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The highly anticipated second volume in the popular 'Woman and the Witch' trilogy
It’s 1959, New Year’s Eve. Paris. Frieda Beaudry can’t go on. Forty years of doing exactly what she wants has taken its toll. Not even a week at the Ritz can restore her spirits.
Banished to a tiny village perched on dangerous cliffs, Frieda looks for peace. Instead, she uncovers a monstrous secret, and the day a child goes missing she is forced to make a terrible decision.
‘You’ve always been a coward, Frieda. You’ve never stood and fought. You’re selfish, vain, and destructive.’
Is Frieda too old to change? Maybe it’s time to stop running?
It’s 1959, New Year’s Eve. Paris. Frieda Beaudry can’t go on. Forty years of doing exactly what she wants has taken its toll. Not even a week at the Ritz can restore her spirits.
Banished to a tiny village perched on dangerous cliffs, Frieda looks for peace. Instead, she uncovers a monstrous secret, and the day a child goes missing she is forced to make a terrible decision.
‘You’ve always been a coward, Frieda. You’ve never stood and fought. You’re selfish, vain, and destructive.’
Is Frieda too old to change? Maybe it’s time to stop running?
- GenresFantasy
409 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2022
39 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Larkman
5 books86 followersAmanda Larkman was born in a hospital as it was being bombed during a revolution. The rest of her upbringing, in the countryside of Kent, has been relatively peaceful.
She graduated with a degree in English Literature degree and an MA in Modern Literature and has taught English for many years. 'The Woman and the Witch' was her first novel.
Hobbies include trying to find the perfect way to make popcorn, watching her mad labradoodle run like a galloping horse, and reading brilliant novels that make her feel bitter and jealous.
She has a husband and two teenage children, all of whom are far nicer than the characters in her book.
Follow Amanda Larkman
On Twitter: @MiddleageWar
On Instagram: @Amanda_Larkman
Blog: www.middle-agedwarrior.com
She graduated with a degree in English Literature degree and an MA in Modern Literature and has taught English for many years. 'The Woman and the Witch' was her first novel.
Hobbies include trying to find the perfect way to make popcorn, watching her mad labradoodle run like a galloping horse, and reading brilliant novels that make her feel bitter and jealous.
She has a husband and two teenage children, all of whom are far nicer than the characters in her book.
Follow Amanda Larkman
On Twitter: @MiddleageWar
On Instagram: @Amanda_Larkman
Blog: www.middle-agedwarrior.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 5, 2023
Another corker from yours truly. Highly recommend - really. It’s marvellous. My best yet. :)
March 17, 2022
If you read the Woman and The Witch you have to read Frieda. It’s a story of a witch like no other. Magic, mystery, ghostly atmosphere, great characters and plot which made me struggle to put the book down. I read it in two days. Definitely recommend to all witchy book lovers out there. Amanda is a fantastic writer and her books never disappoint!
March 17, 2022
I was lucky to get an advance copy of Frieda. If you liked The Woman and the Witch, you'll love Frieda. It's a wonderful story, telling us more of Frieda's life before WatW. Some events mentioned in WatW are detailed in Frieda, tying the two books together well.
Frieda can be read as a standalone, or a prequel/sequel to WatW. In any case, it's a brilliant read. 5 stars and highly recommended.
Frieda can be read as a standalone, or a prequel/sequel to WatW. In any case, it's a brilliant read. 5 stars and highly recommended.
June 29, 2022
Loved it. So good to read Freida's story, a second novel which didn't disappoint in any way.
Even as a second novel it's a superb read. No airy fairy teenage witch with the obligatory long golden curls and a skinny figure, Freida is a totally different witch, hedonistic and more than a little cruel, thinking only of herself. She finally lands on her grandmother's doorstep, and Lilith recognises the depths to which Freida has sunk. She packs her off to a small village by the sea to recharge and recover, and there Freida becomes embroiled with a few of the villages,quite against her will, and meets Penny, a young neglected girl who so desperately needs her. I enjoyed the magic coming from the natural world, light, growing things and fresh air, and the final battle against the dark was excellent. Well done Amanda!!
Even as a second novel it's a superb read. No airy fairy teenage witch with the obligatory long golden curls and a skinny figure, Freida is a totally different witch, hedonistic and more than a little cruel, thinking only of herself. She finally lands on her grandmother's doorstep, and Lilith recognises the depths to which Freida has sunk. She packs her off to a small village by the sea to recharge and recover, and there Freida becomes embroiled with a few of the villages,quite against her will, and meets Penny, a young neglected girl who so desperately needs her. I enjoyed the magic coming from the natural world, light, growing things and fresh air, and the final battle against the dark was excellent. Well done Amanda!!
April 1, 2022
Another wonderful story!!
Amanda Marksman has penned another heartwarming tale of magic and family, family we are born with and family we gather. Frieda has always been a free spirited witch and traveled the world. Now she has come home to her grandmother who is a bit disapproving of how she has led her life and used her powers over the years. When she is sent off to a small coastal village she has no idea of the friends she will find, the mystery she will get involved in, or the strength she will find inside herself. Truly a five a star read!!!
Amanda Marksman has penned another heartwarming tale of magic and family, family we are born with and family we gather. Frieda has always been a free spirited witch and traveled the world. Now she has come home to her grandmother who is a bit disapproving of how she has led her life and used her powers over the years. When she is sent off to a small coastal village she has no idea of the friends she will find, the mystery she will get involved in, or the strength she will find inside herself. Truly a five a star read!!!
January 14, 2023
Beautiful read
This book is as good and enjoyable as the first. It lulls you know not a kind of peaceful hopefulness that everything will workout fine for everyone. Then it grabs you by scruff of your neck in a gripping roller coaster ride with of twists and gasping turns. The beautiful ending made me cry.
If you believe in n magic you will love this book and if you don't your disbelief will be a little less by the very last page.
This book is as good and enjoyable as the first. It lulls you know not a kind of peaceful hopefulness that everything will workout fine for everyone. Then it grabs you by scruff of your neck in a gripping roller coaster ride with of twists and gasping turns. The beautiful ending made me cry.
If you believe in n magic you will love this book and if you don't your disbelief will be a little less by the very last page.
July 17, 2022
Freida is grumpy and mean and I love her!
A prequel to the highly enjoyable The Woman and the Witch, with the same gorgeous descriptions and great characters. I love the way this book is written and the plot is intriguing and exciting - thoroughly recommend!
A prequel to the highly enjoyable The Woman and the Witch, with the same gorgeous descriptions and great characters. I love the way this book is written and the plot is intriguing and exciting - thoroughly recommend!
September 9, 2022
WOW, WOW, WOW!
On Tuesday night I finished the first of these books, love it so much that I immediately ordered this one on my Kindle and started it straight away.
As it was already 2.30am I only read the first two chapters, but what brilliant opening chapters they were.
Once again I finished it in two nights, Amanda Larkman is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors and I shall be searching out any of her other books after writing this.
All the character we loved from The Woman and The Witch were there, the irascible Mrs B (who I love),Lilleth her very patient and loving grandmother, and several more who quickly take up a space in your heart.
Frieda is quickly becoming disillusioned with her life, she is in Paris as the Nazi's start invading and many of her friends and companions are disappearing, these are the high society of Paris, artists, actors, muses many of them gay young men. When she discovers what is happening to them and who is responsible for this, she is outraged and angry and demands that she and her husband leave Paris as soon as possible.
Once in England she lands on the doorstep of her grandmother, who allows her to stay for a while. However they soon start to get on each others nerves, so Lilleth decides it is time for Frieda to make her own way and finds her a cottage in a quite little village in the middle of nowhere.
The villiage however is hiding a very dark and dangerous secret, all eminating from the big house on the hill. At first Frieda can't be bothered to get involved at all either with this or the village, but they soon worm their way into her life especially a young, spirited girl, Penny.
Frieda realises she has not seen Penny for a while and is worried, but this thing is bigger than she anticipated and Lilleth is called upon to help.
A very well written book, with believable and lovable characters but so much darkness and secrecy.
Give it a read, it is a rollercoaster ride
On Tuesday night I finished the first of these books, love it so much that I immediately ordered this one on my Kindle and started it straight away.
As it was already 2.30am I only read the first two chapters, but what brilliant opening chapters they were.
Once again I finished it in two nights, Amanda Larkman is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors and I shall be searching out any of her other books after writing this.
All the character we loved from The Woman and The Witch were there, the irascible Mrs B (who I love),Lilleth her very patient and loving grandmother, and several more who quickly take up a space in your heart.
Frieda is quickly becoming disillusioned with her life, she is in Paris as the Nazi's start invading and many of her friends and companions are disappearing, these are the high society of Paris, artists, actors, muses many of them gay young men. When she discovers what is happening to them and who is responsible for this, she is outraged and angry and demands that she and her husband leave Paris as soon as possible.
Once in England she lands on the doorstep of her grandmother, who allows her to stay for a while. However they soon start to get on each others nerves, so Lilleth decides it is time for Frieda to make her own way and finds her a cottage in a quite little village in the middle of nowhere.
The villiage however is hiding a very dark and dangerous secret, all eminating from the big house on the hill. At first Frieda can't be bothered to get involved at all either with this or the village, but they soon worm their way into her life especially a young, spirited girl, Penny.
Frieda realises she has not seen Penny for a while and is worried, but this thing is bigger than she anticipated and Lilleth is called upon to help.
A very well written book, with believable and lovable characters but so much darkness and secrecy.
Give it a read, it is a rollercoaster ride
March 29, 2022
If you have read The Woman and The Witch read this. If you haven't read that read his anyway as although it is a prequel it works just as well as a standalone.
Frieda is beautifully written, descriptive and character driven.
The title character, who readers of TW&TW will recognise as the old woman/witch in that story, is an engagingly complex personality who throughout the course of the story goes from being a jaded, selfish, superficially shallow person, with a sharp tongue, albeit with certain redeeming features, to someone who finds her own courage and purpose and not a small amount of redemption.
This is a tale full of magic and hope and the age old tale of good versus evil. Set in 1960 we are taken on journey encompassing Paris, Russia, the South of England to a small village on the East Coast of England where Frieda, tired of her wasteful life goes to recharge and through her friendship and unexpected empathy and sense of responsibility to a young girl she befriends starts to become the person she was always meant to be. She battles external demons that threaten not only the young girl but other residents of the village but also some of her own internal demons too, gradually exposing and bringing to the fore her sense of justice and compassion.
There are references that fans of TW&TW will be familiar with and that will hopefully whet the appetite of those who have not read TW&TW to encourage them to go on and do so.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and learning more about Frieda and her past.
Amanda Larkman gets better and better with each new book and is very good at evincing a sense of place with her, at times, alnost poetic style of writing and we really get a fascinating insight into the character of Frieda. It is also an exciting, well told tale.
Frieda is beautifully written, descriptive and character driven.
The title character, who readers of TW&TW will recognise as the old woman/witch in that story, is an engagingly complex personality who throughout the course of the story goes from being a jaded, selfish, superficially shallow person, with a sharp tongue, albeit with certain redeeming features, to someone who finds her own courage and purpose and not a small amount of redemption.
This is a tale full of magic and hope and the age old tale of good versus evil. Set in 1960 we are taken on journey encompassing Paris, Russia, the South of England to a small village on the East Coast of England where Frieda, tired of her wasteful life goes to recharge and through her friendship and unexpected empathy and sense of responsibility to a young girl she befriends starts to become the person she was always meant to be. She battles external demons that threaten not only the young girl but other residents of the village but also some of her own internal demons too, gradually exposing and bringing to the fore her sense of justice and compassion.
There are references that fans of TW&TW will be familiar with and that will hopefully whet the appetite of those who have not read TW&TW to encourage them to go on and do so.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and learning more about Frieda and her past.
Amanda Larkman gets better and better with each new book and is very good at evincing a sense of place with her, at times, alnost poetic style of writing and we really get a fascinating insight into the character of Frieda. It is also an exciting, well told tale.
October 29, 2022
Excellent.
Frieda takes on a more humanitarian role in this second novel. The story of her past and the start of her using her power for the good of others in an exciting and sometimes heartbreaking tale. Could not out down until the last word was read.
Frieda takes on a more humanitarian role in this second novel. The story of her past and the start of her using her power for the good of others in an exciting and sometimes heartbreaking tale. Could not out down until the last word was read.
January 11, 2023
Wonderful storytelling!
Amanda is the master of her art. I can't wait to see what is in store for us next.
Thank you
Amanda is the master of her art. I can't wait to see what is in store for us next.
Thank you
July 25, 2024
Fabulous book
I loved this book, full of twists & turns, a wonderfully supernatural story about a grandmother & granddaughter journey of mystery and bravery. Such a brilliant story that I read it in a day, so well written and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series
I loved this book, full of twists & turns, a wonderfully supernatural story about a grandmother & granddaughter journey of mystery and bravery. Such a brilliant story that I read it in a day, so well written and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series
June 9, 2022
beautiful
Unexpectedly delightful :)
I loved the first book, and this too has me wishing the series had already been written and I was just at the beginning! I think we all have a bit of Frieda in us, and we all strive to be more Lilleth.
Unexpectedly delightful :)
I loved the first book, and this too has me wishing the series had already been written and I was just at the beginning! I think we all have a bit of Frieda in us, and we all strive to be more Lilleth.
September 3, 2024
Amazing
I loved reading this book, it's been a while since I read the first one and now I can't wait for the next! Excellent characters and a beautiful, gripping, tense and exciting plot.. just brilliant.
I loved reading this book, it's been a while since I read the first one and now I can't wait for the next! Excellent characters and a beautiful, gripping, tense and exciting plot.. just brilliant.
March 10, 2025
Another fantastic journey in the life of Frieda and growth of her powers. I found it hard to put the book down.
April 22, 2022
Absolutely loved this read! Frieda is one of those characters that you’d love to know in real life… so brilliantly written.
Really looking forward to the third book in the series and would highly recommend this series to all. Easy 5⭐️
Really looking forward to the third book in the series and would highly recommend this series to all. Easy 5⭐️
December 13, 2025
so underrated!!
i LOVE that every major character is a woman, and they all feel very real and fleshed out. such a good cast ugh
the only problem is that the pacing and overall format was a bit too similar to the first book.
i LOVE that every major character is a woman, and they all feel very real and fleshed out. such a good cast ugh
the only problem is that the pacing and overall format was a bit too similar to the first book.
April 18, 2022
Lovely! Amanda has a (witchy) way with words. Right from the first chapter, you're spell-bound and off on another adventure. Thoroughly enjoyable!
June 18, 2023
The second story and just as good, if not better, than the first! Exciting and compelling, I really loved the characters and they developed so well. Looking forward to book 3 :)
April 28, 2024
Part 2 of the woman & The Witch
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews