Bad Magic and Whiskey
by Melissa Jacobson
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Pub Date Aug 10 2025 | Archive Date Aug 31 2025
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Description
Witchy Western Magic with Grit.
Down on her luck, former-Pinkerton and recovering death mage Mick Kelly reluctantly accepts a job hunting dark sorcery in 1880s New Mexico. But bad magic never stays buried—and using her power again might cost more than she’s willing to pay.
Widowed, broke, and watching her livestock waste away, Mick is desperate. So when a rookie agent from the Bureau of Magical Investigations shows up promising cash in exchange for exposing supernatural wrongdoings in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Mick’s tempted—by the money, and maybe by a shot at redemption.
But Las Vegas is a town on the edge—women are dying, their magic stripped. Someone’s playing a long, dark game, reeking of bad magic that could devour the entire West. And when Mick starts asking questions, her blood-soaked past comes calling. To stop it, she’ll have to face the consequences of her violent history—and the power she promised never to use again.
A great read for fans of Red Rabbit, the Gunnie Rose series, or Netflix's Godless.
A Note From the Publisher
Trigger warning: Story contain an animal death, swearing and some graphic violence. There is no romance or spice.
Advance Praise
"Original, deftly crafted, clever, and for dedicated fantasy fans, a fun and compelling read from cover to cover, "Bad Magic and Whiskey" showcases author Melissa Jacobson's genuine flair for an imaginative and narrative driven storytelling style. The result is a unique action packed adventure story of magic and witchcraft in the Old West that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the book has been finished and set back upon the shelf. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Fantasy Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Bad Magic and Whiskey" from Blackridge Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99)." - Midwest Book Review.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9798992513929 |
| PRICE | $5.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 337 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 7 members
Featured Reviews
I enjoyed this book. The story itself was excellent, with a good and consistent magic system. I loved the characters, both the protagonists and the antagonists. The pacing was excellent and the book kept me enthralled from start to finish. I look forward to reading more books in the series. Thank you to Netgalley and Blackridge Publishing, LLC for the advance reader copy.
gritty historical fantasy where the Wild West meets dark sorcery. In 1880 Colorado, former Pinkerton death mage Mick Kelly swore off bad magic years ago but when her farm fails and a Bureau of Magical Investigations agent offers her a dangerous job in Las Vegas, New Mexico, she’s drawn back into the shadows. Women are dying, their magic stolen, and the trail reeks of a power that could consume the West. To stop it, Mick must confront her violent past and wield the very magic she vowed never to touch again. All I can say is hell yeah brother lol. Loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. #bookrecs #bookrecs #reader #bookstagram
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