Pawsitively Cursed is the second Witch of Edgehill Mystery by Melissa Erin Jackson. While this mystery is unrelated to the first and can stand up well on its ow, from a character and world building standpoint I recommend reading this series in order for the fullest enjoyment.
For the past fourteen years Amber Blackwood, has been haunted by her parents’ deaths. The whole town knows about the tragedy, but the details remain a mystery even to Amber. From her tiny studio apartment above her shop, The Quirky Whisker, Amber can see her partially rebuilt old house out on the edge of town. Although she now has a good life—delighting children with her magically infused toys, concocting healing tinctures for Edgehill’s residents, doting on her cats, Tom and Alley, and sitting on the committee for the town’s annual Here and Meow Festival—she feels stuck in the past. Amber suspects the fire that killed her parents was set deliberately by a witch from the cursed Penhallow clan, from whom no one has heard even a whisper since the night her parents died. The clan’s sudden disappearance is no coincidence to Amber, but her aunt Gretchen refuses to believe there’s a connection and urges Amber to stop looking for someone to blame. So Amber is shocked when Aunt Gretchen shows up unexpectedly, claiming the Penhallows have resurfaced and that one of them is heading for Edgehill with Amber in his sights. Aunt Gretchen knows more about the fabled clan than she’s letting on. Amber is determined to find out what her aunt is hiding, and what the Penhallow seeks, before the same treacherous force that took Amber’s parents’ lives claims her own.
Pawsitively Cursed is a wonderful continuation of Amber's story. This book is just as much about Amber's growth and fears as it is the actual mystery. She has insecurities, worries, and doubts that everyone can relate to on some level- and then there is the added worry about magic secrets that just might be the death of her and others. The unveiling of the mystery and the way her double life impacts her social life and the safety of the town was well paced and compelling. Getting to know more about Amber's past, and her remaining family was nice, and I think added a greater depth to her character. I like that wile Amber was putting herself out there and trying to date- and I enjoyed the honesty in the awkward moments- I was relieved that that part of the story never overwhelmed the mystery and magic that kept he story line moving forward. The mystery and danger aspects of the story were also well done. I was almost constantly on edge waiting for one character or another not to be who they appeared. The tension was very well maintained. I really did expect an extra twist at the end, and was fairly pleased that the epilogue went in a completely (though not unexpected) way to tease for the next book. I am very eager for that book, and will definitely be following this series onward.
Pawsitively Cursed is even better than the first book in the series, and I am eager to see where the story, and its characters, go from here.
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