Review

For fans of:  Melissa Bourbon
 
Two years ago, Darcy Merriweather’s best friend Starla was nearly strangled to death by her husband Kyle. Kyle was arrested, but then managed to escape from custody and has been on the run ever since – until now, that is. Because according to Starla, Kyle has returned to the Enchanted Village. If her ex is back in town, though, why hasn’t anybody else seen him? And what kind of fugitive risks returning to the scene of his crime? Has Starla lost her mind, or is something more sinister afoot? It’s up to Darcy to figure out the truth.
 
The Goodbye Witch is the fourth of Heather Blake’s Wishcraft Mysteries, and it’s a marvelous addition to an already stellar series. Once again, Blake’s crafted a tale that seamlessly incorporates her own special brand of magic; she establishes the rules that govern her fictional universe without dragging down the pace, and puts a spin on the book’s central mystery that results in a nice departure from the stereotypical whodunit. Blake’s prose is witty and whimsical, her plot is complex without being confusing, and she uses The Goodbye Witch to forward her series arc in a way that’s guaranteed to keep her readers coming back for more.
 
What really makes The Goodbye Witch special, though, are its characters. From Darcy on down, Blake's cast members are vibrantly drawn, fully realized beings who (were it not for their magical abilities) would be just as at home in the real world as they are in the Enchanted Village, and their interactions not only inform and develop character, they add richness and texture to the plot, as well. Nick Sawyer, the village's police chief, is more than just Darcy's friend and love interest – he's her rock, and she's his. Their trust of and respect for one another only continues to grow, and it's a pleasure watching them come to the realization that they've fallen in love. The antagonism between Darcy and Nick's ex-wife's best friend Glinda (who now wants Nick for her own) adds an extra layer of conflict to Blake’s story and helps keep the tension high. And Darcy's sweet relationship with indefatigable octogenarian Mrs. P provides a healthy dose of both humor and heart. 
 
Heather Blake’s The Goodbye Witch is an enchanting tale of love, loss, friendship, and found family that will warm and break your heart in equal measure. If you’re already a fan of Blake’s Wishcraft Mysteries, this latest installment won’t disappoint, and if you’ve not yet had the pleasure, get thee to a bookstore and prepare to fall under Blake’s spell.

Reviewed by Kat