I liked the witchy stuff but pretty small potatoes, not memorable. ( )

The author seems to like experimenting to keep the series fresh. Sometimes she takes them out of town, sometimes she introduces new characters like adopted daughters and eccentric aunts, sometimes she shakes up whether they're investigating a murder or something else, and in this book she does some kind of weird merge with flashbacks of a woman in Nazi times who has to say goodbye to a love interest.

The backstory was interesting but it's not a personal preference for me when an author does that. Color me uncreative, but I don't care for keeping track of two main characters with two different time lines. I'm woefully limited that way. That aside, the back story worked to tie together the beautiful and somewhat surreal introduction to this one where Ophelia acts completely un-Ophelia like with a new man.

The mystery is different in that she is not trying to solve a murder or find a missing person, but instead is trying to solve an attempted murder and find out the story of the her visions and what her new suitor has been up to. It has potential to be fascinating, but falls short at times, missing a step and curtailing by being too calm and with no big twists or shocks. For the past life, that one turned out to be emotionally moving and actually heart-wrenching.

Even if the author changes up the story by trying new things, she keeps the same old mannerisms that drive me bonkers - such as exaggerated hand and head movements for the main characters as they decide things, wonder things, and point out things. The intelligence is only so-so for Ophelia and she goes from lukewarm to friendly for her personality. Abby is still not my favorite as she's too over the top cliche, but Tink is an enjoyable delight as the introduced daughter of her own unique powers.

Overall this is an enjoyable book if you're a fan of the series, but it falls short of the others, missing something I can't put my weak detective finger on. ( )

Of the ones I have read so far in this series...This has to be my favorite.

Ophelia is finally accepting who & what she is as well as her "gift". Abby is there only as a guide and a sometime companion.

While at a library fund raiser Ophelia (librarian) meets Stephen (literally the man of her dreams), but as he takes her in his arms they are disturbed by crows...and then a near fatal shot that downs Stephen.

As Ophelia goes about her nosing around, other "accidents" befall her, thus forcing her to send Tink back to Appalachia to stay with the Great-Aunts.

Ophelia's dreams continue....with her in a past life as a Nazi resister in France, a lover who will not commit until it's too late, a Romany family fleeing France for their lives.

How Ophelia's dreams of her past life come into play is very interesting. The tie-in to occupied France, moving targeted families & the relation to the plight of migrant workers is very well done.

In my opinion, this is definitely the best in the series, so far...and I am so glad for the improvement!

( )

Wow. That was good. Now when is the next one being released????? ( )

Not a bad story about Ophelia, her life and her complicated and involved life that includes magic and psychic powers. When her boyfriend is shot she investigates. ( )