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. ( )

I just love this series. I love the intricate details given about each character. I think this book moved the characters along nicely, adding just enough detail to keep readers interested and waiting for that next book.
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I don't know if I don't pay enough attention usually, but I actually figured out who the murderer was and what was actually going on before it was revealed. I love this fun novels! This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. ( )

Darcy Merriweather is running the concierge service As You Wish while her Aunt Ve continues to slide toward retirement. Abby Stillwell hires her to help with a charity fun run right in the Enchanted Village. Bad weather the morning of the race leads to Abby's disappearance. It's hard to tell at first if it was an accident, but Darcy is always tasked with investigating when Crafters die. The Enchanted Village is such a well thought out setting, and the Crafters/witches all embody various types of magic while living in plain sight among normal humans. Honestly, it took a bit of a rom-com twist, with multiple couples suddenly deciding to elope, or even be together. But that was ok, because it sure added up to a lot of red herrings and I was very surprised at who killed Abby. There is a multi book arc that is coming to fruition as well, and it seems the next book may answer a lot of questions. ( )

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…

Darcy’s concierge company is hired by runner Abby Stillwell to organize the Wicked Mad Dash. A running competition that takes place in the Enchanted Village every year. Darcy is more than willing to help her friend. But as blizzard conditions rage on the morning of the race, Darcy’s main concern is the terrible weather. That is until Abby goes missing, and is found dead, buried in the snow.

As Darcy investigates, she learns that she didn’t really know Abby. But those closest to Abby, her secret fiancé, her roommate, her ex-boyfriend, even her co-workers at Balefire Sports have a lot to hide. As Darcy digs deeper, she uncovers complicated relationships, a possible embezzlement scheme, and allegations of cheating against a top athlete.

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Series: A Wishcraft Mystery - Book 8
Author: Heather Blake http://www.heatherblakebooks.com/
Genre: Witch/Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books http://www.crookedlanebooks.com/

Darcy and her family are always entertaining. A bit of an oddball collection it includes, an eccentric aunt, Ve, a mother who has been dead for 25-years, Darcy’s younger sister, Harper, and Darcy’s fiancé and his daughter. Like many families, they have their ups and downs, but for the most part, they love and care for each other. In To Catch a Witch this hasn’t changed, they still love each other and worry about each other but now they might have a little more to worry about..

Darcy loves her family and will go to just about any lengths to protect them. When Harper’s boyfriend chooses to break up with her and breaks her heart, it takes everything Darcy has not to interfere. That is until she realizes how sick Harper is! The mother hen in her is strong, and she sets out to make her sister better. The murder of Abby Stillwell takes second place to Harper’s health.

For Harper’s part, however, her broken heart is about all she can handle, and having Darcy hover over her gets a bit irritating. The Craft hasn’t helped her overcome her heartbreak or her health problems, and she has decided that she wants nothing to do with it. But circumstances aren’t always what they seem, and Harper may have to make a choice that could affect not only her family but the entire village.

The murder of Abby is confusing because everyone loved her, and it doesn’t appear as if anyone had a motive to commit murder. However, as the story moves along the reader comes to see that things are not what they seem even in a town of witches, and the real-life problems of the world aren’t contained to the outside world.

The resolution of the murder and the identity of the killer will surprise many, yet the motive is as old as time and will lay heavily on some readers minds. This installment in the series could be ripped from the headlines of any news organization or paper around the globe. Situations in this book may hit too close to home for some readers.

In To Catch a Witch Heather Blake has crafted a highly entertaining story with lovable, and sometimes troublesome characters that readers adore. Her storytelling is fresh, vibrant and wholesome. This book along with the others in the series keep readers coming back for more and willing to wait in line for the next book. I highly recommend this book, and series, to lovers of paranormal or witch-based cozies everywhere.


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