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Sonoma Witches #7
Dead Witch in the Library
When a 97-year-old witch librarian dies under suspicious circumstances, Alma is called out of her redwood forest to investigate in San Francisco. Unfortunately, dozens of the most powerful witches in the world are also in the city for a conference—and when they aren’t killing each other, they’re insulting or threatening Alma.
Forced to defend her pride as well as her life, Alma follows a trail of clues that suggest anyone could be a killer. As hexes fly and opponents both fae and human swarm around her, Alma unravels her most elaborate magical mystery yet.
Forced to defend her pride as well as her life, Alma follows a trail of clues that suggest anyone could be a killer. As hexes fly and opponents both fae and human swarm around her, Alma unravels her most elaborate magical mystery yet.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2025
19 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Gretchen Galway
27 books368 followersGRETCHEN GALWAY is a USA Today bestselling author who writes mystery, fantasy, and romance. She lives in Sonoma County, California.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 24, 2025
Alma Bellrose is back!!!
Honestly, I love Alma’s adventures, this book is another gem by Gretchen Galway.
In this story as you can tell by the title a witch is found dead in the library. Alma is then called into action to investigate if it’s foul play or not, but with well known characters being suspects, can she keep things separate?
It’s up to you to find out by reading it!
Had a wonderful time reading this, got it as an ARC but will definitely buy the final version too because I own the other 6 books in the series.
Honestly, I love Alma’s adventures, this book is another gem by Gretchen Galway.
In this story as you can tell by the title a witch is found dead in the library. Alma is then called into action to investigate if it’s foul play or not, but with well known characters being suspects, can she keep things separate?
It’s up to you to find out by reading it!
Had a wonderful time reading this, got it as an ARC but will definitely buy the final version too because I own the other 6 books in the series.
July 21, 2025
I began this series during a strange and solitary chapter of my life—living in a ranger cabin, deep in the wilderness, far from California and everything familiar. These books became a comfort. Funny, fast-paced, and full of charm, they filled my evenings with warmth and helped take the edge off homesickness. So yes, I’m a little biased. Nostalgia has sprinkled fairy dust all over these pages.
That said… this installment didn’t quite sparkle.
Let’s start with the good: Raynor. Just the mention of him makes me want to burst into spontaneous applause. He remains a magnetic presence—layered, snarky, and grounding. Helen’s “situation” was also an enjoyable plot thread, quirky and well-executed. And the Willy cameo? Delightful. Truly.
But then… there’s Seth.
Look, Seth is objectively a good partner—supportive, communicative, and always available with just the right blanket, tea, or mind-reading pep talk. But somewhere along the way, he started to feel less like a character and more like a magical emotional support boyfriend conjured from a Pinterest board. He’s the male version of a manic pixie dream girl: full of mystical abilities, soft touches, and not much personal motivation outside of making Alma feel safe. When problems arise, he and the dog drift off to the beach like they’re allergic to narrative tension. Occasionally he’ll say something vaguely fae and overbearing, but it passes like a storm cloud in a romance novel—brief, moody, and gone without consequence.
And then there’s Alma herself.
I don’t remember her being so… vengeful? By the 40% mark, she’s mentally compiling a murder list like a caffeine-addled Arya Stark. At 50%, the actual conference begins—thank the gods—and things finally pick up with some real mystery and more Seth (of course). By 80%, it started to feel like Clue but without the humor or enthusiasm. Everyone seems miserable to be at this networking event, and yet no one leaves? It’s like a magical HR seminar from hell.
Also: was the Protectorate always dressed in tracksuits? I spent way too much time trying to visualize a room full of magically powerful agents looking like they were about to hit the gym.
Stylistically, a few oddities stood out. For instance, the phrase “as if” shows up a couple of times, and unless that’s still a regional thing in San Francisco, I was having unexpected 1995 Cher Horowitz flashbacks. It pulled me out of the world a bit—not a deal-breaker, just jarring.
In the end, while I adored the first six books, this one felt off-kilter. The tone was darker, the main character less likable, and the stakes murkier. Maybe Alma was always this angry, this impulsive, this… unmoored, and I just didn’t notice before. But by this point in the series, I expected more cohesion, more growth, more trust between key players.
Still, I’ll keep reading. Raynor alone is worth it. And who knows—maybe Alma’s just going through her villain era. We all deserve one, right?
That said… this installment didn’t quite sparkle.
Let’s start with the good: Raynor. Just the mention of him makes me want to burst into spontaneous applause. He remains a magnetic presence—layered, snarky, and grounding. Helen’s “situation” was also an enjoyable plot thread, quirky and well-executed. And the Willy cameo? Delightful. Truly.
But then… there’s Seth.
Look, Seth is objectively a good partner—supportive, communicative, and always available with just the right blanket, tea, or mind-reading pep talk. But somewhere along the way, he started to feel less like a character and more like a magical emotional support boyfriend conjured from a Pinterest board. He’s the male version of a manic pixie dream girl: full of mystical abilities, soft touches, and not much personal motivation outside of making Alma feel safe. When problems arise, he and the dog drift off to the beach like they’re allergic to narrative tension. Occasionally he’ll say something vaguely fae and overbearing, but it passes like a storm cloud in a romance novel—brief, moody, and gone without consequence.
And then there’s Alma herself.
I don’t remember her being so… vengeful? By the 40% mark, she’s mentally compiling a murder list like a caffeine-addled Arya Stark. At 50%, the actual conference begins—thank the gods—and things finally pick up with some real mystery and more Seth (of course). By 80%, it started to feel like Clue but without the humor or enthusiasm. Everyone seems miserable to be at this networking event, and yet no one leaves? It’s like a magical HR seminar from hell.
Also: was the Protectorate always dressed in tracksuits? I spent way too much time trying to visualize a room full of magically powerful agents looking like they were about to hit the gym.
Stylistically, a few oddities stood out. For instance, the phrase “as if” shows up a couple of times, and unless that’s still a regional thing in San Francisco, I was having unexpected 1995 Cher Horowitz flashbacks. It pulled me out of the world a bit—not a deal-breaker, just jarring.
In the end, while I adored the first six books, this one felt off-kilter. The tone was darker, the main character less likable, and the stakes murkier. Maybe Alma was always this angry, this impulsive, this… unmoored, and I just didn’t notice before. But by this point in the series, I expected more cohesion, more growth, more trust between key players.
Still, I’ll keep reading. Raynor alone is worth it. And who knows—maybe Alma’s just going through her villain era. We all deserve one, right?
August 27, 2025
Poor Emotional Intelligence
Rating this one is difficult for me. The author in some aspects outshone her previous novels in this series and fell short . I’ll start with the negative points. The first issue I had is Alma was very unlikable in this installment. For some reason the author gave her extremely poor emotional intelligence when that hasn’t been in her character up till this point. I don’t know why the “Hothead” narrative was pushed so hard when she hasn’t been like that. Her character was protective and a little self righteous but the moments of outrage were understandable in previous novels. Also the moments were tempered by an undertone of caring and kindness. In this one she just seemed unhinged and bitter. Now that in and of itself wouldn’t annoy me but that leads to point two. Despite her now angry outlook on life she never backed it up. I would love to read a vengeful, insecure character the backed up not being trampled over, but that’s not the case here. She was emotionally unstable and still allowed people to walk all over her until the final scene of the book. The last issue I have is her and Seth’s relationship, the secrets he is holding from her after all they have been through doesn’t seem organic. It’s reads as if the author is not expounding on that just to save it for future novels. Additionally, hated how she treated Helen. Like I get you have a bickery relationship but she really didn’t care about her qualms until Seth made her.
Now to the point so loved!!! Alma is finally finally becoming more comfortable in her power and is magically solving issue through competence instead of luck. 7 books in and you finally get a magically powerful heroine. Before this point her magic was fairly simple and only really shown for “trump” moments with very little control. I will also say that while there was some annoying slippage in this novel it’s mostly written about a strong female lead that isn’t unnecessarily swooning over a guy when the world is falling apart. The author failed some (she still thought about 3 diff men in romantic fashion) but they were minor subplots that didn’t contribute much so it was acceptable.
Rating this one is difficult for me. The author in some aspects outshone her previous novels in this series and fell short . I’ll start with the negative points. The first issue I had is Alma was very unlikable in this installment. For some reason the author gave her extremely poor emotional intelligence when that hasn’t been in her character up till this point. I don’t know why the “Hothead” narrative was pushed so hard when she hasn’t been like that. Her character was protective and a little self righteous but the moments of outrage were understandable in previous novels. Also the moments were tempered by an undertone of caring and kindness. In this one she just seemed unhinged and bitter. Now that in and of itself wouldn’t annoy me but that leads to point two. Despite her now angry outlook on life she never backed it up. I would love to read a vengeful, insecure character the backed up not being trampled over, but that’s not the case here. She was emotionally unstable and still allowed people to walk all over her until the final scene of the book. The last issue I have is her and Seth’s relationship, the secrets he is holding from her after all they have been through doesn’t seem organic. It’s reads as if the author is not expounding on that just to save it for future novels. Additionally, hated how she treated Helen. Like I get you have a bickery relationship but she really didn’t care about her qualms until Seth made her.
Now to the point so loved!!! Alma is finally finally becoming more comfortable in her power and is magically solving issue through competence instead of luck. 7 books in and you finally get a magically powerful heroine. Before this point her magic was fairly simple and only really shown for “trump” moments with very little control. I will also say that while there was some annoying slippage in this novel it’s mostly written about a strong female lead that isn’t unnecessarily swooning over a guy when the world is falling apart. The author failed some (she still thought about 3 diff men in romantic fashion) but they were minor subplots that didn’t contribute much so it was acceptable.
July 18, 2025
This is the seventh and most recent of the Sonoma Witches series, and I loved it. I’ve enjoyed this whole series of lively and twisty stories of urban magic, and this one was perhaps the best yet. It tells a truly tricky mystery story, while also advancing Alma’s personal story.
One of the hallmarks of these novels is the wry approach Alma displays. It’s not exactly humor, but it made me snicker more than once, and adds a lighter tone to a story that could be quite dark otherwise.
The world is well realised. Of course, if you’ve read the previous six books it’s stronger, but in each individual novel it’s easy to quickly immerse yourself in the believable and vivid world. It’s well thought out, well integrated with the “real” world, and never falters.
The mystery is perhaps the most substantial Alma has dealt with yet. It’s tricky and hard to work out, although Galway seeds plenty of clues for both Alma and the reader. The climax is both surprising and completely believable.
This novel also advances Alma’s personal story significantly. Through the previous novels we’ve learnt about her history, seen the life she’s gradually building for herself, and become engaged with her relationships. Here both Alma herself and her relationships experience some big changes. They grow quite naturally out of what’s gone before, but will still surprise many readers. This is particularly rewarding for long time readers of the series, although it will still make sense to new readers.
I thought this was a fabulous novel, both as a stand alone and even more so as a part of the series. I really enjoyed spending time with Alma again, and I’m very much looking forward to the next in the series.
You may also be interested in my reviews of other books in the Sonoma Witches series:
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...
One of the hallmarks of these novels is the wry approach Alma displays. It’s not exactly humor, but it made me snicker more than once, and adds a lighter tone to a story that could be quite dark otherwise.
The world is well realised. Of course, if you’ve read the previous six books it’s stronger, but in each individual novel it’s easy to quickly immerse yourself in the believable and vivid world. It’s well thought out, well integrated with the “real” world, and never falters.
The mystery is perhaps the most substantial Alma has dealt with yet. It’s tricky and hard to work out, although Galway seeds plenty of clues for both Alma and the reader. The climax is both surprising and completely believable.
This novel also advances Alma’s personal story significantly. Through the previous novels we’ve learnt about her history, seen the life she’s gradually building for herself, and become engaged with her relationships. Here both Alma herself and her relationships experience some big changes. They grow quite naturally out of what’s gone before, but will still surprise many readers. This is particularly rewarding for long time readers of the series, although it will still make sense to new readers.
I thought this was a fabulous novel, both as a stand alone and even more so as a part of the series. I really enjoyed spending time with Alma again, and I’m very much looking forward to the next in the series.
You may also be interested in my reviews of other books in the Sonoma Witches series:
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...
July 14, 2025
“An unseen blow struck my legs from behind, buckling my knees. I fell to the floor with a surprised exclamation on my lips. And a single thought: This is all Raynor’s fault.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Dead Witch in the Library starts calm and cozy enough, but quickly gets fun and intriguing when yet another investigation summons from Raynor comes through: an old witch has died—apparently of natural causes, but also maybe not. I absolutely loved the 'library and mysterious librarian' angle, and though I wanted more out of that aspect, it was absolutely expected Protectorate's internal politicking and scheming would get in the way of that, given the big, important conference going on.
That was as annoying for Alma as it was for me, honestly. I got as tired as her of the constant bullying and humiliations she had to go through during the conference—still, I'm super excited to see where the story is going to go in regards to that in future installments! The minus-half-a-star comes from that and from my "unfortunate" (and still strong) dislike of Seth. He has more of a presence in this seventh book than in the last few and it put me off a smidgen; the way he acts and behaves sometimes seriously annoys me.
Obviously though, other than that I adored it! The mystery was twisty, the turns were devious, the people manipulative… it was everything we've come to love and expect from witches and from Almaʼs investigations. I particularly liked the solution (fresh!) and the final showdown (satisfying!). Super recommend for an afternoon or two of low-stakes suspense!
>I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.<
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Dead Witch in the Library starts calm and cozy enough, but quickly gets fun and intriguing when yet another investigation summons from Raynor comes through: an old witch has died—apparently of natural causes, but also maybe not. I absolutely loved the 'library and mysterious librarian' angle, and though I wanted more out of that aspect, it was absolutely expected Protectorate's internal politicking and scheming would get in the way of that, given the big, important conference going on.
That was as annoying for Alma as it was for me, honestly. I got as tired as her of the constant bullying and humiliations she had to go through during the conference—still, I'm super excited to see where the story is going to go in regards to that in future installments! The minus-half-a-star comes from that and from my "unfortunate" (and still strong) dislike of Seth. He has more of a presence in this seventh book than in the last few and it put me off a smidgen; the way he acts and behaves sometimes seriously annoys me.
Obviously though, other than that I adored it! The mystery was twisty, the turns were devious, the people manipulative… it was everything we've come to love and expect from witches and from Almaʼs investigations. I particularly liked the solution (fresh!) and the final showdown (satisfying!). Super recommend for an afternoon or two of low-stakes suspense!
>I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.<
June 20, 2025
To be modest and to be humbled are two very different things, but to accept public humiliation in the name of (bringing criminals to) justice is conducting to my respect and admiration. Despite growing powers, Alma remains true to her friends (witch, fae or animal), to the laws of decency, to the principles of justice and, ultimately, to herself. I love her character, her inner dialogue, her realism, her honesty, her guardedness, her empathy and her generosity. She is not ashamed of her father because it ruins her image, but because she has genuine understanding for the feelings of others and bitter regret for the way he used her until she was grown enough to decide for herself. While it makes her withdrawn and suspicious, her curiosity and sense of justice balance these traits and make her lovable.
And Seth... wow, he is a special man for a special Alma - I love everything about them and their relationship, even their names. Actually, all the characters are interesting and unpredictable.
Can you tell I love this series? I really do - the writing is good, the plot is interesting, with original and detailed characters, subtle humor, intriguing mystery, a vivid imagination and a satisfying end.
I hope book 8 comes sooner than book 7, and I so look forward to it!
And Seth... wow, he is a special man for a special Alma - I love everything about them and their relationship, even their names. Actually, all the characters are interesting and unpredictable.
Can you tell I love this series? I really do - the writing is good, the plot is interesting, with original and detailed characters, subtle humor, intriguing mystery, a vivid imagination and a satisfying end.
I hope book 8 comes sooner than book 7, and I so look forward to it!
July 16, 2025
I’ve been anxiously awaiting this book since 2023 and hallelujah, it did not disappoint! This is the longest book in the series to date, and I devoured it in one day because I couldn’t get enough. Dead Witch in the Library is full of intrigue, mystery, and intricate magic – yet reading it feels like a cozy hug on an autumn day. I highly recommend this series for anyone looking for a reprieve from all the “cookie cutter” romantsy plot lines and characters out there. The Sonoma Witches series is a breath of fresh air: it’s clever and original, and in my opinion, has a much more mature feel than most “booktok famous” romantasy books. Each book in this series gets better and better, and Dead Witch in the Library really takes things to the next level. The stakes are significantly raised for Alma: I don’t want to give anything away, but there’s no going back for the intrepid, reclusive witch-turned-detective. This book includes the most complex mystery so far, and it also gives greater access to the broader world of witches and their magic. It’s the thoughtful details of the magic system, the world building, and the character interactions that really set this series apart. If you like A Discovery of Witches, the Emily Wilde series, and Agatha Christie, you will love Sonoma Witches!
June 15, 2025
Truly, worth the wait…Ms. Galway’s latest is a thrill ride with MC Alma undergoing minor and major tribulations while teasing out the threads to solve crimes rooted in past misdeeds.
Although there are several villains overflowing with greed and arrogance who gleefully harm others, Alma steadfastly seeks justice as she ponders the darkness of both power and powerlessness.
Highly recommended!
Although it was my pleasure to receive this ARC from the author, it was completely my choice to share my honest review.
Although there are several villains overflowing with greed and arrogance who gleefully harm others, Alma steadfastly seeks justice as she ponders the darkness of both power and powerlessness.
Highly recommended!
Although it was my pleasure to receive this ARC from the author, it was completely my choice to share my honest review.
July 12, 2025
Alma is back and better than ever in my opinion. She’s grown stronger, not only as a witch but in her self confidence. She gets called in by Raynor to solve the death of another witch. I got caught up in the pretty easily, anxious at the end to find out who the bad guy is.
If you’re a witchy reader, add this series to your TBR.
Thank you the author for access to an advanced read copy in exchange for my review.
If you’re a witchy reader, add this series to your TBR.
Thank you the author for access to an advanced read copy in exchange for my review.
July 15, 2025
This is one of my favorite book series and I’m happy to say that this book did not disappoint! Alma is again dragged into the city to solve a murder but there’s more chaos than usual. It’s a must read if you like a cozy mystery with relatable characters, magic, and juuust a little mayhem!
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 16, 2025
I've enjoyed every book in the series. Alma brings her charms once again in this life or death story where she's got to use all her wits to solve the crime and save her own life - and those of others who might get caught in the crossfire. Entertaining from beginning to end. Loving how Alma grows into herself more and more in every story in the series.
June 29, 2025
I hope this series never ends! I loved this series from the very beginning, and it never disappoints. I love all of Alma’s adventures.
July 15, 2025
I’ve loved previous entries in Gretchen Galway’s Sonoma Witches series, and this installment is another must-read for fans of well-written Paranormal mysteries with unforgettable characters and a compelling story.
Alma Bellrose responds to a summons from the Director of the San Francisco office of the Protectorate, a magical enforcement agency operating under the radar of the non-magics in the City by the Bay. She’s tasked with investigating the apparent murder of the 97-year-old librarian who cares for the Protectorate’s local cache of precious magical knowledge.
What follows is an absorbing story with plenty of possible suspects, and a surprising resolution. Along the way, Galway doesn’t stint with word count or story length, giving us a satisfying amount of time to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the journey to the book’s conclusion. As always, I’m left wanting more.
Alma Bellrose responds to a summons from the Director of the San Francisco office of the Protectorate, a magical enforcement agency operating under the radar of the non-magics in the City by the Bay. She’s tasked with investigating the apparent murder of the 97-year-old librarian who cares for the Protectorate’s local cache of precious magical knowledge.
What follows is an absorbing story with plenty of possible suspects, and a surprising resolution. Along the way, Galway doesn’t stint with word count or story length, giving us a satisfying amount of time to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the journey to the book’s conclusion. As always, I’m left wanting more.
July 27, 2025
Excellent writing, fascinating world building, engrossing story arc and absolutely wonderful characters. Complex and intelligent. Who could ask for anything more ?!?
October 17, 2025
I love these books.
They are fun, fast paced and have wonderful characters.
You never know what trouble Alma will find next!
They are fun, fast paced and have wonderful characters.
You never know what trouble Alma will find next!
July 30, 2025
I LOVE this series and Gretchen never disappoints her readers!! The vivid scenery and memorable characters are just so much fun they make you crave more!! This latest journey was a nice thriller and had the right amount of tricks and subversion to keep you thinking. I loved the tension between new and old characters and the “house fairy”. Humor dotted throughout the book is always a joy. Ready for #8! Thanks for the ARC but my review is completely my own as I adore this Sonoma witches series so very much!!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews