The Lights Go Out in Lychford

By: Paul Cornell

Narrated by: Emma Newman

Be careful what you wish for...

Paul Cornell's The Lights Go Out in Lychford continues the award-nominated Witches of Lychford series, described by Seanan McGuire as "Beautifully written, perfectly cruel and ultimately kind."

The borders of Lychford are crumbling. Other realities threaten to seep into the otherwise quiet village, and the resident wise woman is struggling to remain wise. The local magic shop owner and the local priest are having troubles of their own.

And a mysterious stranger is on hand to offer a solution to everyone's problems. No cost, no strings (she says).

But as everyone knows, free wishes from strangers rarely come without a price...

Critic reviews

"Captivating... Written with Cornell’s characteristic verve, Lychford buzzes with its own magic, and its characters brim with life. Series fans will be shocked and moved by the developments in this efficient story, and look forward to the next." —Publishers Weekly

"[The Lights Go Out in Lychford] balances gracefully on the border of cozy small town mystery and cosmic horror... It’s a small book that packs a solid narrative punch." —Booklist

Praise for the Lychford series

"Cornell introduces some genuine existential chills into this ingratiating setting." —The Chicago Tribune
Praise for WITCHES OF LYCHFORD

"At once epic and terribly intimate. This is the story of a village, not a city, and all the more powerful for that; not all big fantasy needs an urban setting. Beautifully written, perfectly cruel, and ultimately kind. This is Cornell at the height of his craft." —Seanan McGuire, author of the Incryptid and October Daye series

"Paul Cornell has written a marvelous story, rich in charm, about local politics and witchcraft writ small and personal, but large in consequence." —Bill Willingham, author of Fables and Down the Mysterly River

"Masterfully creepy and sinister, all the more so for taking place in the beautifully drawn English countryside." —Jenny Colgan, author of Doctor Who: Into the Nowhere

"Cornell weaves together a fast-paced story and engrossing character studies; he paints a setting of a gloomy English countryside, disarming his readers with magic and danger that lurks unseen. Beneath the suspense lies wry humor that buoys the tale along."—Publishers Weekly

The rare series where multiple narrators actually works

Emma Newman narrates books 2 & 4 , Robin Miles book 3 & Marisa Calin book 1. Normally, I would’ve left a series after the first change-up, but all of these talented vocal artists maintained the continuity so effortlessly, even Judith’s peculiar way of expression, and the writing is so tight ( and great), that it was in no way off-putting. Looking forward to book 5!

Poignant and affecting

The series just keeps on getting better, gearing up for a final novella to be released late next year. This tale was especially poignant as it forced Autumn and Lizzie to come into their own sooner than they'd hoped, with wise woman Judith's powers and memory waning in the face of dementia. I liked how Cornell played up the ambiguity of Judith's inner turmoil - is she forgetting things, or are more sinister forces affecting her? The ending was great; so many loose ends were wrapped up I thought for sure this would be the last Lychford story, until the concluding sentences.