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Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil

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Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil

By: Oliver Darkshire
Narrated by: Oliver Darkshire
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About this listen

'This book is a gem that was perfectly cut to fit the Pratchett-shaped hole in my heart' C.M. Waggoner

'A bubbling cauldron overflowing with imagination and charm' Chris Sugden

Books can change lives. Magic books can cause absolute chaos.

Isabella Nagg lives on a tiny, miserable farm in a tiny, miserable village with a husband who's about as useful as a wet sock. Her days are filled with scrunge (don't ask), mildly cursed livestock, and singing to her beloved pot of basil. It's not much-but it's hers.

Then Mr. Nagg brings home a stolen spell book from the local wizard, and Isabella starts to wonder: what's the worst that could happen?

Cue one grumpy cat-like companion, a magical Ponzi scheme, and a journey through a world where enchantment meets bureaucracy and goblins have opinions on capitalism. As Isabella stumbles into spells, secrets, and self-discovery, she might just find that magic isn't the only thing she's been missing.

Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil is a delightfully bonkers, footnote-filled romp for fans of Pratchett, folklore, and anyone who suspects their houseplants might be judging them.

©2025 Oliver Darkshire (P)2025 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Fantasy Humorous Magic Cats Wizardry Magic Users

Critic Reviews

This book is a delightful modern fairytale full of strangeness and wonder, and no small amount of humour. Oliver Darkshire has done a wonderful job bringing us into his fresh, fantastical world, and it's somewhere you want to stay. (Alice Bell, author of Displeasure Island and Grave Expectations)
Brings to mind the works of Terry Pratchett ... a delightful read. It will make you laugh and surprisingly tug on your heartstrings (Vanessa Armstrong)
Witty and wry*, a book filled with untrustworthy herbs, far too much porridge, and the most unusual and compelling explanation for goblins you will ever see.
*and punctuated by an egregious number of delightful footnotes (Caitlin Rozakis, author of Dreadful)
I have been longing for fantasy stories with middle-aged heroines, so I was delighted to discover the pragmatic and intelligent Isabella. Oliver Darkshire weaves a vivid story with a humorous, fantastical voice and complicated world-building (Katy Nyquist, author of A Holy Maiden's Guide to Getting Kidnapped)
All stars
Most relevant
Loved this book. Great read and had quite a few giggles on the way.

Very funny and well narrated

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