Corpses and Cauldrons

The first hint that this magical town is teetering on the edge of supernatural disaster? The corpse in the cauldron.

Not attracting attention in Willowbark is a little hard to do when your inherited apothecary shop is brimming with magic, your cat might be a dragon, and someone just turned up dead in the middle of the Halloween festival . . . inside one of the decorative cauldrons. Festive, right?

Add in local witches, vampires with attitude problems, and a coven watching my every move, and yeah—blending in isn't exactly going well.

I'm Aurora Hart. Middle-aged apothecary. Occasional spellcaster. Reluctant untangler of magical messes. I came back to Willowbark thinking I'd heal some hearts, keep my head down, and maybe brew a few calming teas. Instead, I'm knee-deep in a murder, a centuries-old pact no one wants to talk about, and a broody stranger whose very presence seems to be ticking someone off in a very murdery way.

The town may look quaint, but don't let the cinnamon-sugar smiles fool you—magic here is hidden for a reason. And someone's willing to kill to bring it to light.