When the Crow’s Away: An Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery
By Auralee Wallace
Berkley
April 2022

Review by Cynthia Chow

For over four-hundred years the Warren family of witches have helped their town of Evanfall, Connecticut, but Brynn Warren lost her ability to communicate with ghosts after the devastating death of her beloved husband. The tragedy of an appropriately named widow-maker heart attack was compounded her by the loss of her powers, but she was able to regain them by solving a murder that occurred in her family’s B&B. It looks like that was just the start of her appeal for ghosts seeking justice, as the spirit of the late and now cranky Mort Sweete has just landed in front of her. Despite Brynn’s declarations that her gifts are to guide spirits to the other side and not to help her be an amateur detective, Mort insists that he was poisoned and wants justice. Helping Mort will at least give Brynn an excuse to stay out of the Ivywood Hollow Bed-and-Breakfast, where her aunts Izzy and Nora are determined that their niece find a new love despite her protests.

Even though Brynn has now recovered her gift as a witch of the dead, Mort refuses to let her act as a mediary between him and his friends or even with his wife. As a result, Brynn must again do a shoe-leather investigation tracking down the poison that may have been placed in the candymaker’s last bite of chocolate. A handsome gardener with a cultivated collection of lethal plants, a former business partner and his ambitious wife, and Mort’s own literally explosive temperament will all challenge Brynn as she attempts to prevent another sweet death and avoid Aunt Izzy’s attempts at matchmaking.

This second in the series by one of my favorite authors continues to mix a smattering of witchcraft with a small-town practical investigation. While Brynn adamantly declares that she is done with love after having lost her True Love, her aunts and uncle refute that through their own tragic but rewarding tales. The twist of their telling one another’s and not their own only emphasizes the bittersweetness of their stories, especially when it comes with their need to have Brynn move on even if they can’t. Providing lots of moral support and maybe a few clues are the B&B’s Maine Coon Faustus and a crow named Dog, the latter of whom indeed behaves more like man’s best friend than an ominous avian. Brynn’s love of her town and her family is obvious through the lovingly detailed descriptions of their inn, the surrounding land, and their unique abilities. Acerbic Evanora Warren can bloom flowers and control them with just a few words, while optimistic Izzy bends people’s wills through her cooking. While so many in Ivywood Hollow share histories of lost loves and tragic romances, a sense of hope prevails strong enough to break down the nearly insurmountable walls around Brynn’s protective heart. Compelling tales of love, magical interference, and adorable animal companions make this a riveting mystery solved by a vulnerable - but growing stronger by the day – and appealing heroine.

“When the Crow’s Away" by Auralee Wallace the 2nd instalment in the Evanfall Witches B&B Mystery series. I absolutely loved it! What a great follow up to book one.

The ghost of a recently deceased chocolatier believes he was murdered, and it's up to young witch Brynn Warren to use her magical gifts and old-fashioned sleuthing skills to find out how he really met his bitter end in this enchanting new Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery.

Oh my goodness, I love Dog the crow and how he was a big part of the story. Brynn learns more about her aunts and Gideon with respect to their first loves, and moving on with one’s life. I read in one day again much like book one I was pulled into the story right away.

I really enjoyed this book, there was Mystery as well as Magic! There were lots of twists, turns and I did not figure out whodunnit until Brynn did.

I highly recommend to fellow Cozy Mystery fans who enjoy a bit of magic and paranormal thrown in. Cant wait for book 3!

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Berkley and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve really been into cozy paranormals lately, and I came across this one. I hadn’t read the first one, but I didn’t let that stop me. I’m so glad it didn’t. This was such a delight. Brynn, Nora, and Izzy are such fun characters, I instantly loved them. Add in an intriguing mystery I couldn’t have solved if I would have had a thousand years to try, a delightful way for the characters to learn and grow by the one who Brynn was trying to help, and well-written book, you have a great way to spend a few hours. I just adored this book, and I can’t wait to read more in this series…especially when it ended the way it did which is only the part I kinda figured out. A great book! Highly recommend! I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Yay. This cozy mystery series is going on my Favorites list!

The story follows Brynn, a witch with the ability to talk to the dead, as she helps out at her aunts' (both witches) Bed & Breakfast and solves murders. It's Practical Magic meets The Good Witch.

Keywords: Cat, Romance, Supernatural, Witchcraft, Bed & Breakfast, Fresh Murder, Magic, Food, Plants

Thanks NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC for an honest review!

Brynn Warren is a witch of the dead. For a while after her beloved husband died Brynn seemed to have lost her abilities. Being a witch of the dead means Brynn can see and talk to the recently deceased. Now that Brynn's powers are back in full force she encounters the ghost of Mortimore Sweete, co-owner of the local candy shop. Determining who caused Mort's death leads Brynn and all of Ms. Wallace's readers here on a merry chase finding clues and talking to suspects. I really enjoyed this. The ending was a surprise for me. I am really looking forward to Brynn's next adventure.

After the tragic, unexpected death of her husband, Brynn lost her ability to communicate with ghosts.
In this second book, we know Brynn has regained her ability and is visited by the ghost of a well loved candy shop owner.
Mort is having trouble with his death and insists that he was murdered and it's up to Brynn to figure it out.
Brynn and her aunts, Nora and Izzy try to put the pieces together and Brynn learns some interesting facts about the aunts who raised her.
I found this book to be well written and filled with excitement and colorful characters.
This style of cozy mystery is one I simply love and these characters will charm their way into your heart.
I highly recommend this series by Auralee Wallace.
#WhentheCrowsAway #NetGalley

I absolutely love cozy mysteries and this one was a great one, great read. Can't wait for more by Auralee Wallace, fabulous series.

The second book in the Evenfall Witches B&B mystery series finds Brynn still getting used to her new life. She is starting to find her footing and even feeling content most days. Her aunts may think she needs a little push, but Brynn knows she just needs to keep busy. As another ghost finds their way to her to ask for help, the family finds that they may have more coming their way than just spring.

Oh my goodness! I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting! I cant get enough of the Warren women and their witchy ways! I'm looking forward to some interesting character development in the next installment *wink* *wink.*

Enjoyable read. As entertaining as the first book. Looking forward to the next book in the series as I believe 3 Rd times a charm.📖📖📖