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Needles and Drills
Welston next the Sea has survived scandals before—but this time, the danger goes deeper.
When a drilling company rolls into town, the locals are told it’s just a test. But Susan Crow suspects otherwise. With redevelopment plans in motion and fierce debate over a proposed casino, Welston’s future hangs by a thread.
Then Morris Browning—retired journalist and resident troublemaker—is found murdered above his shop. Three townsfolk fall under suspicion, but Susan and her friends uncover a fourth Urbana, the shadowy group behind the redevelopment, may have had good reason to want Morris dead.
As if that weren’t enough, a new arrival has Susan on edge. Petra Bianchi, an intern with the drill crew, has taken a curious interest in five-year-old Georgie Christie. But Petra isn’t who she claims to be—and the secret she’s hiding could put Georgie in danger.
To protect the people she cares about, Susan must solve a murder, defend Welston’s identity, and uncover why Petra is really in town… before the past drills its way back to the surface.
Meet more of Welston’s residents in this Crows’ Feat Mystery that’s packed with magic, murder, and buried secrets.
When a drilling company rolls into town, the locals are told it’s just a test. But Susan Crow suspects otherwise. With redevelopment plans in motion and fierce debate over a proposed casino, Welston’s future hangs by a thread.
Then Morris Browning—retired journalist and resident troublemaker—is found murdered above his shop. Three townsfolk fall under suspicion, but Susan and her friends uncover a fourth Urbana, the shadowy group behind the redevelopment, may have had good reason to want Morris dead.
As if that weren’t enough, a new arrival has Susan on edge. Petra Bianchi, an intern with the drill crew, has taken a curious interest in five-year-old Georgie Christie. But Petra isn’t who she claims to be—and the secret she’s hiding could put Georgie in danger.
To protect the people she cares about, Susan must solve a murder, defend Welston’s identity, and uncover why Petra is really in town… before the past drills its way back to the surface.
Meet more of Welston’s residents in this Crows’ Feat Mystery that’s packed with magic, murder, and buried secrets.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2025
2 people want to read
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November 22, 2025
This is the third book in a series of, I hope, three books. I was given an advanced copy by the author, this review is my own rambling and honest opinion. The series mixes the magical life of the characters with the mystery surrounding a sleepy sea side town. Our protagonist, Susan, returns home after the death of her Mum. Witchcraft is part of her life at home and it’s explored in a pragmatic manner with external entities trying to take control over her town. We get to learn more about the characters we love and also more about those that we believe are their enemies. There appears to be more nuances suggested in this book with suggestions that maybe the situation is not so black and white. I love the sense of community and how cosy it often feels, the writing is very visual and vibrant and I have a clear image of each character and the scene. At times I longed for more magic and this was quickly presented. Some of my favourite scenes are the most surreal and magical. To me the book feels like a cross between a Richard Osmond book and a magical, almost Hariuki Murikami, feel to it.
You definitely need to read the first two books and I so hope these get published as physical books. There is a small section at the end that talks about the next book and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the end but also hope the author continues writing with these characters. I’m especially dreading waiting a year until the next one.
I especially love Geraldine, Susan’s Mum’s best friend and was pleased to see her take part in this book again. I’d love a whole book dedicated to her in the future and I have my own theories about who she is. The author does enjoy a good cliff hanger and there is definitely peril at times. The books are a quick read because I can’t put them down and they are a bit risky to read late at night, often thinking just another chapter.
You definitely need to read the first two books and I so hope these get published as physical books. There is a small section at the end that talks about the next book and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the end but also hope the author continues writing with these characters. I’m especially dreading waiting a year until the next one.
I especially love Geraldine, Susan’s Mum’s best friend and was pleased to see her take part in this book again. I’d love a whole book dedicated to her in the future and I have my own theories about who she is. The author does enjoy a good cliff hanger and there is definitely peril at times. The books are a quick read because I can’t put them down and they are a bit risky to read late at night, often thinking just another chapter.
Displaying 1 of 1 review