Lourey, a successful murder-mystery author, has begun a promising foray into magical realism with this tale. While maybe a bit too reminiscent of Alice Hoffman, particularly Practical Magic, the story is strong, the characters are engaging, and the premise is promising.
Katrine Catalain feels strongly compelled to return to the small Minnesota town in which she grew up, reeling from her husband's betrayal, to find comfort with her family (who happen to be witches). She's been away for 15 years, and a lot has changed. For one thing, her sister Jasmine doesn't seem to want to do magic anymore and although Katrine believes it was Jasmine who called her home, Jasmine doesn't seem to want anything to do with her. While Katrine comes to terms with her heartbreak; gets to know her young niece, Tara; and tries to repair relationships; she is unaware that the family curse is stalking both her and Tara, and that Jasmine's secrets might be the key to breaking it.
Being a sucker for both magical realism and Minnesota authors, I just had to request this book when I saw it come available on NetGalley. I was really not at all disappointed! I hope to read more from this author, and wouldn't mind another book set in the world of the Catalains.