National bestselling author Heather Blake is back with wishcrafter Darcy Merriweather in her eighth magical Wishcraft mystery adventure.
Wishcrafter Darcy Merriweather might be a witch with the ability to grant wishes for others, but wishing isn’t going to help her catch a killer...
When wishcrafter Darcy Merriweather’s personal concierge company is hired by elite runner Abby Stillwell to organize the Wicked Mad Dash, a competition that takes place in the Enchanted Village, Darcy is more than willing to help her friend. As blizzard conditions rage on the morning of the race, Darcy’s main concern is the terrible weather—until Abby goes missing...and is later found dead, buried in the snow.
As Darcy investigates her friend’s untimely death, she learns that she didn’t really know Abby well at all. And those closest to the woman—her secret fiancé, her roommate, her ex-boyfriend, and her co-workers at Balefire Sports—seem to have plenty to hide too. As Darcy digs deeper, she uncovers complicated relationships, a possible embezzlement scheme, and allegations of cheating against a top athlete.
Just when Darcy is convinced she’s hit a dead end in the case, a startling burglary and the hunt for Abby’s elusive ex send Darcy down a dark, dangerous trail. It will take the help from friends, family, and a little bit of magic for Darcy to stop a stone-cold killer from striking again.
Everything about the books in this series shouts "TWEE!" - from the cover, to the series name, the setting, and premise, but they aren't at all twee. Even though I know this, they still sit on my TBR for too long because ... twee.
In spite of the facade, these mysteries are well written and almost always go quite a bit deeper than your average cozy; this one was no different. To Catch a Witch confronts the alarming dysfunction that sometimes exists behind the doors of the healthiest looking families, as well as the ones that advertise their dysfunction for all and sundry.
The mystery plot here revolves around a woman who was universally loved (aren't they all?) who is killed during a running through Salem village. Abbey truly had no enemies, was actually loved by everyone, and had a moral compass that pointed true north and didn't waver. So how did she end up dead at the bottom of a gorge, killed by a branch to the back of her head?
This is why I love Heather Webber/Blake; she can write about love and heartbreak and redemption without making me roll my eyes or want to gag. She somehow manages to do it without the emotional melodrama ... and she writes a cleverly plotted mystery to boot. Was it fiendishly clever? No. Did I ever suspect the murderer? No. Yet it was entirely plausible and had me thinking, of course.
It wasn't perfect; the plot twist was transparent to me early on - at least most of it was. She did get me with the bit about ... never mind.
I'll never rave madly about these books, but they're solidly written and always make me feel a little better for having read them. The characters are wonderfully likeable, and for those that look for books with strong female friendships, they're bountiful between these pages. I'll happily read the next one, no matter how twee it looks.
Reading updates
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Started reading
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23 February, 2019:
Finished reading
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23 February, 2019:
Reviewed