Death of a Neighborhood Witch by Laura Levine

Reviewed by Jeanne

In this entry in the long running series, Jaine Austen runs afoul of one of her neighbors, a former actress known for her role as Cryptessa in a zombie sitcom back in the day.  The show only lasted one season but like any good monster, Cryptessa refuses to be buried.

Cryptessa’s pet parakeet Van Helsing can’t say the same, inasmuch as the elderly bird has keeled over dead just as Jaine is in Cryptessa’s yard trying to get Prozac—her cat, not the drug. Cryptessa claims that Prozac frightened her bird to death and threatens to sue unless Jaine helps bury the budgie.  And spend hours planting Cryptessa’s petunias.  And numerous chores to be named later.

This is putting a serious crimp in Jaine’s plans to flirt with Peter, the hunky guy who just moved in down the street and who is definitely, yes, DEFINITELY flirting with her, although Jaine’s friend Lance is equally sure that Peter is flirting with him.  Both are attending Peter’s Halloween party where they think matters will be settled, but—unsurprisingly—things don’t go as planned.

For one thing, Cryptessa managed to get herself killed in grand style, and Jaine—parakeet murderer—may be suspect number one.

I will admit it was the cover that first drew me in: Hiro Kimura’s renditions of Prozac are a delight, and a good representation of the contents.  They’re funny, cute, and a little over the top.  Levine exaggerates everything for comic effect, and that includes the names of characters, just in case Cryptessa didn’t give you a clue.   (Wait’ll you read about Prozac’s favorite cat food flavors.) There are epic battles, such as Jaine and the Tummy Tamer or Jaine’s father aka Daddy-O and the neighbors over his “FANG-Tastic” Dracula blasting “Fangs for the Memories” which is causing complaints for some reason.  And of course, the little matter of Jaine being a murder suspect.

If you aren’t a fan of unlikely situations or snarky cats, this may not be the book for you. On the other hand, if you love a heroine who throws caution to the wind, scarfs down Oreos, and rushes in where angels fear to treat, you may be in for a treat.  I love Jaine because she bounces back no matter what.  She can be insulted (and insulting) but she is quick to move on, and (mostly) forgive.  I’m looking at you, Lance.

Books don’t need to be read in order.

 

Titles in the series:

This Pen for Hire

Last Writes

Killer Blonde

Shoes to Die For

PMS Murder

Death by Panty Hose

Killing Bridezilla

Killer Cruise

Death of a Trophy Wife

Pampered to Death

Death of a Neighborhood Witch

Killing Cupid

Death by Tiara

Murder Has Nine Lives

Death of a Bachelorette

Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge

Death of a Gigolo

Murder Gets a Makeover

Death by Smoothie (2022)