Dollycas's Thoughts
Joyce and Jim Lavene had imaginations that were truly out of this world and it was in full force in this 3rd installment of the Retired Witch Mysteries.
Molly, Elsie, Dorothy, Brian and Olivia are all back and we meet Drago, Dorothy's father. The coven is invited to Brian's birthday party, a party even Brian doesn't usually attend but the other witches all convince him to go. They all need a little fun especially with the wicked Drago lurking around. The event is at a very special castle and the whole Grand Council of Witches are in attendance. In fact, one of the council ends up dead and it gets crazy...
This was a book I truly escaped right into, a world of make believe had me leave reality in the dust within seconds after opening the cover.
The castle setting was both enchanting and eerie an immense space where stairs and hallways appear and disappear, filled with hidden rooms and spaces, a wonderful library and more. The drinks were flowing and there was fine food to eat. The place was packed with witches of all kinds, water witches, fire witches, air and earth witches. It would have been a fabulous party if that darn murder hadn't occurred.
I have loved the main characters from the moment we met, just 3 witches wanting to retire and hand their spellbook off to a new set of witches and since then so much has happened. Retiring is always a huge change but for these witches it is no simple feat and we were allowed to travel with them all along the way.
This story is so much more than a cozy mystery. It is about friendship and family and all the dedication and devotion that goes along with that. Each character is unique. Every place from their shop, Smuggler's Arcane, to the enormous castle is vividly described. The plots and subplots are more than well written, they are MAGICAL times infinity.
I believe Jim finished this story on his own, something he hadn't done since they started writing together. He dedicates the book to Joyce and you can tell he worked hard to get everything just right. I could feel his heart beating in these words, he may have had a little spiritual assistance too, but I know it was probably one of the hardest things to do after she passed away. The cozy community was truly blessed by their presence and they will always live on through their stories. I hope they are looking down upon us and see the joy their writing has brought to so many.
Joyce and Jim Lavene had imaginations that were truly out of this world and it was in full force in this 3rd installment of the Retired Witch Mysteries.
Molly, Elsie, Dorothy, Brian and Olivia are all back and we meet Drago, Dorothy's father. The coven is invited to Brian's birthday party, a party even Brian doesn't usually attend but the other witches all convince him to go. They all need a little fun especially with the wicked Drago lurking around. The event is at a very special castle and the whole Grand Council of Witches are in attendance. In fact, one of the council ends up dead and it gets crazy...
This was a book I truly escaped right into, a world of make believe had me leave reality in the dust within seconds after opening the cover.
The castle setting was both enchanting and eerie an immense space where stairs and hallways appear and disappear, filled with hidden rooms and spaces, a wonderful library and more. The drinks were flowing and there was fine food to eat. The place was packed with witches of all kinds, water witches, fire witches, air and earth witches. It would have been a fabulous party if that darn murder hadn't occurred.
I have loved the main characters from the moment we met, just 3 witches wanting to retire and hand their spellbook off to a new set of witches and since then so much has happened. Retiring is always a huge change but for these witches it is no simple feat and we were allowed to travel with them all along the way.
This story is so much more than a cozy mystery. It is about friendship and family and all the dedication and devotion that goes along with that. Each character is unique. Every place from their shop, Smuggler's Arcane, to the enormous castle is vividly described. The plots and subplots are more than well written, they are MAGICAL times infinity.
I believe Jim finished this story on his own, something he hadn't done since they started writing together. He dedicates the book to Joyce and you can tell he worked hard to get everything just right. I could feel his heart beating in these words, he may have had a little spiritual assistance too, but I know it was probably one of the hardest things to do after she passed away. The cozy community was truly blessed by their presence and they will always live on through their stories. I hope they are looking down upon us and see the joy their writing has brought to so many.
Putting on the Witch by Jim and Joyce Lavene is the third book in A Retired Witches Mystery series. Molly, Elsie, and Olivia (who is a ghost) are upset when Dorothy's father, Drago Rasmun shows up. They were hoping he would not find out about Dorothy until they had given her more training. Dorothy Lane is a librarian and only recently discovered her witchy background and legacy. The three elder witches are afraid that Drago will lure Dorothy to the dark side. Brian Fuller, Dorothy's boyfriend, is having a birthday. His parents are throwing a ball in his honor. Brian does not wish to attend (he prefers to avoid his parents). Unfortunately, Brian is outvoted. The ladies are dying for a chance to dress up and see the Fuller home (which is in a secret location). Olivia is a bit miffed. The others tell her that she cannot attend (I do not think this will stop her). The Witches Council is against ghosts and would not hesitate to banish her for good. The others get glammed up (magically) and wait for the car to take them to the secret location. They are having a good time until they discover the body of Makaleigh Veazy, a witches' council member, stabbed in the back. The council locks down the house for twenty-four hours and calls forth Antonio de Santiago, the witchfinder. Antonio was an original member of the Spanish inquisition and has been kept a prisoner (in a wall) by the council all these years. Antonio is very old school (he believes in intense questioning in a dungeon). Molly (and the others) decide to teach Antonio modern forensics and investigative techniques. Will they be able to find the killer before the guests are allowed to leave? The witches are in for a busy twenty-four hours and the murder is just the beginning of their troubles.
Putting on the Witch was an entertaining story. I did feel that there was a bit too much going on in the book. We have murder, a troublesome ghost, a familiar with its own agenda, Dorothy's father returning and up to mischief, and an old school witchfinder (this is not all). I just felt that it was overwhelming for one novel. The characters (for the most part) are interesting and likeable. I did find Olivia a little too whiny and annoying (I was not amused by her). While this is the third book in A Retired Witches Mystery series, it can be read alone. The readers are given all the information needed to enjoy the novel (in case you have not read the first two books). I give Putting on the Witch 4 out of 5 stars. The book moves along at a good pace (neither fast nor slow). The mystery was complex with some twists along the way. My favorite character is Antonio, the witchfinder. I hope we will see him again in the future (if there are any more books in the series). This was a good final book from writers Jim and Joyce Lavene. They will be missed.
Putting on the Witch was an entertaining story. I did feel that there was a bit too much going on in the book. We have murder, a troublesome ghost, a familiar with its own agenda, Dorothy's father returning and up to mischief, and an old school witchfinder (this is not all). I just felt that it was overwhelming for one novel. The characters (for the most part) are interesting and likeable. I did find Olivia a little too whiny and annoying (I was not amused by her). While this is the third book in A Retired Witches Mystery series, it can be read alone. The readers are given all the information needed to enjoy the novel (in case you have not read the first two books). I give Putting on the Witch 4 out of 5 stars. The book moves along at a good pace (neither fast nor slow). The mystery was complex with some twists along the way. My favorite character is Antonio, the witchfinder. I hope we will see him again in the future (if there are any more books in the series). This was a good final book from writers Jim and Joyce Lavene. They will be missed.
