Abby is a part-time magician, tricking her audience into believing in magic while she battles with ghosts from her past. When her best friend David asks for her help and they find themselves trapped in a mansion during a snow-storm, even though the setting screams for it, Abby isn’t ready for ghosts to become very real. But they have no choice but to believe and find out who’s trying to murder their host before David’s sister’s wedding or the ceremony might turn into a funeral.

This book was one of my first cosy mysteries and I had a great time! I loved the lively character writing, with nuanced personalities and the right amount of friendships and conflicts. One of my favourite tropes in books is when the house is almost a character, and this felt very true here as the setting added its own personality to the narrative. As the cast grappled with paranormal events, there was a great balance of humour and depth - grief being one of the main themes here.

I have to admit I can be wary with self-published books, but this one was perfectly crafted and edited. This book would be perfect on a winter afternoon with a hot cup of tea or chocolate at hand. Do make sure you have a salt water taffy as well and thank me later.

Cherry on the (wedding) cake, I love Holly Dunn cover ! I think it captures the atmosphere of the book perfectly.

Rep: lesbian Jewish MC, gay & bisexual secondary characters.