Book excerpt: There's nothing like an evil wizard to ruin a perfectly good trip to London. Ever have one of those weeks? You've taken an overdose of magic, you've just melted a twelve-year old girl, and Magic HQ has sent a letter "requesting" you come by to discuss your magic control issues. No? Just me then? I don't want to go. After all, I've got a boss in a wheelchair (my fault), a zombie cat who demands his treats on schedule, and no interest in sorting out the quirks of another magical community. But when someone slips me information tying my parents' disappearance to HQ, I can't pack my bags quickly enough. I'm soon destroying historical displays, befriending befuddled ghosts, and focusing more on uncovering the truth about my past than on learning how to rein in my magic. Which, since HQ has a test for me that if I fail… Well, best not to think about that. This second book of the Cassie Black Trilogy squeezes you through a magic portal, lodges you in a hidden corner of the Tower of London, and plunges you into a tale of mysterious mishaps, peculiar ravens, and TV-binging trolls. If you like contemporary comic fantasy with unforgettable characters, snarky humor, and a touch of paranormal mystery -- or if you've ever wondered what those garden gnomes are really up to -- you'll find it hard to pry yourself away from The Uncanny Raven Winston. What readers are saying about the series so far... * Wow and wow again! I absolutely loved this book! You get such a feel for the characters and the story is so fast paced you don't want to put it down. * ...a clever, hilarious romp through a new magical universe... * …suffused with dark humor and witty dialogue…a fun read for anyone who enjoys fast-paced, somewhat snarky, somewhat twisted, fantasy adventures. * I was unable to put this down when I started reading it. The author combines humour with a fast paced murder mystery all packed into a funeral home.