Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

A Wishcraft Mystery #7

The Witch and the Dead

Rate this book
When Darcy moved to Salem, Massachusetts, she never expected her life to change as drastically as it did. But within a short time, the Enchanted Village has become her home, its mystical residents have become her family, and As You Wish, the personal concierge business formerly run by her Aunt Ve, has become her calling. Still, the time has come for change—and for Darcy to move out of Aunt Ve’s house.
 
Darcy’s belongings are stashed in Aunt Ve’s garage, alongside a mess of memories, forgotten possessions, and, to both Ve and Darcy’s horror, a pile of old bones. It turns out they belong to Ve’s long missing second husband. Now Darcy must unpack old secrets to solve a cold case—and make sure her aunt isn’t looking at a spell behind bars.

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 4, 2016

81 people are currently reading
1628 people want to read

About the author

Heather Blake

18 books1,733 followers
Also writes as Heather Webber

Heather loves to read, drink too much coffee and tea, birdwatch, crochet, and bake. She currently lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, and is hard at work on her next book.


Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
1,037 (40%)
4 stars
1,077 (42%)
3 stars
392 (15%)
2 stars
23 (<1%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
Profile Image for Tina.
443 reviews143 followers
October 31, 2016
Paranormal mysteries are just not my bag. But... I'm not just a fan of the A Wishcrafter Mysteries I love every single one I have read. Wishcrafter and witch, Darcy Merriweather is moving house from her Aunt Ve's and home of "As You Wish" their personal concierge business.

Darcy, Aunt Ve are wishcrafters and live in an Enchanted Village in Salem,Massachuetts who grant wishes and live among the mortals. Waiting for police chief, Nick Sawyer to propose to Darcy is more than Darcy and the village can bear but she is hoping he will soon.

While cleaning out Aunt Ve's garage of Darcy's belongings to move Darcy, Aunt Ve and Darcy's sister, Harper happen upon the skeletal remains of one of Aunt Ve's ex-husband's proven to be Mike Babbage. Known by Aunt Ve as a weasel,a wonderer also a haunted and tortured man but a man who was alluring to women but even his death remains a mystery.

Darcy is a craft investigator who investigates criminal cases involving magic and this one hits close to home when Aunt Ve becomes a suspect. Soon layers unravel and Miles has been romancing many witches in the Village. Suspects may be among them or someone with many secrets to hide.

A very character driven mystery, and I love them all. Thats why I love this series so much. I forget they are witches but Darcy being a witch granting wishes is not a bad thing. Excentric characters like Archie the mascaw bird and Pepe and Mrs P are mice and delightful and bring a sense of whimsy and comedic relief to The Witch and the Dead. Tears filled my eyes at the end. Gripping drama that had me turning pages I can't wait to read and review the next in the series.
Profile Image for WhiskeyintheJar.
1,528 reviews698 followers
September 7, 2017
3.5 stars

I read this for the Cozy Mystery square for Halloween Bingo

I gasped. In a once-hidden nook created by a tower of boxes lay a skeleton fully dressed in men's clothing. By the thick layer of undisturbed dust covering the skeletal remains. I guessed he'd been there quite a long time.

This is book seven in the Wishcraft Mystery series that follows Darcy, a witch, as she attempts to solve murder mysteries. It was a little overwhelming at first with a whole island of characters greeting me but once the family, friend, and side-eyeing relationships were realized, this turned into a super cozy mystery. This story begs to be accessorized with big fluffy socks and a big mug of hot chocolate.

"I've been asked by the Elder to investigate the matter."

The first half of the story is our heroine Darcy just taking a stroll through town and encountering people who help piece together the final days of Miles, the body found in her aunt's garage. Scandal and heartache get revealed with each discussion and our mystery is born. Since this is the seventh in the series the magical part of the story, the different kinds of witches living on the island, isn't stopped and explained. However, the way the author does great woven in explanations for any newcomers. The only thing I missed starting here was the initial excitement of some relationships just starting up, here Darcy's relationship with the town police chief is already established, while her sister Harper's relationship is going through a rough patch I couldn't truly feel as I didn't have an emotional tie to it.

The large cast of characters were all wonderfully fleshed out, adding so much dimension to the story; I could happily read a story individually staring all of them. Darcy was easy to like and follow along with providing a great lens to view the story from. The author was able to touch on deeper subjects without weighing the story down in emotional angst. This was such a sweet, easy, entertaining, and kept me guessing for a while mystery with a tint of Fall/Halloween fun.
Profile Image for LORI CASWELL.
2,882 reviews327 followers
July 25, 2018
Dollycas’s Thoughts

Darcy is taking a huge step. She is moving out of Aunt Ve’s house. She is moving all the way down the street, honestly just 2 houses down. That makes for an easy move until while getting her stuff out of her aunt’s garage she discovers bones, human bones! Ve knows right away it is husband, the one that disappeared right after they were married. Of course, her aunt becomes the prime suspect. Darcy has been asked by the elder to investigate, which she would have done anyway. She just needs to figure out how to do it! I mean it all happened a long time ago.

I don’t usually read paranormal cozy mysteries, but Heather Blake and the late Joyce Lavene reeled me right into their stories. Ms. Blake’s characters seem like people you would meet anywhere, but they have hidden powers, “crafts” that make them wonderfully unique. Most mortals that visit the Enchanted Village know nothing of the witches secrets. A witch that tells their secret to a mortal would lose their powers. There are “seekers” that try to uncover the mystery of the village. The witches know how to deal with them. But someone is messing with Dark Magic and that may require a higher power to handle.

Heather Blake has written another fantastic sequel for this series. I escaped away to the Enchanted Village and loved traveling around with Darcy as she found that everyone seemed to have a secret they were hiding. This was not an easy case to solve. I also enjoyed the way her relationship with Nick and his daughter moves to a new level. All the familiars are back too! Pepe and Mrs. P always bring a smile to my face and Archie always catches me with his movie quotes. Is there another familiar in Darcy’s life? You will have to read the book to find out.

Every story in this series is positively enchanting, magical and fun! The characters are unique, the plots flow perfectly, and the setting idyllic. Ms. Blake is a wonderful storyteller. They are best read in order as each story builds from the last, but the author gives you enough backstory for new readers to jump in anywhere.

I really love this series.
Profile Image for Karen.
503 reviews65 followers
October 21, 2016
Sunday afternoon I finished The Witch and The Dead by Heather Blake. I have loved this series since book one and this the seventh book in the Wishcraft Mystery series did not disappoint. Have you ever experienced the sensation of being so completely engrossed in a story that when you are interrupted by someone that it takes you more then a minute to "come too"? I was interrupted during the last few chapters and I honestly could not shake myself back to reality. This book was just too good, to all consuming and over far to soon....hanging on every word right to the last one, I put the book down in a total trance. I did not want my time in the Enchanted Village to be over so soon...291 pages of a incredible story that not only took me away but blew me away too! Great mysteries all twisted and intertwined in the way only Heather Blake could write. The perfect balance of witchcraft, romance, family and mystery. I can not say enough about this series or this latest book.
Out October 4th this was such a pleasure to have on my table and now in my heart. Even though I received this book in advance to review, I ordered a copy from The Book Depository many months ago, so it is a great privilege to have gotten this book early and now have a copy I can gift to my library.
Profile Image for Paige  Bookdragon.
938 reviews647 followers
September 17, 2017
4.5 STARS


Made me cry when Nick proposed to Darcy and can I just send some love to Heather Blake for creating characters who were so lovable and memorable? I love how the characters stay true to their selves and still manages to entertain us even though this is the 7th book of the series. I look forward reading the next book and hopefully there will be 10 more books for this series.

*fingers-crossed*
Profile Image for Emmalynn.
2,954 reviews29 followers
November 25, 2022
Such a treat!! Definitely best to read the books in order to get the full effect. The familial relationships, both growth, mysteries, betrayals, resolutions, etc are the best part of the story. This story centered around the finding of skeleton Aunt Vee’s second husband in the garage as Darcy is moving out. That discovery leads to secrets about charms, secret babies, illegal adoptions, affairs, and murder. Darcy sets out to find the truth before another murder occurs.

The book is well paced, humorous, with emotional moments and character growth. The relationship between Harper and her boyfriend Marcus as well as between Marcus and his parents feature heavily.
Profile Image for April.
68 reviews9 followers
October 8, 2016
This has been one of the best series of books I have read. Each book kept me interested! I am looking forward for the next one to come out. I couldn't put this down. The characters come to life and shine through! Heather Blake is an amazing author!
Profile Image for Angela Holland.
417 reviews53 followers
March 21, 2019
I love this series and this one was not a disappointment. I felt bad that a body was found in Aunt Ve's garage as I know that she could not kill someone. There were some real twists in this installment with some of the characters. I don't want to say who with so I don't give anything away. I was happy that Darcy and Nick are in one house now. The usual characters made appearances although I would have liked just a little more of Pepe and Mrs. P as they are two of my favorites. Of course you are shocked at how the murderer was in the end. Another fun book.
Profile Image for Peggy.
1,012 reviews65 followers
October 19, 2016
I love this series. It is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and each new book is an automatic buy for me. Heather Blake is a fantastic author whose writing just weaves a magical spell around her readers as she draws them into the charming and enchanting world of the Salem. Throughout the series she has been able to combine mystery, intrigue, love and a journey of self-discovery which keeps reader coming back for more. This book is no exception. I love the paranormal element in this book but what I love the most are the characters. They are charming, quirky, vulnerable, and thoroughly enjoyable. In this book, Darcy and Nick continue to grow in their relationship and into the family they are becoming, while trying to solve another crime in Salem. The characters in this book are so well developed and richly written that to me they feel like comfortable old friends. I have become invested in their lives and can't wait to see what happens next. The mystery in this story is well done and there are new paths opening up for several of the characters. I love the way Ms. Blake ended this story---with enough of a hint at what might be in store that the reader will certainly tune in for the next book.

Well done Ms. Blake. I will most definitely be back for more.
Profile Image for January.
2,944 reviews127 followers
October 20, 2024
The Witch and the Dead by Heather Blake [Heather Webber]
Wishcraft Mystery #7
308-page Paperback story ends on 291

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Magical Realism

Featuring: Praise for the Wishcraft Mystery Series, Other Mysteries by Heather Blake,
Salem, Massachusetts; Witches, Sisters, Wishes, Schnoodle, Macaw, Magic Community, Dead Body, Golden Retriever, Cats, Dogs, Love Triangles, Movie Quotes, DNA, Sexual Innuendos, Investigation, Excerpt from A Potion To Die For - Magic Potion #1, Series Bibliography, Publisher's Links

Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult situations

Songs for the soundtrack: "Do-Re-Mi" by Julie Andrews, "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" by Patricia Neway, "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, "Viva Las Vegas" by Elvis Presley, "Dancing Queen" by ABBA

Books and Authors mentioned: The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta von Trapp (The Sound of Music by Richard Rodgers Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay, and Russel Crouse), The Hobbit - There and Back Again by J. R. R. Tolkien [John Ronald Reuel Tolkien], The Princess Bride by William Goldman, Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🧙‍♀️

My thoughts: 📖 Page 113 of 291/308 Chapter Eleven - Well this started with a bang and didn't let up. I'm pausing to try to sleep.

This was so good. I'm going to be upset when this series is over. I was not able to figure out the killer, and so on before the reveal. I'm not mad about it, that is the sign of a well-written mystery.

Recommend to others: Yes. For me, this series has the unique advantage of getting better with each book, the majority of cozy series get weaker as they go on but this one is the opposite highly recommend it.

A Wishcraft Mystery
1. It Takes a Witch (2012)
2. A Witch Before Dying (2012)
3. The Good, the Bad and the Witchy (2013)
4. The Goodbye Witch (2014)
5. Some Like It Witchy (2015)
6. Gone With the Witch (2016)
7. The Witch and the Dead (2016)
8. To Catch a Witch (2018)
9. A Witch to Remember (2019)
Profile Image for Eden.
2,239 reviews
January 27, 2020
2020 bk 39. This book is a reminder to me - Clean out the garage more than once every 30 years. You never know what you will find. In Aunt Ve's case, a skeleton shows up. Not just any skeleton, but that of her former (2nd) husband, Miles. Now Darcy has to work not just to clear up a mystery but to clear her aunt's name plus a whole bunch more of past village secrets. Another hard to put down mystery.
Profile Image for Lisa Ks Book Reviews.
842 reviews141 followers
October 4, 2016
Each book in the Wishcraft Mysteries brings a new level of magical mayhem!

Using every bit of her impressive writing talent, author Heather Blake has conjured up another wonderful book in her Wishcraft Mystery series. THE WITCH AND THE DEAD is an absolutely enchanting installment!

Every time I read a new book in this para-cozy series, it’s like author Blake has added a new ingredient to a cauldron that is brewing a powerful spell over her readers. And that spell is already working because it’s very hard to read any book in this series without feeling mesmerized.

THE WITCH AND THE DEAD is a skillfully crafted tale that blends all of the important elements that make for a superb para-cozy…mystery, magic, and an outstanding plot that all come together to form a story that will keep you in a delightful reading trance.

At the back of this book, you’ll find an excerpt for A POTION TO DIE FOR, book one in Heather Blake’s Magic Potions Mysteries.
Profile Image for Kendrea Parsons.
115 reviews4 followers
July 18, 2017
Yet another great book in the Wishcraft mystery series. This is one of my favorite mystery series, so I'm always happy when a new book comes out. I honestly thought I had this one figured out pretty early on, but Heather Blake surprised me with the real killer's identity. I can't wait to see what happens next in the Enchanted Village. I hope Berkley continues this series for a long time.
Profile Image for Melodie.
1,278 reviews84 followers
February 6, 2017
I may have said before how much I love this series and this author. This one was as good as all the others and the ending leaves the door open for some bad happenings in the village. Anxiously awaiting a new installment! RECOMMEND!!
Profile Image for Dawn Frazier.
453 reviews40 followers
October 13, 2016
Wow. A fantastic book, and I can't wait until the next one.
Profile Image for Linda.
784 reviews15 followers
October 21, 2016
Darcy is getting ready to move into her newly renovated house, but while gathering materials from her aunt's garage, she stumbles across a skeleton buried deep in the back...a skeleton that turns out to be that of Miles Babbage, her aunt's former husband, missing for 30 years. Darcy becomes involved in the investigation both to clear her aunt's name, and also as the Elder's representative to ensure that magic involvement remains protected. Along the way, secrets abound and unraveling the mystery may be more than Darcy can handle. I have been a fan of this series from the beginning, but this was definitely the best story to date. It revealed a side to some of the main characters not previously seen, twists and turns along the way, and a final ending that is sure to please every fan. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
Profile Image for Millie Taylor.
249 reviews14 followers
April 28, 2018
This book was probably one of my favorites. I laughed more and got more choked up through this book than any of the others. Now, however, I have to WAIT UNTIL THE FALL before there are more. I may not make it.

This book had the usual mystery and it was predictable, but it was still a lot of fun. Evan will always be one of my favorite characters and I felt bad for Missy (Melina), being torn as she was. (Puppy or familiar - doesn't matter. I still wanted to hug her!) I can't wait for the next book! Eeeee!
Profile Image for Barbara.
344 reviews48 followers
April 22, 2018
I love this little cozy witchy mystery series. It always makes me smile. This series and Juliet Blackwell's, A Witchcraft Mystery series, are my secret little comfort books. Unfortunately, I am nearing the end of the available books in both series, which makes me sad. Hopefully both authors continue writing new instalments.
Profile Image for Karyn Bowman.
271 reviews6 followers
January 7, 2021
This was the lightweight read I needed. Darcy lives in Salem , Mass - yes that Salem. And she is a witch. But mortals are not supposed to know about the village's true purpose. But there are dead bodies that show up and Darcy is pretty good at solving the mystery. Well, it's one of my favorites, especially when I need a break and the cast of characters begin to feel like family.
Profile Image for Kim.
350 reviews59 followers
May 7, 2018
I have caught up on this series and waiting for the Hoopla release of the audiobook. I've loved this series. The characters are likable and if there were such a place as the Enchanted Village, they would be realistic.
Even Mrs. P and Pepe.

The narrator of the series, Coleen Marlo, does a nice job. Early on, I felt she made Darcy sound too sophisticated, but I've gotten over it. I love Mrs. P's little voice.
Profile Image for Michelle ~catching up slowly~.
766 reviews21 followers
July 21, 2019
This series is moving along quite nicely. There are many answers to some ongoing questions and many new situations coming up. The author manages to keep the characters and the situations fresh for such a little town. Exciting stuff!
Off hand, I’m not sure how many are left.
Profile Image for Jacqueline Guillory.
Author 11 books1 follower
January 25, 2021
The imagery she uses is phenomenal. You can vividly see every detail. The shape of a leaf and the sound it makes under the perfectly described boot of the wicked witch Dorthy. Love these books. Sad there are only 2 left for me to read. Maybe a spin off series with Harper and her life can happen.
Profile Image for Amy lifewiththe_williams.
336 reviews7 followers
August 24, 2018
Omg BEST. ONE. YET. I was in tears by the end! I have now read 7 of these books and feel as tho I could read many many more. I am so in love with these characters and The Enchanted Village.. the last book has been on backorder since it came out.. hopefully it will come soon!!
305 reviews3 followers
April 9, 2022
What a great finish to this series. I was crying at the end!
Profile Image for Karen.
1,287 reviews
March 7, 2017
Darcy’s belongings are stashed in Aunt Ve’s garage, alongside a mess of memories, forgotten possessions, and, to both Ve and Darcy’s horror, a pile of old bones. It turns out they belong to Ve’s long missing second husband. Now Darcy must unpack old secrets to solve a cold case—and make sure her aunt isn’t looking at a spell behind bars.

I think I would like these books better with a different reader. But I do keep listening.
It's a cute series about Salem and various witches.
Profile Image for Jeannie and Louis Rigod.
1,991 reviews40 followers
October 11, 2016
What did I like about this book..."Everything, I love everything." Now why did I put that statement in quotes? Because, I snuck it out from the book itself. It is just that sentence was so completely what I felt by the ending. There are cliff hangers to be sure to grab me for future tales, but for the storyline within, 'The Witch and the Dead.' I simply loved 'Everything!'

Darcy Merriweather, a resident witch who specializes in granting 'wishes,' is preparing to move into her new home. How she got the home is documented in the prior novels, and Yes, I do, suggest you read from volume one onwards. Darcy and her boyfriend, Nick, and his daughter, Mimi are creating a home for the three of them. It is bittersweet for Darcy as she will be leaving the home of her Auntie Ve. Auntie Ve is the person who picked up the pieces for Darcy and her sister, Harper upon their father's death. She brought them to her home in MA and they found their maternal heritage (that of being a crafter witch,) and love they badly needed.

While getting her packed boxes out of Ve's garage, a shock is disclosed, there is a skeleton fully clothed and covered in what appears to be thirty years worth of dust! Auntie Ve's shock is that she recognizes the skeleton's hat! Could it be Miles Babbage, the husband who had left her the day after their wedding?

This novel is finding out lineages. It is finding out who may have killed Miles and why. During this crafter mystery Darcy learns of a bigger threat to the village...that of Dark Magic. While Darcy follows the mystery (as the Elder's private investigator,) Nick follows the mortals. It will take both of them and the village to solve the 'secrets' that have been held for three decades.

Yes, this tale had everything for me. Not surprising as Heather Blake is unable to write any tale not of the highest quality, in my opinion.
Profile Image for Silvara Wilde.
208 reviews7 followers
October 16, 2016
Check out my other reviews, discussions and link ups at Fantasy of the Silver Dragon.

I received this book for free from Berkley Prime Crime in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This book was just as engrossing as the last one. I liked that we got to learn more about the way magic works in this book. Amulets and Seekers were the focus this time around.

The characters were easy to remember, even though it's been a while since I read the last book in this series, and have read a lot more cozies between then and now. I like how Darcy's relationships are growing and changing. Both with her family, and others in the community.

I had two guesses as to who the killer was. My 2nd one turned out to be right. But even having some idea of the who, didn't distract from the various plot threads. There were so many mysteries that came to light, and so many interesting twists and turns. I didn't want to put the book down until I had finished it.

I love the interactions between the familiars at the end of the books. I especially find it amusing that not one of the witches around them have realized that one in particular IS a familiar! I'm super curious as to where that particular plot thread is going to go, and will definitely be picking up the next book in the series once it's written and out.

If you like paranormal cozies, or books about witches in general, you need to try this series!

This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon
Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.