by Cynthia Chow

Here is another perfect mystery for the Halloween season! Details on how to enter to win a copy of One Potion in the Grave at the end of this review, along with a link to purchase the book where a portion goes to help support KRL.

When an elegant blonde steps into Hitching Post, Alabama’s Little Shop of Potions, it’s not surprising that owner Carly Bell Hartwell is caught off guard. Dr. Kathryn Perry bears little resemblance to her past persona, Katie Sue Perrywinkle. Carly’s friend from the wrong side of the tracks, had struggled to leave her disreputable and greedy family behind. While Katie Sue hopes to reunite with her little sister, the real reason for her return is the much anticipated wedding of country music star Landry Calhoun and orphaned heiress Gabi Greenleigh. The union of a U.S. senator’s son and a Miss Alabama beauty queen is as close to royal wedding as The Wedding Capital of The South will ever see.

As an empath and white witch, all of Carly’s senses are buzzing that trouble is ahead. Sadly, she’s proved right when Katie is found dead and the wedding is postponed. Someone is intent on finding out the connection between Katie Sue and the Calhoun family. A desperate bride looking for a love potion, angry Perrywinkles and an explosive letter have Carly and her black witch cousin Delia relying on their gifts and potions to keep the peace and survive.

The delight in reading the novels by Heather Blake stem from the characters she creates. With a maternal lineage that disdains marriage—her father has been hoping to marry her mother for over forty years—Carly struggles to define her relationship with Deputy Dylan Jackson. That they have twice failed to make it down the aisle certainly hasn’t quieted her doubts. Carly’s mother and three aunts known as the “Odd Ducks” are definitely eccentric, but not over-the-top caricatures, shown when they protect Carly; even if it is with the occasional pitchfork. Carly may be slower than the reader to put together the pieces of the puzzle but this can be attributed to her moral compass that values family above all else. Shady characters are shown to have moments of vulnerability, adding an emotional realism to a mystery that mixes in fascinating magical mythology. Surpassing all to make these books enjoyable are the charming and humorous interactions between Carly and her loved ones, her affection for her cats Roly and Poly, and her protectiveness over her town and magical heritage.

To enter to win a copy of One Potion in the Grave, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Potion,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 1, 2014. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

Click on this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL!

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).