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Witchcraft Mystery #6
A Vision in Velvet
As soon as Lily opens her recently purchased trunk of old clothes, she feels strange vibrations emanating from a mysterious velvet cloak. When she tries it on, Lily sees awful visions from the past. And when the antiques dealer who sold her the cape is killed, Lily suspects a supernatural force might be behind his death. Then Lily's familiar, Oscar the potbellied pig, disappears. Lily will do anything to get him back-including battling the spirit of a powerful witch reaching out from the past. But even with the aid of her grandmother, unmasking a killer and saving Oscar might be more than one well-intentioned sorceress can handle.
8 pages, MP3 CD
First published July 1, 2014
87 people are currently reading
1810 people want to read
About the author
Juliet Blackwell
41 books2,911 followersJuliet Blackwell (aka Julie Goodson-Lawes, aka Hailey Lind) started out life in Palo Alto, California, born of a Texan mother and a Yankee father. The family soon moved to what were, at the time, the sticks of Cupertino, an hour south of San Francisco. Walking to and from kindergarten every day she would indulge in her earliest larcenous activity: stealing walnuts and apricots from surrounding orchards.
By the time she graduated middle school, the orchards were disappearing and the valley at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay had become the cradle of the silicon semi-conductor. A man named Steve Jobs was working in his garage in Cupertino, just down the street. Juliet's father advised his daughters to enter the lucrative and soon-to-flourish field of computers.
"Bah" said Juliet, as she went on to major in Latin American Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz (they had, by far, the best parties of any department). Rather than making scads of money in computers, she read, painted, learned Spanish and a little French and Vietnamese, lived in Spain and traveled through Europe, Mexico, and Central America. She had a very good time.
Juliet pursued graduate degrees in Anthropology and Social Work at the State University of New York at Albany, where she published several non-fiction articles on immigration as well as one book-length translation. Fascinated with other cultural systems, she studied the religions, folklore and medical beliefs of peoples around the world, especially in Latin America. Juliet taught the anthropology of health and health care at SUNY-Albany, and worked as an elementary school social worker in upstate New York. She also did field projects in Mexico and Cuba, studied in Spain, Italy, and France, worked on a BBC production in the Philippines, taught English as a second language in San Jose, and learned how to faux finish walls in Princeton, New Jersey. After having a son, moving back to California, and abandoning her half-written dissertation in cultural anthropology, Juliet started painting murals and portraits for a living. She has run her own mural/faux finish design studio in Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco, for more than a decade. She specializes in the aesthetic renovation of historic homes.
Finally, to round out her tour of lucrative careers, Juliet turned to writing. Under the pseudonym of Hailey Lind, Juliet penned the Art Lover's Mystery Series with her sister Carolyn, about an ex-art forger trying to go straight by working as a muralist and faux finisher in San Francisco. The first of these, Feint of Art, was nominated for an Agatha Award; Shooting Gallery and Brush with Death were both IMBA bestsellers, and Arsenic and Old Paint is now available from Perseverance Press.
Juliet's Witchcraft Mystery series, about a witch who finally finds a place to fit in when she opens a vintage clothes shop on Haight Street in San Francisco, allows Juliet to indulge yet another interest—the world of witchcraft and the supernatural. Ever since her favorite aunt taught her about reading cards and tea leaves, Juliet has been fascinated with seers, conjurers, and covens from many different cultures and historic traditions. As an anthropologist, the author studied and taught about systems of spirituality, magic, and medicine throughout the world, especially in Latin America. Halloween is by far her favorite holiday.
When not writing, painting, or haranguing her funny but cynical teenaged son, Juliet spends a lot of time restoring her happily haunted house and gardening with Oscar the cat, who ostensibly belongs to the neighbors but won't leave her alone. He started hanging around when Juliet started writing about witches...funny coincidence.
By the time she graduated middle school, the orchards were disappearing and the valley at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay had become the cradle of the silicon semi-conductor. A man named Steve Jobs was working in his garage in Cupertino, just down the street. Juliet's father advised his daughters to enter the lucrative and soon-to-flourish field of computers.
"Bah" said Juliet, as she went on to major in Latin American Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz (they had, by far, the best parties of any department). Rather than making scads of money in computers, she read, painted, learned Spanish and a little French and Vietnamese, lived in Spain and traveled through Europe, Mexico, and Central America. She had a very good time.
Juliet pursued graduate degrees in Anthropology and Social Work at the State University of New York at Albany, where she published several non-fiction articles on immigration as well as one book-length translation. Fascinated with other cultural systems, she studied the religions, folklore and medical beliefs of peoples around the world, especially in Latin America. Juliet taught the anthropology of health and health care at SUNY-Albany, and worked as an elementary school social worker in upstate New York. She also did field projects in Mexico and Cuba, studied in Spain, Italy, and France, worked on a BBC production in the Philippines, taught English as a second language in San Jose, and learned how to faux finish walls in Princeton, New Jersey. After having a son, moving back to California, and abandoning her half-written dissertation in cultural anthropology, Juliet started painting murals and portraits for a living. She has run her own mural/faux finish design studio in Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco, for more than a decade. She specializes in the aesthetic renovation of historic homes.
Finally, to round out her tour of lucrative careers, Juliet turned to writing. Under the pseudonym of Hailey Lind, Juliet penned the Art Lover's Mystery Series with her sister Carolyn, about an ex-art forger trying to go straight by working as a muralist and faux finisher in San Francisco. The first of these, Feint of Art, was nominated for an Agatha Award; Shooting Gallery and Brush with Death were both IMBA bestsellers, and Arsenic and Old Paint is now available from Perseverance Press.
Juliet's Witchcraft Mystery series, about a witch who finally finds a place to fit in when she opens a vintage clothes shop on Haight Street in San Francisco, allows Juliet to indulge yet another interest—the world of witchcraft and the supernatural. Ever since her favorite aunt taught her about reading cards and tea leaves, Juliet has been fascinated with seers, conjurers, and covens from many different cultures and historic traditions. As an anthropologist, the author studied and taught about systems of spirituality, magic, and medicine throughout the world, especially in Latin America. Halloween is by far her favorite holiday.
When not writing, painting, or haranguing her funny but cynical teenaged son, Juliet spends a lot of time restoring her happily haunted house and gardening with Oscar the cat, who ostensibly belongs to the neighbors but won't leave her alone. He started hanging around when Juliet started writing about witches...funny coincidence.
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August 20, 2023
This is the one where my favorite character Oscar disappears, on page 109 out of 325 in my edition, and not only does Lily Ivory miss him dreadfully, realizing now that he means so much more to her than she had imagined, but I miss him too.
Make no mistake, I love reading this series, with the rich descriptive writing, the San Francisco setting, and characters who've become very good book friends, and we're on a typical adventure pitting benign witchcraft against powerful evil magic. But the story is really lacking something without the delightful presence of Oscar, the goblin-gargoyle cross that Lily calls a "gobgoyle," who turns instantly into a miniature Vietnamese pot-bellied pig whenever anyone else can see him.
Not only does Lily miss Oscar from the bottom of her heart, she's ready to make major sacrifices to get him free from wherever he's being held captive (in another dimension maybe?), desperate for help that will easily make an enemy of Aidan Rhodes, who styles himself the most powerful witch on the West Coast and holds a magical item that binds Oscar.
The publisher's blurb, reprinted at the head of this Goodreads book page, sets up the story admirably and reveals elements that I would otherwise have to put in spoiler tags--for example, Lily gets her grandmother Graciela in Jarod, Texas, to help Lily with her magic in Lily's climactic struggle against yet another formidable evil force.
All sorts of people come together to befriend Lily in her time of need. Lily's relationship with Sailor is maturing nicely, and they find out they have more in common than they knew. Even Aidan helps, in his way, some of the time; the characters are too well drawn for this to be a stereotypical love-hate relationship. Conrad, now labeled a "gutterpunk," has a bigger role than usual in this story. And as usual there are magical artifacts, this time tied to an ancient oak tree in Golden Gate Park and an antique trunk that came over from New England during the Gold Rush.
And Lily finds out at last who "my helping spirit, my guide" is--the one who appears when she casts a major spell with her own blood. Her grandmother Graciela told her to be patient, that it would be revealed to her in time. And now she knows.
Oh, yes, it's a decently crafted murder mystery too. Murder with witchcraft and familiars, of course. I have to say, though, that you're really missing out if you don't read this series from the beginning. I think it's worth it.
Make no mistake, I love reading this series, with the rich descriptive writing, the San Francisco setting, and characters who've become very good book friends, and we're on a typical adventure pitting benign witchcraft against powerful evil magic. But the story is really lacking something without the delightful presence of Oscar, the goblin-gargoyle cross that Lily calls a "gobgoyle," who turns instantly into a miniature Vietnamese pot-bellied pig whenever anyone else can see him.
Not only does Lily miss Oscar from the bottom of her heart, she's ready to make major sacrifices to get him free from wherever he's being held captive (in another dimension maybe?), desperate for help that will easily make an enemy of Aidan Rhodes, who styles himself the most powerful witch on the West Coast and holds a magical item that binds Oscar.
The publisher's blurb, reprinted at the head of this Goodreads book page, sets up the story admirably and reveals elements that I would otherwise have to put in spoiler tags--for example, Lily gets her grandmother Graciela in Jarod, Texas, to help Lily with her magic in Lily's climactic struggle against yet another formidable evil force.
All sorts of people come together to befriend Lily in her time of need. Lily's relationship with Sailor is maturing nicely, and they find out they have more in common than they knew. Even Aidan helps, in his way, some of the time; the characters are too well drawn for this to be a stereotypical love-hate relationship. Conrad, now labeled a "gutterpunk," has a bigger role than usual in this story. And as usual there are magical artifacts, this time tied to an ancient oak tree in Golden Gate Park and an antique trunk that came over from New England during the Gold Rush.
And Lily finds out at last who "my helping spirit, my guide" is--the one who appears when she casts a major spell with her own blood. Her grandmother Graciela told her to be patient, that it would be revealed to her in time. And now she knows.
Oh, yes, it's a decently crafted murder mystery too. Murder with witchcraft and familiars, of course. I have to say, though, that you're really missing out if you don't read this series from the beginning. I think it's worth it.
November 8, 2021
An antiques dealer named Sebastian offers Lily, proprietress of Aunt Cora's Closet, an old trunk full of old clothes, something Lily would normally be excited about, until she looked closely. The trunk traveled over with the pilgrims and then to California with the gold rush, barely holding together. The clothes were in terrible shape, but one item intrigued Lily enough to bargain with Sebastian to buy the trunk. Lily is fascinated by a deep gold velvet cape with a purple silk lining, purple and gold fringe decorating the neckline with a silk-lined hood, and an ornate brass frog toggle fastening the neckline.
When Lily swirled the cape around herself and fastened the closure at her neck she was immediately transported to another place and time. She felt a river of cold wash over her followed by heat with unintelligible sounds, As the images began to coalesce, Lily saw an angry mob pointing at her, jeering, and calling out curses. Co-worker Bronwyn's concerned voice made it through as she shook Lily and undid the clasp to the cape. When Lily gathered herself together, her calls to Sebastian for more information went unanswered.
Concurrently, Lily noticed that "gutterpunk" Conrad didn't look too well. Conrad had been working hard at a petition to prevent a particular ancient oak tree nicknamed Miss Quercus near the science museum from being cut down.
Lily had a premonition that something was very wrong. She tried to put facts together such as the cape, Conrad sleeping under the tree and developing headaches, so she asked to see the tree. Lily and Conrad walked there via different routes, and just as Lily arrived, she heard two shots and found Conrad kneeling over a bloody Sebastian.
After meeting members of Sebastian's family, Lily learned that the cape had spent time in Salem Massachusetts. She put it on again, aware finally that she was where they were burning witches and she was gathering ashes. Oscar, Lily's familiar, warned her about bringing things back from another dimension.
Lily and Oscar finally visited early the next morning. The massive tree sent a branch to scare Lily. The top of the branches were rustling; Oscar was growling; and then scooted up the tree, not to come down. Lily was beside herself. What happened to Oscar? Unable to explain his disappearance to others, Lily's shop became "Pig Central" when Conrad and his friends put out posters and lost pig ads all over town.
Somehow Lily had to piece together all her clues, get help from her grandmother and her coven, save the tree, and find Oscar. Narrator Xe Sands weaves these multiple storylines together in this witchy tale. The seemingly disparate stories twist together nicely.
When Lily swirled the cape around herself and fastened the closure at her neck she was immediately transported to another place and time. She felt a river of cold wash over her followed by heat with unintelligible sounds, As the images began to coalesce, Lily saw an angry mob pointing at her, jeering, and calling out curses. Co-worker Bronwyn's concerned voice made it through as she shook Lily and undid the clasp to the cape. When Lily gathered herself together, her calls to Sebastian for more information went unanswered.
Concurrently, Lily noticed that "gutterpunk" Conrad didn't look too well. Conrad had been working hard at a petition to prevent a particular ancient oak tree nicknamed Miss Quercus near the science museum from being cut down.
Lily had a premonition that something was very wrong. She tried to put facts together such as the cape, Conrad sleeping under the tree and developing headaches, so she asked to see the tree. Lily and Conrad walked there via different routes, and just as Lily arrived, she heard two shots and found Conrad kneeling over a bloody Sebastian.
After meeting members of Sebastian's family, Lily learned that the cape had spent time in Salem Massachusetts. She put it on again, aware finally that she was where they were burning witches and she was gathering ashes. Oscar, Lily's familiar, warned her about bringing things back from another dimension.
Lily and Oscar finally visited early the next morning. The massive tree sent a branch to scare Lily. The top of the branches were rustling; Oscar was growling; and then scooted up the tree, not to come down. Lily was beside herself. What happened to Oscar? Unable to explain his disappearance to others, Lily's shop became "Pig Central" when Conrad and his friends put out posters and lost pig ads all over town.
Somehow Lily had to piece together all her clues, get help from her grandmother and her coven, save the tree, and find Oscar. Narrator Xe Sands weaves these multiple storylines together in this witchy tale. The seemingly disparate stories twist together nicely.
August 12, 2014
Originally posted at Fantasy Literature. http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Juliet Blackwell’s WITCHCRAFT MYSTERIES hasn’t let me down. This is a solid series with a fun setting and great characters. Tantor Audio’s versions read by Xe Sands are terrific and I’m certain that her narration adds a lot to my enjoyment. Honestly, I’ve got a bit of a voice crush on her. I wouldn’t think of reading these books any other way.
In A Vision in Velvet, the sixth installment, Lily’s vintage clothing store is thriving, she has made friends with her neighbors on Haight Street, and she’s got a steady romance going. Life is pretty good. But, of course, soon enough Lily manages to get wrapped up in another murder mystery. This one involves a trunk full of old clothes, a velvet cape, a dying tree in Golden Gate Park, some scientists, psychedelic frogs, The Crucible, and an ancient curse. The mystery gets even closer to home when Oscar, Lily’s adorable shape-shifting familiar, disappears. As you’d expect, Lily eventually solves the case, with a little — actually, a lot — of help from her friends.
The plots of WITCHCRAFT MYSTERIES are always associated with some sort of legendary or historical witchiness — in this case the Salem Witch Trials. While the mystery plot is always entertaining, the real draw of this series is the characters. Each one of them is unique, interesting, and evolving. Lily has come a long way from the slightly nervous and awkward woman we met in Second Hand Spirits. That Lily was chased out of her hometown, had no friends, and didn’t trust anyone she met. She hasn’t forgotten those days, so she’s amazed and thankful for what she now has and she realizes how precious it is. Her new status becomes obvious to Lily when the whole neighborhood rallies together to help her find Oscar. It’s quite touching.
Each of the WITCHCRAFT MYSTERIES is a self-contained mystery, so you could read A Vision in Velvet as a stand-alone without any problem, but you’ll get more out of Lily’s personal development if you start at the beginning. There is a lot that Lily still doesn’t know about her past and there are lots of paths that her future could take, so I’m looking forward to more in this series. Make sure you try this on audio!
Juliet Blackwell’s WITCHCRAFT MYSTERIES hasn’t let me down. This is a solid series with a fun setting and great characters. Tantor Audio’s versions read by Xe Sands are terrific and I’m certain that her narration adds a lot to my enjoyment. Honestly, I’ve got a bit of a voice crush on her. I wouldn’t think of reading these books any other way.
In A Vision in Velvet, the sixth installment, Lily’s vintage clothing store is thriving, she has made friends with her neighbors on Haight Street, and she’s got a steady romance going. Life is pretty good. But, of course, soon enough Lily manages to get wrapped up in another murder mystery. This one involves a trunk full of old clothes, a velvet cape, a dying tree in Golden Gate Park, some scientists, psychedelic frogs, The Crucible, and an ancient curse. The mystery gets even closer to home when Oscar, Lily’s adorable shape-shifting familiar, disappears. As you’d expect, Lily eventually solves the case, with a little — actually, a lot — of help from her friends.
The plots of WITCHCRAFT MYSTERIES are always associated with some sort of legendary or historical witchiness — in this case the Salem Witch Trials. While the mystery plot is always entertaining, the real draw of this series is the characters. Each one of them is unique, interesting, and evolving. Lily has come a long way from the slightly nervous and awkward woman we met in Second Hand Spirits. That Lily was chased out of her hometown, had no friends, and didn’t trust anyone she met. She hasn’t forgotten those days, so she’s amazed and thankful for what she now has and she realizes how precious it is. Her new status becomes obvious to Lily when the whole neighborhood rallies together to help her find Oscar. It’s quite touching.
Each of the WITCHCRAFT MYSTERIES is a self-contained mystery, so you could read A Vision in Velvet as a stand-alone without any problem, but you’ll get more out of Lily’s personal development if you start at the beginning. There is a lot that Lily still doesn’t know about her past and there are lots of paths that her future could take, so I’m looking forward to more in this series. Make sure you try this on audio!
October 25, 2018
Sometimes I forget why I don't remember to keep up with this series and then I read a book and I do. That sounds more negative than I mean it to. It's fine. It's all fine. It's just not super gripping for me, even by a cozy mystery scale.
December 14, 2017
Can’t wait to read the next one. I loved this one as much as the others.
November 17, 2018
Perhaps my favorite so far, although I can't quite say why. I found myself really worried about Oscar, Lily's little familiar, as Lily & Co work to retrieve him from the evil grip of...A TREE!
July 14, 2018
Below is my review from my first time around with this book in 2014. It still holds up. This is a fantastic read and I can definitely recommend the book, series and author.
********
Juliet Blackwell has a way with paranormal cozies and I love reading them. The setting of San Francisco alone makes the reading excellent and has me wanting to visit, wishing that Lily Ivory's shop was real. I'd love to meet Oscar the talking pig, Lily's familiar, and peruse the vintage clothes and mystical items she carries in her shop.
Oscar disappears after going on an errand for his mistress and Lily is at wit's end. Her only clue is the velvet cloak she discovers in a trunk she's purchased from a less that savory character...who ends up dead under a tree in the park.
Lily has a lot on her plate, but she has to get to the bottom of the murder since it will hopefully help her locate Oscar.
It's all handled masterfully throughout the storytelling. Suspend belief or choose to believe in Lily's world of talking pigs and magic...I love going along for the ride each time I read one of Juliet's books.
Definite recommend.
********
Juliet Blackwell has a way with paranormal cozies and I love reading them. The setting of San Francisco alone makes the reading excellent and has me wanting to visit, wishing that Lily Ivory's shop was real. I'd love to meet Oscar the talking pig, Lily's familiar, and peruse the vintage clothes and mystical items she carries in her shop.
Oscar disappears after going on an errand for his mistress and Lily is at wit's end. Her only clue is the velvet cloak she discovers in a trunk she's purchased from a less that savory character...who ends up dead under a tree in the park.
Lily has a lot on her plate, but she has to get to the bottom of the murder since it will hopefully help her locate Oscar.
It's all handled masterfully throughout the storytelling. Suspend belief or choose to believe in Lily's world of talking pigs and magic...I love going along for the ride each time I read one of Juliet's books.
Definite recommend.
June 3, 2018
Keeping up with Lily and her merry band of supernatural and other non-magical friends is an entertaining ride. This time Lily comes into possession of a rickety old trunk of ragged clothes, buried with a velvet cloak that possesses the power to transport Lily to the scene of a witch-burning from the early days of US history. In the process of investigating a murder which follows quickly after obtaining the cloak, her trusty pig-familiar goes missing and Lily damn near loses control of her powers as she searches frantically for her lost pig.
Each of these books has built on the past, often referencing incidences from previous books in the series, and this book is no different. Thankfully, the author has stopped over-introducing each and every character, each time we meet them in the story. I find myself appreciating how much actual magical practice the author intersperses with the "hollywood" magic that makes this a true fantasy series.
I have already obtained the next three (thus far, the last 3) books in the series, much anticipating how this series will continue to progress and grow.
Each of these books has built on the past, often referencing incidences from previous books in the series, and this book is no different. Thankfully, the author has stopped over-introducing each and every character, each time we meet them in the story. I find myself appreciating how much actual magical practice the author intersperses with the "hollywood" magic that makes this a true fantasy series.
I have already obtained the next three (thus far, the last 3) books in the series, much anticipating how this series will continue to progress and grow.
January 6, 2015
Really, this was more on the "just okay" end of the spectrum. The past two books have not really moved the major story arc forward much and the resolution was anticlimactic. I hope that I enjoy the next but I am getting less and less involved in this series.
June 12, 2023
Lily was looking to buy some fashions from Sebastian's Anquitues for Aunt Cora's Closet, her clothing store but nothing was really special until she felt this sensation. It was coming from a velvet clock so she bought everything for $60.00 and took the trunk back to her store. When Lily tried the cape on she felt visions from the past. When Sebastian is killed, she suspects that something supernatural might be behind his death. His body is found near an old tree that some people want removed and others do not. then Oscar, her familiar, goes missing. He takes the shape of a pot-bellied pig most of the time so posters of the pig are displayed around. With the ais of her grandmother, Lily is able to overcome the evil forces connected with the tree and rescue Oscar. To find out how this happens buy this book.
May 31, 2022
I love this series but I think I have to give this book a 3.5 stars rating because I feel there was a bit more toxic masculinity for my taste. I like a romance, but I don’t like it when one of the partners is laying claim to another person. I feel like it was out of character for Sailor.
July 17, 2014
For once, I found the title of a fictional work easily understandable and clearly pertinent to the story line. Lily Ivory dons a VELVET cloak that is not only giving off paranormal vibrations but is virtually calling to her. When she secures the clasp at her throat, Lily experiences a VISION in which she witnesses a witch being burned at the stake. And thus, we have the title: A Vision in Velvet.
Backing up about an hour or so, we find Lily purchasing a battered old trunk full of dry-rotted clothing – and a well-kept velvet cloak – from an antiques dealer by the name of Sebastian Crowley. Sebastian claims to have acquired the trunk from the relative of an older man who is trying to clean up his condo. Supposedly, the trunk originated in Boston around or before the time of the Salem witch trials and was brought west during the California Gold Rush. Feeling the psychic vibrations from the cloak, Lily purchases the trunk and its contents.
The moment she fastens the clasp of the cloak, Lily sees the vision of the witch burning and she hears someone screaming the word “deliverance.” Then she feels as if her fingers are burning off as she observes the witch’s ashes being scooped up by a set of hands positioned just in front of her eyes. Forced out of the vision when her worried friends unclasp the cloak, she remembers that she, herself, has no fingerprints. She was born without them, and her fingertips look as if the prints were burned off.
Shortly thereafter, the antiques dealer is shot to death in the park near Lily’s shop. His body is found beneath an extremely old and dying oak tree that the park authority has slated for removal. Not believing in coincidences, Lily decides to investigate the provenance of the trunk and the cloak, hoping to find a clue to the identity of the murderer and a clue to the identities of the people in her vision.
With Sailor along to help with a little after hours B&E into the antique store, they learn the identity of the trunk’s seller, Bart Woolsey. Upon talking to him and a college professor who specializes in witchcraft as a religion, Lily determines that “deliverance” is not a concept but the name of the witch who was burned. She also learns that, from the pyre, Deliverance put a love curse on the Woolsey family, a curse that seems to have transcended generations. Based on this information as well as evidence discovered at the murder scene, Lily and her familiar, Oscar, go back to that dying oak tree for answers.
Now, the promotional blurb for this book clearly states that Oscar disappears sometime during the story. That word “disappear” is an understatement for what really happens to Oscar when they get to the tree. At that point, the plotline shifts sideways, with Lily’s focus completely on rescuing Oscar, rather than on the solution to the murder. Even the store is essentially left to run itself.
Juliet Blackwell has crafted an intense 6th entry in her Witchcraft Mystery series. Once Oscar disappears, the pace of the novel quickens and so does the danger to Lily. And by the end of the novel, you are not really sure if there has been an HEA or not. Blackwell has not left us with a cliffhanger, but she has left us with far more than just a hook leading to another adventure.
Too many characters have classified their “help” as favors that require payback. One supernatural character was vanquished far too easily. And one major character, in particular, may become more of a nightmare to Lily than the burning witch in her “vision in velvet.”
Backing up about an hour or so, we find Lily purchasing a battered old trunk full of dry-rotted clothing – and a well-kept velvet cloak – from an antiques dealer by the name of Sebastian Crowley. Sebastian claims to have acquired the trunk from the relative of an older man who is trying to clean up his condo. Supposedly, the trunk originated in Boston around or before the time of the Salem witch trials and was brought west during the California Gold Rush. Feeling the psychic vibrations from the cloak, Lily purchases the trunk and its contents.
The moment she fastens the clasp of the cloak, Lily sees the vision of the witch burning and she hears someone screaming the word “deliverance.” Then she feels as if her fingers are burning off as she observes the witch’s ashes being scooped up by a set of hands positioned just in front of her eyes. Forced out of the vision when her worried friends unclasp the cloak, she remembers that she, herself, has no fingerprints. She was born without them, and her fingertips look as if the prints were burned off.
Shortly thereafter, the antiques dealer is shot to death in the park near Lily’s shop. His body is found beneath an extremely old and dying oak tree that the park authority has slated for removal. Not believing in coincidences, Lily decides to investigate the provenance of the trunk and the cloak, hoping to find a clue to the identity of the murderer and a clue to the identities of the people in her vision.
With Sailor along to help with a little after hours B&E into the antique store, they learn the identity of the trunk’s seller, Bart Woolsey. Upon talking to him and a college professor who specializes in witchcraft as a religion, Lily determines that “deliverance” is not a concept but the name of the witch who was burned. She also learns that, from the pyre, Deliverance put a love curse on the Woolsey family, a curse that seems to have transcended generations. Based on this information as well as evidence discovered at the murder scene, Lily and her familiar, Oscar, go back to that dying oak tree for answers.
Now, the promotional blurb for this book clearly states that Oscar disappears sometime during the story. That word “disappear” is an understatement for what really happens to Oscar when they get to the tree. At that point, the plotline shifts sideways, with Lily’s focus completely on rescuing Oscar, rather than on the solution to the murder. Even the store is essentially left to run itself.
Juliet Blackwell has crafted an intense 6th entry in her Witchcraft Mystery series. Once Oscar disappears, the pace of the novel quickens and so does the danger to Lily. And by the end of the novel, you are not really sure if there has been an HEA or not. Blackwell has not left us with a cliffhanger, but she has left us with far more than just a hook leading to another adventure.
Too many characters have classified their “help” as favors that require payback. One supernatural character was vanquished far too easily. And one major character, in particular, may become more of a nightmare to Lily than the burning witch in her “vision in velvet.”
September 9, 2015
Many talents set Juliet Blackwell apart and have my appreciation. She is among few, creating exceptional adult paranormal fiction; not ghoulish vampires but honest to goodness ethereal subjects: ghosts and witches. She excels at plotting mystery. I discourage her categorization in the ‘cozy’ genre because she doesn’t throw together single-threaded drivel like most; the exhausted cliché of finding a body and determining a killer. To my gratitude, Juliet’s plotlines don’t necessarily hinge on crime! Some modern event or person draws her attention to a deeper set of circumstances, which are magical. We choose these novels because of their adventuresome mysticism and this enthralling well of subject matter is in no danger of going dry.
Woven into Lily’s principal cases are themes of friendship, for this lone witch from Texas and non-judgemental acceptance. There are a Baptist Mother and daughter in her circle who see that witches are needlessly associated with evil-doing; when clearly their friend exemplifies the epitome of compassion. A fun theme is the suggestion that there might be more to our Earth than we see; perhaps critters believed to be nonexistent! This author blends fact and fiction with an exciting pace and an emotional involvement that races through her pages. This is why I postpone each novel as long as I can.
One component I dislike is Oscar; whose silly, argumentative nature ruins the mature, old world atmosphere that I treasure. I looked forward to this novel in which he was absent. I love everything else about her work, especially not playing into the worn-out gambit in which police are obstacles and the most magnificent truths are hidden. A detective regularly consults with her. This time we identify a source of evil far back into history, while a saner than usual Conrad commits to saving an immense tree.
Woven into Lily’s principal cases are themes of friendship, for this lone witch from Texas and non-judgemental acceptance. There are a Baptist Mother and daughter in her circle who see that witches are needlessly associated with evil-doing; when clearly their friend exemplifies the epitome of compassion. A fun theme is the suggestion that there might be more to our Earth than we see; perhaps critters believed to be nonexistent! This author blends fact and fiction with an exciting pace and an emotional involvement that races through her pages. This is why I postpone each novel as long as I can.
One component I dislike is Oscar; whose silly, argumentative nature ruins the mature, old world atmosphere that I treasure. I looked forward to this novel in which he was absent. I love everything else about her work, especially not playing into the worn-out gambit in which police are obstacles and the most magnificent truths are hidden. A detective regularly consults with her. This time we identify a source of evil far back into history, while a saner than usual Conrad commits to saving an immense tree.
May 16, 2014
The Witchcraft Mystery series by Juliet Blackwell is an automatic MUST HAVE buy for me.
I was so excited to be gifted an advance copy of this sixth novel in exchange for my honest review.
Every one gets better and better!
Lily Ivory is still running her Vintage Clothing store with the assistance of a cast of wonderful characters, including her unusual "familiar" Oscar, a shifting gobgoyle miniature pig.
Lily gets offers of some intriguing acquistions for her store, but often they come with energies from past owners and experiences. In this novel, a trunk she purchases is one such energy carrier and creates havoc in Lily and Oscar's lives.
Each of the novels stands alone, but to become fully immersed, to get to know each of the wonderful characters, I suggest you read them in order. You will not be sorry.
We see growth in Lily, both in her personality and her powers, as the series progresses.
We also see changes in the other characters, which adds to the enjoyment of reading this magical series.
I found this contribution to have a great deal of historical and magical reference that was fascinating.
I was so excited to be gifted an advance copy of this sixth novel in exchange for my honest review.
Every one gets better and better!
Lily Ivory is still running her Vintage Clothing store with the assistance of a cast of wonderful characters, including her unusual "familiar" Oscar, a shifting gobgoyle miniature pig.
Lily gets offers of some intriguing acquistions for her store, but often they come with energies from past owners and experiences. In this novel, a trunk she purchases is one such energy carrier and creates havoc in Lily and Oscar's lives.
Each of the novels stands alone, but to become fully immersed, to get to know each of the wonderful characters, I suggest you read them in order. You will not be sorry.
We see growth in Lily, both in her personality and her powers, as the series progresses.
We also see changes in the other characters, which adds to the enjoyment of reading this magical series.
I found this contribution to have a great deal of historical and magical reference that was fascinating.
December 9, 2014
Familiar tension! The really great thing about A Vision in Velvet is that Lily is growing and evolving as a witch, and her relationships grow deeper. With any series, it's gratifying to see the protagonist change without losing any of the spark or vulnerability that made the reader (me) fall in love them from the very beginning. When Lily loses Oscar, she is able to gather her usual group of friends and acquaintances to support her in both mundane and witchy ways. The difference is that instead of grappling desperately in the dark, Lily grapples deliberately as she is more sure of her abilities and her resources. The other characters play a larger part in her life and we get to learn more about them - Conrad (the Con) even joins them in a social outing! It was also interesting to see Lily view Aidan in a more mature and courageous way. I loved the mystery of the historical witch trials and what they reveal about Lily at the end. There's also plenty of familiar-related dramatic tension as well as familiar action. As an animal lover, the appearance of new familiars was a real plus. Blackwell rocks with this paranormal cozy!
December 15, 2020
It isn’t that I am not fond of Oscar but if more than half of the book is going to be about rescuing a witch’s familiar, then I’m going to have to try harder to remain interested in it. And, I hadn’t expected to have to do that, given that I had picked up a cozy mystery. But that’s exactly what happened: the main mystery was sidelined while our protagonist tried every avenue as she looked for her potbellied pig.
Moreover, the threat that was singled out at the beginning was so huge that even the city’s bad guy who has his fingers in all the pies didn’t want to come anywhere near this. But it didn’t seem that way by the end of the book.
Also, I’m so over women with enough sense falling for the guy who at best can be described to have grey morals when a perfectly good guy’s already in their life. I hope that changes in the upcoming books and the mysteries in this series get a little more darker and thicker.
February 14, 2016
Hunting for antique clothing, Lily Ivory stumbles across a very powerful cape at the bottom of an old trunk—A cape with the ability to show her memories from another time period. Once again, she is captivated by a murder mystery thanks to this magical cape. During her investigation, her familiar, Oscar, vanishes. Lily is torn-up about his disappearance, and stops at nothing to find him.
Once again, I enjoyed this novel. The characters are well developed and relatable. Lily's tenacity and bravery is well defined (not arrogant) and the storyline is solid. So far, Juliet Blackwell's cozy paranormal mysteries have been very entertaining and book six in the Witchcraft Mystery series did not disappoint!
Once again, I enjoyed this novel. The characters are well developed and relatable. Lily's tenacity and bravery is well defined (not arrogant) and the storyline is solid. So far, Juliet Blackwell's cozy paranormal mysteries have been very entertaining and book six in the Witchcraft Mystery series did not disappoint!
July 22, 2014
I love this book!! I'm so into this series that I feel like I personally know the characters.
Lily Ivory buys an old trunk filled with old clothes. In the bottom is an old velvet cape. She is transported back to the days of the Witch trials in Salem, MA.
From that experience, there is a murder at an ancient oak tree, strange mushrooms, frogs and Lily's familiar, Oscar, is kidnapped by the tree.
Come along for a riveting adventure as Lily and her friends try to get Oscar back. Plus, find a murderer. Spells, twists and turns, and Lily's hunky boyfriend, Sailor are in the mix also.
A great read!!
Lily Ivory buys an old trunk filled with old clothes. In the bottom is an old velvet cape. She is transported back to the days of the Witch trials in Salem, MA.
From that experience, there is a murder at an ancient oak tree, strange mushrooms, frogs and Lily's familiar, Oscar, is kidnapped by the tree.
Come along for a riveting adventure as Lily and her friends try to get Oscar back. Plus, find a murderer. Spells, twists and turns, and Lily's hunky boyfriend, Sailor are in the mix also.
A great read!!
July 27, 2014
I can always count on Ms. Blackwell to write a cozy I enjoy reading. I love the characters and the setting. I guessed the murderer, but the plot ended up more complicated than I imagined at first glance.
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/941485...
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/941485...
February 26, 2017
I just find this little, supernatural, cozy mystery series comforting. I am getting close to the end of the series as it stands now, and it makes me a little sad. I look forward to Lily Ivory's adventures in San Francisco, alongside her crazy cast of characters including Oscar the Gobgoyle, a merry coven of witches, Sailor, her not so psychic boyfriend, Aiden, the very mysterious warlock, Conrad, her homeless friend, and Carlos, the friendly SF cop who comes to Lily for help investigating the crimes.
In this instalment we have a magical cloak that can transport one in time, a lost pig/gobgoyle, a sinister tree, a dead body, and The Salem Witch Trials...oh my!
Lily will need her whole cast of friends to help her solve the mystery and to find Oscar before it's too late.
Another great chapter in the life and exploits of Lily Ivory!
In this instalment we have a magical cloak that can transport one in time, a lost pig/gobgoyle, a sinister tree, a dead body, and The Salem Witch Trials...oh my!
Lily will need her whole cast of friends to help her solve the mystery and to find Oscar before it's too late.
Another great chapter in the life and exploits of Lily Ivory!
November 16, 2017
Another pleasant read. Even though it took me a long time to read due to personal things and fatigue, I thought it ended way too quickly.
Bridges are burned, sacrifices are made. I’m wondering if the next installment will be the last or next to last, since this book felt like a steep increase to an imminent ultimate showdown.
Bridges are burned, sacrifices are made. I’m wondering if the next installment will be the last or next to last, since this book felt like a steep increase to an imminent ultimate showdown.
June 24, 2022
Binge-read the first few books during time of duress--macbook off at the spa getting physical therapy and hip replacement surgery, so to speak. Great fun. I'm giving them all 4.5 rounded up!
I may come back and give more details but not now. I mean I already spent a half-hour writing some and then lost them so not doing it over right now.
Xe Sands does a terrific job of narration, too.
I may come back and give more details but not now. I mean I already spent a half-hour writing some and then lost them so not doing it over right now.
Xe Sands does a terrific job of narration, too.
January 2, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening🎶
This is a kindle e-book novella from my local library book 6 in the series.
Lily buys a trunk from a friend who runs a antique store. When she opens it she finds a velvet cape which Oscar takes and the fun begins.
I would highly recommend this series and author to readers of witch fantasy action novels. 2024 👒🐖🏠😮
This is a kindle e-book novella from my local library book 6 in the series.
Lily buys a trunk from a friend who runs a antique store. When she opens it she finds a velvet cape which Oscar takes and the fun begins.
I would highly recommend this series and author to readers of witch fantasy action novels. 2024 👒🐖🏠😮
January 6, 2020
I do love this series. The characters continue to become more endearing as the series progresses, and the mysteries get deeper each time. Can't wait to read the next installment in Lily's adventures.
August 3, 2023
In this story, Lily Ivory, the main character is trying to get her pig back after it vanishes into a tree. Earlier at the base of the tree, Lily and others had found a body who was someone that Lily had seen and spoken to earlier. The book was an easy read.
November 5, 2017
It's like Juliet Blackwell casts a spell on her readers. Can't wait to start reading the next installment in this series.
January 8, 2023
Another charming witchy cosy mystery.
November 7, 2023
Cozy and creepy. A great addition to the series!
April 4, 2015
You may find reviews of Books 1-5 here:
Book 1: Secondhand Spirits
Book 2: A Cast-Off Coven
Book 3: Hexes and Hemlines
Book 4: In A Witch's Wardrobe
Book 5: Tarnished and Torn
In the next installment of the Witchcraft Mystery Series by Juliet Blackwell, Sailor has been allowed to return to San Francisco after being banished by Aiden. This is a relief to Lily, who over the course of the first 5 books has really taken a shining to our brooding psychic. The pair get along amazingly and I love their chemistry.
Things aren't all wine and roses, however. In what seems to be a normal inquiry about the purchase of an antique trunk filled with clothing, Lily finds that there is one item within that isn't what it seems. It doesn't match the rest of the articles of clothing and has vibrations that should have sent her running. Instead, she does what a lot of cozy mystery protagonists do....she puts it on. I mean, why not? ~ right? Lily finds herself tossed back in time during the burning of a powerful witch.
Lily needs to find out what's going on with this cloak and why it's shown up in a trashed trunk full of unusable textiles....and then the dealer who sold her the trunk ends up being murdered in front of a large oak tree in the park. This same tree is one that is scheduled for demolition by the city because it is almost dead and now a hazard. If only the city fathers knew that it was far from dead and is a lot more hazardous than they could even imagine. When the tree seemingly swallows up Oscar during what is supposed to be a meet-and-greet with some of the woodsfolk, Lily is desperate to keep the tree standing long enough to extract her piggy familiar and go head to head with the witch from the past who may using the tree as a conduit to the present.
Will Lily get Oscar back and prevent the spirit of the powerful witch from making a comeback?
I absolutely love this series. Lily is a fine protagonist that gets more comfortable with her new surroundings in each book. She has friends that accept her for who she is and what she does, a very successful resale shop, and a familiar that sometimes just steals the show. Her brooding companion, Sailor, has some great dialogue and wit.
Each story develops nicely and takes the reader on a brand new adventure in the world of the paranormal. The novels are suitable for anyone who wants to read them - teens, adults who don't like sex or swearing, adult who do like those things but also like the cozy mystery scene, too (like me).
If you're looking for your next cozy series then I highly recommend Juliet Blackwell's Witchcraft Mysteries. They are written well, have great storylines, solid plots, and easy-to-like characters. The dialogue between all characters is smooth and understandable and the novel is an easy, relaxing read.
Review copy courtesy of my bookshelf.
Book 1: Secondhand Spirits
Book 2: A Cast-Off Coven
Book 3: Hexes and Hemlines
Book 4: In A Witch's Wardrobe
Book 5: Tarnished and Torn
In the next installment of the Witchcraft Mystery Series by Juliet Blackwell, Sailor has been allowed to return to San Francisco after being banished by Aiden. This is a relief to Lily, who over the course of the first 5 books has really taken a shining to our brooding psychic. The pair get along amazingly and I love their chemistry.
Things aren't all wine and roses, however. In what seems to be a normal inquiry about the purchase of an antique trunk filled with clothing, Lily finds that there is one item within that isn't what it seems. It doesn't match the rest of the articles of clothing and has vibrations that should have sent her running. Instead, she does what a lot of cozy mystery protagonists do....she puts it on. I mean, why not? ~ right? Lily finds herself tossed back in time during the burning of a powerful witch.
Lily needs to find out what's going on with this cloak and why it's shown up in a trashed trunk full of unusable textiles....and then the dealer who sold her the trunk ends up being murdered in front of a large oak tree in the park. This same tree is one that is scheduled for demolition by the city because it is almost dead and now a hazard. If only the city fathers knew that it was far from dead and is a lot more hazardous than they could even imagine. When the tree seemingly swallows up Oscar during what is supposed to be a meet-and-greet with some of the woodsfolk, Lily is desperate to keep the tree standing long enough to extract her piggy familiar and go head to head with the witch from the past who may using the tree as a conduit to the present.
Will Lily get Oscar back and prevent the spirit of the powerful witch from making a comeback?
I absolutely love this series. Lily is a fine protagonist that gets more comfortable with her new surroundings in each book. She has friends that accept her for who she is and what she does, a very successful resale shop, and a familiar that sometimes just steals the show. Her brooding companion, Sailor, has some great dialogue and wit.
Each story develops nicely and takes the reader on a brand new adventure in the world of the paranormal. The novels are suitable for anyone who wants to read them - teens, adults who don't like sex or swearing, adult who do like those things but also like the cozy mystery scene, too (like me).
If you're looking for your next cozy series then I highly recommend Juliet Blackwell's Witchcraft Mysteries. They are written well, have great storylines, solid plots, and easy-to-like characters. The dialogue between all characters is smooth and understandable and the novel is an easy, relaxing read.
Review copy courtesy of my bookshelf.
August 15, 2014
A Vision In Velvet: A Witchcraft Mystery
By Juliet Blackwell
Lily Ivory is back – and, along with her are all your favorites: the gobgoyle, Oscar, the ever dishy Sailor, Bronwyn, Maya, Conrad, Inspector Carlos Romero, Lily’s grandmother, Graciela, and, of course, Aiden. Once again, things are more than just complicated in San Francisco.
In this episode, Lily purchases an old, beat up trunk from an Antiques Dealer she knows, Sebastian Crowley. It doesn’t contain anything of value for use at Aunt Cora’s Closet, but Lily can’t stand the thought of this historic piece being set out with the trash. Also, it seems to be speaking to her, sort of, maybe, in some magical way. When she gets it back to the store with May, Bronwyn and Conrad, she finds a mysterious gold velvet cape in the bottom of the trunk. Later, she tries it on, and is suddenly psychically transported back to the site of a witch burning in early Massachusetts. Just as suddenly, she is back at Cora’s Closet amidst all her usual friends.
She discovers that the tree that Conrad, who has been suffering from recurring nightmares, usually sleeps under in Golden Gate Park is scheduled to be cut down. Conrad and his friends are trying to convince the city not to terminate the old Oak tree by gathering petition signatures. Lily signs, but doesn’t think much of the situation at the time. Later that day, she goes to the park to meet Conrad and see the tree, only to find it is now the scene of a crime, as Sebastian Crowley has been murdered under Conrad’s tree. Suddenly, there seems to be a connection between Sebastian Crowley, that old trunk and cape, and this dying Oak.
Enter Inspector Romero, incredulous that, once again, Lily is seemingly at the center of one of his investigations. While speaking with Carlos, Lily discovers that Sebastian’s shop was ransacked prior to his murder. This sets her Spidey senses a-tingling and we are off again on an amazing journey to tie up loose ends from the past that are still loose in the present. Along the way we will meet the owner of the trunk purchased from Sebastian, Bartholomew Woolsey, and learn of his connections to the long ago witch whose burning Lily witnessed. We’ll see a generations-long curse in operation, experience Lily’s pain at the abduction/disappearance of Oscar, see a bit more of her relationship with Sailor, experience the power of two covens, and get a glimpse of Lily’s true power.
Great editing and proofreading (A+ in my opinion), wonderful characterizations, plotting and pacing, and an overall terrific summer read! Lots of excitement keeps the reader turning pages and the enchanting fantasy of Lily’s life keeps a smile on the reader’s face. Will this book make you believe in magic? Maybe, maybe not; but it certainly will make you want to believe.
By Juliet Blackwell
Lily Ivory is back – and, along with her are all your favorites: the gobgoyle, Oscar, the ever dishy Sailor, Bronwyn, Maya, Conrad, Inspector Carlos Romero, Lily’s grandmother, Graciela, and, of course, Aiden. Once again, things are more than just complicated in San Francisco.
In this episode, Lily purchases an old, beat up trunk from an Antiques Dealer she knows, Sebastian Crowley. It doesn’t contain anything of value for use at Aunt Cora’s Closet, but Lily can’t stand the thought of this historic piece being set out with the trash. Also, it seems to be speaking to her, sort of, maybe, in some magical way. When she gets it back to the store with May, Bronwyn and Conrad, she finds a mysterious gold velvet cape in the bottom of the trunk. Later, she tries it on, and is suddenly psychically transported back to the site of a witch burning in early Massachusetts. Just as suddenly, she is back at Cora’s Closet amidst all her usual friends.
She discovers that the tree that Conrad, who has been suffering from recurring nightmares, usually sleeps under in Golden Gate Park is scheduled to be cut down. Conrad and his friends are trying to convince the city not to terminate the old Oak tree by gathering petition signatures. Lily signs, but doesn’t think much of the situation at the time. Later that day, she goes to the park to meet Conrad and see the tree, only to find it is now the scene of a crime, as Sebastian Crowley has been murdered under Conrad’s tree. Suddenly, there seems to be a connection between Sebastian Crowley, that old trunk and cape, and this dying Oak.
Enter Inspector Romero, incredulous that, once again, Lily is seemingly at the center of one of his investigations. While speaking with Carlos, Lily discovers that Sebastian’s shop was ransacked prior to his murder. This sets her Spidey senses a-tingling and we are off again on an amazing journey to tie up loose ends from the past that are still loose in the present. Along the way we will meet the owner of the trunk purchased from Sebastian, Bartholomew Woolsey, and learn of his connections to the long ago witch whose burning Lily witnessed. We’ll see a generations-long curse in operation, experience Lily’s pain at the abduction/disappearance of Oscar, see a bit more of her relationship with Sailor, experience the power of two covens, and get a glimpse of Lily’s true power.
Great editing and proofreading (A+ in my opinion), wonderful characterizations, plotting and pacing, and an overall terrific summer read! Lots of excitement keeps the reader turning pages and the enchanting fantasy of Lily’s life keeps a smile on the reader’s face. Will this book make you believe in magic? Maybe, maybe not; but it certainly will make you want to believe.
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