Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates

Ben isn't a good suspect, or one that Detective Peter Quinn especially wants, but he's the only suspect. A man fitting Ben's description was seen near her car just before she was found dead. Templeton's neck and kills her, moments after she and Uncle Ben have had a testy discussion about her refusal to pay the full agreed price for the breakfast meeting. Templeton into hosting the Downtown Business Association meeting at the bakery days before they're scheduled to open, it's a good time. Even with the hassle of being manipulated by the nasty Mrs. Katie isn't sure she really believes any of this, but she loves her new home, is excited to be starting the Honeybee Bakery, and likes the ladies of her aunt's 'spell book club,' i.e., coven. Specifically hedge witches, gifted in the use of herbs and related matters. Katie's father and mother, her mother's sister Lucy, and Katie herself are all witches. What she doesn't know is that Aunt Lucy has a family secret to share with her-one her own parents have been keeping from her. Her Uncle Ben and Aunt Lucy are starting a bakery there, and she's bringing her business and baking experience to the project. So she's taken her pastry school education and her experience working in an Akron bakery to Savannah, Georgia. Katie Lightfoot has had a bad breakup with her fiancé, and needs a big change. If you like cozy mysteries with food, this is the series for you. Off course, I have to try the recipes in the back as well.

I am looking forward to starting the next one in this series. When we find out who the killer is you will be surprised as it was someone completely off my radar. I hope we learn more about them as the series goes along. Once Katie realizes that her Aunt Lucy's 'book' club ladies each have unique personalities and powers of their own, she begins to seek their help and advice. Throw in a love triangle with the local reporter, Steve and fireman, Declan to add just another dimension to the story. When Katie's uncle is accused of murder she knows he had nothing to do with it and is out to prove iteven while putting herself in danger. Now it all sounds rather cliche but when they find the City's nasty Queenbee strangled in her car the story takes off.

Shortly after arriving she inherits a little dog she names The Magnificent Mungo and finds out that she is a witch with a lot to learn. Katie Lightfoot has left Ohio after a broken engagement and moved to Savannah to help her Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben open a bakery called the 'Honeybee' after her cat, in the Historic Downtown District. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was cute.

This was a new author and cozy mystery series for me.

Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates