When I read the blurb on the back, I was expecting that to be the set-up. You know, all that stuff in the first couple of chapters. Instead, it's more like a synopsis of 80% of the book. The story takes its time getting started, and the protagonist is a Pinball Protagonist until the final act, and then gets literally shoved into a passive role for the rest of the book.
The scenic detail is nice and seamlessly integrated into the narration because the protagonist is a professional photographer. Also, I appreciate the lack of twists for the sake of twists. My genre savvy told me that Angelica would be the mastermind or involved in the scheme somehow, but she is exactly what she told Lily she was from the start. The actual culprit is very obvious, which I found refreshing. It's a more satisfying culmination in the climax that way.
Personally, it feels like mystery-box gimmicks and plot contrivance are the only reasons that this book extends for basically two hundred pages.
Trickster Eric Novels gives "Witchnapped in Westerham (Paranormal Investigation Bureau book 1" a C-
Click here for my next book review: Read for fun: Shadow Guard - a Second Guard novel
Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration).
His fantasy series, Journey to Chaos, is currently available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback.
