ARC Review: To Catch a Witch by Heather Blake

To Catch a Witch
Author: Heather Blake
Series: Wishcraft Mystery, Book 8
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (August 7, 2018)

Description: Wishcrafter Darcy Merriweather might be a witch with the ability to grant wishes for others, but wishing isn’t going to help her catch a killer…

When wishcrafter Darcy Merriweather’s personal concierge company is hired by elite runner Abby Stillwell to organize the Wicked Mad Dash, a competition that takes place in the Enchanted Village, Darcy is more than willing to help her friend. As blizzard conditions rage on the morning of the race, Darcy’s main concern is the terrible weather―until Abby goes missing…and is later found dead, buried in the snow.

As Darcy investigates her friend’s untimely death, she learns that she didn’t really know Abby well at all. And those closest to the woman―her secret fiancé, her roommate, her ex-boyfriend, and her co-workers at Balefire Sports―seem to have plenty to hide too. As Darcy digs deeper, she uncovers complicated relationships, a possible embezzlement scheme, and allegations of cheating against a top athlete.

Just when Darcy is convinced she’s hit a dead end in the case, a startling burglary and the hunt for Abby’s elusive ex send Darcy down a dark, dangerous trail. It will take the help from friends, family, and a little bit of magic for Darcy to stop a stone-cold killer from striking again.

My Thoughts: Darcy Merriweather is helping her friend, elite runner Abby Stillwell, organize the Wicked Mad Dash which is an annual race in their Enchanted Village. Things are going pretty well until Abby asks Darcy to look at the account books because she thinks she's doing something wrong with the accounts for the race.

Before she can start, a blizzard-filled race day arrives and Abby goes missing. Shortly after, Abby's body is found and Darcy and her boyfriend Nick are on the case to find out who murdered her. Darcy is working the magical side of the case since Abby was a witch and Nick is working the human side of the case since he's the village police chief.

The murder investigation is just one of the plot threads in this eighth book in the series. Another major one has to do with Darcy's sister Harper who is grieving the breakup of her relationship with lawyer Marcus Debrowski because of events that happened in an earlier book of the series. Harper is losing weight and filling her time by joining every club in town. Darcy is worried about her and her worry escalates when she finds her unconscious on her bathroom floor. It turns out the she is suffering from pernicious anemia and is also pregnant. Luckily, Darcy knows a doctor who can magically speed up the healing process.

Harper's pregnancy leads to the third major plot thread. There is a power struggle going on among the witches in town. It is coming up on the time when the Elder needs to pass on her office to her youngest female relative. The Elder is Darcy and Harper's mother who died when Darcy was seven. Harper hasn't embraced her heritage as a witch and may or may not accept the idea that she will be the next elder which seems to be giving this other witch the opening she's been looking for. However, if Harper's baby is a girl, all bets are off and the current Elder will stay in place until the baby is 25.

I liked the story and, despite coming into the series very late, didn't have a problem following the action. It would have been nice to know some of the characters' backstories but it wasn't necessary for my enjoyment of this book. I liked the magical system that was developed in the book. I liked the characters.

Favorite Quote:

If there was ever a wicked witch, it was Dorothy Hansel Dewitt. Sh'e despised me from almost the moment I'd arrived in the village, and she'd like nothing better to get me - and my family - out of town for good.  

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.