When the Crow's Away (An Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery, #2)

by Auralee Wallace

The ghost of a recently deceased chocolatier believes he was murdered, and it's up to young witch Brynn Warren to use her magical gifts and old-fashioned sleuthing skills to find out how he really met his bitter end in this enchanting new Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery.

After spending months unable to use her powers, Brynn Warren is once again using her gift and working at her family's bed-and-breakfast. Her heart is full, and although one of her aunts wonders if it might be a little more full with a bit of romance in her life, Brynn is certain that finding love again is not in her future. In fact, she can’t imagine anyone being more certain of anything…except for maybe, the recently deceased Mortimer Sweete. He’s certain he’s been murdered, and he wants Brynn’s help to bring his killer to justice.
 
Mort is positive he knows who killed him: his business partner's wife, Cookie, who had been trying to get them to sell the candy shop for months. But Brynn doesn't share his conviction. After all, the coroner ruled his death natural causes, and Mort did have health problems in life. But with Cookie putting up a For Sale sign for the shop already, Brynn knows she can't just let it go. 
 
Trying to solve a might-be murder while attempting to stop her aunt from meddling in her personal life seems like a recipe for disaster. If Brynn wants to bring Mort's spirit peace, she'll have to rely on all her skills—both magical and mundane—to uncover the truth.
 
 

• ISBN10: 0593335856
• ISBN13: 9780593335857
• Publish Date: 5 April 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Berkley
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 304
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780593335857

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

When the Crow's Away is the second book in the Evenfall Witches paranormal cozy series by Auralee Wallace. Released 5th April 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats, it makes it so easy to find info with the search function if needed.

I tend to fall on the slightly retro golden age british country house mystery side of the cozy subgenre. I -tend- to not seek out paranormal mysteries (although I do love ones with animals, go figure). This was a delightful surprise. I also hadn't read the first book in the series before reading this one because of tight review deadlines. The author is quite adept at providing necessary backstory without it feeling pedantic or info-dumping on unsuspecting readers. It worked well as a standalone and the climax, denouement, and resolution were satisfying and believable within the framework of the story.

It's a small town cozy and full of the sort of quirky eccentricity for which the genre is well known. Some of the punny character names are worthy of a light eye-roll, the role of first murder victim's ghost is histrionically played by Mortimer Sweete, the candy shop man, but all in all I didn't find myself yanked out of my suspension of disbelief very often.The language is squeaky clean (G-rated) and the violence happens off-page.

It's written in first person PoV and I was impressed with the author's ability to keep it readable and fresh and not like a laundry list of "I thought...", "I did this... and then that". It's not an easy exercise and she makes good use of the first person to drive the action in the story. I will say that the actual mystery/puzzle is quite well constructed and well above the average for the genre.

Four and a half stars. For real lovers of the paranormal cozy genre, this will be a 5 star read. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.