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The Accidental Medium #5

The Witch Finder

Not yet published
Expected 28 Apr 26
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448 pages, Paperback

Expected publication April 28, 2026

48 people want to read

About the author

Tracy Whitwell

17 books105 followers

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5 stars
14 (48%)
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12 (41%)
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3 (10%)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Michelle Collins.
9 reviews
January 16, 2026
This wasn’t just a read — it was an experience!!

The Accidental Medium series is a masterclass in cozy mystery with atmosphere. The descriptive writing sets the mood beautifully, and every chapter kept me completely hooked. This entire series has made me laugh, cry, and hit me right in the feels — every single time.

Tanz our FMC is back in her hometown straight after her adventure in Reykjavík, pulled into yet another mission filled with witchy shenanigans. Trying to find out what’s brought her home kept me turning pages nonstop. I thought the dialogue was cracking, the friendship banter felt real and warm, and the sense of found family shines through. I’ve grown attached to all the characters in this series I love them all.

👻Possession
👻Whispers in the dark
👻Past refusing to stay buried
👻Time hopping
👻Witches
👻Friendship
👻Spirit guides
👻Power

The Witch Finder is the perfect blend of mystery, heartwarming, spooky vibes, and powerful women uniting — which is exactly what makes this series so special. I’ve loved every book, and this one is no exception. Tracy Whitwell knows her spooky stuff.

This book demands Jasmine Green Tea & shortbread biccies!

Thank you to NetGalley & Pan MacMillan for this arc I’ve loved every minute of it.
Profile Image for Pudsey Recommends.
279 reviews39 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 14, 2026
I hadn’t read any of Tracy Whitwell’s books before, but when this popped up on a blog tour with “witch” in the title, I didn’t even pretend to hesitate. Witchy chaos? Northern setting? Slightly unhinged heroine? Sign me up!!

This was an absolute romp. Tanz (our fab FMC) and her friends & family are an absolute hoot. I loved spending time with them. And then there’s Thor (yes, that Thor ) Tanz’s romantic interest, bringing the perfect amount of romance and chaos. Their dynamic was fun.

Tanz is a Geordie through and through, and Whitwell captures Newcastle and the North-East voice so brilliantly that it feels authentic and grounded, even when the story heads into the paranormal. The setting feels lived-in and authentic, from the Town Moor to the chatter about the Hoppings and it grounds all the supernatural madness beautifully. I love when a location feels like a character in its own right.

One of my favourite elements was the historical thread. I had never read about the Newcastle witch trials before, and this book sent me straight down a research rabbit hole. Whitwell handles it brilliantly, revealing how the witch hunts were essentially a money-making machine built on paranoia, fear and one deeply questionable “witch finder.” It’s horrifying, fascinating, and depressingly relevant. The parallels with how societies still treat minorities they’re uncomfortable with? Not subtle. Not wrong either.

What I love most about this series is how it balances laugh-out-loud humour with genuinely thoughtful commentary. One minute Tanz is spiralling about her love life, the next she’s communing across time and confronting ancestral trauma like it's just your average Tuesday.

Dream states, ancestral echoes, hidden frequencies, time-slipping encounters. It’s mystical, slightly bonkers, and completely absorbing. Tanz stepping more fully into who she is (even when she’d rather not) is such a satisfying arc to witness. I'll be reading the back catalogue next.

The Witch Finder is funny, heartfelt, witchy, and just self-aware enough to poke fun at itself when needed. It was enlightening as much as it was entertaining.

#pudseyrecommends this highly.
Profile Image for Milly Chantrey.
8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 18, 2026
I’ll be honest, it took the first 40 pages for me to start feeling invested in this book, as the writing style isn’t what I usually gravitate towards. But soon I did find that the plot picked up, and it became a fun and entertaining read. The style of writing I found quickly made sense for the world and characters Whitwell has created.

We follow Tanz on an ancestral journey filled with secrets, unsettling visions, and an unexpected connection to the dead, alongside a quieter romantic thread that unfolds gently in the background.

With this book what I particularly enjoyed was how I did not feel the need to predict everything, because it was so unpredictable!
The characters were a real highlight for me, especially the relationship between Tanz and Shiela, which added warmth and humour throughout the story.

If you’re looking for a relaxed, energetic crime & mystery with supernatural elements, something fast-paced, and easy to read then this is a wonderful choice. It leans toward a lighter crime & thriller tone with almost YA accessibility, making it especially great for newer readers or anyone wanting an enjoyable palate-cleanser between heavier books.
While the level of cursing occasionally pulled me out of the story personally, it ultimately contributed to the character voice and atmosphere.

Overall, The Witch Finder is a fun, character-driven mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering intrigue and heart.
Profile Image for Laura.
14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 20, 2025
Whitwell has only gone and done it again, every book in The Accidental Medium series is better than the last. And though you could read it as a standalone novel, you would miss out on some very intense (and tear-inducing) self-growth from our favourite Geordie witch, Tanz.

Before Tanz even has a chance to recuperate from her time in Iceland and take a breath she’s thrown right into the next adventure. After a fear inducing and all-too-real dream Tanz goes back home to Newcastle to try to bring peace to restless witchy and not-so-witchy spirits who were burned at the stake. She calls upon her spirit guides (who occasionally answer) and her friends to help her unravel the mystery - learning more about who she is and what she wants out of life along the way.

If you love cozy mysteries, a sprinkle of magic, quite a bit of danger and a bunch of people who aren’t afraid to say exactly what’s on their mind (expect when it comes to love, because that’s always a tricky one), then you will love this one.

Thanks to NetGalley & Pan MacMillan for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. And a massive thank you to Tracy Whitwell for writing yet another masterpiece.
Profile Image for Leanne.
848 reviews80 followers
November 4, 2025
This final chapter in the Accidental Medium series is a wild, witchy ride through Newcastle’s haunted past—and Tanz is the perfect guide. She’s back in her hometown, but the ghosts aren’t just metaphorical this time. With visions of witch trials and cryptic warnings from beyond (“You’re the one. Burn it, chosen one.”), Tanz is pulled into a mystery that’s as eerie as it is hilarious.

Whitwell blends folklore, danger, and deadpan humour with effortless charm. Tanz remains one of the most relatable heroines out there—awkward, brave, and just trying to make sense of the chaos (both supernatural and emotional). The story crackles with tension, but it’s the heart underneath that makes it sing: old wounds, new love, and the courage to face what’s been buried.

If you love your mysteries with a dash of the paranormal and a heroine who talks to ghosts like they’re old mates, this one’s for you. A satisfying, spooky send-off to a truly original series.

With thanks to Tracy Whitwell, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
Profile Image for Being_bookish_becs.
45 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2026
“They can’t burn us now”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a story of female rage and revenge for those woman who suffered at the hands of “the witch pricker”. Tanz is our Geordie spirit guide as she returns to her hometown and a mysterious thunderstorm inducing spirit begins to follow her and show her visions of the past. Face to face with dark ancestral secrets and haunted by chilling visions of witch trials, she must connect with the spirits and uncover the mysteries behind her lineage.

I loved the strong friendship between Tanz and Sheila embracing all that is spooky with a glass of wine in hand! They truly were on a witchy investigation together and I loved their friendship! Cosy and spooky I would like to read more of “The Accidental Medium” series which can be read as standalone books. If like me you were a fan of the supernatural drama Ghost Whisperer this is definitely one for you as it had all of the small town cosy vibes but with all of the British humour.

Cosy, spooky and full of female empowerment I really enjoyed the Witch Finder!
Profile Image for Carolina.
185 reviews2 followers
November 20, 2025
Another amazing instalment in the Accidental Medium series. This one takes place closely after The Hidden Dead and is just as full of action as all the others.

I absolutely loved the involvement of the character we already know of and some new characters, as well as the touch of new, more physical exposure to the world of the dead. As always, the history aspect of the magic was brilliantly explained to us, the readers, during the storyline.

The action was brilliantly presented to use throughout the storyline at good pace, with the end leaving you holding your breath and being on the edge of your seat.

I had to read the book in one go because there was no putting it down! I laugh, I was scared, and unexpectedly I also cried at the end (sobbed more like).

Amazing writing as always by the author, and I really hope that we will see Tanz’s future adventures soon too. This time with a bigger sprinkle of love.

Thank you to NetGalley for this amazing ARC.
386 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 2, 2026
Loved this latest from Tracy Whitwell which is ridiculously fun, entertaining and hugely interesting with all the facts around witch finders in the north of England.
Although this is the fifth in a series, it’s easy to read as a one off as catch up details are in there too.
Tanz is an accidental medium who has become adept at helping spirits from the other side with making their peace with their lives on the earth plane.
After some weird dreams Tanz decides to go back home to her parents to find out more about the witch trials in Newcastle and Gateshead.
Wonderful characters, friends and spirits are always there to help and guide Tanz through dangers lurking who want to cause harm.
The story, history and crazy journey is gripping and totally engaging. I have much enjoyed this series and sad to have come to the end, although I think this one is the best!!
Atmospheric, spooky and cute.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan publishing for the early opportunity to read and review.
Profile Image for Eloise Mohan.
240 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 15, 2026
If you are looking for a cosy witchy mystery, this series is the one.
In this final installment of The Accidental Medium series, Tanz has returned from her adventures in Iceland with a "super charge" of sorts. She is working to a higher frequency than ever before, and this time it spells trouble (again).
Something in her witchy ancestry has been disturbed, and its up to Tanz to resolve it quickly.

As always, I enjoyed this adventure. Witnessing Tanz (who is by all means still just learning the ropes of her abilities) get thrown into something so huge, was fun. The characters in this book all have vibrant personalities and it makes the book feel engaging and fairly fast paced. This one has more chaos and is more deranged than the others, and it is almost nonsensical, but it works. I adore Tanz whole friendship group. A complete mismatch of people, who are all connected. Even little mam has me giggling.

I hope this isn't the last we hear from Tanz, but if it is, it was wrapped up nicely. Albeit with an emotional ending.
Profile Image for Vicky.
109 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 11, 2026
I am absolutely buzzing after finishing this! I first fell in love with Tracy Whitwell’s writing years ago, reading The Accidental Medium on a Kindle so old it belongs in a museum 🤣, and it’s rare to find a series that just keeps getting better by the fifth book.

This latest installment really raises the bar. Seeing Tanz back in Newcastle facing off against dark, ancestral secrets felt so personal. The mix of chilling witch trial history and Tanz’s signature snark is perfection. It’s spooky, funny, and incredibly atmospheric. I was completely hooked throughout, but that last chapter? I couldn't put it down!

If you’re into paranormal stories that can make you laugh out loud one minute and give you genuine goosebumps the next, you need to get on this series. Tanz is such a one of a kind character, and I’m already impatient to see where her gift takes her next.
Profile Image for Raye.
541 reviews20 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
January 28, 2026
Another great instalment in The Accidental Medium series. This time Tanz takes us home with her to Gateshead and we travelled back in time to the Newcastle witch hunts, while getting to know more about Tanz's new powers. There is something afoot in her home town and her life is yet again in danger, but she has more spirits on hand to guard her than ever.

And of course, there's still the whole Thor issue to figure out.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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