Holiday Witch

Torrent Witches #5

by Tess Lake

Harlow Torrent, part-time journalist and full-time Slip Witch wants nothing more than to take a holiday from witchy things... but when a series of thefts around Harlot Bay turn deadly, she's drawn into solving a murder mystery. Between murderous teenagers, a secret buried in the past, Hattie Stern on the warpath, Christmas approaching and Aunt Cass suffering a very froggy problem, Harlow is doing everything she can to enjoy her holiday but those witchy problems just won't let her rest... Book #5 of the Torrent Witches Cozy Mysteries series.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery, Fantasy, Paranormal, Witches, Romance

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2016

About the author

I'm all about Cozy Witches! Mystery, murder, magic! Author of the bestselling Torrent Witches Cozy Magic series.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is so fun and I really like the characters and all the things they get up too.


Happy Reading 📘📕📗📓📚📒📘📕📖📗📒📔📘📕📒📚📓📗📙📖📕📘📒📚📖

[Sassy Mystic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better as it goes along

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still loving the Torrent witches and their crazy family.

[Linda Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique

This is not just another cozy witch book series but full of strong characters and twisty mysteries. It has humor and a strong sense of justice

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harlow Torrent is taking a break, Christmas is approaching so she is having a hiatus with her part time journalism.
She wants a simple holiday with no witchy shenanigans.
But we don't always get what we want and very soon some thefts start happening in town that soon also turns to murder.
But this has a supernatural element so she, her mam, her cousins and aunts swing into action, oh and are accompanied by the town's frog population which has somehow, magically attached itself to aunt Cass.
Can the Torrents stop the killings and thefts before the culprit strikes again?
I'm loving this series so much, so funny and a wonderful read.

[ThundaBunz · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far out of the series, I loved! I think this had gone more deeper into the Torrent witches backgrounds. I wish it had gone more deeper into the moms past because it was like a snip-it and towards the end of the book. My favorite part was towards the end, when she finally reveals that she is a witch to her love interest. It was totally awesome that Harlow was able to display her powers to Jack and the Sheriff. I think by introducing her as a witch now to two normies, I think the books going forward will have a tad more magic. Definitely a fun read, I listened to this one on audible.

[Miss Rachey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh!! The storyline is FINALLY picking up!!!

Loved this book - best of the series so far.

Harlow, Lucy and Molly are definitely growing on me and definitely are some kind of light hearted take on Charmed or Witches of Eastwick. Sneaking into the woods to crash a high school kegger “undercover” 🤣

We’re starting to get some answers…I mean, probably more questions but still some answers are better than where we’ve been til now 😅

The discovery of the ‘other’ world and the slip witches who have succumbed to darkness - the teetering of Harlow and the pull she felt to go to them…nervy!

I don’t think we’ve seen the last of “Slink” despite Adam’s saving the day…! And OMG! Adam’s! Love that guy…I know we don’t know much about him other than being “a magic cat”…but I get Salem (from Sabrina) vibes - I don’t think he’s totally a cat…or like Zachary Binks from Hocus Pocus! Saves the day and then just wants to go home for cheese - no explanation for what he just did or how he did it…including pulling Harlow back from the brink of darkness.

I soooooo want to know more about the secrets of the basement that Aunt Cass isn’t telling us…is that also another world, a time slip or something?? And the marauders map??

Harlows mum has clearly been holding out on us too - there is far more to unearth about the Torrent witch tribe.

AND what’s happened to Aunt Cass and all the frogs?!

[Claire Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conclusion to this fun reading experience. Plan to read more from this author.

[Chantelle Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 stars (Audible Plus Catalog). Each one gets better as more is revealed ❤️

[Imjussayin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holiday Witch:Torrent Witches 5
Best read in chronological order.
2.5 stars

In A Nutshell:A cosy paranormal mystery based on witches. It centres on the Torrent witch family, and the setting is a small slow town. Holiday Witch warms up toward the end. No pun intended.

The Plot: The plot started in the previous book with a few thefts which multiplied in this book and worked it's way up to murder. The mother of the young witches know why but nobody has a handle on the who.

The Protagonist(s):Harlow Torrent is our female sleuth who is an online journalist. She is also a Slip Witch, which means that her powers as a witch always change and this is an advantage as she can see and do things other witches cannot. A novel idea in this type of murder mystery.

The first book in the series grabbed my attention. But since then the series has been okay. Until this title. It is more than an okay read but not a goodread. The last chapters caught my attention, and I was engrossed. A good read is a book that holds my attention all the way through.

The characters, well Harlow's personality came on in this book. Aunt Cass was not as bold, but she has frog problems. I liked that the book carried a theme from the previous one and worked it. And it's good that this book leads to the next. So I am off to book six.

I say dip your toe in this one.


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Book Rating
Sexual Content: u
Language: u
Violent: u
Would I read the next one or reread?: Yes

My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A great read. A prominent example of the genre.

As one of the series, and because nothing is outstanding in this story, here is my book rating as a guide.

[Dina Orban · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book involved so many crazy things that it was actually excellent. Thieves, stolen catapults and coffee machines among other things, crazy Christmas at the Torrent mansion (which,in case you need the tip, "is better to be faced with lots of wine", Luce, Molly, Harlow and Peta's words), fires, murder and a discovery of witches for poor Jack and Sheriff Hardy.
Oh, and let's not forget Aunt Cass's slip power of attracting all the adoring frogs in Harlot Bay and possibly surrounding areas.
If you're not intrigued enough... Read to know why Hattie Stern was in Harlow's office when it was closed 🤭.
Sorry. Was in a mood for spoilers 😜. It's not much, just to get you interested. It's really worth your time.

[Sara Wenzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aaaagh!

I want to love this series - these books. And I love most of the parts but I cannot give this specific book more than 3 stars and the whole series more than 4 on average. Why? Because of the absolutely unnecessary body-shaming, fat phobia and fat shaming that happens frequently. It does not push the story along, the shamey scenes are complete fluff in terms of story/plot line impact.
Just because you have a donut it doesn't mean you are fat. AND even if you are fat. . So fucking what? Fat people are sexy. . Fat is not a swear or anything more than a word . Far does not mean bad or lazy or less in anyway . . . There . I will step off my soapbox now but seriously. The body shaming really brings the experience down a few notches for me

[Christy N. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I took a break between book 4 and 5. it didn't help. every single plot is based on lack of communication between the cousins, Mom's, and great aunt. the cousins are 20-somethings with little desire to anything other than love in a falling apart mansion, go against their Mom's, and nab a guy - but definitely not get married because that's what the Mom's want. the most interesting characters are the Great Aunt and the teenager they train. the rest have no common sense, go out of their way to annoy the Great Aunt and fall into 10 year old tantrums to go against what their mothers ask. add in the fact they are all witches but they don't tell each other important family history until it is too late, I'm officially tapped out.

[Angela Romera · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was going bad. The miscommunication, the awful body shaming, the frustration with the plot, the characters, the pace... everything was bad and then the bloody cat is the one who demolishes the great evil that neither Harlow not her mother could destroy. That was the cherry on top of the absurd.
Also, how old are they supposed to be? Seriously, they're meant to be +25 and thinking about marriage and kids (because this is that much outdated) but they behave like 14yo and attempted to infiltrate a teenagers' party as if that's normal and not at all creepy? I don't get it.
Moreover, why is Jack Bishop buying a house for his future with Harlow when they've been together like two months? What the hell?

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Up until this book in the series, I have been enjoying these novels yet in this story the three moms began to push their three daughters to rush to get married and have children saying something very close to "You'd better hurry up and get married and have babies. After all, those looks aren't going to last forever." I don't think that girls or women of any age should not have to listen to this type of thing even packaged in books or songs or other forms of entertainment. This interfered with my ability to enjoy the book and I won't be surprised if other readers feel that way as well. I hope the author will take this comment into account in her future writing.

[Christian · Rating 2 out of 5]

If a man had written this novel, he would have been crucified and driven out of town due to the sexist portrayal of women.
Harlow Torrent and her cousins Luce and Molly do behave like airheads. Even worse they are treated by the Author and inside the novel like naughty children not young women in their mid twenties. Having listened now to 5 installments of this series I do feel Harlow is getting denser in every book.
The descriptions are repetitive, and Kira's sarcasm, still hasn't manifested in any way that I have noticed.

This novel it is Aunt Cass Slip with powers, that conveniently remove competence from the plot.

[Kyla Sixkiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fast-paced cozy mystery throws Harlow Torrent and her family into a whirlwind of Christmas chaos! From stolen catapults and coffee machines to a fiery murder investigation, the story is brimming with outlandish situations and quirky characters.

Luce, Molly, Harlow, and Peta offer a hilarious perspective, advocating for a wine-fueled approach to the holiday mayhem. Meanwhile, Sheriff Hardy and Jack grapple with the sudden discovery of witches in Harlot Bay, adding another layer of unexpected twists to the narrative. Aunt Cass's unique slip magic, attracting a legion of adoring frogs, only adds to the delightful absurdity of it all.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh what titillating fun! This is the 6th in the series, and I have 4 to go. The rules of witchcraft are different than the standard, and I suppose it makes for more variety. It's not a particularly difficult engrossing book, but I have been enjoying reading these during my time off- between fighting with Medicare (why can't I just say I need new wheelchair, not send the doctor and me and therapist through hoops!? I've had ms diagnosed for 40 years! it's not going anywhere, and it's not getting better!) (Rant over)
Anyway enough about the government and inappropriate rules! I have been enjoying the Torrent Witches :-)

[Alycia'sBookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holiday Chaos and Witchy Secrets Galore

Finally — Holiday Witch brings the mystery magic back! Poor Harlowe just wants to enjoy some festive downtime with her family, but of course, that goes about as well as a gingerbread house in a thunderstorm. Between the chaos, a returning bestie, and the witches struggling to keep their powers under wraps from their love interests… it’s a holiday miracle anything gets done.

The mystery is tighter, the pacing snappier, and the emotional moments hit just right. Watching the witches juggle secrets, romance, and sleuthing had me glued to the pages.

I devoured this one faster than a plate of Christmas cookies — and I have zero regrets. 🎄

[Bee McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading 5 books, I can comfortably say 2 things I don't like about these books. The fat shaming (okay, it's more just family teasing each other, but it gets on my nerves), and I'm not a fan of Molly. She's not horrible. She just annoys me.
NOW! The things I absolutely love. From the very beginning, we don't get any closed-minded toxic behavior from the police, and the men who are involved with the family are also well grounded and emotionally stable. It's so refreshing!
Absolutely loving these books. I get swooped in the adventure and have some good laughs along the way.

[Chandler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good book, but for me the ending brought it down.

A good ending to a mystery is when a subtle piece of information is discovered and we as the audience have an ‘oh’ moment, where we can then go back and see how the dots connect. Here, the last piece of information hits with all the subtlety of a freight train. And that ‘little’ piece of information? Well, that is about as big as an asteroid. A huge revelation about the moms of the family is revealed in the last few chapters and we are just supposed to deal. This made the ending unsatisfying. I give it a two out of five.

[Donna Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our reporting witch just wants a holiday but the Torrent Family witches keep pulling her in to solve the current mystery of who is stealing things around Harlot Bay. She's the reporter and they feel like that's her job.
The holiday never happens but mystery and intrigue continue.
Adam, the talking cat, has some magical powers of his own and he is truly upset about his lost toys, cheese, and other items.
In the end, all of the family has to ban together to stop the rip in our reality and find the stolen items.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harlow Torrent has had enough of witchy things.
She wants a break, and to spend time with her boyfriend.
The string of robberies is increasing, and now people are dying.
Harlow is helping against her wishes, and things come to a boil
where it's use her powers in front of Jack and the sheriff, or they all die.
The question now is will Jack still want anything to do with her?

Developed characters, A bit of humor, and a cat you really DON'T want to piss off.

[Jandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday Witch

I love Jack. He's so dang sweet. He and Harlow are so perfect together. I love them. This book was a nail-biting story. I've been listening to the audiobook and just looking in the ebook to see how things are spelled or to highlight the best parts. The Torrent witches are so funny. I love how badass they are. Natalie Duke is awesome! She's so fun to listen to. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

[Robbi · Rating 1 out of 5]

The store would be great if the main character and her cousins who are adults wouldn't be treated like children in every other scene. The series so far feels like it was written for the main character to be a teenager, and she decided to make them adults. It got really old hearing adults being yelled at and treated like children.( Waiting In their room for the mothers to come home to yell at them) over and over.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A paranormal cluster fuck.. madness lol and I absolutely love that it was torn to shreds by the cat! I honestly didn't see the end coming. Whether it was the climax with the thieves and the supernatural presence or that Jack would have reacted the way. This was light on the holiday and heavy on the death and destruction.. lol

These books have some of the best character development and overall story EVER in a cozy series. More people need to read these books!

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

the series continues to get better with each installment!

i love that the books pick up from the last. in this book it’s the holiday season and Harlow just wants a break. she’s been through a lot and just wants to rest and enjoy a peaceful christmas time. unfortunately, for Harlow, this is not to be. but for the reader, the entertainment factor is high, secrets are revealed, and the story overall is such a delightful one! 😁🎁 🎉☕️✨💞

[Cassie Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely liked this book. It's so intriguing and fun, mysterious and spicy. I could do with more spice, but it's good. I love the character development, the continual storyline, evolving relationships. It's such a fun series. I will say, I CAN'T STAND ADDAMS. I hate him so much in most of these books. He's annoying and he adds nothing to the story,

[Lakota Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

And the mystery comtinues

With a wave of frogs, multiple thefts and a couple of murders, the Torrent's coffee machine still hasn't been returned, but things keep getting stolen.
As we delve into the past to fix the present, the Torrents tangle with an old feud to save the town.
Aunt Cass ends up with a literal cliffhanger, tempting to move you on to book 6

[Heather Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harlow Torrent decides she needs to take a break. But of course her family and Harlot Bay won’t make it easy. More theft is happening including the theft of her cousins catapult. Yes, catapult lol. And, of course, someone dies. She believes they are connected. While she tries to solve the mystery, Aunt Cass’s powers have “slipped” causing her to isolate on Truer Island.