Review: ‘The 13th Witch’, by Mark Hayden

Publisher: Paw Press
Publication Date: 25th August 2018
ISBN-13: 978-1999821210
*Format: Paperback*
*Price: £5.99*
*Purchase Link:*
**https://www.amazon.co.uk/13th-Witch-Kings-Watch-Book/dp/1999821211/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1544458871&sr=1-1**

Blurb
Did you know that the gods can use mobile phones?
They can, and Odin has a message for Conrad…Conrad Clarke, former RAF pilot and alleged gangster gets a text – and a visit – from The Allfather. Odin has a challenge for Conrad:sign up to protect England from wild magick and get a commission in the King’sWatch. All he has to do is find a missing witch. Simple. Conrad never could resist a challenge. Before you can say “Ragnarok”, he’s plunged into a world of gods, mages, witches, dwarves and one very aggressive giant mole. But the witch doesn’t want to be found, and powerful mages will kill to keep her hidden. Going back isn’t an option. Going forward looks a lot like death. Armed with nothing but a sense of humour and a willingness to cheat, Conrad has to find the Witch and save his life.
Treat yourself to a copy now and experience a whole new universe of magick. And moles…

My Review

Thanks to Anne Cater of ‘Random Things Tours’ for organising this tour and to the author for sending me a copy of this book, along with a lovely letter, in return for an honest review.

Early in January I was tagged in a Tweet about this book and although it meant shifting the schedule around, I couldn’t help but get started on it.

Conrad Clarke is 37-year-old ex-Airman; we first meet him on the M40 in need of a place to stash an AK-47. Odin Allfather sends him a text with a suitable hiding place. It just gets weirder from there.

I really enjoyed this book. The author pulls together strands of fantasy, crime-thriller, folklore and mythology to weave an entertaining adventure. I loved Conrad’s ‘voice’ as he tells events in first person. He’s funny, irreverent. slightly confused by the magical world he’s found his way in to and he has a way with words that get everyone from a French student banker to a giant mole on his side. The plot is tense and well-written, driven forward by events and characters, and the end is exciting.

This is a fun fantasy set in the modern world with a crime-thriller flavour.

4/5