The Witch's Grave (Ophelia & Abby Mysteries, No. 6)

Next in the Ophelia and Abby mystery series. Ophelia is coming out of her shell and giving up her polyester. She is practical, pragmatic law abiding librarian with one little draw back she is psychic and her grandmother is a witch. They work together to solve crimes. The sheriff is not happy about it. Now Cupid has cast his spell on Ophelia and she is ready to let her hair down with Stephen Larsen, the author of some of the most scandalous crime expose's ever written. It's a match made in the stacks, until the would be lovers take a quiet countryside stroll and shots ring out. Stephen is shot and the sheriff warns her and her grandmother Abby not to meddle, but after another shooting leaves them shaken, Ophelia will have to summon all her powers to prevent herself from ending up six feet under. You can read these out of order, but I always find it best to read a series in order and then you don't get lost in the sub plots of these wonderful books. Ms. Hart is a master of the genre and I am a big fan. When nothing else looks good on the book shelf to read, you can always pick up a Carolyn Hart and know you will have several hours of enjoyment.

The Witch's Grave is the sixth book in the Ophelia and Abby mystery series. One of my secret guilty pleasures are cozy mysteries, and when you add a twist of the paranormal to it, you have some pretty addicting reading material. Shirley Damsgaard's series is no exception! The thing I really enjoy about this series is that outside of being really well written and a great read, the characters have depth and are interesting. They grow with each installment, and leave the reader anticipating what could possibly come next. Again we find Ophelia in the thick of a murder investigation, only this time, it looks as if they may actually be targeting her, and her dream man. The adventure starts out by her relating a series of, shall we say erotic dreams about a gorgeous hunk of a man to her best friend Darcy. Imagine her surprise when she actually meets him at a fund raising event for the library at a local winery. They are instantly attracted to one another, but before they can take their relationship further than a first sweet kiss, a gunman shoots her beau to be. As she races against the clock to find the killer, she begins to have another set of dreams that appear to be some kind of flash back to another time. This aspect of the story really added another interesting layer and depth that was thoroughly enjoyable. It is nice to see Ophelia start to trust and use her powers more as well. Will Ophelia finally get her happily ever after? Or will it be snatched away in the blink of an eye? Whether or not you have read one or all of the Ophelia and Abby series, you will be sure to enjoy The Witch's Grave. Reviewed at Bitten by Books Paranormal Fiction Review Site by Rachel

What a pleasant surprise to find a "new & improved" Ophelia in this wonderful story! The positive influences on Ophelia -- Darci, Abby and Tink -- are making a difference in our usually skeptical and somewhat dour librarian. Without spoiling the major points, I can say that even after finding out everything isn't as she believes, Ophelia emerges stronger and more likeable at the end. I really am looking forward to the next book and further character developments. The mystery and the sub-mystery were well-wrought and nicely woven into one story. Ms. Damsgaard is getting better and better!