A Cast-Off Coven: A Witchcraft Mystery

A GREAT SECOND BOOK IN THIS NEW SERIES. IT PICKS UP JUST WHERE THE FIRST LEAVES OFF BUT THE STORY CAN STAND ON IT'S OWN. READING THE FIRST BOOK IS NOT MANDATORY TO ENJOY THIS BOOK AS THERE IS JUST ENOUGH REMINDERS TO LET SOMEONE NEW TO THE SERIES CATCH UP BUT NOT BORE SOMEONE THAT DID READ THE FIRST BOOK. AS SOMEONE THAT STUDIES THE WICCAN PRACTICES THE REFERENCES IN THE BOOK ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO ENHANCE THE STORY BUT NOT GET SOMEONE IN TROUBLE TRYING TO DUPLICATE THE SPELLS AND CHARMS. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE THIRD BOOK IN THE SERIES TO BE RELEASED AND HAVE ALREADY PRO-ORDERED. IT SEEMS TO BE A REALLY GOOD SERIES - HUMOUR, ROMANCE,MYSTERY AND GHOST STORY ALL ROLLED TOGETHER!

A very interesting premise, likable hero with a back story that is revealed as you go along and not just given in a lump. Characters that you wonder if they are good guys or bad guys, and a most unusual familiar. San Francisco is such an interesting and appropriate back drop to this series, the neighborhood sort of becomes an additional character. There is a lot of humor in this book, she will have you chuckling as the hero doesn't take herself too seriously. On the other hand, she has had things happen in her life that provides a depth the character that you don't usually see in a light read like this. Not all of her characters believe in witch-craft, and you are uncertain how the characters are going to relate to your hero. Many of the things that really keeps you reading a series of books. I am really interested in where the next books are going to go.

I really enjoyed Secondhand Spirits: A Witchcraft Mystery , the first book in Juliet Blackwell's Witchcraft Mystery series featuring Lily Ivory. I found it well-plotted and well-written and was particularly impressed with its stellar characterizations. I was anxious to see if Blackwell could continue to impress me with book two. Happily, the answer is "yes". Not only did Blackwell not disappoint, she drew me deeper under her spell with A Cast-off Coven. I am declaring myself a fan. As the story begins (only a week after the events of Secondhand Spirits conclude), odd sounds, ghostly footsteps and doors opening and closing on their own have students from the San Francisco School of Fine Arts spooked and stopping into Lily's vintage clothing store in search of protective talismans. At her assistant Maya's request (and in exchange for some Victorian clothing recently found at the school), Lily agrees to check things out and attempt to calm the students' fears. Instead she finds a dead body and comes across evidence that has her wondering if someone at the school has summoned a demon. A Cast-off Coven is a solid mystery and a nicely creepy ghost story with moments I found somehow reminiscent (in feeling) of the old Julie Harris - Claire Bloom film "The Haunting" (which is #1 on my official list of "Movies That Scared the Heck Out of Me When I Was A Kid and Still Pretty Much Freak Me Out Even Though I Am Now All Grown Up"). The story is wonderfully paced and plotted, with touches of humor, strong friendships and possibilities of romance. Enhancing that plot is Blackwell's ability to take pieces of myth and legend that seem at least vaguely familiar and twist them just enough to make them seem new and - in most cases - more intriguing. Her depiction of Lily's craft has depth and a degree of detail that make it seem believably real and it comes across as an essential part of Lily rather than something she "practices". Simply put, the paranormal world of A Cast-off Coven really works for me. And Lily, while she knows a lot about this magical world, also knows that she has a lot to learn. This helps make Lily accessible to us and we are allowed to learn alongside her. Blackwell also does a terrific job of making San Francisco come alive. Her rich descriptions enable me to "see" the city and deepen my determination to visit it someday soon. Elements of the city's history - including the Great Earthquake of 1906 - have been woven into the story. However, as with Secondhand Spirits, it is the wonderful characters that really pulled me into A Cast-off Coven. I like these people. I admire many of them. And I am intrigued by all of them. These are smart, strong, complex and interesting characters with layered histories that Blackwell is revealing to us bit by bit. This slow reveal keeps me on my toes while reading because I never know when another fascinating little detail about someone will be made known to me and I don't want to miss anything. There is so much we have yet to learn about each and every one of them that I can only hope Blackwell has many, many more volumes in the series planned. But whether it's one book or ten, I am so there. I'm also going to give Blackwell's other stuff a try. I have ordered If Walls Could Talk: A Haunted Home Renovation Mystery (Haunted Home Repair Mystery) , the first in her new series which is due to be released in December, 2010. And sitting in my TBR pile is Feint of Art (Annie Kincaid Mysteries, No. 1) , the first in a three volume mystery series she co-wrote in 2006/2007 with her sister, Carolyn, and published under the name Hailey Lind. I highly recommend both Secondhand Spirits and A Cast-off Coven. Enjoy!

I love this genre but I always skip over the romance bits. Not with this author's books. She has blended what makes these books addictive without adding in the unavoidable goo. This book and the one before are simply put, great. Beautifully crafted characters, plot and backstory. Add just plain well written and you get my meaning. Just good stuff. Do yourself a favor and take one for a spin. By the way, these books are for guys too. I read across the fiction spectrum, but para romance is my guilty pleasure. Now I just have to wait for the next one.

I commute on public transportation, a little more than an hour each way. This book is well-written, charming and funny. Characterization and plot are very well done. I feel that I would recognize some of the characters if I met them and the story is just fantasy enough to be enjoyed without reservation. In several places I found myself chuckling out loud, much to the amusement of others in the crowded train. This is the second book of this particular series by this particular author and I am eager for the third, fourth, etc. I highly recommend this book; particularly to other working women. We need the occasional smile, chuckle, or, if possible, belly laugh. Wonderful book. Buy and read it.

tolles Buch und diese Hexerei hat mir so wieso schon immer gefallen. Konnte das Buch kaum aus der Hand legen.

Je suis ravie avec cet achat. Merci beaucoup. Je vous souhaite de bonnes fêtes ! Que du plus +++++ ++++

The second book from the Witchcraft Mystery series sees our hero Lily Ivory being called in to help rid the San Francisco School of Fine Arts from some spooky goings on, in return for which Lily is promised a trunkful of victorian clothing for her vintage clothing shop Aunt Cora's Closet. But spooky goings on soon turn to a murder mystery with something very evil lurking in an old school storage closet. Lily is helped by her friends; Bronwyn, an earth mother type and wiccan practioner; Maya, Lily's down to earth and rational shop assistant and student at the School of Fine Arts; Aidan, the powerful yet untrustworthy male witch; Sailor, a reluctant psychic with secrets to hide and of course Oscar the trusty yet mysterious familiar. There is also romance for Lily with Max, a reporter and skeptic, a bit of a Darren Stevens type. All in all a brilliant read, a paranormal mystery with a very human touch.

Hier findet sich eine spannende, komplexe, respektvolle, detaillierte und gut recherchierte Geschichte. Lily bekommt Vintage Kleider aus einer Schule, welche einmal ein Kloster war. In der Schule spukt es und wieder einmal vermischen sich Paranormales mit humanen Missetaten. Die Ausführung ist gelungen, die Geschichte glaubhaft. Das Warten hat sich gelohnt.

good book ,great read , well defined characters