Release: October 5th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Berkley Books
Source: Netgalley
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo
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When a guest dies in the B&B she helps her aunts run, a young witch must rely on some good old-fashioned investigating to clear her aunt’s name in this magical and charming new cozy mystery.
For four hundred years, the Warren witches have used their magic to quietly help the citizens of the sleepy New England town of Evenfall thrive. There’s never been a problem they couldn’t handle. But then Constance Graves dies while staying at the bed and breakfast Brynn Warren maintains with her aunts. He was a local known for being argumentative and demanding. At first, it seems like an accident. But it soon becomes clear that there’s something more sinister at work. And Aunt Nora is shaping up to be the prime suspect.
There’s nothing Brynn wants more than to prove Nora’s innocence, and it hurts her to know that even two years ago that might have been easier. Brynn, after all, is a witch of the dead—a witch who can commune with ghosts. Ghosts never remember much about their deaths, but Constance might remember something about her life that would help crack the case. But Brynn hasn’t used her powers since her husband died, and isn’t even sure she still can. Brynn will just have to hope that her aunts’ magic and her own investigative skills will lead her to answers—and maybe back to the gift she once thought herself ready to give up forever.
About the Author:
Auralee Wallace is the author of multiple novels, including the Otter Lake mystery series. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in English literature, and she worked in the publishing industry for a number of years before teaching at the college level. She lives in Ottawa with her family.
Auralee is represented by Natalie Lakosil, Bradford Literary Agency.
In the Company of Witches Review:
“In the Company of Witches” is the first in the “Evenfall Witches B&B” series and is probably one of the best cozy mysteries I have read this year!
This book was deliciously cute and crafty. In my opinion, it stood apart from other cozy mysteries because of the multiple twists and turns. There is so much happening till the end of the story to keep you guessing. I enjoyed Brynn in the role. It was interesting to see her investigating the case without using her powers due to the tragedy in her family. I loved her bond with Izzy and Nora and could not get enough of them. I even grew to love other residents like Gideon, Mr. Henderson, and Nixie.
Moreover, the author did a brilliant job of maintaining the suspense. Although there are many suspects, you never know who murdered Constance till the very end. One of my favorite moments in the story is the scenes during the Town Hall Meeting. The author had me glued to the pages as the climax built up, and I wondered how Brynn could solve this mystery. Some moments also had me laughing, like when Brynn needs the help of the toad.
However, probably my only minor criticism is that we did not see the pets much, like Faustus, the cat. The animal plays a significant role in many cozy mystery novels, and I had hoped to see more of Faustus and Dog.
Overall, “In the Company of Witches” is the perfect book to read during Halloween or a great selection if you want to read a cozy mystery surrounding a family of witches. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!
