Bait and Witch

I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes at the ‘librarian discovers magic’ premise—until about 20 minutes in, when Josie Way, mid-panic attack in a diner booth, accidentally turns a cup of coffee into a sentient (and *very* judgmental) puddle. That’s when I knew *Bait and Witch* was something special. Angela M. Sanders writes cozy mysteries for readers who like their small towns with edges, and Josie is a protagonist who feels real: her magic is unreliable, her past is messy, and her detective skills are powered by equal parts research prowess and sheer desperation. Rebecca Mitchell’s performance sells it. She gives Josie a voice that’s equal parts exhausted and witty, like a woman who’s two seconds from screaming but will *politely* fact-check your alibi first. The supporting cast gets distinct treatments too—particularly the town’s resident busybody, whose voice drips with faux concern, and the love interest, whose smooth tones make you wonder if he’s flirting or just *really* good at lying. My only gripe? The magic system’s rules feel a bit vague even by cozy standards—Josie’s powers seem to bend to the plot’s needs—but the trade-off is a story that moves like a runaway broomstick. And while the mystery’s resolution hinges on a classic cozy trope (the dramatic reveal scene), Sanders subverts it just enough to keep it fresh. If you’re tired of cozies where the biggest stakes are ruined scones, this is your audiobook. Just maybe don’t listen while drinking coffee. You know. Just in case.