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The Witch and the Faithless
The story continues (and if you haven't read the previous book, here be spoilers...)
Six months on from the removal of Animus, Emma still has a hole in her heart at the loss of her friend - that is, when she has the time to think about it.
Westen is embroiled in a terrifying new case and a temporary priest is installed at the a priest with big ideas and zero understanding of how Flammark really works...
... or the evil she might unintentionally release.
...
Six months on from the removal of Animus, Emma still has a hole in her heart at the loss of her friend - that is, when she has the time to think about it.
Westen is embroiled in a terrifying new case and a temporary priest is installed at the a priest with big ideas and zero understanding of how Flammark really works...
... or the evil she might unintentionally release.
...
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2022
6 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 4, 2023
It is our third visit to the supernaturally-afflicted village of Flammark and we find our gifted hero Emma Blake in a state of turmoil. Her dear friend (and local priest) Will Turner has gone awol, leaving her bereft, and the village has been issued with a replacement priest (the faithless of the title?) who immediately proceeds to rub everyone up the wrong way. And if all that isn’t enough, Emma’s gloriously foul-mouthed detective boyfriend Westen is neck-deep in a multiple murder investigation.
Yes, there is a serial killer on the loose, and they’re exclusively targeting teenage girls. But this is no ordinary, common-or-garden, run-of-the-mill, hack-n-slash serial killer. No, this one buries his or her victims alive, apparently with their compliance, and then makes their parents oblivious to the fact that their offspring are even missing, let alone lying dead in a hole in the ground somewhere.
Oh, and an ancient witch has apparently risen and has attached itself to Emma.
Sound strange and inexplicable? Well, this is the anti-Dibley, after all.
The Witch and the Faithless is absolutely, totally and completely the best of the Flammark series so far. As a supernatural thriller it ticks all the boxes and more by being exciting, thoughtful, compelling, deep and even - yes – educational. Seriously, I learned a lot about witches and folk mythology in these pages.
The characters are all, of course, engaging and likeable, except for the ones who aren’t supposed to be likable, but the star of the show for my money is the titular witch. When she makes her first appearance it’s genuinely electrifying. Also, this witch is considerably more than the usual cackling, spell-casting hag of trope. I love what the author has conjured up here, rooting her in the landscape and pagan lore. And despite her terrifying initial appearance, as her back story is uncovered Mordant pulls off the impressive feat of making the reader feel sympathetic for her.
Hats off for that one.
Actually, I’m starting to wonder if Polly J. Mordant herself might be a witch, especially after she cast such a spell on me with this book. In a footnote she promises further instalments and I say hurrah! My bags are already packed and Flammark awaits.
Yes, there is a serial killer on the loose, and they’re exclusively targeting teenage girls. But this is no ordinary, common-or-garden, run-of-the-mill, hack-n-slash serial killer. No, this one buries his or her victims alive, apparently with their compliance, and then makes their parents oblivious to the fact that their offspring are even missing, let alone lying dead in a hole in the ground somewhere.
Oh, and an ancient witch has apparently risen and has attached itself to Emma.
Sound strange and inexplicable? Well, this is the anti-Dibley, after all.
The Witch and the Faithless is absolutely, totally and completely the best of the Flammark series so far. As a supernatural thriller it ticks all the boxes and more by being exciting, thoughtful, compelling, deep and even - yes – educational. Seriously, I learned a lot about witches and folk mythology in these pages.
The characters are all, of course, engaging and likeable, except for the ones who aren’t supposed to be likable, but the star of the show for my money is the titular witch. When she makes her first appearance it’s genuinely electrifying. Also, this witch is considerably more than the usual cackling, spell-casting hag of trope. I love what the author has conjured up here, rooting her in the landscape and pagan lore. And despite her terrifying initial appearance, as her back story is uncovered Mordant pulls off the impressive feat of making the reader feel sympathetic for her.
Hats off for that one.
Actually, I’m starting to wonder if Polly J. Mordant herself might be a witch, especially after she cast such a spell on me with this book. In a footnote she promises further instalments and I say hurrah! My bags are already packed and Flammark awaits.
December 3, 2022
Bitter-sweet, character-driven horror
This author breaks my heart- and I love it! The third in the Flammark series delivers in truckloads. This time, the friends are up against a force that bewitches and buries teenagers alive. As always in Flammark, there are duel strands to the story- the paranormal intertwined with very real human pain. The latter is heroically tackled by Chief Inspector Westen- smart, talented yet somehow always one step behind the real story.
Yes, the horror elements are thrilling and exceptionally well crafted, but the heart of this book is in its characters: the brave, resilient heroine Emma, the spiritual fortitude of Abigail, the steady father figure Dr Mason, poor, fallen Gabby, and my forever favourite broken priest, Will. We care about their trials and trauma because they are so deeply drawn. Even the witch is not what she seems.
If you haven’t already, read this series! A word of warning, though: Mordant delights in delivering you a sucker punch just when everything seems to be going well…
This author breaks my heart- and I love it! The third in the Flammark series delivers in truckloads. This time, the friends are up against a force that bewitches and buries teenagers alive. As always in Flammark, there are duel strands to the story- the paranormal intertwined with very real human pain. The latter is heroically tackled by Chief Inspector Westen- smart, talented yet somehow always one step behind the real story.
Yes, the horror elements are thrilling and exceptionally well crafted, but the heart of this book is in its characters: the brave, resilient heroine Emma, the spiritual fortitude of Abigail, the steady father figure Dr Mason, poor, fallen Gabby, and my forever favourite broken priest, Will. We care about their trials and trauma because they are so deeply drawn. Even the witch is not what she seems.
If you haven’t already, read this series! A word of warning, though: Mordant delights in delivering you a sucker punch just when everything seems to be going well…
October 30, 2022
An author to follow
There are books that seem to be repeats for an author, but PJ Mordant continues to elegantly bring new and fantastic writing to readers. This book... whoa. It had so much more of EVERYTHING... my feels are all askew. I love most characters, hate a few others, and can't wait to see what else Ms. Mordant comes up with.
There are books that seem to be repeats for an author, but PJ Mordant continues to elegantly bring new and fantastic writing to readers. This book... whoa. It had so much more of EVERYTHING... my feels are all askew. I love most characters, hate a few others, and can't wait to see what else Ms. Mordant comes up with.
November 27, 2022
Wowwww
Loved this trilogy the characters how they merge with each other especially Margaret!!!! Stunning work once again kept me wanting more
Loved this trilogy the characters how they merge with each other especially Margaret!!!! Stunning work once again kept me wanting more
September 22, 2023
An absolute brilliant third part to this series.
The first two were strong and this is even more so. I would love a tv series or film for them!
PLEASE READ THESE BOOKS! You won’t be disappointed!
The first two were strong and this is even more so. I would love a tv series or film for them!
PLEASE READ THESE BOOKS! You won’t be disappointed!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews