November 3rd, 2021 by Jane Turner
This review of Babes in the Wood by Mark Stay comes courtesy of a Blog Tour organised by Random Things. Babes in the Wood was published by Simon & Schuster UK on 28 October 2021. I received a free copy of the ebook.
July, 1940
In a quiet village in rural Kent, a magical mystery leads to murder . . .
Woodville has returned to ‘normal’ after the departure of the Crow Folk. The villagers put out fires from aircraft shot down in the Battle of Britain, and Faye Bright discovers that magic can be just as dangerous as any weapon.
The arrival of a trio of Jewish children fleeing the Nazis brings the fight for Europe to the village. When their guardian is found dead, Faye must play nanny to the terrified children while gathering clues to uncover a dark magic that threatens to change the course of the war. And she must do it quickly – the children have seen too much and someone wants them silenced for good.
My absolute pleasure to review another brilliantly imaginative tale from Mark Stay!
This second in The Witches of Woodville series takes us straight back to deepest, darkest Kent, and into the life of Faye Bright – Witch, bar keep and all-round good egg.
Here, Faye discovers her feelings about Bertie, unleashes her caring side with a wee family of Kindertransport arrivals and a manor full of injured soldiers, learns more about her magic with unsettling visions, and much more – finding her way through with her trademark wit, grace, and complete unflappability.
I really love Faye. And I wonder what magical gifts Mr Stay uses to be able to get into the mind of a young girl so well.
This is a perfect follow up to The Crow Folk, and again has completely relatable characters that you’ll be cheering for, Mr Stay’s trademark witty dialogue, and a totally captivating story. (Though I want to know more about the Khazakstan sisters! Perhaps in Book 3?)
Get The Crow Folk, if you haven’t already. Then get Babes in the Wood. The Witches of Woodville are the perfect escape.
Mark Stay co-wrote the screenplay for Robot Overlords which became a movie with Sir Ben Kingsley and Gillian Anderson, and premiered at the 58th London Film Festival. He is co-presenter of the Bestseller Experiment podcast and has worked in bookselling and publishing for over twenty-five years.
He lives in Kent, England, with his family and a trio of retired chickens. He blogs and humblebrags over at markstaywrites.com.
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Thanks for the blog tour support x