The Avon Mirror

by Claire Robyns

The river remembers everything... and now it's killing to share those memories.

Maddie Crow is settling into her new life as Stratford-upon-Avon's resident curse-breaker. Between managing The Crooked Tome (or is Crooks managing her?) and handling minor hexes, she's just about found her rhythm when Detective Ross Hamilton arrives with a case that will shatter the peace of two historic towns.

Tom Pondmere walked out of The Dirty Swan on a perfectly ordinary evening and drowned in the River Avon. He was found fully clothed with no signs of a struggle.
But this is only the beginning.
Paranormals throughout the region are experiencing disturbing visions near the River Avon. Visions of deaths that happened centuries ago. Visions that feel disturbingly real.

With more victims surfacing and the supernatural encounters spreading between Stratford and Warwick, time is running out and the danger is escalating.
But uncovering the truth means delving into magic darker than anything Maddie has encountered before. Because whoever is behind these impossible drownings isn't finished. Someone—or something—has turned the ancient river into a weapon.

Perfect for fans of cozy paranormal mysteries with British charm and just enough romance to warm the heart with supernatural intrigue, a determined curse-breaker and a sceptical detective who's beginning to question everything he thought he knew about the world.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, British Literature

203 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Claire Robyns writes mystery, romance and adventure, because sometimes one life really can have it all (between the pages of a book, at least.)

If you'd like to be alerted for new releases, please sign up for Claire's newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/efe5d08fa0d9/clair...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClaireRobyns

Reviews

[Steve Bewley]

The Avon Mirror by Claire Robyns

Rating : 3.5⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Released : 8th January 2026
Pages : 203
Duration : 3 days

----------------

The second book in the Curse Breaker series sees us reunited with Maddie Crow, resident curse breaker for the midlands as she comes to grips with her new role, new home, new love interest and now something is upsetting the river. Oh, did I forget to mention that the house is magical and possibly my favourite character.

Something is going on with the river, the locals are spooked and things just don’t feel right

And that’s all I will say, no one likes spoilers

****

As with the first book this is a fast, light, little adventure and this book builds up the world that the first book introduced us to, we meet a few more Wolf Shifters, Ross is still blind to the magic and Maddie is still completely out of her depth builds up on the drama and danger slightly and Crooks the house continues to be brilliantly housey(?)

The writing is fun and engaging in a relaxed way, I did find a few spelling mistakes which though funny did slightly ruin things for me just a smidge

These books aren’t going to win any awards for great pieces of literature, however they are fun and a great distraction rom everything else in the world and a perfect little pick up to smash out a chapter or three, definitely a series I will be continuing with

[Lisa]

I am thoroughly enjoying this series set in Stratford-on-Avon. So, you're thinking Shakespeare, right? Same location, but teeming with paranormals of all types. The author has created a complex, magical community that interacts with the everyday people of Avon as they go about their daily lives. In The Avon Mirror, the famed river is luring magical folks to their deaths.

I love that there is so much humor written into the story. I found myself chuckling out loud many times. The main character, Maddie, takes her work as a curse-breaker seriously, but she doesn't take herself seriously, and I find that refreshing. (I absolutely envy her living in a sentient bookshop.) Now that October has arrived, it's a perfect time to read this unique, magical series. What are you waiting for?

[Kelly]

The Avon Mirror — 4/5

I am really enjoying this little series—such a refreshing read. I love the way the author describes everything in such beautiful, delicate detail, while still keeping it easy to follow.

I especially enjoyed the touches of humour and seeing more of Maddie’s relationships develop, including Lily, Crooks, and especially Ross. Their gentle friendship, with its subtle flirtation, is really lovely to watch unfold.

Overall, this is a perfect little paranormal murder mystery, and I’m very excited to pick up the next book.

[Sharen]

Really like the “curse breaker” series.

This series has charming characters, evildoers doing evil deeds, elemental spirits, witches, shapeshifters, a sentient book store, a bit of potential romance? (no sex), mysteries to solve (no graphic violence), and best of all…..no cliffhanger ending!

These are definitely “curl up in a comfy chair with a pot of tea and enjoy” kinda books. And I have the next one already on top of my “to be read” stack.

[Jenette]

Again, this book had a lot of potential but it never quite reaches it and sometimes Maddie is just a really dumb character and the love interest (I’ve forgotten his name) continuing to essentially call her crazy and refuse to believe in magic is grating. How can she keep finding someone who thinks she’s bonkers (and not affectionately) desirable?

[Joanne]

Another cracking read

Fast paced and enjoyable. Maddie get involved in another case, but is it a curse this time? Teaming up with sceptic detective Ross she attempts to solve a murder or two,

[Hana]

Another adventure, this time darker, with blood magic and river spirits. It was funny, especially to see how Ross explained the magic scientifically, it was sweet and I enjoyed it very much.

[Emma Jane Mulvihill]

OMG what an amazing book

Fantastic reading, paranormal and humans working together and maybe future romance, looking forward to the next book.
Really good reading