Ellery Adams - Peach Pies and Alibis (2013)

This is book two in the Charmed Pie Shoppe mystery series.

American writers really do love to "Americanise" the Arthurian myth. In this series the LeFaye women are direct descendants of the good Morgan LeFay, and their nasty counter-parts are from Queen Guinevere. Perhaps America is a mirror-verse of England?

Having grown up on the Arthurian myth, particularly via Susan Cooper and T.H. White, the book seemed really implausible. Why would all of the Arthurian characters ditch England for America? Particularly when one of the main aspects of the myth is how Arthur is the great hero for England's times of peril? (Although I think he missed the boat on World War II. Perhaps his supernatural alarm didn't go off?)

Anyways, ignore the myth and you do have a good book. The story is interesting, each of the LeFaye women has a specific gift. The lead character, Ella Mae, can bake pies that enchant people to do or feel what she wants them to. It borders on manipulation (or has crossed that border), but fortunately Ella Mae is a good encantress and she tries to help make people's lives better, even when she doesn't like them. This helps her solve mysteries and find murderers - although in this book Ella Mae has to do it before they all lose their powers. No pressure kid.

Susan Cooper - The Dark Is Rising Sequence (1965 - 1977)

The Dark is Rising Sequence is a collection of five books by an incredible author. Cooper takes the Arthurian legend and gives it new twists and new life. I love these books. I've read them all once a year since I was 13. I know by heart the poems/prophecies that lead the children on their quests to find the items that will bond the Light together and make it strong for the final battle with the Dark.

There was a time before the Dark, when King Arthur ruled in Camelot. But, there was a betrayal and it allowed the Dark into our world. So, Camelot fell. And Light and Dark have battled ever since.

Still, there's the prophecy, that King Arthur will return when the world is in need, just in time to defeat the Dark. This is what the stories are all about, children standing between the world and the Dark, preparing for the return of the Pendragon.

The five books are:
Over Sea, Under Stone
The Dark Is Rising
Greenwitch
The Grey King
Silver On The Tree

"It has served its purpose," Merriman said. His deep voice rose a little, gained a hint of ceremony. "Its high purpose, for which it was made so very long ago. It has set us on the next great step along the road to keep the Dark from rising, and there is nothing more important than that quest."