Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: It Takes a Witch - 1st in the Wishcraft Mystery series
Author: Heather Blake
Publisher: Obsidian
ISBN-13: 978-0-451-23552-7
Release Date: January 2012
Genre/Sub-genre: Cozy/Paranormal/Romantic Mystery
Year/Setting: Present day, Enchanted Village near Salem MA
Overall Rating: 4.5
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Heather's (AKA Heather Webber) Website/Blog: www.heatherblakebooks.com
Though adults, Darcy and her sister Harper have only known they were Wishcrafter’s (they grant wishes) for a short time. There was so much to learn; dos and don’ts, what happens and how, what the unyielding rules were. What better place to do so than the Enchanted Village, and more importantly, their Aunt Ve’s home and business, As You Wish?
The Enchanted Village was a quiet village, where mortals and ‘crafters’ alike lived and worked. Nothing ever happened in the village. Until the pickpocketing began.
Tourists seemed to be targeted, which was bad for the village’s businesses. What was even worse was the murder of a would-be crafter, Alex.
She wasn’t very well liked around the village green, proclaiming loudly that she was a crafter and would prove it. Making 'magical' potions (love, success, etc.) for people, with disastrous results, didn’t help her reputation any, either.
Unfortunately, it’s Aunt Ve’s beau Sylar who is arrested for Alex’s murder. It was well known the animosity he felt for Alex. That and he was the last one seen with the murder weapon.
Harper is adamant about doing some investigating to cast doubt on Sylar’s supposed guilt. If the police chief would rather play golf, then it was up to them to do the detective work. Somehow Darcy gets very involved in the case.
Surprising things come to light. Some that has to do with Alex, her murder, and her life. Other things have to do with the village and its residents. And Darcy is swept further into the crafter’s magic wand of secrets. Like familiars and various types of crafters and consequences of breaking a rule no matter how innocently.
Nothing is ever as it seems, is it?
Darcy is finding that to be true as she searches for the truth. Answers. Evidence. A scrap of something that will exonerate Sylar and reveal a murderer.
Oh, her life has been turned upside down since moving to the village just weeks ago. But despite a murder, a life of potentially hazardous wishcrafting, and the scary thought of a possible romantic relationship, Darcy is home. Her life being magically shaken up as it has been is a good thing. The only thing she wishes for is that once this murder is solved she’ll never have to investigate another crime again. Danger doesn't suit her very well.
Good luck with that, Darcy!
I’ve left a whole lot out, but only because this story is so packed with drama, wittiness, magic, and a mystery that’s a bit multifaceted. Let me just say…
Wow! Ms. Blake has taken the paranormal mystery to a whole new fun yet intriguing level. Extremely likable characters (and familiars), an ‘enchanted’ setting, overlapping puzzle pieces, and an engaging plot are only a part of it.
To sum it all up, this story is intriguingly mysterious, whimsical, delightful, and cleverly crafty. Sounds like an odd combination but I’m telling you, Heather Blake makes it work and I want more!
Happy reading!
Connie
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Connie know.
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