I read the first book in this series, Mrs. Morris and the Ghost, three years ago and enjoyed it. Widowed Charlene Morris bought a mansion sight unseen with plans to turn in into a bed and breakfast. Little did she know it came with its own resident ghost, Jack Strathmore.

Mrs. Morris and the Witch, picks up soon after the events in the first book of this cozy mystery series. Charlene is excited about hosting her first guests over Halloween and has planned an unforgettable evening Halloween night with a tour of Salem and a cemetery, led by a local ghost expert. Unfortunately, the night takes a turn for the worst when Charlene finds Morganna, a local Wiccan, dead in her shop. One of Charlene's guests is a person of interest, and Charlene is determined to clear his name. Charlene's inquiries lead her down the path to find the murderer, learning about the modern day Wiccan community and coven politics in Salem along the way.

It was a pleasure to spend time with Charlene again as well as her friendly household ghost, Jack. She uses him as a sounding board quite a bit in the novel, and he offers some helpful suggestions along the way. Her friend and detective, Sam, seems quite capable at his job, and it's obvious he is frustrated with Charlene's interference--not to mention the way she puts herself in danger. I can't really blame him. There is one scene in the novel in which Charlene does something very dumb, in fact; but I had to laugh because not too long after that scene, Charlene is reading a romantic suspense novel and describes the heroine as "smart and savvy, not the too-stupid-to-live kind, like she'd been the night before." Kudos to authors Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton for calling their own character out! I do like Charlene though even if her curiosity gets the better of her sometimes.

I was along for the ride in this paranormal cozy mystery and did not figure out who was behind the murder until the end. The cast of characters, some familiar from the previous book, and others new, had interesting backstories of their own, and I am enjoying getting to know Charlene's Salem through her eyes. ( )

Charlene Morris is both excited and nervous to finally be opening her new B&B to her first customers. She's moved to Salem after the sudden death of her husband a year and a half ago, wanting to get away and start a new life for herself.

Unfortunately, when she moved in, she found out she had a permanent roommate -- the ghost of Dr. Jack Strathmore, who was murdered in the home three years ago. But now, after getting used to him, she wants him to stick around because she's grown fond of him. No one else can see or hear Jack, so they've made a pact that he won't disturb her guests.

Among her first guests are police detective Sam Holden's sister, Sydney, and brother-in-law, Jim, so she especially wants her first guests to walk away with a good impression of her new business. When Charlene takes her guests on a ghost tour, courtesy of Kevin, a local bar owner who's running the tour, she and they stop at a glass-making shop where she meets the owner, Morganna, who makes the beautiful creations. But when they return to the shop later on, she and Jim find Morganna dead in the back, and one of her guests becomes a major suspect.

Later she finds that Morganna wasn't the woman she appeared to be, and had made strong enemies in the Wiccan community. But with her young guest Dylan's life on the line, Charlene wants to help, and finds herself deep within their community. Did one of the witches murder Morganna? If not, who could have done it? And are they going to go after a second victim, namely her?...

This is the second book in the series, and I must say that I'm enjoying it immensely. I also have to say that I'm a sucker for books with a ghost (never a poltergeist), who manages to find their way into the protagonist's life. I always wish that the ghost could eventually find their way to become human again by doing something spectacular so they could eventually be together. Ah, well; even though I don't read romances much, I guess I'm really a romantic at heart.

Anyway, when a young man at her B&B is suspected of killing the witch, Charlene turns to Brandy Flint, who owns the local winery and is a witch herself, for help. Brandy's mother Evelyn, who is extremely powerful, comes to Charlene's aid with information about Morganna. Even though Sam is continuously telling Charlene to leave it be, we know she never does, thinking she's only asking questions.

But it brings her into contact with a new friend - Kass Fortune - who owns the local tea shop next door to Morganna's, and also gives her information on the woman. What follows is Charlene's first foray into the Wiccan world, and trying to learn about them and understand what happened. Unfortunately, it also brings her into the circle of the killer, who has a better idea of what to do with Charlene.

The plot is quite interesting, and I enjoyed reading about the Wiccan world. I do like Evelyn, and would like to see more of her in later books. But the conversations between Charlene and Jack are showing two damaged souls, each in their own way, who have found a place -- such as it is -- with each other to care for. Standing in the way is also Charlene's attraction to the very living Sam Holden, who has no idea about Jack, nor does anyone else.

The mystery was done well, and there were plenty of red herrings thrown in to keep things going. The murderer was discovered late on, even though one could figure out who and the reason why if you paid close enough attention. When we reach the end it all comes together nicely, while giving us a teaser of sorts leading to the next book (no cliffhanger, don't worry). All in all, it's a book to be entertained by, and it does its job admirably. I look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended. ( )

Charlene is getting the b&b up and running. She has a good relationship with her visitors and great help. But Jack is always on her mind. ( )