Runes and Ravens

Familiar Spirits #5

by Christine Pope

A raven’s cryptic clues might just lead her to wrack and ruin….

Charity Hughes, owner of Full Moon Apothecary, is ready for Salem’s busiest season. But her broken heart isn’t the only thing haunting her. When confronted by a raven familiar who communicates only through mysterious rune stones, Charity must untangle the bird’s bizarre behavior while juggling the demands of tourist season.

The stakes rise when paranormal researcher Eunice Bartlett is found murdered behind Charity’s shop. Charmed by the invitation of Eunice’s rival, Dr. Malcolm Grimes, to the Halloween masquerade ball, Charity agrees to be his date. But the enchantment fades when she encounters her ex, veterinarian Noah Jenkins, stirring up unresolved feelings.

As the murder investigation ensnares an innocent man, Charity’s intuition screams that something is amiss. With the raven’s frantic clues and her own Tarot cards as her guide, she races to unravel a web of secrets and lies…before the real killer disappears forever.

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2024

About the author

A native of Southern California, Christine Pope has been writing stories ever since she commandeered her family’s Smith-Corona typewriter back in the sixth grade. Many reams of dead trees later, she’s happy to announce that her debut novel, Fringe Benefits,was published by Pink Petal Books on April 8, 2010. Her short fiction has appeared in Astonishing Adventures, Luna Station Quarterly, and the new journal of dark fiction, Dark Valentine. Her paranormal novella, Playing With Fire, was released on August 5, 2010.

While Fringe Benefits is a straight contemporary romance, she writes in a variety of genres, including paranormal romance, fantasy, horror, science fiction, and historical romance. She blames this on being easily distracted by bright, shiny objects, which could also account for the size of her shoe collection.

After spending many years in the magazine publishing industry, she now works as a freelance editor in addition to writing fiction. She lives with her husband and an explosively fluffy Pomeranian mix. Her house is pink, but don’t hold that against her.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noah Jenkins broke Charity Hughes’ and our hearts at the end of the last book in the Familiar Spirits series by Christine Pope. Now in Book 5, Runes and Ravens, he has his chance to make up. Maybe. But Charity has other thins to worry about when someone is killed in the parking area behind her shop. Then raven Edgar comes to stay while Charity tries to figure out why he can’t talk anymore. And that’s just the story line!
We have the same great characters who have been in the series. Milo and Lexi are back giving sage advice even when not wanted. There’s the entire coven and Charity’s mother. Mysteries abound and Charity is stretched thin with her shop, Edgar, and Halloween. Will she make it through Halloween and find happiness?
You are going to have to read the book to find out! I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

[Anna Battista · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we know from previous books in this series, Charity is a witch which a strange ability to speak to animals. As such she is sought out to help other witches who have problems with their “familiars”. In this final addition, we find Charity trying to help a raven that has lost its ability to speak and chooses to communicate with runes. When Charity’s assistant finds a woman’s body at the back of her store, Charity immediately engages in an investigation that has pegged the murder on an innocent man. The book has many twists and turns that keeps one reading until the last page. This is the last book in the series and several previous issues are resolved. The whole series has been incredible!

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charity has been nursing a broken heart since we last saw her. When she finally plucked up the courage to tell Noah she was a witch, he broke her heart. She's putting a brave face on it and she's still making her little corner of Salem a happy place and now she has a new familiar to fix - Edgar the Raven!

All is not as it seems with Edgar and as Charity looks deeper into his issues, she lands in the middle of another murder investigation! Milo and Lexi are the best talking dogs ever and give support to Charity when she needs it.

A great cosy read to get you in the spirit for spooky season. Paranormal murder mystery with a hunt of romance. Noah does come back into Charity's life but that man has some grovelling to do!

It's sad to to be leaving Salem now but maybe we'll get to return sometime soon.

[Hilary Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Series

Runes and Ravens (Familiar Spirits Book 5) by Christine Pope. A raven familiar is brought to Charity because it’s started communicating by runes which Charity doesn’t understand. Then a woman is murdered outside the back of Charity’s shop and eventually the raven commutes the way to solve the problem and Noah comes back to make up with Charity.

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good mystery, with wonderful characters and a perfect setting during a great time of the year, Halloween. It was binge time for me, and I recommended it highly. Another book in a worthy series. Delightful!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique take on familiars Fun series good mysteries

I enjoyed this series , sorry it has came to end..fun reading loved the familiars characters the best. Unique take on witches and familiars. Plus good mysteries to solve

[Margaret lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sad

I have loved this series since the get go the characters have been friends and the storylines have been great I'm sad it's finished , I recommend them grab a cuppa and some chocolate and your set a very well deserved 5 stars

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and I liked the story. Unfortunately, it’s the last book in the series, but I really liked them all. Something to read again at some point in the future. 5 stars for this book and for the whole series.

[Debra offers · Rating 5 out of 5]

What people should be reading

Brilliant reading couldn't out it down read all five within a two week period very well written great stories .

[Pamela Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding story line and characters. read it all in one sitting!

Thoroughly enjoyed Runes and Ravens! I always feel a connection to her characters.
Can’t wait to read my next Christine Pope book. She NEVER disappoints!