Mind Over Magic

by J. Avram Werner

No one looks forward to growing older (except maybe when you’re young and naive). Your body aches, your taste buds change, and memories you had forgotten start flashing across your brain with the sound of a word or the sight of some obscure object. These memories aren’t always pleasant—but they appear—and you struggle to remember where they came from and if they’re really yours or someone else’s? Ignoring them seems the best course of action, but that would mean you had control.Good luck!Your memories take on the rebellion of youth—they do what they want, when they want. Yours has a cabin, an old hound dog, an agency in Washington, D.C., a secret room—and murders. (How’s that for digging up the dark and threatening past?)However, let’s not forget the sisterhood, a therapist who’s not really a therapist, an agency looking for information on you and your husband’s last mission—and a daughter who could betray you without knowing it.And last—but never least—the sudden appearance of magic making your family and friends think you are going—crazy.Welcome to the adventure of growing old.

284 pages, Paperback

Published February 5, 2024

Reviews

[J L · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character, Silvia, seeks answers involving the intelligence community. At the same time, she is grappling with an unusual power that she has, and is questioning her sanity. Silvia is trying to find the answer to two questions. First, who killed her husband, Paul, who was also part of the intelligence community, and two, why was he killed? Her memory of those days comes back to her in bits and pieces. Morocco keeps popping up where she believes Paul obtained documentation detrimental to the community. It is a puzzle she has to put together with the help of her sister-in-law.

In her search for the answers, the author takes the reader on a journey, very deftly, traveling from the present to the past and back again. While on this journey, another character, an inanimate one, "The Cabin," becomes a large part of the story; it is there, both in the present and the past, the story evolves.

Does the reader find, along with Silvia, the answers to her questions? That you'll have to find out for yourselves. This reader thinks you will, but like this reader, hopes you'll encourage the author to write a sequel in order to tell us how a character, Tommy, who appears near the end, evolves.

[Aneluci · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book presents captivating plots that well blends imagination with the struggle of memory loss realities. The author’s storytelling skills is evident in the intricate twists and turns that connect past and present timelines. The protagonist’s fights with the challenge of recalling forgotten memories and safeguarding her family from old secrets, is both intriguing and emotionally resonant. The quest to unravel the mystery becomes increasingly complex as the main character grapples with the uncertainty of who to trust.

[Nancycomiskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after a friend recommended it. The author considers some consequences of aging and wonders if these are a result of aging or some magical phenomenon. Surrounding the protagonist with friends, family and memories from her life with her husband, an interesting story develops. I highly recommend this and feel you won’t be disappointed.

[J A]

This is a beautiful, magical story of one woman realizing that her life is greater than she remembered. The mystery of her husband's death, together with the comradery with her friends, ultimately helps to reveal her past. A great read!

[lzn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and highly recommend it! It’s a compelling story about how one woman discovers the importance of her life to her friends and the husband she loved and lost - the mystery of his death finally revealed. A great read!