The Witch of Belladonna Bay: A Novel
Bronwyn Whalen left her old name, BitsyWyn, back in Magnolia Creek, Alabama, along with her younger brother, Patrick, and her alcoholic father, Jackson. A call from Jackson has her returning home after 14 years to prove that Patrick is not guilty of her childhood best friend’s murder. She finds that not much has changed. There’s still a paralyzing mist over Belladonna Bay, her father would still rather drink than talk about her opium-addicted late mother, and she still feels drawn to Grant, who has secrets of his own. The biggest surprise is Byrd, Patrick’s daughter, whose powers are stronger and maybe more dangerous than those of any of the Whalen women. As Bronwyntries to exonerate her brother, she’ll have to face the truth about herself and the great love she feels for Byrd. High on southern charm, fans of Sarah Addison Allen will appreciate the magic realism with a hint (just a hint) of romance. Byrd can be a bit precocious and the language throughout is a little salty, but reading groups may enjoy sorting out the book’s sometimes complicated mythology. --Susan Maguire