by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to win a copy of this book, along with a link to purchase it where a portion goes to help support KRL and indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy.

It’s been less than a year since Wishcrafter Darcy Merriweather moved from Ohio to Salem, Massachusetts, but in that time she’s come to trust her magical instincts. Things aren’t too fortuitous for the residents of the Enchanted Village: Darcy’s instincts have her ominously quoting Macbeth as she senses a coming darkness. What Darcy doesn’t believe are rumors that the Tavistock house is hexed—which is fortunate, since she’s checking out the empty mansion for her Aunt Ve’s As Your Wish concierge service’s latest client.

It appears that Realtor Raina Gallagher will be unable to collect her hefty commission, though, since her body’s just turned up inside one of the Tavistock closets—and now Darcy feels compelled to solve the mystery. Not only does she have an admitted interest in this dream house, she’s enthralled by the history of the million-dollar Circe Heist and the rumor that stolen diamonds may have been hidden in the Tavistock home.

Because she stumbled across five bodies in eleven months and helped solve their murders, Darcy is assigned to investigate Craft crimes in the Enchanted Village. And while Raina’s murder may be rooted in her crumbling marriage, a rival business, or an ambitious employee, it could also be the result of the magically powerful Circe diamonds.

The author excels at immersing longtime fans quickly into the novel while introducing the rules of magic to new readers. Magical Crafters and mortals live peacefully and even intermarry within the Enchanted Village. Darcy is thrilled to join police chief Nick Sawyer in investigating—she’s romantically involved with him—and his past marriage to a crafter has him in on the secret of Wishcrafting.

What is refreshing is that, in this fifth of the series, tragedies from earlier novels still affect characters. The book’s light tone never ignores the impact of crime. Blake adds dimensions to the many magical beings within the Village, and individuals once labeled evil have the ability to change. No character is ever completely good or bad, and all are compelling and fascinating.

The Enchanted Village always feels entirely real, and readers will wish that they too could have the pleasure of living alongside Darcy’s secretive schnoodle, the movie-quoting parrot Archie, and the extraordinary Scrabble-playing mice Mrs. P. and Pepe.

To enter to win a copy of Some Like it Witchy, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Witchy,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen May 23, 2015. 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 and a portion goes to help support KRL and Mysterious Galaxy:

Some Like It Witchy: A Wishcraft Mystery

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).