"The Mid Witch" by DJ Bowman-Smith is a contemporary and delightfully entertaining adult story about Lilly Wood who began dating Mike Turner at age 17. At age 19, she became Lilly Turner and pregnant with their first child, Belinda. Mike and Lilly's second child, Jason, was born a few years later. This tale is told mostly from Lilly's point of view.
Mike is a plumber. Mike especially likes large construction projects. These jobs tend to be much more stable than the short-term jobs he finds near home, and they often require him to work away from England for several months at a time. Unfortunately, these sorts of long-distance jobs prevent him from being with his young family as often as he and Lilly would like. Mike finds comfort with other young ladies.
Lilly's mother, Fanny, is ill. To assist with her illness, Mike and Lilly's family move from their second-floor flat in an urban college town to Fanny's rural cottage. Lilly becomes her mother’s full-time caregiver as the sickness progresses. Eventually, Fanny dies of cancer and Lilly inherits her mother's "North Star Cottage."
About ten years later:
Lilly's primary occupation is a homemaker. She truly loves her children. Lilly endures Mike's recurring absenteeism. She believes it is important for the children to have a stable home and a father in their lives. Lilly and the children somehow get by on the meager allowance Mike provides. She raises their children as best as she can. She is Mike's faithful and loving wife whether he is available or not. To earn a little extra money, Mike allows Lilly to take on a few short-term jobs, such as: "cleaning houses, serving school dinners, working in various shops, picking fruit, and washing dishes." He never encourages Lilly to expand her horizons or to take on any full-time jobs. Clearly, Lilly is a victim of our patriarchal society.
About five more years later:
Lilly is well into her midlife years and is fully menopausal. She still lives in the old North Star Cottage alone except for some adopted animal friends: Maud, a magpie bird, and a little later, a solid black greyhound she named Ink. Lilly never learned how to drive, so she must rely on England's bus and train transportation system.
Mike and Lilly are still technically married. Their two children are young adults. They have left the cottage but still live nearby. Belinda is married and has started a family. She and her husband are both teachers. Jason is single and is about to finish college with a degree in "Graphic Design." Mike is still a plumber. He has improved some of his skills and has started a small business upgrading old bathrooms. Mike still enjoys chasing young ladies. He occasionally visits Lilly between girlfriends. Mike is currently living with his latest girlfriend, Charlotte. She knows Mike and Lilly are married but does not seem to care since Mike has convinced her that he and Lilly have an "Open Marriage." Charlotte owns a popular beauty salon and plans to open another very soon.
As the story opens:
Lilly is preparing to travel to Barrington University to attend Jason's graduation ceremony. She arrives just in time to be seated with her extended family members. Mike has brought Charlotte. This is the first time Lilly has ever seen Charlotte. She is attractive and much younger than Lilly, perhaps fifteen years younger. After completion of the graduation ceremony, Jason joins the family group for the usual congratulations and celebration. Charlotte seems to be well known to the family except Lilly. A little before Mike and Charlotte leave the celebration, Mike pulls Lilly aside and tells her that he wants to begin a new life and to sell the North Star Cottage. Mike has already hired a real estate agent to sell "his" cottage!
Over the next few days:
Lilly dutifully begins moving all the objects stored in the cottage's attic down stairs where there is more room to sort through any items she might want to keep, sell, or give away.
Dunwicks Department Store's management fires Lilly for accidentally breaking a large and very expensive crystal polar bear figurine.
Lilly receives an official document from Mike's lawyer stating that Mike will no longer be paying her an allowance.
The last item Lilly finds in the attic is a leather suitcase. She is sure she has never seen it before. It contains packets of crisp brown paper, many small leather pouches, and a brown faded book. The book has many high-quality pages handwritten in black ink, some are drawings of plants and animals, and the others appear to be mostly recipes. The last page contains the following inscription: "Whosoever use this, my book of shadows, do so in good heart and pure intent, pleasing faith and spirit." Signed by Bethany Blackwood.
Lilly's maiden name is Wood. Could it be that her last name had been shortened? Lilly wonders if she is related to this woman?
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2024
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2023
Top reviews from other countries
- NikkiReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2023
I Loved This Book with a Capital 'L'
Well, what can I say? This book is not a genre I would usually consider buying. Especially since I am a thriller writer and like to read as much as I can in my own genre. But I loved it with a capital ‘L’.NikkiI Loved This Book with a Capital 'L'
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2023
Storyline
I fell in love with the main character, Lilly, almost instantly. She’s trying to look her best for her son's graduation ceremony, going through all the rigmarole that middle-aged women do to look glam. But everything that can go wrong does. She has a major hair disaster and then arrives late, with fluorescent green hair, after a nightmare journey. Tripping over herself to find her seat in the middle of a hot flush, she’s greeted with the disapproval of her daughter, Belinda. So much for trying to impress her ex-husband, who is already seated…with his stunning new woman! Charlie, or ‘Call me Charlie’ just happens to be a hairdresser as well!
And this is all in the first chapter!
The story only gets funnier and funnier, and I am someone who very rarely laughs out loud when reading a book. It was great therapy!
I was nervous about trying a ‘paranormal’ book, as I can’t say that ‘witchy’ stories are really my thing. Neither are fantasy novels. But, the development of Lilly’s witchiness is introduced gently and with such humour that I really enjoyed it.
Lilly adopts a stray greyhound called ‘Ink’, and anybody who loves dogs will be won over with this relationship as it develops. There are other creatures too, such as ‘Maud’ the crow, and a brief encounter with a fox and a cat. With these new animals in her life, trying to save her home, and learning to manage the strange and magical powers bestowed to her, ‘North Star’ cottage is anything but dull.
So, Lilly is down on her luck, both financially and with love interests. But with a little magic and the help of a new job as a ‘life model’ in an art class, things start to turn around. The last thing I expected was a saucy sex scene in the art room cupboard. It steamed my glasses up! A sex scene that will have any menopausal woman breaking out in a hot flush!
Writing style
So, why do I think this book is great? Firstly, it’s an easy and light story to read. Secondly, it has a bit of everything!
The author’s biggest strength is characterisation, and I guarantee you will befriend Lilly before the book is done. She is cute, witty, clumsy, and self-deprecating, almost a little like the infamous ‘Miranda’. Then there are other characters like Phil - the art teacher, Theo, Jason and many more. All are portrayed with expertise and playing their role neatly in the storyline. Some you will love, some will make you mad!
The author writes fluently with no long rambling or overly descriptive sections, which I like. Her humour and bluntness are hilarious. Warning: do not read if you disapprove of swear words! I was particularly entertained with matters that many of us may have experienced or thought about, but wouldn't dare say out loud. ‘Piddle sneeze’ comes to mind.
The witchy storyline only starts to take off in the last quarter of the book, by ‘witch’ time I was fully immersed and it didn’t bother me if it was a little fantastical. The down-to-earth portrayal of Lilly compliments the paranormal witch element, and the backstory of how and why she develops these powers is as much of a surprise to Lilly as they are to the reader.
My only criticism of the book is this.… we don't hear whether Ink was okay after Lilly threw the raisins to feed Maud the Crow. Maud didn't eat them, but did Lilly pick them up? Is Lilly not aware of the dangers of raisins and dogs? I hope Ink the dog is alright!
But seriously, I could not fault this book. It is tightly written with beautiful characters, uplifting and empowering to women. The storyline keeps you intrigued and rooting for Lilly right until the end.
I am certainly looking forward to reading the next in the series.
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- Helen GrimmettReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2023
Easy to read magical tale
