84 Books Like There's a New Witch in Town

This book had me laughing from the moment I read the description! The characters were engaging and complex, and I found myself caring deeply about all of them. This was not a typical murder mystery story, either, which I found refreshing. With plenty of action and suspense, it kept me hooked from the first page until the last. 

I really love Lily Harper Hart’s wit and voice. This light reading with a hint of romance was exactly what I was in the mood for. This first book in the series was such a treat, and I can’t wait to devour the rest. 

I was hooked on this witchy mystery from the very first page! Imogene Banks is a kind and quirky character who gets whisked away to a magical French island to enter a baking competition. I loved the creativity in recipes and I was behind Imogene one hundred percent in her pursuit to open her own bakery.  

This mystery kept me reading late into the night. I was captivated by the magical French setting and the interesting characters. Imogene’s determination kept me turning page after page. The moment I finished, I raced back for book 2!

This book is a fun, paranormal, cozy mystery with plenty of suspense and surprises along the way. I loved the main character, Jess, who had to return to her hometown to settle her mother’s affairs and her cat, Maestro. I’m a sucker for a cozy mystery with a loveable cat, and this book did not disappoint.

The two mysteries in this book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I really enjoyed the reveal of Jess’s witchy abilities. This is a great start to an entertaining new series, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

I thoroughly enjoyed the start of this new paranormal, cozy mystery series. Arabella has been avoiding her witchy abilities, and as I read, I discovered this was for good reason. It made me care for her, and her complexity made her a truly sympathetic character to follow.

The friendships and setting held my attention through this book, not to mention the French bulldog who steals the show. Her ghostly grandmother kept me laughing throughout, and I loved the outcome of this book, where I got to see Arabella grow in confidence and ability. I look forward to the rest of this series. 

Midnight Crossroad builds on existing mythology and folklore as well as on her more famous Sookie Stackhouse series. The Midnight books have a slightly heavier vibe than the prior series, and I love seeing another aspect of her “Trueblood” world, this time set in a small town in Texas. I found myself rooting for every member of this darkly quirky cast of characters—supernatural and otherwise.

This was the first occult book I ever bought, so it holds a special place in my heart. The title alone, drew me to it and I was not disappointed. The book is full of all kinds of spells and information on herbs, amulets and talismans, ceremonial magic, Satanism & Witchcraft, potions, and many other wicked goodies. I love old occult books and this one, first published in 1970, started my occult library which has continued to grow. 

Who’s ever been blamed at work for something they didn’t do?  Well, the Office of Preternatural Affairs takes it to a whole new level when they suspect one of their agents, Cèsar Hawke, of murdering a woman. I mean, she was found dead in his home…but he claims he’s innocent. And he’s going to hunt down a shaman who can speak to the dead to prove it.

This wickedly fun story takes the urban fantasy detective trope and infuses it with humor, danger, and twists & turns.

Although most historical societies have believed in witches of some kind, the great witch-hunt was unique to early modern Europe.

This formidable but brilliant book explains how European intellectuals, in the age of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, created an interpretation of witches as conspirators with the Devil – a spirit of terrifying power. The book has over 800 pages, but there are handy introductions to each of its five sections. Start by reading all these introductions, and then explore the rest of the book bit by bit.

My favourite section, ‘Politics’, shows how witch-hunting was linked with the doctrine of the divine right of kings. You should obey the king because he has been appointed directly by God – and the king can demonstrate his godliness by punishing God’s enemies, including witches.

There’s no doubt about it: this is an incredible “forever book” for Witches of all ages. This compendium has guided every single one of my Witchy years from teenagehood onward, and I still discover something new with every read. Drawing on the Irish authors’ training in Alexandrian Wicca, which developed shortly after Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente developed the Wiccan religion itself, this book journeys across cultures, traditions, and magickal practices, both old and new.

Although the book is a product of the 70s, it was incredibly progressive back then and certainly continues to be. Also, keep in mind that the terms Wicca and Witchcraft, in a Western Pagan context, were synonymous at the time. I find this book’s information (and accompanying photographs throughout) both timeless and perpetually invaluable!

As well as the fears of godly states, early modern villagers had their own fears.

This book shows ‘witches’ being created in a process of everyday village rivalries between neighbours. Two villagers quarrel; either or both of them may utter insults, threats, or curses. You witch! You will regret this! May the Devil drag your soul through hell! And so on.

Insults (even ‘You witch!’) were relatively harmless, but threats and curses could get you into trouble. If your opponent then experienced some misfortune, neighbours might explain this as your curse taking effect.

This was particularly likely if you were female: people feared men’s physical violence, but they feared women’s curses. This book brings early modern villages to life.