Links: Lillian Stewart Carl Website / Show Official Info /

Jean Fairbairn and Alasdair Cameron are in Williamsburg, Virginia. Jean, to do a story on witches and superstitions related to Colonial Williamsburg. Alasdair is overseeing the installation of the Witch Box and other antique pieces for a display at the art museum. Things are a bit intense between them as living together in Jean's tiny apartment has proven that close quarters between two people used to their own space can breed frustration and tension. So, when the copy of the Witch Box is stolen in Scotland and the police in Williamsburg close Alasdair out, tensions rise even more. They each make the best of the situation but as an attempt is made on the real Witch Box and murder rears its head, Jean and Alasdair must solve their differences and work together to solve the case.

Carl's Jean Fairbairn and Alasdair Cameron Mysteries are clever, witty, historically interesting and, even with their bit of paranormal ability on the part of the protagonists, realistic. Jean and Alasdair are not young twenty-somethings in the throws of a new romance. They've been burned by previous relationships and while they are willing to work on what is developing between them, they are also used to going their own way and doing what they want, when they want. Having to consider the opinions and wishes of another person doesn't come naturally and having spent time in too-close quarters has caused a few blisters.

Jean's our point of view character and while we get in her head, we have to take her view of events as being the way things are. Carl though, manages to describe events in a way that allows the reader to determine for themselves just how true Jean's views are. These are strong willed people with their own ways of observing events, analyzing the data, and coming up with conclusions. Working together they form a formidable team of investigators -- the journalist and the ex-cop.

While taking place in the present, the mysteries revolve around historical events, people, and places. The Charm Stone gives readers an in-depth look at Colonial Williamsburg and the surrounding area, as well as a taste of its history. How could any reader resist a good mystery, romance, interesting characters, historical tidbits, and a darn good story?