This is fifth in the Turnham Malpas series and is rather more dramatic than the previous ones. Much of the plot concerns Kate (Ms Pascoe), the new tree-hugging vegan New Age headmistress of the village school. Clearly she's up to no good, but village life goes on amongst the increasingly large cast.

The conversations and character development were no better than in previous novels, and I was a bit disappointed with the caricature and melodrama that surrounds Kate and her new friends. A lot of assumptions are made about New Age people, and when Peter - the Rector - stands up for Christianity, his faith is very watered down. Not that I like fiction with evangelistic fervour and verbatim repentance prayers, but this goes rather in the opposite direction with too little said.

Moreover, people seem to change without much warming. While that might reflect real life, it doesn't really work in a novel.

Still, I found this quite gripping in places and could hardly put it down. ( )

Books like this are almost as comforting as tea and toast, and that's not just because of the Milly-Molly-Mandy-esque village map at the start of the book. If you're looking for a calm, soothing read, look no further! ( )

Once again there is a slightly sinister aspect to this charming village novel. This time in the form of witchcraft. This is the fifth book in the series and it is written as well as the first I am now looking to buy or borrow the 6th as soon as possible so what bigger recommendation can I give. ( )