What happens when you inherit property in a strange town from a great-aunt you’ve never met, and the longer you stay, the more you realize you might actually belong there? You get Witch Way Home by Trae Vincent, a cozy paranormal mystery and the first book in her new series, The Larkspur Lake Witchery Mysteries.

Lynne Tierra inherits a manor house and a bookstore from a long-lost great-aunt (every reader’s dream, right?). Looking for a fresh start, Lynne travels to the small town of Larkspur Lake with her long-suffering cat, Mo, to decide whether to keep the property or sell it and move on. But the town has secrets lurking just beneath the surface, and it seems determined to reveal a few truths about Lynne herself. As she settles in and begins meeting potential friends and enemies, Lynne stumbles across the body of a woman inside the very bookstore she stands to inherit. Now she must uncover the real killer, not only to clear her own name, but to ensure she doesn’t become the next victim.

One of the highlights of this book is its cast of characters. Each has their own secrets, but Vincent wisely avoids overwhelming the reader by rushing to explain everyone’s magical talents all at once. Even the animals have hidden surprises. The town itself is vividly described, painting a picture of a charming, close-knit community filled with cozy shops and small-town warmth, where anyone would enjoy spending time. The magic is subtle and well-integrated, enhancing the story rather than overpowering it.

The pacing is a bit slow at the beginning, and there were moments where it was difficult to keep track of character locations, possibly due to reading an early copy. This isn’t a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat murder mystery; the killer is revealed about halfway through the book. But what follows is a deeper exploration of the town itself, peeling back layers of history and long-guarded secrets.

Overall, Witch Way Home is a warm, atmospheric cozy mystery with a touch of magic and plenty of small-town charm. Readers who enjoy gentle paranormal elements, character-driven stories, and richly imagined settings will feel right at home in Larkspur Lake. This is a solid first entry in a new series, and I’m looking forward to seeing what other secrets (and spells) await in future installments.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. Many thanks to the author, Trae Vincent, for allowing me to read this ARC