To Charm a Killer is a murder mystery of a different stripe. It’s about a coven of Canadian witches who try to stop a serial murderer. But wait—this isn’t Sherlock meets Bewitched. This is a beautifully written book with sexy, complex characters and a cleverly-concealed mystery. For a genre book, it has a distinctly literary feel to it. Those who love a good turn of phrase and vivid descriptions will appreciate Hawkin’s lovely prose style, which remains clear and readable despite its poetic flourishes.

A serial killer is hunting witches in southern British Columbia, and the news of his latest victim infects the equinox ritual of the Hollystone Coven. Estrada, the sensual and dynamic high priest of the coven who works as a magician at the local goth nightclub, soon finds himself tied to the killer in an unnerving way.

Meanwhile, teenager Maggie finds herself inextricably drawn to the coven—and into the book’s events. She is becoming a young woman and trying to find her own way, a different one from her uptight, Catholic parents.

Besides lushly-described locations, the book boasts a cast of unique, interesting characters. (Estrada and goth club owner/ wannabe vampire Michael Stryker really need their own book….) There’s enough steamy bisexual polyamory here to make Anne Rice swoon.

And it will keep you guessing! I was sure I had it figured out at a couple of points only to discover that I was wrong. All in all, this book certainly charmed me. I'm glad there's a series!