Bell, Book & Candlemas

November 1, 2016
Practicing attorney and Wiccan Keli Milanni (Midsummer Night's Mischief, 2016) investigates threats against the local magic shop at her own peril.Small-town Illinois isn't always a comfortable place for New Age spirituality, as Keli is sharply reminded when Moonstone Treasures is vandalized. Edindale's small businesses have suffered a spate of recent burglaries, and the shop's owner, Mila Douglas, had been receiving threatening notes for weeks. Keli hesitates to get involved. She isn't ready to be publicly known for her witchcraft, and besides, she'd prefer to focus on her on-again, off-again flirtation with handsome photographer Wes Callahan. But called by a mystical revelation, Keli goes into full detective mode with her gal pal and sleuthing sidekick, Farrah. The threats might be a way to push Mila out through a real estate deal, or they might be coming from the local Bible-thumping preacher. When a lovable old man is found dead in the occult shop, Wes joins the investigation. Keli and Farrah uncover a network of tunnels dating back to Prohibition that might link all the burglaries and the murder to a freshly renovated Edwardian mansion operating as a luxurious bed-and-breakfast. The tunnels lead Keli to new information--and to danger. Half mystery, half chick lit, with a filigree of paganism, this is a cabin read: as lightly enjoyable yet forgettable as one of those beach reads, but in a wintry, woodsy setting.

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