Chili Cauldron Curse: A Delightful Culinary Mystery with Magic

Chili Cauldron Curse by Lynn Cahoon has Mia Malone in Magic Springs, Idaho. She has taken a week off work at her grandmother’s request to help get the Magic Springs Food Bank into shape before school begins. The place smells from rotting produce and Mia is quick to use a spell to help locate the offending items. The next day, the smell is back. While searching for the source, Mia finds the body of Dorian Alexander, the local coven leader and her grandmother’s new beau. When Gran becomes the prime suspect, Mia begins her own investigation. The killer, though, does not take kindly to Mia interference. Has Mia cast her last spell? Chili Cauldron Curse is a prequel to the Kitchen Witch Mysteries (Book .5). I thought the book was well-written with steady pacing and interesting characters. There are three main characters that we are introduced to (Mia, Gran, and Christina). The author took the time to establish them and gave them depth. I look forward to learning more about Mia, Gran, and Christina Adams. I enjoyed the paranormal aspect. Mia is a kitchen witch. We only learn a little about the craft in this novella. I am intrigued and eager to know more especially about Mia’s kitchen witch doll, Gloria. The mystery was light, but that is to be expected with such a short story. I enjoyed following Mia as she investigated, gathering clues, and listing the suspects. Magic Springs, Idaho seems like a magical town that I look forward to exploring more in this series. I thought Chili Cauldron Curse was an engaging cozy mystery. I look forward to reading One Poison Pie. Chili Cauldron Curse is a magical tale with a wiped out warlock, a chili cook-off contest, a higgledy-piggledy food bank, a hesitant helper, and a romance at the end of its rope.