Secondhand Spirits is Juliet Blackwell's first solo book. It's a light mystery starring a powerful witch named Lily Ivory, who's moved to San Fransisco to put down roots. She's opened a vintage clothing store and manages to get herself embroiled in a case involving a missing child and a dead old lady.

This book is very much chick lit with a supernatural twist. It's got a decent mystery and the author has a nice, light touch. There's also a mysterious romantic interest, always a plus in these types of stories, and some neat supporting characters. All in all, it was a fluffy read that I got through pretty quickly.

Originally published at http://ireadgood.wordpress.com ( )

Lily Ivory feels that she can finally fit in somewhere and conceal her "witchiness" in San Francisco. It is in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of the Bay area that she opens her vintage clothing shop named Aunt Cora’s Closet, outfitting customers both spiritually and stylistically. She has not been in town long when the dark and dangerous Aidan Rhodes, leader in the local magical community, greets her with a housewarming present. Her powerful heriditary witchcraft has been noticed. Lily is not happy to have the attention, even though Aidan is as handsome as he seems dangerous.

An elderly client is murdered and children start disappearing from the Bay Area. Lily has a good idea that the legendary spirit La Llorona is behind it. Lily starts snooping around to confirm her suspicion. She also tries to help Max Carmichael, a myth buster attempting to expose ghost-hunter scam artists. He does not understand her at all, yet she keeps saving him from dangerous situations.

Lily Ivory is a very powerful witch, but in this story she may be up against something more powerful than her considerable talent and skill. Even though she is resistant to seeking help, will she reach out to her employee’s women’s circle for help…or even Aidan?

TO READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW GO HERE:
http://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2... ( )

cute series ( )

This is an excellent start to a new cozy series with a paranormal setting. Lily Ivory can sense ghosts and other spirits and uses this to her advantage to unravel a mystery surrounding her in her new life in San Francisco. I really enjoyed this book and espcially the character of Oscar--a gargoyle(?) who can morph into a pot bellie pig. I can't wait for the next one. ( )

This is the first book in a new series by Juliet Blackwell (aka Hailey Lind, author of The Art Lover's mystery series).

Lily Ivory has always felt like an outsider because of her "special talents". But she finally gives in to her desire to settle down and belong when she opens a vintage clothing store in San Francisco, thinking that her eccentricities won't seem quite so weird in the Haight-Ashbury area.

Invited to look at a large collection owned by an elderly woman, Lily is thrilled, until she senses deep sorrow emanating from some of the clothes. When she hears the shriek of La Llorona, and a neighbourhood child disappears, she realizes she must do something to return the child to her family, and that will put both her and her friends into extreme danger.

This book is very different from any supernatural mystery that I've read. Blackwell draws on real myths and legends, and her research into the mystical is obviously extensive. Reading this book in bed at night I was a little spooked, not my usual reaction to a paranormal mystery.

Lily is really a sympathetic character: her fears of being different and ostracized are universal. I look forward to learning more about her as the series progresses, though I'll have to wait nearly a year for the next in the series, A Cast-off Coven. ( )