New Review - Funerals and Familiars by Carmen Radtke

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This is the first book in the Willowmere Mysteries series by @carmenradtkeauthor. The story follows Bex Merriweather who is nearing 50 and recently divorced. Her aunt Violet passes away suddenly and results in Bex moving back to Willowmere. Where she inherits not just her aunts house and books but her witchy powers too. This includes her aunts familiar a black cat called Cosmo who can talk. Soon Bex and Cosmo realise that Aunt Violets passing isn't what it seems. Can they solve what has happened?

This is a cosy and magical small town murder mystery. It was a really enjoyable read which flew by once I started. The characters in the book were funny and relatable. I loved the interactions between Bex and Cosmo and wish my black cat could talk too.

I can't wait for the next part to be released Axes and Alchemy on 15th August this year. Thanks to @victoryeditingngc and @netgalley for letting me read this book.

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4.25⭐
Bewitching new series featuring Bex Meriwether, recently divorced and old enough to be naturally experiencing hot flashes. When her beloved aunt passed away, she inherits a lending library and Cosmo, the cat. Imagine her shock on learning that she's also inherited her aunt's magical talents from Cosmo who's prepared to be her mentor. Accessing the magic has a slight obstacle, until she solves the murder of her aunt's neighbor, the lingering bad vibes keep slowing the process. Loved the interactions between Bex and Cosmo. Already looking forward to the next in series. .

I loved the change of pace this book gave! The mystery, the magic and of course Cosmo. Bex wasn't just another 18yr old that stumbled upon being the chosen one! The author making this about an older woman was such a breathe of fresh air! I couldn't put it down. The characters were so relatable and made me really feel. It showed no matter what the circumstance, no matter how old or how long you have been able to practice your craft, you can still learn and make a difference.

I absolutely love a cozy mystery read, so I knew I had to give this one a go, and even better when it’s the first in a series. It was well written and good plot, really drew me in to the story and very enjoyable

For every middle-aged lady who has looked at her life and wished it was....more, there's this lovely book. It's got all the cozy mystery highlights: small town, good friends, a small business, a hot detective and, to this, we add talking animals and magic. As the start of a series, this is a perfect beach or snowy day read.

Ms. Radtke introduces readers to Bex Merriweather and the small town of Willowmere in this first book in this cozy paranormal mystery series.

Bex returns to Willowmere after her Aunt Violet has died to plan the funeral and care for Violet's cat, Cosmo. Bex has recently gone through a divorce is beginning to become more independent now that she is single. The mystery starts at the very beginning when she finds out that Violet's neighbor has died and it has been determined that it's a suspicious death. Then the local police have questions regarding Violet's death, too. A strong and quickly paced story that has many twists and turns as Bex has to negotiate her new magical powers and is determined to find the culprit that has already murdered two people. The story kept me intrigued and turning the pages until the climatic reveal. I look forward to more adventures with Bex and her friends.

3 1/2 stars. I love books about women in their middle age who suddenly acquire magic. So often it goes along with some other major life changes like maybe divorce, children leaving for college etc. It is a time when a new chapter can open up for people but so often is thought as the beginning of the decline in life. These types of books just proves that doesn't have to be true. It can truly be a new chapter of excitement, growth and things your just never expected. I've read plenty of urban fantasy/paranormal mysteries with young women and that is great and all but there is also something to be said for maturity and good sense when it comes to something that maybe as dangerous as magic and murder which this book has in spades.

Bex loses her beloved Aunt Violet only to discover she has inherited her lending library in a small town, magical abilities and a talking cat familiar. Not only that but she is basically the guardian of the town against evil. She must use all of her intelligence to track down a killer who targeted a neighbor and maybe more people and all her determination to master her new abilities of magic that don't come easy as pie. Luckily she has her trusted circle of friends that will be vital for her to adjust to both.

Magic adds a special touch to the story but doesn't replace good investigative skills, red herrings and believable suspects. This is a good mystery along with very relatable characters, a somewhat sarcastic cat and humor. I look forward to reading more of this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Funerals & Familiars (Willowmere #1)" by Carmen Radtke is the first book in a new witchy cozy mystery. The main character, Bex Merriweather has just lost her job and her husband (divorce). Now she's also lost the aunt that took her in when her mother died when she was a kid. She returns to Willomere to take care whatever she can. Turns out her aunt's cat gets to pick who the heir to her aunt's lending library and cat will be. The cat chooses Bex.

This kicks off a magical midlife discovery. Turns out it's not just perimenopause but a touch of magic too. With the talking cat, Cosmo, helping teach Bex the ropes of being the new witch in town Bex has to help solve the suspicious death of her aunt's neighbor. Along the way Bex reunites with old friends and classmates.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC copy of Funerals and Familiars due to be published May 23rd.

Such a cute cosy read with small town vibes, friendship, witches, talking cats, books, and a mystery to solve.
Vibes of "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" / "Murder, She Wrote" and I'm here for it! First time reading anything by this author and it won't be my last - such easy writing to follow. Great start to a series - cant wait to return to Willowmere and watch Bex kick ass!

First time reading this author and I was pleasantly surprised. Bex needs a fresh start after a divorce and when her aunt dies and she ends up inheriting her lending bookshop it seems like a perfect opportunity to start a new life. However she soon discovers that both her aunt and her friend and next door neighbor were murdered. And she inherited her aunt's witchy powers. And her cat is actually her familiar. A cute new series that I will be sure to read.

I've enjoyed Carmen Radtke's work in the past, and I absolutely LOVED this one - I think it's possibly her best yet, and I definitely think it has the potential to be a long running series. I love an older, and in this case perimenopausal, heroine. Bex is warm and relatable, as are many of the other supporting characters - you get a real sense of small town community. And then of course there's Cosmo, who has to be one of the best fictional felines ever! Add to that a puzzling whodunnit and some good witchy stuff, and this book has everything you want from a paranormal cozy mystery. Highly recommended.

What a wonderful start of a new series. Bex needs a fresh start and hopes to find some peace in Willowmere but instead she gets a big surprise. I really loved this book and didn't want to put it down. You get a mystery, a sassy cat, likeable character including hot flashes. I enjoyed the writing style, the storyline and the humor. I can only recommend this book. I'm already looking forward to the next book. I'm certainly going to read the author's other books.
I received an advance review copy via NetGalley/Victoria Editing and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

A peri-menapausal women cominginto magic and a sassy french talking cat familiar. Say Less! This was a really good read and I don't want to give anything away but if you are looking for an mfc that isn't a teen or early 20's that is still figuring oiut her life (who isn't?!) and you love fantasy and talking cats, read this book. 4.5 stars

This series is off to a good start and definitely has a lot of potential to carry it through multiple books. I took off one star because I thought it might have gotten a touch dull for a bit when all she did was run to the Blue Moon. Now that I got the bad out of the way, let's talk good. Cosmo was truly one of a kind and made an interesting familiar/witch mentor for Bex. I loved how Bex's new life as a witch started with something as simple as going with a new hair color. Who would have thought something as simple as changing your hair color would set into motion a complete change to Bex's life. Honestly, getting witch powers and blue hair actually changed everything for Bex. She rediscovered her friends and built new friendships and got witch powers and a sarcastic and charming cat. This book may be billed as a cozy mystery with a paranormal element but it should also be called a second chance at life story. While I know a woman does not need a man to complete her I do wonder who we will see Bex shipped with in later books. Great mystery and great start to new series and second act for Bex.
Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to read this ARC

Proof that a new hairdo is all it takes to change your life! After the death of her aunt, Bex inherits not only her home and library but, her not-exactly familiar & magical abilities as well. This was a light cozy mystery with a lovely small town feel and the most heartwarming girl group in Bex's close friends.

I really love a good paranormal cozy, and this looked like it would fit the bill. I’m happy that it did. We are introduced to Bex and her not-quite familiar Cosmo after Bex’s aunt Violet dies and inherits most of her estate. What follows is a whodunit of her aunt’s murder, her aunt’s next door neighbor’s murder, and her newly inherited witchy powers. This is an engaging, fun cozy even if at just a few times information is presented to the reader as if it should already be known. The premise of the first floor of a home being a bookstore was one I’d love to have myself. I’m definitely ready to read the next one. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.