by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of The Catch A Witch along with a link to purchase the book from Amazon, and an indie bookstore where a portion of the sale goes to help support KRL.

Only two years have passed since the Merriweather sisters moved to Salem, Massachusetts, but their worlds have completely been changed. Not only did they discover their heritage as witches able to cast spells, they also learned about an entire magical community within the Enchanted Village. More practically, Darcy Merriweather has incorporated her wishcrafting abilities into the prospering personal concierge service, As You Wish. Her latest client Abby Stillwell has hired Darcy to organize the annual Wicked Mad Dash, an adventure and obstacle race benefiting local charities. Unfortunately, Darcy’s other role as Craft Investigator soon comes into play when Abby goes missing just before the race, only to later be found dead under the Aural Gorge footbridge.

While her fiancé Nick Sawyer tackles the mundane side of the crime in his official role as Chief of Police, Darcy follows the clues that may indicate magical means and motivations. Darcy’s sister Harper would normally be eager to stick her nose into the investigation, but since her recent breakup, she is wallowing and spiraling into such a dangerous state that Darcy is forced to call in professional – and magical – assistance. Darcy may be proud of her stubbornness and unwavering faith in others, but it’s going to test all of her strength of will as she helps a resistant Harper, finds herself inexplicably enmeshed in a wedding for her former nemesis, and attempts to guide a rogue sorcerer towards the light.

This continues to be one of my favorite paranormal mystery series, and I absolutely adore how it is embracing its strong magical mythology. Additional spellcasters have gradually been introduced, and here we meet energy-reading Vitacrafters and athletically talented Vincicrafters who compete, but cannot profit, from their talents. The rules of this world have been thoughtfully established from the beginning, but the loopholes are what may eventually doom their carefully maintained village. Throughout these eight novels Darcy’s world has expanded as she learns more about the Elder, her own role within the coven, and the upcoming battle that could forever change the Enchanted Village.

While impending events build momentum with the threat of danger, the novel never loses the light-hearted charm of the many animal familiars populating the Village. Former practicing witches themselves, these witty creatures continue to assist Darcy and her family while keeping their secrets from the rest of the world. Perhaps the most outstanding trait of this novel has been the development of its characters, many of whom have realistically evolved as a result of having Darcy in their lives. The mystery may conclude with a celebration, but the future they have in store is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating the fate of these beloved Crafters.

To enter to win a copy of To Catch a Witch, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “catch,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen September 22, 2018. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address (so if you win we can get the book sent right out to you), and if via comment please include your email address. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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Use this link to purchase the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

To Catch a Witch: A Wishcraft Mystery

You can also use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

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).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases using those links. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.