When the Crow's Away (Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery 2), by Auralee Wallace

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Last October, I read In the Company of Witches (Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery 1), by Auralee Wallace. I was so in awe of that book that I just knew I had to read the next one. Since the second installment in the series, When the Crow's Away, is set in the spring, I decided to wait until now to read it. This book had a lot to live up to and I'm happy to say it definitely delivered.

Brynn Warren runs a bed and breakfast with her two aunts, Izzy and Nora. Brynn is the main protagonist, but all three witches use their individual magical talents, along with common sleuthing strategies, to solve mysteries. In When the Crow's Away, they try to uncover the truth about the death of a local business owner.

Like the first installment, there is nothing I don't love about this book. From the time the victim is discovered in the most unique, light-hearted, and funny way possible to the end where the mystery is solved and beyond, there is never a dull moment. The mystery moves along at a comfortable pace as we meet several suspects and encounter countless possible clues and red herrings. All the while, we get to know the main cast of characters a little better. 

There is not a lot of romance, as Brynn is still grieving over the tragic loss of the love of her life. I so appreciate the way Auralee Wallace handles grief. It isn't something from which one who experiences it can simply move on. It takes time. She recognizes that healing is not linear. It's a complex process that involves ups and downs. There are times when it seems the grieving has ended, only to realize the pain has not left. Brynn is making progress with her grief, but it's still there.

This book prompts us to look within and ask ourselves, "Are we really acting on behalf of someone else or are we acting for our own selfish reasons?" Brynn faces this question with a not-so-simple answer. It's beautiful to see the way she is forced to examine her own actions. This part of the book took me by surprise, but it made sense when it came up.

I mentioned earlier that I was saving this book to read at this time of year because it takes place in the spring. Auralee Wallace gives us all the spring feels. There are vivid descriptions of the landscape, making me feel like I was right there with the witches soaking it all in and appreciating the beauty of the season.

When the Crow's Away has everything I hope for in a cozy mystery. The mystery is twisty and wasn't obvious to me. I did not figure out the whodunnit, but in the end it made sense. The characters are delightfully charming, and in the midst of the sentimental themes, like grief, are laugh out loud moments. It's the perfect balance of seriousness and light-heartedness.

While the main mystery is solved by the end of the book, we are also left with an interesting cliffhanger. For that reason, and simply because I love the series, I really hope there will be a book 3. I don't buy a lot of books, but I have my own copies of the two in this series. I can see myself rereading them in the future just for the sheer pleasure of experiencing the words on the pages again.

To read some lines from When the Crow's Away, click here. I highly recommend reading both books in the Evenfall Witches B&B series, especially if you're a fan of paranormal cozies. If you're not a fan of them, this series just might cast a spell on you and change your mind.