When the Crow's Away - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  When the Crow's Away (Evenfall Witches B and B #2) by Auralee Wallace

Rating: Liked It!
Source:   Publisher

Description:  After spending months unable to use her powers, Brynn Warren is once again using her gift and working at her family's bed-and-breakfast. Her heart is full, and although one of her aunts wonders if it might be a little more full with a bit of romance in her life, Brynn is certain that finding love again is not in her future. In fact, she can't imagine anyone being more certain of anything...except for maybe, the recently deceased Mortimer Sweete. He's certain he's been murdered, and he wants Brynn's help to bring his killer to justice.

Mort is positive he knows who killed him: his business partner's wife, Cookie, who had been trying to get them to sell the candy shop for months. But Brynn doesn't share his conviction. After all, the coroner ruled his death natural causes, and Mort did have health problems in life. But with Cookie putting up a For Sale sign for the shop already, Brynn knows she can't just let it go.

Trying to solve a might-be murder while attempting to stop her aunt from meddling in her personal life seems like a recipe for disaster. If Brynn wants to bring Mort's spirit peace, she'll have to rely on all her skills--both magical and mundane--to uncover the truth.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I read the first book in this series and was curious to see how the series would evolve.

My Impression: This is the second book in the cozy series about Brynn and her aunts - Izzy and Nora and their Bed and Breakfast.  Oh and they happen to be witches.  Brynn's particular talent is speaking with the dead which she struggled a lot with in the first book.  Now that Brynn is getting comfortable with her powers again the series is really getting traction and this proved a very enjoyable read.  I liked learning a bit more about Nora and Brynn's uncle Gideon and really enjoyed that Gideon's pet crow Dog made a number of appearances.  

The mystery was interesting with the victim, Mort, being present for most of the investigation, sometimes helping and sometimes being a hinderance.  As well, not only is there the question of who killed Mort but also was his death foul play in the first place?  I wasn't quite sure how the mystery would unravel until almost the end and really enjoyed watching the dynamics of the Warren family play out.  While the mystery itself is a standalone I think it would be better to read the first book just to get a better understanding of Brynn's character and her relationship with her family.

This was a fun read with an interesting cast of characters and I was never quite sure what they would do next.  I was entertained from beginning to end and am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've enjoyed both books in this series and am really looking forward to seeing what happens next for these characters.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you like a cozy mystery with interesting characters and a fair bit of paranormal I think you'll really enjoy this series.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *