Step into the whimsical world of the Kitchen Witch series, where magical mishaps and murder mysteries bake up a storm! Penned by USA Today Bestselling author Morgana Best, this paranormal cozy mystery series follows Amelia Spelled, a fledgling kitchen witch whose culinary disasters lead to spellbinding adventures. With quirky characters, a mischievous house, and a dash of Aussie charm, Kitchen Witch serves a delightful blend of humor and heart.
Amelia’s journey begins with a spectacularly bad week—dumped by her boyfriend, fired from her job, and evicted for setting off one too many smoke alarms. But a mysterious letter whisks her to a small Australian town, where she inherits a cake shop, a Victorian house with secrets, and the shocking revelation that she’s a witch. Fans of cozy mysteries and paranormal tales will find themselves enchanted by this lighthearted saga.
How Kitchen Witch Began
Morgana Best, an Australian author with a knack for crafting quirky cozies, launched the Kitchen Witch series in 2015 with Miss Spelled. Inspired by her love for supernatural twists and small-town settings, Best created Amelia Spelled as a relatable heroine—flawed, funny, and perpetually puzzled by her newfound powers. Drawing from her own experiences in Australia’s outback, Best infuses the series with local flavor, from Aussie slang to a sentient house that’s practically a character itself.
Best’s goal was to blend the cozy mystery genre’s warmth with paranormal elements, avoiding the grim tropes of traditional witch stories. The result is a series that feels like a warm hug, sprinkled with magical chaos and murder-solving antics, appealing to readers who crave light, escapist reads.
The Heart of Kitchen Witch
The series kicks off with Miss Spelled (2015), where Amelia inherits her aunt’s bakery and discovers her witchy heritage—only to become the prime suspect in a murder. In Dizzy Spells (Book 2), a truth spell gone awry summons a sarcastic entity, complicating another murder investigation. Sit for a Spell (Book 3) sees Amelia playing Clue at a friend’s house, only for a guest to drop dead, while ExSpelled (Book 5) takes her to a tropical cooking school where classmates start dying. Each book delivers a standalone mystery wrapped in ongoing character growth.
Set in the fictional town of Bayberry Creek, the series thrives on its cozy yet magical vibe. Themes of self-discovery, friendship, and resilience shine as Amelia navigates her powers and solves crimes with her eccentric coven. Best’s humor sparkles through Amelia’s baking blunders—think burnt cakes and accidental spells—while the sentient house adds a playful, mysterious layer. The paranormal elements, like candle spells and folk magic, are grounded in traditional witchcraft, making the series accessible yet enchanting.
With 21 books by late 2024, including titles like The Halloween Time Spell and Christmas Spells, the series keeps readers hooked with its fast-paced plots and evolving romance between Amelia and the enigmatic Alder Vervain. Best’s Australian setting, complete with slang and cultural nods, sets Kitchen Witch apart in the cozy mystery genre.
Why Kitchen Witch Resonates
Kitchen Witch has carved a niche among cozy mystery fans for its blend of humor, heart, and paranormal pizzazz. Readers praise its relatable heroine and laugh-out-loud moments, with reviews highlighting the series’ ability to feel both fresh and familiar. Its escapist charm offers solace in chaotic times, making it a go-to for those seeking light reads with a magical twist.
The series’ staying power lies in Best’s knack for balancing standalone mysteries with character-driven arcs. Amelia’s growth from bumbling witch to confident sleuth, paired with the quirky ensemble and magical mishaps, keeps fans eagerly awaiting each installment. As one Goodreads reviewer noted, “It’s fun, quirky, and fast-paced—a delight to read!”
- First Book Published: November 2015 (Miss Spelled)
- Total Books: 21 (as of November 2024)
- Author: Morgana Best, USA Today Bestselling author
- Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Grab Miss Spelled and dive into the Kitchen Witch series’ magical, murder-solving world! Whether you’re a cozy mystery buff or a paranormal enthusiast, Amelia’s adventures will leave you hungry for more.