A Witchcraft Mystery, by Juliet Blackwell, Obsidian Mystery, June 2011
Lily Ivory is not your average shop owner and businesswoman in San Francisco. She owns a vintage clothing store, Aunt Cora's Closet, in the city's Haight-Ashbury district and is a practicing witch. That's why she's standing in Malachi Zazi's penthouse investigating his murder scene, and his glass-impaled body, with SFPD Inspector Carlos Romero. The apartment is full of bad luck symbols designed to discount superstitions, including upside down horseshoes, broken mirrors, thirteen chairs at the dinner table, and a ladder to walk under at the front entry. Lily suspects a clearing spell has been cast throughout the penthouse. She can't read any residual energy, good or bad, which is strange in an almost 100-year-old residential building. She wants to find Zazi's murderer to help the police, but she keeps butting up against a force more powerful than she understands.
And that's not her only problem. Oscar, her familiar, refuses to be nice to the black cat she's temporarily inherited and is allergic to, and Bronwyn, her friend and employee, has an unfortunate connection to the victim.
Handsome journalist Max Carmichael hasn't called Lily since he's been back in town, powerful warlock Aidan Rhodes is angry that she's broken a fragile territory pact with other paranormals, and tall, dark and handsome Sailor is a sourpuss who reluctantly accompanies Lily to the more menacing parts of town in her quest for information.
This is the third book in the wonderful Witchcraft Mystery series, and it feels as fresh and new as the first, Secondhand Spirits. The characters seem alive with their individual personalities and idiosyncrasies, and colorful descriptions set the scene and pull the reader along for the whole adventure.
From gargoyles and Goofer Balls to dark magic in the forest, Hexes and Hemlines is sure to keep you entertained to the last page, and laughing along the way. It's the perfect book to take to the beach, read at the pool or brighten up a dull flight. So whether you're on a vacation or a staycation, this Witchcraft Mystery will help make it a fun and relaxing one.
* The next book in the series will be released in 2012.
PROTAGONIST: Vintage clothes store owner, single, practicing witch
CRITTERS: Oscar- a familiar that turns into a pig around humans, Zazi's cat-a black cat staying with Lily and Oscar
ACTION: Time alteration, chase through a dark forest, fight on a rooftop, snakes ready to bite
LOVE INTERESTS: A handsome journalist, a gorgeous warlock, and a sexy bodyguard
ROMANCE: Melting pewter, sizzling kiss, hot embrace
QUIRKINESS: Unique characters, Oscar-the goblin who turns into a pig, High Prince Zazi-the aging, self proclaimed "High Prince of Hell", Doura-the high-voiced time-bender
COLLOQUIALISMS: Texas sayings and Spanish phrases
INTERESTING TIDBITS: Bad luck symbols, history of gargoyles, architectural descriptions, Tidal Basin cherry trees, war chemicals used for backyard gardening
FUN FACTOR: Lighthearted, witty dialogue, laughs throughout
IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU MAY LIKE: Art Lover's Mysteries by Juliet Blackwell writing as Hailey Lind, Haunted Home Renovation Mysteries by Juliet Blackwell