Scan barcode
gwenm's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
shannonreadss's review
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a fun introduction to this series. I can’t wait to really get started with it.
danzemacabre's review against another edition
3.0
This was a nice beginning for an unassuming series, ngl.
I expected a bit more of a kick with the premise, but it did pick up a bit in the end. Maybe it's my desire to find good witchy books, which has yet to be fulfilled, but I can't say I disliked what I read.
The characters were... There.
Not unlikeable, but also not memorable either. The cat being called Mr Darcy got a smile out of me though, but that's about it.
I also could have done with more food, but I have hopes the other books will sort that out.
Definitely looking forward to reading the next one, see if it delivers a bigger punch. I just really want to like this series
I expected a bit more of a kick with the premise, but it did pick up a bit in the end. Maybe it's my desire to find good witchy books, which has yet to be fulfilled, but I can't say I disliked what I read.
The characters were... There.
Not unlikeable, but also not memorable either. The cat being called Mr Darcy got a smile out of me though, but that's about it.
I also could have done with more food, but I have hopes the other books will sort that out.
Definitely looking forward to reading the next one, see if it delivers a bigger punch. I just really want to like this series
booksarebetter's review against another edition
5.0
Chili Cauldron Curse by Lynn Cahoon is a delightful novella of witchiness, cozy murder mystery, and cooking all wrapped up in one. I don’t believe that I’ve read anything by this author before, but a short mystery from Kensington Publishers sounded like just the thing to read.
The story takes place with a chili cook off. Mia, our main character, runs the event in terms of cleaning up a food bank for her grandmother, whose a practicing Wiccan. Magic runs in the family, however Mia’s not near as powerful as her grams, though she tries. When she volunteers to assist in running the food bank to help feed the poor, with the chili cook off upcoming as an event, she doesn’t bargain on finding a dead body right before the event’s set to take place…the body belonging to Dorian Alexander, who happens to be her grandmother’s boyfriend.
Threats abound, magic occurs, and cats get inhabited by ghosts in this delightful cozy mystery. This was a fun paranormal mystery, with a spark of potential romance sideplot that was interesting to me as well. With a recipe in back for chili that I’m intrigued in trying one day during the winter holidays, I highly recommend this novella for those in the mood for a fun, light hearted read. I’m pleased to give this five stars, and I’m definitely going to keep reading more from this author in the future.
The story takes place with a chili cook off. Mia, our main character, runs the event in terms of cleaning up a food bank for her grandmother, whose a practicing Wiccan. Magic runs in the family, however Mia’s not near as powerful as her grams, though she tries. When she volunteers to assist in running the food bank to help feed the poor, with the chili cook off upcoming as an event, she doesn’t bargain on finding a dead body right before the event’s set to take place…the body belonging to Dorian Alexander, who happens to be her grandmother’s boyfriend.
Threats abound, magic occurs, and cats get inhabited by ghosts in this delightful cozy mystery. This was a fun paranormal mystery, with a spark of potential romance sideplot that was interesting to me as well. With a recipe in back for chili that I’m intrigued in trying one day during the winter holidays, I highly recommend this novella for those in the mood for a fun, light hearted read. I’m pleased to give this five stars, and I’m definitely going to keep reading more from this author in the future.
m_elissa_m's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
birdbrofalcon's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
emilyrose_isreading's review
3.5
A good start to the series, though I wish it had been longer so I could get to know the characters better as they were introduced. Also wish this had been marked at #1 in the series as I'm reading this after book 1 after realising it's essential to the reading experience
cl1cm's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
Chili Cauldron Curse by Lynn Cahoon has Mia Malone in Magic Springs, Idaho. She has taken a week off work at her grandmother’s request to help get the Magic Springs Food Bank into shape before school begins. The place smells from rotting produce and Mia is quick to use a spell to help locate the offending items. The next day, the smell is back. While searching for the source, Mia finds the body of Dorian Alexander, the local coven leader and her grandmother’s new beau. When Gran becomes the prime suspect, Mia begins her own investigation. The killer, though, does not take kindly to Mia interference. Has Mia cast her last spell? Chili Cauldron Curse is a prequel to the Kitchen Witch Mysteries (Book .5). I thought the book was well-written with steady pacing and interesting characters. There are three main characters that we are introduced to (Mia, Gran, and Christina). The author took the time to establish them and gave them depth. I look forward to learning more about Mia, Gran, and Christina Adams. I enjoyed the paranormal aspect. Mia is a kitchen witch. We only learn a little about the craft in this novella. I am intrigued and eager to know more especially about Mia’s kitchen witch doll, Gloria. The mystery was light, but that is to be expected with such a short story. I enjoyed following Mia as she investigated, gathering clues, and listing the suspects. Magic Springs, Idaho seems like a magical town that I look forward to exploring more in this series. I thought Chili Cauldron Curse was an engaging cozy mystery. I look forward to reading One Poison Pie. Chili Cauldron Curse is a magical tale with a wiped out warlock, a chili cook-off contest, a higgledy-piggledy food bank, a hesitant helper, and a romance at the end of its rope.
lynguy1's review
4.0
CHILI CAULDRON CURSE by Lynn Cahoon is the prequel to the Kitchen Witch cozy mystery series. It is set mostly in Magic Springs, Idaho and this is the first book that I have read by this author. Since this is a novella, it is introducing the reader to the main character Mia, her grandmother (Grans) and a few of the people in the small community.
The book is well-written with characters that have some depth and there is an interesting plot. However, due to the short length of the book, the mystery was resolved rather quickly.
The characters are compelling, fascinating, and felt three-dimensional. There was enough at stake to keep me engaged throughout the story. The world-building was good and gave a clear sense of place. Themes include family, relationships, volunteerism, magic, and much more.
Overall, this was a fun and entertaining read. I would recommend it to those that enjoy witch cozy mysteries and are looking for a new series to start. I look forward to reading the next book in this series as well as checking out this author’s other series.
Thanks to Kensington Books and Lynn Cahoon for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
The book is well-written with characters that have some depth and there is an interesting plot. However, due to the short length of the book, the mystery was resolved rather quickly.
The characters are compelling, fascinating, and felt three-dimensional. There was enough at stake to keep me engaged throughout the story. The world-building was good and gave a clear sense of place. Themes include family, relationships, volunteerism, magic, and much more.
Overall, this was a fun and entertaining read. I would recommend it to those that enjoy witch cozy mysteries and are looking for a new series to start. I look forward to reading the next book in this series as well as checking out this author’s other series.
Thanks to Kensington Books and Lynn Cahoon for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.