Review Treat: A Haunting Is Brewing by Juliet Blackwell

Published October 21st 2014 by InterMix

A Haunting Is Brewing by Juliet Blackwell is a novella that brings together characters from two of her series - the Haunted House Renovation series and her Witchcraft Mystery series. It's a fun, cozy novella centered around a house that Mel has been hired to fix up that currently serves as a museum and has gotten rundown.

Spooner House is having a Haunted Halloween Ball to raise funds for the museum it houses as well as a nearby youth center. Just a couple of problems. Some renovations are needed to make it safe for the bash and then there are the life size dolls of the family. And if the threat of a specter or two wasn't enough, one of the young men helping clean and decorate the place is murdered. This time Mel thinks that maybe a real witch is needed to get through it all. She is introduced to Lily Ivory by another volunteer on the house. The two women use their know-how to try and deal with things seen and unseen. And it never hurts to have police backup for those culprits that prove tangible.

I had never heard of either series before and I am glad that I finally have. I will be looking for more from both of them. The novella was very well written. There was nothing extraneous. It all worked together to further the plot. I loved that both Lily and Mel seem to have their own familiars in the form of pets that see more than most people see. Characterization was done well. I enjoyed seeing Mel make new friends with both Lily and the volunteer Maya. It's a gently spooky murder mystery. No gore. Just a murder mystery with paranormal extras.

 I would recommend this book for people who enjoy reading about the paranormal and mysteries. It's a perfect Halloween read. I hope you will give it a chance and enjoy it. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.