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Ophelia & Abby Mystery #2
Charmed to Death
Ophelia Jensen's good witch granny Abigail revels in her paranormal powers. But Ophelia never asked for her bothersome psychic abilities -- especially since they proved worthless when the thirty-something librarian's best friend Brian was murdered by a still-unknown assailant. Now, five years later, another friend is gone, killed in almost identical fashion. Even dear old Abby isn't safe, distracted as she is by her fight to prevent a massive, mega-polluting pig-farming operation from invading their small Iowa town. And Ophelia can't count on her snarling, scoffing nemesis, police detective Henry Comacho, to get the job done, so she'll have to take matters into her own hands. Because a common thread to the crimes -- and a possible next victim -- is suddenly becoming troublingly apparent . . . and it's Ophelia Jensen herself!
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 28, 2006
36 people are currently reading
1405 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Damsgaard
16 books437 followersI’ve read many bios that start with the words “I wanted to be a writer all of my life and wrote my first story at the age of five.” I honestly can’t say that’s true for me—at the age of five, as an only child growing up on a farm, my career goal was to be a princess. Unfortunately, all those positions happened to be filled, so I followed the path so many other women have traveled—marriage, children, a career outside of the home—in my case, with the United States Postal Service. It wasn’t until the tender of age of 48 that I really decided to try my hand at writing.
My first attempt was a disastrous romance novella, and I might have given up had it not been for my late husband’s suggestion that I give mysteries a try. He pointed out my knack at spoiling movies for him by deducing how they would end. (Hey, it’s no fun being clever if you can’t share, right?) I combined his suggestion with my life long interest in the paranormal, and Ophelia and Abby were born. And in the end, creating the series helped carry me through a very difficult time.
Now seven years later, I still live in the same small town that I have for over twenty years, still have a career as Postmaster, and my grown children, with their children, all live within driving distance. I still enjoy gardening, reading, and needlepoint, but my world is larger thanks to Ophelia and Abby. Becoming an author has been the ride of a lifetime, and one for which I’ll always be grateful.
My first attempt was a disastrous romance novella, and I might have given up had it not been for my late husband’s suggestion that I give mysteries a try. He pointed out my knack at spoiling movies for him by deducing how they would end. (Hey, it’s no fun being clever if you can’t share, right?) I combined his suggestion with my life long interest in the paranormal, and Ophelia and Abby were born. And in the end, creating the series helped carry me through a very difficult time.
Now seven years later, I still live in the same small town that I have for over twenty years, still have a career as Postmaster, and my grown children, with their children, all live within driving distance. I still enjoy gardening, reading, and needlepoint, but my world is larger thanks to Ophelia and Abby. Becoming an author has been the ride of a lifetime, and one for which I’ll always be grateful.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
September 1, 2020
4 stars to Shirley Damsgaard's Charmed to Death, the second book in the Abby and Ophelia series, for brewing up an even better story and turning on the ways of the witch. While a fun and good example of a cozy and has a lot of potential as a popular new series, it needs another book to fully round out the setting and the characters before I can push it to a 5.
Story
Ophelia has a dream which her grandmother Abby interprets as a need to solve her best friend's murder from five years ago which was the ultimate driver for Ophelia's move back home to her small Iowa town from the Iowa big city. Ophelia begins to accept that she and her grandmother are witches and partially embraces her powers to discover who killed Brian. At the same time, Abby is leading a group of townsfolk to stop a big company from changing the landscape of their town and potentially causing disastrous results. Ophelia develops relationships with a few new male characters testing the waters to see who might be a good love interest, but Abby warns that one is dark and one is good. Which one will the witch pick? And what happens when the suspected serial killer who murdered Brian seems to be lurking in Ophelia's hometown? All the stories come colliding together revealing more bubbling beneath the cauldron's surface than actually appeared.
Strengths
1. The story was quite clever. It had some complexity but also some simplicity which made it spot on for a cozy mystery read. You know from the beginning that one of the new characters is too good to be true, but you can't quite figure out what's going on until the big reveal.
2. Ophelia's softer side comes out in this book. She's not as harsh as she was in book 1, especially seeing her worry over her grandmother who has an accident and when she turns to her mother (who makes an appearance!) for comfort.
Weaknesses
1. One of the sub-plots had no conclusion: what happens with the big company coming in to takeover some of the farmland and turn it into a hog breeding facility? After Abby's accident, her cause seems to have dissipated along with Harley and Edna. I'm hoping this is picked up in book 3 but it was definitely left too open for readers just starting a new series.
2. When one of the charactes falls victim to an accident/killer, no one mourns his death and it really isn't discussed a whole lot. There is no funeral, no town gossip, no sadness, etc. In order to build the appeal of the town and the people, I think it's important to incorporate these side stories and themes into the overall series in order to build a large readership. Unfortunately, this example felt mechanical and not emotional.
Final Thoughts
The series really took off in this book from the debut. Characters are developing personalities and rivalries. Families are being integrated with Ophelia's return home. The town is being flushed out. It has a lot of potential. And if you have any interest in witch history, it's connecting the story back to the Salem Witch Trials which helps ground it in history. I'll definitely move on to book 3 to see if this series flies off the handle!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
Story
Ophelia has a dream which her grandmother Abby interprets as a need to solve her best friend's murder from five years ago which was the ultimate driver for Ophelia's move back home to her small Iowa town from the Iowa big city. Ophelia begins to accept that she and her grandmother are witches and partially embraces her powers to discover who killed Brian. At the same time, Abby is leading a group of townsfolk to stop a big company from changing the landscape of their town and potentially causing disastrous results. Ophelia develops relationships with a few new male characters testing the waters to see who might be a good love interest, but Abby warns that one is dark and one is good. Which one will the witch pick? And what happens when the suspected serial killer who murdered Brian seems to be lurking in Ophelia's hometown? All the stories come colliding together revealing more bubbling beneath the cauldron's surface than actually appeared.
Strengths
1. The story was quite clever. It had some complexity but also some simplicity which made it spot on for a cozy mystery read. You know from the beginning that one of the new characters is too good to be true, but you can't quite figure out what's going on until the big reveal.
2. Ophelia's softer side comes out in this book. She's not as harsh as she was in book 1, especially seeing her worry over her grandmother who has an accident and when she turns to her mother (who makes an appearance!) for comfort.
Weaknesses
1. One of the sub-plots had no conclusion: what happens with the big company coming in to takeover some of the farmland and turn it into a hog breeding facility? After Abby's accident, her cause seems to have dissipated along with Harley and Edna. I'm hoping this is picked up in book 3 but it was definitely left too open for readers just starting a new series.
2. When one of the charactes falls victim to an accident/killer, no one mourns his death and it really isn't discussed a whole lot. There is no funeral, no town gossip, no sadness, etc. In order to build the appeal of the town and the people, I think it's important to incorporate these side stories and themes into the overall series in order to build a large readership. Unfortunately, this example felt mechanical and not emotional.
Final Thoughts
The series really took off in this book from the debut. Characters are developing personalities and rivalries. Families are being integrated with Ophelia's return home. The town is being flushed out. It has a lot of potential. And if you have any interest in witch history, it's connecting the story back to the Salem Witch Trials which helps ground it in history. I'll definitely move on to book 3 to see if this series flies off the handle!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
January 27, 2016
It's been over a year since I read the first one - I was excited to continue the series, so ordered the next several in the series. For some reason took awhile to start it, though. Will keep on with the series but my enthusiasm is dampered a little. As with a lot of series, it may spruce back up again though. Let's hope!
I love the concept - small town witch librarian who is slowly coming into her powers, aided by her quirky grandmother, in a cozy mystery setting where she keeps stumbling on dead bodies and has to solve the crimes to prevent herself from being sucked in and killed.
Book two takes to solving an old murder that plagued her since book one, where in her past a friend was murdered. Answers are finally here, and they're depressing. Ophelia has come out of her shell and is allowing friends and dates now, unlike her stubborn demeanor in the first book where she refused to stop being a hermit and meet people.
The mystery is a good one, but I started suspecting the villain because there weren't enough culprits left that would be likely. Comancho was a fun character - I hope he returns in the future, has a charm and animal magnetism about him.
As with a lot of cozies, the writing is too simple, too juvenile, at times. The dialogue goes from flowing smoothly to seeming silly. It's all a little unrealistic with the writing tone and characters aren't sketched out enough yet - especially Ophelia's overreactions with her emotions, particularly where her grandmother is concerned.
I'm hoping the third improves - the concept for the series is fun.
I love the concept - small town witch librarian who is slowly coming into her powers, aided by her quirky grandmother, in a cozy mystery setting where she keeps stumbling on dead bodies and has to solve the crimes to prevent herself from being sucked in and killed.
Book two takes to solving an old murder that plagued her since book one, where in her past a friend was murdered. Answers are finally here, and they're depressing. Ophelia has come out of her shell and is allowing friends and dates now, unlike her stubborn demeanor in the first book where she refused to stop being a hermit and meet people.
The mystery is a good one, but I started suspecting the villain because there weren't enough culprits left that would be likely. Comancho was a fun character - I hope he returns in the future, has a charm and animal magnetism about him.
As with a lot of cozies, the writing is too simple, too juvenile, at times. The dialogue goes from flowing smoothly to seeming silly. It's all a little unrealistic with the writing tone and characters aren't sketched out enough yet - especially Ophelia's overreactions with her emotions, particularly where her grandmother is concerned.
I'm hoping the third improves - the concept for the series is fun.
December 27, 2023
A cute mystery
First, it took me a minute to realize the books in this series were released out of order. I suggest looking up the reading order to make sure you read them in the right order. This was a cute mystery. Not too difficult to figure out who the killer was, but it was fun figuring out the motive. The characters are a little cookie cutter and some of the dialogue seems forced, but overall the story is entertaining. I'll read the next one.
First, it took me a minute to realize the books in this series were released out of order. I suggest looking up the reading order to make sure you read them in the right order. This was a cute mystery. Not too difficult to figure out who the killer was, but it was fun figuring out the motive. The characters are a little cookie cutter and some of the dialogue seems forced, but overall the story is entertaining. I'll read the next one.
February 25, 2009
Just the series for those who like their witches gently turned out. Number 2 in the Ophelia and Abby series, Ophelia, the apprehensive witch, finds herself stumbling alone without the guidance of her grandmother Abby, her trainer, tracking a witch-killer.
The troubles began with the death of Ophelia’s good friend five years previously, leaving her fearful of her destiny. Abby is the powerful witch but the two though able to perform many of the same feats, do not necessarily have the same gifts and Abby has the feeling that she will not be able to help her granddaughter on this mission. She can only give her clues as to what Ophelia’s visions may portend. The women of the family have passed down this destiny, skipping a generation here and there, one of the missed being Abby’s daughter, Ophelia’s mother. Abby gives Ophelia some ancient Norse runes that belonged to her great grandmother believing she will gain her insights through them. The runes come with a journal, and awaken deep feelings within.
After an accident leaves Abby in a coma, it is up to Ophelia, ready or not, to be strong and learn. She must be the one to complete the mission. This series of books is light-hearted, fun, and yet interesting. There are some continuing characters in the series, each well-developed or developing individually. I love these books and turn to one of them whenever I am in need of calming my mind from weightier matters or tomes. The promise shown in this, the second book, is something I look forward to in each and every one. Totally enjoyable, no vampires, beasts, or were-people, just two enduring and loving witches. A quick, easy read.
The troubles began with the death of Ophelia’s good friend five years previously, leaving her fearful of her destiny. Abby is the powerful witch but the two though able to perform many of the same feats, do not necessarily have the same gifts and Abby has the feeling that she will not be able to help her granddaughter on this mission. She can only give her clues as to what Ophelia’s visions may portend. The women of the family have passed down this destiny, skipping a generation here and there, one of the missed being Abby’s daughter, Ophelia’s mother. Abby gives Ophelia some ancient Norse runes that belonged to her great grandmother believing she will gain her insights through them. The runes come with a journal, and awaken deep feelings within.
After an accident leaves Abby in a coma, it is up to Ophelia, ready or not, to be strong and learn. She must be the one to complete the mission. This series of books is light-hearted, fun, and yet interesting. There are some continuing characters in the series, each well-developed or developing individually. I love these books and turn to one of them whenever I am in need of calming my mind from weightier matters or tomes. The promise shown in this, the second book, is something I look forward to in each and every one. Totally enjoyable, no vampires, beasts, or were-people, just two enduring and loving witches. A quick, easy read.
August 31, 2012
Here is a mystery that kept me reading until it was done! The lead character has warmed up, melding into a circle of friends we enjoy seeing her with. She has found assertiveness to speak up to figures who once intimidated her. She is forced to explore extra-sensory gifts by herself. Best of all, we meet Ophelia’s Mom.
I’ve seen ratings lowered merely because a reader guessed a culprit's identity - nonsense! There's nothing to hazarding 'person A, B, or C'. The meat in "Charmed To Death" is a profound background of details: why kill, deciphering clues about how someone behaves, and what they are really after. The poignancy of novel 2 is higher-strung because all crimes, even external vandalism and threat, is extremely personal. This isn’t about feeling compelled to help a general townsperson. Familiar, kind faces are affected and the vulnerability of even much loved plants reaches you tremendously.
The book keeps you absorbed on numerous levels, like daring to acquaint a nemesis and the fascination of watching how Ophelia’s Mom fits into the family. Most urgently: the reader is doled out a complete inability to assume 'Grandma will save the day'. Shirley Damsgaard has penned a very well thought out story.
I’ve seen ratings lowered merely because a reader guessed a culprit's identity - nonsense! There's nothing to hazarding 'person A, B, or C'. The meat in "Charmed To Death" is a profound background of details: why kill, deciphering clues about how someone behaves, and what they are really after. The poignancy of novel 2 is higher-strung because all crimes, even external vandalism and threat, is extremely personal. This isn’t about feeling compelled to help a general townsperson. Familiar, kind faces are affected and the vulnerability of even much loved plants reaches you tremendously.
The book keeps you absorbed on numerous levels, like daring to acquaint a nemesis and the fascination of watching how Ophelia’s Mom fits into the family. Most urgently: the reader is doled out a complete inability to assume 'Grandma will save the day'. Shirley Damsgaard has penned a very well thought out story.
January 24, 2014
Charmed to Death is the second book in a cozy mystery series. I found the 1st, 3rd & 4th books at my local indie book shop, but couldn’t get a hold of the second, so I ordered it on my Kindle….must read in order syndrome. I am not a big reader of paranormal cozies..but I seem to keep saying that lately so maybe I am reading more of them than I think. Anyway, I enjoy this one and will continue reading it. I like the combination of realistic and paranormal elements. The characters Ophelia and Abby are charming and the cast of characters adds plenty of local color.
The mystery was interesting and well paced. Ophelia is growing as a character, in her relationships and in her craft. I am interested to see where this series will go in the subsequent books.
The mystery was interesting and well paced. Ophelia is growing as a character, in her relationships and in her craft. I am interested to see where this series will go in the subsequent books.
August 15, 2016
I jumped right into this second in the series after reading the first and this one solves the mystery of her friend's murder five years earlier that caused Ophelia to shut out other people and deny her heritage of folk magick. Since beginning to embrace her heritage and open herself to friends during the events of the first novel, she makes more strides toward using her precognitive gifts in this novel as she tries to save those around her from the same killer that murdered her friend. This one contains more magickal descriptions, but I didn't find them overpowering, and it also contains some creepy descriptions of serial killer behavior.
May 5, 2016
2 1/2 stars
I really want to like this series...there is a lot I like about it. But there are niggling annoyances scattered throughout. Ophelia can be entertaining, but most of the time she is annoyingly clueless. I find her hard to believe in the role of librarian.
I really want to like this series...there is a lot I like about it. But there are niggling annoyances scattered throughout. Ophelia can be entertaining, but most of the time she is annoyingly clueless. I find her hard to believe in the role of librarian.
May 29, 2019
Small town Iowa librarian Ophelia Jensen is slowly starting to accept her psychic gifts, which also includes witchcraft, which her grandmother, Abby, is trying to teach her. Ophelia is not the most willing of students, though, as she believes her psychic abilities let her down when her best friend, Brian, was murdered five years ago. Abby, however, tells Ophelia that trouble is on its way pertaining to Brian's murder, and it's time for Abby to accept her gifts and gain the knowledge and courage she needs to face this dark part of her past and move on.
Although Ophelia seems a little immature at times, I enjoy her relationship with her strong and knowledgeable grandmother, as well as the very slowly evolving relationship between Ophelia and detective Henry Comacho, who looked at Ophelia as a possible suspect in the initial investigation of her friend Brian's murder.
Although Ophelia seems a little immature at times, I enjoy her relationship with her strong and knowledgeable grandmother, as well as the very slowly evolving relationship between Ophelia and detective Henry Comacho, who looked at Ophelia as a possible suspect in the initial investigation of her friend Brian's murder.
September 23, 2022
A new duo of mystery solvers - granny Abigail (age 74) and Ophelia (age mid to late 20's). Ophelia has just discovered her psychic powers and she really doesn't like them. Good witch granny Abby, is trying to teach her about using her powers and what she can and cannot do. Somehow, Ophelia keeps tripping over dead bodies and the police (as well as friends and neighbors) find that very suspicious. When Ophelia realizes that the dead bodies all seemed linked to her in one way or another, she realizes that she must accept her powers to protect herself and her family. This was very good, I liked the characters - they are certainly 3 dimensional as we learn about them along with Ophelia. And, being a young 73 myself, I really liked Abigail.
February 13, 2023
/spoilers
In my opinion, I would say that the first book was better than the second book. Sure, I love the improvement in Ophelia's behaviour but I think the story did not hooked me as much as it did in the first book.
Maybe because I'm more of a romance finatic, that's why I was upset that Rick did not make an appearance in the second book. However, I was really surprised that the detective mentioned in the previous book would be also a potential love interest?
Speaking of love interests, I held my skepticism on Charles and I was right. Most of the time I wasn't good at knowing where the direction of the book is heading. However, it was easy to guessed that Charles have to do with it. The reasons was what kept in the dark and I was surprised by the whole witch killing thing.
In my opinion, I would say that the first book was better than the second book. Sure, I love the improvement in Ophelia's behaviour but I think the story did not hooked me as much as it did in the first book.
Maybe because I'm more of a romance finatic, that's why I was upset that Rick did not make an appearance in the second book. However, I was really surprised that the detective mentioned in the previous book would be also a potential love interest?
Speaking of love interests, I held my skepticism on Charles and I was right. Most of the time I wasn't good at knowing where the direction of the book is heading. However, it was easy to guessed that Charles have to do with it. The reasons was what kept in the dark and I was surprised by the whole witch killing thing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2018
Since the end of the previous book Abby has been guiding Ophelia to understand her gifts and her witchcraft. Abby knows Ophelia will be tested soon and wants her to be prepared. The test has to do with Brian’s killer - he is coming for Ophelia. But who is it? When will they strike?
As Ophelia has started to accept and use her gifts the book has definitely become more mystical. I like the characters Damsgaard has created and I will definitely continue to read this series.
As Ophelia has started to accept and use her gifts the book has definitely become more mystical. I like the characters Damsgaard has created and I will definitely continue to read this series.
May 1, 2020
It was OK - much better than the first one, with a more cohesive plot and better character development, though it does still have a very superficial feel to it. Not horrible, not brilliant, the doer of the dastardly deeds was again not too mysterious at all, and the characters are kinda flat...
Maybe it is all the craziness and general bad news everywhere, but for some reason this kinda "meh" series is working for me. So onward I go to book three!
Maybe it is all the craziness and general bad news everywhere, but for some reason this kinda "meh" series is working for me. So onward I go to book three!
June 3, 2025
okay it is no literary masterpiece but a good fun little series. If you like sabrina the teenage witch you will probably enjoy this feel good cozy mystery. When Ophelia's friend was killed five years ago it is assumed he was the victim of a serial killer but the facts just don't add up. Then there is the fact that Abby does not like the new man in Ophelia's life, she says that there are holes in his aura. How did they get there and what are the secrets that he keeps?
April 8, 2021
The book was good but for some reason the first half I couldn't read more than a few pages without it making me fall asleep! Not boring. Not edge of your seat exciting either. But good. I Will be reading on in the series.
February 6, 2023
3.5🌟
I liked this better than the first book because of a new character introduced-- Detective Henry Camacho. Rick from book 1 was too much of a smooth talker for me. Henry felt more reliable, and I loved the tension between him and Ophelia.
I liked this better than the first book because of a new character introduced-- Detective Henry Camacho. Rick from book 1 was too much of a smooth talker for me. Henry felt more reliable, and I loved the tension between him and Ophelia.
June 25, 2017
Love these books, next one in series, I'll be reading.
September 11, 2017
I read this book because my son picked it out because of the cat on the cover. I was bored by it & i usually enjoy books with a supernatural element.
October 5, 2017
Ophelia continues to grow and to accept her abilities. A satisfying read.
May 9, 2018
I'm liking this series more and more as I go along. LOL, the only way it could be better for me is if the cat had a greater part in all of the interesting doings!
November 24, 2018
Rick is out of the picture but pops back up the next book so I'm done. As other reviews stated, a good editor is needed stat.
February 14, 2019
Great book that really is a fast read.
May 23, 2019
These cozy mysteries would be much better if the main character weren’t so annoying.
November 30, 2019
worth reading a couple more in the series before I make a final decision about reading the whole series.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
October 6, 2021
I just reread the Ophelia and Abby Mystery series. It is just a fun, light, mystery series with witches.
March 29, 2025
Cute. Almost missed the bad guy.
October 14, 2019
Enjoyed this 2nd in the series too!
May 19, 2022
Very good!
October 18, 2012
BOTTOM LINE: #2 Ophelia and Abby, rural Iowa; fantastical cosy mystery. Ophelia gets to finally solve the murder of her friend Brian, and in many ways this is merely a continuation of the first in series, but with a new protagonist. This was a very, very “soft cosy” in the Aunt Dimity manner, with precious little plot. And every cliche in the romance novel field seems to be thrown in, alas. I had hopes for this series but while the first book was entertaining (and I love Abby and her relationship with Ophelia), this was just more “same old, same old” - didn’t fulfill the promise of the first book. Don’t think I’ll try #3.
This second in series is nearly a rerun of the first book plot-wise, with Ophelia and those she loves in danger, and her attempting to find ways to get out of it, not being believed by law enforcement, etc.. There’s an awful lot of femjep here, and while there’s a nice sense of humor, the use of supernatural elements seems contrived, as each time Ophelia gets cornered she “discovers” a new talent. At first it’s interesting, but much repetition has made it stale.
I enjoy the characters of Abby and Ophelia, a loving grandmother and granddaughter, one a folk witch (Appalachian style) and the other a family member with The Gifts who really doesn’t want them, thanks. Her learning curve is interesting to watch, but the plotting here was abysmal, with everything moved on by Ophelia’s “lucky guesses”. Charming in the first book, annoying in the second.
I’m not about to attempt the third, possibly having been further soured in my mind by reading an interview posted on the author’s website that clearly and carefully states that she doesn’t believe in folk magic and writes the stories only because there’s a good market for them currently (it seems witches are “hot!” right now...). I felt manipulated by an author who uses religious beliefs as a marketing ploy.
This series has nice, loveable characters and a cosy small town setting, but her use of supernatural elements to move things along in this second book became frustrating and annoying. Why have a police detective as second lead if he’s not going to help solve the crime? Because he’s a hunk, that’s why, and the introduction of a seemingly cold, handsome detective to act as Ophelia’s foil was, I fear, too much, finally, for my sensibilities.
May 2008
This second in series is nearly a rerun of the first book plot-wise, with Ophelia and those she loves in danger, and her attempting to find ways to get out of it, not being believed by law enforcement, etc.. There’s an awful lot of femjep here, and while there’s a nice sense of humor, the use of supernatural elements seems contrived, as each time Ophelia gets cornered she “discovers” a new talent. At first it’s interesting, but much repetition has made it stale.
I enjoy the characters of Abby and Ophelia, a loving grandmother and granddaughter, one a folk witch (Appalachian style) and the other a family member with The Gifts who really doesn’t want them, thanks. Her learning curve is interesting to watch, but the plotting here was abysmal, with everything moved on by Ophelia’s “lucky guesses”. Charming in the first book, annoying in the second.
I’m not about to attempt the third, possibly having been further soured in my mind by reading an interview posted on the author’s website that clearly and carefully states that she doesn’t believe in folk magic and writes the stories only because there’s a good market for them currently (it seems witches are “hot!” right now...). I felt manipulated by an author who uses religious beliefs as a marketing ploy.
This series has nice, loveable characters and a cosy small town setting, but her use of supernatural elements to move things along in this second book became frustrating and annoying. Why have a police detective as second lead if he’s not going to help solve the crime? Because he’s a hunk, that’s why, and the introduction of a seemingly cold, handsome detective to act as Ophelia’s foil was, I fear, too much, finally, for my sensibilities.
May 2008
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