A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison

Aleksandra Daniels hasn't set foot in the quiet seaside town of Bellamy Bay, North Carolina in over twenty years. Ever since her mother's tragic death, her father has mysteriously forbidden her from visiting her aunt and cousins. But on a whim, Alex accepts an invitation to visit her estranged relatives and to help them in their family business: an herbal apothecary known for its remarkably potent teas, salves, and folk remedies.

Bellamy Bay doesn't look like trouble, but this is a town that harbors dark secrets. Alex discovers that her own family is at the center of salacious town gossip, and that they are rumored to be magical healers descended from mermaids. She brushes this off as nonsense until a local is poisoned and her aunt Lidia is arrested for the crime. Alex is certain Lidia is being framed, and she resolves to find out why.

Alex's investigation unearths stories that some have gone to desperate lengths to conceal: forbidden affairs, family rivalries, and the truth about Alex's own ancestry. And when the case turns deadly, Alex learns that not only are these secrets worth hiding, but they may even be worth killing for.

Series: Enchanted Bay Mystery #1  | Publisher: Crooked Lane Books |  Genre: Cozy Mystery | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4.5 Cups

 Magic, murder, mermaids, and magical rivals, A Spell for Trouble has all of that and so much more.

Alex has returned to Bellamy Bay, her mother’s hometown, to spend some time with her mother’s family. What she wasn’t expecting was to discover she comes from a long line of magical mermaids who just so happen to be in a power struggle with another group of mermaids. When a man is murdered and her aunt is blamed, Alex takes it upon herself to clear her aunt’s name. As secrets are revealed, Alex soon realizes she could be the killer’s next victim.

There’s a lot of magical goodness going on in this one and I was hooked.

Alex was a fun character to get to know. There’s a lot going on in her life and lot more happens once she steps foot in Bellamy Bay yet she wasn’t willing to throw her hands up in the air and walk away. She was determined to fight for her aunt’s name to be cleared even if it meant putting herself in harm’s way. While she was a little skeptical about her witchy ability, she also didn’t shy away from it.

The secondary characters (her aunt, cousins, and love interests) were also interesting well-rounded characters that had me wanting to know more.

The mystery in this book was solid yet predictable but I still enjoyed the process. The investigation in this one was slightly different due to some of the magical elements, but it highly detailed and rather enjoyable.

Of course, there’s a love triangle brewing and I’m excited to what how this one plays out.

Overall, If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with a fun magical twist, I highly recommend A Spell for Trouble.