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)

Interesting

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I liked the main character, but I would have connected to her more with better narration.
The book was pretty good. I wasn't dying to see what happened next, but it was an interesting story.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I did not enjoy the narration. The main character was from Texas, but the narrarator did not do the accent justice. She spoke so slowly that I almost stopped listening until I finally got used to it. I am from Texas and I haven't heard anyone speak that slowly.

Enjoyable

What did you like best about Secondhand Spirits? What did you like least?
Oscar is who I liked best.

Would you be willing to try another book from Juliet Blackwell? Why or why not?
I enjoyed this audio book, and have now downloaded the next one in the series

Would you listen to another book narrated by Xe Sands?
not a fan of narrator, but does an okay job with male voices, in general, too slow and breathy

Could you see Secondhand Spirits being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?
no, TV makes things too cheesy

One of my new favorite cozy mystery series!

I so loved this book!!. I had been sick with a nasty cold and could do nothing but lay in bed with my eyes closed when I thought about going thru my wish list and seeing if there was anything that sounded good. This book stuck out immediately so I put it on and in less than 2 days I was finished with it. That's saying a lot because typically I listen to my audio books for only an hour or two at most over a week or two. With this book however, I was hooked before the second chapter. I think what made me love it so much was the descriptive writing without being too overly detailed, which can sometimes lead to boring and drawn out. I felt like I was watching a movie in my mind the entire time I was listening. It was like the words were drawn instead of written.

As for performance, at first I didn't love the narrator. But literally by the 2nd or 3rd chapter I was so hooked on the story it didn't bother me. Now I love her voice and wouldn't want anyone else reading.

I'm so excited about this series and author, I would even go as far as to say Im glad I got so sick, because if I hadn't, I may not have listened to this book for a long time. If you like cozy mysteries with witty female characters, this is the book for you. It not only made me wish I could jump into the story, but has given me a well needed push of inspiration to keep moving forward on my own dreams of becoming a shop owner one day. Loved loved loved!!!!

It was good

I liked it. It's a fun light read and I will be listening to more of this series.

was not what I expceted

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Great listen, keep my earbuds on all day couldn't stop.

What other book might you compare Secondhand Spirits to and why?

Reminded me of Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates, but not so cartoony.

Love this book

I read that the reader of the story was quite but for me that was the best part and with headphones on I loved this book.

good book

keeps u interested from start to finish. nice audio book for driving. just p/u more books by this author.

The Witchcraft Mysteries books are great!

Xe Sands makes this author's already wonderful book and series "Witchcraft Mysteries" even better. She has put emotion into her great sultry voice.

Xe Sands has the Best voice for these characters!!

Amazingly great series. This is my second time listening to these books and I just love them. Such a fun storyline and setting with great bits of San Francisco history.

Liked Book --- Disliked Narrator

This was an enjoyable, easy read. Not at the level of Molly Harper's or Elizabeth Hunter's books, but definitely worth the time. If this series was narrated by someone other than Xe Sands, I would have already purchased the next two books in the series. Instead, if I decide to read the rest of the series later on, I will buy the ebook versions.

I like Xe Sands narration style. But it works with specific books. And it didn't work on this book. She is too monotone, relaxed and breathy.. She sounded world weary and worn out. She didn't narrate this she read it. And she sounded like Siri as she read it. I actually fell asleep listening to her.

This book needed someone with passion and attitude narrating. As the main character was contemplating the strong possibility that she might have to sacrifice her own life, she sounded bored.