Margaret Morse loves murder mysteries—the sooner the corpse appears, the better! If not reading crime fiction, she's writing it. Margaret's debut novel, Murder Casts a Spell, features lawyer Petra Rakowitz, who turns into a witch during her first murder case. In the second, Murder Lifts the Spirits, Petra must defend herself from a murder charge. The third, Murder Hexes the Reunion, finds Petra determined to solve a swindler's killing before her newly discovered birth mother emerges as a suspect.

When characters can kill with magic, the ways to dispatch a victim dramatically increase. After 25 years as a Public Defender Margaret knows a lawyer can transform into a witch. Margaret lives in Phoenix with her wonderful husband Duane and their numerous mutts. If she's not planning how to kill someone, Margaret loves cooking, bird watching, and visiting stark landscapes.

Murder Casts a Spell by Margaret Morse

A dysfunctional wizard hits lawyer Petra Rakowitz with a spell that switches on her repressed magic ability. Struggling to control this new power, Petra must reinvent herself as a witch. She lives in a world where magicals live openly with non-magicals. As a witch, she faces hostility from those afraid of magic. Even worse, if she can't control her powers, the Wizards Council will lock her up.

While learning to be a good witch, Petra takes on her first murder case. She'll save her client and friend Keegan by finding the real killer. Not so easy—too many hot suspects emerge lying their heads off. Her client, though facing the death penalty, hides facts from her. Her work for Keegan will derail if the Wizards Council discovers she's bungled spells. As she closes in on the real killer, she hopes it's not the suspect who tempts her to love again.

CURATOR'S NOTE

Margaret C. Morse's book is a delightful blend of mystery, court-room drama, and magic. This is just the start of the Petra Rakowitz series. Be sure to go find them all! – Leah R Cutter

 

REVIEWS

  • "Murder Casts A Spell is the first book in the Petra Rakowitz Series and the first book that I read by Margaret C. Morse and it does not disappointed me. It's a captivating, exciting and intriguing story with wonderful magical world that pull me in right from the beginning."

    – Reader review

  • "Margaret C. Morse has written a captivating book about the integration of "muggles" and wizards living in an uneasy harmony in Phoenix, Az. Wizards providing a new and terrifying form of murder. I think you will find the transformation of Petra to a wizard as enjoyable as I did!"

    – Reader review

  • "MURDER CASTS ITS SPELL's twists and turns will keep readers guessing right up to its creative conclusion, and its balance of mystery and paranormal elements, along with a nice sprinkling of romance, should engage readers of all three genres. I especially enjoyed the thread featuring Petra's familiar. A strong start to a promising series."

    – Reader review
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

Before I could move, Detective Snyder charged in through the front door, bypassing the security check. A uniformed cop and a Protector Wizard armed with a staff stomped after him.

Snyder pushed a palm at me, as if he were stopping traffic. "Miss Rakowitz, step aside. Keegan Flynn, you're under arrest."

Keegan went rigid. "You're crazy!"

My mind raced with possible charges, from threatening to interfering with judicial proceedings. I held my place next to Keegan. "My client chooses to remain silent. What is the exact charge?"

Snyder fixed hard cop eyes on Keegan. "The murder of Felicia Morlatti."

A spasm disfigured Keegan's face. I wished to comfort him because he was in anguish, but the uniformed cop clamped on to Keegan's arm. Keegan slammed his forehead into the cinder block wall and moaned, "Felicia, Felicia."

Seeing the Protector Wizard lift his wand, I tugged at Keegan's sleeve. "Don't fight them. It won't help." I didn't want him zapped by the Proz. The Protective Wizard. At my touch, Keegan shuddered and went limp, leaning on the wall. After the cop cuffed him, the Proz lowered his staff.

I didn't believe Keegan killed Felicia. His surprise and relief looked genuine when I'd told him she was going to drop charges. He wasn't a good enough actor to fake such a natural reaction. If he'd kept secrets from me, it was probably about something that would now seem trivial. Charged up with adrenaline, I needed to do something for him, so I got in Snyder's face. "What kind of evidence do you have?"

He clamped on to Keegan's shoulder. "I've got plenty."

Still holding Keegan's sleeve, I tightened my grip. If only I could transfer hope and strength to him—but I wasn't a magician. I knew when I let go he'd belong to the cops. Lawyer words came out instead of words of comfort. "Listen to me. Keep your mouth shut. Don't say a word."

I released him and pointed a finger in Snyder's face. "He's invoking his right to remain silent and wants a lawyer."

"You're my lawyer." Keegan's voice was stretched thin.

It was my turn to swallow a bitter pill. "I can't. I'm not death-qualified. I'll let your family know they need to hire someone. I'll stand in until they get a death penalty lawyer."

At my mention of the death penalty, Keegan's face froze in its grimace. He had shut himself off from me. Snyder and the cop propelled him out of the building.