Customer Reviews

A Charmed Death

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I prefer later instalments of series. Introductions are passed, we know the setting, and protagonist. We're freer to acquaint others and get going. Familiarity contributes to enjoyment and book #2 is fantastic, segued deftly by Madelyn Alt.

Writer Susan Wittig Albert panders to midway readers, bogging well-informed fans down. She re-introduces every individual, re-hashes their history. Madelyn's tiny refreshers catch us up from the previous mystery, using a `what's happened since' angle that is rewarding. Here's why I love this volume.

'Maggie' is at a fascinating neutrality with friendship and spirituality. She's hesitant about metaphysics but only retains a few customs from church. Her friend of 18 years is busy with a beau. But their bond is intact and Maggie is fond of her new circle too. It is a pleasure to acquaint ex-nun 'Gen' and Amish 'Eli' more. It really goes to show, embracing supernatural wonders needn't be limited by religion.

Mystery-solving involves numerous people and phases. Scattered pieces are realistic. We see where clues come from. End scenes were silly in that there were a million ways to avoid pickles. An exciting and utterly unexpected culmination makes up for it. A 3:00 AM finish for me!

Christmas is only days away and Maggie O'Neill is keeping busy at Enchantments gift shop while her boss is away. An altercation between two teenagers in the store threatens to get out of hand, however, Maggie intervenes. But when one of the teens is murdered shortly afterward, the grieving mother asks Maggie to find answers to questions she'd rather the police not know about. The quest isn't easy, especially when Maggie is also plagued by newfound sensitivities to the emotions of others, living and dead.

A Charmed Death is the second installment in this enjoyable cozy series. It's a treat to revisit the residents of Stony Mill, and to see how Maggie comes to terms with her abilities. Once again, the subject of witches and witchcraft is played down in the book, and other than a ghost hunting expedition, it's not central to the plot. My only quibble is the bad choices Maggie makes towards the end of the book that stretched credibility for a character that seems rather practical. However, the killer's identity came as a surprise and, in my book, that makes this mystery a success.