The Witchcraft Mysteries
by Juliet Blackwell
This is a long running series with the 11th
set to come out soon, which I found via my library’s digital catalog. I’ve now
read through the sixth book, A Vision in Velvet, and don’t find myself tiring
of it at all. It’s a cozy paranormal mystery with a light touch of romance.
Lily Ivory is a natural witch who just happens to have
settled in San Francisco and opened a vintage clothing store. She doesn’t shy
away from using her witchcraft but not indiscriminately. For example, Lilly can
sense some of the past of the owners of the garments, and she uses her magic to
cleanse them of those impressions before she resells them. Brewing is her area
of expertise, using supplies from the garden she seems adept at nurturing.
Lily had a difficult childhood, growing up in a town with
people who were not okay with her natural talents, and her parents were not
nurturing. Her grandmother raised her and taught her, but the town ran Lily off
before she could finish her training, so Lily has a lot of learning left to do.
One of her closest friends, who runs an herbal counter
out of her vintage clothing store, is Bronwyn. She is a witch too, but of a
more conventional nature. Through her store, Lily begins making good friends
for the first time in her life.
Over the course of the first few books, there are
several romantic entanglements with several different men as Lily searches for
someone she can be herself with. She also acquires a rather unusual familiar
who is part gargoyle and goblin but transforms into a potbellied pig. He can be
a bit unethical but he’s very cute.
If I were pressed, I’d say the one thing that slightly
annoys me with the books is the way the author information dumps details that
don’t change from book to book, such as who and what her familiar is, her
friends like Bronwyn, and the store itself, instead of weaving the information
into the story. It’s a minor irritation and soon past.
Each book brings Lily up against a mystery, a demon,
other witches, and a wide variety of difficulties. Each story is unique,
picking up on urban legends, history of witch hysteria, or love curses. Each
story has offered something different and I can’t really say which one was my
favorite of those I’ve read. I can say that I think Lily ends up with the right
guy. I just hope they manage to stay together, since I still have several books
to read in the series.
The books that I’ve read has been thoroughly
enjoyable, engrossing, and satisfying. There is just enough depth to make the
story satisfying while staying light enough to make it relaxing. A perfect cozy
mystery.
Secondhand Spirits
A Cast Off Coven
Hexes and Hemlines
In a Witch’s Wardrobe
Tarnished and Torn
A Vision in Velvet
Spellcasting in Silk
A Toxic Trousseau
A Magical Match
Bewitched and Betrothed
Synchronized Sorcery (forthcoming)
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