Sometimes You Need a Witch to Catch a Thief

by M.W. Knox

In the quiet village of Thornhope, peace never lasts long. When a series of strange artefact thefts sweeps through Lancaster, Detective Inspector John Spencer thinks it’s another case of greed and opportunity. But when the clues start to trace back to Thornhope’s old families—and one particularly dangerous book— there’s only one person he truly needs. Edith Postlethwaite has seen enough dark magic to last a lifetime, but when the thefts begin to form a pattern—four artefacts, four names, one impossible ritual—she realises the danger isn’t buried in the past. It’s waking up. As John and Edith dig deeper, they uncover a circle of students who’ve stolen far more than relics. What they’ve taken could tear open a doorway between worlds—and once it opens, nothing human will be able to close it. Together with Kate, Dan, and the world’s most opinionated goat, John and Edith must unravel the truth before the ritual is complete. Because some doors are locked for a reason. And some thieves don’t know when to stop stealing.

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2025

About the author

M. W. Knox is a romance author from the UK. Between dreaming up new worlds and heart-warming tales, she enjoys spending time with her two children and amazing husband,

She has always been a creator and is passionate about sharing her stories with the world. She particularly enjoys the genres of science, fantasy, and happy endings that follow rocky beginnings.

Reviews

[Beth (bethsbookshelfx)]

Rating : ☆☆☆☆☆

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𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦, 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵.

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𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 & 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 :

- 𝙂𝙧𝙪𝙢𝙥𝙮 𝙭 𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚
- 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 / 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝘽𝙤𝙣𝙙
- 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝘼𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙧
- 𝙈𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜
- 𝘿𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙎𝙤𝙛𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘼𝙢𝙞𝙙 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙤𝙨
- 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮
- 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙧
- 𝙍𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 & 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙨
- 𝙊𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙊𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙𝙡𝙮
- 𝙎𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙮 𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨
- 𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙞𝙟𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨
- 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙚

✔️ Available On KU

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I loved book one but boy did I love book two even more. The imagery in the words and descriptions are excellent.

Edith and John’s story had so much more depth to it and you the feelings they were feeling really come through in the words written.

I loved getting more of the fun dynamic between Dan and Kate, their banter is hilarious. The back and forth comebacks are so fun to read.

We get to see Dan’s softer side within this book which I have been dying to see I’m so glad we got it.

I loved the fact we got some new characters to explore they added so much to the story.

I’m so excited for book three!

[Jasmin ✨]

M.W. Knox has the ability to create a new world that makes you want to be part of it. Her writing and story building is out of this world, and lets you feel everything. I loved the first book of the series, but this one was even greater. All the comfort characters returned and as always, l've been a sucker for Nick (honestly never would've thought that one of my favorite characters would be a goat). Magic mixed with mystery, found family, banter, friendship and love. I can't wait for more of her writing!

[Chrissie Snow]

This one just pulls you in and doesn’t let you go until the last page, I absolutely loved all of it the relationship between John and Edith, the growth in character of Dan which is my personal fave in this book ( don’t tell Nick the Goat or he will head butt me or eat my pants) these characters have grown so special to me and i cant wait to see how it continues. The way M.W. Knox writes the world around her characters is truly admirable and beautiful to read.