Title: A Toxic Trousseau
Author: Juliet Blackwell
First published July 5, 2016
352 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780451465795 (ISBN10: 0451465792)
Rating: 4.15
Overview
Being a sorceress doesn’t make you immune to trouble, and Lily is learning that the hard way. As the temporary leader of San Francisco’s magical community, she’s got a lot on her plate.
When her pet pig Oscar gets into a scuffle with rival clothier Autumn Jennings, Lily tries to make amends before things escalate. However, the situation takes a dark turn when Autumn is found dead and Lily becomes one of the prime suspects.
In an attempt to clear her name, Lily uncovers a cursed trousseau in Autumn’s inventory that leads her on a dangerous journey. Along the way, she must navigate a mysterious dog walker and spend the night in a haunted house while trying to find out who wanted Autumn dead.
With time running out, Lily must race against the clock to solve the mystery before someone else becomes a victim of the curse.
About the Author
Juliet Blackwell, also known as Julie Goodson-Lawes and Hailey Lind, was born to a Texan mother and a Yankee father in Palo Alto, California. Her family later moved to Cupertino, where Juliet walked to kindergarten and often stole walnuts and apricots from nearby orchards.
As she grew up, the orchards disappeared, and Silicon Valley emerged.
Despite her father’s advice, Juliet pursued Latin American Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she enjoyed reading, painting, and learning languages. She later earned graduate degrees in Anthropology and Social Work at the State University of New York at Albany, where she published non-fiction articles on immigration and a book-length translation.
With a passion for cultural systems, Juliet studied the religions, folklore, and medical beliefs of people around the world. She also taught the anthropology of health and worked as an elementary school social worker.
After having a son, moving back to California, and abandoning her dissertation, Juliet started painting murals and portraits for a living. She now runs her own mural and faux-finish design studio in Oakland, specializing in the aesthetic renovation of historic homes.
Juliet eventually turned to writing under the pseudonym Hailey Lind, co-authoring the Art Lover’s Mystery Series with her sister Carolyn. The series follows an ex-art forger who works as a muralist and faux finisher in San Francisco.
Juliet’s Witchcraft Mystery Series explores her fascination with witchcraft and the supernatural. As an anthropologist, she studied systems of spirituality, magic, and medicine throughout the world, especially in Latin America.
When not writing or painting, Juliet spends time restoring her haunted house and gardening with Oscar the cat, who became a frequent visitor when she began writing about witches. Halloween is her favorite holiday.
Editoral Review
A Toxic Trousseau by Juliet Blackwell, published on July 5, 2016, is a cozy mystery novel that will delight fans of the genre. Blackwell is a seasoned author who has written over twenty-five novels and is well known for her Witchcraft Mysteries series.
A Toxic Trousseau is the eighth book in the “Witchcraft Mysteries” series. A Toxic Trousseau is set in San Francisco and follows the life of a witch named Lily Ivory.
After Lily’s friend and mentor, Dr. Aurora Bordeaux, dies suddenly, Lily becomes the prime suspect in her murder. Determined to clear her name, Lily sets out to find the real killer.
With the help of her coven, her familiar, Oscar the gargoyle, and her newfound love, Sailor, Lily uncovers some shocking secrets that suggest Dr. Bordeaux’s death was not the work of a human. The plot of A Toxic Trousseau is intriguing, and the story flows at a steady pace.
Blackwell has created a cast of memorable characters, whose personalities and quirks are well developed throughout the novel. As the series progresses, Lily’s character continues to evolve, and the author does an excellent job of keeping her fresh and interesting.
One of the strengths of A Toxic Trousseau is Blackwell’s vivid descriptions of San Francisco. Blackwell uses her extensive knowledge of the city to create a realistic and immersive world that is a character in itself.
Fans of San Francisco will love the detailed accounts of the city’s landmarks and neighborhoods. The themes of friendship, loyalty, and betrayal are woven into the fabric of the story and give the novel emotional depth.
Blackwell also touches on the issue of environmental pollution, which is a serious problem worldwide, making the novel timely and relevant. A Toxic Trousseau also has its weaknesses.
The mystery plot does not have many twists and turns, making it predictable at times. The book’s pacing is steady, but it does not have a sense of urgency that some readers may prefer.
The ending is satisfying, but somewhat abrupt, leaving some questions unanswered. Overall, A Toxic Trousseau is a well-written cozy mystery that will keep readers entertained.
Fans of the genre, especially those who enjoy stories about witches and the supernatural, will find this book a delightful read. Blackwell’s vivid descriptions of San Francisco and her well-crafted characters make up for the book’s minor flaws.
I would give A Toxic Trousseau four out of five stars.
