Review
POTIONS ARE FOR PUSHOVERS by Tamara Berry
The Second Eleanor Wilde Mystery
Deciding to stay in England Eleanor Wilde reinvents herself from ghost banishing psychic
medium to local witch, selling potions and elixirs. Opinion of her is
mixed in the village, but she has regular customers as well as a young
girl who decided to become her apprentice as part of a school project.
But when the village battle-axe keels over in the church hall after
accusing Eleanor of giving her the evil eye, business comes to an abrupt
halt. When her apprentice suggests a werewolf, Ellie scoffs. But there
are
signs signifying werewolf activity and local animals are disappearing.
Feeling the inspector thinks her guilty Ellie aims to prove her
innocence and get back in business, werewolf or not. After all a spell
from a
charlatan witch won't fix that leaky thatched roof!
POTIONS ARE FOR PUSHOVERS examines possibilities. It also deals with the desire to fit in...or not. Ellie has always been transient, never in one place for long, with few attachments. Aside from a connection to her siblings, she's a loner. But despite this rough, "I don't want or need anyone" we see that she does care and wants to fit in and have people like her. The book also looks at the importance of perception and how others see you, and each other.
I laughed at how Ellie got two apprentices she never wanted or needed and admire the exuberance of the two young ladies. Lenora is a great addition and I hope we see more of this bright girl. I absolutely love how the girls' research led to the possibility of a werewolf. Sarcastic humor and surprising depth of character are the hallmark of this series, along well placed barbs and eccentric behavior. The somewhat snarky comments and behavior is refreshing, especially as we see the goodness in the characters slowly sneaking out.
POTIONS ARE FOR PUSHOVERS is a delightfully complicated village mystery awash with community and societal expectations. There are lots of surprises along with a shocking ending that leaves me anxious to see what is in store for Ellie and the village!
I laughed at how Ellie got two apprentices she never wanted or needed and admire the exuberance of the two young ladies. Lenora is a great addition and I hope we see more of this bright girl. I absolutely love how the girls' research led to the possibility of a werewolf. Sarcastic humor and surprising depth of character are the hallmark of this series, along well placed barbs and eccentric behavior. The somewhat snarky comments and behavior is refreshing, especially as we see the goodness in the characters slowly sneaking out.
POTIONS ARE FOR PUSHOVERS is a delightfully complicated village mystery awash with community and societal expectations. There are lots of surprises along with a shocking ending that leaves me anxious to see what is in store for Ellie and the village!
It is more Traditional than Cozy, so a bit darker. Plenty of humor though. But this one did have 2 disturbing scenes, integral to the plot.
ReplyDelete