First Frost

Descended from "a family of unusuals," the Waverley sisters practice mystical arts: Claire's flower-infused recipes alter behavior; Sydney's hairstyles ensure or deflect success. Their family tree, a moody specimen that blooms in winter, dispenses future-glimpsing apples. But magic doesn't safeguard the women from troubles, including unfulfilled hopes for a son, a repressive business venture, and identity issues rooted in their strange upbringing. Dismaying evidence introduced by an out-of-towner heightens the family drama before the reassuring conclusion. This diverting second visit to Bascom, NC, will prove a tonic both for both those who enjoyed Garden Spells and newcomers, who will find pertinent backstories unobtrusively reviewed. Susan Ericksen's clear, confident narration melds with Allen's trademark mix of ethereal whimsy and earthbound quandaries.