This book review was part of a podcast discussion.
Listen to the episode here.
1880. Beatrice Dunn was always interested in that which cannot be explained. Having grown up in the countryside, when she learned of a tea shop in New York holding interviews for a shop tender position (those averse to magic need not apply) she simply had to go. After a frightful visit from a ghost in the shop she was hired on by Adelaide and Eleanor, the proprietresses of the shop. Eleanor was a witch who embraced her magic and helped those who needed it. Adelaide refused to admit to herself that she truly had a gift, instead insisting her tarot cards had the answers. Not only do these women adore Beatrice, but so does Perdu, Eleanor’s pet raven that was her mother’s before and who may or may not be more than a bird. Beatrice is shown to have significant magical talent: she is able to talk to the dead. Discovering this, Eleanor and Adelaide decide to train her in the mystic arts.
At the same time, women around the area go missing, Cleopatra’s needle is arriving in the city, a nosy churchwoman tries to shutter their shop, a little boy ghost follows his mother, a man is interested in the goings-on in the afterlife.
I really liked this book. It was told from multiple perspectives and included news articles from the time and letters and diary entries. I was interested in the characters the whole way through and would definitely read a sequel as it seems to have set up for one with a few unanswered side stories.
Minnesota
Caty Willis works a boring day job, but in downtime fancies herself an artist and writer. She loves reading, especially fantasy, and dreams of opening a bookstore one day. Follow her on Twitter @shimmybook.
