Audiobook review: When the Crow’s Away by Auralee Wallace
When the Crow’s Away continues the story of witchy B&B owner Brynn. Having recently revived her ability to talk to ghosts, Brynn is anxious to help a recently departed connect with a love one. Meanwhile, Brynn’s aunts are busy playing matchmakers, worried Brynn is lonely after the death of her husband a couple years ago.
Brynn hasn’t had much chance to use her magic until Mr. Sweete’s ghost shows up and insists he was murdered by the wife of his business partner. Brynn is determined to find out what happened to Mr. Sweete, even if it looks like he died from natural causes.
When the Crow’s Away is an enjoyable follow up to In the Company of Witches. Brynn continues to mature in both powers and character development. I love her tenacity and desire to help Mr. Sweete, including the sometimes hard lessons she endures along the way. The mystery has twists and turns and a satisfying conclusion.
One aspect of the story that I didn’t love was the aunt’s interference and insistence that she needs to move on from the loss of her husband. I became really annoyed at Izzy and her machinations to set up Brynn with any guy. Brynn is no longer so dark and down, and she participates in the day to day activities at the inn. Why does she need to be in love or have a man? I didn’t care for this message.
Narration: The story is shared via first person POV of Brynn. The narrator has a youthful, energetic voice that suits Brynn. She alters her voice based on gender and age for the dialogue of all other characters, making each unique. I was impressed with her performance of the two aunts: bold and gruff for Nora, while soft and soothing for Izzy. I really enjoyed how the narrator added effects to make voices that are far away sound as such etc.
Overall, I enjoyed my return visit to Evenfall and spending time with Brynn and her aunts. My early annoyances with the aunts and their matchmaking was put to rest as the story progressed. I look forward to finding out what the new man in town means for Brynn!
My Ratings
Story: B
Narration: A-
Jen
About the Book:
The ghost of a recently deceased chocolatier believes he was murdered, and it’s up to young witch Brynn Warren to use her magical gifts and old-fashioned sleuthing skills to find out how he really met his bitter end in this enchanting new Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery.
After spending months unable to use her powers, Brynn Warren is once again using her gift and working at her family’s bed-and-breakfast. Her heart is full, and although one of her aunts wonders if it might be a little more full with a bit of romance in her life, Brynn is certain that finding love again is not in her future. In fact, she can’t imagine anyone being more certain of anything…except for maybe, the recently deceased Mortimer Sweete. He’s certain he’s been murdered, and he wants Brynn’s help to bring his killer to justice.
Mort is positive he knows who killed him: his business partner’s wife, Cookie, who had been trying to get them to sell the candy shop for months. But Brynn doesn’t share his conviction. After all, the coroner ruled his death natural causes, and Mort did have health problems in life. But with Cookie putting up a For Sale sign for the shop already, Brynn knows she can’t just let it go.
Trying to solve a might-be murder while attempting to stop her aunt from meddling in her personal life seems like a recipe for disaster. If Brynn wants to bring Mort’s spirit peace, she’ll have to rely on all her skills–both magical and mundane–to uncover the truth.
Author: Auralee Wallace
Narrator: Cassidy Brown
Series: Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery #2
Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Audiobook Release Date: April 5, 2022
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
Source: purchased
Audio Speed: 1.3x
Purchase info:
Audible/Amazon (affilate link)
Reviews in the Series:
In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace – Audiobook Review