The next installment of the Witches of Woodville series, The Ghost of Ivy Barn is yet another triumph from author Mark Stay. This compelling read is full of suspense, tension and laughter, it’s a real page-turner throat engages right from the very start. Faye is a likeable protagonist and all of the characters are well drawn out. The Witches of Woodville is one of the most enjoyable series I’ve read in a long time!

This is an excellent series as it mixes history and fantasy using plenty of humour and always keeping you hooked and turning pages.
Each book is better than the previous and I loved how Faye grew as witch&person and grew on me.
I love her, the characters, and love the other witches.
The author is an excellent storyteller and delivers a gripping and highly entertaining story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

They Used Dark Forces!

Here we are again! Back in the sleepy village of Woodville with Fay Bright et al for the third book in the Witches of Woodville series.

It's now 1940, and the Battle of Britain rages overhead with dog fights between the German Luftwaffe and Britain and its allies.

Following the events of Babes in the Wood, things have irrevocably changed in both the Witches council as Vera Twelve trees has been removed from the council as she is being investigated due to the incident with Otto Kopf in the last book. Meanwhile, in the village of Woodville, Faye Bright is getting used to the magical power that will change her life forever, and she wants to get some serious canoodling in with Bertie!

In The Ghost of Ivy Barn, there a few things going on, and as usual Faye Bright's life is a little complicated.. One of the residents of the village has asked Faye, Mrs Teach and Charlotte Southill to send a ghost who has been hanging around the barn on its merry way to the afterlife and and the the talents of the three witches work a treat. What they don't bargain on is that there is another ghost knocking about who has other plans.

In addition to that, the new head of the witch's council, Bellamy Dumonde has a plan to repel the oncoming Nazi invasion, which involves getting as many witches together from around the British Isles and doing a powerful ritual. However, one problem the ritual has to be done in the 'nuddy'!

You can imagine how that goes, can't you?

I do love this series, but it does confound me in all honesty as it has elements to it that I would generally stay away from. Yes whilst it is full of witchy goodness, but it is something that would easily fit into BBC Sunday night programming (which I am confounded as to why this hasn't been optioned, or maybe it has! I dunno!) and something I would generally not particularly entertain. However, I think that it is a testament to Mark Stay's writing in that he gently subverts the genre in the best possible way - with comedy, a healthy dash of fantasy, a little horror and undeniably brilliant characters.

In The Ghost of Ivy Barn you can see some of the gradual evolvement coming with the series. When we originally met Faye Bright in The Crow Folk, she was simply an innocent mouthy teenager. However, as both the war becomes inherently more difficult and Faye has increasing powers, events are changing her and she is doing things that she never thought that she would.

Additionally, in tandem with the evolution of the characters, we see the progression of the war and how this is changing everyone around it.. Rather than it being the war that would be over in a couple of months, it is becoming harder and taking its toll more on the country and also the inhabitants of Woodville..

However, Mark Stay pulls all these aspects of the story off with the deftness of craftsman, painting a veneer of lightness over some of the darker knots.

If you fancy reading this series, then I suggest you start reading from the first book, The Crow Folk. The stories themselves are contained stories, but you need to know the events of the other books to get that full picture.

Definitely the best book by this author yet, this series is proving to be one of my favourite wholesome fantasy reads.
Set during WWII, the story starts just weeks after we last met Faye and she’s becoming increasingly powerful. There’s subterfuge and spies, magical ceremonies and the ghost of a fallen pilot, all captured with a wicked sense of humour. There’s also the blossoming romance between Faye and Bertie, I really hope that they get a happy ending.
I’m extremely grateful to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy. I loved it.

Well, this is a series that just keep getting better and better. Whilst not as dark as Babes in the Wood, The Ghost of Ivy Barn is packed full of emotion and magical hijinks, making it an absolute joy to visit Woodville once again. Miss Charlotte and Mrs Teach are in fine fettle as the witchy double act return to continue Faye’s magical education, and it was a delight to witness the continuing romance between Faye and Bertie.

All my favourite characters from the previous books were present and correct, but this time they were joined by a few new faces – some of whom were more keen than others to complete their Nazi repelling ritual skyclad!

Whether it is down to the already delicate state I was in while reading, I can’t say, but there was more than one point towards the end of this book that brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye, so you might want to keep the tissues close by.

If you are new to Mr Stay’s work, please check out his unboxing videos on his Facebook page and sign up for his newsletter – you are in for a treat with both!

The Witches of Woodville is a series that never fails to put a smile on my face, and I look forward to future books!

A good book. I was grateful to be given the opportunity to read it. I did enjoy it. I haven't read the author before but I would read others.

another amazing, fun book from Mark Stay. Still great voices and period details, though I felt I would have liked a little more of the other witches, but maybe they'll move more upfront and centre in the next book... I can't wait for the series to continue! Recommended

Another cracker from Mark Stay, The Ghost of Ivy Barn is an utter treat. There’s poltergeists, bombing raids, midnight magic, treachery and the threat of nudity – what more do you need? Stay writes with his signature charm and wit, in this third heart-warming story in the Witches of Woodville series and I’m delighted to hear that there are more coming. I am absolutely here for more of Faye Bright’s madcap, magical adventures.

Mark Stay’s Woodville books deal with the magical awakening of a young Kent girl in the early 1940s, as World War II is underway and England is threatened by German invasion. Faye Bright and the rest of the cast are well drawn and engaging. The village feels like a real place, and the period is evoked without drowning the reader in research. This is the third in the series, and like the others it’s a great comfort read that stays just the right side of twee. They’re not going to change your world, but they will make it a nicer place for a couple of hours. If you’ve ever had too much cheese before bedtime and dreamt of Terry Pratchett writing a Dad’s Army novelisation then these are the books for you.

This is the best book yet – full of humour, magic, betrayal and murder, with a slight inkling of romance between Faye and Bertie.

Like the others in the series, there is a strong sense of place – not only in location but in time. The reader is immersed in the village life which continues despite the increased threat from the Nazis invasion and they feels the collective responsibility people had. Everyone was expected to do their bit for the war effort, witches included.

It was a pleasure to read about Faye Bright’s evolving powers and the surprising effects it had on the others. Charlotte, Mrs Teach and Faye are witches and women to aspire to with their individual quirks, self-awareness and strong views. There is a witch for everyone.

The dialogue and bickering between the characters allowed their personalities to shine and the more you get to know the witches and the side characters, the more they are loved. The introduction of new witches, including the nudity loving Mrs Housego and formidable Vera Fivetrees added to this book’s charm.

The ghost in the barn and the surrounding mystery added to the tension. With highly visual and creepy scenes, I had to kept reading to see how this thread fitted in with the rest of the story.

Though this novel could be read as a standalone, these events lead on from those in book 2, Babes in the Wood and readers would gain more enjoyment if they read the series from the beginning and watch the relationships and story develop.

This gripping book showcases superb word building and imaginative plot twists perfectly blended with humour and community of times past. Despite the dangers the characters face, this series provide an ideal escape from reality.

I’ve read the rest of the series so couldn’t wait for The Ghost of Ivy Barn. I enjoyed this a lot. There are references to the other books and it felt like vising an old friend. I love Faye. She’s my kind of witch. This is a hugely entertaining mix of history and magic. I can’t wait to see what the witches get up to next.

Having read the first two books in the series, I was excited to read this latest instalment to see what trouble Faye got into (and out of) this time.

This one is a bit less dark than the others, but the threat was very real. I really liked the serial killer witch! The ghost was creepy - as is proper. My favourite thing was probably the flying machine (to say any more would be a spoiler).
I love the bickering witches. The nudist one was very funny. Bertie is adorable as always too.

Once again, it's a fun adventure. I can't wait for the next one.

Yet another entertaining outing for Faye Bright and her fellow witches. This book closely follows on from book 2 so I would definitely recommend reading the previous books before this one.
Once again, it is the delightfully-drawn characters that make this series such a big hit. The backdrop of the Battle of Britain creates a dynamic and action packed setting.
Such a fun and gripping story to read, highly recommended.

The 3rd installment in the Witches of Woodville series takes place during August 1940 - the Battle of Britain rages over the skies of Woodville, the pub is full of RAF pilots, the fields are strewn with debris and Larry Dell’s barn has a ghost problem.
I whizzed through this like Faye on her Pashley Model A.
Faye is determined to help Larry deal with the ghost in his barn. Unfortunately, the other witches aren’t being very helpful. Temporary Head Witch (or, rather, Warlock) Bellamy Dumonde has a cunning plan to repel the impending Nazi invasion of Britain – a plan that seems to involve terrible concertina playing and dancing around in the nuddy.
To bolster his chances of success, Bellamy has brought along three other witches to help: a the mysterious French-resistance fighter, a nudist and a posh FANY. But is one of them a spy?
A joyously barmy & rollicking historical fantasy that still manages to leave room for character growth and some genuinely touching moments.

Yet another great story by Mark Stay. I adore Faye, her dad Terence and Bertie they make the book for me.
This book follows on from book 2 and Faye is still coming to terms with her increased powers.
Two planes crash in the village and the owner of the farm where the crash happens call in Miss Charlotte, Mrs Teach and Faye where they find an angry poltergeist which they move but Faye spots a 2nd one which the other witches don’t believe.
This also moves along the relationship with Bertie and Faye which is sweet too I’m glad for this such a sweet pair.
This is a must read of the Woodville Witches series I can’t wait for book 4.

The third installment in the Witches of Woodville series which sees Faye and her fellow witches do battle with the Nazis in Dover.

The reader really does feel as though they are back in the midst of WWII. The author has done their research and it adds greatly to the enjoyment of these books.

Without giving too much away this book involves aerial dogfights, plenty of puns, romance (but nothing to steamy as we are British!), a Polish fighter pilot ghost and plenty of edge of your seat moments.

Another highly enjoyable addition to the Witches of Woodville series. Pure escapist fun and a delight to again immerse yourself into this fantastical world created by the author.

A brilliant third instalment of the excellent Witches of Woodville series, set during World War II. This book features a race against time, dogfights above the Channel and the continuing (soppy but adorable) romance between Faye and Bertie, I loved the ghost sub-plot featuring a Polish pilot who doesn’t want to give up the fight.

The best of the series so far, five stars!

Three witches, Miss Charlotte, Mrs Teach and the most powerful witch of all, Faye, have to perform a ritual to fend off a Nazi invasion. How they fare readers must discover for themselves, by reading the book. A humorous novel that still describes the horrors of a possible Nazi invasion. A good read, and recommended.