by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of the post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to order it from Amazon.

Few newlyweds would take their pet pig along with them on a honeymoon trip through Europe, but Lily Ivory and Sailor are not your normal couple and Oscar is not your average pig. Sailor is a (weakened) psychic, Lily a powerful witch, and Oscar her shape-changing gobgoyle familiar with a love for cooking and all types of human cuisine. Before they have time to settle in back home in San Francisco and her Haight Street vintage clothing shop Aunt Cora’s Closet, Lily senses something a little off. Not only does her mentee witch Selena present Lily with an ominous drawing of a beautiful – but dead – mermaid, Lily picks up serious vibes from a donated mermaid costume. While Lily believes that the design carries the trademark pink color of Elsa Schiaparelli, a death linking the victim to Treasure Island indicates that something more is afoot.

A man-made island built for the Golden Gate International Exposition at the World’s Fair just before World War II, Treasure Island continues to be an eerie mix of suburban neighborhoods and desolate, contaminated wastelands. At the time of the Fair rumors spread of a mermaid saving a young girl from drowning, a child who would later grow up to show healing powers of her own. Unable to deny the coincidences lining up, Lily’s to-do list only expands as it includes figuring out the veracity of a long-lost unknown brother, taking over and grand pooh-bah of the witch community, tracking down Oscar’s gargoyle mother, and finding a home for a bat who may be a familiar. And oh yes, prevent a prophesied magical apocalypse. Thankfully, Lily has her fellow witches, Haight Street friends, and Sailor at her side, although his desire to expand their household in literal and figurative means is giving her heart palpitations.

This eleventh in the series fully embraces its fantasy elements, while incorporating enough traditional cozy mystery traits to keep a foot in both worlds. Being inhabited by a demon spirit who occasionally pops out is troubling for Lily, but the creature known as Deliverance also proves to be quite handy in a fight. Oscar is at his neediest now that a new intruder – namely Sailor – has entered the picture, which makes the shape-changing pig hungry for snacks and attention. Lily’s complicated family is only going to get more so due to the arrival of the charming Dragomir, whom she suspects of being both a liar and a possible murderer. Readers will be delighted to see another visit from the author’s Haunted Home Renovation mystery series, and Mel Turner offers solutions to the newlywed’s more practical dilemmas. The exploration of very timely topics stirring on Treasure Island enhances this always-charming series, which continues to expand its mythology and allows its extraordinary characters to grow and evolve through new stages in their lives.

To enter to win a copy of Synchronized Sorcery, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “sorcery,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen August 21, 2021. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email and you want a print copy please include your mailing address. BE AWARE THAT IT STILL MAY TAKE LONGER THAN USUAL FOR THE BOOK TO ARRIVE. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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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. 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.