Death of a Neighborhood Witch: A Jaine Austen Mystery

In Levine’s whimsical 11th mystery featuring L.A. freelance writer Jaine Austen (after 2011’s Pampered to Death), our scatterbrained, sugar-addicted heroine; her demanding cat, Prozac; and nosy shoe salesman Lance Venable all fall head over heels for their new neighbor, Peter Connor. Unclear on Peter’s sexual preference, Jaine and Lance outdo each other trying to impress the handsome book editor. Peter’s arrival even brings the curmudgeonly neighborhood “witch,” forgotten TV actress Eleanor Jenkins, better known as Cryptessa Muldoon, out of her cluttered house. Already facing a suit in small claims court for the death of Cryptessa’s beloved parakeet, Van Helsing, Jaine falls even deeper into trouble—and under police suspicion—when the one-time star turns up on Halloween night stabbed to death with her own Do Not Trespass sign. Cozy fans will enjoy seeing how Jaine wiggles out of this one. Agent: Evan Marshall, the Evan Marshall Agency. (Sept.)