- Title: Wicked Witch Murder
- Author: Leslie Meier
- Publisher : Kensington; Reprint edition (August 1, 2011)
- Language : English
- Mass Market Paperback : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0758229305
- ISBN-13 : 978-0758229304
Review:
I found this murder mystery in the thrift store several months ago and it has been sitting in my to-read pile since then as I plowed through a series of Agatha Christie novels I found on the same day. This book sure could have used the services of Hercule Poirot or even Miss Marple!
The Good
Although Wicked Witch Murder is part of a series of books by Leslie Meier, this one was the first one I have ever read. One thing I like about these little murder mysteries is how you get pulled into these worlds where there is a certain sense of consistency or stability. It gives me a sense of security in a changing world where change isn't always positive.
Lucy, the main character, has her job as a journalist with the weekly Pennysaver. While her duties as a small town journalist run the gambit from covering town council meetings to photographing prized pumpkins she occasionally gets involved in murder (coincidentally about once per book). There are side characters who always seem to be there while other people come and go depending on the story and everything is tied up neatly at the end (or should be).
Wicked Witch Murder begins when a self-proclaimed witch, Diana Ravenscroft, moves to town and opens her own occult shop offering readings, candles, talismans etc... It also introduces Ike Stoughton, a prominent local business man who recently moved to town near Lucy and who also happens to be very anti-witch / anti-technology / anti-medicine, etc... While walking her dog one day, Lucy finds the burned remains of a human being which kicks off the central mystery surrounding the book. As it turns out, the victim was connected to both Diana and Ike and it becomes Lucy's job to find the clues and figure out the identity of the murderer. Nice premise, huh? That's what I thought too.
The Bad
Inconsistency. As a murder mystery, I expect some red-herrings to throw the reader off the scent and keep them guessing. However, some things are brought up and then never addressed again. For example. the fate of Rebecca's legal battle with the construction company over land rights. Will she lose her home and land or will she be allowed to stay? Unless it is addressed in the next book, I guess it is left up to the reader's imagination (shrug). Also, where (clap) did (clap) the (clap) bear (clap) come (clap) from (clap) boo boo? More importantly, where did it go? And why didn't it pull up for the rescue at the end? Enquiring minds want to know???
In addition, I did not like the manner in which Wicca was portrayed in this book. The author does a pretty good job of explaining that Wicca is a religion that is a revival of ancient practices that espouses a reverence for nature and living in harmony with our surroundings. It even pointed out that working skyclad (nude) is optional.
However, some scenes just bothered me, such as when Diana has to cast a circle in order to do a crystal ball / tarot reading. This could be me just being nit picky as I am sure at some point in time, some Wiccan somewhere has done this as part of their personal practices but no Wiccan I have ever known has done this except when it was part of a greater ritual.
The other thing that really bothered be was how Diana was willing to go against the wishes of Abby's parents and teach her witchcraft. She even allowed Abby, a 16 year old girl, to sneak out of her parents house to attend Wiccan Rituals at midnight where nudity (which admittedly made Abby uncomfortable) was practiced. In my experience, when Wiccans taught anyone under legal age, it was always with the parent's consent.
Finally, the fact that Diana refused to assist in helping solve the murder of someone to whom she was intimately connected because the Ordains (Wiccan Laws) forbid revealing the identity of Witches to outsiders. At the very least I would encourage my Brother or Sister witch to come forward with what they know. Every witch I know believes that life is sacred and murder is evil. When a murderer is loose and human lives are at stake you just have to throw out some laws.
The Ugly (Spoilers)
Lack of Fact Checking. There is a scene in the book where the Salem Witch Trials are discussed and one character refers to Miles Corey, who was crushed to death under a pile of rocks rather than confess to witchcraft. His name was actually Giles Corey.
Continuing from the bad. I absolutely did not care for the assertion that sexual intercourse with the High Priest or High Priestess was required to be initiated into the coven. I am aware that there are real-world parallels to this practice such as the Great Rite that is often practiced symbolically with the cup and athame and when it occurs between two people they are consenting adults. I am also aware that some real-life coven have gotten into trouble for requiring their members to have sex with one another (I am looking at you Gavin and Yvonne Frost).
[Kids, if any magical mentor or teacher tells you that you have to have sex with them in order to learn your craft or be initiated into the tradition, RUN! Run really fast and don't look back!}
********** SPOILERS **********
Finally, the twist I honestly didn't see coming. Lady Sybil and Symond killed their High Priest and attempted to kill Diana Ravencroft for the following:
Yes I am aware these are the same problems that I had with the story, but when you don't like what your coven is doing, you object, you bring your grievances to the circle, you don't participate, you leave the coven, at worst you banish your Preist/ess --- you don't burn them alive!
***** Bonus Spoiler *****
Having Ike Stoughton, the anti-witch hate monger rescue Lucy and Diana from the witches at the end was just the cherry on the top!
For this reason I am giving this book three refrigerator magnets and one lodestone, or maybe four broomsticks down? I don't know, I'm still working on my rating system....
- Carolina Dean
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