Stealing Magic

Spell Booked (Retired Witches Mystery #1) by Joyce and Jim Lavene (Berkley Prime Crime mass market, 2 December 2014).

Molly, Elsie, and Olivia have been close friends since they were young witches.  But as they've aged, their abilities have begun not only to fade but to err.  Not wanting their small coven to disappear, they're searching for young witches to continue their legacy.

They've found a young woman named Dorothy Lane who shows potential, but as she doesn't know about her latent powers, they're trying to figure out how to approach her without frightening her.

But before they can agree on a tactic, Olivia is killed and their spell book is stolen. And though the case goes to Molly's detective husband Joe (who is unaware of his wife's secret identity), she and Elsie are afraid that he's in danger from what appears to be a powerful, nasty, and unscrupulous witch who seems to be trying to "steal" magical power.

As their own investigation proceeds, the two women learn that they, too, are in jeopardy, and the situation becomes even more terrifying.

Joyce and Jim Lavene are experienced mystery writers who create great plots and intriguing characters.  Spell Booked is a promising beginning to another wonderful Lavenes series.



FTC Full Disclosure:  Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy of the book.