Cider Mill Coven and the Midnight Mystics

by Vanessa Abigail Lambert

Starting college in Mystic, Connecticut was supposed to be a fresh start. Instead, Raven, Killian, and Adelaide find themselves swept into a semester of haunted legends, hidden magic, and dangerous secrets. Living under the wing of their eccentric grandmother Lydia at the beloved Cider Mill, the three cousins are learning to harness their growing powers while balancing classes, new friendships, and the excitement of a New England autumn. With Grandma Lydia magically bound to Cider Mill till further notice, the three cousins must navigate a world of growing darkness without their coven's strongest protector at their side. 

Beneath the charm of Apple Fest, ghost tours, and crisp October nights, something sinister is stirring. A talking black cat appears with cryptic warnings. A haunted covered bridge harbors a restless spirit desperate to be heard. Hidden passageways wind beneath Cider Mill's sunflower maze. And behind enchanted doors, a secret society offers a glimpse into a magical world unlike anything the cousins have ever imagined. 

Then students begin disappearing. 

As fear spreads across campus, the cousins must unravel centuries-old mysteries before another student vanishes... or one of their own becomes the next target. 

Set against the nostalgic backdrop of 1996, this spellbinding sequel returns to the cozy New England charm, whimsy, and magic readers fell in love with in Book One, while weaving in darker paranormal mysteries, haunted folklore, and edge-of-your-seat suspense that's sure to leave you with goosebumps long after you've turned the final page. But above all else, at its core, it's a story about family, reminding us that the strongest magic has always been the unwavering love of those who have your back.

400 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2026

About the author

Vanessa Abigail Lambert is an indie author, illustrator, and founder of Coven of One Publishing. A proud ’90s kid at heart, her love of the strange and unusual began with a stack of Goosebumps books, a flashlight, and a refusal to conform to bedtime. By day, Vanessa is a creative entrepreneur, helping businesses across the country bring their brands to life through design, marketing, and a healthy dose of outside-the-box thinking. By night (and on more than a few weekends), she trades client projects for spell books, cider mills, and witches, wearing just about every hat imaginable to bring Cider Mill Coven to life. From writing and illustrating to cover design, publishing, marketing, and packing up her traveling book boutique for signings and pop-up markets, she loves every magical step of the journey. When she isn’t writing, you’ll usually find Vanessa wandering New England in search of hidden gems. Forgotten covered bridges, charming coastal towns, cozy wineries, enchanted orchards, and, of course, the perfect cider flight. She loves solo adventures hauling her camper to places where the views are breathtaking and the Wi-Fi is weak, with her Bernese Mountain Dog riding shotgun and the music turned all the way up. She also has a soft spot for live music, quoting her favorite movies, curating her tattoo collection like she’s a human Doodle Bear, fostering rescue puppies, and scoping out new foodie finds. Vanessa lives in Connecticut with her wildly supportive husband, Bruce, and their three beloved furry familiars: Willie, Kingsley, and Gracie, who are convinced they deserve co-author credit. Through her stories, she hopes to remind readers, and aspiring writers alike, that magic has a way of finding those who dare to believe in themselves and chase even their wildest dreams.

Reviews

[Kaycee Racer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you fell in love with the Braeburn witches in the first Cider Mill Coven, you are in for such a treat (of the apple variety, if Lydia Braeburn has anything to do with it) in Midnight Mystics. With deeper family lore, a secret society, and the perfect touch of 90s nostalgia, this sequel takes Raven, Killian, and Adelaide through their next big witchy adventure.

This sequel builds on everything that made me fall in love with the series in the first place. The world feels bigger and even more vivid, with the storytelling leaning further into local legend and folklore. That irresistible feeling of cozy autumn magic is captured so perfectly by Vanessa Abigail Lambert. It made me start counting down the days until fall.

But as much as I loved spending time in this world, I loved being with these witches again even more. Raven continues to be such a character you can really connect with. She’s still impulsive, still trying to figure out where she belongs, but she’s continuing to grow into both herself and her magic, and it’s such a great journey. I loved seeing Adelaide come into her own in college, and Killian absolutely stole my heart. His storyline ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book.

If you loved Cider Mill Coven, you’re not going to be able to put Midnight Mystics down. It captures everything that made the first book so magical, and leaves you excited for what’s next for the coven.

[CreativePumpkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much V for allowing me to be a Beta Reader for this! So Ahhhhh of excitment what a ride, I love traveling back to the 90s with this story and its imagery. This is a sequel to book 1 and let me tell you Vanessa knows how to continue a storyline. This picks back up right where it ends on Bk1 and the relationships and the characters just build more. This sequel really will have you wanting to time travel.
Each chapter just felt as though I was teleported and was there in scene with the live events happening and the characters. I would recommend this series to anyone wanting a nostalgic read that will make you feel cozy and fufilled.

[Leia Murillo Castellanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Braeburn witches are back for Cider Mill Coven and the Midnight Mystics…and let me tell you, I was so excited to see book two picked up right where book one ended! What a journey we took reading this book. The way the author writes is completely magical!! Vanessa makes you want to savor each page and yet keep turning the page to see what happens next! She writes in such a way that you envision yourself there! I was so honored being asked to be a beta reader and I could not enjoy a more perfect story to be a part of! After four years, and a lot of heart and soul, she gave us the gift of book two and I was over the moon! I feel like grandma Lydia would say something like that!

[juliesbookery · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved the first book, oh my lord are you in for a WILD ride !!! Vanessa has once again absolutely outdone herself ! Everything about it is well thought, it really follows perfectly the first story - the characters are more unhinged, there’s spookiness, so much magic, I laughed, I cried, I loved… and the best part for me was all the early 2000s and emo references. It healed something in me that I can’t even explain 🥹

Anyway, if you’ve read the first book and liked it, you won’t want to miss this second one, and if you haven’t but are into this kind of aesthetic like me, do yourself a favor and CATCH UP!! 💨🧹🖤

Forever grateful to have been a beta reader for my comfort book 📖

[Michelle Bulin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel was worth the wait! The first book may have been an apple turnover but this was a whole succulent pie. I’m trying not to have spoilers here but I was immediately woven in the spell casting of continued story lines, new characters and deeper shade of darkness which I thoroughly enjoyed. Vanessa took the cider and mulled it with delicious spice and threw a few surprises in there. I was almost rooting for a new love tangle ….hmmmm. I’m going to have to read this several more times.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah! What's NOT to love about book 2!!! Vanessa takes us on another wild ride with the Braeburn witches. I managed to finish this one in one day! For anyone who loves a bit of magic, cider and doughnuts, the 90s and even remembering what it felt like to be a "freshie", this book is for you. I hope she keeps these coming because I'll always always pick them up 🥹❤️

[Mara Reichard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the wait for an amazing sequel! Loved being able to see the characters from Cider Mill Coven continue to grow. So much magic and mystery within the storyline. Love traveling to the 90s with all of the fun references too. 10/10 recommend this for a fall read 💜✨

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great sequel that keeps the 90s nostalgic vibes I loved so much from the first book. I’m so happy these characters got to go on another adventure together and we got to see them grow even more.