There’s no place like Salem, Massachusetts—aka “the witch city”—for Halloween. As residents embrace their historic heritage to celebrate the season, WICH-TV program director Lee Barrett is assigned the decadent task of highlighting the village’s delectable sweet shops—only to learn that some revelers prefer deadly tricks over delicious treats . . .

Casa del Chocolate is one of Salem’s most charming boutique candy shops, making it a perfect profile story. Although preoccupied with her own personal sweet news—Lee and her detective husband Pete Mondello are expecting a bundle of joy—she cheerfully agrees to interview the chocolatier. Since becoming pregnant, the radiant and exhilarated mother-to-be has discovered that she is finally free of the unwanted haunting “visions” she has endured since childhood.

Shirley Parker inherited Casa del Chocolate, housed in her beautiful ancestral home on the waterfront, continuing her family’s sweet tradition of conjuring magical treats for the folks of Salem. Mesmerized by the delightful chocolate-scented aromas filling the air while touring the kitchen, Lee is shocked when she stumbles upon the murdered body of Barney Bingham, Shirley’s estranged husband.

As the police focus their suspicions on Shirley, Lee learns that many people had reasons for wanting Barney dead. Now, with help from Pete, tarot reader River North, and clairvoyant gentleman cat O’Ryan, as well as some new feline friends, Lee must unmask the true killer—and cope with the sudden return of her troubling “visions”. . .

Titles in the Witch City Mystery series include: Caught Dead Handed ~ Tails, You Lose ~ Look Both Ways ~ Murder Go Round ~ Grave Errors ~ It Takes a Coven ~ Spells, Bats, and Murder ~ Final Exam ~ Late Check Out ~ Murder, Take Two ~ See Something ~ ‘Til Death ~ Now You See It ~ Death Scene ~ Sugar and Spite ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

Title:  Sugar and Spite
Series:  Witch City Mystery #15
Author:  Carol J. Perry
Published:  October 28, 2025
Publisher:  Kensington Cozies
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Sugar and Spite by Carol J. Perry is the fifteenth title in the Witch City Mystery series… wow, the longevity of this series is awesome, and I’ve read most but still have a few to catch up on.  I love it when an author’s world just continues with more adventures, it’s then that I’m completely invested in their created community and always need updates on the happenings in the neighborhood!

Because this story is a Paranormal Cozy Mystery, I won’t discuss the plot (although it was amazing and pulled me right in), but rather my emotional response to the book.  I try very hard not to give away spoilers in any review, but I’m especially careful when a mystery is involved.

I loved everything that is going on in Lee’s life now, and with a baby coming soon, well, she’s in a good place mentally and emotionally.  I enjoyed seeing her pulled into just one more story to solve, even though it was far from the fluff piece she thought she was doing.  Between red herrings, some twists ‘n turns that I didn’t see coming, I was once again fully engaged in discovering who exactly the villain was.  There was also a sense of… finality, about this story as it felt like everything was wrapped up by the final page.  I’ve learned to never say the absolute end… but, we shall see.  If you enjoy a well-written, engaging, cozy mystery in the paranormal world that will keep you glued to the pages from start to finish, then you’d love Sugar and Spite by Carol J. Perry.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust.  It is my choice to leave a review, giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon