Dead Witch Walking . . . Someone or something is leaving gruesome death markers for the citizens of Crystal Springs. It’s the curse, the townspeople whisper. And to Cascade Lorne, brand new witch at fifty, it sounds ridiculous. Until two days before the opening of her business, when she stumbles across a corpse wearing her face.The message is clear. She and other people in town have been marked … in town have been marked for death—and payment will come due on All Hallows Eve.
Has Crystal Springs’ troubled past unleashed a ghoul with a homicidal bag of tricks no one will be able to escape?
Cas decides she’s the best woman to set things right. But will she scare up the truth in time or end up a dead witch walking?
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Cas is moving along with her lodge renovations and magical training, though some aspects of both are quite challenging. Along the way she finds herself again enmeshed in trouble, this time a seeming curse on Crystal Springs. I enjoy watching Cas come into herself and gain confidence with every success, big or small. She’s clever and resourceful, and determined to get to the bottom of whatever challenge she faces. The story held my attention all the way through and the characters are like friends by now. I especially like Echo, her snarky cat. I look forward to the next one!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cascade Lorne went into the Crystal Springs First Federal Bank to discuss a business loan for an old ski lodge she had purchased to complete her dream. But the renovation costs more than anticipated. To her surprise, the assistant manager told her that the bank manager, Mr. Buckley – with whom she had made this appointment – had taken off for vacation! Mr. Timber, reeking of an overwhelming, musty-smelling cologne, led her back to his office, his keyring holding 100 assorted keys jingling all the way. They had just gotten started when the bank teller interrupted to announce Mr. Timber’s next appointment was there, which had been scheduled before he took over Mr. Buckley’s appointments as well. So he told Cas that he would have to reschedule her, despite her own tight schedule. As she walked to the door, she saw something definitely unfriendly in his eyes!
Before Cas could exit the bank, black bugs landed all over the windows and the horrible stench of rotten meat filled the bank. Mr. Timber locked the doors, but the bugs came from neighboring buildings and made their way to the sidewalk and street, thick, black slime trailing behind them. They made a strange, loud tapping sound. Mr. Timber identified them as an infestation of Deathwish beetles which hadn’t been seen for many years. When the magical police arrived to take care of the matter, everyone went back to their business. But Cas had her doubts!
Cas was trying to use her newfound witch magic to change the color of the pillows in her yet-to-be-renovated lodge. Attempt after attempt failed, but she kept at it. As she opened her eyes, the pillows had all turned gold, making her jump up and down in glee. Her boyfriend, Graham Noble, leaned on the doorjamb, grinning. Burdock, her mentor helping her with her magic, came in with Echo, a cat. He reminded Cas that she was still in danger since the guy who tried to kill her previously had robed helpers who had managed to escape. She suggested he teach her more magic to defend herself, but he reminded her she hardly made time now for training and hadn’t mastered the hand skills he had assigned. Getting the lodge ready was her sole focus. Even Graham complained of not enough time spent with her.
Cas’ friend, Posie, came to the door upset, then startled to see Cas was there, even though it was Cas’ party! Posie told her to come quickly and they all ran outside. She stepped around Graham to see why everyone was so startled. The dead body hung suspended in mid-air like a grotesque decoration and twisted slowly, spinning on an invisible axis. When the face came around, complete with a well-known tiny scar, Cas saw that the corpse spinning in the air was wearing her face!
This was a good mystery that captures the reader’s attention. The dead body with Cas’ face was alarming. Is she under attack again by the people who tried to steal her magic, is this a warning of some sort, or does this have something to do with the beetles who only come out every 100 years? Is this part of a curse?
A Curse? A curse was placed on Crystal Springs over a hundred years ago. Is it now coming true? Mysterious happenings lead many residents to believe in the curse. Some of the incidents seem like pranks, but a dead body glamoured to look identical to Cascade seems more sinister. Is she being targeted again by the people who tried to steal her magic before, or is this something else? I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.