Esme Addison found a way to add a twist to her magical mystery debut. While the jacket copy mentions Ellery Adams and Heather Blake, remember that Addison’s A Spell for Trouble is a debut. The magical twist is intriguing. The amateur sleuth needs a little polish.

Aleksandra Daniels’ father didn’t let her visit her mother’s family in Bellamy Bay, North Carolina. Now that both of her parents are gone and she quit her job in New York City, she has nothing keeping her from family. She accepts her Aunt Lidia’s invitation. It’s been twenty years since she saw her cousins, Minka and Kamila, twenty years since her mother drowned. Now, Aunt Lidia and Minka run a Botanika, an herbal apothecary, while Kamila is a cop. And, Alex is happy to jump in and learn about the herbs and work in the shop.

It’s a good idea to learn about the shop because Minka is going to need help there. Alex has no idea of her family history, so she’s shocked to see Aunt Lidia angry with a customer she banned from her shop. Her anger is terrifying when she confronts Randy Bennett. When Bennett is found dead, Lidia is arrested for murder. Then a reporter for the local newspaper and a gossip column reveals stories of the family, including the history of water witches from Poland. Alex never heard the stories, and certainly never knew her own mother was reputed to be the most powerful one in the family. But, there’s an enemy with a great deal of power, and that person seems determined to destroy Lidia and the family.

The family stories and legends are fascinating, and there are secrets to be revealed in future books. But, there are a few issues with Alex, ones that bothered me, but may not bother other readers. Just remember, this is a debut. When Alex seems to rush into things, and seems too nosy for a newcomer to the community, remember she’s an amateur sleuth new to her own family secrets. It just always surprises me that so many people will allow a newcomer to butt into an investigation. It’s a little easier to understand when the amateur sleuth has been in the community for a while.

Despite my complaint, I’ll be watching for the next book. And, if you can overlook the newcomer and amateur sleuth issues, you might appreciate this debut and its magical elements.

Esme Addison’s website is www.esmeaddison.com

A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison. Crooked Lane Books, 2020. ISBN 9781643853031 (hardcover), 336p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – I received the book to review for a journal.