Secondhand Spirits

A Witchcraft Mystery, Book 1

By: Juliet Blackwell

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Lily Ivory hopes for a normal life when she opens Aunt Cora's Closet. With her magical knack for vintage fashion - she can sense vibrations of the past from clothing and jewelry - her store becomes a big hit. But when a client is murdered and children start disappearing from the Bay Area, Lily may be the only one who can unravel the crime.

She tries to keep her identity a secret while investigating, but it's not easy - especially under the spells of sexy "mythbuster" Max Carmichael and powerful witch Aidan Rhodes. Will Lily's witchy ways be forced out of the closet?

©2009 Juliet Blackwell (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Lily Ivory is a 21st-century Samantha Stevens, minus the nose wriggling. The story combines fun and seriousness for an entertaining read." ( Romantic Times)

Really enjoyed the narrator

Lovely, soft, and gentle southern accent without being distracting or false. The pacing was great, when listening to a book it’s easy to be frustrated when you wish they went faster. I enjoyed the fun light read, nothing TOO over the top or scary but enough to keep you guessing and wanting to know what happens to our favorite witch next. Nice character development, and thank you for subtle sexiness over sex! Loved this witchy mystery. Exactly my style!

I'll Read the Next Book

Would you listen to Secondhand Spirits again? Why?

It was a little hard to get into in the beginning, but I think that had more to do with the type of fantasy fiction I'm use to rather than a shortcoming of the story. I find most witch stories either juvenile or over sexed. This was neither.

It was a fun read without being soppy or condescending. The main character, Lily Ivory I think is more complicated that one may see in how she is written, but I personally related to the character well. I thing the story and the character development shroud have been bigger/more in depth, but it was enough to keep me interested to want to read the next book.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I liked how Xe Sands read the story, able to give the right about of femininity, strength, provado and curiosity that carry the story.

Beautifully Entertaining

First off, this narrator (Xe Sands) is amazing throughout this entire series. Her voice is mix of sultry yet innocent and southern sweet tea with a warm embrace. She brings this character to life in the most natural way. I feel as though I could walk into "Aunt Cora's Closet", meet Lily Ivory, and share an herbal tea at her shop counter. Love this narrator!!
Second, the author (Juliet Blackwell) put this series together like an artist with the most beautiful masterpiece. I absolutely love the way things come together and fall in place. The flow of these books is terrific. There is romance, comedy, horror, and just enough facts to make everything seem real. The author's time spent researching histories and legends shines through. You won't regret starting this series. Every book leaves you frantically searching for the next. Enjoy this expertly written and beautifully narrated mystical series!

Proper proportions make for a potent potion

Ingredients needed for a delicious arcane gumshoe who is into anachronistic apparel.

Finely grind up Essence of Millhone
Add to a heating cauldron of various traditions including brujerià, wicca, and voodoo.

Slowly stir in, legendary ghost stories, oogly booglies, little jumps, and the occasional fright until the pot stirs itself.

Once boiling add a freshly Butchered, Hairy eye of Sleuth.

Let simmer through the sound system for eight hours and you have the perfect recipe for a very interesting witchy detective character and series.

I really enjoyed this book. The author puts together many of the aspects I enjoy in other fiction. I like the mystery, the magick, a strong female character who we can relate to because she still has her faults. Mostly I like the voice which I feel is bright overall. Sure there are shadows, but without shadows we can't see dimension.

This is my new series.

The Good the Bad and the Narattor

I enjoyed the story. It was interesting I want to listen to the series, But I don't think I can get passed this narrator. Seems there are many witches in San Francisco. The story was interesting because it was not predictable to me. But the voice doesn't fit the story. If you want to hear a sultry witch then this is your series.

Great new series

I found this author looking for similar stories like Victoria Laurie's Abby Cooper. SO glad I did!

Great easy listen

Sweet story that is easy to follow and listen. Very cozy and comfortable. Would recommend

So enjoyable

I loved this book from front to back. Different, filled with an interesting story and interesting characters. I also love the voice of the narrator - it soothes me. Perfect for keeping company or keeping your spirits up. I will keep reading.

Witches and fashion - what's not to like!

I just discovered these types of cozy, paranormal mysteries, and I have to say I am ready for more. Secondhand Spirits is light and breezy fun with a bit of darkness for some edge. For me witches can always add to the recipe for a good time; throw in some vintage fashion, a cool San Francisco Haight-Ashbury setting, a haunted house, a gargoyle that can morph into a pot-belly pig, herbs, spells, and demons and ... what more can you want. And there are NO vampires, a huge plus as far as I'm concerned! The characters were all likeable as well, especially the magic-wary Lily who can no longer deny her powers when she discovers children have been going missing in the City (what can be a touchy subject is handled in a sensitive manner). This is certainly not rocket science I know, but it IS terribly fun brain candy which we all need at least from time to time (me more than most probably)! As of this writing Audible has no other books from this series, so I hope more are on their way.

Narrator ruined it for me

I do agree that this is a very interesting and fun witchy book with great characters. But I almost didnt finish it because of the narrators softly sexual voice. In fact , I stopped listening for a time and went on to another book, but I didnt want to give up on a potentially good story. I could barely hear the narrator and had to hold my Ipad up to my ear to hear it! I went to Walmart and bought a speaker for it just so I could hear it better! Im not sure I want to go on to the next book in the series.