The Crow Folk: The Witches of Woodville 1

Written by Mark Stay

Narrated by Candida Gubbins

'Beautiful and engaging and clever and what more could you ask for in a book?' Manda Scott, bestselling author of A Treachery of Spies

'A story that is full of magic and delight that will thrill readers of any age' Rowan Coleman, author of The Girl at the Window

‘A rural Ben Aaronovitch!’ C. K. McDonnell, author of The Stranger Times

As Spitfires roar overhead and a dark figure stalks the village of Woodville, a young woman will discover her destiny . . .

Faye Bright always felt a little bit different. And today she’s found out why. She’s just stumbled across her late mother’s diary which includes not only a spiffing recipe for jam roly-poly, but spells, incantations, runes and recitations . . . a witch's notebook.

And Faye has inherited her mother’s abilities. 

Just in time, too. The Crow Folk are coming. Led by the charismatic Pumpkinhead, their strange magic threatens Faye and the villagers. Armed with little more than her mum's words, her trusty bicycle, the grudging help of two bickering old ladies, and some aggressive church bellringing, Faye will find herself on the front lines of a war nobody expected.

***

For fans of Lev Grossman and Terry Pratchett comes this delightful novel of war, mystery and a little bit of magic . . .

Don't miss the other magical books in the WITCHES OF WOODVILLE series!
#1 The Crow Folk
#2 Babes in the Wood
#3 The Ghost of Ivy Barn 
#4 The Holly King 

Praise for THE CROW FOLK

'Stay has brewed a cracking blend of charm and creepiness in The Crow Folk. A rip-roaring tale of bravery and witchcraft on the wartime home front, expertly told with lashings of wit and warmth' Pernille Hughes, author of Probably the Best Kiss in the World  

'Warm, witty, witchy wartime fun. With Mark Stay as writer you're always guaranteed a magical read' Julie Wassmer, author of the Whitstable Pearl Mysteries
 
'You'll love it: Doctor Who meets Worzel Gummidge' Lorna Cook, author of The Forgotten Village
 
'A jolly romp with witches, demons, and bellringing. Pratchett fans will enjoy this, and Faye is a feisty and fun hero. Dad's Army meets Witches of Eastwick' Ian W Sainsbury

‘Mark Stay’s brilliantly written Witches of Woodville books are somehow funny, cosy, clever and disturbingly dark all at the same time. Terry Pratchett fans will LOVE em’ Lucy Strange

'Extremely funny, full of imagination, verve and typical English "home counties" wit' Irish Independent 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio UK
• Release date: Feb 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781398501690

Mark Stay

Mark Stay got a part-time Christmas job at Waterstone’s in the nineties (back when it still had an apostrophe) and somehow ended up working in publishing for over 25 years. He would write in his spare time and (he can admit this now) on company time, and sometimes those writings would get turned into books and films. Mark is also co-presenter of the Bestseller Experiment podcast, which has inspired writers all over the world to finish and publish their books. Born in London, he lives in Kent with YouTube gardener Claire Burgess and a declining assortment of retired chickens. Follow him on Twitter and online at:    @markstay markstaywrites.com witchesofwoodville.com  

Reviews for The Crow Folk

[jonna sutherland · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrator was amazing!! All the different characters, that she brought to life was incredible. !!

[Fractious Owl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found this book sweetly engrossing and the narrator is a delight.

[Andrew Farnsworth · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First in what is currently a trilogy of books, there are more to come, set in the Home Counties during WWII. The lead character, Faye Bright is the 16 year old girl tells the story, the narrator does a great job of converting her“voice“, Faye's adventures begin when she finds a book belonging to her deceased mum.

A great narration.

[Amy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A lovely book - perfect for autumn and the spooky season. Good array of characters, and a fun story all excellently narrated.

[Blind Blend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Charming and funny and spooky and interesting! Thoroughly enjoyable from the get go.

[gaby dickson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first few minutes nearly put me off this book, but I'm glad I kept listening. Fun story, with good characters and a satisfying ending. And easy listen, but not empty.

[Julie Hurst · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Can we stop it with the casual racism??? Don’t use racial slurs like g*psy. It’s not cute or quirky it’s really disgusting behavior. Don’t read this. Maybe it’s a fun book but I really don’t care to give more money to a team that’s clearly fine with racism. Sure the author wrote it and should be held accountable, but what about the editor? Copywriter? No one in that whole room of people thought it would be racist to use a racist slur?? Do better.

[Carrie Arnold · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

That was such a fun listen, and the narrator was brilliant! I can’t wait to listen to the next one.

[Claudia Vivanco · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Different, took a while to get the story line going. Satisfying ending. I will read more from the author.

[doug · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A really enjoyable very English little witchy book . Set in the war and filled with fun characters.

[l ekelund · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

there will never be a tiffany aking again. Fay will make a good little sister. looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Sarah Hufnagle · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Listen to the prologue then move along. This book was so boring after the 5th chapter. I ended up skipping through to get to the end. I thought it would be way more magical but it was just boring…