Look Both Ways

Witch City Mystery #3

by Carol J. Perry

Salem, Massachusetts is known for its haunting history—and an antique mirror may reveal a deadly new chapter . . .   When Lee Barrett spots the same style oak bureau she once had as a child on the WICH-TV show Shopping Salem, she rushes to the antiques shop and buys the piece. Just like the beloved bureau she lost in a fire, this one has secret compartments. It also comes with an intriguing history—it was purchased in an estate sale from a home where a famous local murder took place.   The day after the bureau is delivered, Lee returns to the antiques shop and finds the owner dead. The police suspect the shop owner’s unscrupulous business partner, but Lee wonders if the murder is connected to her new furniture. At least part of the answer may be revealed through a mirror in the bureau, tarnished and blackened, allowing Lee to tap into her psychic visions. Using this bureau of investigation, Lee may be able to furnish her policeman beau with the evidence needed to catch the killer—before the next one to be shut up is her . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Cozy, Witches, Fiction, Fantasy

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 27, 2015

About the author

Carol J. Perry is the author of the Witch City Mystery series and the Haunted Haven series, both from Kensington Publishers. The Witch City stories take place in the magical city of Salem, Massachusetts--the "Witch City." Carol was actually born in Salem (on Halloween eve!) and knows the city well. The Haunted Haven books take place in Carol's adopted home state of Florida. As an experienced travel writer for magazines and newspapers, Carol knows her way around the Sunshine State too. The Salem books are based of course on a real city but Haven, Florida is made up of bits and pieces of some of the Sunshine State's charming older towns--bypassed by the theme parks. Readers of the Witch City books have come to know O'Ryan, a most remarkable cat. The new series introduces Finn, a lovable Golden Retriever.
Carol lives in the Tampa Bay area of Florida with her husband Dan.

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

After buying an antique bureau, Lee finds herself embroiled in two murders that occurred years apart. Hours after buying the bureau she discovers the antique dealer who sold it to her dead and a priceless pink diamond missing.

It becomes apparent that the killer will do anything to get the diamond but with so many suspects the police don't know where to look. Lee begins investigating, using her unique witch powers to puzzle out the crime, but the killer remains at large and knows exactly where she lives.



Look Both Ways is a bit of a mixed bag. There were things which were driving me to distraction. Things like the heroine would do something, then she would go home and explain to a friend what she had done in detail. Then she would explain exactly the same thing again to her boyfriend. Take out all those repeated explanations of the same thing and I'm pretty sure this book would be a third shorter.

But then there is the ending. How the killer got his comeuppance was beautiful and creepy and perfect. And everything witchy about this book is superb. In some ways it's like two different books. The cozy mystery part of it wasn't great, but the paranormal parts were amazing.

I think the author needs to really forget about the mystery and just focus on the witchery because that's where her writing moves from mundane to sublime. So, it's a 3 Star book with some 5 Star moments.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Barrett is a scryer or gazer, which means she sees visions in shiny objects, mirrors, silver, glass etc. She is also a 30 year old widow who lives with her retired librarian Aunt Ibby and dates a detective. She is a teacher at the Tabitha Turnbull Academy of Arts, but it is during a school holiday when this story takes place. There had previously been a fire in their home and Lee is still working on adding furniture to her apartment. When she hears about a bureau that is the same as the one she used to have, she heads off to an antique store and purchases the bureau with secret compartments. She is offered a summer job with the theatre at the Tabby, where she will search for and purchase authentic items to use for props. When she returns to the antique store, she finds the owner dead, and the cash register emptied. The story continues with Pete (Lee's detective friend/boyfriend) investigating the death. As Lee begins to see visions, it brings a previous murder and missing diamond into the investigation.

I liked the setting of Salem, the author did a good job of bringing some of Salem's history into the story. The characters were fairly well done and relatable. There is O'Ryan the cat who was a dead witch's cat and is an important character in this story. The cozy feel to this book is enhanced by the wonderful meals Aunt Ibby makes for Lee and their meals together. She is writing a cookbook, but also gets involved in Lee's mysteries. She is a great character and I would love to have her around. The other characters of Lee, Pete and River North (Lee's friend who is a witch who read Tarot Cards) round out the regular cast of characters. In this book, Daphne is a rather Marilyn Munroe look alike who is blind as a bat and gets the lead in one of the plays being produced. She is another rather interesting character. Overall, I enjoyed this cozy with a paranormal twist and look forward to reading more in this series.

[Viking Jam · Rating 2 out of 5]

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Publisher: Kensington

Publishing Date: October 2015

ISBN: 9781617733734

Genre: Fantasy/Mystery

Rating: 2.4/5

Publisher Description: When Lee Barrett spots the same style oak bureau she once had as a child on the WICH-TV show, Shopping Salem, she rushes to the antiques shop and buys the piece. Just like the beloved bureau she lost in a fire, this one has secret compartments.

Review: Not being a sexist pig when I say: “This is a book for chicks”. It edges upon the Nora Roberts school of writing where every daily detail of life is iterated. I am sure I care, somewhere in an alternate universe, about how my bedroom is decorated and that my frumpy Aunt is making me an English muffin with homemade jam. If I ever need to properly discern the value of flatware and a choice between Franciscan dinnerware or Majolica, I might open this novel as a reference guide. Should I entertain a lady, I will be sure to have Egyptian cotton sheets and soft subtle lighting at the ready. One day, God forbid, I will have a stupid cat that has human mannerisms. Should my sense of anthropomorphic behavior override common sense, I will continue to talk to all of my friends about the need for a cat door with such gravity that anyone within shitting distance will fall over themselves to install it for me.

“So how does this get two stars?”, you ask. The author chose some restraint in Lee’s infatuation with hunky cop guy. She’s fairly independent yet not very bright when it comes to obvious clues. She wants a simple life but just happens to be well off. Which means she can afford to be simplistic. She has a fiery temperament that matches her hair yet allows people around her to manipulate.

I guess the only mystery here is how dumbass can find her butt in a dark room. The clues as well as the plot are obvious as are the sinister people and their designs. The infusion of a cat familiar is supposed to lend some validity to Lee’s gifts by making her more speshul. Only she comes off vague, spoiled, temperamental and skittish.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great !

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Salem, Massachusetts, there are secret everywhere--even in the furniture. . .

Does an old oak bureau similar to the one Lee Barratt owned as a child, which she lost in the recent fire, hold the key to the murder of the antique dealer she has just brought the bureau from, and an old famous murder of the original owner?

This series just keeps getting better.

I love the cast of characters and the plots. The stories just flows seamlessly, making them a joy to read, time and time again.

If you like the review and would like to read my other reviews on books I have read, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres...... like, comment and follow.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Witch City Mystery series which is set in Salem Massachusetts. Lee Barrett has returned to Salem about a year ago. She lives with her Aunt Ibby who raised her after her parents died. She is on summer break from her teaching job at Tabitha Turnbull Academy of Arts.

In this book there is a murder from the past and a current murder. There is a bureau with 6 secret hiding compartments. Each compartment has something in it Are they clues to the murder in the past as the bureau is from the murdered person's household. Who wouldn't love to explore hidden compartments in a piece of antique furniture? There is some paranormal activity as Lee has scryer ability which gives her the ability to see visions in reflective material. She is starting to accept this ability and learn more about it. There is a missing large pink diamond that couldn't be found after a murder.

There is O'Ryan the cat who is a important character in this book. In many cozies, there is a cat on the cover but in the story the cat gets a brief mention. No so in this book as O'Ryan is mentioned often and is part of the storyline. The cozy feel to this book is enhanced by the wonderful meals Aunt Ibby makes for Lee and then they have a meal together. I think most people would like an aunt like Aunt Ibby. She is a fun character.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a light paranormal mix you should enjoy this series. If you like cats in your cozy light paranormal series then you should really like this series.

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ci ho messo anni a iniziare questa serie, pur avendo i primi tre libri, ma poi, dopo che ho acquistato quasi tutti i successivi in offerta, mi sono lanciata e devo dire che mi piace proprio! Mi piace il cast di personaggi (e adoro il gatto!) e le storie sono sempre interessanti. Sono proprio contenta di aver dato una chance a Lee e compagni!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It just like visiting family now. A cute cozy read.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one more than the previous books. I'm hoping that it get more magical in the next book.

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lee is settling in and finding trouble. Her “scying” is a bit more prevalent and she’s fessed up to her boyfriend about it. Now a teacher, she uses her special skills to help solve murders

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars
This is my favorite book so far in the series, the main mystery was complex and intriguing, and the supernatural was also much better then the last book. The characters are really starting to grow on me and I'll start book 4 now, and then have to wait until later in the summer for the release of book 5.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta love a book that mentions my favorite dishes (Russel Wright Iroquois)! 😄 In this installment, Lee moves into her own little apartment on the top floor of her aunt's house in Salem, goes a bit further in her relationship with Pete, and helps solve a crime and locate a missing piece of jewelry by embracing her gift of scrying. All while helping to find props and stage dressing for 3 summer plays being produced by the Tabby. (One of them is called Born Yesterday, and man, I would have loved to see that set! She found some very cool sounding pieces for it. I need to watch the movie, it came out in 1950)

I'm really enjoying this series of fun, slightly paramormal mystery/romances and can't wait to see what happens next!

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hadn't read the previous two books in the series, but Look Both Ways stands alone fine. I am a big UF, paranormal and cozy fan and thought this book would be great since it combines my favorites. I just found the book slow and fairly uninteresting. I didn't care about any of the characters. other than Lee, the rest were just one dimensional.

The paranormal aspect was really lacking. There's so much potential for Lee, her friend Raven and even the cat, but their abilities were so underutilized and unimpressive. Raven could have been a $10 sidewalk psychic for the quality and usefulness of the readings she gave Lee. I thought the use of the cat at the ending was novel and finally made the story "pop" a bit.

The story also spent far too much time on Lee's meals, new apartment and every day living. I had plenty of time to notice that Pete is a freakin freeloader. He and Lee go out once using free tickets she gets from her job and he eats constantly at her place.

Since I have no desire to go back and read the first two books, I can't give Look Both Ways more than an OK rating.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look Both Ways, book #3 in the "Witch City" mystery series, is another 3-star read. While the mystery itself is a good bit more interesting, it is hampered by inaccurate theatre details/flavor text that will drive anyone with a technical theatre background or familiarity insane. So let's get those out of the way first. If the Tabitha Turnbull Academy of the Arts (a.k.a. the Tabby) is a professional training school for theatre arts, television production, and related fields, then how--after only a single semester in existence--would there be numerous awards and trophies in their cases upon which to comment? If, in fact, the school had won such accolades after only a few months, then series protagonist and Television Production Instructor Lee Barrett should have commented on that rarity. Also, if it's a very expensive school (which is commented upon enough times to become annoying) that teaches this, they would never in a million years have assigned a teacher in an unrelated department to be Props Mistress for all three theatre productions. Likewise, this very expensive professional program would certainly allot more than $250 per production for props for its theatre productions. Moreover, they would never have started looking for props only one week before the opening of the first of their three-show season. In point of fact, the props that go on a theatre stage are identified by the scene designer and further refined/negotiated in pre-production meetings with the director. These decisions are made by the scene designer because he/she has taken courses in history of furniture design, architectural design, and a host of other classes involving actual research. Also, in the weeks leading up to the opening the actors participate in rehearsals with the props on the actual set and not in random classrooms and stairwells around the school with props magically appearing days before the production. And stage furniture (e.g., couches, tables, case furniture) are not props. WTH?! Props choices are not a matter of furnishing a set like Lee does her apartment, on the basis of what she likes of thinks might fit the vibe. Equally important, costumes are not props, and costume choices are made by a costume designer--not the props mistress. Frequently the costumer and lighting designer collaborate to ensure that colors and patterns will read correctly on stage and fit within the design pallet and show's aestethic--all of which have been thoughtfully considered and do not just "happen." In Look Both Ways, however, Lee is either winging it in the week leading up to the show and/or far too many decisions appear to be made by the pompous head of school Rupert Pennington who swans around in a dramatic fashion yet is never identified as having actually been an accomplished professional actor. It all reads as theatre described by someone who has seen a play or two but has no actual knowledge of how much careful thought, work, and research actually goes into the items that show up on stage. To say that this half-baked approach represents how a professional program works requires far more willing suspension of disbelief than the paranormal elements of the story--and that's saying something! There are easily a dozen additional inaccurate items--most egregious of which is the reference to a "five-minute buzzer" that cues audience members to return to their seats from the lobby at the close of intermission. Absolutely not. Instead, theatres flick the lights two or three times and, at most, may have a delicate chime that sounds. But this is not some television game show where a buzzer annoyingly informs a contestant that their answer is incorrect. Equally problematic, the story references Salem State University (an actual university located in Salem, MA) as Lee is navigating traffic around town. Given that that University has an actual Center for Performing Arts, with vibrant theatre, dance, communications, and journalism programs, how is it that the Tabby could even compete? Also, the renting of searchlights to announce the opening night of Hobson's Choice would hardly seem warranted in a town where there is already a vibrant arts presence. It would seem more appropriate to a location that does not see a lot of art and, for that reason, is going whole hog on opening night. Again, it would be just a matter of explaining why this is necessary or appropriate. Bottom line, Ms. Perry really needs to employ beta readers who are knowledgeable about and/or work in the disciplines/fields depicted--esp. when they are such major plot points--so as to avoid embarrassing inaccuracies that are insulting to both her readers and people actually educated and employed in those professions. Any measure of verisimilitude was sorely lacking as related to the props, scenery, and set dressing elements of the story. *Sigh*

As for the mystery itself, it is cute, the link to the title is made clear in the story line (always a nice addition), O'Ryan the cat gets some excellent stage time, Lee's paranormal abilities progress in an interesting way, and her relationship with Detective Pete Mondello advances in meaningful ways. Readers will likely guess the murderer quite early in the book, but some of the details--esp. as relate to cats, reflective surfaces, and Lee's tarot readings--are worth the slog through the previously noted annoying bits.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful cozy mystery with a paranormal twist that makes for perfect Halloween reading. I simply loved Maralee and O'Ryan and plan on going back to read the first two in the series. New readers will have no problem jumping right in with this book. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, this looks to be a promising series that will garner lots of fans.

[Carol Ann Labosky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story. Loved the cat characters used. Also enjoyed the way the main character's life is developing in Salem. When a book makes me wish I lived in the town in which it takes place, it only adds to my enjoyment. Am looking forward to the next one.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good entry in fun series.

[Traci Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really loving this series! I especially love how Lee's boyfriend is supportive of her and doesn't actively discourage her from poking around, like every other cozy mystery!

[Rachel-RN · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lee has moved in to her 3rd story apt at her aunt's house. She is in process of filling it with furniture. When she sees an old bureau featured on a TV show, she rushes to buy it because she had one just like it growing up (lost in fire). It had secret compartments. Shortly after the bureau is delivered, she finds the store owner dead.
She and Pete are still dating. Of note, their dating consists of him eating at her home with food she either bought and cooked or takeout that she bought. Romantic, right? They've kissed, but nothing more. Lee takes a summer job at the Tabby. Well, volunteers, I got that it was an unpaid position, but Lee is well off financially (because of course she is).
I like Lee's ability (being able to see things in a shiny surface). Finally, after 3 books she seems to be more accepting of it. And I mean FINALLY. She and Pete say the "L" word to each other. I don't really "get" their romance. It's very dull, dry. Okay mystery and the "who did it."

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee is looking for furniture for her newly restored (after the fire) quarters in her aunt's home. She finds a beautiful dresser with secrets compartments, exactly like the one she had which was destroyed in the fire. When she returns to the antique shop later that day she finds the owner dead.

Once again Lee finds herself wanting to find something to occupy her time constructively during the school's summer vacation. The school's director conscripts her as props manager for the 3 summer plays they are putting on. Lee has fun searching for the needed items at yard sales and antique stores, picking up more items for her apartment at the same time.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, even if Lee was a bit slow when it came to connecting the dots in the end.
It does seem a bit off key when - after plenty of jokes about her detective skills - she fails to make obvious connections at the very end. She gets there eventually, but it takes a while and that while is unnecessary.

I hope she starts practising on her scrying ability soon because the whole "avoid it like the plague" isn't really working for her.

[Kathy Bryson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun series that probes old Salem history, mystical visions, and reinventing yourself after loss along with a budding relationship. Lee sees visions of old crimes in shiny surfaces, but investigates them in the present day with the help of her TV production film class. A rich and entertaining addition to the series!

[Susiep2aol.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Witch City Mystery series. The book is wonderful! I love the entire series; cozy, comforting and lots of fun.

I hope Carol keeps on writing ...

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

So enjoying this series!

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look Both Ways
Carol J. Perry
Kensington Publishing
Release Date 10/27/15
5 stars

Set in the quaint, mystical town of Salem, Massachusetts, Look Both Ways is the third in this charming and suspenseful series by Carol J. Perry.
The protagonist, Lee Barrett is a teacher at Tabitha Trumball Academy Of The Arts and lives with her Aunt Ibby in a charming old Victorian home. Lee returned to her family home about a year earlier and is happy to be back in Salem. She is romantically involved with Pete, a local police detective. Lee is what’s known as a “scryer,” which means she has abilities to see visions, and while she is still coming to terms with this special gift, she has yet to let Pete know.
Lee is looking for furniture to round out the space in her newly renovated apartment which is located upstairs in the family home and when she sees an old bureau like the one from her childhood, she is excited and visits the antique store, anxious to purchase it. The shop owner, Shea Tolliver, is happy to meet Lee and offers a bit of background history on the bureau. With only three of them made, Lee will have owned two, unfortunately the one from her childhood was destroyed in an attic fire.
The bureau is just like the one from her youth, complete with the 6 hidden cubby holes. Is it possible the bureau holds secrets or just a little girl's fond memories of her youth?
Shea informs Lee that the bureau belonged to wealthy socialite Helena Trent who was allegedly killed by her husband at the time, Tommy Trent. Even though the murder took place years ago, Lee is interested in the history that surrounds the murder. When Lee stumbles upon a body it sets the scene for a fantastic story that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time.
As someone who loves mysteries and has frequented Salem, I love how the author gathers together all the charming history of Salem into the story. I was so intrigued by this storyline that I had to locate the first two in the series so I could catch up on Lee’s previous activities.
This is exactly how I enjoy my cozy mysteries, fast paced, well written and edge of your seat exciting!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest opinion. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

[All Things Urban Fantasy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

I tend to like reading mysteries and ones with an infusion of magic are even better. Unfortunately, I felt like I was forcing myself to finish LOOK BOTH WAYS. It had a lot of good elements to it including a murder to solve, hidden diamonds, and lots of suspects to choose from to make it a fun whodunit. The story seemed to focus so much on the mundane day to day tasks that I started to lose interest. There were so many small elements and odd conversations that distracted from the actual murder mystery. Also, there was a ton of repetition of events. A character would do something and them explain what happened to two other people and have two separate discussions about said same event. Since there was so much repetition I felt like nothing happened until maybe the last few chapters.

On the magic front...well there wasn't too much. Lee is a scryer and sees visions, her friend reads tarot cards, there's a coven, and her cat is mysteriously smarter than the average cat. Now that would seem like a pretty nice set up for a witch who solves mysteries using her visions with the help of her friends. Except there wasn't too much magic and the visions Lee did have were really boring and so vague I was amazed at how she could figure it all out. There were long stretches of times where I almost forgot that this series had 'witch' in the title.

The ending did get some more magic once the bad guy being caught which was good and I wish we got more of that earlier in the book. LOOK BOTH WAYS had potential to be a light magical mystery story and in the end it felt like work to get through it.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look Both Ways is the first book that I have read by Perry, and despite being the third book in Perry's Witch City series I was able to follow it very well. I don't think that you needed to read previous books in the series to enjoy this one although I do plan on going back and catching up on them. Lee decides to purchase a bureau from a local store that looks like one that she had as a child never imagining the adventure she would go on because of it. When the shop owner is killed shortly after Lee's purchase, Lee finds herself embroiled in the present murder mystery as well as the mystery of who murdered the bureau's previous owner.

Perry does a great job at intermixing both magic and mystery in her series, and I really enjoyed the paranormal mixed in with the ordinary. I loved how down to earth Lee was and the book does explore this side of her with her doing ordinary tasks like picking out furniture for her new home, getting a new job for the summer, and working on her new relationship with Pete. It was the relationships that Lee shares with her aunt, Pete, her friend River, her boss, and even her cat that helped define and develop the character. I always enjoy when a book has a great cast of secondary characters that help make the story more interesting. I also enjoyed how the paranormal was worked in with Lee's scryer talent. Look Both Ways had enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing while also keeping the reader's attention from beginning to end. Overall Look Both Ways was a great read that I would most definitely recommend if you like the mix of magic and mystery. I look forward to reading Lee's next adventure.

Received a copy of Look Both Ways through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC/Cozy Mystery: I enjoyed this book immensely because it had all the things I like in a cozy mystery. It is book three of the series.

A disclaimer: I did get this book as a gift from GoodReads in return for an honest review.

First, I liked the book because it is in first person narrative with our heroine Lee, taking the helm. She is young and single with a gift of gazing. She has a wonderful maiden aunt in her sixties who raised her (I have one in her 70’s who also raised me and is full of life). Lee has a cat, boyfriend, and is always in the mood to solve a mystery if needed. The book is quick to have a body fall on the floor and loads of suspects. I did know who the murderer was right off, but I did like the story to get to the point where the person confesses. I forgave a lot of the plot mistakes (Lee procrastinates and has endless money, I couldn’t figure out how old several characters were, the cops are Keystone, and there are points that were repeated too much) just because I liked the writing and the characters. There were also a lot of things that I hate that were not in the book such as Lee was not accused of the murder and not constantly bombarded and bullied by false accusations from the dastardly Keystone cops. That plot device is old and overused in cozy mysteries lately especially when all the accused has to do is get a lawyer.

All in all, it was a quick read that only took me two days of loafing around on a cold New Year’s weekend curled up with my puppyperson and a cup of coffee. I would not mind reading the first two books to the series.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple of things have been bothering me about this series, yet I keep reading, ha oh well. This book was a bit shorter than the first two, which I did appreciate. I didn't appreciate that Lee thinks River is a vegetarian because she picks pepperoni off her pizza (although it's only on half the pie) and feeds it to O'Ryan. Here's why:
1. If you don't know what someone you claim is your best friend likes to eat, ask
2. If there's only pepperoni on half the pie why not take the extra cheese slices from the other half?
3. It's still going to taste like pepperoni if you pick it off
4. Can cats eat pepperoni?
5. As a vegetarian myself I honestly wouldn't even want to eat a slice from a pie that has pepperoni even if no piece touches my slice.

I also find it weird that River is her best friend. Did she have no friends in Florida? In the first book she goes back to Florida to a VA hospital she used to visit with her husband the NASCAR driver. She says she is going to visit more. I get that the famous husband was exciting for patients, but just visiting people can brighten their day and she can do it locally too.

Another thing that bothered me is that she needs a job for the summer because she is stir crazy. Once she has it she is overwhelmed and can't finish the simple things she wanted to do besides the job that wouldn't have been enough to keep her busy.

Finally why give the entire box to River? Aunt Ibby says it has sentimental paper thongs such as greeting cards. What not give only the book? Especially if both your parents are gone and this box could have reminders of them!

[Melissa ♥ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look Both Ways, the third in the charming Witch City Mystery series doesn’t disappoint. We have all the expected charm of New England, old Victorians, cats, witches, antiques, and retired librarians that we have come to expect from this series.

I can’t say enough about how much I love the atmosphere that Perry creates in these books. Some readers may find the details pedantic (and perhaps a bit too “chick lit”) for their taste, but I love being able to see, feel, smell and taste the world that is being created.

I loved watching Lee struggle with how to move forward in her relationship with Pete while keeping such a huge secret. Trust and honesty are key in any relationship and she starts buckling a bit under the strain of not being able to tell Pete how she’s figuring out certain aspects of the puzzle. And more importantly as she starts to embrace this part of herself, she knows that she will need him to be able to do the same in order for their relationship to move forward.

As with the previous two books, Look Both Ways is a “traditional” paranormal cozy…lots of possible suspects, too many coincidences, plenty of red herrings and maybe a bit too obvious of a conclusion, but none of that take away from the great writing, characters, setting and charm that this series holds.

I can’t wait for Book 4 in the Witch City Mystery series!