October 2024
In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace
This was actually a really lovely, cosy, spooky mystery. Within the first few pages I knew I was gonna love it. The setting and the characters hooked me right away. I love it when that happens. Sometimes it takes me a minute to get into the story, which is perfectly fine of course. It's just a lot of fun when that happens instantly. I haven't read any mystery books since I was a teenager so this was a nice reintroduction into the genre for me.
The story is about Brynn Warren who lives in a B&B with her aunts, Nora and Izzy. When a guest dies, the ever temperamental Nora is a prime suspect for her murder. Brynn, who happens to be a witch, sets out to find out the truth. Brynn's gift is to be able to see and communicate with those who have passed away. The only trouble is, she hasn't used her powers since the death of her husband so she needs to rely on some good old-fashioned sleuthing skills to help her aunt uncover what really happened.
Since my own sleuthing skills are non-existent I suspected everyone and trusted no one! There were quite a few secrets to be revealed, aside from the main conflict, which just kept me eager to put all the pieces of the puzzle together throughout the story.
The dynamic between Brynn and her aunts felt reminiscent of Practical Magic (the movie). They may not always get along, but that little bit of friction sure does liven things up. Though, to be fair, Nora — my favourite character — could probably do so all by her lonesome. In this book the magic is somewhat more subtle and gentle than what I've read before. In the same vein as Practical Magic as well. I liked that it had its own rules.
While mainly a witchy murder mystery, it also touches upon the effects of grief and loss, and what can happen when one does not properly address it. A theme that never fails to interest me. Overall this book had a lot going for it; the familial bonds, the mystery, the magic. I just loved all of it. Which is why I will absolutely read the second book 'When the Crow's Away'.
Let me know which spooky books you have read this month or plan to read in November!
Happy Halloween to you!
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