Babes in the Wood (The Witches of Woodville Book 2)

July, 1940

In a quiet village in the English countryside, 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 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.

For fans of Terry Pratchett and Lev Grossman comes the second novel in this delightful series 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
#5 The Corn Bride (coming 2025)

Praise for The Witches of Woodville series:

‘A rural Ben Aaronovitch!’—CK McDonnell, author of Stranger Times

‘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

‘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 young witch to rival Tiffany Aching. Magic!’—FMA Dixon

‘ACE. Smart and funny and written so warmly. It’s an absolutely smashing read.’—Pernille Hughes, author of Ten Years

‘Swept me straight back to days of losing myself in Diana Wynne Jones novels, and getting list in truly absorbing, sometimes scary, sometimes emotive adventure with its roots in folklore and history. 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

‘Warm, witty, witchy wartime fun. With Mark Stay as a writer you’re always guaranteed a magical read.’—Julie Wassmer, author of the Whitstable Pearl series

‘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, author of the Jimmy Blue series