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At ReaderCrate, one of my favorite things is introducing readers to the wonderful authors behind the cozy mysteries we love. Recently, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with L. Wren Burke, author of the delightful new paranormal cozy mystery What the Spell, the first book in her Spellbook Magical Cozy Mysteries series.
If you love cozy mysteries with magic, humor, charming animal familiars, and strong female leads, you are going to want this author on your radar.
Elle’s books blend mystery, warmth, whimsy, and heart in such a fun way—and after talking with her, it was easy to see why readers are already falling in love with her magical worlds. You can watch the replay here
L. Wren Burke writes across multiple cozy mystery subgenres, including:
paranormal cozy mysteries
psychic mysteries
magical mysteries
cozy mysteries with animal characters
Her newest release, What the Spell, introduces readers to a fresh magical world filled with charm, creativity, and one especially memorable setting: a sentient bookstore.
During our interview, Elle shared that she lives in Tucson, Arizona, where she writes cozy mysteries that offer readers comfort, humor, and escape.
And that sense of comfort is exactly what first drew her to the genre.
Elle explained that she was drawn to cozy mystery books because of the reassuring, comforting feeling they provide.
When life feels heavy, cozy mysteries offer something special:
a mystery to solve
a charming community
minimal gore
a sense that everything will work out in the end
As she put it, cozy mysteries feel like getting a hug while reading.
That warmth became especially meaningful during difficult seasons in her own life, when she was dealing with chronic health issues and wanted stories that felt gentle, uplifting, and immersive.
That emotional truth really comes through in her writing.
One of the most fun parts of our conversation was hearing how What the Spell came to life.
This first book in the Spellbook Magical Cozy Mysteries series features a wonderfully original concept: a sentient bookstore with the personality of a grumpy but lovable uncle.
Yes, really.
And it works beautifully.
Elle shared that the bookstore setting actually grew out of a world-building process she did with her newsletter readers. She invited them to vote on different story elements, including whether the book should be set in a bookstore. Once that idea won out, she began imagining something even more magical:
What if the bookstore itself was alive?
That spark turned into one of the most creative elements of the series.
The magical bookstore, called Page, becomes both a setting and a character—grounding the story with humor, warmth, and a sense of belonging for protagonist Kinley.
There are plenty of witch cozy mysteries, but What the Spell stands out for its originality.
One of the most inventive parts of the book is Kinley’s book magic.
Instead of generic magical powers, her abilities are tied to the elements of books themselves—paper, ink, pages, and story.
Elle talked about how much fun it was to develop that magic system and imagine how Kinley could interact not just with books, but with the materials that make books possible.
That creative world-building gives the story a fresh, bookish charm that cozy mystery readers will especially appreciate.
And then there are the familiars.
The book is filled with fun magical animal characters, including some wonderfully unexpected choices like a red panda familiar. Elle shared that some of those animal ideas actually came from reader surveys as well, making the story feel even more interactive and community-shaped.
One thing that really stood out in our interview was the care Elle put into developing Kinley’s emotional journey.
Kinley is a former foster child, and Elle wanted to make sure that part of her story was handled thoughtfully and realistically. She spoke about the challenge—and the importance—of showing Kinley gradually learning that she deserves kindness, belonging, and a supportive community.
That emotional layer gives What the Spell real heart.
It is not just a magical mystery. It is also a story about healing, found family, and learning to trust joy again.
Elle also shared something especially meaningful during our conversation: her own health experiences have influenced the way she writes characters.
She lives with several chronic health conditions, including:
hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
fibromyalgia
severe migraines
Rather than keeping those experiences outside her fiction, she has chosen to include characters with similar conditions in her books.
That kind of representation matters, and it adds another layer of authenticity and compassion to her stories.
For readers looking for cozy mysteries with disability or chronic illness representation, L. Wren Burke’s books offer something truly valuable.
In addition to the Spellbook Magical Cozy Mysteries, Elle writes several other series, including:
Prickly Pear Mysteries
Vampire Pet Boutique Mysteries
Chatty Cat Cozy Mysteries
Each series has its own tone and flavor, but all of them reflect her signature blend of charm, humor, and memorable characters.
She also writes fantasy under another pen name:
Emmy Teagan
That work leans more into fantasy, while her L. Wren Burke books focus on cozy mystery.
If you have ever wondered how mystery authors keep all their clues, suspects, and magical details straight, Elle had a very clear answer:
She is absolutely a plotter.
Before she starts writing, she outlines thoroughly and maps out the story structure. She even showed off a hand-drawn map of the town from What the Spell, complete with shops, streets, and magical locations.
That level of organization helps her keep the series consistent and makes it easier to build future books in the same world.
And yes—the adorable magical street names and quirky town details are all carefully planned.
Good news for readers who finished What the Spell and immediately wanted more:
Book two is already on the way.
During our interview, Elle shared that the second book follows Azura’s wedding, with danger, threats, and plenty of mystery getting in the way of the celebration.
She also said she hopes the series will run for at least six books, with recurring characters continuing to grow and take on bigger roles over time.
That means more Kinley, more Page, more magical friends, and yes—more adorable familiar moments.
Elle said one of her favorite ways to connect with readers is through her newsletter, where she shares updates, interacts personally, and even invites readers into parts of the creative process.
She also enjoys engaging with readers on Facebook and in the Cozy Town Sleuth group, where mystery authors and readers gather to chat about books and writing.
For readers who want to stay up to date with her latest releases, her newsletter is the best place to start.
At ReaderCrate, we are always looking for books that bring something special to our cozy mystery readers.
What the Spell was such a perfect fit because it offers:
a magical setting
a strong and lovable heroine
creative world-building
charming familiars
humor and heart
a mystery readers can really sink into
It is exactly the kind of book that makes you want to curl up with a blanket, a cup of tea, and just keep reading.
If you would like to read more by L. Wren Burke, you can find her books through her website and newsletter, including What the Spell, which is available in Kindle Unlimited, paperback, and other online retailers.
And if you are part of ReaderCrate, you may already have discovered this magical mystery in one of our featured selections.
One of the best parts of ReaderCrate is helping readers discover wonderful authors like L. Wren Burke.
Each ReaderCrate includes:
📚 a cozy mystery book
🎁 fun reader goodies
🕯️ cozy treats and surprises
💌 special extras from authors
If you love finding your next favorite cozy mystery author, ReaderCrate is such a fun way to do it.
If you love paranormal cozy mysteries, witchy mysteries, magical bookstores, and stories full of humor and heart, definitely add L. Wren Burke to your TBR.
Happy reading—and happy sleuthing.
Alyssa Granlund
Founder of ReaderCrate
