Cookies and Clairvoyance
Magical Bakery Mystery #8
By Bailey Cates
ISBN#9780399587016
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Baker Katie Lightfoot serves up enchanted delicacies and tracks down a malicious murderer in the newest installment of this New York Times bestselling series…
Hedgewitch Katie Lightfoot is juggling wedding preparations, a visit from her father, and home renovations on top of her long hours at the Honeybee Bakery, where she and her aunt Lucy imbue their yummy cookies and pastries with beneficial magic. But when firefighter Randy Post is accused of murdering a collector of rarities, and his prints are on the statue that was used to kill the man, Katie steps in.
Randy is not only Katie’s fiancé’s coworker, but also the boyfriend of fellow spellbook club member and witch Bianca Devereaux. Bianca and Declan are both sure Randy is innocent, and so is Katie. However, to prove it, she’ll have to work with ornery detective Peter Quinn again–and this time around he knows she’s more than your everyday baker. (Goodreads)
Review:
Cookies and Clairvoyance, the eighth installment in the Magical Bakery Mystery Series, is sure to please both fans of both culinary and paranormal cozy mysteries. It is a nice blend of family, food, Southern charm, and murder.
Katie finds herself pulled in many directions in Cookies and Clairvoyance as she plans her wedding, remodels her home, and runs her bakery. When old money Savannah resident Kensington Bosworth is murdered, Detective Peter Quinn asks for Katie’s help since the deceased has a substantial collection of occult paraphernalia. She is glad to help, but she finds herself completely invested when fireman Randy Post, who is Katie’s fiancé Declan’s co-worker and coven member Bianca’s boyfriend, is accused of the crime. Katie takes a risk like never before to clear Randy’s name and unmask the real killer.
I really like the “witchy” aspect of this series. Bailey Cates does a wonderful job of melding the paranormal, without it becoming silly or too dark, with everyday life in Savannah, Georgia. Cookies and Clairvoyance is even more enjoyable because readers learn a bit about Native American Shamanism through Katie’s father Sky. Katie’s abilities and magic believable, and I find her relationship with her familiar Mungo particularly engaging.
Katie is a likable protagonist. She processes both common sense and nerve. Though she does inadvertently put herself in grave danger, I admire her willingness to help her friends no matter the cost. I enjoy Aunt Lucy and especially Uncle Ben, as well as the various ladies that make up Katie’s coven. I am always glad when leprechaun Connell makes an appearance, and he plays a crucial role in this story.
The murder mystery is solidly plotted and moves along at a good pace. There are plenty of suspects for Katie to weed through, and the killer’s identity remained a mystery to me until near the end of the book.
Cookies and Clairvoyance is a solid entry in this long running series. I recommend it to fans of foodie and witchy cozies. Tasty looking recipes are included in the back of the book.
