A paranormal cozy mystery is usually not my cup of tea, but POTIONS FOR PUSHOVERS is the sweetest surprise! Tamara Berry is a brand new writer to me and one who has my attention. She tells a killer story with a ghost, werewolves, poison, and too many suspects to keep track of. I loved our heroine, Eleanor a.k.a. Ellie, Wilde and my new book boyfriend is Nicholas Hartford III.

Madame Eleanor Wilde is a potion-pushing eccentric who recently moves to this quaint English village trying to make a living acting as a medium. She casts spells and sells personalized potions. She was hired by Nicolas Hartford III to rid his castle of a ghost. Ellie solves a murder instead, becomes attracted to Nicholas staying on in the small town. Her plans: to live a quiet pastoral lifestyle, with her adopted cat, Beast, in her leaking thatched-roof cottage. Perhaps she can make a living as the town witch and also get to know Nicholas better?

Castle Hartford is home for Nicholas, his mother, and his young niece, Rachel. He travels often but this handsome chap is charming and seems "smitten: with Ellie Nicholas and Ellie are a pure delight together and such fun to watch as their budding romance blossoms. They are wonderful together!

When Sarah Blackthorne is murdered at the town's fete, no one seems to care. Could people dislike her enough to kill her? Poison her, in fact. Soon Ellie is on the trail to discover who-done-it with the help of two young apprentices, Rachel and Lenora. These young girls worship Ellie and follow her orders including doing research on werewolves. Are they responsible for all the animals being lost, including Beast?

So many colorful characters including Inspector Peter Piper who is the village watchdog. Peter can even chew gum, blow bubbles and with the help of Eleanor Wilde and her two young assistants, find the murderer. BEAST returns and what a sweet sub-plot for the evasive cat. She is a star!

I will be looking forward to the sequel to this one. Tamara Berry, you have a new fan. I would recommend POTIONS FOR PUSHOVERS for anyone looking for something different, funny, with a cast of characters that shine in this quaint countryside town. You hit the mark, thank you.