A Witch Before Dying (A Wishcraft Mystery, #2)

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A Witch Before Dying (A Wishcraft Mystery #2)

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 561 ratings · 85 reviews

Darcy Merriweather is Salem, Massachusetts’ newest resident Wishcrafter—a witch who can grant wishes for others. While Darcy isn’t able to grant wishes for herself, she does possess a certain knack for solving problems—including the occasional murder…

When Darcy is hired by Elodie Keaton to clean up her missing mother’s disorderly home, the Wishcrafter is certainly up for...more

Paperback, 298 pages

Published August 7th 2012 by Signet

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May 13, 2013 Chibineko rated it 4 of 5 stars

If I had to sum up the series as a whole so far (all two books of it), I'd say that it's a cute series and one that I like reading, but nothing that I'd anticipate reading along the lines of the next Kim Harrison. It's somewhat forgettable in that way that you'll forget when the next book is coming out, but likable and memorable enough that when you do realize that more books have released, you'll make a note to buy them the next time you're in a bookstore.

That said, there are some things that...more If I had to sum up the series as a whole so far (all two books of it), I'd say that it's a cute series and one that I like reading, but nothing that I'd anticipate reading along the lines of the next Kim Harrison. It's somewhat forgettable in that way that you'll forget when the next book is coming out, but likable and memorable enough that when you do realize that more books have released, you'll make a note to buy them the next time you're in a bookstore.

That said, there are some things that were improved with this book over the previous one. I like that this entry was easy to get into. It's been a few months since I read the last book, but I didn't feel like I needed to re-read it in order to get into this one. I'd actually go so far as to say that newer readers would be mostly able to read this without having read the previous one. There would be some details that they missed out on, but for the most part they'd be able to tell what's going on with little issue. Blake gives us a little more information about everything, but for the most part this book is more about establishing the material that has been introduced in book one and hammering in the more fine details about crafting and the town.

The mystery here is fairly nice and while it'll never be as intricate as a Sherlock Holmes story, it's a fun little brainteaser at points. I still like that there is no magical cure-all for everything. Magic does, of course, play in heavily, but not so much that you'd say that it's the only way things get solved. The characters are nice and there are some pretty cute scenes. I like that so far Darcy and Nick are drawn to each other without a lot of "will they, won't they" head games. It's so freaking refreshing to see two people admit to their attraction. This doesn't mean that there won't be any hurdles (there's actually a rival for Nick's affections introduced in this book), but it does mean that our lovebirds will actually admit that they're hot for one another.

Overall this is a decent second book and since I know that book three is already out, I'll make a point to get it the next time I'm at the bookstore. This is a decent series that fans of magical cozies will lap up like a cat. (less)

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Aug 10, 2012 Mason rated it 5 of 5 stars

Living in an enchanted village may sound a bit strange, but for Darcy Merriweather it’s beginning to feel normal - or as normal as can be for a wish crafter.

Darcy and her sister, Harper, live with their Aunt Velma in the magic-themed town of Enchanted Village. This is a place were witches live and practice their craft without mortals realizing it. Darcy helps out with her aunt’s business, As You Wish, a personal concierge service.

Elodie Keaton’s mother has been missing for over a year. When Elod...more Living in an enchanted village may sound a bit strange, but for Darcy Merriweather it’s beginning to feel normal - or as normal as can be for a wish crafter.

Darcy and her sister, Harper, live with their Aunt Velma in the magic-themed town of Enchanted Village. This is a place were witches live and practice their craft without mortals realizing it. Darcy helps out with her aunt’s business, As You Wish, a personal concierge service.

Elodie Keaton’s mother has been missing for over a year. When Elodie hires As You Wish to clean out her mother’s cluttered house, Darcy doesn’t realize what she’s getting herself into. The house is a mess with piles of newspapers, boxes, and other clutter. But before the cleaning begins, Darcy uncovers Patrice Keaton’s decaying body in a suitcase among the clutter.

It seems Patrice owned the Anicula, a wish-granting amulet that may have lead to her death. Between the house cleaning and searching for the truth to Patrice’s death, Darcy places herself in danger when the killer believes she’s found the magical amulet.

While this is a story of murder and mayhem, it’s also sprinkled with humor, romance, and family loyalty. A WITCH BEFORE DYING flows smoothly and is an easy read enticing readers with twists and turns from beginning to end.

Author Heather Blake has created a strong protagonist in Darcy giving her independence and yet still a bit vulnerable when it comes to matters of the heart. The other characters are zany and realistic despite their magical abilities. The detailed descriptions of the village places the reader there with the characters. Readers can practically feel the magical energy around them as they read.

Darcy’s involvement with Nick Sawyer and his daughter, Mimi, gives a feel-good touch to the story. It also lends itself to some laugh-out-loud moments.

This is the second installment in the Wishcraft Mystery series, but can be read alone. However, to find out how Darcy came to be at the Enchanted Village, check out the first installment, IT TAKES A WITCH.

A WITCH BEFORE DYING creates its own magic as it draws you into this mystical world and holds you spellbound till the end.

Author Heather Blake’s website is http://www.heatherblakebooks.com/. She also writes under the name Heather Webber.

A Witch Before Dying by Heather Blake, A Wishcraft Mystery, Obsidian, @2012, ISBN: 978-0451237637, Paperback, 320 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. (less)

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Aug 16, 2012 Jeannie and Louis Rigod rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was fun to read and had a couple of mysteries inside, including a good murder mystery. I did not recognize the killer until the reveal and that doesn't happen too often any longer. Meanwhile, we the readers are kept busy with a 'Creeper Peeper' that honestly had me flummoxed, a wedding that just doesn't seem to be on 'track,' a romance that you root for and more.

Ms. Blake knows how to deliver a cozy location, the Enchanted Village neighborhood of Salem, Ma. Cozy? Oh yes, I can just see...more

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Dec 11, 2012 bella rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wishcrafter Darcy Merriweather is adjusting to her new life as a wishcrafter and working for her Aunt Ve at As You Wish. When Elodie Keaton hires Darcy to help her clean out her long-gone mother's cluttered house, Darcy just thinks that she has hard work ahead of her. After all Elodie's mother, Patrice, was a hoarder before she disappeared eighteen months ago. What Darcy doesn't expect to find is a dead body. When Elodie approaches Darcy to help her find Patrice's murderer, so her mother can fin...more Wishcrafter Darcy Merriweather is adjusting to her new life as a wishcrafter and working for her Aunt Ve at As You Wish. When Elodie Keaton hires Darcy to help her clean out her long-gone mother's cluttered house, Darcy just thinks that she has hard work ahead of her. After all Elodie's mother, Patrice, was a hoarder before she disappeared eighteen months ago. What Darcy doesn't expect to find is a dead body. When Elodie approaches Darcy to help her find Patrice's murderer, so her mother can finally rest in peace, Darcy agrees. However finding a murderer is not as easy as it seems, especially with her Aunt Ve's impending wedding, which it looks like someone is trying to sabotage, and the "Peeper Creeper" lurking around town, who seems to be stalking Darcy. It's going to take all of Darcy's skills to solve this mystery.
I have a confession to make. I like first books in a series, but it's really the second book in a series that hooks me. As a reader I've already met most of the characters, and I'm looking forward to their relationships and what murder is going to be thrown at them. This dynamic is clear in the Wishcraft mysteries. In It Takes a Witch we met Darcy, her sister, Harper, Aunt Ve and all the colourful locals in Salem - including my favorites the familiars Archie the macaw and Pepe the mouse. Now in A Witch Before Dying, Darcy is investigating not just a murder, but trying to find out who is sabotaging her Aunt Ve's wedding, learning more about witchcraft and trying to figure out how she feels about hunky police officer, Nick.

There is a lot going on in A Witch Before Dying but it never gets confusing. Heather Blake certainly knows how to write a great mystery and has a great writing style. I was glued to every page and I kept saying one more chapter, and at the end of every chapter wanting more, more, more!

I loved that the mystery was not easy to solve, and there are enough open-ended questions in the air to have me waiting for the next book in the series impatiently. I'm dying to know who the Elder actually is, and when Darcy will find out the true identity of Missy, the dog!

If you like paranormal cozy mysteries you have to read this series. Buy them, or borrow them from the library, but get your hands on both of them because you are going to want to read them back-to-back. The next book in the series, The Good, the Bad and the Witchy, is due for release in April, 2013.(less)

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Sep 05, 2012 Angela Lynn Holland rated it 4 of 5 stars

Why I Read This Book: I wanted to continue on with this series and I read it with a friend

What I liked: I liked the cutiesness of this book and the way it made you think about how to solve the mystery.

What I didn't Liked: I know I say this a lot but since I enjoyed this book there was not much I did not like about the book. I guess if anything you can say I don't like how you know parts of the story would never happen in real life but that is why it is a fun cozy fiction book. One thing I do rem...more

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Mar 30, 2013 mlady_rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: author__heather_webber, genre_sub__witches_psychics, fiction__speculative, fiction__part_of_a_series, pov__first_person_female, genre__urban_fantasy__light, 2013

This continues to be a light fun uncomplicated series. Great when your life is overly complicated and you want simple escapism. One of those series where you fall in love with the characters more than anything else.

The murder Darcy finds herself investigating in this book is not a new one, rather a long time missing person from the village ... where the body finally is discovered.

The magical side of the mystery is a gem which grants wishes to anyone, Crafter or immortal. Unlike the Wishcrafter'...more

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Aug 23, 2012 LORI CASWELL rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2012

Darcy Merriweather is a wishcrafter who can grant wishes for anyone but herself. She works for her Aunt Ve's personal concierge service, As You Wish.

Aunt Ve is feeling a bit under the weather plus she is trying to plan her wedding. Darcy is trying to help her but she also takes on Elodie Keaton as a new client.

Elodie's mother has been missing for so long Elodie realizes that she can no longer afford to pay all the bills and keep her mother's house. Her mother was a bit of a hoarder and Elodie hi...more Darcy Merriweather is a wishcrafter who can grant wishes for anyone but herself. She works for her Aunt Ve's personal concierge service, As You Wish.

Aunt Ve is feeling a bit under the weather plus she is trying to plan her wedding. Darcy is trying to help her but she also takes on Elodie Keaton as a new client.

Elodie's mother has been missing for so long Elodie realizes that she can no longer afford to pay all the bills and keep her mother's house. Her mother was a bit of a hoarder and Elodie hires Darcy to clean out the house so she can list it for sale. The motto of As You Wish is "No Job Impossible" but this house is close to impossible. Darcy just starts to make a little headway through the piles of boxes, newspapers and other "treasures" when she makes a disturbing discovery. She finds Elodie's mother's body buried under all the chaos.

It has been over a year since Patrice Keaton was seen. She disappeared shortly after an argument with her charmcrafter boyfriend. Darcy is determined to figure out just how Patrice ended up being part of her own collection. Was she killed in a fit of jealousy? Or was she killed because she had something someone else wanted? Darcy knows she doesn't have much time and while she can't grant her own wishes she has to make sure the wrong person's wishes don't come true.

Dollycas's Thoughts
I am definitely enchanted by this story and its characters! Darcy, Ve, Nick and Mimi will wish their way right into your heart.

Blake has crafted characters that not only include some delightful witches but the familiars are absolutely charming! Archie and Pepe had me in stitches. Easy for Pepe as he's a tailor who also happens to be a mouse. Archie is a parrot that can quote a line from almost any movie. Archie has a unique run in with a very large dog that had me giggling out loud and reading the snippet to everyone I could.

The story has a really fairy tale feel. As Pepe was sewing away I was picturing the mice in Cinderella as they granted her wishes. Heather Blake wraps her fairy tale with a bewitching mystery, snappy dialogue, and a bit of romance in a truly Enchanted Village.

A magical story to escape into today. It is a fun, lighthearted read that I know you will enjoy. Watch for the next book in this series, The Good, the Bad and the Witchy: A Wishcraft Mystery hitting shelves in April 2013.(less)

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Nov 02, 2012 A. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Darcy and her Aunt Ve run a personal concierge service called "As You Wish". Darcy is hired to clean out a hoarder's house by the daughter, Elodie. Elodie has tried to care for the house ever since her mother disappeared 18 months ago, but it is time to clean out the hoards of stuff and try to move on. Darcy manages to uncover the mother's body in the piles of stuff, and she was definitely murdered. As if that weren't bad enough, Darcy's house is being watched by somebody in the woods, and even...more Darcy and her Aunt Ve run a personal concierge service called "As You Wish". Darcy is hired to clean out a hoarder's house by the daughter, Elodie. Elodie has tried to care for the house ever since her mother disappeared 18 months ago, but it is time to clean out the hoards of stuff and try to move on. Darcy manages to uncover the mother's body in the piles of stuff, and she was definitely murdered. As if that weren't bad enough, Darcy's house is being watched by somebody in the woods, and even gets threatened. All of this on top of Aunt Ve being sick and nothing is helping her get better. With Aunt Ve sick, it falls to Darcy to finish the preparations for Ve and Sylar's wedding fast approaching. But there is somebody who is trying to sabotage the wedding as well. Darcy has plenty to keep her busy, but how will she stay safe?

I enjoyed Darcy, a thirty-something divorcée, and her interactions with the other magical people. I enjoyed her Aunt Ve and younger sister Harper as well. Her growing relationship with Nick moves naturally and without rush. Of course, Nick is a policeman, driving a mini-cooper in a pastel yellow. But he is also a dad, which I did not get to see him as a dad much. Darcy seemed to spend more time with Mimi than Nick. Some whimsical characters are Pepe, a mouse, and Archie, a scarlet macaw who loves movie trivia, who help Darcy. I think a breakout character was Marcus Debrowski, a young Lawcrafter interested in Harper. There were many characters populating the village and at times I wish there had been a cheat-sheet listing the townspeople.

The Enchanted Village of Salem is just that. The magical town has magic rules and an Elder that keeps the rules enforced. This is an entertaining backdrop that adds to the enjoyment. The plot had several things going on that kept the pace and interest up. Everything does get sorted out and explained by the end.

The confrontation with the killer had some great tense moments and was not who I expected. Good job with misdirection. The wrap up was touching and did a great job of making the reader want to return to Enchanted Village.

This is a delightful paranormal cozy with touches of whimsy for a light enjoyable mystery that will even put a smile on your face.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.

Series: 2nd in Wishcraft Mysteries

Main Characters: Darcy Merriweather, A Wishcrafter (a witch who can grant wishes for others)

Setting: Modern day, Salem Massachusetts

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Mysteries and My Musings Book Blog
http://www.mysterysuspence.blogspot.com (less)

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Sep 05, 2012 Mirjam rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

The first book in this series was mesmerizing, so I was keeping my fingers crossed that this one would be just as much fun. I'm glad to say that it is! Blake's enchanting characters continue to delight me and I am not exaggerating when I tell you that they have made my list of treasured characters. All of them, but the adorable and entertaining familiars, Pepe and Archie in particular. They have a great flair for the dramatic and always make me smile. Their dialogues are highly entertaining and...more The first book in this series was mesmerizing, so I was keeping my fingers crossed that this one would be just as much fun. I'm glad to say that it is! Blake's enchanting characters continue to delight me and I am not exaggerating when I tell you that they have made my list of treasured characters. All of them, but the adorable and entertaining familiars, Pepe and Archie in particular. They have a great flair for the dramatic and always make me smile. Their dialogues are highly entertaining and to prove my point, I have selected a few sentences to share with you.

"Quell horror!" Pepe cried, throwing tiny fists into the air and shaking them. (Pepe is a gentleman mouse and tailor)

Dialogue between Archie (a film quoting parrot) and Pepe, who are trying to describe to Darcy what the missing person looks like.

Archie held his wing to his forehead in a faux swoon. "A beauty in the vein of Susan Hayward." "Non." Pepe shook his head. Archie gave him a beady evil eye. "What do you mean, non?" "Ingrid Bergman. A classic beauty." He kissed the tips of his paws. "Qui, qui."

The human characters are perhaps not quite as charming, but they do come a close second. What's not to love about love interest Nick, his meddling daughter Mimi, exuberant aunt Ve, bright and curious Harper and the lovely Darcy herself?

In A Witch Before Dying Darcy sets out to find a killer, find out more about the magical object called Anicula that seems to be tied to the murder and discover the identity of the Peeper Creeper. In addition to helping her aunt with her wedding and clearing out a hoarder house, Darcy does not have a lot of time on her hands. Although a lot is going on, Blake expertly balances the various storylines.

If you are looking for a fun, witchy read and don't mind cute and talking animal familiars, look no further. A Witch Before Dying is filled with likeable, quirky characters who populate the beguiling Wishcrafter community in Salem, Massachusetts. With each book the Wishcrafter world gets more and more realistic while continuing to charm and intrigue readers. A touch of fairytale, a drop of romance, an enjoyable mystery, wonderful dialogues and loveable characters make this a book that is guaranteed to brighten up your day!
(less)

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Sep 13, 2012 Debbie Heaton rated it 5 of 5 stars

In Blake’s paranormal mystery novel, Darcy, a Wishcrafter, is hired by Elodie Keaton to clean up her mother’s house, a mother who has been missing for two years. Although the house is a hoarder’s dream, As You Wish is up to the task—until the missing woman’s body is found buried beneath the clutter.

Taking on the case, Darcy is determined to help Elodie solve the death of her mother. The deceased had vanished shortly after a falling out with her boyfriend leading Darcy to suspect a crime of passi...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Sharon rated it 5 of 5 stars

i loved this book setting and all the charming characters and some not so charming.

This is a 2nd book in a series. it is the continuing tale of a small town that has magic, murder and intrigue. Darcy works for her Aunt Ve in a Personal concierge service "As you wish" and she is an amateur Sleuth. Darcy is hired to clean up a very disorderly home. Darcy can also grant wishes of others. During this clean up she finds the house owners body under all the piles of papers and knickknacks. Of course, s...more

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Aug 26, 2012 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-read, mysteries

The second book in the Wishcraft Mystery series finds Darcy juggling plans for her aunt's upcoming wedding while accepting a job to clean out a hoarder house. Then during the initial inspection of the house with the owner's daughter, they discover a dead body buried in the clutter. The mystery surrounding this death, as well as that of the town's peeping tom, keeps Darcy on her toes as she tries to find answers, all without getting in trouble with her wishcraft magic. The first book in this seri...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Doris rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: cozies, supernatural, mystery

I found Darcy delightful, and the mystery she sets out to solve interesting. It was different than many on the market because the heroine did not set out to save herself or someone she loved from a murder charge - she was, to use her own term, being nosy. It helped that she was also hired by a family member to snoop, but, unlike many others, this did not have the impact of someone interfering in a police investigation or bumbling about blindly until the facts unambiguously revealed the truth.

In...more

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Mar 20, 2013 Vickie rated it 5 of 5 stars

How cool would it be to live in the town that lets magical peeps hide in plain sight?
Darcy lives and works with her good witch aunt Ve. They run the business 'As You Wish' which basically means they do pretty much anything they are hired to do. Aunt Ve is sick, though, so Darcy is having to handle everything herself. To include Aunt Ve's wedding preparations. Which aren't going so swimmingly.
Darcy is hired to clean out a house belonging to a woman who disappeared over a year ago.
Darcy tackles...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Amanda The Book Slayer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: magic-users, mystery, witches-warlocks

4.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this one. I thought there were many more twists and turns which made it all very exciting.

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Oct 29, 2012 Sandra Holladay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

I was hoping A Witch Before Dying, the second book in the series, would be as good as the first one (It Takes a Witch), and I have to say that I think it was even better. The familiars (especially Archie and Pepe) had a bigger part and I love their interactions with the ‘Crafters’ in the Enchanted Village (I want to live there-well, except for all the murders part). This is a fun read, totally enjoyable from start to end; there are some smaller mysteries thrown in with the ‘who done it’ bigger m...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, bn-book

Lots of fun! I really enjoyed it. Heather has created a wonderful little town of witches called "Crafters" in which every witch has a different specialty. Darcy is a Wishcrafter with the ability to grant wishes to anyone but herself. She grants a wish to find missing person and when the missing person is found, they discovered she was murdered. Darcy sets out to find out why she was murdered and who did it. There are several other mysteries taking place at the same time. The characters are enter...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars

I think most of the other reviewers covered it. I give this such a high rating because it had none of the elements which occasionally annoy me in a cozy. That's when the character obsesses about her weight, her age/aging, couture clothing, not having a guy, etc. I like all of the characters.

One thing that surprised me was that there was no follow up on the surprise at the end of the first book. Since the author brought up this situation, I hope she just doesn't drop it. It should be addressed in...more

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Dec 29, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, read-2012

I adore Heather Blake's/Heather Webber's books. They're fun without being overly frivolous. They're engaging and magical, just like her characters. (In a lot of ways, her writing reminds me of lighter version Sarah Addison Allen, who I also love.)

I have never been to Salem, so I have no idea if The Enchanted Village I've constructed in my head from the Wishcraft series resembles an actual place, but I must say I love the quaint, charming town in the novels. Not only do I want to visit, I'd move...more

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Feb 06, 2013 chrisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-witches, mystery

Warning, there may be some mild spoilers about relationships in the book in this review, but I don't reveal anything about the mystery. ^_^

I really enjoyed this book, the second in The Witchcraft Series, and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.

I especially like that Blake is taking a sensible route with Darcy by having her pursue her PI's license rather than just bumbling around with no credentials (Though I do hope that she actually attempts to earn her PI's license the 'real' wa...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Bird rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, ebooks, read-in-2012

This was another fun read by Heather Blake (aka Heather Webber). It perfectly blends together a cozy mystery, a hint of romance, and a quirky paranormal flavor to create a series that is unlike any other I’ve read. I’ve read all of the author’s series, and this is my favorite so far. Definitely a fun, escape-from-the-everyday type of read. I love stepping into the world that the author has created, and I’m always a bit sad when I finish one of her stories. (Please - write faster!!)

My one complai...more

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Sep 30, 2012 Danielle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Elodie Keaton needs help cleaning out her missing mothers home. So Darcy Merriweather at As You Wish is at her service. Elodie's mother, Patrice, has been missing for 18 months and was a bit of a hoarder. Rumor has it that Patrice went missing after a fight with her boyfriend. Most residents of the Enchanted Village believe that the fight was over the Anicula, an amulet that grants unlimited wishes to anyone within close proximity. Darcy soon discovers that Patrice is dead. Elodie is desperate t...more

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Sep 04, 2012 Annhenning rated it 4 of 5 stars

cute series, light and amusing read that focuses on a village full of various types of witches and witchcraft. The main character is a "wishcrafter" who can grant wishes and has just learned of and is developing her powers. She gets involved in a murder in the first book; and again in this book and uses her powers as well as some good old fashioned nosiness to solve the crimes. Fun characters that are continuing to develop and an interesting concept make this series fun.

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Nov 06, 2012 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: witchcraft, cozy-mystery

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 31, 2012 Diane ~Firefly~ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, paranormal, magic, dog, kids

I'm really enjoying this series. The more I get to know the residents of Enchanted Village, the more I like them. This time Darcy is hired to clean out a house of a missing woman/hoarder and finds a body. She and her friends are soon snooping to figure out what happened all those years ago. I think the romance with Nick is going nice and slow (and no triangle in sight) and the characters of the town should lead to plenty of stories in the future.

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Apr 13, 2013 Crys (The Hodgenator) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, my-interests, mystery, salem, witchcraft, witches, supernatural, series

A mystery series that combines three of my favorite things: witchy storytelling, a mystery, and Salem, MA. Swoon!

Darcy Merriweather works for her Aunt Ve at As You Wish, a wishcrafting business that grants wishes to those who hire them. On the surface it is a party-planning business, but it goes deeper since they are crafters, each one with a different talent.

In this second installment, Darcy finds herself working for Elodie Keaton to clean up her mother's home. While granting this wish, Darcy d...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Nora-adrienne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-cozy

Heather Blake has struck gold once again. A Witch Before Dying is beguiling, enchanting, and just downright plain fun to read. The characters interact as well as any of us do with our friends and family's. I can't wait for Darcey and Nick's next great adventure.

I was gifted with a copy of this book by a good friend.

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Aug 19, 2012 ❂ Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: cozy-mystery, paranormal-mystery

The second in the Wishcrafting mystery series, A Witch Before Dying is, I think, my favorite of the two so far. Both are excellent, but the first one felt like it had a tiny bit of silly in it, and this one did not. What it did have is some absolutely hysterical moments of dialogue - Archie had me laughing out loud - and a better explanation of some of the types of magic in this particular universe. The mysteries behind the murder and a rash of break-ins was very well crafted, with a good number...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

Plenty of good fun to be had here. Not quite up to the standard of "It takes a witch", or maybe I just wasn't in the right mood today. Some of the emotional motivations fell a little flat for me, but HB's trademark humour shone throughout. So I guess I would say that overall it was enjoyable, but a little disappointing.

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Dec 30, 2012 Casey Nash rated it 5 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure about this one to start with, being a random book that my Grandmother leant me, and then finding it was the second book in a series that id never read but I ended up really enjoying it. Adding magic into the mystery makes things so much more interesting. The characters are really loveable, which is a huge bonus!

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Fantasy > Supernatural

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Witchcraft

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Fantasy > Urban Fantasy

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About Heather Blake

Also writes as Heather Webber

Heather Blake grew up in a suburb of Boston, and enjoys going “home” in her novels. As a young mother, she tried her hand at writing novels and hasn’t looked back. Currently, Heather lives in the Cincinnati area, and is currently hard at work on her next novel.

15 Things You May Not Know About Me
1) I am completely, hopelessly addicted to Dr Pepper.
2) Three of my favorit...more

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Books by Heather Blake

It Takes a Witch (A Wishcraft Mystery, #1)

The Good the Bad and the Witchy (A Wishcraft Mystery, #3)

A Potion to Die For: A Magic Potion Mystery

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A Witch Before Dying (A Wishcraft Mystery #2)

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