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.

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.

I LOVED this book. It was witty, it was clever, it was absurd, and it was hygge. This is the perfect fall book, or late summer when you are wishing it was fall already. I didn't see it in marketing, but this is an LGBTQIA+ friendly book with multiple identifying characters.

Avery has been woken up after 200 years and is tasked with solving a mystery. Watching her fumble her way through technology and out of date colloquialisms was fun to read, and her dry commentary had me laughing out loud several times. Saga is on a self-discovery journey after being left at the alter, and assisting Avery becomes her side project.

The footnotes in this book are both helpful and extremely funny. I snorted out loud several times, including the quip about HOAs. I loved the mix of mythologies and folklore and felt like aside from being entertained, I actually learned new information from reading this book. It was witchy, it was snarky, and I hope this becomes a series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the free eARC.

This was such a cozy, warming read.
The sort of mystery that Richard Osman might write, only with magic and recipes included.
I look forward to new installments being published so that I can see the continuing relationship between Saga and Avery. The dual POV continued from where the previous chapter left off, so there was more depth to the events as a different perspective was explored, and I adored that the miscommunications between characters furthered their communication and connection rather than being a point that pulled them apart. There are so many spaces left to still learn more about, and the interactions between characters in which the way they were treated by their counterpart is how they described, to the point that there are physical characteristics of one of the main characters that don't get revealed until the very end, was beautiful and so realistic.

This novel is a delightful, fantastical romp through a supernatural whodunnit set in modern-day London. With frequent nods to The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, it blends mystery and magic in a way that feels both fresh and nostalgic.

We begin with one of our two female protagonists, Avery Hemlock, being released from a Fae prison after almost 200 years of restless sleep. Originally sentenced in 1837 to 500 years of endless nightmares, Avery is granted early release due to her unique abilities to solve supernatural crimes in the human world. But London has changed drastically since the 19th century, and Avery struggles to adapt to the modern world. Fortunately, her downstairs neighbor at 221B Baker Street is not only familiar with the city but also possesses medical knowledge and sharp insight.

Together, Avery and her neighbor, Saga Trygg, investigate the mysterious death of Eira Goff—a wealthy entrepreneur and philanthropist. The case quickly turns personal when those closest to Eira appear to be targets of a murderer who stages the deaths to avoid suspicious circumstances.

Avery, a changeling—half Fae, half human—has deep ties to the magical community in London. Her unlikely partner, Saga, is a young medical student recently returned to the city after being jilted at the altar. She’s baking her way through heartbreak when she meets Avery. Avery thinks Saga is the perfect person to help her navigate 21st century London, given that she is from a long line of powerful Hudson witches. A fact, that Saga only learns during the investigation.

The investigation itself would make Sherlock Holmes proud. The duo relies on keen observation, logic, and deduction to unravel the mystery, echoing the classic Holmesian method:


“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”


— Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Sign of the Four


Callaghan describes the story as “Hygge,” and the atmosphere reflects that beautifully:


“Hygge is the feeling you get when you are cuddling a loved one while watching a scary movie. It is the sensation of reading a book with a warm beverage while a storm rages outside. It is the deep sigh of sitting by the fire after a long walk in the snow. In hygge, you require an awareness to that element of danger in order to appreciate that you are safe from it.”


Avery and Saga certainly face their share of danger, but it only strengthens the bond between them. Their relationship unfolds quietly, built on trust, small gestures, and mutual healing. For these two wounded women, it’s not just comfort—it’s the kind of warmth that feels like home.

A word of caution: The story spans just one week, and while the murder mystery is resolved, the relationship between Avery and Saga is only beginning to blossom. At the end I was thinking: "Wait, That's it!? What about Saga and Avery? We aren't done with them yet!" Luckily this is the first of a series, so we are sure to see more of this delightful duo.

Throughout the book, you’ll encounter charming “old” words and fascinating facts, including some delightfully creative insults like:

“The man is an addlepated lobcock.”

Callaghan masterfully blends folklore, mystery, and emotional nuance into a story that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern. With clever dialogue, rich world-building, and a slow-burning partnership that promises more than just professional chemistry, The Hearth Witch’s Guide to Magic & Murder is a cozy yet thrilling read that lingers long after the final page.

So brew a cup of tea, settle in by the fire, and prepare to be charmed. You’ll be left eagerly awaiting the next case.

First off a huge thank you as usual to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the chance to read the ARC of this book!

The Hearth Witch’s Guide to Magic and Murder was my introductory story into the fantasy/fae genre - and absolutely the reason I’ll continue reading more from this author and genre!

Saga Trygg was a doctorate student, who after being left at the altar moves back home to work in her family owned cafe. She’s always had a knack for using ingredients in food to make any ailment seem better. Little does she know she comes from a very long line of witches.

Enter Avery Hemlock. Half human, half fae. Full convict. Brought from her 500 year sentence early, to help solve a mysterious crime. Bodies are piling up that are missing organs, replaced instead with herbs and plants. Witchcraft? Who’s doing it? Why? Why are all the bodies somehow connected to Sagas family?

Together Saga and Avery must race against the clock to solve the mystery and stop the murders.

This book was cozy, gripping, and will be a super great autumn read for anyone!

I'd describe this as a cozy witch mystery.

Saga Trygg was just left at the alter, has dropped out of medical school and needs some serious changes in her life.
She decides to rekindle her interest in witchcraft, and this is the catalyst to many magical uncoverings.
When her new neighbor accidentally unleashes tons of hidden magical facts, Saga's interest in all things magical hits overdrive.

Together they have a little investigation going, and their partnership makes this book! I could absolutely see myself following these two on many magical investigations. It is also a perfect way for mystery lovers to transition into the magical/fantasy realm and still feel in their comfort zone.

Thank you to NetGalley & Poison Pen Press for a chance to read this prior to publication in October.

Charming, atmospheric, and witty! Enjoyed this read a lot! Thank you Netgalley for the arc and giving me a chance to read this early. I especially loved the characters in this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and The Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.

This story was absolutely adorable. From start to finish, I loved the arc of Avery learning how to adapt to a modern world and Saga being her guide. Their friendship was so fun to watch and to see Saga start to embrace her roots. When I think "cozy mystery", this is exactly what I imagine. I really appreciated the footnotes at the end of the chapters which not only provided useful information, but also gave some sassy facts.

It was refreshing to see healthy communication between two main characters. Even when things were misconstrued, they talked them out instead of jumping to conclusions. While there are some familiar tropes, this book did not follow the typical "rinse and repeat" algorithm that's currently everywhere. The blending of folklore from a multitude of cultures was done so eloquently. We often put ourselves into boxes and embrace one side of our culture more than the others but this read was a fantastic reminder that it's okay to connect with all aspects of our identities.

I can't wait to try some of the recipes that were provided in the back! If you're looking for the perfect fall read that feels cozy, familiar, and not too scary-- this one is for you! I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!

Are you in the mood for a cleverly plotted, elegantly written novel with characters you wish were your best friends? Then the Hearth Witch’s Guide to Magic & Murder is for you.

Avery Hemlock (I love her name!) is getting released early from a 500-year sentence in magic prison, condemned to a restless sleep filled with nightmares (that would be awful!). Upon her release, she is thrust into a modern world that she finds hard to navigate. Fortunately, she connects with Saga Trygg, a descendant of the well-known and beloved Hudson witches, whose life has recently turned upside down after being left at the altar. Distraught over her life choices, she abandons her medical career and takes up work in the family cafe (Healing Lemon Tarts? Yes, please!). Together they team up to solve a baffling murder.

Two of my favorite genres, cozy mystery and witchy urban magic, blend so well here. I loved the twisty plot and witty banter. There were even some laugh-out-loud moments. Delicately balanced with intrigue, danger, friendship, grief, and humor. I found Avery and Saga to be well-developed and interesting characters I adored. There are some realistic misunderstandings between the two that add to the humor and to the budding friendship. The nod to Sherlock homes in location is obvious (221 Baker Street), but the similarity between Holmes and Avery and Watson and Saga is more nuanced, which I really enjoyed. Avery and Saga have a much more even playing field relationship. One thing I liked about this book is that they are opposites in the ways they are out of their depth, which allows them to truly be partners and help each other.

Although I loved both the main characters, Riddle the cat familiar stole my heart.

I highly recommend this book, and I can’t wait for it to come out. It is on my must-buy list.

Thank you Poison Pen Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

It's a charming, witty and atmospheric blend of fantasy and mystery blending urban fantasy with detective vibes and warm banter. Avery, a century old Fey outcast and Saga an ex-med student turned baker/witch that offer chemistry, platonic warmth and emotional growth. When murders threaten to reveal the Fey world to modern London the opposites team up to investigate and maybe find belonging along the way. There's blend of murder mystery, cozy magic and laugh out loud moments. The banter is slow growing trust between Saga and Avery give the Sherlock homes feel.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Sourcebooks for the eARC of this book!

This book is an interesting mix of crime thriller, light romance, a few laughs, a lot of magic and folklore, and added bits of science and medicine and history, all mixed into an alternative London setting. I almost want to describe it as a cozy mystery - except for some of the grisly deaths that occur. Overall, the vibes are very reminiscent of the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch, which I've very much enjoyed. I loved the bits of historical context and medical details (and even fictional storylines merged into a real world setting) that are mixed in, helping the story bridge the gap between the past and the present day, much like Avery has to do when she is awakened in a London that she no longer recognizes, 200 years into her future. And this book has footnotes! Which I really love when they are done right, in this case its to add more context to the story without the plot itself going on a tangent, or has funny little quips and extra bits of banter. This book is LGBTQIA+ friendly, as it is clearly a sapphic romance along with many side characters with a wide range of preferences and genders.

I will admit the book was a little difficult to get into at first, because the writing is very quintessentially British whereas I am very much an American reader, so there were times that I was struggling over the sentence structure or with some of the terminology (though much of the magical terms and history are explained really nicely in the footnotes). But once I got past the first few chapters, I absolutely felt myself getting sucked into the story.

I really enjoyed Avery and Saga, both as individual characters as well as partners in solving crime. Their meet cute and subsequent banter were adorable, and match the almost YA-romance vibes that this book has in the initial stages of what appears to ultimately be an ultra-slow-burn romance in later books. The initial chapters focus on building out the backstories for each main character, and then once you have a better understanding of them, really starts to dig into the mystery at the heart of this story. They definitely are a well-suited pair for one another, and I can't wait to see how their relationship continues to grow in the next book of this series.

The mystery itself is really quite interesting and unusual, I haven't read any similar sort of plots though I'm sure they do exist since much of the fantasy in this book is based on actual folklore (though it might be tweaked a bit to suit the story, as is noted in the beginning). The plot keeps you on your toes as the two MCs cycle through the cast of characters as potential suspects and work on inspecting their possible motives. The mystery keeps evolving throughout the story with each new clue that is discovered or plot twist that unfolds, leaving the reader guessing until close to the end of the book what really happened and who is behind the strange happenings.

Ultimately I really enjoyed this book, and will be picking up the next in the series once it's released.

A cozy witchy mystery with charm, sibling chaos, and just enough magic. Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, this was the light, fun read I didn’t know I needed.

Trope
✅ Cozy paranormal mystery
✅ Witchy sisters
✅ Found family
✅ Talking cat familiar (with opinions)
✅ Magic-infused small town
✅ Murder with a side of charm
🔥 No real romance focus, just a sprinkle of potential
🌶 No spice – it’s clean and cozy


📖 Storyline
Two witchy sisters return to their hometown only to find themselves caught up in a magical murder mystery when a local coven leader winds up dead. Naturally, there’s a whole tangle of secrets, spells, and sassy banter to unravel and of course, a feline familiar who thinks he runs the show (honestly, he kind of does).

I really liked the balance of murder mystery and everyday magic. The plot didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it was entertaining, easy to follow, and made for an engaging, comfort read. The investigation itself had some clever moments, but I did find the pacing dipped a little in the middle—things slowed more than they needed to, and the tension lost a bit of steam.

🎭 Characters
The sisters were the heart of this book. I loved how different they were, one more grounded, the other a little chaotic and their dynamic felt authentic. Their banter and disagreements felt like real siblings, complete with moments that made me want to sigh and roll my eyes like a third sister watching from the sidelines.

The side characters were quirky and memorable, especially the familiar (seriously, the cat stole the show). Some of the townsfolk leaned a little too far into the cliché small-town mold, but others had enough depth to keep things interesting.

🌏 Worldbuilding
Absolutely one of the strongest parts of the book. The spells, herbs, rituals, and even the way the magic worked, it all felt natural and well-researched. The magic here isn’t flashy, it’s kitchen witchery, folk magic, and quiet power, and it fits the story perfectly. I genuinely felt like I could walk into that town and smell the bread baking while someone wards the window frames with rosemary.


✒️ Writing/Pacing
The writing had a warm, easy tone that made it feel like I was sitting in someone’s herb-scented kitchen being told a story. The authors clearly know their witchcraft basics, and that authenticity really shines through in the small magical details.

That said, there were a few spots where the pacing dragged, particularly during parts of the investigation that felt a bit repetitive. I wanted just a little more tension and urgency to keep me hooked the whole way through.


🖤 Who Would Love This
✨ Cozy mystery lovers with a soft spot for witches
✨ Readers who enjoy slow-burn friendships and sibling bonds
✨ Fans of small-town secrets and sassy animal companions
✨ People looking for authentic, herb-and-hearth style magic
✨ Anyone who wants a light, feel-good murder with no gore

I was initially drawn to the cover of the book and let me tell you it did not dissapoint!

I loved everthing about this book, the cosy murder mystery vibes, the hints of magic and the humour. I found myself really enjoying the "who done it" mystery take on a fantasy genre.

I adored both the main characters - Avery a half fey who has been released 300 years early from a 500 year sentence in a world of nightmares for treason. Saga - Granddaughter to a line of witches living in the mundane world, her life has recently been turned upsise down after being left at the alter leaving her to abandon her medical career and take up work in the family cafe. This unlikey duo team up to try and solve a series of murders, but can they do it without endagering themselves in the process?

The plot is clever, well written and captivating which had me wanting to keep all the pages turning! I thoroughly enjoyed being taken along the ride of the mystery and solving the crime!

Also as an extra bonus there are reciepies from the book included at the end which is a lovely little touch and i cant wait to try them out!

A must read!

Huge thanks to NetGalley for sending me the ARC of this lovely book. This was such a delightful genre bending murder mystery set in a brand new and interesting fantasy world. The best way for me to describe this book is a mix between the best parts of Heather Fawcett's Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries and Robert Jackson Bennett's The Tainted Cup. Let me explain:

In The Hearth Witch's Guide to Magic and Murder we follow a delightfully odd, whip-smart, main character Avery Hemlock who is awoken after a mere 200 years of an induced slumber prison sentence to solve a murder mystery. She meets and eventually joins forces with Saga Trygg, a down on her luck ex-doctor working in a cafe. These two are giving Sherlock and Watson PLUS vibes. Avery is out of touch with modern technology, terminology, and baked goods (read: sprinkles!). Meanwhile, Saga has much to learn about the magical world, and of course, herself.

The world imagined by Kiri Callaghan was intricate, without being overwhelming. The murder mystery part of the plot was hashed out well delivering on an intriguing plot device that kept me turning the pages. I especially enjoyed the footnotes! They give the book a lighthearted feel and added to my overall enjoyment.

📖 Title: The Hearth Witch's Guide to Magic & Murder
✍️ Author: Kiri Callaghan
⭐️ Rating: 4.25/5

This was such a pleasant and unexpected find.
I randomly found this on NetGalley, and the cover instantly drew me in.
This was unique in the best way.
The story follows the changeling Avery, who was imprisoned for the last 200 years.
The Fey release her early to solve the murders threatening to out the Fey to the humans.
After being locked away for such a long time, Avery has now come to grips with modern London while also solving the murders.
Saga on the other side is very familiar with modern London but is on a journey of self-discovery for other personal reasons.
These two team up to unravel what is happening.
Their dynamic was so fun and sweet!
I absolutely devoured this book and will definitely continue with the series!
The footnotes were a nice touch as well, adding random but interesting facts.

Overall, if you are looking for a cozy crime read, this is going to be a great book!

Thank you for this opportunity, I enjoyed this book!
Although this genre is not my usual pick, it was a nice palate cleanser. A reimagined Baker Street murder mystery, loaded with knowledge about witchcraft, history of London and even medical science wasn’t exactly what I expected, but It was written well and I enjoyed it thoroughly!
Plus, I love the included saliva-inducing recipes, so I might give them a go myself 😁

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a mystery and this was such an enjoyable read. I loved getting to experience the 21st century through Avery and explore the world of magic with Saga. The mystery was enjoyable to follow and watch unfold. While I did guess the “whodunnit “ pretty early on, it was still fun to watch the case get solved.

I highly recommend this for any one look for a magical realism murder mystery with some cozy vibes.

This is my favorite read of the year so far! It's a cozy mystery/crime fantasy mashup set in modern-day London that's just a wee bit altered from our reality (free public transportation and solar panels for all...if only). I used to love fantasy but don't as much anymore, and if there are alternate realities and totally new mythos I'm not into that. This is not that: magic and witches (and fey and vampires) are real, but it's not a totally world-altering reality.

Regardless, there's some murders that need solving, and several unlikely people reluctantly team up to solve them. If you know what 221 Baker Street means and who the Hudsons are (and an Inspector Lahiri that seems an awful lot like an Inspector Lestrade), you'll love this even more! The atmospheric writing is perfect for reading on an autumn day, the writing sometimes made me laugh and cry, and this book came into my life at just the right time.

Cozy Murder Mystery and Fantasy Vibes! You get Avery who was sentenced to 500 years in Nightmares for treason, she served 200 years. They are investigating magical crimes. (Sherlock Holmes vibes) Then you have Saga! Abandoned her medical pursuits after her ex left her at the alter. Now she works at a cafe. (Every Sherlock needs their Watson!)

I LOVED reading about Avery adjusting to the new world after being stuck away for over 200 years. That added some humor to the story. I loved the footnotes in the chapters that really added to the reading.

This is the perfect fall reading material! You get a cozy type murder mystery mixed with the exciting fantasy world. ALSO, there are recipes at the end that sound wonderful!