Book 64, 2018

[chez_jae]

Murder Any Witch Way by N.M. Howell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



In addition to finishing my work book last night, I was also able to knock back the rest of the ebook I was reading: Murder Any Witch Way by NM Howell. It's the first installment in the "Brimstone Bay" mystery series, featuring young witch and journalist River Halloway.

River has moved to the small town of Brimstone Bay to get some journalistic experience writing for the local, small paper. She misses the paranormal normalcy of living in NY, where she was surrounded by like-minded folk. Here, River must keep her nature a secret. However, she is renting a room in a house filled with other witches, whom she becomes friends with.

When the Shadow Festival comes to town, River sees it as a chance to relax her guard. After all, there will be plenty of people role-playing as witches, weres, vampires, etc. Unfortunately, on the first day of the festival, a young girl is found murdered, with a ritualistic symbol carved on her back. River finds herself drawn into the investigation, and she enlists the aid of the other witches she lives with. Together, they may be able to solve the case before the body count gets higher.

The book was fun and lighthearted for the most part. The girl's murder was rather gruesome, however. Characterizations were okay, the plot moved along, and I didn't guess who dunnit. Or rather, I did, but I was wrong. Hah! Some things bugged me. For one thing, no sheriff in his right mind is going to ASK a journalist to help with the investigation. For another, the mayor isn't going to be involved, either, except maybe to put pressure on the sheriff to solve the crime. River came across as a bit juvenile, but she is young, so I guess it's to be expected.

Favorite line: Of course, the witch would live on a street called Black Cat Lane.

Average story, average score of three:

***