Sanctuary

This riveting mystery from James (the Dark Gifts fantasy trilogy as Vic James) shows how a contemporary witch hunt affects the residents of a Connecticut town. When Sanctuary High football star Daniel Whitman falls and breaks his neck while escaping from a house that catches fire during a graduation party, his death appears to be an accident. Det. Maggie Knight, a recent Connecticut Police Academy grad posted to “swanky” Sanctuary (“the sort of place that’s good at making you feel not good enough”), investigates. Among the partygoers was Harper Fenn, daughter of the town’s witch, Sarah. After Harper is accused by Jacob Bolt, the police chief’s son and Daniel’s best friend, of using witchcraft to cause Daniel’s fall, accusations fly, and the Fenns are no longer safe in Sanctuary. Many prominent citizens have enlisted Sarah’s help over the years, and their secrets might now be exposed. Readers will sympathize with Maggie as she tries to protect the people of Sanctuary from succumbing to their fears and find out what really happened to Daniel. Assured prose and a tight plot lift this tale of mass hysteria. James is off to a fine start. (Sept.)