3.5 stars but I needed to round it down.

This is a pretty good murder mystery with a fun setting. I haven’t read the first two books in this series, but I don’t feel like that caused an issues with this book. It could be a standalone book. So that was nice, but a little more backstory would have helped. It is always helpful when a book gets a super quick synopsis of who people are and what happened in the past.

This book has a lot of characters and most of them are pretty insignificant, so it makes the story confusing or I noticed myself pausing to remember who they were.

The story did feel a bit repetitive at times. Then the cliche local cops hating the current hired detective is so over done. Just move past that and have them work together. It now just feels petty and childish. Also, the MC Alistair has no background in law enforcement and he is a bishop, what right does he have to be perusing a murder? lol. Maybe that information would have been helpful.

Overall it was an enjoyable book.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I'm being generous, 2.5 rounded up, simply because I haven't read any of his numerous other books, so this may have been an abberation.
Leaving aside the whole trope of "the bishop and the actress", which should have remained the punchline of a bad joke, I've seen this story done better several times. Nothing new under the sun, but only worthwhile if the style, at least, brings something new.
Not here. The characters are as flat as the scenery in a kindergarten play; the "snark" appears to amount to making pointed remarks about someone's sex life; the so-called detecting is almost completely useless; and the plot is resolved by the perpetrator, not the amateur detectives, followed by several ridiculous tie-offs that beggar belief.
All of this, and if there has been a spark of style, a nice turn of phrase, and all would have been saved.
I'm afraid I won't be rushing to catch up on Mr. Green's back catalogue any time soon.
My thanks to Netgalley for the DRC, all opinions are my own.

On page 139, ‘Will the producers OK that?’ said Diana. I think you probably forgot to add with in between OK and that. It’s sounds better, ‘will the producer OK with that?’ said Diana. Also, I suggest you to reduce long chapters. That’s my feedback. I am really enjoying this book. At the end of the story, I didn't expect who did all the magic tricks and it surprised me! You got me really good! It kept me guessing who did it!

This author has a knack for blending suspenseful atmosphere with moments of action, all while adding a touch of dark humor. While their work touches on paranormal themes, it doesn't heavily rely on them.
The characters are well-developed, and their motivations for participating in the story's central premise are explored in depth.

This is the third in the “Holy Terrors” series, but it can be read perfectly well as a stand alone. However, I really enjoy this series and would strongly recommend that you consider reading them all.

Talented actress Diana Hunt has been cast as Lady Macbeth, but it turns out that the production is besieged by even more bad luck than the average Macbeth. Perhaps it’s the theatre ghost? At any rate, things are getting dangerous and the cast is starting to wonder if their lives are in danger.

So Diana calls Bishop Alastair Kincaid, who’s worked with her before to investigate mysteries with a touch of the supernatural. They’ll sort this out quick smart – and maybe they’ll sort out their romantic attraction, too.

I really enjoy the tone of these mysteries – it’s a kind of casual, bantering approach that makes me think of the 1940s, although these are very definitely set in modern times. Although Green is dealing with some pretty heavy issues at times, he uses a light touch which makes this very digestible but never irreverent or trivialising.

The characterisation is strong, and continuing readers are going to enjoy watching Diana and Alastair’s relationship develop further. There’s an amusing cynicism to each of them, and yet their relationship is somehow very sweet.

The plot is relatively straightforward, and although the clues are there, they’re subtle enough that most people aren’t going to work out the details before the revelation. It wasn’t one that felt shocking, but the story kept me engaged and interested.

This is a relatively short novel, and a fast moving one, so I found it a very quick read. It was a satisfying one, though, and I’ll be looking out for more in this series. It’s well balanced between serious and amusing, takes the brutal things seriously but doesn’t make the novel too dark, and has a style that draws you in.

Highly recommended for readers who want something that’s a touch off beat while still using trope of the genre. It’s very well written and I enjoyed it immensely.

As all of Mr Green's book there is snark, fun, mystery and solutions. By the end of the book I wondered how the play will go on, but as the saying goes, the show must go on.
As the third installment, I think this might have been the best one. All takes place In a very old theater with a more dilapidated hotel attached, all action takes place here. Lots of characters, but all are easy to separate and lots of happenings as they try to rehearse Macbeth, many mysterious things happen until, murder brings in the police. At this point our duo need to solve the mysteries taking place. Loved the ending! This review is based on an advance copy that I received for free.

You know what you're getting with a Simon Green book and that's what you get here - atmospheric 'locked room' (of sorts) mystery, a cast of misfit characters/suspects, humour and a couple who investigate together, with the emphasis on their investigating antics not their romance. And that's what you get here. I know it's not going to win any literary prizes, but it was just what I fancied to entertain myself one Sunday afternoon and it did the job perfectly.

I've read this is the last in a trilogy, which is a bit of a shame. I wonder what Mr Green has in store for us next?

Oof, this one wasn't for me. Not a pretty review to follow (sorry)

The only thing I liked were the sabotaged props

❌ Long chapters
❌ 95% dialogue
❌ Unlikable characters
❌ So many characters to keep track of and not caring enough about any of them to do so
❌ Repetitive
❌ Too much sex talk and "cute" sex jokes. It wasn't cute
❌ Too much lovey dovey talk between the MCs. It was annoying.
❌ 'Why aren't I in this scene? I want to be in this scene", over and over. What play actors talk like this?
❌ Can't forget the grown woman making a grown man feel guilty about not wanting to have sex with her due to his beliefs. Oof.

Which Witch is the third and final book in Simon Green’s Holy Terrors trilogy, following the odd-couple investigative team of Alistair Kincaid, a bishop from All Souls Hollow, and Diana Hunt, an actress with a flair for the dramatic. In true series fashion, they’re back solving another mystery tinged with the paranormal—and this time, the spotlight is on a cursed production of Macbeth.

Diana is working with a struggling theater company rehearsing the famously unlucky play in a rundown venue. But when a prop cauldron releases actual poisonous gas, things take a dangerous turn. Diana calls in Alistair to get to the bottom of it, and the investigation quickly spirals into murder, magic, and dark secrets. Witchcraft or black magic seems to be the obvious explanation, but Alistair is convinced there’s a human hand behind the horror.

This was my first foray into the Holy Terrors series, and while I occasionally felt I was missing some background, the book stands well enough on its own. Green’s writing is descriptive and atmospheric without being overwrought—you can practically feel the grime of the theater and the creeping unease in its shadowy wings. The dialogue-driven style gives readers a chance to do some sleuthing of their own, which I appreciated.

Where the book faltered a bit for me was in the character development. Alistair felt rather cold and distant, and Diana leaned heavily into the “diva” persona. If there was meant to be romantic tension, it never really landed—though to be fair, the focus is clearly on mystery over romance. Still, a bit more warmth between the leads might have helped deepen the story’s emotional stakes.

Despite that, the plot kept me guessing, and while I had theories by the end, I wasn’t entirely right, which is exactly what I want from a mystery. All in all, Which Witch was a fun and engaging read, and it’s made me curious enough to want to read the first two books. That, in itself, is a strong endorsement.

Overall a fun read to clear your mind. This is definitely a book worth reading with several eerie events but I never get anything that elevates my reading experience. It borders on too much talking and I missed getting an explanation for the mysterious events that took place at the theater.

This is a great book for fans of a murder mystery or detective drama. It reminds me a bit of the show Castle which was an all time favorite. I will recommend starting at the beginning of the series as there is a lot throwbacks or inside jokes throughout the book. All in all a great read.

Which Witch by Simon R. Green, a good read. In my opinion was as not as good a read as the previous two in the series but did keep me coming back wondering who done it.

A fun new instalment in Green's latest supernatural mystery series. Diana and Kincaid are an interesting pair, juxtaposed in terms of origins, which makes for entertaining detective work.

I always love when Green brings out a new book and this was no exception. The 3rd entry in his Holy Terrors, this has everything you're expecting (and hoping for). Diana and the Bishop, as usual, are desperately needed to solve a mystery that *appears* to be backstage black magic. And with DIana set to play Lady MacBeth? Well, we just can't have that.

This review is based on an advance copy that I received for free.

Trading in the world of television for a foray into British theater, Simon R. Green brings back the Holy Terrors to solve a haunted production of Macbeth in “Which Witch?”, the third book in this latest series.

Our heroes once again are Alistair Kincaid, the handsome televised bishop of All Souls Hollow, and Diana Hunt, celebrated actress and (aging) movie star. Ever since the ghost-hunting episode of the first book, the tabloids have called them “The Holy Terrors” and they reluctantly (in the Bishop’s case anyway) parry their fame into solving the unexplained.

This time they’re not being summoned by greedy TV producers, rather Diana is starring in a production of Macbeth that may help boost her career. The play is still in rehearsals in a decrepit theater before it moves to London’s fabled West End. But strange incidents have been happening, incidents that are more than just the famous bad luck that surrounds Macbeth. Poisoned witches brew, missing costumes, collapsing thrones – all point to (depending on your beliefs) a supernatural haunting or else a saboteur trying to stop the play.

Diana reaches out to Alistair, who (of course) comes running, and off they go to investigate. Creepy footsteps, darkened backstage hallways, mysterious ghosts and supernatural flames all conspire to stop the Holy Terrors from probing too far. Alistair and Diana also have the cast and crew to contend with, all with their own secrets and issues: the desperate director pressured for another hit, the actresses both on their way up the ladder and on their way down, the last chances, the first breaks, the bickering for roles, the backstabbing and gossiping, just your average theater production. But when the mysterious happenings turn from annoying to murderous, the Holy Terrors need to put a stop to the terror before they are next on the killer’s list.

A quick compact story that is actually better than the first two chapters in this series. The interplay between Alistair and Diana makes for a fun outing, even though most of the supporting cast is one-dimensional and annoying. And it’s good to see their relationship evolving instead of being a perpetual tease.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Severn House via NetGalley. Thank you!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. My review is entirely my own. This is the third book in the “Holy Terrors” series about Diana, a famous actress, and Alistair, a Bishop who work together to solve crimes with a supernatural element (that often is not supernatural in origin). Diana is playing Lady Macbeth in a production that seems cursed. She brings in Alistair to help her figure out what is happening, and then, the murders begin. This was a fun, cozy mystery. 3.5 stars.

Review: The crime fighting duo are back! This was another fun run with broad characterization that continues to define the story line. Looking forward to the next in this series.

I received this ARC for an honest review.

Simon R Green has written (and finished) so many series that I enjoy. Nightside, Droods, Ishmael. Holy Terrors is a fun add with supernatural mysteries that aren’t as intense, not quite lighthearted but definitely on the lighter side. I really like the characters and their interplay and the stories are quick and diverting.

I received an advance copy from the publisher to review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "Which Witch?", Simon R. Green's new "Holy Terrors" mystery adventure.
They're baaaack! The Actress and The Bishop return in this third installation of the "Holy Terrors" books, investigating the goings-on both backstage and onstage at a revival of The Scottish Play. Just another day’s work for the Actress and the Bishop.
Talented actress Diana has been cast as Lady M in the play, and she's been witness to a number of strange things, and she knows just who to call - Alistair, the Bishop, who immediately answers her call to action.
Things are rapidly getting out of hand, and every member of the cast and crew are under suspicion; although up to now the events have been fairly innocuous - shadows, sounds, theatre ghosts (I for one, would not want to set foot in this particular decrepit old theatre) - once the Holy Terrors begin their investigations there's an escalation of mayhem. Are the perpetrators afraid that they're about to be unmasked by the duo? Or have they always planned to take things to another level?
Diana and Alistair are determined to get to the bottom of this, and through a combination of interviews and overheard conversations, they begin to unravel the possible motive(s): is it revenge? a settling of scores? someone who wants to see the wunderkind director fail? or is it witchcraft?
The trademark combination of humour and suspense that permeates the Holy Terror books is in full force in this story, and Mr. Green holds on to it until the very ending.
Recommended.

I was instantly captivated by the opening, which evoked a sense of Sherlock Holmes. "Which Witch?" by Simon R. Green, the third book in the "Holy Terrors" series, is a clever and eerie paranormal mystery featuring actress Diana and young bishop Alistair as they unravel a series of supernatural occurrences related to a Macbeth production. Diana Hunt stars as Lady Macbeth in what may be a cursed version of the Scottish play, set to premiere in a West End theater. As harmless pranks escalate in intensity, a mishap involving an exploding cauldron prompts Diana to seek help from Bishop Alistair Kincaid. Together, they form the Holy Terrors, a dynamic duo that has successfully tackled two previous horror-laden cases. However, as they delve deeper into the investigation, the threats intensify, culminating in the death of a cast member.

The chemistry between Diana and Alistair is evident, showcasing their shared dedication to their professions and each other. Supporting characters like Jenny, Chris, and Mark are also vividly portrayed. My only concerns is that the supporting female characters feel very formulaic as the supporting male characters get more depth.