read so many of them I am very particular when it comes to deciding if I will continue the series and the Witch Way Librarian Cozies is one series in which I will definitely be seeking out future books.

Josie is a wonderfully strong female protagonist who has some solid morals. Rodney, the cat that comes with the library she’s working at, is the perfect blend of sass and loving. Although he seems to be Josie’s familiar, part of me is wondering if he’s actually a human that was turned into a cat… just from a couple of things I read. And, of course, you can’t have a cozy without a cast of quirky characters and a romantic interest.

The one really fun/bizarre quirk is that people from the trailer park will come over to the library, which is a big, old mansion, to bathe. At one point, one of the characters walks into the library with a towel ready for her bath. This just really stood out and amused me for some reason.

Although Josie starts to accept she’s a witch, actually a very powerful one, she doesn't do much with her powers in Bait and Witch. But with the way this book ends you know that the next book will be exploring her powers in great depth, which I’m really looking forward to.

This was an outstanding first in a new series.
It grabbed me from the first page and did not let me go.
Great characters and an interesting paranormal cozy whodunit.
I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Angela Sanders kicks off her new series with a sassy protagonist who finds herself in over her head as she confronts three distinct challenges.

First, Josie Way takes a position as the librarian in Wilfred, Oregon, to hide from criminals she overheard discussing major bribery between elected officials and a defense contractor.

When she arrives in Wilfred, she discovers plans to tear down the library to make way for a retreat center to revive the local economy. Josie may be out of a job and a hiding place within weeks.

Josie finds a black cat named Rodney in the library. When Josie and Rodney take a walk on her first morning, the cat leads her to a dead body hidden among the brambles.

While dealing with the murder, criminal bribery, and potentially no job, Josie notices strange things happening to her. For instance, she hears voices offering help, books just appear, and she knows just what book to recommend to a patron even though she doesn’t remember how she knows. Josie describes these events to her sister, who tells Josie she is a witch and recommends she call their mother to explain.

Ms. Sanders weaves the diverse elements into a complicated and absorbing mystery featuring fascinating characters and inventive situations. Red herrings abound, unexpected twists reveal. An engaging read at a steady pace.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an opportunity to read Bait And Witch

This is a cute cozy mystery, where our heroine Josie, in hiding from after witnessing a corrupt deal, finds herself in a small town library, with a new cat ..ooh and she slowly discover she’s a witch 🧙🏻‍♀️

I loved the magical aspects of this book - the books talking to Josie, and her slowly realizing her powers. The town itself and its townsfolk were also fun to read about.

3.5 ⭐️

Another new cozy mystery author that I have read for the first time.. Angela Sanders the author paints a real picture of a small town with a historic library. Throw in a little mystery and murder and you have a fun cozy mystery. Josie is a librarian who works for the Library of Congress. She loves her job until she and her workmate Anton stumble upon a private conversation with a congressional aide. Once this is reported Anton disappears, Josie fears for her life and answers a job ad for a librarian in Wilfred a small town far away from D.C. How ;
long will she stay Wilfred what will happen to the library? Is Josie in danger and how can she outsmart a hired killer. All these questions are answered as you read this delightful story. Ms. Sanders writes of colorful characters, beautiful scenery, and a murder that you didn't see coming.. I would recommend this to all my cozy mystery lovers. I can see many more books about Josie, the town of Winfred and a possible love interest for Josie. Possibly FBI agent Sam Winfred? Thank you for approving me for this book I truly enjoyed it.

A nice start to a new cozy series. Josie moved completely across the US from DC to Wilfred, Oregon to get away from bad guys but she discovers a body on her first day working at the town library! Who was the victim? Well, no spoilers from me but remember that librarians have ace research skills so Josie is perfect to untangle the mysteries. Much to her surprise she also discovers that she comes from a long line of witches. That doesn't account for some of the weird events at the library though. Some of plot elements don't hang together (starting the reason for and modality of her move) but this is the world building start and well get a better sense of the town and Josie in later installments. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes next.

Libraries, a librarian, magic, and cats - what's not to love in this hopefully first in a series cozy mystery. Josie leaves her job at The Library of Congress in a self-imposed witness protection to a small town in Oregon. So while she is waiting for a trial back home she has to save the Victorian mansion that houses the library, and discover why there is a dead body in the woods. and figure out she has become a witch. And, that stray cat? He might be her familiar. Lots happens in the book with great characters and a lovely setting.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting story, our heroine is on the run from one mystery, and unknowingly runs to a town with it’s own mystery. I wish we got to see a little more of what made her run as well as how that turned out, but there’s hope it will follow through in the next book. The beginning was a little wonky but overall,this was still fun. I think this is a good start but there’s room definitely to grow with this series. I think the ending was a little more abrupt than I’d like to see, but I hope the next book will pick up from that spot.

This is the first book in a new, cozy mystery series. Josie has taken a job in the small town of Wilfred - she needed to disappear from her job at The Library of Congress after overhearing a conversation between two men making an illegal deal. After reporting them to the authorities she needed to leave the area and hide until the criminals were behind bars. When she arrives in Wilfred, she find the library is in an old mansion, and she will live above the library in a small apartment. There's a murder on the grounds and Josie discovers the body. She also discovers she has some magical ability - in fact, she's a witch.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery and liked Josie and some of the characters in Wilford. This was not a hard-core murder mystery by any means, but was what you would expect from a cozy mystery with a paranormal twist. Rodney, the cat was an interesting character and added interest to the story.

Thanks to Kensington Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Fun cozy mystery involving books and witchcraft? How perfect! Also featuring a small town with gorgeous views.

Josie is in hiding after overhearing a conversation that puts her in danger. The danger follows her to a small town library she is working in until it safe to go home. The library she works at might be closing. She states to notice weird abilities that she has. There’s also a cat hashing around her who has the same birthmark that she does.

Enjoyable cozy read. It will be interesting to see what Josie’s powers can do as she learns to use and control them. There’s a lot of other interesting people in the town that will be fun to check in on. Great start to a series with an ending that has me excited for the next book!