Shirley Damsgaard Books In Order

Publication Order of Ophelia & Abby Mystery Books

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Anthologies

Shirley Damsgaard

Author Shirley Damsgaard works as the Postmaster in a tiny Iowa town, where she lives with her family.

She was the only child and grew up on a farm, and when she was younger, her only career goal was to become a princess. Since all of the positions were filled, she wound up following the path of many other women. Marriage, kids, a career outside of the home. In Shirley’s case, it was a job with the Postal Service.

It wasn’t until she was almost fifty years old that she tried to write something. The result was a terrible romance novella. It would have been the end of things right there, if not for her late husband’s suggestion that she attempt a mystery. He pointed out her ability to spoil a movie for him by figuring out how they would end. She combined this suggestion with her lifelong interest in the paranormal and Abby and Ophelia came to life. Creating this series is what helped carry her through a difficult time.

She still likes needlepoint, gardening, and reading. Shirley feels her world is larger because of Abby and Ophelia. Becoming a writer has been the ride of her life, and one that she will always be grateful for.

Her first novel, called “Witch Way to Murder” was released in the year 2005. She writes cozy mysteries. In the year 2011, she released “Shadow Tales”, her first book of short stories.

“Witch Way to Murder” was nominated for an Agatha Award.

“Witch Way to Murder” is the first novel in the “Ophelia and Abby” series, which was released in the year 2005. Ophelia Jensen just wants to be a typical, thirty-something librarian. Unfortunately, she has been stuck with psychic powers, that is an unwanted ‘gift’ that she finds at worst to be downright dangerous and at best is inconvenient. Abby, her kindly old grandma, however, has no issues about the paranormal, seeing as how she is a practicing witch with some unique abilities all her own.

Sometimes these otherworldly arts come in handy, like when the arrival of a handsome and mysterious stranger comes to their usually peacefrul corner of Iowa triggers a plague of catastrophes. These include a murdered corpse that was dumped in Abby’s own backyard to the theft of some bomb-making materials.

Luckily Abby and Ophelia are working the case with a determination to make things right. It is going to take a lot more than simple magick to get out of the lethal trouble they are about to get themselves in.

Damsgaard has a knack for writing some authentic characters that are intense, vivacious, intriguing, and engaging. She even does a rather impressive job of unfolding bits of Ophelia’s past over the course of the novel. She weaves a wickedly entertaining and smooth cozy mystery with just a touch of paranormal sure to enchant from start to finish.

“Charmed to Death” is the second novel in the “Ophelia and Abby” series, which was released in the year 2006. Ophelia’s grandma Abigail revels in her own paranormal powers. Ophelia never asked for these bothersome psychic powers, especially because they proved to be useless when her best friend, Brian, was killed by a still-unknown assailant.

Five years later, and another friend is gone, after being murdered in almost the same way. Dear old Abby is unsafe. Even if she is distracted by her fight to keep a mega-polluting and massive pig-farming operation from invading their still tiny Iowa town.

Ophelia is unable to count on her scoffing and snarling nemesis, a police detective named Henry Comacho, to get things done. She will have to take matters into her own hands. There is a common link to these crimes, even a potential next victim, is becoming apparent. It is Ophelia Jensen herself.

Readers kept on reading this one until they had finished it, as it keeps you in its grips with a well thought out story from Shirley Damsgaard.

“The Trouble with Witches” is the third novel in the “Ophelia and Abby” series, which was released in the year 2006. Ophelia has always thought her psychic abilities were an imposition, except when she is able to put these talents to good use, like when a buddy asks for her help finding a missing teen. Unfortunately, it means that she and Abby must take to the road in order to go looking for the vanished girl out in the wilds of Minnesota.

The signs point to a secluded new age research facility that belongs to Juliet and Jason Finch, who lives with their thirteen year old niece, a girl that is troubled and could be matricidal. A strange local murder that occurs right after they arrive, plus a mysterious Native American shaman’s appearance just emphasize the urgency of their hunt. It pulls them into a web filled with dark secrets as well as to the last place they ever wished they would be: out in a cottage in the woods where real evil could really dwell.

“Witch Hunt” is the fourth novel in the “Ophelia and Abby” series, which was released in the year 2006. Ophelia is finally beginning to embrace her lot as a member of the ‘chosen’, a psychic and folk magick practitioner also called a witch. Expert loving guidance coming from her magically adept grandma Abby helps a lot, as does adopting Tink, who is an exceptionally talented teenage medium. It has given Ophelia’s life some much needed new purpose. A brutal murder, however, clouds all of the sunshine of their days.

Darci, Ophelia’s co-worker and best friend, becomes distraught when her cousin is implicated in the recent murder that happened in Summerset, Iowa. It is the violent death of a biker. Unfortunately for her cousin, her fingerprints are found all over the murder weapon. She says that she is innocent, but it is going to take Abby and Ophelia more than just a good incantation or two to get to the bottom of things. Seeing as how there are corrupt cops, ghosts, a tiny army of outlaw bikers, and secret identities are thrown into things.

6 Responses to “Shirley Damsgaard”

1. Colleen: 3 weeks ago

   I just finished The Seventh Witch,and
   even though she did appear to finish the
   series, I really wish she would continue
   to tell Ophelia’s story. So very well written
   and engaging, you really care about the
   characters from the first book. Thank you
   Shirley Damsgaard, you’re really a good
   storyteller.

   Reply
   • Melissa: 2 weeks ago

     The stories are very engaging. However, as much ad I love the Abby character, Ophelia is way to old to be such a brat. I wish her character would blossom a bit more… I’m on book 3.

     Reply
2. Cindy: 9 months ago

   Love this series and I want more…especially now that Ethan is a live interest . Will there be more in the series or is this just it?? Kinda leaves you hanging??

   Reply
3. Randal Trusler: 2 years ago

   I love this series too. I’m about to start “The Seventh Witch”, but I’m hesitant to start because I know it’s the last in the series and when I’m done reading that’s it. Ophelia, Abbey, Darci, and now Tink, are like people you care about, but won’t be in touch with anymore. I do hope there is another book in the works.

   Reply
4. Donna J Pelikan: 2 years ago

   I have read this series and I want more, are there more in the series

   Reply
5. Val: 2 years ago

   Love this series. Just started,, “the witch’s grave” so I’m pleased there is another book to follow. After all we need to find out how Tink is growing into her powers and Abby who might finially get her granddaughter to accept her power and embrace it.
   Thank you for all your hard work so we might have a place to visit when we open the book.

   Reply