Stolen Darlings - Helen Phifer

 Stolen Darlings - Helen Phifer

Publication Date:  Sept. 29, 2023

She read

A dead body is discovered at Castlerigg Stone Circle on Ostara, the Spring Equinox.  The young woman, whose throat was slit, is wearing a white dress, crown of pink roses, and garland of greens.  She is also one of a number of local women who consider themselves witches and is the proprietor of a magical shop.  It is up to Detective Morgan Brookes and her colleagues to figure out the significance of the posed body and adornments and find the killer. When they track down the florist who made the crown, they learn that three were ordered; will there be more victims?  

This was a fast, engrossing read.  I enjoyed the main characters and the convivial relationships within the investigative team.  The story is a perfect combination for lovers of British police procedurals and witches! There are a number of suspects and red herrings to keep readers guessing.  

This is the tenth in the Detective Morgan Brookes series.  Although it does work as a standalone, there are quite a few characters introduced immediately, mostly just by their first names.  Since I have only read one other book in this series and it was a while ago, I would have appreciated knowing a little more about their positions, ranks, relationships, histories.  Some series authors are very careful to help new readers catch up; that did not occur in this book.  I also felt that there was one major question left unanswered about the case.  Despite these concerns, it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next one. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #bookouture for the ARC.

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