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Western Woods Mystery #1

Back to Spell One

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Magic meets murder in this new series from Samantha Silver

Tina White is just an ordinary Seattleite, working while saving money to go to college. Or so she thought, anyway. When a chance encounter finds her transported to the magical town of Western Woods, Tina discovers that everything she thought she knew about magic - namely, that it isn't real - is a lie.

Just in case coming to terms with her new witch powers wasn't enough of a challenge, Tina quickly finds herself embroiled in the middle of a muder mystery, with half the town thinking [i]she's[/i] the one who killed a local wizard.

With the help of her new roommates and her martial-arts obsessed familiar, Tina has to solve the mystery, learn basic magic and navigate the complicated social hierarchy in Western Woods. Sounds easy, right? And who's that strange, smoking-hot elf everyone keeps warning her to stay away from? Tina's definitely got her work cut out for her, but as she gets closer to the truth, it becomes obvious she's in danger.

Will Tina solve the mystery before she becomes the killer's next victim?

160 pages, ebook

First published August 15, 2018

931 people are currently reading
318 people want to read

About the author

Samantha Silver

109 books304 followers
Samantha Silver lives in British Columbia, Canada, along with her husband and seventeen-year-old dog named Terra.

When she's not writing cozy mysteries, Samantha loves travelling (she's most recently been to Egypt, Jordan and Florida) skiing, eating Dairy Queen, and complaining about how hard running is.

To be notified about new releases, giveaways, sneak previews and more, sign up for Samantha's newsletter by visiting http://www.samanthasilverwrites.com/n...

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5 stars
421 (49%)
4 stars
270 (31%)
3 stars
121 (14%)
2 stars
29 (3%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Samantha.
272 reviews35 followers
December 4, 2018
Needed a little light reading and this fun cozy mystery did the trick. I liked the characters especially her familiar and I loved the references to Harry Potter. This was a fun world and I can't wait to see where the series goes.
Profile Image for Jilrene.
938 reviews80 followers
April 18, 2019
4 witches ;)

In spite of the less than stellar beginning, I enjoyed reading this book. I never figured out if the guy in the first chapter was K-Team or K-Town. It changed with every other mention.

This is not very long, and super light reading. More fluff than mystery, which was exactly what I wanted.

The characters are interesting and have personality. I was able to picture the scenes in my mind. Quite like a movie. I want to read the next book in this series. I want to know Tina's witch history.
Profile Image for Marsha Keeper Bookshelf.
4,290 reviews88 followers
October 17, 2018
Reviewed at Haunted Bookshelf

I had fun with Back to Spell One, it’s light, there is some world building but it’s not an overpowering, long drawn out introduction to this almost parallel, paranormal world that doesn’t seem to know much about the human world at all.

Tina was adopted, so it does make sense that she has no clue as to her witch powers, or that the paranormal world is as real as the one she’s been living in. It’s merely by chance that she fell through a portal when she was in danger and running from a former bar customer who is up to no good. The world she finds herself in is a complete puzzle… and it seems that it just so happened that the first murder in Western Woods for years took place at about the same time that Tina arrived. Some people don’t believe in coincidences and many suspicious eyes are on the newcomer witch in town.

We meet some young witches who will be helping Tina learn magic, because in this world she’d be back in class with the children since magic basics are learned at a young age. Tina and her new roommates set out to find out who the killer is as much out of their own curiosity as impatience on waiting for the officials to do their investigation. What they discover isn’t at all what anyone expected.

I’m looking forward to the next story which I hope will draw us more into this world since the world building has been set, for the most part. As much as I love Cozy Paranormal Mysteries, there are similarities that the first story often follows (with its own twists, of course)… and I’m eager to discover what adventures are in store for Tina as she learns more about her parentage, her actual coven and picks up a few more witchy tricks of the trade. The towns people that we’ve met so far are interesting but what is fascinating is the separation of the paranormal groups. It’s the first time that I’ve really seen a division down jobs, and places of business that are divided by what type of paranormal someone is as obvious as this… and while fascinating, it’s also a bit disturbing as well. To be frank, I’m not really comfortable with the strict divisions I’m seeing in this first story so I am definitely curious to see if it continues, or if there is an explanation for it that makes sense. (chalk up my hesitation about this on the real world we’re living in today and the separations that are happening more and more each day… it’s an observation but one that I want to see where it leads)

In any event, I had fun and that’s the whole point. I’ll be picking up Two Peas in a Potion later today. If you love Cozy Paranormal Mysteries and enjoy getting started on a new series then I’d definitely recommend Back to Spell One.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
August 19, 2018
The new witch is in

She is just trying to earn enough to go to college. When she fears an attack and finds herself falling through a tree into a magical town she is confounded. Especially when she finds out she is a witch. Given into the care of a young witch and her roomies she tries to settle in. This is made harder by the fact that a murder has occurred and most of the supernatural community have pegged her as the killer. Can she and her fellow witches find the real killer? An okay plot, the sleuthing wasn't the greatest and I have read something very, very similar before. The characters however were interesting and full. This should get better with further books.
152 reviews1 follower
September 6, 2018
Praise and broomsticks!

After reading hundreds of witch never knowing they have man is this introduction was one of the best. It was fast paced. Thank you for not dragging it out . Fun and not condescending to stupid mortals. I look forward to further stories the next one without a murder but water spells creating chaos is fabulous . Even if it is a short story. Well written .
Profile Image for Michelle Randall.
715 reviews21 followers
March 5, 2019
Back to Spell One is the first book in the Western Woods Mystery. Lately I have been on a witchcraft reading kick, and so I am always browsing my Kindle Unlimited listings for something new.

Back to Spell One starts in Seattle, with your average young adult woman, trying to make a life for herself, working as a waitress at a bar and saving money for college. After one long night at the bar, Tina is followed home by a drunk patron, and in the process she falls into a portal to another world, the paranormal world.

Tina has always believed that the paranormal world was a myth, now all the sudden she finds herself in the middle of the paranormal world and the fact that she herself is indeed a paranormal, a witch in fact.

As Tina tries to adjust to this new knowledge, there is a rare murder in the paranormal town of Western Woods, and some people feel like its not a coincidence that there is someone new in town, that she just might be the one who committed the murder. Luckily Tina's new friends are willing to help her and they investigate the murder to find out who did it and clear Tina's name.

This is a cute new storyline. Although it is the classic young girl finds out late in life he is a witch story, it is told a little different and the paranormal world is somewhat different than most other books. This was a good introduction to a new series and was well written and interesting.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series and finding out more about Tina's history.
Profile Image for Amanda Jane.
1,337 reviews10 followers
June 13, 2020
Fun

Not quite as detailed a world as some but I reserve judgement until I have checked out at least the next book.

Tina's a normal human living in Seattle working in a bar until the local viral superstar has his stag do there. Tina spends a tiresome shift fending off the stag party's unwelcome advances. When she leaves though he's hanging around waiting to "continue his night of fun" terrified she flees and manages to fall, quite literally, through a portal into Western Woods a paranormal town on the next plane over.

Tina's got no idea she has any paranormal powers, feels like she's probably in some kind of unconscious state or dream but the reality soon sets in as she discovers that she's actually a witch.

As Phil a local warlock is murdered at the same time she enters the realm some of the townsfolk feel she's got to be responsible for his death. The younger witches looking after her decide to help her clear her name while teaching her basic spells, how to fly a broom and bringing her up to speed with the paranormal hierarchy. They all fit together rather too perfectly but again I'm hoping that it's just because it's setting the stage for future books.
Profile Image for Harmony.
417 reviews8 followers
December 30, 2020
This book is practically unreadable due to the large number of errors. I wanted to give up many times out of frustration because of all the misspellings, the missing words in a sentence, the wrong words used in a sentence, and the inconsistency issues. However, I'm trying harder to force myself to finish books like this instead of just giving up. I'm baffled that these types of books keep getting released!

I also was curious to see if the book would eventually pick up speed and stop being so boring....it didn't.

The characters are boring. The murder mystery is boring. The small town attitude, "new person did it even though there is literally no chance in hell they could have done it!" is boring and ridiculous. I mean, seriously? She was either with a cop or bunking in the prison the entire time the murder happened. AND she had no idea she was a witch when it happened.... so, OF COURSE, she must have done it!

The premise that this is why the women jump into a murder mystery, "we have to clear her name even though there is no chance she did it! But you know, small town attitude" was sketchy and thin. I expected better from this author.

Disappointed.

2-star rating because I did actually finish this hot mess.
Profile Image for Linda (ellsky) Jackson.
497 reviews6 followers
June 18, 2024
I love entering any of Samantha Silver's magical worlds. This one contains a portal between the human world and the magical town of Western Woods, and our main character, Tina White, falls through and discovers she's a witch. Then there is a murder, and Tina and her new friends solve the mystery. Western Woods has a whole slew of paranormal creatures including shifters (wolf, lion, and DRAGON!), vampires, fairies, elves, and witches. The different groups don't interact much with each other, but I feel that as the series goes on, this may change. Right now they are stuck in predestined positions/lines of work depending on their paranormal race, which is an interesting concept to explore in a cozy magical mystery series. The only thing that brings my rating down a little is the constant pop-culture references to Harry Potter. I could do without those. We don't need to know that Amy (Tina's magical prodigy friend) is "a Hermione" a bunch of times throughout the book. Other than that, I love the series already and will be continuing.
Profile Image for Ambrosia.
515 reviews14 followers
November 22, 2020
This review is for the first five books in this series.

This are fun, quick ( <2 hours per) books that are pretty light -hearted (despite the fact that someone is murdered in each one). They also have subtle undertones of tolerance, progressiveness, and perseverance, world coming across as preachy. The books are somewhat self-aware - for example, the h acknowledges that she keeps confronting the murderer and needing to be saved or save herself.

The series could do with a better editor. Not only are there multiple instances of the incorrect word being used, but there are continuity errors. Inconsistencies between the books and even within book 5.

Fun and I'm enjoying reading them as part of Kindle Unlimited, but I wouldn't pay $4.99 for each.
Profile Image for Miss W Book Reviews.
1,797 reviews154 followers
August 30, 2020
Great witch cozy !

Back to Spell One is the first book in the Western Woods series . I really enjoyed this book . We meet Tina , who is an adult that accidentally discovers she is a witch . There is a huge learning curve , but she has done great new friends to show her the way . A wizard is killed on the same day that Tina moves to Western Woods and she is the main suspect because of the timing . Along with her new familiar , Mr. Meowgi and her new friends she looks to cheat her name .

A well written paranormal cozy with fun likeable characters .
Can’t wait to read the next book in this series .
Profile Image for Spinneretta.
2,874 reviews20 followers
May 7, 2020
Cute

A cute paranormal cozy mystery, of the surprise witch kind!
Tina accidentally falls through a portal into the magical world, and discovers that she is a witch.
As the new witch in town, she is immediately suspected of being the culprit when a wizard is discovered murdered.
With her new witch roommates in tow, she sets out to clear her name.
All sorts of fun witchyness in this one, with magical beings of all sorts, and of course the obligatory new witch lessons. At least Tina learns something!
Fun for fans of paranormal cozy mysteries.
88 reviews
May 10, 2021
Back to Spell One

Tina falls against a tree and finds herself in the paranormal world. The only way that could happen is she has to be a witch. The head of the coven has her assistant take Tina under her wing to teach her to be a witch. Amy and her friends has a empty room in their apartment, so Tina moves in with Amy, Ellie and Sara. A murder takes place on the night Tina arrives in Western Woods and some of the residents think Tina did it. So the girls set out to find the real killer.
77 reviews1 follower
September 14, 2018
Little confused in beginning, K-Town or K-Team??? Both?? Seemed the language changed in the middle, in like one chapter, Hey? Then changed back. Too many references to Harry Potter and I LOVE Harry Potter. Pretty much the same script or outline as other books from this genre. Twenty-something girl, falls through some kind of portal, finds shes a witch, starts training, etc, etc.... Nothing really stood out to me, not a bad read but I'm in no hurry to read the second in this series.
Profile Image for Keith Wilson.
76 reviews1 follower
November 13, 2019
Enjoyable

"...I do hope that someone finds out who the murderer is, whether it be you or Chief Enforcer King." Her or King are the only ones who are suspected murderers? "...from the café that Ellie had brought back home." She brought a cafe home? Don't mind me, I'm always getting confused and amused about these types of sentences. That's why I'm not an author. Very well done for the writer's first published novel. Looking forward to more!
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
446 reviews
October 3, 2021
How to become a witch?

Tina arrives in a new town - Western Woods. She has hardly managed to know it is a magical town when she trips over a dead body. Many in the town think she is the murderer.
Fortunately she makes some new friends who are going to help prove her innocence. Unusual story - new friends all with different levels of witchery. Great story - liked it and think I have to get the next adventure
Profile Image for Megan Hart.
169 reviews
September 20, 2018
Back to Spell One

A nice fluffy read that is not dark but still about the paranormal world. It's more of a grown up Halloweentown sort of world. I honestly enjoyed reading it but I think the writing could be cleaned up quite bit. Overall, a good read going into the Halloween season without all the guts and gore.
Profile Image for Heaven Law.
36 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2019
Huh...

This book is full of grammar mistakes an exceptionally basic storyline juvenile writing and wording I won't be reading anymore in the series very disappointed not read a book as bad as this in a very long time I would expect the way that is written to be for children more long and eight year olds level then anything else
276 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2018
Terrific

I loved this new series. Tina is someone that I am looking forward to learning more about as well as her roommates. I have everything I have read by Samantha Silver. Can’t wait to start Book 2. Enjoyed very much. Interesting information about elements and covens.
Profile Image for Mike Lewis.
1,761 reviews8 followers
August 25, 2018
A very entertaining new witchy cozy mystery series

Hey very entertaining new series. Great cast of characters an excellent storyline and a fun new twist on a witchy cozy mystery series. One of my favorite new series to read a definite fun and must read series
15 reviews
September 6, 2018
New witch in a magical town

Cute mystery story about a twenty something woman that finds out that she is a witch and accidentally enters a magical realm full of paranormals, well written. Recommended
Profile Image for BobaFett114.
1,955 reviews3 followers
September 17, 2018
Excellent start to a new series!

I've read several books by this author and I enjoyed them all. This book starts a new series about a witch named Tina, who didn't know she was a witch. All of the characters are well written and likeable.
78 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2018
Enjoyable mystery

When you land up into a magic town called Western Woods and don’t know you are a witch, it can be disconcerting. Thats what happens to Tina one night and her life will never be the same!

Dana Pratt
51 reviews1 follower
September 25, 2018
Interesting and different

I mostly enjoyed the story as I like stories of witchcraft. This has a different slant to most of witch stories I've read.
Even so, it was a fast read and I liked it; just different.
667 reviews8 followers
October 5, 2018
A paranormal cozy Mystery book one

This was a great read. A first with this author but it will not be the last one. I highly recommend all her series of books. She writes good storylines and great characters. Diana Romano
193 reviews
October 16, 2018
Mix a brand new which who doesn’t know she is, a murder And introduce her to the paranormal world

How do you manage finding out as an adult that you have power as you never understood or knew you had. Especially for someone who didn’t believe in magic. A truly enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Julie.
116 reviews
December 30, 2018
Premise good, may be building up

I love this genre, but while this book’s premise is good, I found character development, plot development and follow-through a bit lacking. It may be sherry because this is the first book in the series, we’ll have to read on to find out.
1,128 reviews4 followers
April 21, 2019
Cute story. I did find this to be more of a teen book. The characters were acting more like teenagers than women in the mid twenties. The characters were likable though. As with any series I will finish this one.
Profile Image for Andie.
519 reviews
April 30, 2019
Unputdownable!

I loved this book! The market is flooded with this genre but Samantha brings a fresh spin on mto the Supernatural cozy mysteries. All you need is a cuppa and to curl up and enjoy.
921 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2020
The book is a very formula book. Tina accidentally falls into a paranormal town. She has no clue she is a witch because she was adopted as a toddler. The night she arrives a murder happens and some of the town thinks she did it. So she has to find the murderer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

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