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The Bayou Witches
- An ancient village hidden deep in the Louisiana bayous
- A dark promise made centuries ago that remains unfulfilled to this day
- An eerie tie between the town and a present-day ghost hunter
In this gripping paranormal thriller set in rural Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, supernatural expert Landry Drake and his crew return to fight evil forces in Pendle, the oldest settlement in Louisiana. The town was built by English people fleeing persecution, and some of the emigres escaped just in time to avoid facing the gallows for their evil deeds. Their ancestors rule the tiny village to this day.
The first mayor of Pendle enters into an agreement which will guarantee the town’s safety and security forever, but which comes at a terrible price. When the sister of Landry’s friend Jack Blair goes missing in Pendle, Landry and Jack travel there to find her. But instead of rescue, Landry finds himself inextricably drawn to the mysterious, eerie hamlet hidden in the swamps far from civilization.
Something about Pendle haunts his past, and an ancient book reveals his own ties to the town, its history and the family who has controlled it for hundreds of years. As the mystery unfolds, Landry faces losing the things he loves because of the risks he takes and the life he cannot give up.
The ultimate battle comes as the truth is revealed, leaving Landry to choose what he will save. Can he free the unfortunates in Pendle who are virtual captives in their own town without losing everything he holds dear, including his own life?
- A dark promise made centuries ago that remains unfulfilled to this day
- An eerie tie between the town and a present-day ghost hunter
In this gripping paranormal thriller set in rural Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, supernatural expert Landry Drake and his crew return to fight evil forces in Pendle, the oldest settlement in Louisiana. The town was built by English people fleeing persecution, and some of the emigres escaped just in time to avoid facing the gallows for their evil deeds. Their ancestors rule the tiny village to this day.
The first mayor of Pendle enters into an agreement which will guarantee the town’s safety and security forever, but which comes at a terrible price. When the sister of Landry’s friend Jack Blair goes missing in Pendle, Landry and Jack travel there to find her. But instead of rescue, Landry finds himself inextricably drawn to the mysterious, eerie hamlet hidden in the swamps far from civilization.
Something about Pendle haunts his past, and an ancient book reveals his own ties to the town, its history and the family who has controlled it for hundreds of years. As the mystery unfolds, Landry faces losing the things he loves because of the risks he takes and the life he cannot give up.
The ultimate battle comes as the truth is revealed, leaving Landry to choose what he will save. Can he free the unfortunates in Pendle who are virtual captives in their own town without losing everything he holds dear, including his own life?
311 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 25, 2025
I have always enjoyed Bill Thompson’s books. His stories are a fun ride and I’ve always enjoyed his main character, Landry Drake… until now. Although this story has good bones and potential, it feels rushed, discombobulated in many sections and doesn’t flow well. It seems the writing quality has really gone down. I felt this way with Dread Reckoning but I thought maybe it was a fluke. I was wrong. With The Bayou Witches, the story was told to me, not shown in a way I could immerse myself in the story. There was a lack of emotional connection to Landry and even Cate because it felt as if the author just wanted to get the story down and published. I couldn’t even connect with the emotional turmoil Landry and Cate were going through because it felt contrived, forced, just something to toss into the mix to add more conflict.
And Charity was not frightening at all and more than once she could have carried out her plan, or gotten close, yet Landry kept escaping in ways that really made Charity look foolish and incredibly weak, not at all the powerful villain she is supposed to be. Even the dark forces felt forced and didn’t seem to flow well. I hope that Mr. Thompson can find his roots again and bring back the story telling and writing of the past Bayou books, before Dread Reckoning. Back when Landry was a character you could connect with and share in his adventures instead of just reading about them.
And Charity was not frightening at all and more than once she could have carried out her plan, or gotten close, yet Landry kept escaping in ways that really made Charity look foolish and incredibly weak, not at all the powerful villain she is supposed to be. Even the dark forces felt forced and didn’t seem to flow well. I hope that Mr. Thompson can find his roots again and bring back the story telling and writing of the past Bayou books, before Dread Reckoning. Back when Landry was a character you could connect with and share in his adventures instead of just reading about them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2024
Extremely intense!
Absolutely riveting! I just couldn't put it down for any length of time! It's so interesting! I loved the characters and especially Lydia. I hope she'll be a regular in the future additions to this series. I really enjoyed the storyline immensely and hope Cate and Landry will stay together even with these really scary times that are definitely ahead of them.
Absolutely riveting! I just couldn't put it down for any length of time! It's so interesting! I loved the characters and especially Lydia. I hope she'll be a regular in the future additions to this series. I really enjoyed the storyline immensely and hope Cate and Landry will stay together even with these really scary times that are definitely ahead of them.
October 11, 2025
This is for the audio version. The AI voice is not that bad. It is a bit wonky sometimes and I wish for a book about witches it knew how to pronounce “coven.” The story is a fast read and although there are a few points where I didn’t quite understand why the dialog and story was where it was, I overall enjoyed the book. I will read the sequel to this story as well as others books in the series by this author. It’s an “all in good fun” type book.
December 2, 2024
Fantastic
Oh I do like these bayou books ,really enjoyed the bayou witches. Keep them coming. I have read every book about the bayou. Drake almost didn't make it out this time. Can't wait for the second book.
Oh I do like these bayou books ,really enjoyed the bayou witches. Keep them coming. I have read every book about the bayou. Drake almost didn't make it out this time. Can't wait for the second book.
December 12, 2024
So good!
Bill Thompson has done it again with this book. Hooked me and made me unable to put it down! I have loved every book in this series and each one is better and better. I can’t wait for the next one!
Bill Thompson has done it again with this book. Hooked me and made me unable to put it down! I have loved every book in this series and each one is better and better. I can’t wait for the next one!
December 29, 2024
Intrigued
Good read keeps your interest. Waiting for the next book to come out. I like the authors ability to make you want more
Good read keeps your interest. Waiting for the next book to come out. I like the authors ability to make you want more
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews