Parakeets & Pentagrams

by Hazel Reed

Wildlife-rehabbing witch Tabitha Tapscott’s life among the mortals of Dove’s Creek, Virginia is just the way she likes it—until she finds a body on her property.

Though the mortals write the killing off as a wild animal attack, Tabitha’s convinced there’s foul play at work because the body reeks of malevolent magic.

When a mysterious paranormal detective swoops in and pins the blame on an innocent griffin, Tabitha has no choice but to investigate the murder herself.

But as she uncovers secrets that change the way she sees the town she loves, Tabitha realizes an innocent griffin isn’t her only concern—because all of Dove’s Creek is at risk.

With help from her feathered familiars, can Tabitha clip the killer’s wings?

Parakeets and Pentagrams is the first book starring Tabitha Tapscott, wildlife rehabber, witch, and amateur sleuth. Discover the secrets and mysteries of Dove's Creek with Tabitha and her feathered and furred friends in this debut novel from an enchanting new series!

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2019

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tabitha Tapscott, who is immortal, lives with her parakeets on her family's estate where she helps rehabilitate injured birds. When a man is found dead in a government parkland which borders on her property, she is drawn into the mystery to find his killer. At first it seems like an isolated incident since murder is such a rare occurrence in the small town of Dove's Creek. When a second murder occurs, bounty hunter Thomas, who is also paranormal, thinks that Esme the Griffith is the prime suspect. Tabitha doesn't believe her new friend Esme is the killer and is determined to clear her name.


Overall, the book was a good read. I don't usually read paranormal cozies but decided to try something different and for the most part, I am glad I did. While I wasn't familiar with a lot of the terminology, the characters each had distinct personalities--just like humans. Though some might seem scary on the outside, their inner-selves, like Esme, revealed empathy and vulnerability.


One thing that I definitely did not like was the use of strong profanity in what was called "a paranormal cozy mystery." One of the main reasons I enjoy cozies is because I expect not to encounter such language in one.


Thanks to the author for an advance digital copy of this book. My review is voluntary and contains my own thoughts and opinions.

[Sandee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written paranormal cozy. The mystery is interesting and the characters are well-rounded. The story is simple with a single plot line but has some interesting creatures that set the series up for lots of potential stories.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tabitha is a witch and has lived in the area for hundreds of years. One morning she;s awoken by her familiars, Charlotte and Charlie, parakeets. Then as she;s getting ready to start her day someone knocks on her door and when she opens it there stands a griffin with a basket of baby bunnies. As she starts her chores, she has a place for rehabilitating animals. As she;s out with the other witch in town her familiars come to her to let her know they've found a body. She goes to investigate and discovers the body is the man who has just gotten divorced. She calls the sheriff;s office and a bounty hunter soon shows up. Her life becomes entrenched in discovering who the killer is because it seems Thomas, the hunter, wants to hang the murder on the griffin. Tabitha recalls the dark magic she felt on the body and knows the griffin isn;t the murderer. Now the race is on to keep Esme, the griffin, from being framed and stopping a murderer.
WOW! Loved this story! Mixing so many realms together and pulling it together makes for a fantastic reading!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tabitha is an immortal witch who lives in Dove’s Creek with her parakeet familiars Charlie & his sister Charlotte. One day a human is found murdered on the edge of her property and the detective sent to investigate the homicide feels that the newly arrived griffin is guilty with out even finding out the truth.
Tabitha enlists the help of her BFF Nellie (also a witch), the griffin Esme, and a phoenix to help clear the griffin and find the real killer.
The story premise is good, but at times the writing drags and I figured out the culprit before I was halfway through. I did enjoy the addition of both the griffin and the phoenix, neither of which are common place in paranormal stories and the story kept me engaged enough, that’s the reason for the three stars. I was given an advance copy and this is my honest review.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tabitha Tapscott is a wildlife rehabber, witch, and now amateur sleuth when she finds a dead body on her property. Local police think the body was killed by a mountain lion or animal of sorts, but a paranormal detective is sure the killer is the griffin temporarily living on Tabitha’s property. Tabitha doesn’t want the blame to be pointed on the innocent and decides to investigate the murder on her own.

This is an interesting and entertaining new paranormal mystery which is well-written, has a great storyline, and wonderful multidimensional characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the main character of Tabitha who is kind-hearted, strong-willed, and won’t stand for injustice. She is the perfect combination of heroin and amateur sleuth that will both capture and engage readers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sally Wilsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come visit the town of Dove Creek. Where humans and Magical people live. Tabitha is a animal rescuer who heals animals while hurt or sick. But that’s not all she is also a witch. Her best friend Nellie is also a witch and a vet. Usually the town is quiet and peaceful. When a body is found in the woods it looks like a wild animal did it and the visiting Griffin from another realm is the prime suspect. Tabitha knows better and wants to protect her. The council has sent a bounty hunter to find the killer and together with the help of her 2 bird familiars and some of her other magical friends they try to help the Griffin before it is two late. I throughly enjoyed this book and hope the series continues. I read it in one night and was enchanted by all the magical creatures and twists and turns. This book will keep you guessing till the very end.

[Katie Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost didn't read this book but I'm so glad I did. Tabitha is a witch with brother/sister parakeets as familiars. She runs a wildlife rehab and meets a visiting griffin who is implicated in the murder of a mortal. Tabitha is sure there is more to it and, thankfully, so does the magical detective sent to investigate.

The book is a little different from other paranormal cozy mysteries, which is nice. The descriptions were really good, especially the Phoenix, and the writing well done. In fact, I got so wrapped up in it I finished it the same day I started. I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tabitha, a witch in a small town consisting almost completely of humans, finds a murdered man near her property.. What throws her off is that it is covered in malevolent magic.
Finding the culprit, helping and protecting other creatures is what this book is about.
It is written in the typical blend of mystical fantasy, mixing cozy mystery with paranormal witching and shifters. An entertaining blend to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 5 out of 5]

PARAKEETS AND PENTAGRAMS is a magically delightful cozy mystery, first in the new paranormal cozy series, TABITHA TAPSCOTT MYSTERIES. Tabitha is an immortal witch and wildlife rehabilitator near historic Dove's Cove. When she discovers the body of a newly-divorced local human on the same days she encounters a griffin, and notices strange magic at the corpse, she enlists fellow witch Nellie, the veterinarian, to discover the culprit before the Griffin is trapped and executed.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book free as an ARC reader.

Tabitha is remarkably Naïve and trusting for someone who is almost 300 years old. When death comes knocking in her backyard and a visiting Griffin is blamed she starts investigating on her own to solve the mystery. Can she figure out which of the mundanes in her little community has a daemonic connection before Thomas, the bounty Hunter sent by the magical sheriffs office, turns the griffin in?

[D Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to really get into this book. Not because it wasn’t a good book, but it’s different than the other paranormal books that I read. It’s a nice, clean read and I can’t wait to see how this series unfolds.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pernette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hazel Reed's Parakeets & Pentagrams was a cute little paranormal cozy read. I would definitely read one of her books again. Likable characters and a good plot.

#HazelReed #Parakeets&Pentagrams #Paranormal #Witches #GRiffons #Vampires #Evilspirits #magicalblood

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 3 out of 5]

As one of only two witches in town life can become difficult when you discover a body in the forest.
A good start to a new series. Definitely witchy with a difference

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angiebookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A witch who's also an animal rehabber and now an amateur detective? Sign me up. A perfect low-stakes beach read that you'll comfortably breeze through. I look forward to the second one in the series whenever that one comes out.

[Eve Pines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talking birds and a mystery...right up my alley....

[reader 1085 · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable read with paranormal creatures living among the normal humans. withes, demon, griffin, vampire - all fun characters in this new series by author hazel reed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barb Foerst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tabitha is a witchy wildlife rehabilitation specialist. She has 2 familiars which are parakeets. About the same time as a murder occurs in the forest outside her town, a griffin shows up at her door. When the witchy detective blames the griffin for the murder, Tabitha has to get involved.

This book has unique characters and is very enjoyable. I look forward to others in the series.