Book 100, 2021

Seven-Year Witch by Angela M. Sanders

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



First of all...WOO HOO! I managed to hit one hundred again, even if it was a near thing. I blame my new-found love of Cal Leandros and the fact that I kept skim-reading books in that series (and continue to do so).

In the wee hours of this morning, I finished reading Seven-Year Witch by Angela M Sanders. It's the second book in the "Witch Way Librarian" mystery series. The story is told in first person pov by the main character, Josie Way.

Having only recently learned she's a witch, Josie has been honing her skills by studying letters left to her by her grandmother. Josie's particular affinity is for books, and the books in the library seem to talk to her, imparting their vast knowledge when she needs help.

Changes are coming to the small town of Wilfred. A new spa-like retreat is slated to be built at the old mill site, but one of the locals claims the land is cursed. In addition, FBI agent Sam Wilfred, descended from the town's founder, is back--along with the wife he's in the midst of divorcing. When Fiona goes missing and a bloodied weapon is found at the mill site, everyone thinks Sam killed her. The pond is searched and a body is found. However, it's not Fiona; it's the architect who was working on the retreat. Josie turns to her books to find out what's going on at the mill site before anyone else ends up dead.

A fun, clever cozy. Josie is a likable and relatable character. Most of us can even relate to her unwilling infatuation with Sam. Other characters were portrayed well, and the plot made sense. A few things I didn't like...( Spoilers )

Other than that, I enjoyed the story, and I'm looking forward to more in the series.

Favorite lines:
♦ "In or out," Darla said to the man in the doorway. "Pick one."
I couldn't tell you how many times I've said that to cats!
♦ "A building is so much more than wood and stone. People give it soul."
I completely agree! Ever notice how quickly an abandoned home or building deteriorates?
♦ Most cats smelled purely of love, I'd noticed over the years. Clean and soft, that was all.
Mine smell like spite and stoopid. LOL!
♦ "You don't happen to know her astrological sign, do you?" // "Narcissist with moon in nutjob, maybe?"
Sounds like a certain orange cretin we all know and loathe.
♦ "Maybe there are clues in there." // "You mean, like an open calendar with the entry 'knock off Fiona' on today's date? This isn't a Trixie Belden mystery."
Trixie references, for the win!

A fun, easy read with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. Four stars.

RIP, Betty White

As if 2021 couldn't suck any more...