Themes: Cosy mystery, witch
The synopsis
Zara is a newly minted witch with a knack for attracting the spirits of the dead. When she learns a ghost is haunting her new home, she teams up with a local police detective to unravel a mystery!
Zara Riddle moved to a charming new house in a small town so her life could be simple. But now that her witch powers have kicked in, life is anything but simple. Long-lost relatives are coming out of the woodwork. It turns out the family tree is riddled with magic.
When a ghost shows up, Zara finds out her powers come with a cost. She must solve the woman’s murder. Zara teams up with her handsome neighbor, a wolf shifter who’s both mysterious and perfect. Maybe too perfect? He did save her life during an attack, but he’s definitely hiding something behind that sly smile.
The town of Wisteria may be quaint on the surface, but danger lurks around every corner. To protect her family, Zara must risk her heart and her life. Forces of good and evil will face off in a battle where one side has a secret advantage.
One thing’s for sure. Zara Riddle is keeping these new powers, blue lightning balls and all.
Once you go witch, you never switch.
The review
Was it cosy? Yes. Was it a mystery? Not so much.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this book. So much that I rated it 4.5/5. It was just the right book at the right time: I was looking for a cosy setting with a bit of paranormal and this story delivered it all. The plot is happening in a small, mysterious town and our heroine is moving into a big, old mansion which comes with a ghost. I really liked Imogen and her relationship with her daughter, full of love and humour. There was also a found-family trope, one of my favourites. Imogen’s aunt is adding a bit of witchy spice to the story and I’m glad we know she will be present in the next volumes.
The mystery was slow to happen and happened behind Imogen’s life and her discovery of all the witchy things. It’s a bit surprising when you know this is supposed to be a mystery… So, if you’re really looking for one or if you’re used to complex resolutions, don’t linger on this one since it was quickly solved and easy to guess!
In brief: It was a good book even if it didn’t entirely deliver what its synopsis promised. But if you know what to expect going in, I think you’ll like it!
My rating: 4.5/5
A Book by the Fire 
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