What's a Witch to Do? (A Midnight Magic Mystery #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Dec 13, 2013 Lisa Kay rated it really liked it

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★★★½☆ Enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. Nice mystery. Nice love story.

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Oct 29, 2012 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it

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I couldn't resist the promised combination of cozy mystery, paranormal and snarky humour in What's a Witch To Do?, the first in Jennifer Harlow's new series, a spin off, of sorts, from her F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad Investigation series.

Mona McGregor is 35 and single, living in the small town of Goodnight, Virgina. She is running her own small business, raising her wayward sister's two young daughters, organising a wedding and she so doesn't have time to deal with a demonic assassin, or an overprotectiv
I couldn't resist the promised combination of cozy mystery, paranormal and snarky humour in What's a Witch To Do?, the first in Jennifer Harlow's new series, a spin off, of sorts, from her F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad Investigation series.

Mona McGregor is 35 and single, living in the small town of Goodnight, Virgina. She is running her own small business, raising her wayward sister's two young daughters, organising a wedding and she so doesn't have time to deal with a demonic assassin, or an overprotective werewolf. It seems someone wants Mona removed from her position as the High Priestess of the local coven, permanently, and unless she can figure out who, she might never get a date with the handsome Dr Guy.

I loved Mona, who is closer to my own age than many heroines, a little on the plump side, selfless, smart, savvy and has a full life that happens to include a little magic (but not the Bewitched kind). Each chapter of What's a Witch To Do? begins with an exhausting list of tasks that isn't all that different from any working mothers' and similarily, Mona's needs come somewhere after the reminder to take the garbage out. Even with a contract out on her life, Mona's priority is the ones she cares about and I love how she refuses to be intimidated by the threat, getting on with what she has to do.
It's lovely then that Mona, a (perhaps not quite)ordinary, mid-mid life, hard working, successful woman also finds herself with two gorgeous suitors, the suddenly attentive Dr Guy and her self declared bodyguard (and werewolf), Adam Blue. It creates an interesting romantic dynamic, especially when the motives of the men are undisclosed and Mona, inexperienced and self deprecating, is baffled by their interest.
Goodnight has the familiarity of any small American (fictional) town despite the population including vampires, werewolves and witches. The characters of What's A Witch to Do? are ordinary, authentic people going about their lives - holding down jobs, raising families and contributing to the community, even if they do happen to turn furry once a month or create spells in the kitchen.

Harlow blends romance, action and humour seamlessly in this fun novel. The mystery takes some clever twists and turns as Mona narrows the identity of her enemy down to four candidates. The outcome is fairly predictable but with magic involved you can never be quite sure and so the denouement, if not a surprise, is satisfying.

I really enjoyed What's a Witch to Do?, the characters are engaging and the mix of genres appeals to my taste for escapist reading. I will definitely be picking up the next title and tracking down the F.R.E.A.K.S series as well.

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