In the idyllic village of Avebury, murder is on the menu.

Myrtle, the new owner of the Witch’s Retreat B&B, juggles way too many plates. As if wrestling with erratic magic while running a business wasn’t enough, she faces pleas to lead the coven. Throw in the budding romance with “witch hunter” Chris and the shenanigans of Petty, the zombie flower, and Myrtle is in a real pickle.

Then the tourists start dying.

The police are called in, but Myrtle’s bestie, Sergeant Sarah Widdlethorpe, gets no chance to build her case. When the death count rises, the clues pile up—and they point way too close to home. Myrtle has to act fast to save the coven. But soon it becomes clear she’s facing something far worse than a serial killer…

Myrtle Coldron is a new witch still coming to terms with her magical abilities. She also runs the local Bed and Breakfast in the tourist town of Avebury and is kind of dating a witch hunter.

Avebury is starting to get busy with tourists as the summer solstice is near, plus the weather is extremely hot which is great for business but not so great for working in or for keeping your cool, in more ways than one.

When tourists start dying Myrtle is worried about her business and her coven witch friend being suspects and so they decide to investigate but the bodies keep on coming. Can they find the suspect and keep their coven hidden?

Down the Hatch is the second book in the Magical Misfits Mystery series by author Lina Hansen. I haven’t read the first book but was reliably informed that this one could be read as a standalone, which I would say it can be but be prepared to be baffled for a few chapters whilst you work out what is happening.

The plot is entertaining and I loved the characters, especially Dot. I was intrigued by the murder investigation and how Avebury was home to not just witches but other mystical beings yet the coven was the only one not open for all to know about.

I found the book to be a quick read though a little quirky. I’m a big fan of stories containing witches though not much of a cosy mystery fan (I prefer full gore thrillers), so I wasn’t sure what to expect but it gave me some light relief and kept me interested and engaged throughout.

Overall, Down the Hatch was a mixture of genres. It was humorous in parts, contained mysterious moments, was set in modern times, and yet contained magical folk, oh, let’s not forget the fab detective work either. If you love all of the above then grab your copy today!

Lina Hansen has been a freelance travel journalist, teacher, belly dancer, postal clerk, and science communication specialist stranded in the space sector. Numbed by factoid technical texts, she set out to write the stories she loves to read- cozy and romantic mysteries with a dollop of humor and a magical twist.

After living and working in the UK, Lina, her husband, and their feline companion now share a home in the foothills of Castle Frankenstein. Lina is a double Watty Award Winner, Featured Author, and a Wattpad Star. Down the Hatch is the second book in the Magical Misfits series of mysteries.