Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed on 10/9/2016 + 687 more book reviews

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.

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