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Witchcraft Mystery #11
Synchronized Sorcery
As witch and vintage store owner Lily Ivory steps into her new role as leader of the Bay Area's magical community, she's faced with a mysterious death of magical proportions . . . Strange things are happening in Lily Ivory's San Francisco. First, she finds a vintage mermaid costume which dates from the 1939 San Francisco's Treasure Island World's Fair--and which gives off distinctly peculiar vibrations. Next, she stumbles upon a dead man in the office of her predecessor, and as the community's new leader, she feels compelled to track down the culprit. Just when Lily thinks things can't get any stranger, a man appears claiming to be her half-brother, spouting ideas about the mystical prophecy involving San Francisco and their family . . . When the dead man is linked to the mysterious mermaid costume, and then yet another victim is found on Treasure Island, Lily uncovers ties between the long-ago World's fair and the current murders, and begins to wonder whether the killer might be hiding in plain sight. But unless Lily can figure everything out in time, there may be yet another body floating in San Francisco Bay.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2021
136 people are currently reading
1033 people want to read
About the author
Juliet Blackwell
39 books2,903 followersJuliet Blackwell (aka Julie Goodson-Lawes, aka Hailey Lind) started out life in Palo Alto, California, born of a Texan mother and a Yankee father. The family soon moved to what were, at the time, the sticks of Cupertino, an hour south of San Francisco. Walking to and from kindergarten every day she would indulge in her earliest larcenous activity: stealing walnuts and apricots from surrounding orchards.
By the time she graduated middle school, the orchards were disappearing and the valley at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay had become the cradle of the silicon semi-conductor. A man named Steve Jobs was working in his garage in Cupertino, just down the street. Juliet's father advised his daughters to enter the lucrative and soon-to-flourish field of computers.
"Bah" said Juliet, as she went on to major in Latin American Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz (they had, by far, the best parties of any department). Rather than making scads of money in computers, she read, painted, learned Spanish and a little French and Vietnamese, lived in Spain and traveled through Europe, Mexico, and Central America. She had a very good time.
Juliet pursued graduate degrees in Anthropology and Social Work at the State University of New York at Albany, where she published several non-fiction articles on immigration as well as one book-length translation. Fascinated with other cultural systems, she studied the religions, folklore and medical beliefs of peoples around the world, especially in Latin America. Juliet taught the anthropology of health and health care at SUNY-Albany, and worked as an elementary school social worker in upstate New York. She also did field projects in Mexico and Cuba, studied in Spain, Italy, and France, worked on a BBC production in the Philippines, taught English as a second language in San Jose, and learned how to faux finish walls in Princeton, New Jersey. After having a son, moving back to California, and abandoning her half-written dissertation in cultural anthropology, Juliet started painting murals and portraits for a living. She has run her own mural/faux finish design studio in Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco, for more than a decade. She specializes in the aesthetic renovation of historic homes.
Finally, to round out her tour of lucrative careers, Juliet turned to writing. Under the pseudonym of Hailey Lind, Juliet penned the Art Lover's Mystery Series with her sister Carolyn, about an ex-art forger trying to go straight by working as a muralist and faux finisher in San Francisco. The first of these, Feint of Art, was nominated for an Agatha Award; Shooting Gallery and Brush with Death were both IMBA bestsellers, and Arsenic and Old Paint is now available from Perseverance Press.
Juliet's Witchcraft Mystery series, about a witch who finally finds a place to fit in when she opens a vintage clothes shop on Haight Street in San Francisco, allows Juliet to indulge yet another interest—the world of witchcraft and the supernatural. Ever since her favorite aunt taught her about reading cards and tea leaves, Juliet has been fascinated with seers, conjurers, and covens from many different cultures and historic traditions. As an anthropologist, the author studied and taught about systems of spirituality, magic, and medicine throughout the world, especially in Latin America. Halloween is by far her favorite holiday.
When not writing, painting, or haranguing her funny but cynical teenaged son, Juliet spends a lot of time restoring her happily haunted house and gardening with Oscar the cat, who ostensibly belongs to the neighbors but won't leave her alone. He started hanging around when Juliet started writing about witches...funny coincidence.
By the time she graduated middle school, the orchards were disappearing and the valley at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay had become the cradle of the silicon semi-conductor. A man named Steve Jobs was working in his garage in Cupertino, just down the street. Juliet's father advised his daughters to enter the lucrative and soon-to-flourish field of computers.
"Bah" said Juliet, as she went on to major in Latin American Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz (they had, by far, the best parties of any department). Rather than making scads of money in computers, she read, painted, learned Spanish and a little French and Vietnamese, lived in Spain and traveled through Europe, Mexico, and Central America. She had a very good time.
Juliet pursued graduate degrees in Anthropology and Social Work at the State University of New York at Albany, where she published several non-fiction articles on immigration as well as one book-length translation. Fascinated with other cultural systems, she studied the religions, folklore and medical beliefs of peoples around the world, especially in Latin America. Juliet taught the anthropology of health and health care at SUNY-Albany, and worked as an elementary school social worker in upstate New York. She also did field projects in Mexico and Cuba, studied in Spain, Italy, and France, worked on a BBC production in the Philippines, taught English as a second language in San Jose, and learned how to faux finish walls in Princeton, New Jersey. After having a son, moving back to California, and abandoning her half-written dissertation in cultural anthropology, Juliet started painting murals and portraits for a living. She has run her own mural/faux finish design studio in Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco, for more than a decade. She specializes in the aesthetic renovation of historic homes.
Finally, to round out her tour of lucrative careers, Juliet turned to writing. Under the pseudonym of Hailey Lind, Juliet penned the Art Lover's Mystery Series with her sister Carolyn, about an ex-art forger trying to go straight by working as a muralist and faux finisher in San Francisco. The first of these, Feint of Art, was nominated for an Agatha Award; Shooting Gallery and Brush with Death were both IMBA bestsellers, and Arsenic and Old Paint is now available from Perseverance Press.
Juliet's Witchcraft Mystery series, about a witch who finally finds a place to fit in when she opens a vintage clothes shop on Haight Street in San Francisco, allows Juliet to indulge yet another interest—the world of witchcraft and the supernatural. Ever since her favorite aunt taught her about reading cards and tea leaves, Juliet has been fascinated with seers, conjurers, and covens from many different cultures and historic traditions. As an anthropologist, the author studied and taught about systems of spirituality, magic, and medicine throughout the world, especially in Latin America. Halloween is by far her favorite holiday.
When not writing, painting, or haranguing her funny but cynical teenaged son, Juliet spends a lot of time restoring her happily haunted house and gardening with Oscar the cat, who ostensibly belongs to the neighbors but won't leave her alone. He started hanging around when Juliet started writing about witches...funny coincidence.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
April 7, 2021
Lily Ivory is a witch, and the proprietor of Aunt Cora's Closet, a vintage clothing store in San Francisco. She is just back from her honeymoon, and she finds a dead man in an office where she had an appointment. The deceased is from Treasure Island, an artificial island built in the 1930's for a World's Fair. There is something really weird and dangerous going on there, and Lily, with the help of her newly-discovered brother, grandmother, and friends, is determined to make things right. I really enjoyed this paranormal mystery with likable characters and a San Francisco vibe. Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for the ARC.
September 13, 2021
https://openbooksociety.com/article/s...
Vintage clothing store owner and witch Lily has a lot on her plate. Just home from her honeymoon, she, hubby Sailor, and her familiar Oscar are finding Lily’s apartment a little too close for comfort. Plus, she needs to get into her new role as leader of the local magical community, and it is in this capacity that she discovers the body of a Treasure Island resident in the former leader Aiden’s office. And, it appears that she has a half-brother newly arrived in town. While researching the history a recently acquired mermaid costume, she finds possible connections to Treasure Island. As the body count rises, and paranormal implications come to light, Lily does all she can to ferret out the truth.
I have enjoyed this series a great deal in the past, but this eleventh Witchcraft mystery is not my favorite installment. Perhaps, it is me and the state of world that gets in my way of enjoyment this time around. I am currently hyperaware (and probably more than a little hypersensitive) of current hot button topics, and reading, often offhanded, comments about whishing there was a gender neutral honorific for husband and wife (because spouse is too awkward?) and small-minded people totally took me out of the story.
If memory serves correct, the magical elements of this series have increased in importance and focus with each book to a point that here in Synchronized Sorcery the murder mystery feels neglected. I never connected with the victim(s) or felt compelled to find justice for them. The killer’s character is only partially developed, and I really want to know the why of their thinking and opinions. I guessed the killer’s identity partway through the story, but their reveal still felt jarring.
To me, the characters save Synchronized Sorcery. I feel like I know these long running characters and enjoy their company. Lily is likable and relatably flawed. Oscar and Lily’s grandmother and coven provide a lot of comic relief. The supporting cast at the vintage clothing shop is great…the characters on Treasure Island not so much. Blackwell’s fans will be tickled to see a character from her Hunted Home Renovation Mystery Series cross over into Lily’s world.
Synchronized Sorcery just did not do it for me, but I think other readers of this series and fans of paranormal cozy mysteries (very heavy on the witchcraft) may enjoy this much more than I did. Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Vintage clothing store owner and witch Lily has a lot on her plate. Just home from her honeymoon, she, hubby Sailor, and her familiar Oscar are finding Lily’s apartment a little too close for comfort. Plus, she needs to get into her new role as leader of the local magical community, and it is in this capacity that she discovers the body of a Treasure Island resident in the former leader Aiden’s office. And, it appears that she has a half-brother newly arrived in town. While researching the history a recently acquired mermaid costume, she finds possible connections to Treasure Island. As the body count rises, and paranormal implications come to light, Lily does all she can to ferret out the truth.
I have enjoyed this series a great deal in the past, but this eleventh Witchcraft mystery is not my favorite installment. Perhaps, it is me and the state of world that gets in my way of enjoyment this time around. I am currently hyperaware (and probably more than a little hypersensitive) of current hot button topics, and reading, often offhanded, comments about whishing there was a gender neutral honorific for husband and wife (because spouse is too awkward?) and small-minded people totally took me out of the story.
If memory serves correct, the magical elements of this series have increased in importance and focus with each book to a point that here in Synchronized Sorcery the murder mystery feels neglected. I never connected with the victim(s) or felt compelled to find justice for them. The killer’s character is only partially developed, and I really want to know the why of their thinking and opinions. I guessed the killer’s identity partway through the story, but their reveal still felt jarring.
To me, the characters save Synchronized Sorcery. I feel like I know these long running characters and enjoy their company. Lily is likable and relatably flawed. Oscar and Lily’s grandmother and coven provide a lot of comic relief. The supporting cast at the vintage clothing shop is great…the characters on Treasure Island not so much. Blackwell’s fans will be tickled to see a character from her Hunted Home Renovation Mystery Series cross over into Lily’s world.
Synchronized Sorcery just did not do it for me, but I think other readers of this series and fans of paranormal cozy mysteries (very heavy on the witchcraft) may enjoy this much more than I did. Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
October 22, 2021
Synchronized Sorcery is another fantastic book in the Witchcraft Mystery series. While the story is a continuation and includes many of the same characters (full-time and part-time players), the storyline is fresh and exciting. This series should definitely be read in order. This installment features a Nazi theme, the 1939 World’s Fair, mermaid costumes, and….Lily’s half-brother?? I loved how the author wove all of these themes and more throughout the story.
When Lily finds an exquisite mermaid costume among a pile of laundry in her shop, she’s perplexed. She didn’t buy it and none of her employees know where it came from either. The vibrations surrounding the garment are peculiar to Lily. So much so that Lily vows to research where it came from and how she ended up with it in her shop. Her eventual discovery is shocking.
The Witchcraft Mystery series by Juliet Blackwell just keeps getting better and better. I love Lily and Sailor, along with Oscar's companionship. Lily is simply an amazing and down-to-earth witch. I have enjoyed watching Lily's character grow so much throughout the series. She is embracing who she is and allowing others into her life without all of the doubt and suspicion. Her comfort level with her surroundings have vastly improved. She has friends that accept her for who she is and what she does, a very successful resale shop, and a familiar that sometimes just steals the show. All of Lily’s employees and friends are wonderful secondary characters.
I will be purchasing a paperback of this book for my bookshelf.
In the meantime, I was provided a ecopy of this book to read.
When Lily finds an exquisite mermaid costume among a pile of laundry in her shop, she’s perplexed. She didn’t buy it and none of her employees know where it came from either. The vibrations surrounding the garment are peculiar to Lily. So much so that Lily vows to research where it came from and how she ended up with it in her shop. Her eventual discovery is shocking.
The Witchcraft Mystery series by Juliet Blackwell just keeps getting better and better. I love Lily and Sailor, along with Oscar's companionship. Lily is simply an amazing and down-to-earth witch. I have enjoyed watching Lily's character grow so much throughout the series. She is embracing who she is and allowing others into her life without all of the doubt and suspicion. Her comfort level with her surroundings have vastly improved. She has friends that accept her for who she is and what she does, a very successful resale shop, and a familiar that sometimes just steals the show. All of Lily’s employees and friends are wonderful secondary characters.
I will be purchasing a paperback of this book for my bookshelf.
In the meantime, I was provided a ecopy of this book to read.
July 27, 2021
This was not my favorite in the series and while it was entertaining, I was also a little bored through the middle of the story. The information about Treasure Island was interesting but not enough to carry the whole book. Lily and Sailor are back from their honeymoon and this book felt like they were just playing catch up from being away, no real action. I'll still continue with the series but hope it gets back to where it was before.
March 31, 2024
Synchronized Sorcery is what I believe is the last book of Juliet Blackwell’s Witchcraft Mystery series. While each book is a sort of standalone mystery, some plot elements of the background story carry over from book to book. While some of those events aren’t quite what you’d call resolved, I do not see any mention of further books for the series and this one published in 2021! So this might in fact be the end!
Lily and Sailor have just returned from a wonderful honeymoon! I’m honestly wondering how long they were gone based on all the countries they visited! And holy cow thinking of the cost for that trip is insane! Lol. But that’s my real world realities sneaking in as I read. Lily and Sailor had brought Oscar with them to help him look for his mother who is trapped in a stone gargoyle form.
But naturally, Lily returns to all kinds of chaos and problems after her trip! Besides the usual bills and other business related items, Lily is filling in for Aidan while he heals as the magic leader of the Bay Area. But when Lily heads to his office to meet with her friend who was covering for her while she was away, she finds a dead body. And so begins another murder mystery that falls into Lily’s lap.
If things weren’t crazy enough, Lily sees someone who looks strikingly familiar who was on her plane ride home that comes to San Francisco. She has a face-to-face encounter with him at the very murder scene she walked into. She suspects that this man might be the half brother she only recently learned about.
This was an incredibly fun book to read! I’m only sad that the series might be over after all this! What I found to be very interesting was the inclusion of the World’s Fair just before WW2. St. Louis had a World’s Fair as well earlier so naturally we learned a lot about that one in school! So I was interested in learning different bits and bobs about this one! There was also involvement with Nazis before WW2 would really start. So the history involved in this one was very interesting! It’s been so long since I studied these particular parts in history so I enjoyed getting a refresher in a sense!
The mystery elements were once again very well done! It’s so nice with cozy mysteries because everything is well thought out and you don’t have to over think and over analyze everything like you might with the hardcore mysteries. It’s why I always enjoyed the cozy variety, especially when you add the paranormal to the mix!
I also really enjoyed seeing Mel Turner make an appearance in this one! Mel is the heroine of Blackwell’s other paranormal mystery series and since Mel and Lily live fairly close to one another we get the occasional crossover which I love!! I just need to get caught up in that series now as I believe that one has ended as well.
I have to admit that I once again didn’t get the whodunit! I think I need to read more mysteries again as I haven’t been doing well with my whodunit guesses on these last two! Lol. But it was still logical to who did do it when all was revealed.
Synchronized Sorcery was yet another delightful read! I’m just sad that it might actually be over for good now. It ended well enough with only one little loose end left unresolved but it didn’t affect this particular story. One can imagine how that one would’ve been resolved and all would be well! But for now, I would say things end pretty happily for Lily as is! A truly entertaining and delightful mystery series from start to finish and one I cannot recommend enough for the cozy mystery reader!
Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars
Lily and Sailor have just returned from a wonderful honeymoon! I’m honestly wondering how long they were gone based on all the countries they visited! And holy cow thinking of the cost for that trip is insane! Lol. But that’s my real world realities sneaking in as I read. Lily and Sailor had brought Oscar with them to help him look for his mother who is trapped in a stone gargoyle form.
But naturally, Lily returns to all kinds of chaos and problems after her trip! Besides the usual bills and other business related items, Lily is filling in for Aidan while he heals as the magic leader of the Bay Area. But when Lily heads to his office to meet with her friend who was covering for her while she was away, she finds a dead body. And so begins another murder mystery that falls into Lily’s lap.
If things weren’t crazy enough, Lily sees someone who looks strikingly familiar who was on her plane ride home that comes to San Francisco. She has a face-to-face encounter with him at the very murder scene she walked into. She suspects that this man might be the half brother she only recently learned about.
This was an incredibly fun book to read! I’m only sad that the series might be over after all this! What I found to be very interesting was the inclusion of the World’s Fair just before WW2. St. Louis had a World’s Fair as well earlier so naturally we learned a lot about that one in school! So I was interested in learning different bits and bobs about this one! There was also involvement with Nazis before WW2 would really start. So the history involved in this one was very interesting! It’s been so long since I studied these particular parts in history so I enjoyed getting a refresher in a sense!
The mystery elements were once again very well done! It’s so nice with cozy mysteries because everything is well thought out and you don’t have to over think and over analyze everything like you might with the hardcore mysteries. It’s why I always enjoyed the cozy variety, especially when you add the paranormal to the mix!
I also really enjoyed seeing Mel Turner make an appearance in this one! Mel is the heroine of Blackwell’s other paranormal mystery series and since Mel and Lily live fairly close to one another we get the occasional crossover which I love!! I just need to get caught up in that series now as I believe that one has ended as well.
I have to admit that I once again didn’t get the whodunit! I think I need to read more mysteries again as I haven’t been doing well with my whodunit guesses on these last two! Lol. But it was still logical to who did do it when all was revealed.
Synchronized Sorcery was yet another delightful read! I’m just sad that it might actually be over for good now. It ended well enough with only one little loose end left unresolved but it didn’t affect this particular story. One can imagine how that one would’ve been resolved and all would be well! But for now, I would say things end pretty happily for Lily as is! A truly entertaining and delightful mystery series from start to finish and one I cannot recommend enough for the cozy mystery reader!
Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars
August 4, 2021
I feel like with cozy mystery series that hit this number of books... they could really be doing anything and I'll just be happy to visit with them again, and that was definitely true here.
It was also awesome to see Maya come out! (I was hoping. 🤭)
It was also awesome to see Maya come out! (I was hoping. 🤭)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2022
Lily and Sailor, newly hand-fasted, return from their European honeymoon. Things start out fast. Adian is still out of town, healing from the events of the previous book. Lily is tasked with his duties. She finds a body in his office and decides to investigate. She also finds a mermaid costume that, at least at first, no one knows where it came from.
It was interesting to read about the 1939 World's Fair and Treasure Island. Lily does solve the murder, after a few false starts. Oscar finds a friend (a bat). Lily also meets her brother (she never knew of his existence before; same father, different mother). She comes further into his abilities, Maya shares her truth, and she and Sailor decide on a place to live. This is (for now) the last book. It doesn't read like a last one, but things are (for the most part) resolved, no cliffhanger.
It was interesting to read about the 1939 World's Fair and Treasure Island. Lily does solve the murder, after a few false starts. Oscar finds a friend (a bat). Lily also meets her brother (she never knew of his existence before; same father, different mother). She comes further into his abilities, Maya shares her truth, and she and Sailor decide on a place to live. This is (for now) the last book. It doesn't read like a last one, but things are (for the most part) resolved, no cliffhanger.
December 4, 2021
Another fun story. I think I'd like to see more of Lilly's brother. He brings a sense of mystery to the story.
August 29, 2021
-A murder mystery
-A long lost brother
-Mermaids
-Nazis
-Magic
I loved catching up with Lily and her crew! The vintage clothing store owner has a lot to deal with, not to mention being in charge of San Francisco’s magical community and being a newlywed. This series just keeps getting better! The character development was excellent in this installment. I did feel that some important scenes were kind of short and glossed over, but then again that’s what makes this a cozy mystery and I know we’ll learn more in future books. Five stars because I love Lily’s San Francisco and her family, found and blood. As usual, I’m left excited to see what she gets into next.
-A long lost brother
-Mermaids
-Nazis
-Magic
I loved catching up with Lily and her crew! The vintage clothing store owner has a lot to deal with, not to mention being in charge of San Francisco’s magical community and being a newlywed. This series just keeps getting better! The character development was excellent in this installment. I did feel that some important scenes were kind of short and glossed over, but then again that’s what makes this a cozy mystery and I know we’ll learn more in future books. Five stars because I love Lily’s San Francisco and her family, found and blood. As usual, I’m left excited to see what she gets into next.
January 7, 2022
Strong entry in the series. As usual, I get sucked in quickly to find out what is going on and I just keep on reading. That makes this a great treadmill book because I'm willing to walk ten more minutes to finish one more chapter. While I don't feel the series needs to be strictly in order, I do think newbies should start earlier than this one. There's a lot to unpack at the end.
As with most of my favorites, this is more about place and characterization than plot. One of my favorite supernatural mystery series.
As with most of my favorites, this is more about place and characterization than plot. One of my favorite supernatural mystery series.
December 31, 2021
This leaves me looking forward to the next book.
October 25, 2021
I've been reading this series for a long time and I think my interest is starting to fizzle out. I was always more interested in the Haunted Home Renovation series (HGTV-nerd) and less into fashion, vintage or otherwise (I'd wear PJs full time if I could). I still love this author, but I'm feeling like this particular series isn't for me anymore.
September 6, 2023
I started out really enjoying the book! It was a fun read. The ending was rushed and the mystery was chronically non–magical….I had hoped it would be a magical mystery…idk.
This is a long series though and I picked up a random one of the bunch. (It did not feel that way) each edition is stand alone and I appreciate that!
This is a long series though and I picked up a random one of the bunch. (It did not feel that way) each edition is stand alone and I appreciate that!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2021
Another delightful read from Juliet Blackwell!
In this installment, newlywed Lily Ivory returns from her honeymoon to promptly discover a dead body (to nobody's surprise). Ms. Blackwell again delivers lots of fun facts and historical data woven expertly into the storyline. In this book we learn about (in no particular order):
--Treasure Island
--Mermaids
--Nazis
--The Importance of Salt
and, Lily encounters (no spoilers!!) new-to-her family members, a protagonist from another series, pigeons, a bat, and a Really Good Lead for Oscar's dearest wish.
In this installment, newlywed Lily Ivory returns from her honeymoon to promptly discover a dead body (to nobody's surprise). Ms. Blackwell again delivers lots of fun facts and historical data woven expertly into the storyline. In this book we learn about (in no particular order):
--Treasure Island
--Mermaids
--Nazis
--The Importance of Salt
and, Lily encounters (no spoilers!!) new-to-her family members, a protagonist from another series, pigeons, a bat, and a Really Good Lead for Oscar's dearest wish.
November 15, 2021
Lily Ivory now married to Sailor is hardly back from her honeymoon when murder and mayhem and some nasty people keep her busy while she’s filling in for Aidan. Another good story in this series. Recommend it.
September 30, 2021
Another entertaining installment in this series. I really missed these characters!
March 29, 2022
Unfortunately I think this series is losing it's steam. Used to be one of my favorites
January 26, 2024
The main character, Lily Ivory meets her half brother and together they perform magic to save the San Francisco area from destruction. The book was an easy read.
April 2, 2024
Kind of disappointing end to a series I've otherwise enjoyed. It was like Blackwell was trying to tie up loose ends but then went off on mermaids and hinting of vampires and werewolves.
July 12, 2021
I loved it! This author does a fantastic job of weaving bits of San Francisco's past and present into the series. It's so much fun to read. I adore the characters and I'm so happy with how they decided on their living arrangements. Great mystery too!
July 20, 2021
For someone who is supposedly very powerful Lilly has no commonsense whatsoever. I have no desire to read anymore of this series going forward.
April 3, 2022
Lily Ivory is the temporary leader of San Francisco's witchy community and there's plenty to keep her busy. A vintage mermaid costume from the 1939 World's Fair at San Francisco's Treasure Island, a dead body at her predecessor's office, a bat that may or may not be a familiar. Fortunately she has help from her new husband, her grandmother's coven, and a newly-discovered half brother. As always, interesting characters, a fast-moving plot, and witchcraft.
August 7, 2021
Bridges crossed.
I’ve enjoyed the Witchcraft Mystery series from book 1. The books can be complicated to follow but I’ve grown fond of the characters. Book 11 begins with Lily and Sailor’s return from their honeymoon in Europe. Minimal details on their travels but nice to have them home. Upon her return, Lily tries to catch up with her duties as head of San Francisco’s metaphysical community but, of course, gets immediately caught up in a murder. The circumstances of the murder were secondary to the addition of new characters and the return others. Many bridges (literally) were crossed and it felt to me as if this book was an ending and beginning for Lily, friends and family. I had a time keeping up with everyone although the plot was simple. Look forward to seeing where the next book goes.
I’ve enjoyed the Witchcraft Mystery series from book 1. The books can be complicated to follow but I’ve grown fond of the characters. Book 11 begins with Lily and Sailor’s return from their honeymoon in Europe. Minimal details on their travels but nice to have them home. Upon her return, Lily tries to catch up with her duties as head of San Francisco’s metaphysical community but, of course, gets immediately caught up in a murder. The circumstances of the murder were secondary to the addition of new characters and the return others. Many bridges (literally) were crossed and it felt to me as if this book was an ending and beginning for Lily, friends and family. I had a time keeping up with everyone although the plot was simple. Look forward to seeing where the next book goes.
July 22, 2021
Will review at www.fantasyliterature.com
July 26, 2021
For me, reading a Lily Ivory cosy mystery is always like coming home. It's so comforting to be reaccustomed to those familiar beloved characters (especially Oscar, I'm a fan) and every single time, Juliet Blackwell manages to create a new exciting story and new adventures for Lily.
Synchronized Sorcery is all about Treasure Island, an artificial island created for the 1939 World Fair in San Francisco, but also a place I had never heard of. It made for an educational read in addition to the usual mystery and lovely group of friends. Also, mermaids, plenty of mermaids. And as usual, lots of glamorous clothes.
So far, I've really enjoyed every addition to Lily's family and background but I'm not sure I'm totally sold on her brother Dragomir here. Maybe because, we didn't really get to know him, we mostly heard of him. I'm sure this will change in the next volume(s) though.
Synchronized Sorcery is all about Treasure Island, an artificial island created for the 1939 World Fair in San Francisco, but also a place I had never heard of. It made for an educational read in addition to the usual mystery and lovely group of friends. Also, mermaids, plenty of mermaids. And as usual, lots of glamorous clothes.
So far, I've really enjoyed every addition to Lily's family and background but I'm not sure I'm totally sold on her brother Dragomir here. Maybe because, we didn't really get to know him, we mostly heard of him. I'm sure this will change in the next volume(s) though.
January 9, 2022
Synchronized Sorcery is the 11th book in Juliet Blackwell's "Witchcraft Mystery" series. The narrative is in the first-person pov of the main character, witch Lily Ivory.
Upon returning home from her European honeymoon, Lily is immediately thrust back into the headache that the magical community in San Francisco can be. With Aidan Rhodes still recovering from injuries he received during the battle at Alcatraz, it's up to Lily to step in and take the reins of the magical community. When she first visits Aidan's office, she finds a dead man at the desk. Lily later learns that Marcellus Tinley was a minor magical practitioner, and that he had ties to Treasure Island--site of the pre-World War II world's fair. When Lily comes into possession of a vintage mermaid costume from that same world's fair, she pays a visit to Treasure Island. There, Lily learns that past events from the fair are influencing current events, both magical and mundane. After another person is murdered, Lily fears the killer may be hiding in plain sight, and that there is more to put right than mere murder.
This was one of the more interesting books I've read in the series. There was no evil entity that needed to be magicked into submission, but that didn't mean Lily was never in danger. It was good to reconnect with familiar characters, including a cameo from Mel Turner of the author's "Haunted Home Renovation" series. We also got to meet new characters, most notably Lily's hitherto unknown half-brother. And, speaking of familiars, I am going to put it out there again: I do not like Lily's gobgoyle familiar, Oscar. He behaves like a spoiled child, he's jealous and petty when it comes to Lily's husband, Sailor, and he's still far too connected to Aidan. Oscar keeps information from Lily, to her detriment, although he will step up when she truly needs him. Don't care, don't like him. I never have.
An entertaining and thought-provoking read. Five stars!
Upon returning home from her European honeymoon, Lily is immediately thrust back into the headache that the magical community in San Francisco can be. With Aidan Rhodes still recovering from injuries he received during the battle at Alcatraz, it's up to Lily to step in and take the reins of the magical community. When she first visits Aidan's office, she finds a dead man at the desk. Lily later learns that Marcellus Tinley was a minor magical practitioner, and that he had ties to Treasure Island--site of the pre-World War II world's fair. When Lily comes into possession of a vintage mermaid costume from that same world's fair, she pays a visit to Treasure Island. There, Lily learns that past events from the fair are influencing current events, both magical and mundane. After another person is murdered, Lily fears the killer may be hiding in plain sight, and that there is more to put right than mere murder.
This was one of the more interesting books I've read in the series. There was no evil entity that needed to be magicked into submission, but that didn't mean Lily was never in danger. It was good to reconnect with familiar characters, including a cameo from Mel Turner of the author's "Haunted Home Renovation" series. We also got to meet new characters, most notably Lily's hitherto unknown half-brother. And, speaking of familiars, I am going to put it out there again: I do not like Lily's gobgoyle familiar, Oscar. He behaves like a spoiled child, he's jealous and petty when it comes to Lily's husband, Sailor, and he's still far too connected to Aidan. Oscar keeps information from Lily, to her detriment, although he will step up when she truly needs him. Don't care, don't like him. I never have.
An entertaining and thought-provoking read. Five stars!
November 30, 2022
I've enjoyed this series generally speaking, but for some reason just never connected with this installment.
For one thing, I'm having a pretty hard time with the relationship with Sailor. It just seems too weird. There's too much Lily (the protagonist) doesn't know about him for this to be even slightly romantic. It makes her look both gullible and kind of stupid to marry someone she knows so little about. Additionally, Sailor seems like kind of a side character stuck in so there is some romance without him actually being around much to get in the heroine's way. I just can't buy the romance.
Likewise with the Dragomir character -- he's so vaguely drawn and hardly ever appears -- it's hard to get a handle on him or be excited by him joining the team, if indeed he is. The whole book felt similarly vague, like Blackwell might be tired of writing it. In fact, that's kind of how it read. The mystery felt very secondary and the killer reveal was, I thought, pretty random, without any good motive.
My final complaint is the "big trouble in River City" tease that's been going on for many books now, and that seems to be taking over the series -- the bad things looming over San Francisco and Lily's role in some prophecy I don't even remember reading about and how she's supposed to be the savior. Feels like the author is trying to take this beyond the cozy mystery genre. I don't begrudge her wanting to write something different, but start a new series. You can't change a cozy mystery series into something else 7 or 8 books in. It certainly does fit the trend of books and movies in the late 21st century though -- each installment has to ratchet things up from the installment before until it just becomes annoying and unrealistic. I think this is my time to move on from the series.
For one thing, I'm having a pretty hard time with the relationship with Sailor. It just seems too weird. There's too much Lily (the protagonist) doesn't know about him for this to be even slightly romantic. It makes her look both gullible and kind of stupid to marry someone she knows so little about. Additionally, Sailor seems like kind of a side character stuck in so there is some romance without him actually being around much to get in the heroine's way. I just can't buy the romance.
Likewise with the Dragomir character -- he's so vaguely drawn and hardly ever appears -- it's hard to get a handle on him or be excited by him joining the team, if indeed he is. The whole book felt similarly vague, like Blackwell might be tired of writing it. In fact, that's kind of how it read. The mystery felt very secondary and the killer reveal was, I thought, pretty random, without any good motive.
My final complaint is the "big trouble in River City" tease that's been going on for many books now, and that seems to be taking over the series -- the bad things looming over San Francisco and Lily's role in some prophecy I don't even remember reading about and how she's supposed to be the savior. Feels like the author is trying to take this beyond the cozy mystery genre. I don't begrudge her wanting to write something different, but start a new series. You can't change a cozy mystery series into something else 7 or 8 books in. It certainly does fit the trend of books and movies in the late 21st century though -- each installment has to ratchet things up from the installment before until it just becomes annoying and unrealistic. I think this is my time to move on from the series.
February 17, 2022
I love this series! The narration of Xe Sands make the characters come alive for me.
August 21, 2021
Vintage clothing store owner and witch Lily Ivory has just returned from her honeymoon in Europe with her new husband Sailor. While not legally married yet, they did hand-fast in front of friends and family, so they will legalize things later. In the meantime, those same friends and family throw a big welcome home party. Lily feels compelled to answer a call for help from Calypso who was filling in for her as head of the magical community in San Francisco, a position she is filling while former head Aidan Rhoades heals from a horrendous run in with a demon. She visits Aidan’s office only to find a dead man draped over his desk. Despite the late hour, a man she’d seen on her flight home shows up, stating that he had an appointment with Aidan. However, when he sees the dead man, he flees, despite Lily asking him to stay so she can determine if he is the half-brother a prophecy says will appear.
While unpacking her suitcases, Lily discovers a mermaid costume which her familiar, a gob-goyle named Oscar, says he was given by a man in a city beginning with “B”. Oscar had accompanied Lily and Sailor since he is searching for his mother who was cursed by a spell that turned her to stone. Lily wonders who the costume came from and why it was thrust upon them.
The dead man in Aidan’s office resided on Treasure Island in San Francisco, home of a long ago World’s Fair that featured synchronized swimmers and mermaids. Lily goes so far as to visit the man’s dilapidated home near the old World’s Fair buildings and pool. She meets a neighbor fascinated by mermaids when a teenager closes Lily into the pool house filled with Nazi memorabilia. The dead man’s neighbor, who rescues her, figures out who Lily is and comes to visit her at Lily’s store, Aunt Cora’s Closet along with her husband who needs Aidan’s help. The connections between mermaids and Treasure Island and a possible get-rich-quick scheme are too compelling to ignore.
Lily learns the story of a young girl falling into the water at the World’s Fair who was rescued by mermaids, giving her healing powers. She tracks down this now elderly woman and discovers she knew Aidan at the San Francisco World’s Fair in 1939, but just how old is Aidan now? She also learns of a horrifying story that a mermaid had been captured and her scales removed, to be sent back to the Nazis in Germany to bring them great power. Putting this information together with the disruption to the water by the very creation of Treasure Island outlines the threat Lily must face with her brother to fulfill the prophecy.
The entire magic community that Lily loves backs her in the wonderful conclusion to this charming tale. Evil is discovered in strange places, and Lily must prevail. Narrator Xe Sands takes us skillfully into the solution to multiple wrongs in this absorbing magical multi-faceted gem of a story. Lily has grown through this series from a solitary, shy girl into a powerful woman still gaining her powers. Previous themes from Lily’s life are touched on in passing, filling in the journey she has traveled. I look forward to seeing where she grows from here.
While unpacking her suitcases, Lily discovers a mermaid costume which her familiar, a gob-goyle named Oscar, says he was given by a man in a city beginning with “B”. Oscar had accompanied Lily and Sailor since he is searching for his mother who was cursed by a spell that turned her to stone. Lily wonders who the costume came from and why it was thrust upon them.
The dead man in Aidan’s office resided on Treasure Island in San Francisco, home of a long ago World’s Fair that featured synchronized swimmers and mermaids. Lily goes so far as to visit the man’s dilapidated home near the old World’s Fair buildings and pool. She meets a neighbor fascinated by mermaids when a teenager closes Lily into the pool house filled with Nazi memorabilia. The dead man’s neighbor, who rescues her, figures out who Lily is and comes to visit her at Lily’s store, Aunt Cora’s Closet along with her husband who needs Aidan’s help. The connections between mermaids and Treasure Island and a possible get-rich-quick scheme are too compelling to ignore.
Lily learns the story of a young girl falling into the water at the World’s Fair who was rescued by mermaids, giving her healing powers. She tracks down this now elderly woman and discovers she knew Aidan at the San Francisco World’s Fair in 1939, but just how old is Aidan now? She also learns of a horrifying story that a mermaid had been captured and her scales removed, to be sent back to the Nazis in Germany to bring them great power. Putting this information together with the disruption to the water by the very creation of Treasure Island outlines the threat Lily must face with her brother to fulfill the prophecy.
The entire magic community that Lily loves backs her in the wonderful conclusion to this charming tale. Evil is discovered in strange places, and Lily must prevail. Narrator Xe Sands takes us skillfully into the solution to multiple wrongs in this absorbing magical multi-faceted gem of a story. Lily has grown through this series from a solitary, shy girl into a powerful woman still gaining her powers. Previous themes from Lily’s life are touched on in passing, filling in the journey she has traveled. I look forward to seeing where she grows from here.
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