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 but slow going

Would you try another book from Juliet Blackwell and/or Xe Sands?

I liked the story line and have downloaded the next book because I want to see how Lily develops.

Any additional comments?

The voice was a little to flat for me. I kept falling asleep. But I liked the story line so I'm trying the next in the series.

A great 'soft' murder mystery

Would you listen to Secondhand Spirits again? Why?

I have listened to this audiobook repeatedly. The story is enjoyable and the reader's voice is soothing making it all the better.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The lead character Lily is great. She is smart, gutsy but not unrealistic.The secondary and tertiary characters are just as enjoyable as the main character.

Any additional comments?

This murder mystery series is such a good read because it makes sense why this woman is trying to solve these mysteries. She is the only one available who can. Many of today's series involve protagonists whose involvements in such crimes makes no sense so it becomes difficult to get lost in the story. Such is not the case here.

Cute light-hearted witchy mystery...

If you could sum up Secondhand Spirits in three words, what would they be?

Pleasant, quick-read, enjoyable

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was good, but, simpler than many mysteries. It's a lighthearted mystery that's not too heavy, technical, etc. The characters are pleasant, so it's entertaining. Not a nail biter, but, I liked it enough to want to read/listen to the rest of the series. I like the main characters. I also like that's a mystical title as I like a little supernatural fun and wish there were might wiccan themed fiction.

What does Xe Sands bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A lot of reviews complained about the narrator and I admit AT FIRST she read with a southern accent that sounded like it was trying to be sexy, but, that lessened after the first bit and just became a Texas type southern accent and I got used to it and I could ignore it. It fits the character in my opinion and am glad I did not go by reviews that said to skip this book because of the narrator. Actually, her calm voice and the first person POV of the book makes you feel like you are listening to a friend talk not being lectured to by a scholar, so I actually have grown to like Xe Sands' narration.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reaction, just a pleasant simple fun mystery.

Any additional comments?

As a reader, give the narration a try, don't skip the book if the synopsis appeals to you. I'd like more plot development from the auther, Agatha Christie or Elzabeth Peters would be prime examples of slightly deeper mysteries that can still balance humor and comfy characters you love.

Great book, needs new narrator

This book has a cute storyline That's got just enough mystery to keep you intrigued, a perfect light summer read. The narrator doesn't enunciate and in some parts she is hard to understand, which distracts from the book.

Light witchy listen

I enjoyed the back ground descriptions. The story progressed with enough detail to keep me interested. The narrator did a great job of distinguishing the characters. I got the next books in the series.

Hooked!

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

Great narrator, funny upbeat story with lots of action.

What did you like best about this story?

The plot twist with references to the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale.

Which scene was your favorite?

Too many good scenes to choose from...

Any additional comments?

I plan to read all the books in the series.

Ok story loose ends and a breathy reading

The story is ok but there are a lot of things unexplained. I am hoping the series will fill me it. Overall the story has moderate entertainment value. I really struggled with the reader. She sounded like she was always trying to seduce everyone with her breathy voice, making the story feel too “romancy” for my taste. I really hesitate to get the next one in the series because of the read. Maybe I’ll get used to it.

good series, a fun read

I've listened to the entire 5 books in the series ( so far) and looking forward to more (soon I hope). Good characters. I like the gobkin (he's a crossbreed) who's a familiar who's familiar shape is as a miniature potbellied pig who hangs out with his witch in a vintage clothing shop in San Francisco. He and his person get into lots of situations, and their friends help them get out. I highly recommend any and all in this series. I read them out of order, and gone back and read them in order, either way works fine. Its easy enough to pick up on the characters.

The narrator was not good

If you could sum up Secondhand Spirits in three words, what would they be?

this is a great audio book looking forward to reading the series. I appreciate the absence of "raw" sex, at least in the first book. the narrator was very good, she did not add anything the the story

Secondhand Spirits

Really enjoyed this book. I look forward to the other books in this series. She kept it interesting throughout. Always enjoy the narrator...Xe Sands is one of my favorites!