#witches-ball — Public Fediverse posts

The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle

This is a small-town cozy mystery with a paranormal twist.

When Drew Benson inherited her aunt’s new age shop, she didn’t expect to get pulled into a twenty-year-old mystery.

Drew’s aunt Hannah had psychic abilities and when a local girl disappeared, Hannah tried to help the police. She gave the police three words that she felt were connected to the missing girl. The words were Lake, Saint, and Geranium. The police were never able to connect the dots. Eventually the search was called off, and the girl was never found. Hannah became known as a fraud.

Now that Drew has moved into her apartment above the shop, she has found that she enjoys owning the business but so far, she isn’t able to make it work. The customers have never come back.

Drew is considering selling, like her mother thinks she should until someone from high school who has gone on to become a journalist for a large newspaper shows up. He intends to write a twentieth anniversary story about the missing girl.

Drew hasn’t told anyone that she too has psychic abilities. She can hold objects and get a vision. She does so for the journalist and he convinces her that she could help him investigate the cold case. He believes they can get the story and clear her aunt’s name.

While digging through her aunt’s notes from the investigation, she discovers that her aunt didn’t share all the information with the police. There was a fourth word, Drew. Somehow Drew has a connection with the missing girl and knowing that makes it easier for her to be the catalyst to solving the mystery.

This is a beautifully written story that pulled me in and I thoroughly enjoyed the wild ride. I think this will be one of my favorite books for the year.

Published September 8, 2026.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for sending me this book for review. All Opinions are my own.

I include links to purchase. As an associate, I earn from qualified purchases. Thanks to all my readers who have supported me in the past.

More books by Vikki VanSickle:

The Mystic and the Missing Girl

P.S. Tell No One – a young adult book

Days that End in Y

The Winnowing

Upcoming Reviews:

Roots & Wrath by E.J. Wenstrom

What I am currently reading:

Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz

In the Woods They Wait by Carrie Lee South

It’s a dark and stormy night as I write this review. We had 70 mph bursts of wind going through earlier and rain that is causing flash flooding in some areas. As I write, I can see the rain pattering on the windows and hear the low rumble of thunder in the distance. It’s supposed to do this most of the night.

Soon I will be cozy in bed with a book. What about you?

Happy Reading!

If you like bargains, check out my book shop.

https://pangobooks.com/bookstore/virginia468417

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