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I live on the ocean, write women's fiction, love to read so much that it's an addiction rather than a hobby (I read an average of a book a day). I live on the wet west coast so it's a good thing that I like to walk in the rain.

Monday, January 01, 2007

Witchy Chicks - The Trouble with Magic by Madelyn Alt


Okay, first of all, I have to tell you that Madelyn Alt signs all her emails as Mad - and that's what she is, madly funny, madly smart, madly ... well, madly everything.

And The Trouble with Magic is just like Mad. It's the first book in a series of "bewitching mysteries" for Berkley Prime Crime starring Maggie O'Neill. At the beginning of the book, Maggie (who lives in Stony Mill, Indiana) works in collections - that is, she phones tightfisted clients to try and force them to pay invoices - definitely not an entertaining job. She's ready for a change - though maybe not exactly the change she gets.

But things really are looking up for Maggie O'Neill although it might not seem like it. Her car breaks down in the midst of a thunderstorm, she falls into the doorway of a store where the power's off. But she's offered a job in Enchantments - antiques and fine gifts - and she takes it, even though Felicity, the owner of the store, tells Maggie that she's a witch.

Maggie's delighted with the store, with Felicity (though she has reservations about the whole witch thing) , and with the possibilities of her new life without her creep of a boss and the cranky unpaying clients. Until, that is, Felicity's sister is murdered and Felicity becomes the prime suspect. But that's not all.

Maggie's got some powers of her own and she's not any too keen on admitting it. But if she wants to save Felicity (and she does) she's going to have to figure out just what those powers mean. With the enthusiastic help of Felicity's friends in N.I.G.H.T.S. - the Northeast Indiana Ghost Hunting and Tracking Society - and the not so enthusiastic assistance of good-looking detective Tom Fielding, Maggie's going to save Felicity if it's the last thing she does.

And it might be.

Maggie's a funny and smart and beautifully detailed character. I could see her working in my office and being none too happy about it either. The Trouble with Magic is a great beginning to a great series - magic, murder, romance - what more could you ask for? The second book in the series is out now and it's called A Charmed Death. I'm definitely going to buy it.


I promise - you'll enjoy Maggie, Felicity and Stony Mill, Indiana.


Kate

10 comments:

tetewa said...

The Trouble With Magic sounds like a great read and the beginning of a great new series. Magic, murder and romance what more could you ask for in a book.

LadyVampire2u said...

Definitely my kind of book! And its a series too which makes it that much more awesome.

Theresa N. said...

Magic, mystery and antiques. Oh my!! Three of my favorite things, sounds great.

ChristyJan said...

Sounds like a great series with a fun and interesting heroine.

Anonymous said...

I've seen it in the bookstores and thought about buying it. Glad to hear it is worth the money.

Jeanette J said...

This book sounds soooo cool. I would love to work for a witch, it wouldn't bother me a bit

Estella said...

Sounds like a good read!

CrystalGB said...

Sounds like a wonderful book I would enjoy.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a series to keep on your bookshelf to read over again......

Meljprincess said...

Cute cover, Mad. I'd enjoy this immensely!