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Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
Milestones, Magic, and Murder by Bella Colby is book one in the Witchy at Fifty Cozy Mystery series. Josie had an entirely different plan in mind for what life at fifty would look like. Losing her husband, along with her home, wasn’t part of that vision. Neither were magical powers, an inherited mansion, nor discovering a dead body. Dealing with a midlife crisis feels like a full-time job, but when you add spells and an opinionated talking cat, everything changes, and she gains access to magic she never knew existed. Now she’s got different problems, such as being blamed for committing murder and a detective eager to throw her behind bars. She has to prove her innocence, deal with hot flashes, and reinvent herself, all while trying to stay one step ahead of a killer.
This engaging mystery offers something new with witches and magic. Bella Colby makes having a midlife crisis fun as Josie gains more than hot flashes. This next adventure in life is all about reinvention, which pairs well with the theme of change and the journey Josie finds herself on to discover who she is as a magical woman. Colby presents the idea that life doesn’t end with change. As she learns magic and investigates a murder, Josie embraces change and learns to live for herself. The writing is delightful and cheeky with great phrases, such as ‘gaggle of women Josie barely tolerates,’ which adds a rich voice and shows Colby has a flair for humor. A standout character is Einstein (her talking cat), who is a sassy sidekick that will make you wish that your pets could talk. His commentary is both educational and snarky, providing the perfect mix for a fan-favorite character and adorable guide. This is a fast-paced mystery that never lets up on the charm and keeps you turning the pages until you see how everything ends up for Josie. Colby delivers a refreshing take on mysteries and magic in Milestones, Magic, and Murder, with a protagonist who is reinventing her life at fifty and finding new magical purpose.
