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Miss Fitz at Midlife
Miss Fitz and the Hot Patchouli Murder
A dead Casanova, Bigfoot sightings, and magical mayhem—just another day in enchanted Nashville, Indiana!
Just as Melissa Fitzpatrick is discovering her mysteriously bottomless designer purse and her newfound magical abilities, life throws her another curveball. When a local lothario (yes, the one with the CASNOVA vanity plate) turns up dead and a mythical creature is spotted on the loose, Miss Fitz knows her quiet Brown County life is about to get complicated again.
Sprinkled with cozy recipes and served with a generous helping of humor, this second installment in the Miss Fitz at Midlife series delivers everything you loved about book one, with an extra dash of supernatural shenanigans.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Witchy mysteries without the gore
Bigfoot with a side of biscuits
Magical midlife friendship with two awesome besties
Cozy small-town secrets
And recipes you'll actually want to try!
Curl up with your favorite tea, settle in with your familiar, and return to the enchanting world of Nashville, Indiana, where even the most ordinary day could be hiding secret magic.
"Like catching up with old friends over coffee—if your friends happened to be witches solving supernatural mysteries in the most charming town in the Midwest!"
Just as Melissa Fitzpatrick is discovering her mysteriously bottomless designer purse and her newfound magical abilities, life throws her another curveball. When a local lothario (yes, the one with the CASNOVA vanity plate) turns up dead and a mythical creature is spotted on the loose, Miss Fitz knows her quiet Brown County life is about to get complicated again.
Sprinkled with cozy recipes and served with a generous helping of humor, this second installment in the Miss Fitz at Midlife series delivers everything you loved about book one, with an extra dash of supernatural shenanigans.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Witchy mysteries without the gore
Bigfoot with a side of biscuits
Magical midlife friendship with two awesome besties
Cozy small-town secrets
And recipes you'll actually want to try!
Curl up with your favorite tea, settle in with your familiar, and return to the enchanting world of Nashville, Indiana, where even the most ordinary day could be hiding secret magic.
"Like catching up with old friends over coffee—if your friends happened to be witches solving supernatural mysteries in the most charming town in the Midwest!"
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2022
10 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Red Tash
30 books258 followersRed Tash is a journalist-turned-novelist of cozy fantasy midlife mystery, witchy non-fiction, and dark fantasy for readers of all ages. She loves witchy cozies & practical magic. ✨
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this small town magical story and I can't wait to see what Miss Fitz, Sin and the rest of the gang investigate next.
September 10, 2022
I missed the first book in the series but I will rectify that.
Great characters and an entertaining whodunit.
Fans of paranormal cozies will enjoy this.
I hope to read further adventures with these characters.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Great characters and an entertaining whodunit.
Fans of paranormal cozies will enjoy this.
I hope to read further adventures with these characters.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
August 10, 2022
Miss Fitz has a hectic life with a husband, four children, a plethora of pets (talking ones, the best kind), and several part-time jobs. Oh, and she's only recently discovered she's a witch. When the local lothario turns up dead in her friend's trunk after a PTA meeting, Miss Fitz knows she needs to get to the bottom of it before the wrong person ends up behind bars.
I don't often pick up a book 2 without having read book 1 but when I saw that this book was set in Nashville, Indiana (quite possibly my favorite place) I had to check it out. Everything I love about Brown County made an appearance. There were animals, changing/falling leaves, shops (soap!), family, coffee, quirky country folks, and best of all... Sasquatch. Some of the local landmarks made an appearance like the leaf statue in front of the visitors center and I recognized some thinly disguised locations like Hard Mash Distillery, Salt Pork Road and Fatty Creek Road. Sigh. Reading this book was almost as good as actually being there.
Miss Fitz is the ultimate cozy character, she's a sweet mom, a loving wife, a rescuer of animals, a pursuer of justice and protector of the vulnerable and she's got every woman's dream purse. She's surrounded by some of the most charming (and some of the least charming) people. The setting is serene and beautiful and the recipes drool-worthy. I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to read more!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
I don't often pick up a book 2 without having read book 1 but when I saw that this book was set in Nashville, Indiana (quite possibly my favorite place) I had to check it out. Everything I love about Brown County made an appearance. There were animals, changing/falling leaves, shops (soap!), family, coffee, quirky country folks, and best of all... Sasquatch. Some of the local landmarks made an appearance like the leaf statue in front of the visitors center and I recognized some thinly disguised locations like Hard Mash Distillery, Salt Pork Road and Fatty Creek Road. Sigh. Reading this book was almost as good as actually being there.
Miss Fitz is the ultimate cozy character, she's a sweet mom, a loving wife, a rescuer of animals, a pursuer of justice and protector of the vulnerable and she's got every woman's dream purse. She's surrounded by some of the most charming (and some of the least charming) people. The setting is serene and beautiful and the recipes drool-worthy. I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to read more!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
August 7, 2022
When the local free hippie is found dead, people are shocked. but Miss Fitz realizes that the fourth grade fourth grade genealogy project may just be linked to the man’s death.
As a witch, Miss Fitz find herself being brought onto the case by the local wizard PI to help solve the case. Add an unexpected visit from her in laws, several part time jobs, and managing a home and family and things can be overwhelming. but Miss Fitz will do her best to help solve the case and bring a killer to justice.
This is the first book I have read in this series and it’s rather cute. I can relate right to the midlife changes and having the chicks fly the coop. The concept of Miss Fitz finding out she is a witch this late in life is also relatable, in that we often find our true selves coming out as we get older. We come into our own and shine. The whole is really enjoyable and I’ll be back for more in this series!
As a witch, Miss Fitz find herself being brought onto the case by the local wizard PI to help solve the case. Add an unexpected visit from her in laws, several part time jobs, and managing a home and family and things can be overwhelming. but Miss Fitz will do her best to help solve the case and bring a killer to justice.
This is the first book I have read in this series and it’s rather cute. I can relate right to the midlife changes and having the chicks fly the coop. The concept of Miss Fitz finding out she is a witch this late in life is also relatable, in that we often find our true selves coming out as we get older. We come into our own and shine. The whole is really enjoyable and I’ll be back for more in this series!
March 18, 2022
I love that Miss Fitz is exploring her witch-ness at middle age. She's just like me: a busy mom, wife and member of her community. It's so refreshing to find someone so relatable going through those discoveries. Witchcraft and magic are as natural as preparing a meal. Oh! and speaking of food ... like the good kitchen witch she is, Miss Fitz shares some of her recipes with us. I can't wait to try them.
This book is whimsical and witty and filled with mystery. It was such fun to piece the clues together with Missy.
I couldn't put it down. I looked forward to sitting down to read each day and found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. I'm ready for the next book in the series.
🕯📖🍀👍📈👍🍀📖🕯
This book is whimsical and witty and filled with mystery. It was such fun to piece the clues together with Missy.
I couldn't put it down. I looked forward to sitting down to read each day and found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. I'm ready for the next book in the series.
🕯📖🍀👍📈👍🍀📖🕯
August 26, 2022
Princess Fuzzypants here: There are some books that hook you from the first page. There are some that take a bit longer and then there are some that have a slow build until all of a sudden you realize you are invested in the story. Miss Fitz was one the last variety. While there are plenty of paranormal characters in the book, the paranormal is almost secondary until much later when the in-laws arrive.
Missy and her best friends are all witches. They never realized that when they were growing up but now, once Missy has stumbled upon her powers, they work together to protect those they love. She is married to a man in whom the magical powers seem to have skipped but his parents are powerful and Missy realizes that some of her four children will carry the gene as well. The story opens when a rather reprehensible man who thinks he is catnip to all women is found dead in the trunk of a car in which Missy is a passenger. Missy is asked to help find the killer by law enforcement- a novel take on the usual cozy. She finds out that the victim has been a busy boy around town and there are lots of folks who may have wished him ill. But did one actually murder the man?
We do find out the culprit and the circumstances but the whole mystery things takes second place for me to the characters. I loved Coal, the familiar who steals every scene he is in. Several other characters, including Missy, are autistic but fall in vastly different places on the spectrum. The challenges and the solutions they must learn is fascinating and enriched the story for me. Also the family dynamic of parents and children was in the forefront and made the book all the more interesting.
I liked that it had layers. Four purrs and two paws up.
Missy and her best friends are all witches. They never realized that when they were growing up but now, once Missy has stumbled upon her powers, they work together to protect those they love. She is married to a man in whom the magical powers seem to have skipped but his parents are powerful and Missy realizes that some of her four children will carry the gene as well. The story opens when a rather reprehensible man who thinks he is catnip to all women is found dead in the trunk of a car in which Missy is a passenger. Missy is asked to help find the killer by law enforcement- a novel take on the usual cozy. She finds out that the victim has been a busy boy around town and there are lots of folks who may have wished him ill. But did one actually murder the man?
We do find out the culprit and the circumstances but the whole mystery things takes second place for me to the characters. I loved Coal, the familiar who steals every scene he is in. Several other characters, including Missy, are autistic but fall in vastly different places on the spectrum. The challenges and the solutions they must learn is fascinating and enriched the story for me. Also the family dynamic of parents and children was in the forefront and made the book all the more interesting.
I liked that it had layers. Four purrs and two paws up.
September 17, 2022
Miss Fitz and the Hot Patchouli Murder is the second book in this new series by Red Tash. It follows Miss Fitz a wife and mom with multiple jobs navigating her life with new magical powers, menopause and being on the spectrum. To say she has a lot on her plate is an understatement Oh, did i mention she can talk to animals too? . She gets dragged in a murder investigation when a slimy playboy is found dead and dosed in patchouli in her friends truck after a PTA meeting. The man was notorious for hitting on women even though he was married so made a few enemies and there's a lot of potential suspects.
Even though I haven't read book one I did get into the characters quickly and feel in love with the quaint setting of Nashville, Indiana. The book is set during an Autumn festival so it has a lot of cozy elements for the fall season. There is also a fun Sasquatch element to the story too. I enjoyed the book immensely and a looking forward to the next installment.
Even though I haven't read book one I did get into the characters quickly and feel in love with the quaint setting of Nashville, Indiana. The book is set during an Autumn festival so it has a lot of cozy elements for the fall season. There is also a fun Sasquatch element to the story too. I enjoyed the book immensely and a looking forward to the next installment.
September 14, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐ — The cover of this book doesn't do it justice, unfortunately. 🤷🏻♀️
What a charming book this turned out to be. It worked well as a standalone. That said, I think reading the first book would be greatly beneficial for background information on these characters. The writing was great. The setting was "cozy". The plot was engaging and kept me guessing. The characters were likable. The only slight issue I had with it, was I felt it dragged a bit in the last 10ish%. Overall, though, this was an entertaining read and I look forward to getting my hands on the next book in this series. 👍🏻👍🏻
**ARC Via NetGalley**
August 8, 2022
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this strange book
took me a while to get into the book and though it was funny at times i could also put it down and walk away, it didnt really grab my attention which i find strange as its the sort of book i would normally love to read...
aw well you cant win them all
took me a while to get into the book and though it was funny at times i could also put it down and walk away, it didnt really grab my attention which i find strange as its the sort of book i would normally love to read...
aw well you cant win them all
September 22, 2022
Although I loved the cozy small town Fall 🍁setting, the story just lacked mystery for me. I found the plot to be dull and honestly I just didn’t care how it ended. This one was just not for me.
**Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review **
**Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review **
August 30, 2022
This is a quirky paranormal cozy mystery with plenty of female friendship. I enjoyed the way the ladies supported each other. There's family angst that occurs for anyone who has ever been in a family. I am new to this author and had fun with this cast of characters.
August 23, 2022
I had a hard time getting into this book. The beginning is a bit hard to understand who is who and what they’re doing. I enjoyed the later half of the book and the characters are great. #MissFitzandtheHotPatchouliMurder #NetGalley
September 27, 2022
Miss Fitz and the Hot Patchouli Murder was a different type of cozy mystery, that unexpectedly, I found enjoyable on a completely different level.
Melissa Fitzpatrick aka Miss Fitz is a very busy woman to say the least. A blissfully, married woman, a mother of four and involved in just about everything in her cozy little town.
I found this story to be more of an every day life situation with a mystery in the background, then a full on mystery. Miss Fitz somehow balances many things day today and wants to do more on top of it. Being a mom is a full-time job and it’s own, and she adds on many part-time endeavors to her plate. Recently, discovering a touch of magic within her life she’s learning a whole new side of herself. She has children on the autism spectrum, and I love how the book shows how she deals and get support. I did like the mystery that was involved, but as I said, that was more happening in the background.
I felt Melissa was learning to deal with a new magical life. Discovering her child may possess those talents as well and nosy in-laws trying to step in and take over without consulting first. Read Tash intrigue me with this wonderful story.
Melissa Fitzpatrick aka Miss Fitz is a very busy woman to say the least. A blissfully, married woman, a mother of four and involved in just about everything in her cozy little town.
I found this story to be more of an every day life situation with a mystery in the background, then a full on mystery. Miss Fitz somehow balances many things day today and wants to do more on top of it. Being a mom is a full-time job and it’s own, and she adds on many part-time endeavors to her plate. Recently, discovering a touch of magic within her life she’s learning a whole new side of herself. She has children on the autism spectrum, and I love how the book shows how she deals and get support. I did like the mystery that was involved, but as I said, that was more happening in the background.
I felt Melissa was learning to deal with a new magical life. Discovering her child may possess those talents as well and nosy in-laws trying to step in and take over without consulting first. Read Tash intrigue me with this wonderful story.
August 27, 2022
I requested an e-ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and I would like to thank the publishers and Netgalley for accepting me as one of it's early reviewers.
I sadly did not love this book but don't get discouraged yet because it might be for you, in this review I will tell you what I liked about it but also why it didn't quite do it for me.
We are following a middle aged woman who has recently discovered that she is a witch and she is navigating the paranomal side of her life while also solving a murder. This is the second book in a series and I have not read the first one so keep that in mind.
Now the elements I enjoyed were how cozy this book was, it felt akin to the show The Good Witch. It had a strong cozy, small town vibe that I love. It had very positive autism representation as well as the main character havig a chronic illness which is handled beautifully, I loved how supportive her husband was about that. It has some recepies in it as well which I thought was really fun (I'm a cozy mystery newbie but I think this is a common thing in the genre) and I might try some actually.
Now for what didn't do it for me; although the book is a cozy mystery, I felt the mistery part was lacking a bit. For me it was never overly exciting and I didn't feel very invested in the mystery plot. I would've liked to see it unfold a bit more slowly and excitingly, I didn't really predict what had happened but it was because I almost had no clues to go on. I also felt that the characters aside from the main characters fell a bit flat, there was a lot of them and not a lot of connection for the reader to latch on to. I also disliked some word choices, for example "yeeted" and "calm AF"... that kind of thing but this is truly just a personal preference and I'm sure most people don't mind it.
Sadly the negative list is a bit longer for me which is why my rating is on the lower side but I did however have a cosy time with the story and I did discover that I really want to read more cozy witchy stories. If you are considering reading this book and are looking for something light and fun I do reccomend that you give it a go! (You'll probably want to start with the first in the series though)
I sadly did not love this book but don't get discouraged yet because it might be for you, in this review I will tell you what I liked about it but also why it didn't quite do it for me.
We are following a middle aged woman who has recently discovered that she is a witch and she is navigating the paranomal side of her life while also solving a murder. This is the second book in a series and I have not read the first one so keep that in mind.
Now the elements I enjoyed were how cozy this book was, it felt akin to the show The Good Witch. It had a strong cozy, small town vibe that I love. It had very positive autism representation as well as the main character havig a chronic illness which is handled beautifully, I loved how supportive her husband was about that. It has some recepies in it as well which I thought was really fun (I'm a cozy mystery newbie but I think this is a common thing in the genre) and I might try some actually.
Now for what didn't do it for me; although the book is a cozy mystery, I felt the mistery part was lacking a bit. For me it was never overly exciting and I didn't feel very invested in the mystery plot. I would've liked to see it unfold a bit more slowly and excitingly, I didn't really predict what had happened but it was because I almost had no clues to go on. I also felt that the characters aside from the main characters fell a bit flat, there was a lot of them and not a lot of connection for the reader to latch on to. I also disliked some word choices, for example "yeeted" and "calm AF"... that kind of thing but this is truly just a personal preference and I'm sure most people don't mind it.
Sadly the negative list is a bit longer for me which is why my rating is on the lower side but I did however have a cosy time with the story and I did discover that I really want to read more cozy witchy stories. If you are considering reading this book and are looking for something light and fun I do reccomend that you give it a go! (You'll probably want to start with the first in the series though)
December 26, 2024
I enjoyed this book. The story is very character driven with lots of home life drama to keep it entertaining. Especially as magic and in laws are involved. Which is good because I like the characters, the humans are great but the animals are special too and can't help but make me smile. Miss Fitz has a lot to deal with but she does it with style and the best way she knows how. She as four children all living at home, with the two oldest being on the autism spectrum, this might be a difficult subject for some people but the author shows a good understanding of the subject and the different ways it can effect people throw in some magic and you have a series that is fun to read. I did think with everything going on the murder mystery side of the story took a back seat. It did get solved and the killer caught but it wasn't the main focus. I can't wait for the next book to see how the characters develop and the changes in store for them.
Autumn is a busy time of year for a tourist village in Brown County, Indiana, with homework project due, the autumn festival apon them, an influx of tourists and extra part time work I her friends shops. So the last thing mother of four Miss Fitz needs is for her estranged in laws to visit and disturb the balance, especially as she doesn't know what they want. Bigfoot sightings isn't helping but then a dead body is discovered in the boot of a friend's car. With the police rushed off there feet coping with all the tourist it's down to Miss Fitz to help clear her friends name. Can she find the killer? Or like the fall leaves will the murder just blow away.
I liked the narrator. It's unusual for the author to also be the narrator but she does such a good job that you would think it was a professional.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Autumn is a busy time of year for a tourist village in Brown County, Indiana, with homework project due, the autumn festival apon them, an influx of tourists and extra part time work I her friends shops. So the last thing mother of four Miss Fitz needs is for her estranged in laws to visit and disturb the balance, especially as she doesn't know what they want. Bigfoot sightings isn't helping but then a dead body is discovered in the boot of a friend's car. With the police rushed off there feet coping with all the tourist it's down to Miss Fitz to help clear her friends name. Can she find the killer? Or like the fall leaves will the murder just blow away.
I liked the narrator. It's unusual for the author to also be the narrator but she does such a good job that you would think it was a professional.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
August 21, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this book.
There were so many positives in the book! First I kept thinking of the quaint part of Salem, MA as I pictured the cute shops in the story with a downtown busy during tourist season. I love there there is talk of neurodivergence and representation in the novel. Miss Fitz truly is your “American mom” with a dirty kitchen and all. Finally, I love a good book with recipes. I really do think it adds a flash of character!
I wanted so much more for this book than it gave me. In terms of a cozy mystery I found it significantly more cozy than mystery. I would have enjoyed a bit more sleuthing around. I also found that there was a lot going on in the book in terms of characters. It was a bit difficult to keep straight as I didn’t feel like I connected with anyone other than the main character.
This is a good read for someone who wants a nice gentle rainy day mystery.
There were so many positives in the book! First I kept thinking of the quaint part of Salem, MA as I pictured the cute shops in the story with a downtown busy during tourist season. I love there there is talk of neurodivergence and representation in the novel. Miss Fitz truly is your “American mom” with a dirty kitchen and all. Finally, I love a good book with recipes. I really do think it adds a flash of character!
I wanted so much more for this book than it gave me. In terms of a cozy mystery I found it significantly more cozy than mystery. I would have enjoyed a bit more sleuthing around. I also found that there was a lot going on in the book in terms of characters. It was a bit difficult to keep straight as I didn’t feel like I connected with anyone other than the main character.
This is a good read for someone who wants a nice gentle rainy day mystery.
April 3, 2023
A big thank you to NetGalley and Hawthorne Gallup Publishing/Red Tash for the eARC. I am voluntarily revieiwng this book. This is the 2nd in a series, and I have not read the first. I think maybe they need to be read in order. I was confused. One second at the marriage, the next thing they are in their 40's? This one was out ther to me. Maybe others would enjoy, but just not my thing. 3 stars
October 7, 2022
This was a bit different from what I usually read, and I enjoyed it. I love Missy and Sin together, and was happy with where the book left off.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 29, 2022
so much better than the first book
Great story, the writing has improved so much, wonderful friendships and other characters. I’m enjoying my stay in Brown County.
Great story, the writing has improved so much, wonderful friendships and other characters. I’m enjoying my stay in Brown County.
September 25, 2022
This book was pretty good but rather cluttered with characters and subplots.
Amazon synopsis:
Melissa Fitzpatrick (aka Miss Fitz) is a blissfully married mother of four living happily ever after in a cozy-yet-bustling tourist village in Brown County, Indiana. That is, except for one month out of the year. Once the leaves change colors, her picturesque hamlet is bombarded by thousands of weekly visitors, stretching the quiet town's infrastructure beyond its limits. Autumn in Nashville, Indiana means "all hands on deck" as the residents show up to serve guests, play bluegrass music, run registers, and make money hand over fist while the getting is good.
This year Missy is scheduled to help out her two best friends in their shops as usual, but when a murder goes under-investigated, this mom on the spectrum can't help but try and figure out the crime. Things quickly escalate and soon October gets really hairy. Can this mom with a mission juggle a busy family life, too many side gigs, interfering in-laws, and still solve the mystery?
Amazon synopsis:
Melissa Fitzpatrick (aka Miss Fitz) is a blissfully married mother of four living happily ever after in a cozy-yet-bustling tourist village in Brown County, Indiana. That is, except for one month out of the year. Once the leaves change colors, her picturesque hamlet is bombarded by thousands of weekly visitors, stretching the quiet town's infrastructure beyond its limits. Autumn in Nashville, Indiana means "all hands on deck" as the residents show up to serve guests, play bluegrass music, run registers, and make money hand over fist while the getting is good.
This year Missy is scheduled to help out her two best friends in their shops as usual, but when a murder goes under-investigated, this mom on the spectrum can't help but try and figure out the crime. Things quickly escalate and soon October gets really hairy. Can this mom with a mission juggle a busy family life, too many side gigs, interfering in-laws, and still solve the mystery?
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews