Reviews

Witch Way To Murder
New Mystery Reader.com- Red herrings are drawn across the path by talented Shirley Damsgaard to keep the reader guessing about the murderer’s identity. Who was the victim? Why was he killed? Why is Ophelia getting warnings to mind her own business? These and lots of other questions will keep you turning pages. You’ll enjoy meeting Ophelia and Abby and the well-drawn cast of characters. A fun read, beginning to end. Enjoy.

Mystery Lovers.com- Witch Way to Murder by Shirley Damsgaard is a dazzling debut for psychic Iowa librarian Ophelia Jensen and her grandmother Abby. A corpse in the backyard and a theft have these two on the case.

I LOVE A MYSTERY’S NEWSLETTER (Caitlin’s Staff Pick) When I read that this new series was ‘”Bewitched” meets “Murder She Wrote”’, I had my doubts. It seems that the publishers were right about this one

Fresh Fiction.COM-“A small town murder, a handsome stranger and two witches on the case. You won’t want to put it down.”

Review the evidence.com –“WITCH WAY TO MURDER, a first mystery by Shirley Damsgaard, presents a different slant on the paranormal mystery. Frequently paranormal mysteries are cutesy or almost pornographic. Very few authors manage to combine paranormal activates with a mystery convincingly. While WITCH WAY TO MURDER is cozier than some reader might prefer, but the use of the paranormal is plausible and enhances the plot rather than distract from it.”

Over my dead body.com-“The story kept me engrossed as it set up Ophelia’s history, the small town and the mystery and I admire how the relationship
between Rick and Ophelia isn’t as straightforward as it could easily have been. It’s Ophelia’s awakening to her gift and to the outside world that is as
interesting as the mystery of what is happening in this small town in Iowa.”

Book loons.com-“This mystery is well written and intelligent with great moments of humor, and filled with a real sense of small town rural America. The
plot is straightforward and it’s not hard to guess who the bad guys are. But that doesn’t matter; presentation is everything and Damsgaard does a wonderful job with her fine cast of characters, particularly Ophelia and her inner struggle to accept her gift. Witch Way to Murder is a classy debut with a catchy premise, one that shows great potential for more wonderful stories.”

Charmed To Death
“In her second novel, Charmed to Death, Shirley Damsgaard has woven a spell of her own. As Ophelia is coming to terms with her psychic gifts, her world is shaken when she stumbles across another body. Abby helps when she can, but her crusade to stop a corporation from destroying their little town means that Ophelia has to sort things out for herself. And when Abby is attacked, Ophelia has to grow into her powers to stop a killer. With this sequel to her debut novel, Witch Way to Murder, Ms. Damsgaard has proved that her talent is solid and her characters are ones you’ll come to know and love, and you’ll look forward to each new installment!” Fran – Seattle Mystery Bookshop”

Ophelia and Abby have Charmed me To Death. I love this series.” Pat Frovarp – Once Upon A Crime

“Shirley Damsgaard brings us a wonderful second paranormal mystery with an appealing and cunning young Ophelia and her good witch grandmother
Abby in Charmed to Death (Avon, $6.99). Environmental demonstrations, danger lurking in the fog and small town characters color this series that made a smart debut with Witch Way to Murder. Beguiling!” Mary Alice Gorman – Mystery Lovers Bookshop

“I often recommend Shirley’s book to those folks looking for a cozy, traditional style of mystery. Her recipe for success starts with complex and likable characters, adding a bit of romance and suspense, and then stirring a pinch of (good) magick into the pot for flavor and texture. Definitely worth trying.” Linda Tonnesen – Mysterious Galaxy Books

Powell’s Seattle Synopses & Reviews-“The charming second installment of the delightfully cozy mystery series featuring reluctant psychic Ophelia Jennings and her grandmother Abigail, a benevolent witch. Original.” 
Round Table Reviews-“CHARMED TO DEATH is, frankly, charming!  A perfect cozy mystery with an adorable heroine and a great leading man, CHARMED TO DEATH is sure to capture the reader’s attention from the very first page.  Ophelia and her grandmother Abby are wonderful.  Both are bright, brave heroines that certainly don’t wait for the men in their lives to save them.  Comacho is a great counter to Ophelia and his skepticism adds a lot of reality and drama to the story.  The mystery itself is very well-spun and written with a great deal of finesse.  And, there’s even a little romance to lighten the mood.  If you were a fan of earlier Ophelia and Abby mysteries, you’ll be pleased to note Ophelia has really come into her own as a woman and a witch.  A very nice book, Ms. Damsgaard, and certainly one I will read again and again!  Good work.”

Seattle Mystery Bookshop-Fran-“In her second novel, Charmed to Death, Shirley Damsgaard has woven a spell of her own.  As Ophelia is coming to terms with her psychic gifts, her world is shaken when she stumbles across another body.  Abby helps when she can, but her crusade to stop a corporation from destroying their little town means that Ophelia has to sort things out for herself.  And when Abby is attacked, Ophelia has to grow into her powers to stop a killer.  With this sequel to her debut novel, Witch Way to Murder, Ms. Damsgaard has proved that her talent is solid and her characters are ones you’ll come to know and love, and you’ll look forward to each new installment!”

Once Upon A Crime-Pat Frovarp-“Ophelia and Abby have Charmed me To Death.  I love this series.”

Mystery Lovers Bookshop-Mary Alice Gorman-“Shirley Damsgaard brings us a wonderful second paranormal mystery with an appealing and cunning young Ophelia and her good witch grandmother Abby in Charmed to Death (Avon, $6.99). Environmental demonstrations, danger lurking in the fog and small town characters color this series that made a smart debut with Witch Way to Murder. Beguiling”

Mysterious Galaxy Books-Linda Tonnesen-“I often recommend Shirley’s book to those folks looking for a cozy, traditional style of mystery. Her recipe for
success starts with complex  and likable characters, adding a bit of romance and suspense, and then stirring a pinch of (good) magick into the pot for flavor and texture. Definitely worth trying.”

Coffee Time Romance-Cherokee-“Ms. Damsgaard hooked me from the beginning. It was like a fish going for the bait; I was awestruck and ready for more as pages kept turning. Charming, elegant, and astonishingly well plotted, this is one book that should not be missed, as well as the other in the series! A very talented author indeed!”
 
The Trouble With Witches
Bookbitch.com-Lesa Holstine-“Damsgaard’s mysteries features people using their paranormal talents to fight evil, in whatever from it appears, whether it is meth taking over communities in one book, or the preoccupation with the study of dark “magick.” Her books are page turners, and THE TROUBLE
WITH WITCHES is no exception.”Book Loons.com-Martina Bexte-“THE TROUBLE WITH WITCHES is another well-written, nicely paced, and enjoyable addition to a series that continues to
grow and evolve.”
Witch Hunt
Fresh Fiction.COM “I enjoyed this one so much that I’ve searched out the first three books to read. Whether you start at the beginning or later in the series, those who like their mysteries with a little dash of mysticism will love these books.”Book Loons.com-Martina Bexte “It’s Damsgaard’s rich characterizations and delightful voice that make this series such a fun read. Ophelia has grown
considerably since her debut in Witch Way to Murder. Witch Hunt is a nicely paced and thoroughly involving story, and I look forward to Ophelia and Abby’s next otherworldly mystery.”

Reviewing the evidence.com-Sarah Dudley “I can appreciate the sense of familiarity and security Damsgaard creates in this series. By using ‘normal’
seeming characters stuck in middle-class towns, the problems and situations the characters have can be familiar to all.”

Bookbitch.com-Lesa Holstine “Damsgaard continues to excel in showing realistic towns, ones that have more problems than people think. This is an
excellent series, but I would definitely recommend that readers start with the first one.”
Romance Reviews Today- Kathy Samuels  “Although it’s the fourth book in the series, WITCH HUNT stands well on it’s own with an intriguing mystery that
is sure to please.”

Coffee Time Romance– Kathy “Ms. Shirley Damsgaard has written a page turner of a mystery with a pinch of Extra Sensory Perception thrown in for
spice. I was caught from page one. The conclusion is surprising.”

armchair interviews.com “If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you’ll enjoy Witch Hunt. It’s a fun, fast-paced book with an interesting plot. It’s the perfect
summer beach read or perhaps winter read while sitting quietly in front of a roaring fire. Armchair Interviews says: Check out the first three Ophelia and
Abby mysteries also.”
The Witch Is Dead
Fresh Fiction.COM “Ms. Damsgaard has developed series with some unique and interesting characters. There was a darker element to this book than
some of the previous ones with the body snatcher plot. However, I had a horrible time putting it down once I started to read. The reluctance of Ophelia to accept and work with her talent will strike a chord with readers. I look forward to the next entry in the series.

Book Loons.com-Martina Bexte “The Witch is Dead is another well-written, involving and charming installment in a series that keeps getting better and
better.”

Mystery Scene—“THE WITCH IS DEAD is a complex and exciting addition to this unusual paranormal series.”

Romance junkies reviews.com–Ann “THE WITCH IS DEAD is a perfect book for that dark and stormy night when the lights are flickering in and out to really creep you out.”

best sellers world.com–PATRICIA REID “The Witch Is Dead is a good story with a lot of humor and a mystery to be solved. I look forward to more Shirley Damsgaard novels.”