Welcome to the Enchanted Village: An Introduction to Wishcraft
Written by Heather Blake (the pen name of bestselling author Heather Webber), the Wishcraft Mysteries is a charming nine-book cozy paranormal mystery series. Set in the "Enchanted Village"—a whimsical, tourist-friendly, yet secretly magical neighborhood hidden inside Salem, Massachusetts—the story follows Darcy Merriweather and her sister Harper. After their mother passes away, the sisters relocate to Salem to live with their Aunt Ve, only to discover that they belong to an ancient lineage of "Wishcrafters." These are specialized witches with the unique hereditary power to grant wishes for others using magic spells.
As Darcy takes over Aunt Ve's personal concierge business, "As You Wish," she quickly learns that Salem is filled with magical rivalries, strict supernatural rules, and plenty of mundane mischief. The series masterfully balances lighthearted witchy lore, romantic tension, close-knit sisterly bonds, and complex mysteries. To get the most out of the overarching character arcs, the blossoming romance between Darcy and local officer Nick Sawyer, and the ongoing secrets surrounding the village Elder, readers should follow the series in its publication order.
Recommended Reading Order for the Wishcraft Mysteries
The Wishcraft Mysteries is best read in order of publication. Because the characters age, their relationships evolve, and the underlying mystery of the Enchanted Village's leadership unfolds across the books, reading them chronologically ensures you won't spoil major plot developments.
1. It Takes a Witch (2012)
In the series debut, Darcy and Harper Merriweather arrive in Salem and discover their magical heritage. Darcy takes over her Aunt Ve’s concierge business, As You Wish, but is quickly thrown into a murder investigation. When a local wannabe witch is murdered and Aunt Ve’s boyfriend, Sylar Dewitt, becomes the primary suspect, Darcy must use her new wish-granting magic to clear his name. Along the way, she crosses paths with handsome local police officer Nick Sawyer.
2. A Witch Before Dying (2012)
Darcy is hired to clean a historic home in the Enchanted Village, but her concierge duties take a dark turn when she discovers a dead body. Beside the victim is a legendary wish-granting amulet rumored to carry a dangerous history. Darcy must trace the amulet's origins and dig into the victim's secrets to catch a killer before they strike again.
3. The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy (2013)
Darcy organizes a high-profile, magical birthday celebration for a prominent resident of the Enchanted Village. The party turns tragic when a local florist is found murdered. Darcy dives into the investigation, uncovering a web of jealousy, hidden magical rivalries, and long-held secrets among Salem's elite families.
4. The Goodbye Witch (2014)
Darcy's close friend Starla Sullivan is terrified when her abusive ex-husband Kyle returns to town two years after attempting to kill her. The mystery deepens because Kyle is completely invisible to everyone except Starla. To protect her friend, Darcy investigates the invisible intruder, trying to determine if Kyle is using advanced magic or if there is a more sinister plot at play.
5. Some Like It Witchy (2015)
While helping her friend Cherise Goodwin, a local Curecrafter, look for a new home, Darcy tours the old Tavistock place. Inside, they find real estate agent Raina Gallagher dead, clutching a gemstone amulet, with the letter "A" painted on the wall. Darcy must solve the murder while continuing her quiet search to identify the village Elder and managing her growing romance with Nick.
6. Gone With the Witch (2016)
During the Enchanted Village’s annual pet show, "Pawsitively Enchanted," event organizer Ivy Teasdale hires Darcy to prevent sabotage. Things go wrong when competitor Natasha Norcliffe is murdered and several prize-winning pets are stolen. Darcy must find the pet-napper and the killer, all while dealing with her own mischievous dog, Missy, and finding clues about the mysterious village Elder.
7. The Witch and the Dead (2016)
Darcy decides to move out of Aunt Ve's house to take the next step in her life. While packing up boxes in the garage, she and Aunt Ve uncover a hidden skeleton that turns out to be Aunt Ve’s long-lost second husband. With her beloved aunt facing immediate suspicion for murder, Darcy races against time to solve a cold case and clear her family's name.
8. To Catch a Witch (2018)
Elite runner Abby Stillwell hires Darcy to organize Salem's "Wicked Mad Dash" race. But when a massive blizzard hits during the event, Abby goes missing and is later found frozen to death. Darcy’s investigation reveals a complex web of lies, cheating, and embezzlement, showing that Abby was hiding a secret life from her closest friends and colleagues.
9. A Witch to Remember (2019)
In the final installment of the series, Darcy and Nick are finally preparing for their wedding. However, their plans are put on hold when a fiery murder occurs in the village. Darcy must tie up all the loose ends of the series, solve one final personal mystery, and secure her happily ever after in the Enchanted Village.
Understanding the Magic: The Wishcraft Rules
The magic system in Heather Blake's universe is governed by "The Craft," a hereditary form of magic passed down through families. Witches belong to specific guilds based on their talents, such as Curecrafters (healers), Floracrafters (herb and plant magic), Vaporcrafters (potion-like vapors), and Wishcrafters. Wishcrafters like Darcy and Harper have the power to cast spells to grant wishes, but they are subject to strict rules: they can never grant wishes for themselves, and if they hear a mortal say "I wish," they are magically compelled to fulfill it. Furthermore, if a Crafter marries a mortal and chooses to reveal their secret, they forfeit their magic entirely, becoming a "Halfcrafter." Witches are also aided by familiars, which are human spirits residing in animal bodies, such as Pepe the mouse.
Practical Reading Advice
Because the Wishcraft Mysteries ended in 2019, readers can enjoy a complete, resolved story arc. There are no companion novellas or short stories, meaning the nine main novels cover the entire narrative. While each book features a self-contained murder mystery, the romantic development between Darcy and Nick, the truth behind Aunt Ve's past, and the identity of the village Elder build continuously. Therefore, skipping around is not recommended. For readers who enjoy this series, Heather Blake also wrote the Magic Potion Mysteries; however, despite similar cozy paranormal themes, the two series are set in different locations (Salem vs. Alabama) and do not feature any crossovers.