Reviewed by Maria Lokken

3 1/2 stars

This is the first book in the Witches of Mayfair series. Admittedly, it’s the first time I’ve read a historical paranormal mystery, and hats off to Ms. Greiman for creating a very interesting plot.

Elegance “Ella” St. James possesses very special talents. At the outset, it’s not exactly clear what those talents are and Ms. Greiman doesn’t hit you over the head with a laundry list of her special skills. Instead, the author subtly allows Ella to display her gifts as the book unfolds. From the start, you assume Ella is just one of the ton, at yet another party, doing what people of the ton do. We learn that her main objective is to have a child, and not necessarily a husband, unless he’s dull, tedious and ugly. It’s all very interesting, until WHAM, the author reveals she’s a witch. I didn’t see it coming, and it wasn’t expected. While I was reading the book, I actually did a double take on the page. Really, it was a delicious reveal. Then I smiled, and thought to myself, “Very clever.”

I won’t tell you what kind of witch, how she became a witch, why she wants a child and no husband – no spoilers here. What I will tell you is – Ella is strong, but basically she’s alone and untrusting. In between trying to find a man who will sire her child among the ever so ‘upper, upper’ of the ton, she’s trying to solve the mystery of her friends death. In an effort to solve the mystery, she continually runs up against Thomas Donovan. Is he tracking her? Or is this a coincidence? Trust, that’s the premise here. Trusting enough to be yourself, even if what you are is different, and not altogether familiar.

The author gives us the beginning seeds of several other characters in the book. These characters were nicely woven in, not taking over, and I can certainly see where they will fit in the series.