Teenage witch Beatrice Bailey is back once again in this, her third exploit. This time, she and her friends are directed to help free the town of Sea-Dragon Bay from the evil clutches of rogue wizard Dally Rumpe, whose power has enveloped the land of Bailiwick for two centuries. So far, Beatrice has been lucky, prevailing in two other areas of her family’s old home. But will this be the time when Dally Rumpe’s cunning proves to be a match? It certainly doesn’t help that the people of Sea-Dragon Bay don’t particularly want to be rescued; they actually like the notoriety the curse has brought their home! Worse yet, Beatrice and her friends are joined by meddling journalist Sasha Peake, and the manipulative Miranda Pengilly. As Beatrice learns more about the past, she’ll be faced with some hard choices, and some near-impossible tasks. Given Dally Rumpe’s penchant for disguise, he could be anyone in Sea-Dragon Bay, even a friend or relative. Who can she trust, when even her Council-appointed advisor comes under suspicion of collaborating with the enemy?

So far, I’ve been enjoying this series. Beatrice Bailey is an enjoyable heroine, confident and intelligent, but well-aware of her limitations. Her friends continue to flesh out the action with their unique skills and quirks, and each new character adds a little something new to an increasingly interesting world. Even the throw-away lines, such as the role of fairy tales and how they’ve come upon hard times, give a little something to think about. Ultimately, The Witches of Sea-Dragon Bay lives up to the standards of the first two Beatrice Bailey adventures. I’m looking forward to see how this series progresses and ultimately wraps up.