Review - In the Company of Witches

I found this when I was gathering Halloween-ish reads and didn't finish it soon enough.  But this book doesn't need the spooky holiday to read it.  The author, Auralee Wallace, also wrote the Otter Lake mystery series with St. Martin's Press that I will have to dive into now.   I am delighted to share my review of this new mystery series with you.

Author: Auralee Wallace

Copyright: Oct 2021 (Berkley) 336 pgs

Series: 1st in Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery series

Sensuality: mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Cozy mystery, amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Brynn Warren, Widow and witch who can commune with ghosts 

Setting: Contemporary, Evenfall Connecticut

Obtained Through: Netgalley for an honest review

Book blurb: "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--a local known for being argumentative and demanding--dies while staying at the bed and breakfast Brynn Warren maintains with her aunts. 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."

Brynn Warren, has withdrawn from the world ever since she lost her husband, not really dealing with her grief. As a result, her ability to speak with the dead has left her.  Aunt Nora (Evanora) Warren is a garden witch, bold, rebellious, opinonated, and stubborn.  Aunt Izzy, is a kitchen witch, is nurturing, and kind.  Then there is Uncle Gideon who can see both the past and the future but it overwhelms him so he stays indoors like a hermit.  Nixie is a witch hunter who attempts to make friends with Brynn, claiming she just wants to be friends and see magic. Then there is the contentious family of the deceased Constance. Faustus is the family's Maine Coon cat and Dog is the crow that hangs out with the family.  They are fantastic additions.

Ivywood Hollow B&B is a lovely victorian home, yet Constance's Graves House, while being nearly a mirror of Ivywood is creepy and dilapidated.  The homes provide great settings for the story to unfold. Small town Evenfall sees its residents picking sides with either the Warrens or the Graves family as the finger points to Nora.  This does feel like a small town indeed.

The mystery is well done and unfolds amid Brynn dealing with her grief and anger over never getting to see her husband's ghost to say goodbye, and Nora's stubborness digging her hole deeper. Brynn's investigation moves forward as tensions rise in town.  Everything happening keeps the pages turning.

 The killer confrontation was simple but effective and showed the Warrens sticking together.  The wrap-up was touching and bittersweet.

My thoughts: There is a subtly presented drama about family and the difference between a supportive and nurturing family verses destructive interpersonal problems. This gave the cozy a bit more depth, along with Brynn dealing with her grief, without becoming too serious.  The witchy aspects are more like a lighter version of the movie "Practical Magic" if you removed the scary haunting. This is a great example of the character driven cozy mystery.  It's a delightful and well written story that demonstrates cozy mysteries are developing into a genre with more to contribute than solely a fun read.

Rating:  Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

Here is a very short introduction to the author.

https://youtu.be/-CmPWQ1-BGw