A Toxic Trousseau (Witchcraft Mystery Series #8)

Every story in this series has been an "I can't put this book down" mystery. The characters are like so real and recognizable...although, like in real life they surprise you to. Everything about this series is enjoyable.

Fantastic lighthearted reading

Another highly enjoyable book in this series! This one didn't have as much of the supernatural element that I really enjoy, the story still kept me engaged. I especially liked the scenes during Bronwyn's birthday party and that we got a glimpse into some of the things Aidan does in the community. A couple underlying story lines progressed also and the last few pages left me really curious about the next installment. I listened to a little bit of this on audiobook. This was the first time that I had done that with one of the books in this series and though I did enjoy the narrator, reading the physical copy allowed me to consume the story faster. As always, can't wait for the next installment!

I’ve been reading this cozy mystery series from the first book, Secondhand Spirits, and have enjoyed them all. You don’t need to read them in order, but there are character’s relationships that will make more sense if you do. Lily Ivory is a very powerful witch who recently relocated to San Francisco after a difficult life in Texas, where she didn’t fit in at all. She owns a vintage thrift store, where two of her closest friends, Mya and Bronwyn, work alongside her. This works out great because they are able to run the store while she is running all over San Fran helping to solve crimes, usually of the supernatural nature. Lily’s familiar is a pig/goblin named Oscar, who is super adorable. And there ends up being a love/power triangle between her, another powerful warlock, Aidan and a psychic named Sailor. This love and power balance had kept shifting through the previous books, but they are pretty stable by the end of this book. Which makes me so happy, since I’ve stopped reading some other book series when the love triangle just kept going. As with most cozy mysteries, you will have a regular set of characters who develop more each book. And you also get a handful of new characters, one of which, commits the crime. And I will admit, I did not figure out who the bad guy was before hand. In the past couple books there were hints of a big evil coming, and towards the end of this book we got a lot more information in regards to it. I am so excited to see where this series is going to lead, and I highly recommend reading the whole series, if you haven’t already.

I am under the spell (in a good way) of the Witchcraft Mystery series and a big fan of Lily and her store and friends plus Oscar. The added fashion history information was quite interesting, sad, and scary. Book 8 is a good place to start reading the series and then you will want to read the previous books, if you like paranormal books that are not gory.

a multifaceted mystery A TOXIC TROUSSEAU by Juliet Blackwell The 8th Witchcraft Mystery Lily Ivory is surprised when she is served papers and finds herself being sued! Autumn Jennings is claiming that Oscar attacked her in Aunt Cora's Closet and is seeking compensation. But Autumn is no ordinary customer. In fact, not only does she run a high end vintage clothing shop she's also in debt to the witchy godfather of San Fransisco - Aidan Rhodes. When Lily and Maya go to Autumn's store to attempt to work things out-they find her spouting paranoid ideation while holding a gun on them and ultimately collapsing. Despite the prompt arrival of paramedics Autumn dies in the hospital. When doctors and police suspect poison Lily and Bronwyn top their suspect list. Now Lily needs to find out what's really going on. Could it have something to do with Autumn's latest clothing addition? With Sailor and Oscar for support Lily searches for the truth while handling city matters for Aidan and preparing for the Nebulous Big Nasty which is heading their way. A TOXIC TROUSSEAU is unique in that the mystery takes a more meandering path. In fact, we're not sure what the mystery really is. The mystery of the trousseau, of the curse, of the house, of the death, and who and where is Scarlet; all these questions entwine Lily, along with the mysterious satchel and the job with which Aiden has tasked her. Instead of a simple mystery story it's more of a preparatory book, setting the stage for a huge magical showdown. By the end of the book we have a much clearer view of that Nebulous Big Nasty heading their way, as well as a group of reinforcements coming to town. Lily and her friends continue to delight. These characters are imbued with such spirit and vitality, it's sometimes difficult to believe they're fictional. Character development has been an integral part of this series, deepening the bonds connecting the characters, both with each other and readers. Lily has grown so much, yet she still manages to keep a sense of innocence, awkwardness, and charm even as she has become a powerful woman. Part of that power has come from her ability to accept help and friendship from others. While a part of her will always be a solitary witch, she can count on the love and friendship of others to support and encourage her, even as she supports and encourages them. And while Sailor remains swoonworthy, it is Oscar who has truly captured my heart! Juliet Blackwell's Witchcraft series continues to be one of my most favorite series. A TOXIC TROUSSEAU is a multifaceted mystery including a local legend involving a curse, a fictional representation of the famous Winchester House, and a fascinating part of fashion history which combine to create a captivating story.

A Toxic Trousseau by Juliet Blackwell is the eighth Witchcraft Mystery novel. Lily Ivory owns Aunt Cora’s Closet in San Francisco, California. Lily sells gently used vintage clothing and encourages her customers to wear the items (Lily loves to wear the clothes from her store). Lily is in the store when a young woman approaches her. It turns out that Lily is being sued. Autumn Jennings came into the store recently and was disdainful of the merchandise. Oscar, Lily’s shape-shifting familiar, gave her a nudge (well, maybe a head butt) into some clothing. Ms. Jennings is claiming that she was injured (from falling into some clothing) and is suing for compensation. It turns out that Autumn owns a vintage clothing store as well, though she carries older clothing (Victorian, 20s, Edwardian) with designer labels that people could not wear on an everyday basis (they are better for museum displays). Lily cannot afford a lawsuit and goes to talk with Autumn (and takes Maya with her). They do not find anyone in the store and then they hear thumping above. They go to investigate and end up with a gun pointed at them. Autumn is unstable on her feet and then collapses. Unfortunately for Lily, she ends up a prime suspect because of the lawsuit. Inspector Carlos Romero (whom Lily is used to working with on cases) did not get assigned the case. Inspectors Stinson and Ng get the case and they hope for a quick solution. Lily feels compelled to investigate. Sailor tags along to keep Lily safe (he has certainly changed) and Oscar manages to join in (he does not want to be left out especially if there is going to be food). Lily investigation leads her to a cursed trousseau, a supposed haunted house, and a dog walker (who just happened to be the process server). Lily is not sure if there is anything magical in this case, but it is definitely suspicious. In addition, Aidan Rhodes is going out of town and asks Lily for a favor (she owes him one). Lily needs to take of Aidan’s satchel (which everyone is afraid of) and handle witchy disputes (and some licensing issues). Lily is going to need her wits about her to get through this week! Join Lily, Maya, Bronwyn, Sailor, and Oscar in A Toxic Trousseau. A Toxic Trousseau was just delightful. It was wonderful to visit Lily Ivory, Sailor, Oscar, Maya, and friends in San Francisco. The mystery was complex, twisty, and hard to figure out (just the way like them). There is some misdirection as well (to throw the reader off the scent of the real killer). I enjoyed the information on vintage (Victorian) clothing and how certain colors were created (green wallpaper was known to kill off people). Oscar’s hijinks are humorous and highly entertaining. I did not want this book to end. I give A Toxic Trousseau 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it as you can tell). A Toxic Trousseau has an enchanting (and romantic) ending! I cannot wait for the next book in A Witchcraft Mystery series. We will finally get to meet Lily's grandmother, Graceila and her coven (and Lily's mother). If you like magical cozy mysteries, you will be delighted with this book and series. A Toxic Trousseau can be read alone, but I highly recommend reading the previous books in the series. They will help you understand the characters, their relationships, and their abilities. In A Toxic Trousseau will get more information on the upcoming magical battle and meet the enemy. I rcvd. a free copy for an honest review.

A Toxic Trousseau is the eight book in the A Witchcraft Mystery series. The book starts with Lily being served with legal papers that she is being sued by Autumn Jennings because Oscar, Lily's pot belly pig familiar, had head-butted her causing injuries to her. The next day Lily and Maya plan to visit with Jennings to see if this problem can be resolved without going to court. When they get there, they find that Jennings appears to be very ill and they call for medical help. She soon learns that Jennings reportedly has a trousseau that had a curse attached to it. So when Jennings passes from arsenic poisoning, Lily sets out to find out how she came to have the trousseau and get the curse removed. Most all the interesting characters are back in this book. I must say that I thought this book is probably of the better books in this interesting series. I will be watching for the next in this series.

Interesting story, especially the set up for the next book. I look forward to reading it. Stephanie Clabagan

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