Seven-Year Witch - (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries) by Angela M Sanders (Paperback)

Seven-Year Witch by Angela Sanders has Josie Wray studying a lesson on curses. The new owners of the old mill property are ready to move forward with their retreat center. The only problem is their visionary architect with his unique ideas. Sam returns to the Big House with a baby in tow as well as the wife he was divorcing. When Fiona, Sam’s artistic wife, disappears and a bloody tire iron is found where she was last seen, Sam becomes the prime suspect. Josie with help from her cat, Rodney sets out to prove Sam did not harm his wife. The police dredge the lake and find the architect for the retreat center instead of Fiona. Josie needs to uncover who is behind this vicious act before they strike again. Seven-Year Witch is the 2nd book in A Witch Way Library Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone, but I believe it is best to read Bait and Witch first. Josie Wray is a librarian who recently discovered she is a witch. Her magical ability helps her find the right book for each patron. The books in the grand old library talk to her. To learn what Josie needs to know regarding her powers, her grandmother left her lesson letters. We are introduced to quite a few town residents. It can be hard to keep them all straight. The residents are a quirky bunch. The whodunit revolves around the new retreat center being built at the site of the old mill. One of the residents believes the land is cursed which is why incidents keep happening on that property. When Fiona, Sam’s wife disappears and the architect is found dead in the lake, Josie sets out to learn more about curses. Sam is the interim police chief’s prime suspect and Josie wants to get him cleared as quickly as possible. There are a handful of suspects for Josie to investigate. This whodunit can be solved early in the book. The guilty party is obvious from the moment of introduction. Josie gets help from the books in solving the crime. I love how the books talk to her. There are a couple of side stories as well. Josie learns about curses and tries to figure out why the old mill site feels uneasy. She is also curious about Marilyn Wilfred who created the library where Josie works and lives. She has heard conflicting information about Marilyn and Josie wants to learn more about the library’s benefactress. There is also a town resident who wants Rodney, Josie’s cat, to wear a cat collar with a bell on it. Rodney objects which leads to rebellion. I just love Rodney. I like how Josie can use him to help with her investigation. I like the paranormal elements in the story with my favorite being the talking books. I also love the descriptions of the beautiful building housing the library. Seven-Year Witch is a charming paranormal cozy mystery with challenging cat collar, verbose books, an AWOL architect, a curious curse, and an affable baby boy.