Hexes and the Haunted House (A Williams Witch Mystery Book 4), by

 

Think it'd be great to be a witch? Dani wouldn't quite agree. Now, true, she only learned of her witchy powers as an adult, so she's struggling to understand and control them while trying to go about her normal life. She isn't always successful. Even worse, her daughter has inherited the witch gene, too, only it seems to have disrupted her life even more. As a witch with psychometry ability, which means being able to sense any emotional residue, so to speak, of emotions left behind in objects by those who touched them last, good or bad. She hasn't learned how to control this power yet, meaning she's been forced to leave college and come home, wearing gloves almost constantly to reduce the sense. Dani has the same power but not to the same extent. Grace sees visions of the past, whereas Dani sees visions of what is going to happen, visions she's rarely able to interpret. So, no, Dani and Grace probably wouldn't agree with you that being a witch is the coolest thing ever. The learning curve isn't easy.

It's both her psychometry powers and simple observation and common sense that lead Dani into another murder investigation. I won't give away that hint but it's a solid one. At the same time, Dani and Grace are leading themselves and the Retirees into investigating a haunted house. This is where you'll learn more about powers. Sarah, who seems to have the evocation power, control over elements, only has it when the moon is full. Agnes' curse, and you'll learn about this in the book, is to never be able to leave Point Pleasant, their home town. The whole story of the curse is shadowy and, to be honest, largely seems to be setting us up for more reveals in future books. And, oh, before I forget, there's a ghostly encounter, too. Never a dull moment. 

So, who killed poor Edmund Hastings? there seem to be ample suspects, largely family members. Dani finds herself teaming up with reporter friend Izzy again, tagging along as photographer as Izzy conducts interviews for a newspaper tribute to Edmund. Oh, the things she uncovers while snooping, er, investigating.In some ways I feel discover of whodunit relies too heavily on the magic but, well, that's also part of the charm. It's all a bit mysterious and intriguing, keeping me reading. I did like that Dani seems to have settled into a romantic relationship this go-round even though she still hasn't found the right time to tell him her own secrets. I'm definitely curious to see when/how she makes this big reveal. Most likely, however, there is a great deal of self-discovery ahead of her before that point, though. Over all, a quick, easy read, full of friends, backstories, magic, and, yes, just a bit of romance in the midst of that murder investigation. Thanks #BookSirens for letting me take an early peek at how life is treating Dani nowadays. Love the scene with the cat.