Book Review: BEWITCHED, BOTHERED, AND BISCOTTI (A Magical Bakery Mystery, #2) by Bailey Cates

As a new witch—not to mention owner of Savannah’s most enchanting bakery—Katie Lightfoot is still getting used to casting spells, brewing potions, and mastering her magical powers. But that doesn’t mean she can’t find time to enjoy a picnic with firefighter Declan McCarthy…until she stumbles upon a corpse.

The dead man’s tattoo reveals he was a member of a secret society—and it turns out he's missing an object that was very important to the group. When Katie learns the killer was after more than the man's life, she and her Aunt Lucy leave the baked goods on the rack to cool and set off in hot pursuit of a killer.

SOURCE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

First Lines:

"Mmm, that was delicious." Declan McCarthy leaned back on his elbows and looked up through the branches of the live oak arching overhead.

My Thoughts:

BEWITCHED, BOTHERED, AND BISCOTTI is the second book in the Magical Bakery Mystery series, and I enjoyed it even more than the first.

Katie Lightfoot is settling in as co-owner of Honeybee Bakery in Savannah, and getting used to her new found magical powers. While having a lovely breakfast picnic in the park, Katie and Declan (one of her two love interests) find a dead body.

The deceased man's mysterious tattoo fascinates Katie, and with help from her other love interest, Steve, she finds out he belonged to a super secret group of powerful (and misogynistic) druids. She also learns that the man's killer may be planning something darker and more dangerous when some important books from his library go missing.

Katie and the witchy ladies from the Spellbook Club reluctantly join forces with the devious druids to catch the killer.

The mystery in this book was a bit darker and more complex than the first book, and it really drew me in. Magic in this story was explored on a deeper level as well, though Katie used her smarts, not magic, to figure out the culprit.

The Declan-Katie-Steve love triangle continues, and Katie doesn't seem any closer to deciding who she wants most, though readers get to learn much more about Steve in this book. (I'm really liking Steve.) 

BEWITCHED, BOTHERED, AND BISCOTTI is a must read for fans of paranormal cozy mysteries. I can't wait for the next in the series! 4½-stars!

Review copy courtesy of the publisher.