SOLVED. YA book: mom is dead, dad and daughter move to a castle, dad dates lady named Moira, there's a fairy in a glass ball on the cover. [s]

[Annie]

I actually know a fair amount about this book, just not the title and can't find it through Google.

The protagonist (possibly named Lizzie or Lila or some other L name, though not positive on that) moves to a large castle with her father. Mom is dead. Protag has a cat- male, very smart.

Castle is inherited from protag's great uncle, who was eccentric.

Not long after they move, protag's dad starts dating a lady named Moira, who wears lots of red and black, and has a sports car.

Protag somehow meets a fairy, who is trapped in a bottle and speaks in a Gaelic accent. Fairy is a girl who has a little brother. Moira is out to catch fairies in these fairy ball things which have a cork to keep the fairy contained.

At some point, protag's cat is important, helps bridge the gap between protag and fairy girl.

They also all transform into mice at some point, sneaking around where Moira lives. Fairy girl & her little brother have some fairy aunts who are also around.

[Ayshe]

Witch Catcher maybe?

[Annie]

Ayshe wrote: "Witch Catcher maybe?"

YES. THANK YOU. My problem was that I kept googling "Moira" because I was so sure that was the spelling--have no memory of it being spelled Moura.

[Justanotherbiblophile]

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