A BookViral Review Of High Priestess By Wendy Hewlett

SUMMARY: Detective Constable Raven Bowen’s life seems to be falling apart around her. Her Wiccan mother, Ena Bowen, has recently passed to spirit and even though Raven hasn’t seen or spoken to her in twelve years, she feels the loss. Then there’s her relationship with her lesbian lover, Riley Gallagher, which ended rather abruptly and Raven only has herself to blame.

The BookViral Review: Genre – Women Sleuths & LGBT Fiction

A highly entertaining and atmospheric read that does the genre proud, Hewlett’s High Priestess fields a plot that works with diabolical effectiveness. It seems a failing of the genre that far too often the atmosphere is layered to the point where it becomes laborious and impenetrable, but in developing her narrative Hewlett demonstrates a keen understanding of what will unsettle her readers. The favoured genre tropes are evident throughout, the intrigue is quick to build and there’s the obligatory blood and gore, but it’s not gratuitous with Hewlett sure to touch the right emotional chords. 

Raven’s life has been anything but typical. Her life has been mercurially altered twice at the hands of others but however horrible they have been, it’s these changes that have given her a career as a detective. And with the witchcraft pitched just right Hewlett confidently maintains the element of suspense whilst fully sculpting Raven’s darkest moments for maximum impact. Supported by a rich and diverse cast of equally well-observed characters Mick and Riley are quick to come into their own and when Raven’s errant father Kiran enters her life he changes its course in more ways than one.

A top-notch paranormal offering in the Women Sleuths & LGBT genre High Priestess is sure to be well received. With the promise of more to come it is highly recommended.