{"product_id":"the-ward-witch-9781913676421","title":"The Ward Witch","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMysterious, magical, and a little bit deadly... Welcome to Unholy Island. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEsme Gray runs the guest house and tends to the ethereal wards that protect the island. She's sheltering from a terrible past and will do anything to stay safely hidden.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLuke Taylor has been searching for his missing twin for months, but has begun to believe that his brother might be dead. With his hope in tatters, a tip off leads him to a remote tidal island in the North Sea. It's further out than the famous Holy Island, and far stranger.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eVisitors shouldn't be able to stay for more than two nights, so when Luke breaks this rule, the close-knit community is sent into turmoil. The residents of Unholy Island have secrets and they intend to keep them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen Luke stumbles across one of the islanders dead on the shore, he finds himself under suspicion, made worse by his own troubles washing up on the tide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEsme is drawn to Luke, but she doesn't trust her own instincts. That's not ideal for a witch - especially when there is a killer on the loose and a storm is rolling in...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Ward Witch is the first book in a brand new contemporary fantasy series from the bestselling author of magical fiction, Sarah Painter. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e*The Ward Witch is set in the same world as the urban fantasy mystery books, Crow Investigations, but it is the start of a separate series and can be enjoyed independently.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePraise for the Crow Investigations Series: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'I'm a huge fan!'\u003c\/em\u003e Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'My favourite new urban fantasy series, clever and twisty and deliciously magical, with a shivery sense of wonder that feels utterly grounded in its London setting. Perfect for fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Genevieve Cogman or Robert Galbraith!'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStephanie Burgis, author of Snowspelled\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'The Lydia Crow books are a firm favourite of mine, combining intriguing crime fiction with a hint of other-worldly mysticism. The characters are brilliantly drawn, and Sarah Painter cleverly makes them believable despite them having magical powers - or even being dead. With just enough comedy to make the dark bits even darker, and the perfect amount of mystery, these books are a wonderful read.'\u003c\/em\u003e Kerry Barrett\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Siskin Press Limited","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50727699677458,"sku":"9781913676421","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_c2b3f610-69d3-4e43-aa3b-4c126acc63d4.jpg?v=1734917889","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-ward-witch-9781913676421","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}