Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 17
Title: Witch Way to Murder
Author: Shirley Damsgaard
ISBN: 9780060793487/ Avon, 2005
Protagonist(s): Librarian Ophelia Jensen and her grandmother Abby
Setting: present-day "Summerset", Iowa
Genre: Cozy Mystery, #1 Ophelia & Abby mystery
Rating: B
First Line: Rising panic clenched my stomach.
Abby is a 73-year-old grandmother whose greenhouses are filled with herbs and flowers. She has acres of woods with No Trespassing signs. She also keeps a very low profile in small town Summerset because... she's a witch. Her 30-something granddaughter, Ophelia Jensen, is a librarian, a hermit, and a doesn't-wannabe witch. She has the talent, but she doesn't use it because she thinks it doesn't work. When a rash of thefts in the area and a handsome stranger appears in town, Ophelia is rudely dragged from her comfort zone and forced to make some tough choices.
Damsgaard's plot, pacing and characterization were all just fine. The problem I had with the book was Ophelia. Since she's the main character, that's quite a problem to have. Her unrelieved grieving over the death of her best friend four years ago, her denial of her abilities and their usefulness all annoyed the pudding out of me. I wanted to get a handful of her neck and yell, "Put on your big girl panties and DEAL WITH IT!"
Thankfully by book's end, Ophelia had come to terms with a few things, and the book ended on a good note for me. Witch Way to Murder went from the first book in a series I had no interest in following to the first book in a series that I want to find out what happens next. Good save, Shirley!
Author: Shirley Damsgaard
ISBN: 9780060793487/ Avon, 2005
Protagonist(s): Librarian Ophelia Jensen and her grandmother Abby
Setting: present-day "Summerset", Iowa
Genre: Cozy Mystery, #1 Ophelia & Abby mystery
Rating: B
First Line: Rising panic clenched my stomach.
Abby is a 73-year-old grandmother whose greenhouses are filled with herbs and flowers. She has acres of woods with No Trespassing signs. She also keeps a very low profile in small town Summerset because... she's a witch. Her 30-something granddaughter, Ophelia Jensen, is a librarian, a hermit, and a doesn't-wannabe witch. She has the talent, but she doesn't use it because she thinks it doesn't work. When a rash of thefts in the area and a handsome stranger appears in town, Ophelia is rudely dragged from her comfort zone and forced to make some tough choices.
Damsgaard's plot, pacing and characterization were all just fine. The problem I had with the book was Ophelia. Since she's the main character, that's quite a problem to have. Her unrelieved grieving over the death of her best friend four years ago, her denial of her abilities and their usefulness all annoyed the pudding out of me. I wanted to get a handful of her neck and yell, "Put on your big girl panties and DEAL WITH IT!"
Thankfully by book's end, Ophelia had come to terms with a few things, and the book ended on a good note for me. Witch Way to Murder went from the first book in a series I had no interest in following to the first book in a series that I want to find out what happens next. Good save, Shirley!
Helpful Score: 13
I found this book delightful. In fact, it was my first "cozy". I enjoyed the relationship between Ophelia and her grandmother, Abby and how different Abby is from a 'normal' grandmother. It seems that Ophelia doesn't go out and search for bodies or trouble, it seems to find her. I'm anxious to read the next in the series.
Helpful Score: 12
This is the first of the Ophelia And Abby Mysteries. The list, in order is:
1. Witch Way to Murder (2005)
2. Charmed to Death (2006)
3. The Trouble with Witches (2006)
4. Witch Hunt (2007)
I really enjoyed this book and I plan to get the rest of the series. From FantasticFiction.com:
Ophelia Jensen wishes she was just your typical, thirty-something librarian. Unfortunately, she's been burdened with psychic powers -- an unwanted "gift" she considers inconvenient at best and at worst downright dangerous. Her kindly old grandmother Abby, however, has no compunctions about the paranormal, being a practicing witch with unique abilities of her own.
And sometimes the otherworldly arts do come in handy -- like when the arrival of a mysterious, good-looking stranger to their normally tranquil corner of Iowa seems to trigger an epidemic of catastrophes, from the theft of bomb-making materials to a murdered corpse dumped in Abby's backyard.
Luckily Ophelia and Abby are on the case and determined to make things right. But it'll take more than magick to get out of the boiling cauldron of lethal trouble they're about to land themselves in.
1. Witch Way to Murder (2005)
2. Charmed to Death (2006)
3. The Trouble with Witches (2006)
4. Witch Hunt (2007)
I really enjoyed this book and I plan to get the rest of the series. From FantasticFiction.com:
Ophelia Jensen wishes she was just your typical, thirty-something librarian. Unfortunately, she's been burdened with psychic powers -- an unwanted "gift" she considers inconvenient at best and at worst downright dangerous. Her kindly old grandmother Abby, however, has no compunctions about the paranormal, being a practicing witch with unique abilities of her own.
And sometimes the otherworldly arts do come in handy -- like when the arrival of a mysterious, good-looking stranger to their normally tranquil corner of Iowa seems to trigger an epidemic of catastrophes, from the theft of bomb-making materials to a murdered corpse dumped in Abby's backyard.
Luckily Ophelia and Abby are on the case and determined to make things right. But it'll take more than magick to get out of the boiling cauldron of lethal trouble they're about to land themselves in.
Christina B. (eclecticreading) reviewed Witch Way to Murder (Ophelia and Abby #1) on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
Lots of fun. My favorite things about it are the lack of bad words and sex. I prefer the romance, mystery, and paranormal characteristics to the down and dirty details. If you're like me, enjoy a good mystery w/o the gory details, great characters, and lost of actions - You'll Love Ophelia and Abby!
Helpful Score: 5
Great book, and wonderful beginning to this series! Ophelia is a single woman, who works as a librarian in a small town. She moved to the town to be closer to her grandmother, Abby, after the murder of her best friend. Abby is clairvoyant and practices white magick, and believes Ophelia to have similar gifts. While Ophelia respects her grandmother's gifts, she would prefer to work within a more practical realm. When strange things in the town start happening, she realizes she may need her gifts after all. Ophelia is an intelligent character, and while this is a cozy mystery, it does have a serious tone to it. I look forward to reading more of the books in this series.
Helpful Score: 5
Makes's you anxious to read her next book. I couldn't wait to turn pages to find out what happened next!
Helpful Score: 2
Ophelia Jensen is a librarian in a small town, desperately denying her second sight and trying to keep the town from finding out her grandmother is a witch. But there's problems in town and it looks like someone is running a meth lab. I didn't like this one as much as Abby Cooper Psychic Eye; although it has much the same set of ingredients, the tone is a bit different and I found Ophelia too whiny and reluctant. She did improve some by the end of the book though and since I like the idea behind the series, I'd be willing to try the next one and see if I like Ophelia any better.
Magda W. (triskellgray) reviewed Witch Way to Murder (Ophelia and Abby #1) on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A story about two witches and the trouble they get into.
Helpful Score: 1
An interesting story. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
Great new series involving a librarian, a witch and a mysterious stranger to town. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
I thought it was a really cute book. Nice light read
Meghan B. (WakingDream) reviewed Witch Way to Murder (Ophelia and Abby #1) on + 61 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A good mystery. Quick read, but a lot of fun!
Helpful Score: 1
enjoyable light murder mystery. midwest setting. i expect it will be fun to follow development of the main characters in the series' books.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this witch-y mystery, though I felt the ending was somewhat telegraphed fairly far ahead---or maybe I'm psychic! I wishlisted the other titles in the series and am looking forward to reading them.
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this book! I'd already read the second book in the series, and wanted to find out more about what had happened to Ophelia i the first book ,since there were references to that one in the second book . Look forward to more in this great series!
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting little 'cozy' read. Loved the relationship between grandmother and Ophelia.
Helpful Score: 1
I love reading a series of books. I get into the characters and start to be interested in what happens to them. Ophelia & Abby are two interesting people with interesting lives and backgrounds. I have really enjoyed meeting them and will continue on reading this series.
Carol S. (waucondacarol) reviewed Witch Way to Murder (Ophelia and Abby #1) on + 319 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Ophelia is a thirty something, single librarian who shuns her psychic abilities and denies her grandmother Abby's benevolent witchcraft. Having "seen" her best friend's death, but unable to warn him that his death was imminent and save him, she escapes the trauma and moves to her grandmother's small town. In spite of her denying her and her grandmother's uncanny abilities, Ophelia is drawn into mysterious events and deaths in her new hometown. A pleasant series.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great cozy mystery! It has all my favorite things, books, witches, mystery, and suspense. I highly recommend this one!
Helpful Score: 1
Very enjoyable. I really liked this book. It's a light read.
Helpful Score: 1
Clever and good plot line.
Helpful Score: 1
A quick fun read.Iloved this book.I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
Good book. Very quick reading. Kept you guessing until the end.
Helpful Score: 1
Ophelia Jensen is a reluctant witch. She wants so badly to be normal but it is in her genes, her grandmother is a witch and it seems like the harder she tries to ignore it, the more the fates shove it in her face. This is a wonderfully funny book with 2 of the most unusual sleuths you will ever meet.
Helpful Score: 1
The first Abby and Ophelia mystery. I love these books and can't wait for more to come out.
Helpful Score: 1
1st book in a new series about Ophelia and Abby, granddaughter and grandmother witches. I like it very much and look forward to the next book coming out soon.
Helpful Score: 1
Ophelia Jensen is a librarian who has been given psychic powers, which she doesn't want, and tries her best to ignore. Her grandmother Abby is a practicing witch, even though she keeps this fact somewhat secret from the residents of their small town. AFter a stranger comes to town and starts asking probing questions, crimes begin to occur more frequently, including murder.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was a pleasant surprise for me. I wasn't sure how well the paranormal aspects would integrate into a mystery, but it was very understated, and I really liked the characters.
Finalist 2006 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. â Ophelia Jensen, a reluctant witch who is a librarian, and her grandmother Abby, in a small town in Iowa, are featured. Ophelia Jensen wishes she was just your typical, thirty-something librarian. Unfortunately, she's been burdened with psychic powers -- an unwanted "gift" she considers inconvenient at best and at worst downright dangerous. Her kindly old grandmother Abby, however, has no compunctions about the paranormal, being a practicing witch with unique abilities of her own. And sometimes the otherworldly arts do come in handy -- like when the arrival of a mysterious, good-looking stranger to their normally tranquil corner of Iowa seems to trigger an epidemic of catastrophes, from the theft of bomb-making materials to a murdered corpse dumped in Abby's backyard. Luckily Ophelia and Abby are on the case and determined to make things right. But it'll take more than magick to get out of the boiling cauldron of lethal trouble they're about to land themselves in.
I liked the fact that one of the characters identifies as a spiritualist/healer, rather than a "witch." Most stories of this type place too much emphasis on the Wiccan religion, so this was a nice change. Ophelia's reluctance to accept her inherited gift is a bit annoying, but maybe she will become less suspicious and more self-reliant as the series
continues. I'm willing to give her another chance!
continues. I'm willing to give her another chance!
I really enjoyed this book. I'm looking forward to the rest in the series.
This was a very good book. First one I read from this author. Enjoyed it and will look for others from this author
I liked the story idea, but didnt love it. There just seems to be something missing I guess, not sure what it is, but I did enjoy it. Ophelia seems a bit too relunctant or too held back from her true calling, and fights it too much to allow herself to understand herself. But I really enjoy Abby, she is my type of person!
Nina R. (britishladybooklover) reviewed Witch Way to Murder (Ophelia and Abby #1) on + 57 more book reviews
An enjoyable quick read. Looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the series
Very fluffy but cute.
Christine H. (solarawynn) reviewed Witch Way to Murder (Ophelia and Abby #1) on + 724 more book reviews
I really liked this book. The series has lots of potential.
This was the first one of this series I've read. I liked it and would read the others.
The first book in a new mystery series with a librarian/wiccan protagonist.
Cute. Just ok though. Not nearly as good as Kim Harrison's Dead Witch Walking series, Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Series, or Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake Vampire Hunter novels. Also try Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series (witches, sorcerers, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, etc).
Another interesting bood with Ophelia and grandmother Abby. Keeps you turning the pages until the end
Great read
Maggie C. (skywaywaver) reviewed Witch Way to Murder (Ophelia and Abby #1) on + 148 more book reviews
Not one of my favorite cozies, but maybe because the main author is so adamantly against realizing her powers.
2nd in the Ophelia and Abby mystery series
5 years ago Ophelia forsaw the murder of her best friend but was unable to prevent it. Now another friend is gone, killed in almost identical fashion. Now Abby and Ophelia may be next on the killer's unless they take matters into their own hands.
5 years ago Ophelia forsaw the murder of her best friend but was unable to prevent it. Now another friend is gone, killed in almost identical fashion. Now Abby and Ophelia may be next on the killer's unless they take matters into their own hands.
Good book though semi predicatble. Good for easy entertainment.
Ophelia Jensen wishes she was just your tyical, thirty-something librarian. Unfortunately, she's been burdened with psychic powers--an unwanted "gift" she considers inconvenient at best and at worst downright dangerous. Her kindly old grandmother Abby, however, has no compunctions about the paranormal, being a practicing witch with unique abilities of her own. And sometimes the otherwordly arts do come in handy--like when the arrival of a mysterious, good-looking stranger to their normally tranquil corner of Iowa seems to trigger an epidemic of catastrophes, from the theft of bomb-making materials to a murdered corpse dumped in Abby's backyard. Luckily Ophelia and Abby are on the case and determined to make things right. But it'll take more than magick to get out of the boiling cauldron of lethal trouble they're about to land themselves in.
Loved it, real characters, crazy life situations and magic :)
good 1st book of a series. I will look forward to the next
Great book!
Very light, quick read. I found I really didn't care about any of the characters, which to me indicates a not-so-well written book. Can't recommend.
Fairly common plotline of an amateur sleuth. Enjoyable read. Just a dabble of the paranormal, but not much.
a good paranormal book
Barbara F. (daylilylover) reviewed Witch Way to Murder (Ophelia and Abby #1) on + 768 more book reviews
Great book, can't wait for the next one.
excellent, really enjoyed reading.
Kerry K. (mistysmere) -
ophelia and abby #1
