Banshees in the Basement Review: Danielle Garrett’s Magic Inn Series Gets Even Better

Read time: 4 minutes

🎧 Listened in audio 📢 Narrated by Amanda Ranconi
⏱ Duration: Approx. 6 hours 🏷️ Publisher: Roots & Wings Press
Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery

Book Blurb:

TGIF used to mean happy hour or delivery pizza. But when you live at an inn for paranormal beings, Friday just means the weekend’s chaos is about to start. This time, a banshee has taken over the basement, Blair has shifted from human to cat three times in a single day, and her confidential files from SPA headquarters have vanished. Getting rid of the shrieking banshee means solving a local murder first, and the suspect pool starts at four grieving family members before old secrets and resentments muddy the waters. Between vengeful spirits, family feuds, and a mysterious past catching up with her, surviving until Monday looks less likely by the hour.

Let’s talk … murder!!!

Blair just wants clean laundry. That’s it. That’s the dream. Instead, she finds a banshee squatting in the basement, and honestly, if that doesn’t perfectly sum up life at the Magic Inn, I don’t know what does. Danielle Garrett once again proves she has an endless well of creativity. Every book in this series manages to raise the paranormal bar while still feeling grounded, warm, and deeply comforting. From the opening scene in the inn’s haunted basement to the last click of Amanda Ranconi’s narration, the story brims with charm and chaos in equal measure.

There are no shortages of magical beings here, but what really keeps me hooked is the emotional core. These books are packed with love, found family, and a sense of belonging that makes Beechwood Harbour feel like a place you want to live, even with the occasional murder and shrieking spirit. It’s the kind of story where you speed through because you can’t get enough, then immediately regret finishing because now you have to wait for the next one.

And then there’s Amanda Ranconi. Her narration is the reason I fell hard for audiobooks. Danielle Garrett writes magic, but Amanda Ranconi speaks it. Her range, timing, and emotional nuance bring every character to life so vividly that when the book ends, real life feels a little dull by comparison. I genuinely looked around my house like, “Why am I not in Beechwood Harbour right now?” Found family audiobooks don’t get better than this.

Would I recommend it?

Banshees in the Basement is cozy perfection with equal parts mystery, laughter, and heart. The paranormal elements blend so smoothly with the small-town charm that you’ll want to move in. Fans of lighthearted supernatural mysteries and strong, quirky heroines should mark their calendars.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Recommendations:

1. Witches in the Kitchen by Danielle Garrett If you’re new to this series or want to reread how it all started, this is book one of the Magic Inn Paranormal Mysteries and where Blair’s whole chaotic new life begins.

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2. A Witch of a Day by Danielle Garrett Same author, same magical version of Beechwood Harbor, different leading lady — this kicks off the Beechwood Harbor Magic Mystery series starring Holly and gives you even more of that cozy small-town witchy warmth.

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3. The Ghost Hunter Next Door by Danielle Garrett For more of Beechwood Harbor with a spookier lean, this launches the Beechwood Harbor Ghost Mysteries with Scarlet, the town’s own ghost whisperer, and her sarcastic ghost cat sidekick.

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4. Eat, Pray, Hex by Tara Lush If the inn setting and the cat chaos are what hooked you, this one’s got a witch who inherits a spooky Florida inn, a cat named Freddy Purrcury, and a ghost who won’t leave her alone.

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5. Witchy Reservations by Stephanie Damore Another inn full of paranormal guests and small-town secrets, this one follows a witch confronting her past while running a magical inn of her own — perfect if you want more cozy-inn chaos after finishing Blair’s story.

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Would You Survive a Weekend at the Magic Inn?

Between the shrieking basement guest and Blair’s involuntary cat transformations, this book had me asking myself what I’d do in her shoes (or paws). Would you rather deal with a banshee under your floorboards or risk turning into a cat mid-conversation? Tell me in the comments, and let me know if you’re Team Blair or Team Banshee.

Book Links:

Want to purchase this or any of your favorite books while supporting a local bookstore? Consider purchasing using the sites below. These sites work with independent local bookstore owners to fulfill your book orders. #SupportLocal

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