Book Reviews: Murder Any Witch Way by NM Howell

 

A humorous and charming mystery, Murder Any Witch Way has ghosts, magic, witches, and an undercurrent of darkness. NM Howell blends a secret supernatural world with a murder mystery that keeps you going in circles until the end. The town of Brimstone is accurately named with an assortment of peculiar residents living there and the ghosts that lurk. Howell weaves humor into the story while maintaining an emotional core that finds River directly interacting with the ghosts of the victims. The inclusion of ghosts allows for River (and the reader) to get to know the victims at the heart of the mystery, with them taking part in providing clues and hints about who the killer is. Howell adds another layer to the story through the presence of the victims that provides an emotional attachment and adds to the desire to uncover the killer's identity. 

The story never misses a beat or wastes an opportunity to be funny, heartfelt, and original. The plot focuses on two main aspects: the murder mystery and the Shadow Festival. The town of Brimstone has an assortment of supernatural characters living within this secret world, and the festival serves as an opportunity to ease the human world into their supernatural one. The festival is their chance to share the paranormal, and this desire plays a significant role in how the mystery plays out. River is the ideal voice to drive the story with her role as a journalist providing her with an opinionated and curious personality. Darkness runs through the story and through the town that hints at a greater arc to come, but Howell delicately weaves humor through the various characters, such as Mrs. Brody. The dialogue for Mrs. Brody is brilliant, with commentary that plays well off a house full of witches. Murder Any Witch Way is one mystery you won't want to put down until you reach the end!