A much darker Pirates of the Caribbean!

In 1901, a whaling ship named the Orman is shipwrecked in a remote area of Iceland. In 1973, a group of researchers stayed on the shipwreck, only for the project to end in disaster. It is now 2023, and a new group of explorers attempt to research the same shipwreck before it is scheduled to be destroyed. Alternating chapters between Dominque (the present) and Nicky (the past), the stories eventually merge to uncover the dark past of the ship.

This incredibly well-written and atmospheric gothic novel is deeply disturbing. Nicky’s chapters are very difficult to read due to the horrific abuse she suffered onboard the Orman. This heart-wrenching tale resembles the plots of The Pirates of the Caribbean movies, but includes a much darker twist. Think about what really could have happened to Elizabeth Swann on board the ship if it was not a Disney movie! Through themes of trauma, guilt, and survival, the plot focuses on the folkloric imaginings of femalehood.

Despite a few lingering questions, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from C.J. Cooke. Thankfully, I have The Ghost Woods waiting for me on my NetGalley shelf!

4/5 stars

Trigger warnings: rape, abuse, cutting

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for the ARC of A Haunting in the Arctic in exchange for an honest review.

In alternating storylines, we meet Dom, a young woman exploring the wreckage of a mysterious ship, and Nicky, who over 100 years before was a captive on the same ship. Nicky's trauma seems connected to tragedy associated with the people and places touched by the ship--a research group who had repurposed the ship in the 1970s disappear, a Icelandic village is abandoned. Now Dom find herself haunted by a mysterious woman and terrifying nightmares.

The arctic setting of Dom's explorations and life aboard a whaling ship at the turn of the twentieth century are fully imagined pulling the reader into the story. While the big reveals may not be earth shattering, the overall story is gripping as much for being a ghost story as for its meditation on trauma.

Unfortunately I tried a few times to read this book and each time I just kept getting bored so I would put it down. I'm sure others will love it, but this book just wasn't for me.

4.5/5 --The last 1/3 or 1/4 is really where this one shines, but a great read all the way thru. There are POVs in two different times during this story: a present day young woman works to solve the mystery of what happened to a ship wrecked off the coast of Ireland and a woman from last century who unwittingly finds herself stuck on the very same ship that wrecked in Iceland. My favorite of the two storylines is the one from the past, which sadly is also the most horrifying one. I hung onto the words in this character's POV and felt rage and sadness and anger for her all throughout. With the present-day POV, I felt very engaged in the beginning and the end, but the middle dragged a little bit.

Overall, I think the story is a slightly slow start that inches its way to a very exciting ending.

More than anything else, I loved how atmospheric and frigid the story felt, and how haunting and actual story was. There is a lot in here about trauma and how we hold onto it, in our minds and our bodies. I think many women (or maybe even most women?) can understand these feelings of rage and trauma, at least to some degree. I felt it viscerally. So well done. I had no idea how the different timelines would converge until they finally did and overall I just loved this one.

"A Haunting in the Arctic" by C.J. Cooke offers an intriguing premise with its chilling setting and mysterious plot. While the novel’s atmospheric qualities are notable, its overall impact may vary based on readers' preferences for suspense and character development.

**4.5-stars**

💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙

Ooo, this was very, very clever. Cooke delivered the exact level of unsettling atmosphere I was hoping for.

In this story we are treated to two very distinct and very memorable perspectives. We follow Nicky, whose story begins for us in 1901, as well as Dominique, who offers us a more present day perspective. There are a few other, one section, perspectives we get every now and then just to help buff out some of our action. Cooke's execution of this was fantastic, IMO. It sounds like a lot, but when you are reading it, it flows so well.

All of our drama sort of surrounds a ship known as the Ormen. In 1901, Nicky was attacked one night and wakes aboard the Ormen, a ship her father owns, where she is then kept and abused throughout an entire sea voyage. Over a hundred years later, the wreck of the Ormen has washed ashore in a remote area of Iceland. It's scheduled to be destroyed, but explorer Dominique feels compelled to document its last days.

I don't want to say too much. This is so cunningly done, it's best to just know the basics from above, or the publisher's synopsis, and let the rest wash over you as it comes. Some aspects of the story are absolutely gut-wrenching, particularly all that Nicky was subjected to aboard the Ormen. Her evolution as a character is horrific and also broke my heart. I loved being on this journey with her. It felt like honoring a memory in a way by bearing witness to it all.

I really enjoyed the back-and-forth between Nicky and Dominique. As the story was building, I was so curious how it was going to intersect. You could feel the past influencing Dominique, but how would it ultimately play out?

I was sad for Nicky, chest-achingly sad, and scared for Dominique. My emotions were all over the place. The stark atmosphere, cold and desolate, def got under my skin. Additionally, the audiobook was fantastic. I felt like the narrator's accent brought a certain level of authenticity to it that enhanced my experience.

I would 100% recommend this to Horror fans, particularly fans of Historical Horror, or Arctic Horror. The way this beautifully-blends those 2-subgenres is top shelf indeed! Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I have truly enjoyed Cooke's work thus far, and am definitely looking forward to more.

I've read a few of Cooke's books now and have really enjoyed my time with all of them and A Haunting In The Arctic was no different. Definitely wishing I read this one in the winter before release day as it didn't exactly match my summer vibes, but overall still enjoyed my time with it. Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for my review copy!

I have not read any works by Cooke before this, and I had anticipated a breezy (if chilling) beach read. Yowza, I was not prepared. This an excellent book, but readers should be warned it is dark and deals with sexual assault. The characters were incredibly well written, and their eventual connection was masterful. Very good story, but readers by warned.

I have loved every single book I have read by the amazingly talented C.J. Cooke, and A Haunting in the Arctic is definitely this author at her best. We have 2 different viewpoints in this story, Nicky on a whaling ship called the Ormen in 1901, and Dominique an explorer in 2023 who has set out to see the wreck of the Orman before it is destroyed on a coast in Iceland. This book gives new meaning to the word trauma, and it is not for the faint of heart. Nicky's story is brutal and heartbreaking, and her entire POV was incredibly tough to read, while Dominique's POV is indescribably creepy as well as the most mysterious of the two storylines.

The audiobook is narrated by Lucy Goldie, and I am still uncertain about how I feel about it. On one hand, she was the perfect narrator with her thick Scottish brogue (Nicky is from Scotland), but on the other, this made her extremely hard to understand at times and even slowing the audiobook down didn't completely help me. Unless you are good with accents, I think reading might be the way to go here though I do not regret my time with the audio.

Revenge is a large part of A Haunting in the Arctic, and at times it gave me Into the Drowning Deep vibes. The climax completely shocked me, and I was NOT expecting how these two characters would become connected. I thought the way the book ended was completely beautiful after so much pain, and if you enjoy horror, gothic stories, and books that will make you think, this is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC. I didn't love this book. I wanted to but as the story continued and I began to predict the ending, I knew the resolution wasn't going to be to my taste. It really wasn't. I wasn't the target audience here and that's okay. Great atmosphere, though! Three stars.

A Haunting in the Arctic tells the story of a twice destroyed wreck, two women and their time aboard the Ormen, and the ghost town it has claimed. This is a hauntingly beautiful tragedy told in three points, across multiple POV's and two main timelines. Nicky and Dominique are both victims of circumstances beyond their control, and I loved how Cooke managed write such a compelling and heart-rending story. I will say, while I figured out the ending, it was still a little unclear as to actually HOW things played out how they did. Still, a good haunting story that will stay with you long after you close its pages.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.

My timing was off with this one – I thought my blog tour day was later than it was. BUT I’m almost done and my initial thoughts are that this is MUCH darker than I originally anticipated it being. That’s definitely not a bad thing, if anything I’m liking it more because of it. It’s atmospheric and almost claustrophobic because of the setting and the weather. It’s really immersive and I’m anxious to see how it ends. I’ve seen mixed reviews on the ending so far, so I’m curious where I’ll land!

Wow, this book is creepy and haunting, like the title implies 🫣 Within a few chapters, I was like, “Yup, this is going to be a good one.” The story was gripping, and I could not put it down.

The female rage in this one is so good, and you can’t help but feel angry for our FMC, Nicky. I did not see the plot twist coming and thought it was so well done!

It is atmospheric, gruesome, and has paranormal elements. I enjoyed the past and present timelines and multiple POVs.

Thanks so much @berkleypub & @netgalley for the eArc & thank you so much @prhaudio for the ALC.

This is a story about one hundred years of ghosting.

I struggled with this one for the first 30%- it just felt hard to get into! Then, it suddenly hooked me by getting very creepy. I would say if you don’t enjoy historical fiction (I do not!) this book may still work for you, because the dual timeline is done in a way that moves the story along quickly.

Few books have left me as disturbed and creeped out as A Haunting in the Arctic by C.J. Cooke. This novel delves into the depths of psychological terror and trauma, weaving a narrative that is both addictive and profoundly unsettling.

The story is told in two timelines, first opening in Dundee, Scotland in 1901 with Nicky, a young woman whose father owns the whaling ship Ormen. Times have been hard for her–following a devastating loss, her husband has gone off to war, leaving her alone. After receiving some unnerving news about her father’s business, Nicky heads to the park and is suddenly attacked and abducted. When she wakes, she finds herself inexplicably aboard the Ormen, beginning its months-long voyage to Icelandic waters. As the ship carries her further away from home, Nicky realizes with horror what the crew intends for her.

Meanwhile, the second timeline unfolds in the present day. The wreck of a whaling ship, determined to be the Ormen, has washed ashore in the arctic. A young explorer named Dominique is determined to make her way to the site to document the wreck and find out what happened to it in its last days before it is scheduled to be destroyed. Initially traveling alone, her plans hit a snag when she encounters a trio of adventurers heading to Iceland to do exactly the same thing. Ultimately deciding to team up, the group makes it to the shipwreck only to find themselves stalked by an eerie presence on the ice while trapped in a storm.

Before I proceed with my review, it must first be noted that A Haunting in the Arctic is not for the faint of heart. It is one of the darkest books I’ve read in a while, unapologetic in its portrayal of human suffering. There are sensitive and distressing themes aplenty, most of them dealing with sexual assault and violence. Although these are woven into the very bones of the novel, integral to its premise and progression, the detailed depiction of such scenes may prove distressing to some. Therefore, reader discretion is strongly advised.

That said, this is my third book by C.J. Cooke, and it might be my favorite yet. The author’s strength has always been her remarkable talent for crafting immersive atmospheres, which she displayed even in her earlier novels, The Nesting and The Lighthouse Witches. In A Haunting in the Arctic, Cooke’s prose again brings the setting to life, evoking a palpable sense of isolation and dread.

For all its bleakness though, the novel also contains moments of deep and powerful emotion, exploring themes of loss and resilience. Nicky and Dominique emerge as intricately written characters, both living through their own private hells, yet the subtle connections between them, spanning across time, won’t be fully revealed until much later at the end. The mystery kept the tensions high and added an additional layer of intrigue, keeping me hooked as answers were gradually revealed.

Again, A Haunting in the Arctic was not an easy book to read, nor would it be suitable for all readers. However, I do believe horror fans brave enough to venture into its icy depths will find a haunting narrative that offers gut-wrenching and chilling resonance.

The wreck of an old whaling ship washes up on the Icelandic coast. The Ormen was lost in 1901 and the fate of its crew was never known. There are plans to destroy the wreck, so an urban explorer heads to the coast to explore the Ormen before it's too late.

Dominique is going to film her exploration of the long lost ship so she can share the videos on social media. She plans a solo expedition, but meets up with 3 other people, also intent upon seeing the wreck.

This story switches back and forth between the ship in 1901 and Dominique's investigation.There's a lot of darkness to take in....and at times I had to put the book down and walk off for awhile. Abuse, murder, sexual assault, and brutality -- it's all there. The story is dark, cold, and haunting, but it kept my attention from start to finish.

I'm not going to elaborate on the plot to avoid spoilers. But -- this story does involve violence, sexual assault and murder. If those plot points are triggers, I'd pass on this one. It's a dark suspenseful tale for those who choose to read.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

In A Haunting in the Artic, C. J. Cooke has presented a dark and haunting story that will chill you to the bones as you read. Both Nicky and Dominique are incredibly compelling, their narratives rich and complex, with voices that will resonate with readers. I love how C.J. Cooke creates such a complex, suspenseful narrative that slowly peels apart the layers of each timeline as well as the characters. The mystery and suspense will keep you guessing until the very end.

I think one of the reasons the story is so dark and haunting is that C.J. Cooke doesn’t flinch from the terrible events Nicky experiences, the reality of her time. What makes it even more complex is that nothing is what she expects, not even the reason for her being on board the Ormen. With Dominique, what is intriguing is her background, the mysteries that surround her and those who join her on the ship. Those mysteries are well developed and masterfully crafted. 

If you like dark and suspenseful horror, then this chilling novel is right for you. If you’ve read anything else by C.J. Cooke, you will want to read this masterful story. The characters and narrative are dark and haunting. I loved every minute as I delved into the complex novel.

The nitty-gritty: Harrowing and addictive, A Haunting in the Arctic is a frozen, Gothic treat for horror lovers who appreciate a well told tale.

C.J. Cooke has just catapulted onto my favorite authors list, and I will be making every effort to read her backlist as soon as I can. A Haunting in the Arctic is a masterfully written and plotted story, full of emotion, heartache, terrible circumstances, revenge and terror, and if those descriptors don’t catch your attention, this might not be the right book for you. Word of warning, parts of the story take place in 1901 on a whaling ship, and Cooke captures the harsh life at sea perfectly, including scenes where whales are captured and gutted. In addition, be aware of triggers like rape, death of a child, cutting, and more, but also trust me when I say if you can get past those elements, you’re in for a top notch reading experience.

Cooke’s story revolves around a whaling ship called the Ormen and follows its history in three different time periods. In 1901 Scotland we meet Nicky Duthie, a young wife whose husband has gone off to war. Nicky’s father George Abney owns a whaling company, but times are tough and his business is about to go under, although his ship the Ormen is about to set sail on its last journey. Just before the ship leaves, Nicky is attacked near the docks and wakes up in a cramped cabin—on board the Ormen.

In the present day, 2023, the story shifts to an abandoned town in Iceland called Skúmaskot, where urban explorer Dominique has trekked in order to document the last days of the Ormen, which became a research vessel in the 1950s but was shipwrecked near Skúmaskot in 1973. What’s left of the ship tells a grim tale: Dominique finds bloodstains covering the floors of the cabins, and rumors say the ship is haunted. When she is unexpectedly joined by three other explorers, the four decide to team up to uncover the Ormen’s secrets and post their experiences live on Tik Tok.

Finally, through letters and other artifacts found on the shipwrecked Ormen, the author fills in some of the blanks about what happened to the research crew in 1973 and why there was only one body found aboard the ship when it ran aground at Skúmaskot. All three stories eventually converge as Nicky’s fate is revealed and how her experiences echo through the years and affect the present.

I don’t want to give away any more of the plot, because C.J. Cooke has plenty of shocking reveals that work better if the reader is surprised. This is a slow burn mystery that becomes more and more intense as you read. The story shifts back and forth from 1901 to 2023 with plenty of connecting threads to pull readers along. While both storylines are riveting, I loved following Nicky’s story the most, although her sections are often very hard to read. Imagine a lone woman aboard a ship of twenty rough whalers and let your imagination take you to some dark places, and you have an inkling of the trauma Nicky went through. This trauma is the catalyst for the rest of the story, as Nicky goes through a transformation of sorts, and here is where Cooke brings in her speculative elements. Tales of the selkie wife, a Nordic folktale, are woven throughout the story, and this mythical creature makes an appearance in each timeline. In 1973, there are accounts of men on the research ship being lured away by a mysterious, beautiful woman, and Dominique sees her as well in 2023. Cooke does an excellent job of describing a traumatic event that seems to be imprinted on the Ormen and continues to echo over the decades.

Dominique and her three “friends” are a puzzle from the very beginning. First of all, I thought it was strange that a woman would journey over frozen terrain by herself—on foot—just to explore a shipwreck. And when she’s joined by Jens, Samara and Leo, things get even weirder. The other three clearly know something that Dominique doesn’t know, and the reader is kept in the dark until nearly the end. Dominique keeps seeing a woman in strange clothing on the shore, but no one else can see her. The combination of the creepy, shipwrecked Ormen (where the four explorers have set up camp), the nearby abandoned town of Skúmaskot, and the freezing Icelandic setting make these scenes even more unsettling, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

I had no idea where the story was going, and I couldn’t imagine how Cooke was going to tie everything together, but she did so brilliantly. There are so many little details throughout that seem insignificant at the time, but often come into play later in the story. When the final shocking twist was revealed, I have to admit I didn’t see it coming—at all! The final scene was emotionally satisfying and the perfect ending to this story. A Haunting in the Arctic is one of my favorite books of the year so far, and it’s going to be hard to top.

Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.

Synopsis: In 1901 in the northern Scottish isles, Nicky is attacked and wakes up aboard a whaling ship, The Ormen. Nicky is kept captive aboard the ship for nefarious reasons with no way to escape far out at sea. In present day, urban explorer Dominique feels compelled to travel to a remote corner of Iceland to document the shipwrecked Ormen before it is destroyed. Once aboard the ship, Dominique soon realizes she is not alone.

Thoughts: I want to start by saying - as someone who is not a horror reader, four stars is an amazing rating for me for a horror novel! This book was so well-written with a fantastically atmospheric setting and a meticulously paced and woven together storyline. The ominous tone and seriously spooky setting gives me chills just thinking about it. Cooke took the already creepy concept of a ghost ship wrecked off the coast of a deserted Icelandic whaling town and made it even creepier with her descriptions. Both storylines were compelling on their own, and the way they ended up tying together was mind blowing. I also enjoyed the way Norse folklore was included in this book. This was not an easy read, so please check out the trigger warnings before starting (feel free to reach out for more info!). If this one sounds at all interesting to you, even if it’s outside your comfort zone, I definitely recommend checking it out!

Read this if you like:
❄️ atmospheric setting
❄️ dual timelines
❄️ ghost stories
❄️ Scottish folklore (Selkies, mermaids)

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I've been on a horror kick lately, so when I saw this advertised, it looked like it was just up my alley. And it was, for the most part. The historical part was engaging and interesting (and heartbreaking), but the modern day stuff wasn't as creepy as I'd expected it to be. I also have issues with the ending and the big reveal. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I dislike it. <spoiler>I liked the idea that Nicky was caught in an endless loop of revenge, but it didn't make sense of how she knew about all the technology things that she used as Dom - it wasn't explained really well. Like, <em>why</em> did she just keep respawning, and <em>why</em> did she only trap a few people in her vicious cycle instead of everyone who pissed her off, etc., etc. I don't think it was explained well enough to make sense.</spoiler>