Skip to main content

Member Reviews

It was such an interesting read, a little sad sometimes, but ultimately so heartwarming, to watch Avery adjust to the world and puzzle things out, or have Saga gently explain them to her. Avery is absolutely wonderful for Saga, helping her heal, rebuild, and bloom after being so harshly abandoned at the altar and losing herself.

I really enjoyed the universe and am so excited to (hopefully!) get more glimpses into these worlds. The magic was fascinating and fun, and I adored all the different magical beings. I would have loved even more interaction with the magical world, but maybe that’s still to come? Either way, I’m crossing my fingers we get to keep following Saga as she helps Avery navigate this updated world, all while solving mysteries and murders together.

It’s a fairly cozy read for a story with a crime at its heart, but the deeper I got, the faster I read - I just couldn’t work out who was behind it all! And I had to make sure nothing happened to my precious Saga and Avery.

Highly recommend for anyone who loves a good fantasy/mystery crossover!

Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley, and Kiri Callaghan for letting me step into this wonderful world.

Was this review helpful?

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

Was this review helpful?

The Hearth Witch’s Guide to Magic and Murder is such a cozy read perfect for the upcoming fall season!. From the beginning I was hooked on the folklore and witchy vibes, tea rituals, kitchen magic, and the touch of mystery that keeps you turning pages. The mystery itself is layered and satisfying, with just enough clues for you to try and solve it yourself without feeling spoon-fed.

If I’m being picky, the middle did slow down a little in some of the investigation scenes, and I would’ve loved the magic rules explained a bit sooner, those who aren’t used to magic systems or fantasy might be confused.

Perfect for: readers who love witchy, comforting reads but still want a proper mystery, fans of gentle queer romances, and anyone who enjoys urban fantasy without the grimdark edge.

Representation callouts:
Sapphic leads; found-family energy; Finnish/Nordic touches around Saga’s background and correspondences.

Was this review helpful?

This is a clever and well written book that combines mystery and magic with a slow build romance between the two female leads. Avery was a Fey changeling sentenced to a long incarceration (500 years) but is released after ‘only’ 200 years. As you can imagine, the world has changed a bit since she went to fey prison. Saga is a human hearth witch whose life is seemingly over when she’s left at the altar and decides to quit medical school. They meet through unusual circumstances and work together to solve a murder mystery, set in London. The author has done a lovely job of combining magic, mystery, adding recipes and all the things that cozy mystery readers enjoy.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book! Murders aside, it was really sweet! Avery and Saga were such a great team and I loved their friendship! I really hope there are more books in tis series so we can se how they grow together,
I love the magical elements, both realistic, with herbal remedies and such, and non-realistic.

Was this review helpful?

The Hearth Witch's Guide to Magic & Murder was such a delightfully surprising book!

We follow Avery Hemlock as she is released from a magical penitentiary to help solve a series of bizarre murders. Avery is a changeling with acute investigative skills, and when it becomes clear that someone is targeting human organs she is sent into a rabbit hole of mystery and witchcraft. She decides to enlist the help of Saga Trygg, a human from a long line of strong witches with exceptional medical and magical knowledge.

Equally charming and thrilling, the novel is interspersed with cool Easter Eggs referencing other mystery and magical juggernauts in the genre.

I loved the relationship between our two protagonists and the mystery was both intriguing and well plotted.

Fans of cosy fantasy with a side of murder like The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett will love this book.

I am eagerly anticipating a follow-up from Callaghan.

Thanks to Poison Pen Press and NetGalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This cozy mystery is equal parts charming and eerie, with just enough magic to keep things feeling whimsical without losing the bite of the murder plot. I loved the blend of cottagecore witchcraft and small-town secrets, think Practical Magic meets Knives Out.

Pros:
•A likeable, grounded heroine with realistic grief and growth.
•The magical elements were subtle but well-woven into the mystery.
•Strong vibes, perfect fall read.

Cons:
•The pacing lagged a bit in the middle.
•Some of the supporting cast blurred together.

Overall, a comforting, witchy whodunit with heart and just enough darkness.

Was this review helpful?

A sapphic fantasy retelling of Sherlock Holmes with elements of a slow burn romance. An ancient fey detective had been awoken after 200 years to solve a mystery where every suspect seems to die the moment she approaches them for questioning. Aided by an intelligent medical school dropout with her own troubled past and stakes in the murder, we follow along the hunt for the perp set in fantastical London.

This is marketed as a cozy murder mystery, but don't mistake it as a "let-me-smother-you-in-an-unrealistic-sense-of-comfort" type of cozy mystery. Instead, expect some on-page violence and multiple off-page murders. Nothing too gory.

The writing is humorous, and the brilliant use of footnotes added another layer of fun - it felt as though I had a buddy reader who was there to explain terms where necessary.

I'd be keeping an eye out for a sequel.

Was this review helpful?

The Hearth Witch's Guide to Magic & Murder is written exactly as described; it's fully of that cozy hygge feel that pulls you in and keeps the pages turning. Releasing this fall, it's the perfect autumn book to curl up with a blanket and a cup of Heartbreak Tea (recipe provided in the book). I absolutely love the relationship building between Avery and Saga, I cannot wait until more books in this series are released to see where they go. Avery is a Fey changeling thrown into a world that is 200 years older than when she was last in society. Saga has had her world tuned upside down after being left at the alter and quitting medical school. Avery and Saga's worlds collide and together they work to solve a murder mystery. The story takes place in a kind of alternative universe London, with many real landmarks and a little bit of green energy and magic sprinkled in.
It's a beautifully written story full of colorful and descriptive language. A bit of a slow burn developing a relationship between Saga and Avery but you can feel their tentative sparks flying between them. I love the footnotes that provide a little more insight and definition to some terms of the Fey world. They were helpful but did't pull away focus from the story. You can really hear the author's sense of humor in many of the notes as well. The recipes are also a lovely addition, I can't wait to try them out.
Every detail in this book was clearly thought out and placed on the pages with a purpose. At times, it's clear that this is book is intended to be the first in a series, but those added details only make me want the next book to come out soon. If you love lore, Fey, magic, mystery, or modern twists on fantasy, The Hearth Witch's Guide to Magic & Murder absolutely needs to be on your TBR list.
Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in return for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Changeling Avery Hemlock has been imprisoned in a nightmarish sleep for the last two hundred years. Now, a string of magical murders in the mortal realm forces the Winter Council to release her early—but there’s a catch. Her freedom depends entirely on solving the crimes. The only problem? Two centuries behind bars means Avery is wildly out of touch with the modern world.

Enter Saga Tygg, her charming, witchy neighbor who—after Avery accidentally reveals the existence of the Fae—offers to help her adjust to life in the 21st century. But as the body count rises, so do the threats to Saga’s life, and Avery will have to unravel the mystery fast—before she loses not just her freedom, but the one person who’s made her feel like she isn’t alone in the world anymore.

This reads like Bookshops & Bonedust collided with How to Solve Your Own Murder—a perfect blend of magical realism and cozy mystery.

Needless to say, I had a lot of fun reading it.
Set in modern-day London, I really enjoyed how seamlessly Callaghan blended the Fae world into our own—two realms running parallel, overlapping without interfering. It felt natural and immersive, easy to fall into, and left plenty of room for future exploration without ever making the reader feel lost or confused.

I also adored her use of footnotes! I love when authors include them—it’s like a peek behind the curtain, offering playful little glimpses into their imagination and worldbuilding.

Avery and Saga are the best. Avery is basically a female Sherlock Holmes—with slightly better social skills—and I loved watching her mind at work. Saga charmed me off my feet from the very first page. There’s definitely a buddying sapphic romance here, with chemistry that’s a toe-curling, sloooow burn. I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.

If words like cozy, fantasy, and mystery regularly appear on your TBR, this one definitely needs to be on your radar. Coming out this fall, I think it’ll be the perfect companion for a breezy autumn day—especially paired with something delicious (check out the recipes in the back!). ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Pub Date: October 7, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

4/5 stars

An absolutely delightful “cozy” mystery read. Replete with witches, fae, revenge, and redemption, this was an unexpected pleasure to read.

Sometimes when you’ve read a lot of fae books, you really feel like you’ve read them all. I’m looking at you, romantasy. Are you tired of the snarky warrior fae princess that inexplicably has insane fighting prowess? Well here we have Avery. Yes she’s half fae, and yes she starts off snarky and upset, but with plenty of good reason. She was imprisoned and cursed with 500 years of nightmares, but has been sprung from jail after (only) 200 years, conditionally at least. If she helps solve some murders, maybe she will get some parole and a lighter sentence. She’s smart and capable, but struggles to adjust to hurtling 200 years into 21st century London. Imagine my surprise at how her past unfolds!

Avery then meets Saga, a woman whose life underwent major upheavals with a jilted at the alter fiancé. She’s working at the family cafe while she figures out what she’s doing and happens to be Avery’s new neighbor. Saga becomes embroiled in the mystery Avery is solving, and the two must work together to uncover the secrets surrounding them. Their relationship is terrific. There is a lot of heart and emotion in this book.

The writing was solid, and while sometimes the pacing did get bogged down, I thoroughly enjoyed the murder mystery and the cast of characters. I am quite eager to read more of Avery and Saga! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

this was not at all what i expected in the best way possible.

it was beyond thrilling watching avery navigate the new world around her after being released from 200 years of restless nightmares. she’s a witty, powerful icon of a main character. not only that, but it’s incredibly intriguing that we’re following her detective work after the seemingly *big* adventure of her lifetime (which usually would be the story itself). instead, we get glimpses and memories of her past life, yet the grief she feels for having lost time is so vivid that my heart hurt for her.

saga was charming and relatable, and her partnership with avery and their constant adjustments to one another kept cracking me up. it was a perfect mixture of cozy, murder mystery, fantasy, and folklore. and a *little* bit of romance sprinkled in. ;)

plus the footnotes were amazing! i loved learning more and feeling like the author was speaking directly to me. plus the recipes at the end? incredible. chef’s kiss.

i’m not sure if this will be a series? but oh my god i hope it is because i’d be sat for every single one.

thank you so much NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

This book was such a cozy, chaotic blend of Fey politics, murder mystery, and unexpected friendship... with just the right amount of witchy charm and sass.

Avery Hemlock, a grumpy changeling fresh off a 500-year Fey punishment (yep, centuries of nightmares), is thrust into modern London to investigate a spike in supernatural crimes. She’s brilliant, antisocial, and totally baffled by the 21st century... which makes every interaction a little awkward and a lot hilarious.

Then there’s Saga Trygg... a hearth witch trying to rebuild her life after heartbreak and burnout. She’s all soft energy and candles... until Avery literally crashes into her life and reveals that magic isn’t just rituals and vibes, it’s dangerous and very real.

Their dynamic? So good. It’s like watching a snarky, immortal disaster team up with a warm-hearted cinnamon roll, and the result is an unexpected friendship that gives the whole story a ton of heart.

There’s a solid murder mystery at the core, too... one that digs into Fey secrets and ends up being way more personal than it first appears. The pacing is quick but balanced with some great worldbuilding, and the magic system feels fresh without getting too bogged down in lore.

If you love cozy-ish fantasy with a dark edge, strong female leads, found-family vibes, and magical intrigue, this one’s for you. It’s a little whimsical, a little dangerous, and a lot of fun. Can’t wait for more in this world.

Was this review helpful?

This is the perfect choice to be read when it's raining and you expect a cozy murder mystery.

The book deals with the release of Avery Hemlock, charged for 500 years in prison. Her return is to uncover the mystery behind a recent death in the mortal world, where magic has been found to be used. But as Avery continues her investigation, she becomes close with a mortal, Saga Trygg and makes her partner.

This was an interesting plot and loved how fantasy and mystery blended with each other. It was also interesting to read how the complicated plot was uncovered. The mystery element has been well explored and I couldn't guess who the murderer was.

It was a long time since I've read a fantasy and this book actually made me fall in love with this genre again.

As far as the characters are concerned, this book has some well crafted characters. I couldn't help but like all of them as they were all so good.

For a cozy murder mystery, with a blend of fantasy; it's difficult to not love this.

Was this review helpful?

4.5⭐️

I am a huge fan of cozy reads. Especially cozy crime reads. It definitely was a good time. I will be buying when released so I have a shelf copy as well. I truly think this book will take off and have fans from different genres joining in.

I also loved the recipes at the end of the book. Such a cute added bonus to bring readers into the world of the book.


Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and post a honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book. It was like I have been looking for this book without knowing and when I found it something felt complete. It is a queer fantasy mystery homage to Sherlock Holmes that I didn't know I needed. It reminded me of Emily Wilde series but so much of the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch, but not nearly as dark as I found that series to be. The worldbuilding was fascinating and I felt that the research to make Avery's time jump of 200 years was so impressive and seamlessly done. It never felt like showing or telling, but was the perfect amount of immersive. While the pacing was slow, it was perfect for this book and kept the book solidly in cozy (fantast and mystery) territory. I desperately need so many more of these.

Was this review helpful?

When Avery Hemlock—a centuries-sidelined changeling—teams up with heartbroken witch Saga Trygg to tackle supernatural killings in modern-day London, The Hearth Witch’s Guide to Magic & Murder delivers cozy magic with a criminal twist. Their unlikely friendship sparkles, brimming with warmth, respectful communication, and genuine emotional stakes.

If you love your mysteries brewed with candlelight, fae lore, and slow-building camaraderie over murder, this one’s for your magical bookshelf — with bonus recipes, footnotes, and delightfully old-school humor sprinkled in.

Was this review helpful?

Truthfully I was not sure what to expect when I started this book (mostly because I had forgotten what the blurb said) and then the first page had a footnote on it and I got a bit nervous.

However, I deeply enjoyed this cosy, yet witty, urban fantasy murder mystery with a kitchen witch who dropped out of medical school and a changeling who has been asleep for 200 years. For anyone who loved BBCs Sherlock and ever made a ship edit on tumblr, this should absolutely be making your TBR lists, as the relationship between Avery and Saga has well crafted romantic tension and some incredibly witty moments that are reminiscent of the vibe from the show.

This is not a perfect book - if I’m picky, the pacing was a little off in places, and sometimes it did feel as though we were getting a touch too much lore that wasn’t entirely relevant to the moment. I honestly think this could’ve worked in a duology - not for stretching this one mystery out into two books, but to give us more time to consider Avery’s past and understand more about the Winter Court and how it exists within Mundane London as these things were a little brushed over and I wanted to know more.

I will say that I now require every cosy fantasy I read to include the recipes for the delicious baked goods described, why has this not always been a thing?!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC*

Was this review helpful?

This had cozy fall vibes with a sprinkle of chaos. The mystery was light, the witchy world was fun, and I liked the dynamic between Saga and Avery. It dragged a bit and got overly detailed in spots, but overall it was an enjoyable read with strong series potential.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book. I’d give it a solid 3.5. Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it, would consider continuing with the series. I think it dragged on a little too long and could’ve been shortened. Since it’s the first book in the series, there was a lot of world building but it almost felt like too much info at times and it got confusing. There seemed to be a lot of characters introduced who weren’t very pivotal to the plot, but guessing that’s a set up for the series as a whole? Curious to see where the partnership between Saga and Avery goes and if a relationship develops.

Was this review helpful?