“Everyone in the Fens loved witches. Then one summer, a group of hunters arrived. They saw how much power and respect the Fen witches had and they wanted it for themselves. No one believed the hunters when they said that witches were evil. So, they made them believe.” Ma pauses to cleave a lemon in two, she wraps one half in cloth, and squeezes the juice into the bowl. Then she unstoppers a small bottle or rosewater, and adds four dashes.
“They spread sickness with wicked poisons. Crops failed, and cattle and people fell ill. The hunters told everyone they had uncovered a secret plot. They said that witches — up and down the country — were making things sick so they could be paid to make them better. The story swept across the land like a summer wildfire.”
I breathe in the rich scent of berries, rose and lemon and carry on stirring the bowl. The scent makes my mouth water.
Will loves to hear his mother’s stories about the Fen witches, mythical storm-lions, disappearing villages, secret songs and treasures. Not only does he love to hear of them, but he also believes in them. His favourite is the tale of the magical treasure hidden in the Fens, centuries ago.
One day, his mother goes missing. Now he has to solve the mystery of his missing mother. Will realises that he cannot find his mother on his own. He enlists the help of his archaeologist aunt and meets a feisty young lady, who swears she is not a witch. But Will has his doubts.
Then follows an exciting treasure hunt for an ancient magical artefact hidden somewhere in the broads. They have to find it before the evil witches do. The clues are hidden in old songs, old stones, puzzles, riddles and prophecies too.
The Fens, also called Fenland, are a large, flat area in eastern England. Long ago, the land was covered with marshes and swamps, making it wet, muddy and full of mosquitoes that spread diseases like malaria. About 400 years ago, people dug canals and drains to remove the water. Today, the Fens are some of the richest farmlands in the United Kingdom. Broads are a low-lying region of eastern England with wide, shallow lakes interconnected by rivers and small streams.
In this book about magic and fantasy, the author skilfully weaves in an environmental aspect. He talks of the destruction of the environment and the impact it has on different species. He also talks about losing flora and fauna. The language is picturesque, bringing to your mind’s eye the beauty of the land. Fast-paced and exciting, there’s never a dull moment.
Published - July 24, 2026 09:26 am IST