Must all good things come to an end?

And so, we find ourselves at the end of the current Witches of Woodville series by Mark Stay which brings to mind the old saying, ‘all good things must come to an end’. This statement contains two apparent facts; the good thing and the end, so does this apply to The Corn Bride?

It is sometimes the case that an author hints at elements in their own life when writing a book, it has certainly been the case within my own work. The author’s own life leaks into their work either overtly or covertly, and I think that is the case with many of the books in The Witches of Woodville series. The subject matters of a daughter growing up, a son leaving the home to undertake new challenges and now seemingly the impact of an evil presence in Woodville itself – commercialism perhaps?

We find ourselves in England, May 1941, and our heroine Faye Bright reaching a crossroads in her life relating to her magical powers and her forthcoming marriage to the love of her life, the loyal and plucky Bertie.

I will refrain from any spoilers, but trouble is afoot. We find our lovingly created characters in dire straits indeed. One of the most endearing and appealing qualities of Mark Stay’s writing is the delightful mish mash of the dark, the creepy and the downright hilarious that has been a hallmark of all the books in the Woodville series, and ‘The Corn Bride’ is no different. Containing several laugh out loud moments and a contender for the best name for a prog-rock band ever – “Bertie and the Witches”.

The one thing that lingers heavily through out the book is a growing suspense which brings with it a gut feeling that everyone is in peril and that anyone could die. Mark Stay has been quite open about the fact he intends to put his readers through the mill, and he does just that. I found myself fearing the worst for which I must say to the author – very well done, you utter bastard. By the end, my nerves were shot.

This book feels like the most personal of all the books in the series, and I am of the opinion this is no bad thing. I for one, like the darker and riskier themes and subject matters which have emerged in the latter books of the series. They feel tactile, real, and make for great reading. The subject of the face of evil, the possibility of things being more than they are, of people secretly inciting harm and division when outwardly proclaiming  the opposite – all fascinating subjects and very relevant to today.

I swore out loud towards the very end – I will not say why – in shock and surprise. It is therefore something of a shame that as the Witches of Woodville books begin reaching into the darker and more menacing elements of World War 2 (we are only in 1941 after all) that the current series ends like it does. This is not the author’s fault at all – far from it – just the end of the current book deal.

The Corn Bride is a thoroughly excellent book – funny, poignant, heartfelt, fear inducing and a worthy end to the current series. I would dearly love to see what Mr Stay could do next. There is plenty of latitude and scope for more books, and I for one hope that he is given this opportunity, he has certainly earned it in my view. So, for the moment, the saying IS true, all good things must come to an end, but hopefully not for too long…