The Trouble with Magic (Bewitching Series #1)

( 153 )

Overview

Antiques-shop clerk Maggie O'Neill was a little weirded out when she discovered her new boss Felicity was a witch. But when Felicity becomes the suspect in a local murder, Maggie must enlist Felicity's wiccan friends for help—and discover her own spellbinding talent.

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The Trouble with Magic (Bewitching Series #1)

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More About This Book

Overview

Antiques-shop clerk Maggie O'Neill was a little weirded out when she discovered her new boss Felicity was a witch. But when Felicity becomes the suspect in a local murder, Maggie must enlist Felicity's wiccan friends for help—and discover her own spellbinding talent.

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Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble Review
Equal parts amateur whodunit, supernatural fantasy, and quirky romance, The Trouble with Magic -- the first installment of Madelyn Alt's Bewitching Mystery saga -- features Maggie O'Neill, a woman at a crossroads of what has thus far been an uneventful life.

Single, almost 30, and recently terminated from a lousy collections job, Maggie's life in small-town Indiana is at a standstill -- until she fatefully meets Felicity Dow, the owner of an upscale antiques and fine-gifts shop. The two women hit it off immediately, and Maggie is hired on as Felicity's assistant. Felicity -- who happens to be a witch and the head of a group that investigates paranormal encounters in and around northeastern Indiana -- introduces Maggie to an exciting, consciousness-expanding world that includes Wiccanism, spirits, and ghosts; but before Maggie can even finish a full day of work, the estranged sister of her new boss is found murdered in her home, and the good-hearted witch is tagged as the prime suspect. With rumors running rampant and circumstantial evidence piling up, Maggie must somehow find the real killer before Felicity is figuratively burned alive at the stake.

Although fast-paced, lighthearted, and charmingly witty, Alt's The Trouble with Magic tackles some weighty topics (religious intolerance and persecution, the karmic Rule of Three, etc.) with both subtlety and style. This debut novel in the Bewitching Mystery saga is not only a page-turner of the highest order but also the beginning of what should be a highly entertaining paranormal-powered series. Paul Goat Allen
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780425207468
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
  • Publication date: 1/3/2006
  • Series: Bewitching Series , #1
  • Format: Mass Market Paperback
  • Pages: 272
  • Sales rank: 184,681
  • Product dimensions: 4.34 (w) x 6.84 (h) x 0.74 (d)

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 153 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(57)

4 Star

(55)

3 Star

(30)

2 Star

(8)

1 Star

(3)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 154 Customer Reviews

  • Posted April 10, 2010

    Really great book!

    I was looking for a new supernatural series experience to read about (since I've read the Twilight series 4 times through already). I love vampires, but wanted to go another route. When I saw this book, I instantly thought it would be great. I've always been fascinated by all things witchy. The characters are great. The author does a great job describing their appearances and personalities. The plot is super easy to follow and definitely interesting. This book certainly has me going back for more every chance that I get to read. You are instantly taken into the world of witchcraft curiosity and into the middle of the story. If you want a book series that you can get hooked on and can help you escape from everyday normalcy, this is for you. I will definitely read the others in this series.

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 26, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Enjoyable Cozy

    I wasn't sure if I would like this book when I bought it. I read a "supernatural" type mystery by another author and I wasn't really impressed. This book, however, turned out to be quite nice. The characters are all likeable. The references to witchcraft and paranormal activity seem genuine and believable without being over the top. I enjoyed the descriptions of the town and the small town atmosphere. I would readily recommend this book to any cozy lover. I bought the second book in this series as soon as I finished this one.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted July 27, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Haunting Jordan (Port Chatham Series #1)
    A Cast-Off Coven (Witchcraft Mystery Series #2)
    What's a Ghoul to Do? (Ghost Hunter Mystery Series #1)
    Demons Are a Ghoul's Best Friend (Ghost Hunter Mystery Series #2)
    Secondhand Spirits (Witchcraft Mystery Series #1)

    There's no trouble with magic here!

    This is great series with a lot of potential. While the plot wasn't overly complex (I had a good idea whodunit about a quarter of the way into the book) the journey and the finale did not leave me wanting as there were surprises along the way. And I loved the way the end of this book left me anxious to start the next. I'm glad I don't have to wait. I think I've found a new friend in Maggie O'Neill and I'm looking forward to indulging myself in more stories about her and all the spooky goings-on in Stony Mill, IN for a long time to come. Well done on your first book, Ms Alt.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 26, 2011

    My New Favorite Mystery

    I have a new favorite series, and I admit that I now haunt the bookstore waiting for Madelyn Alt's next installment of The Bewitching Mystery Series. I've read all of them so far, but I still go back and read this first one about once a year because I loved it so much. Maggie and Marcus. There is no more compelling couple on the planet, even if Maggie can't quite give in just yet. This has the perfect amount of romantic interest, a wonderful mentor figure, and a compelling, lovable, flawed-and-finding-herself heroine/amateur sleuth. These stories are different, in a really good way. Not your typical "bakery/sewing shop/restaurant chef cozy." This one has some teeth, and a believable dark side. I've never been a fangirl about anything before, but Madelyn Alt has made me one with this series, from this first book, through all the rest of them.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 13, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Light reading

    Decent mystery but not a lot of character-development.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted August 3, 2009

    Great start to a series

    I enjoyed this book so much, I went out & read the rest of the series. Cant wait till next year for the next release!!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted May 14, 2009

    A refreshing and page-turner tale

    I was so impressed in the way the author introduced the world of Wicca and witchcraft to the reader. I shared the book with others to help them understand a little of my own life and faith. The humor, the mystery, the great storytelling had me reading the book in one sitting (thank goodness for weekends). I had to immediately start the next book in the series. I will be watching for all new books from this author.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 19, 2006

    ENCHANTING

    The Trouble With Magic draws you right in from the first page. Maggie, dissatisfied with her current job makes a leap of faith,and accepts a job offer to work for Felicity, owner of an upscale antique shoppe, and incidently a practising Witch. The two womnen quickly become friends, and their story spirals into an enchanting, intelligent, often witty tale of magic, self-discovery, murder and mystery. The result is the reader, at least this reader is left wanting MORE, PLEASE. Madelyn Alt is an intelligent, exciting new author who has already become a great favorite of mine.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 28, 2013

    So I admit that I am a very slow reader, takes me sometimes a mo

    So I admit that I am a very slow reader, takes me sometimes a month or two, having a one year old and a full time job I just don't have a lot of time. With this book I read it in a week, and that is unheard of for myself, it speaks alot about the book. I couldn't put it down, I loved the love interests in the book and can't wait to read the next one!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 24, 2013

    Short but sweet.

    Fairly short story with smart & sassy characters. The plot is solid & flows smoothly. Overall, an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading "A Charmed Death".

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 13, 2013

    Fun fun

    Found this fun series and love it. So good noteable quotes to go with my ever increasing interest in the traditional MAGIK CRAFT and fun who done it.

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  • Posted November 24, 2012

    The way she describes Maggie's world is amazing! It's not your

    The way she describes Maggie's world is amazing! It's not your overblown surreal fantasy "witchy" world or your preconceived notion of what a fiction book should be like. She portrays her in an everyday lifestyle that not many books these days have. Most authors tend to make everything "Super-sized" to entice readers. I enjoyed sitting back with a good book that you can actually think "Hey, this could happen to anyone I know" Instead of "Oh only in people's wildest dreams would anything like this happen"
    Looking forward to finishing the rest of the books in this series!

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  • Posted September 5, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Crime with a supernatural flare - love it!

    This is a very entertaining light read. The crime isn't too complex and you have a reasonable idea who the villain is, but aren't 100% until the big showdown at the end.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 3, 2012

    Fun, cute, and enchanting

    The story line keeps you guessing and is unique to other mystery books.

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  • Posted August 26, 2012

    A light and magical fun read. Maggie has a refreshing outlook on

    A light and magical fun read. Maggie has a refreshing outlook on the new
    world she discovers which is full of magic and "ghostly
    thinkers". The author lays the groundwork in this first book for
    each character by giving us just a taste of their magic abilities and
    personalities. We feel Maggie's fear and uncertainty as she questions
    and finally accepts her psychic abilities. We learn about Maggie's
    relationship with her family and her fear of a relationship with the
    handsome policeman. Felicity is believable and loveable as the
    seasoned witch who helps guide Maggie even though she's accused of the
    murder of her sister. Ahhh.... the mystery.... The author did a good
    job of moving the mystery nicely along while introducing us to the main
    characters. Maggie becomes an amateur sleuth as she tries to clear
    Felicity of the murder of her own sister, Isabella Harding. There were
    a few good twists and turns-- Isabella's cheating husband and her
    two-timing boyfriend. I would have liked to see a little bit more
    mystery and magic and not as much character development. It was a
    little tiresome at how timid Maggie was at times. Perhaps I was
    expecting a few more spooky moments and spells. At the end of the book
    we are lead to believe something big lies ahead. I love the cover art of
    this book and unfortunately the story didn't live up to the enticing
    book cover. But that being said I want to read the next book in this
    series to find out what lies ahead..... perhaps a little more magic?

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 14, 2012

    Enjoyed!

    Love this series!

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 27, 2012

    Very Good!

    I have read all of the books in this series, as far as i know, and they are all very good! This is a very enjoyable series!

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  • Posted April 10, 2011

    Fun series!

    Enjoyed all seven books!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 18, 2011

    Loved it

    I loved the suspense, love the characters and just loved it! I can relate to when ur brought up a strict way and as u get older your parents voice still critizing you in side your head. And there is no way you can drone them out! It drives me nuts! loved this book, good read!

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  • Posted December 30, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Fantastic for anyone looking for a little magick in their lives!

    I absolutely love this entire series! Maggie's up front, no apologies (for the most part) view on her world is easy to understand, realistic, and comical. I don't know a book in this series that I haven't laughed with or puzzled over. I always try and figure out the mysteries before Maggie does, and I'm pleasantly surprised by each and every turn of the story.
    To end this review I have to say... Everyone should read this because all of us women need a Marcus in our lives. It'll be love at first word.

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