Such a fun (and totally cute) read. Magic Can Be Murder harkens back to yesteryear…there is no specified location or time but one gets the feeling of feudal Europe. In this story we meet Nola and her mother who are constantly moving from place to place to hide their special abilities….because they are in fact, witches. They travel from place to place seeking a bit of work for some food and shelter but at each stop, something seems to go slightly wrong and forces them quickly along to a new place. We are drawn into a feeling of connection to and an appreciation of these characters as we learn a bit about Nola and her mother’s backgrounds. Now 17, Nola had a sad and lonely childhood where she could never really connect with or relate to her friends because what was normal for her (magic) was alien to them and dangerous for both her and her mother should anyone find out. Complicating things are all of the “voices” her mother listens to in her head. As we join the story, Nola and her mother are working in the hot sun, picking berries for a farmer in Low Beck. A simple (if backbreaking) job; unfortunately the farmer has more in mind for Nola than paying her a days wages for picking berries…and thus begins their most recent round of fleeing the area. Not long after they run from the farmer they come to a Silversmiths house and there Brinna the maid needs extra help in preparation for the Silversmith’s upcoming wedding.

What seems like a stroke of good luck (several days work, food and a decent room for a few days) quickly becomes something much more than they bargained for when the silversmith becomes angry with them and they must flee again. Later, when they’ve settled in for work at an inn (which strangely suits both of them) Nola sees the silversmith murdered whilst scrying to see if her previous spell is still working (they had to leave so fast it she left the hair in the water). Worried that they will be discovered, Nola concocts a plan to return and undo the spell still in place at the smith’s house…a plan that leads to one bad turn after another for her. How will she ever get out of this mess and back to her mother? Read and find out…you’ll be enchanted, I’m sure.

Mostly Magic Can Be Murder is a mystery with a bit of a witchy twist and just a touch of happily-ever-after romance thrown in. It’s a fairly simple and straight-forward story of two women barely scraping by in life, moving from place to place trying to hide natural witch talents and those talents are both a boon and a burden in the story. I loved the authors use of scrying and glamour…both served to move the story along without having to put in too much explanation (if the main character can see what’s happening elsewhere that makes moving the story along much easier)…plus both abilities also provide humor in what might quickly become a tedious and depressing tale. I give Magic Can be Murder four stars…it’s highly readable, just perfect for the 9-12 year old range! Heck, even I found it quite entertaining (and I’m 35). ( )