Issue #8: In the Company of Witches
A magical fall must-read: cozy up with this enchanting mystery
Book Review
In the Company of Witches by Auralee Walace
So, what spell did the author work? Because as I was reading, I found myself wanting to trade my tank tops for sweaters, my flip flops for boots, my sun hat for a home-knitted scarf. I wanted to hide from the wild wind, drink hot tea, and take a nap snuggled in a fuzzy blanket. I was actually a little disappointed it was so warm outside…(and you can’t wish away the warm days in Idaho. It’s almost a sin!)
Audio version: Kate reads this article to you!
Book information and ratings
In the Company of Witches | by Auralee Wallace, 2021 | |
Genre: | Fiction, Fantasy |
|
Subject: | Mystery, crime | |
Rating: | Worth the read | |
Read as: | Print copy | |
Readability: | Accessible | |
Subject Weight: | Moderate | |
How I found this book:
This was a selection for Kat’s book club one month.
About this book:
This is not my usual literary pick, but I found it absolutely delightful!
While the story and the characters were new, they were also very familiar. It reminded me of:
The 1996 TV sitcom, Sabrina The Teenage Witch: about a niece raised by her two eccentric and talented aunts. They are all witches in the modern world, trying to keep it a secret.
The 2005 mystery TV show, Ghost Whisperer: where the beautiful main character is literally haunted by her abilities to see ghosts. She offers peace and comfort to both the dead and the bereaved while dealing with her own grief of being a young widow herself.
The 1998 movie, Practical Magic: about two magic sisters dealing with curses, spells, and powers going awry—with dire consequences for intention and poor execution. (This movie also includes two magic aunts…what an interesting trend…)
The 2021 Disney movie Encanto: this has a more complicated extended family structure, but the magic powers begin with the triplets: one sister can bake spells into her food, the other sister can influence the weather, and the brother (who has the gift of seeing the future) has isolated himself away from his family in the recesses of the family house.
The 2000 TV drama, Gilmore Girls: mostly I felt like I was reading a mystery set in Stars Hollow. This novel takes place in the quaint town of Evenfall—and it is completely charming with old houses, bookstores, libraries, and odd shops. (There’s even a gregarious and bedazzled woman teaching dance in a refurbished barn and a tension-filled town meeting!) Everything is within walking/biking distance, and the townsfolk are quirky and either endearing or frustrating. This novel’s setting is just so…so…Stars Hollow!
1930-2003 classic mystery series, Nancy Drew: about a young woman finding the clues and solving the mystery with no other qualifications other than her own drive and intelligence.
This is NOT a criticism. The author takes all of these elements and infuses her own flavor. And, if you like any of these books/movies/TV shows, you will love this novel!
****
The story begins with the characters presented in full color. In fact, the backstory was so strongly entwined, I wasn’t sure if this was the first in the series—and I had to double check! (It is.) The author does a tremendous job developing the characters and dropping you right into the swirl of their lives.
The main character is an orphan and also a young widow. It was refreshing to meet her at a complex point in her life: when she’s dealing with the grief of losing husband, instead of in the midst of the grief of losing her parents, as most stories would...Gosh, that sounds awful!: I’m glad she has the additional pain of being a widow instead of just the normal grief of being an orphan…but, you know what I mean! It was more compelling…even though (or maybe because?) it’s so much worse. Also, including a captivating love story only in hindsight was unique and interesting.
****
The underlying themes of death, grief, guilt, grudges, revenge, and repressing emotion-while serious and meaningful-were not dense or heavy: they flowed swiftly along behind the movement of the mystery. This novel was engaging on many levels, but not overwhelming.
****
I read this book in the middle of September. The weather in Idaho was on the cusp of fall: the leaves had not turned, and the days were still bright, and it was just barely warm enough to head to the lake for a family trip with the paddle board and dogs in tow. It was still summer.
I love summer! I love it so much: the sun, the swimming, the long days, the loose schedule…
In fact, when fall hits, I kind of have a little meltdown. I usually show up to the first bonfire of the season scowling and grumbling to my friends about wearing my “stupid jacket” and my “stupid socks”–because it means that summer is officially over.
So, what spell did the author work? Because as I was reading, I found myself wanting to trade my tank tops for sweaters, my flip flops for boots, my sun hat for a home-knitted scarf. I wanted to hide from the wild wind, drink hot tea, and take a nap snuggled in a fuzzy blanket. I was actually a little disappointed it was so warm outside…(and you can’t wish away the warm days in Idaho. It’s almost a sin!)
****
This is the type of book you can curl up with on a sick day (in the fall, of course) and become completely entranced. Hours later, you look up, blinking and reorienting yourself to the real world, thinking: Oh, yeah..I’m still sick. I almost forgot! Or: what was it that I have been worrying about again? Oh, yeah, that thing…well, was it a big deal?....it doesn’t seem like it now…as you dive back in.
The perfect sick day book isn’t always easy to find. So, I have the sequel When the Crow’s Away ordered, and I am fully intending to save it for my next sick day: ginger-lemon tea, downey blanket, and all.
I’m not looking forward to it, but I am at the same time.
About the author:
AURALEE WALLACE is the author of multiple novels, including the Otter Lake mystery series and the Evenfall Witches B&B Mysteries. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in English literature, and she worked in the publishing industry for a number of years before teaching at the college level.
When this perpetually sleep-deprived mother of three children and one rescue cat isn’t writing, reading, or playing soccer, she can be found watching BBC mysteries and warring with a family of peregrine falcons for the rights to her backyard. www.auraleewallace.com
Sources:
Wallace, Auralee. In the Company of Witches. Berkley Prime Crime, 2021, New York.
*This is issue #8 of The Book Moth Newsletter
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I loved the books. The tv series is pretty ok for cross country flights binging. (That’s what I did.) Parts aren’t acted very well, but that’s not really why you’re there, you know? And one inspiration you didn’t bring in that I’d add is Twilight. There are a lot of Bella/Edward vibes throughout. ❤️❤️❤️