My name is Gracie Springs, and I am not a witch… but I’m pretty sure my cat is. I first started to get suspicious when he jumped just a little too high while chasing after a robin in our front yard. I knew for sure when he opened up his mouth and addressed me by name!
The first thing he told me? That he doesn’t like the name I gave him—even though “Fluffy” fits him like a warm sweater at Christmas. Now we’ve compromised on “Merlin the Magical Fluff,” which according to him references his long and proud lineage just fine.
After that small matter was settled, he informed me that I must uphold his secret or risk spending the rest of my life in some magical prison. I agreed, not knowing it would turn into a full-time job of covering his tracks and fibbing our way out of some pretty tight spots.
When my boss at the local coffee shop turns up dead as a dormouse, things go from challenging to practically impossible… especially since all my coworkers seem to think I’m to blame.
Here’s hoping my witchy cat can charm our way out of this one, because right now it looks like I’m cursed if I do and charged with murder if I don’t. Yikes!
Molly Fitz is the quirky, cozy mystery pen name of USA Today bestselling author, Melissa Storm. And while she can't technically talk to animals, she and her doggie best friend, Sky Princess, have deep and very animated conversations as they navigate their days. Add to that, five more dogs, a snarky feline, comedian husband, and diva daughter, and you can pretty much imagine how life looks in the Casa de Fitz.
Molly lives in a house on a high hill in the Michigan woods and occasionally ventures out for good food, great coffee, or to meet new animal friends.
This is the second book I've read in this series. I do admit the cute Maine Coon cat on the covers were 99.9% of the attraction...at least to begin with. l've been owned by more than one cat in my lifetime so I had no problem believing that Merlin was magical and could solve mysteries, or that he owned a human. Then I quickly found out that Merlin is not actually a cat. He's really a witch...being that he's male I guess he's a warlock...anyway he's magical and solves mysteries.
Gracie thinks she is Merlin's owner, (silly human), but if you have been owned by a cat, you know this isn't true but, to get more tuna, Merlin is willing to go along with it...as he knows she is actually his familiar...and she is starting to settle into that role rather nicely, but the magic world around them can't let that happen. As one other reviewer adequately remarked "This book went by in a blur of shenanigans and cat fur.". I thought that described it rather well. It kept me guessing and of course my guesses were never right.
It's a completely different twist on the cat and familiar relationship and not what I usually read but I think I might be hooked on Merlin and might consider applying for the 'familiar" position should he need another one.
Some serious continuity errors, i.e. Gracie attempted chest compressions when Harold keeled over. Several paragraphs later she decides to focus on her work. When did she stop the chest compressions? Also, it sounds like she’s in the main area (Drake tromping over to the door to flip the open sign around, Gracie telling a customer she’d have to leave, etc. But when the emergency personnel and police arrived Gracie took them toward the back area to Harold’s office. In addition, “Poor Harold lay on his back with his head slouched against the wall and his neck bent uncomfortably. One hand set atop his chest…” IF Gracie had done chest compressions, I would hope she could have laid him out flat and taken his hand off of his chest. The story had potential, I felt it just fell flat.
This was almost a 4. It was a cute story about a witch cat. The concept was good, the characters mostly likeable. It read quickly. Some parts were a bit middle grade style writing, but hey it's a talking cat. The think that took it down from 4 to 3 was the abrupt ending, especially since the digital book still listed 10 pages left (all were adds for other books). It is a series started so there os a continuing story line. This story was completed, with a bigger story continuing in the background. I may pick up other of this series if your looking for a quick magical read this might be for you.
Primo dei tre volumi che compongono le avventure magiche di Merlino, un mago stravagante sotto forma di felino. Un libro scorrevole che si legge in poche ore e che ha la capacità di trasportarti in un mondo pieno di gatti e di magia. Ho apprezzato molto la storia, semplice e mai banale; non capita tutti i giorni di leggere di un umana che viene scelta come famiglio. Il personaggio di Gracy non mi ha convinto molto, mi è sembrata troppo emotiva per risultare; i battibecchi tra lei e Merlino però sono molto divertenti. Perfetto se si cerca una lettura cozy mystery non troppo impegnativa; curiosa di scoprire le prossime avventure.
I loved this book! There's nothing like a paranormal cozy mystery for a distraction from real life. I usually read horror and scifi, but as I was looking for a new read, those genres felt overwhelming. Too serious and too scary. This book gave me real respite, warmed my heart, and even made me laugh. The author has created lovely characters, human and feline. Thank you for saving my weekend, Molly Fitz!
I love this new series by Molly Fitzgerald, its got animals and magic a great combo. Just devoured it in one sitting and can't wait for the next book. Gracie's live was pretty normal until she saw her cat fly and her boss drop dead. Merlin it turns out is no ordinary cat but a powerful witch. Can the two of them find out who killed Gracie's boss before someone breaks their bond or kills one of them.
An interesting premise. Gracie discovers her cat is a witch and has chosen her as his familiar. She doesn't seem to have much choice. Fluffy - who's name as he informs her is Merlin (and he doesn't like Fluffy as a name at all) - is rather bossy and overbearing eventually. I didn't much like him at first, but he improves and it's a cute story with some hints of amazing magic.
Ho letteralmente divorato questo libro e mi è piaciuto tantissimo! Non è lungo, ma è pieno di avventure. Un bel fantasy a tema felino. Non vedo l'ora di tradurlo!!!
Molly Fitz keeps me turning pages because they're light-hearted and funny but also interesting enough! When I can't concentrate enough to deal with complicated or deep storylines, I always turn to her books. And whaddaya know? This book was perfect for my mood at midnight.
As a note, I always notice that she has policemen in her story all the time. Which is reasonable since she writes cozy mysteries but the policemen seem cool and not antagonizing so Officer Dash was a breath of fresh air but also she gets on my nerves so much. I literally scream "who the hell made her like this! Literally the worst officer I've seen in a while."
As usual, I can't wait to read the sequel. For the mean time, I think I'll just re-read Pet Detective PI series. They're my comfort books now.
Update: Re-read it again! I still really really like this book.
The sheer over-the-top silliness of this book tickles my fancy. If you like silliness, snark, and shenanigans with your paranormal happenings, then it’s probably going to tickle yours as well. As someone who’s been owned by a cat before, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to learn most of this was true. Now that we’ve started to get to know Gracie and Merlin, I can’t wait to learn even more about them. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
An entertaining tale of "Merlin" magic. I really did so enjoy this book more than I thought I would. I ordered it on a whim from the newsletter I receive from Molly Fitz. I have been invested in her Pet Whisperer P.I. - which once again I read in 2019 when it came out - and was literally hooked. Yup, peeps, I have read all 12 books. If you want to take your mind on a short respite, pick her books up to read. Yes, they are fantasy but how many of us truly believe our pets are talking to us and that they do understand us more than we do ourselves. All my past cats and current puppy mutt knew and know me better than I know myself and they have all "played" me brilliantly. And now back to the review...... As we begin the story, Merlin the cat (in his first book of a series - second one out mid-March) has just chosen his familiar who happens to be the witch's attendant. As tradition has it - a witch is human and a familiar is usually a cat - yes it does become clear that the tables are turned in this book. Nope, not going to review the story which I really got lost in - anything Merlin is just too cool. However, I will say -- you will not be disappointed in this quick read that leads to a relaxing and restful sojourn for a few minutes a day. Goes great with my cup of java, hot chocolate, or wine but not necessarily all three at once.
Gracie Springs est une jeune femme qui vit une vie assez banale, elle a un job banal, habite une maison banale, à un chat banal. Jusqu’au jour, où elle remarque que son chat fait quelque chose de peu banal, en sautant assez haut pour essayer d’attraper un oiseau. Dans la même journée, son patron meurt assez brutalement devant ses yeux et comble de l’horreur, voilà qu’elle est la suspecte numéro un. En rentrant chez elle, elle se plaint à son chat et ce dernier lui répond. Car son chat s’appelle Merlin est c’est un magicien. Ensemble, ils vont essayer de découvrir qui se cache derrière la mort de son patron.
J’ai été embarqué dans l’univers créer par Molly Fitz, dès les premiers mots, il faut dire que j’adore cette auteure depuis que j’ai lu les trois premiers tomes de son autre série « Les enquêtes de la chuchoteuse ».
Dans Merlin, matou magique, nous avons aussi un chat qui parle, mais en plus ce dernier à des pouvoirs magiques. Elle a réussi à créer tout un univers autour des chats magiciens avec leurs propres lois et réglés, j’ai hâte d’en apprendre un peu plus sur ce monde.
Elle a réussi à résoudre l’enquête autour de la mort de son patron, même si elle était pas le centre de l’histoire, mais cela était pas dérangeant quand on sait le comment du pourquoi. Mais je ne dirais rien, si vous voulez le savoir, je vous invite à le découvrir.
This is a fun cozy witch mystery that had an nice and unusual twist to the tail. I liked the fact the familiar was the human and the cat was the powerful witch. There was a murder but as the focus was on getting to know about witches, the murder was the jump kick to start it all off and there wasn't really an investigation or many suspects. Having said that I still really enjoyed the book, a talking cat who wouldn't? and the characters are fun and snarky, just the way I like them. It is a nice start to the series. Gracie arrives late to work and gets into an argument with her boss, only for him to drop down dead. She wishes that that was the end of the madness but no next her cat talks to her. The police suspect her of murder and Gracie suspects she is going mad. Fluffy the cat or as he likes to be called Merlin knows better. He is a witch and has chosen Gracie as his familiar, sending her world upside down. The pair aren't the only witch human team in town but the town is only big enough for one and with old grudges to settle can Gracie learn enough about the magical world to keep herself alive. Oh, there is also the pesky problem of being considered a murder suspect. I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I had fun with Merlin and Grace – witch and familiar in that order. Merlin the Magical Fluff introduces us to this magical world where cats talk and humans are the familiar in the relationship – a bit of a topsy-turvy feel but it works. And for snark and sassiness, you cannot beat a talking cat… ever.
Most of what you’d want to know before picking up this book can be found in the cover description. And, really, as an introduction to this world kind of story, I was entertained and definitely intend to continue to follow Merlin’s and Grace’s adventures in the mystery-solving business. There is world-building here in the first book of the series, and I didn’t mind getting to know the main characters and just how they came to be partners in crime-solving.
I laughed-out-loud often while reading Merlin the Magical Fluff, didn’t really solve anything on my own, and had a fun time overall. And yes, this review is vague because I’m not about to give spoiler details away so if you love a fun Paranormal Cozy Mystery then you’ll enjoy yourself with this one.
In a flip on the witch/familiar plot, Grace the human is non-magical while Merlin, Maine Coon cat extraordinaire, is the one with the magic. All magicals are cats. But, in keeping with the felines from Molly's series, he's snarky and bossy. When Grace's coffee shop boss, not the nicest human being, is poisoned, Grace and Merlin must track down the murderer, especially when the hardnosed local cop is sure it's Grace. Merlin expects instant obedience from Grace while being short on explanations about the magical world. When Merlin runs afoul of an ex-kitty feline and her familiar, Grace gets caught in the middle. Not quite knowing the rules, she still has to find the murderer and defend herself against the murder charge the cop is determined to hang on her. Set in the land of iced tea and manners, Grace and Merlin make a good team although I suspect the bond between the two is stronger than either realises. I received an ARC copy of this book in return for this honest review. The Molly Fitz series are snappy, quick reads that are worth coming back for again.
MERLIN THE MAGICAL FLUFF is the first book in the Merlin the Magical Fluff series. These will need to be read in the order of release.
Pure fun entertainment with a twist. In this world, the cat is the powerful witch, and he chooses a mundane human as his familiar. This cozy mystery is a delightful read with a fuzzy feline in charge…. Which anyone who has ever had a cat or dog knows they are always in charge.
Gracie Springs inherited a house in Elderberry Heights from her grandmother and a Maine Coon cat seems to have come with the house. Her world is turned upside down when she finds out that the cat is able to talk and is a powerful magic descended from THE Merlin.
I loved this story and I’m looking forward to more!
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: MERLIN THE MAGICAL FLUFF Series: Merlin the Magical Fluff #1 Category /Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery Recommended for: 14+ Grammar/editing: book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Gracie Springs has just moved into the house her grandmother gave her in the small town of Elderberry Heights, Georgia with the large Maine Coon cat she inherited and named Fluffy. Imagine her shock when the cat talks to her telling her about magic and that his name is Merlin. And, as if that wasn't enough, her boss at the coffee shop where she works does and she's accused of murder. Gracie must now learn to live with a magical cat and do some investigating of her own to clear her name.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review. This is the first book in a new series and I loved this quick, fun read which is well-written with well-rounded characters. I read this fast-paced book in one sitting. It drew me in from the beginning and kept me hooked until the end. You'll enjoy the story and will be kept guessing as the mystery evolves. I'm really looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this one.
In a reversal of the usual roles, here we find that Merlin is the witch and barista Gracie Springs, who is trying to finish up her masters degree in Sociology, is the familiar.
When Gracie grandmother moves to the Florida Keys and gives her the house, Gracie moves in and adopts a stray cat who had just moved in days before her aunt departure.
Around the time Gracie discovers that there is something unusual about her cat, the nasty owner of the coffee shop where she works dies right after he yells at her for being late and docks her pay. A mean police officer investigates the death but nothing is as it seems, including the officer!
Nothing is the way it seems in this book. Also unusual for this type of cozy, there is no handsome detective with twinkling eyes or bachelor next door who is attracted to our protagonist.
So far I am not hooked on this new series by Molly Fitz but I will read the next in the series to see if I like the characters better once they develop further.
I enjoyed this story with all the characters within. The main characters were Gracie Springs and her cat.
Gracie Springs is very surprised when she show up for work and her boss started to yell at her. But the most surprising thing is that while he yelling he all a sudden grabs his chest and fall down dead. When she able to return home. She find out something more surprising her cat can talk. He is a magical cat and now she is his familiar. But while trying to understand what is happening she find out that her boss murder. And she is one of the suspect. She decides to try and find the murder.
This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure and suspense throughout. There were a lot of twist and turns throughout the story. There were a few giggles within. It was fun trying to solve the mystery within.
I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
This is the first book in the series. It is actually based off of the authors cat named Merlin. Gracie moved into her grandmother's house in Elderberry Heights, Georgia when her grandmother moved to Florida. She she inherited a cat she named Fluffy but is really named Merlin. Then she learns the cat can talk. She is late again to work and while her boss is blasting her about it he dies. Now she is accused of murder. She needs to clear her name but how? I don't want to give away the story I will say I usually don't read books like this but I did enjoy it. So grab your copy today and get comfy. I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
Gracie Springs finds herself in a difficult situation. When Gracie's penny-pinching boss Harold drops dead as he is yelling at her for being 3 minutes late, she becomes the primary suspect when Officer Dash explained that they presume murder in a case until the victim is proven dead by natural causes since this gives them time to investigate the crime before the coroner’s report comes in. That way they don’t miss any of the evidence. So as Gracie tells her cat about her frustrating morning, she then has to deal with the fact that her cat can actually talk to her and is the magical one in their partnership… also that she is his familiar. This is not necessarily a comforting role to be in. You can be sure the twists and turns to this mystery will have us all dizzy! Can Gracie and “Merlin the Magical Fluff” clear her name?
First Gracie's cat flies and then her boss drops dead ... and things just keep getting weirder from there. This funny cozy mystery introduces a new mythology where cats are witches and their human "owners" are familiars. When Merlin's former girlfriend comes looking for revenge because he jilted her and the obnoxious local police officer identifies Gracie as a a possible murderer of her boss, there's plenty of magic (not to mention a little love) in the air and enough action to keep the most avid adventure fan busy. Molly Fitz has a talent for making mystery and magic fun and this time she's definitely lived up to my expectations. A great read and a great kickoff to a new magic-wielding pair of sleuths.
Molly Fitz (who also writes under the name Melissa Storm) writes the cutest books about talking animals! This is the first in this series and you know I will be reading more of them! I have read others in a different series and really loved them too!! If you need a relaxing and funny book you just can't go wrong reading any of the Molly Fitz books!
In this one the cat is the witch and the human is the familiar! There are a couple of other witchy cats with human familiars in here as well. Trouble abounds--including a murder which was not committed by Gracie-although somehow people think she is to blame!
There are quite a few twists and turns but I am happy to inform you that many problems are solved satisfactorily in the end!
This book is fantastically written. I have an eye for picking books. If the cover doesn't catch my eye then I won't read them, and this one did. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint me. I would highly recommend this book for a good afternoon reading. Molly has done an outstanding job. Gracie finds herself in a hot spot, prime suspect in the murder of her boss. Her cat is a witch and she is the is familiar. I love it, it is always the other way around, but this way, I have never read about it, and I absolutely think it is great. My favorite characters are Gracie and Merlin. I chose to give it 5 stars because that is what I think this book deserves. If you want to find out what happens, I would highly suggest you get the book, it is well worth it. Thank you.
I have been eagerly devouring all of Ms Fitz's books and this is my most recent finish. I have read another book in this series (Luna the Magickless Fluffy) but of course, I had to go back to the beginning and find out how and why she became that way. This series starter explains it. Gracie becomes the somewhat unwilling familiar to Merlin who is descended from the great Merlin of Arthurian legend and he is in the home of his previous familiar when Grace comes along. The two form a quick bond and the adventure begins from there. This is a fun story and I enjoyed it a great deal. Molly Fitz's imagination sparkles in the pages and her talent is obvious. Can't wait to read the next book in the series! Highly recommended reading!