Book Review: Hexes and Hemlines

Book: Hexes and Hemlines (A Witchcraft Mystery book #3) by Juliet Blackwell

Rating: 4 stars

Review:

Although, there was more magic than mystery in this third book it was still a good read. Hexes and Hemlines finds Lily Ivory, vintage clothing store owner and witch, being asked by her police detective friend Carlos Romero to find out what she could about the murder of the mysterious Malachi Zazi. He wanted to know if perhaps the murder was caused by the supernatural.

Zazi was found dead in his penthouse apartment surrounded by symbols of bad luck. He had created an organization, the Serpentarian Society whose main goal was to debunk superstitions. As she investigated she kept finding several coincidences with the murder including her employee and friend Browyn's son-in-law Gregory being considered a person of interest as well as she kept running into a powerful witch named Doura.

She got some unlikely assistance from psychic Sailor but also found herself running into conflict with Aiden Rhodes, a powerful witch who wanted her to stay away from the mystery.

This case may put Lily's life and her friends in danger if she doesn't figure out what's really going on. With a hex appearing on her friend's doorstep and hearing that she has a curse placed on her, it's not going to be an easy case to solve with so many obstacles in her way.

There was a lot going in the story from Lily's relationship with journalist Max Carmichael possibly fizzling to her growing distrust of Aiden who is supposed to be helping her with her powers but she's not sure if it's for his benefit or hers. She also found herself caring for Zazi's cat despite her allergies but doing her best to find it a caring home.

I like that in this book you got a little more insight into Lily's past because she always mentions that she didn't get a chance to complete her training with her grandmother and the story showed why. There was also a little more information given about her familiar Oscar and the psychic Sailor.

I feel like this series is a little different from other cozy mysteries because although it fits into that category it has a very dark and serious feel to it. There are light and happy moments throughout but the supernatural threats seem to be even more menacing.

This was an interesting read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.