Evenfall Witched B&B #2. I loved the first book in this paranormal cozy series so I’ve been anxious to check out this sequel.

Evefall is a wonderful setting. I enjoy hearing about the local shops and meeting a few more residents in this story. The garden society and the discovery of a local poison garden was an interesting twist. As always, I loved the scenes that take place at the B&B. It’s funny watching the Warren women hide their special abilities from their guests.

Brynn is a great lead. I love watching her use her gift and witnessing how it is helping to heal her own heartbreak. Nora and Izzy are a meddlesome riot. They remind me so much of the aunts in Practical Magic. I enjoyed learning a bit more about their past, as well as sweet uncle Gideons. Once again nosey neighbor Mr. Henderson and wannabe coven member Nixie provide some fun side stories.

The mystery was perfectly paced and full of red herrings. It kept me guessing for the majority of the story. What makes this series extra special though is Brynn’s ability to communicate with ghosts. It’s an unique way to make the victim a true character. The two team up to solve the murder and also share final messages with loved ones.

I really hope there will be a third book, especially after the reveal of a mysterious new character in the final few pages.

The second book in this series really lets the characters settle in and develops the main characters well. The mystery incorporates solid suspects and details, but it did lag a bit in the middle as it felt like it took a long time for any real progress to be made in the story. The ending sets up this series for an exciting next book with a lot of potential.

This is the second book in the Evenfall Witches B&B series, and I’m completely obsessed with them both. They’re part cozy small-town mystery, part delightful witchy story.

Brynn Warren can communicate with ghosts, which often leads to her helping them with any unfinished business. When Mort, a local candy shop owner, bites the dust he comes to Brynn to help him work out who killed him because he’s convinced he was murdered.

Sure Brynn has some magic in those fingertips, but she also just uses good-old detective work to uncover clues.

The pacing of the book is perfect, dolling out little pieces of the mystery at a rate that will have you neglecting your household chores in favor of reading ‘just one more chapter’. The characters are always so well-written too. They’re eccentric and delightful. I especially loved curmudgeon Mort and his grumpy demeanor.

I can’t recommend this series enough.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

When the Crow’s Away is the enchanting second entry in the Evenfall Witches B&B mystery series. It is the perfect balance of small town coziness and paranormal with delightful characters and a charming setting.

Brynn lost her witchy ability to talk to the dead when her husband unexpectedly died. Now she is trying to adjust to her abilities returning. When a local candy maker dies and insists to Brynn that he was murdered, possibly by a family member, Brynn and her aunts and uncle combine forces to get to the bottom of things. Meanwhile, Brynn is worried that their next door neighbor knows too much about the goings on at the B&B, that she did not do the right thing in giving a spell to a potential protégé, and that her Aunt Izzy will not stop her match making efforts.

I really enjoy the premise of this series and like that the main characters are multi-generational. The bed and breakfast setting is nice, if somewhat in the backdrop to this tale, and has the potential to provide lots of different characters (and victims) to pass through. Brynn is a strong, if grief-stricken but recovering protagonist who wants to use her magic for good. Her abilities feel natural and are the foundation of the story. I really like her aunts Izzy and Nora and her uncle Gideon. Their diverse personalities, abilities, and attitudes are great and really round out the story. Since the victim Mort is a communicative ghost, I enjoyed getting to know him in ways that readers do not always in traditional cozies where the victim dies early in the story. The circumstances of Mort’s death and the resolution of the mystery are unique and kept me engaged throughout. There are plenty of people for Brynn to investigate and theories to bat around, and a bit of a cliffhanger ending.

When the Crow’s Away is well worth reading. Highly recommended to any cozy reader who appreciates a touch of magic with their murder.

4.5 Stars — WHEN THE CROW'S AWAY is a fantastic continuation of this paranormal cozy mystery series. Evenfall is an absolutely charming place, and it was great to be back with Brynn and her witchy aunts and uncle. This time Aunt Izzy does some meddling in Brynn's love life, which she's none to thrilled about. However, she does have a distraction in the ghost of a deceased candy maker who firmly believes he was murdered. Now that Brynn has her powers back, she's ready to help.

This is one of the more emotional cozy mystery series I've read, because it deals with loss and grief in a deeper way. Plenty of family drama too! The murder mystery in this book was rather intriguing, and the twist at the end was totally unexpected. I love how the last chapter hinted at what's to come in the next book and I am ready for it!

I liked this book, fully of witchy magic, family, ghosts, and mystery! The second in a cozy series, I will be looking for the next instalment.

This series is quickly becoming my new favorite cozy mystery series. Love the magical elements and the aunts are perfect. Deal with important topics like grief in a beautiful way.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery.

Set in the Evenfall Witches B and B, Brynn Warren is tasked with solving the mystery of her friend Mortimer's death. He believes that he has been murdered.

Mortimer is a ghost (!) and communicates directly with Brynn pushing her discover who murdered him.

Add in a dash of pushy relatives who want Brynn to have a love interest when she is not searching, and you have a book that is amusing, interesting and a bit to close to home for me.

Really fun read!

When the Crow's Away is the second book in Auralee Wallace's bewitching Cozy Mystery series, Evenfall Witches B&B. The first book, In the Company of Witches, was a great series starter and definitely left me wanting more.

These books follow Brynn Warren, who after the death of her husband, moves back into the B&B run by her Aunts, Nora and Izzy. The stated purpose is to help them run the place, but everyone quietly acknowledges that Brynn needs some time to heal surrounded by loved ones.

The Warren family have been a part of Evenfall for hundreds of years. There are whisperings around town, of course, that they are witches, but the Warrens do try hard to hide their true powers from the general public.
Brynn's powers faded after she lost her husband, but have slowly been coming back to her. Brynn's special power is that she can converse with the dead.

In this installment, Brynn is visited by the recently departed soul of local chocolatier, Mortimer Sweete. Mortimer insists he was murdered and he wants Brynn to find out who did it and help bring them to justice. Mort has a suspect in mind, but as Brynn digs in, she discovers even more potential suspects. It appears Evenfall's business community isn't as quaint and peaceful as it first appears.

Auralee Wallace definitely knows how to write a Cozy. This was so fun, intriguing and cute. I loved getting to know more about Brynn's family in this one. I am even more attached to this cast of characters now.

I absolutely love an amateur sleuth trope and this one is well done. Having Brynn's Aunts help her out definitely added the perfect amount of light humor to this murder mystery. The ending was so intriguing, setting us up perfectly for another installment. I sense a romance on the horizon. I can't wait for the next book!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I am completely hooked on this series and plan to read any that are published!!

I love the witchy theme and the protagonists in this one! The setting was lovely in Evenfall New England, and the incorporation of magic was great. The mystery was fun and well paced.

Oh snap! That twist at the end, did not see that coming. When is book 3 coming out (no pressure Auralee Wallace) because I need to know what happens next.

This was a great, paranormal, cozy mystery. Brynn, her aunts, and uncle are fantastic. Their neighbor is hilarious, I was not expecting the reason given for the stakes and pillows in the front lawn.

Looking forward to reading more books from this author. Highly recommend this book, it was a fun read.

When the Crow's Away is the second book in the Evenfall Witches paranormal cozy series by Auralee Wallace. Released 5th April 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats, it makes it so easy to find info with the search function if needed.

I tend to fall on the slightly retro golden age british country house mystery side of the cozy subgenre. I -tend- to not seek out paranormal mysteries (although I do love ones with animals, go figure). This was a delightful surprise. I also hadn't read the first book in the series before reading this one because of tight review deadlines. The author is quite adept at providing necessary backstory without it feeling pedantic or info-dumping on unsuspecting readers. It worked well as a standalone and the climax, denouement, and resolution were satisfying and believable within the framework of the story.

It's a small town cozy and full of the sort of quirky eccentricity for which the genre is well known. Some of the punny character names are worthy of a light eye-roll, the role of first murder victim's ghost is histrionically played by Mortimer Sweete, the candy shop man, but all in all I didn't find myself yanked out of my suspension of disbelief very often.The language is squeaky clean (G-rated) and the violence happens off-page.

It's written in first person PoV and I was impressed with the author's ability to keep it readable and fresh and not like a laundry list of "I thought...", "I did this... and then that". It's not an easy exercise and she makes good use of the first person to drive the action in the story. I will say that the actual mystery/puzzle is quite well constructed and well above the average for the genre.

Four and a half stars. For real lovers of the paranormal cozy genre, this will be a 5 star read. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I have absolutely fallen in love with Auralee Wallace's writing and story telling.

Once again we meet Brynn Warren and her infamous, witchy, aunts. Together, with their Uncle Gideon, Dog the crow, and the towns people of Evenfall, we help unwrap the layers to another murder mystery.

I really loved reading this story. I loved Brynn's beautiful gift and the teaming of her and Mort.

I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who cares more about the plot than character development.

4 Stars.

When the Crow’s Away by Auralee Wallace is the second book in the paranormal cozy Evenfall Witches B&B mystery series. As with most cozy mystery series each book in this series will feature it’s own mystery to be solved within so they can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. There is however character development that will carry over from book to book for those that follow the series from the beginning.

Brynn Warren comes from the long line of Warren witches who have been in Evenfall, Connecticut for the last four hundred years. Brynn helps run her family bed and breakfast with her two aunts who of course also practice witchcraft. Brynn had decided though that after the death of the love of her life that she wanted to give up her magic but hadn’t told her aunts when a guest at the B&B had been murdered and Brynn had to solve the case.

Now Brynn has begun to use her gift of speaking with the dead again and she is visited by a newly arrived ghost. A local chocolatier, Mortimer Sweete, believes that his death was no accident and he wants Brynn to find out just who killed him. Brynn first finds Mort’s death is supposed to be natural causes but the fact that his first suspect is already trying to sell his shop Brynn can’t help but to begin to ask around and see if she can’t get to the bottom of the case for poor old Mort.

It’s not a secret that I love to find books that combine and mix around different genres since I love to read quite a few of them myself so the Evenfall Witches B&B mystery series was right up my alley. I became a fan of the characters in the series in book one so I wasn’t surprised to find myself quickly right back in the action and gobbling up the story. This series has the humor I enjoy along with some quirky witchy fun along the way of solving a nice mystery. Will definitely be back again for book three in the future.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

When the Crow’s Away and the Evenfall Witches B&B series has a very Practical Magic vibe to it with a cozy mystery angle. And I am here for it! This book was definitely a different take on a cozy mystery. The protagonist can talk to ghosts! And she uses this ability to help her solve mysteries. There are some really fun side characters, like Dog the Crow, reclusive Uncle Gideon, and her quirky aunts, Izzy and Nora.

Her aunts are both delightful - Izzy is bright and bubbly and amazing with food and Nora is very chic, a little snooty (it seems at first anyway), and talented with horticulture. And they're all witches, frighteningly powerful witches.

The mystery was a good one and I don't think was obvious from the beginning. It was exceptionally tragic. I loved all of the gardening club plot lines and the poisonous plant discussions. I think the side plot with her friend Nixie and Nixie’s brother, which alludes to bigger things in future books, looks to be really fun and interesting.

I really liked the protagonist Brynn. She has her own tragic backstory, but she seems very content with herself, self-actualized, and pretty stable compared to your typical cozy mystery protagonist. It was a fun read and I definitely plan on reading more in the series.

I love it! Being back on Evenfall with Brynn was great. As a cozy mystery series, this one hits all the marks! Small town, quirky characters, and just enough magical and non-magical people interacting to cause a little chaos.

Wallace's writing is clear and you feel immersed in the smells of the gardens, the taste of the delicious food and the world she builds.

The mystery was unpredictable! I love when I really cannot figure out the end before the end and this is two for two of this author making the mystery both plausible and adding the correct amount of tension to keep you hooked throughout.

I can't recommend this series highly enough. It's Practical Magic meets Gilmore girls. I love the Evenfall Witches and I cannot wait to see how the teaser at the very end of this book plays out in the next installment!!!

This series continues to be one of the best paranormal cozies I've ever read. It's a blend of autumnal, witchy vibes and a springtime setting, with plenty of loveable characters. Picture Practical Magic, but a cozy mystery. Brynn's aunts Nora and Izzy are such fun characters to spend time with (especially with their opposing personalities), and I loved learning more about their backstories in this installment.

This is the second book in the cozy series about Brynn and her aunts - Izzy and Nora and their Bed and Breakfast. Oh and they happen to be witches. Brynn's particular talent is speaking with the dead which she struggled a lot with in the first book. Now that Brynn is getting comfortable with her powers again the series is really getting traction and this proved a very enjoyable read. I liked learning a bit more about Nora and Brynn's uncle Gideon and really enjoyed that Gideon's pet crow Dog made a number of appearances.

The mystery was interesting with the victim, Mort, being present for most of the investigation, sometimes helping and sometimes being a hinderance. As well, not only is there the question of who killed Mort but also was his death foul play in the first place? I wasn't quite sure how the mystery would unravel until almost the end and really enjoyed watching the dynamics of the Warren family play out. While the mystery itself is a standalone I think it would be better to read the first book just to get a better understanding of Brynn's character and her relationship with her family.

This was a fun read with an interesting cast of characters and I was never quite sure what they would do next. I was entertained from beginning to end and am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

The second book in the Evenfall Witches mystery series. I love these witches, and I want to visit their bed and breakfast. In this book, Brynn’s aunts, or at least Izzy, is trying to get her to meet a new man. Nora is only partly on board with this plan. And Gideon is staying out of it, except telling the story about Nora’s high school sweetheart. But between fending off Izzy’s attempts at setting her up, Brynn is trying to help Mort Sweete cross over. He’s insisting that he was murdered, but there isn’t much in the way of proof. But there is also that feeling that Brynn feels but can’t put her finger on. And whenever she tries, she gets blocked. There are several options for Mort’s killer, the man who appears to be sweet on his wife, the guy who might want to buy the candy store, or the wife of his cousin and partner. This is such a nice cozy mystery, something I’m not normally interested in, but I look forward to more of these.