Book Reviews: Bound by Kirsten Weiss

 

Kirsten Weiss has a flair for great storytelling and intricate mysteries which is even more evident in Bound (the kick-off to the Doyle Witch Cozy Mystery series). The characters are enchanting and ground the mystery with a heartfelt and emotional story that you won't want to put down. You'll find an immediate connection with each of the characters, especially Karin and her sisters. Weiss creates a bond with the characters that makes you feel at home with their family and you instantly become emotionally invested. The triplets are easily different with Weiss ensuring fine details went into separating their three personalities. You have wild child Joyce, bookish introvert Lenore, and worrier Karin, each personality perfectly fitting to the tone of the story. Karin is the protagonist and her worrying attitude makes her an easy target for being pulled into a murder mystery. She's a character that is driven, compassionate, and determined which makes her the ideal sleuth to keep things going. 

The mystery revolves around a deeper emotional plotline that finds Karin's, Aunt Ellen in the hospital. As the story unfolds and secrets are revealed about Karin's family and a curse, the worse that Ellen becomes leading to a heartbreaking conclusion. The family elements within the story are necessary for the tone to bring this world to life through Karin and her sisters. By getting to know the triplets and their aunt, you get to know the family curse and you immediately root for them to find a way to break it. The mystery has plenty of surprises and will lead you in circles until the killer is found. The story is undercut by the addition of Nick (who has a spark with Karin) in his search for answers about his missing sister. This search is woven throughout the mystery as murder and disappearances in the woods draw Karin in deeper into the dangers around her and the possible supernatural answers that await her. Bound is hard to put down with an addicting plotline, enchanting characters, a family curse, and lots of heart.