From Publishers Weekly
In his sixth appealing outing (after 2001's Evan Cat Wait), likable Welsh village bobby Evan Evans takes on a case with New Age overtones. Betsy the barmaid has long been desperate for recognition, and she may have found her ticket to fame when a visiting American graduate student named Emmy encourages her to develop her abilities as a psychic. Emmy claims she's looking for pure-blood Celts because the Celts are renowned for such abilities, and Betsy soon follows her new mentor to the Sacred Grove, situated for fictional purposes on the site of the actual Portmeirion. Sacred Grove has become the home to a center for New Age spirituality, complete with resident guru, Randy Wunderlich, the famous American psychic. Backed by his wife, Lady Annabel, owner of the property, Wunderlich seems set to establish a New Age empire in Wales. But Evans is suspicious that Betsy is the object of some kind of scam, plus he's on the trail of a missing American coed, whose trail leads to the Sacred Grove and Wunderlich himself. When Betsy dreams that Wunderlich is dead in a cave, her dream proves all too real. While Evans works to prove Betsy's innocence, he must cope with changes in his personal life (he's finally moved into his own place) as well as with the serious, unaccountable illness of his beloved, Bronwen. Bowen deftly and humorously weaves the various plot threads into an entertaining whole. This is a series that consistently charms. (Mar. 18)series with an Irish heroine (Forecasts, Sept. 3)Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
The Welsh town of Llanfair's own Betsy the barmaid finds some kind of renown after testing by a spirituality center verifies her psychic powers. And it's her "vision" that reveals where the center's murdered director will be found. Constable Evan Evans (Evan Can Wait), who covers the case, warns her of danger. A welcome addition to a charming series. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Constable Evans of Llanfair has moved into his own cheerless cottage and out from under the tender ministrations (and lovely food) of his landlady, as his beloved Bronwyn the schoolteacher wants to see if he can survive on his own. Meanwhile, saucy Betsy at the pub, who has been carrying a torch for Evans, takes a new job with the psychic center, drawn to that druidic playground by an American graduate student who convinces Betsy she has psychic powers. The center is owned by a woman with a much younger spouse, the famous psychic Randy Wunderlich. Murder ensues, solved by Evans' doggedness and even a little clairvoyance from Betsy. The Welsh atmosphere is cozily drawn, while Bowen gently skewers Americans, New Agers, and most women. Evans is an extremely appealing character, though, and readers will wonder if a wedding is indeed in the offing when he proposes to Bronwyn. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"The charming village of Llanfair, the setting for Rhys Bowen's beloved Constable Evans mysteries, sits amid lush, rolling Welsh meadows populated with quaint cottages and is considered by many of its colorful locals to be a kind of paradise. Unfortunately, there aren't many opportunities for young people in Llanfair, so when an exciting and glamorous American woman breezes into town talking of dormant psychic powers and important social research, barmaid Betsy Edwards is quick to take her up on an offer of employment at the recently opened Sacred Grove New Age center not far away." "Of course, the locals, including the village constable, Evan Evans, think Betsy has gone around the bend, not to mention the nutty American who dragged her off to be "tested." Betsy, though, is dazzled at the possibility of exploring her own sixth sense. And she's only a little surprised when her new powers are put to a real-life test; when the center's flamboyant director goes missing, clues to his fate mysteriously appear in Betsy's dreams." It's a tantalizing mystery for lonely Betsy, who can't help doing a little investigating on her own. But Constable Evans has been involved with Sacred Grove before - looking for a missing American college student who was lured there by Druid worship. As Betsy does her own sleuthing on the spot, Evan comes to realize that there is nothing straightforward about this case and that Betsy has no idea at all of the terrible danger she is in.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

In his sixth appealing outing (after 2001's Evan Cat Wait), likable Welsh village bobby Evan Evans takes on a case with New Age overtones. Betsy the barmaid has long been desperate for recognition, and she may have found her ticket to fame when a visiting American graduate student named Emmy encourages her to develop her abilities as a psychic. Emmy claims she's looking for pure-blood Celts because the Celts are renowned for such abilities, and Betsy soon follows her new mentor to the Sacred Grove, situated for fictional purposes on the site of the actual Portmeirion. Sacred Grove has become the home to a center for New Age spirituality, complete with resident guru, Randy Wunderlich, the famous American psychic. Backed by his wife, Lady Annabel, owner of the property, Wunderlich seems set to establish a New Age empire in Wales. But Evans is suspicious that Betsy is the object of some kind of scam, plus he's on the trail of a missing American coed, whose trail leads to the Sacred Grove and Wunderlich himself. When Betsy dreams that Wunderlich is dead in a cave, her dream proves all too real. While Evans works to prove Betsy's innocence, he must cope with changes in his personal life (he's finally moved into his own place) as well as with the serious, unaccountable illness of his beloved, Bronwen. Bowen deftly and humorously weaves the various plot threads into an entertaining whole. This is a series that consistently charms. (Mar. 18) FYI: Bowen's previous novel, Murphy's Law, introduced a new series with an Irish heroine (Forecasts, Sept. 3) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

The Welsh town of Llanfair's own Betsy the barmaid finds some kind of renown after testing by a spirituality center verifies her psychic powers. And it's her "vision" that reveals where the center's murdered director will be found. Constable Evan Evans (Evan Can Wait), who covers the case, warns her of danger. A welcome addition to a charming series. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews