Whew, I was getting worried about Hester Fox after the Orphan of Cemetery Hill, but she's back to form with A Lullaby for Witches. Which is great because where else was I going to get my lite incest New England gothic seaside vibes?
This was a solid read! Usually duel POV bothers me, but this was done well and I was genuinely interested in both stories. I was delighted by the possession storyline-- for some reason I didn't see it coming, which was fun.

A terrific dual timeline featuring Margaret in the past and Augusta in the present. When Augusta finds very few mentions of Margaret she starts wondering why Margaret seems to have vanished from historical records. A good gothic novel gets me every time!

In the late 1800’s, Margaret, along with her three brothers were part of a well to do family, but she never seemed to fit in. She could cast spells and help the townspeople with herbs and potions they were leery of her. She starts a secret relationship with Jack, becomes pregnant and is furious when she realizes he will never acknowledge or marry her.
In present day Augusta Podos is starting work at the Harlowe Museum, once the home of Margaret. As she researches she realizes no one knows anything about Margaret and becomes obsessed with learning more. Strange things start to occur as she’s drawn further into Margaret’s world.

The plot was good but I think this book could have been so much more. The writing felt tepid and there was none of that frisson of excitement I usually feel reading a gothic/supernatural novel. I never felt invested in any of the characters and couldn’t bring myself to care.

Traveling back and forth between present and 19th century Tynemouth, Massachusetts, Fox joins the lives of town “witch”, Margaret in the past and Augusta, in the present. Augusta is the new curator at Harlowe House, Margaret’s ancestral home.. Augusta finds tantalizing mentions of Margaret, snippets of stories, rumors, that hint at something dark. Margaret seems to have vanished from the historical record and Augusta is determined to find out why. I loved this book about the strength of women, although I admit I was more involved with Margaret’s story than Augusta’s.