An ancient library is more than it seems in this murder mystery!

Hecate is ready to start her job working at the library. She's getting older and it has always been her dream to work here. However, even on her first day, she can see and sense things that it seems others cannot. Once there is a murder and odd things around the library, Hecate jumps in to start investigating to discover the mystery at the library.

I wanted to love this one but I think I started it without reading just how young our MC would be. This one felt very young, to start. Definitely some twists would maybe lend this to be an YA as opposed to middle grade but it's a bit silly and a bit young. I struggled to connect to Hecate and kept wondering at some of the things she did. I did not feel the love story, let alone the love triangle, and I felt that was a slow down to the story and a distract we didn't need. I didn't fully understand the goddess angle but I think it was just because I wasn't fully invested in the story. I wish I'd loved it more but I think I was just a bad match.

If magical libraries, mysterious books, and ghosts sound exciting in one story, you might give this one a try. It just wasn't for me.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Kept this one on my TBR shelf for way too long! A delightful supernatural mystery with an endearing main character. Can't wait for part two!

Ok, I LOVED this book. I loved the setting, I loved the atmosphere, I loved the characters, and I especially loved the writing. 
The novel takes place in England in the late 1880s, and Hecate goes to work at Hereford Cathedral to assist the librarian in sorting and caring for the cathedral's extensive collection of books. Upon her arrival, Hecate soon discovers she can communicate with ghosts, and the Hereford Cathedral is riddled with ghosts! Hecate shares her gift with her father, who (being a scholarly man himself, somewhat knowledgeable in archaeology and the occult) is incredibly supportive of his daughter. 
All is well in the village until suddenly a murder occurs, and then another and then….
Hecate learns through her communication with the ghosts and her study of artefacts buried deep in the cathedral walls that a dark force has been unearthed and is beginning to wreak havoc upon the villagers. 
This novel has magic and mystery. It is a ghost story with fantastical creatures. The plot is detailed and intriguing, and the characters are engaging and interesting. Most of all, Brackston is a skilled writer with beautifully crafted prose.
It is always a treat to find a novel that not only entertains its readers with a compelling plot but can also serve as a mentor text for word choice and sentence structure. 
There is now a second novel in this series, called The Cathedral of Lost Souls, which will be published in November that I will be looking out for.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the copy.

This was cute and I appreciated that the author left us on a cliff hanger. I will definitely be picking up the second book. While this definitely covered dark themes, there was some lightheartedness to it that made it enjoyable to read. The characters were pleasant and flawed, but easy to like.

Did not read. Have way too many books on my shelf - need to cut back. Hoping to get to it in the future though.

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish invites readers into a chillingly atmospheric and utterly compelling world where secrets refuse to stay buried. From the moment you step into the spectral halls of its setting, you'll be enveloped in a meticulously crafted gothic ambiance that truly gets under your skin.

At the heart of this tale is the enigmatic Hecate Cavendish herself. She is a fascinating, complex character, shrouded in mystery and burdened by a past that seems to echo through every creaking floorboard and whispering shadow. You'll find yourself drawn to her, eager to uncover the truths behind her solitude and the spectral events that plague her existence. The author masterfully peels back the layers of her psyche, revealing a woman both resilient and haunted.

The narrative weaves a truly captivating mystery, blending psychological suspense with genuine supernatural chills. The haunting isn't just a backdrop; it's an active, insidious force that drives the plot forward, making you question what is real and what lurks just beyond the veil. The pacing is expertly managed, building tension steadily until a satisfying and genuinely spooky crescendo.

For those who crave a story rich in atmosphere, unforgettable characters, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end, The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish is an absolute must-read. It’s a beautifully unsettling journey into the heart of a long-buried secret, proving that some specters are far more terrifying than they appear.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for sharing this ghost fiction tale, a book I wont soon forget.

I love hauntings and this book delivered. I thought that the writing was great, the characters were interesting and the plot was really good.

"I shall not falter, shall not yield to one not of this realm. My feet stand on firm ground, my heart is whole and strengthened with love. My mind is a fortress, built against wicked words..."

I felt myself at constant odds with this book. On the one hand, I loved the plot and I absolutely adored Hecate. I found this to be very well written, but there was something about this book that always made me reluctant to pick it up and start/keep reading. Most likely it was the pacing; it was a bit slow.

But I really did fall in love with Hecate and the souls and mythical creatures she came across. Then near the end I found myself crying my eyes out! Things really picked up around the last quarter of the book. Unfortunately I had not realized this was the first in a series, so the ending left me disappointed, but I will be sure to read the next one.

Thank You to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story takes place in Victorian Times with some paranormal elements thrown in with a sprinkle of magic.
Hecate Cavendish can communicate with dead people and gets more than she counted on when she starts a job as an assistant librarian.
I loved this character, loved everything about her. I like Historical books but the ones I generally read don't revolve around paranormal events. I think that the combination of these three genres threw me off a bit but in reflection I think I liked this story more than i originally thought. Perhaps I read it too fast and didn't appreciate all the nuances. Maybe a re-read at a slower pace should happen or perhaps the next in the series will cement my feelings. Looking forward to Hecate's next adventure.

Oh my goodness, I loved this.

I got it as an arc when I was pregnant with my third and between labor, delivery, recovery and the postpartum brain fog, I just didn’t get to it before it published.

Let me now sing from the rooftops: I loooove this book. I love Hecate, love her little family and her found family. I think this is such a lovely take on the Regency mystery/fantasy/magical realism sub genre that’s gaining popularity.

I’m desperately eager for the sequel and hope we can get a fun detective series out of this!

Did not read - review for another book was posted in error - star rating is included because it was necessary to include one in order to correct the posting error

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Love this author!!! she has so many great books in what seems like the same world! i love it!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston is an atmospheric, richly imagined gothic tale with a dash of historical romance, a swirl of ghostly encounters, and a deep-rooted thread of ancient myth that ties it all together in delightfully haunting fashion.

Set in 1881 England, the story introduces us to Hecate Cavendish—yes, her name is just as perfect as her personality—who is anything but your typical Victorian heroine. She’s whip-smart, irreverently bold, and rides a bicycle with her skirts scandalously hitched (gasp!). But beneath her charm and wit lies a much darker gift: she can see ghosts.

As Hecate steps into her new role as Assistant Librarian at the cathedral’s ancient chained library, she quickly finds herself entangled in secrets far older and darker than she imagined. The setting is deliciously gothic—dusty tomes, candlelit halls, and the ever-watchful eye of the cathedral's eerie medieval map. There’s an unsettling, almost reverent quality to the sinister forces at play, especially as the story weaves in layers of Greek mythology and semi-religious symbolism that give the book a mythic weight.

Brackston’s writing is moody and immersive, with a lyrical style that brings 19th-century Hereford to life, complete with foggy streets, shadowy corners, and restless spirits. The ghosts range from friendly to fearsome, and the line between the living and the dead blurs in some truly chilling moments. And yes, there is a romantic thread—slow-burning and quietly tender—that adds an extra layer of heart to all the haunting.

My only hesitation? At times, the pacing felt a bit uneven, especially in the middle, where atmosphere sometimes took precedence over plot movement. But the rich world-building and Hecate’s irresistible voice more than made up for it.

Fans of historical fantasy, gothic mysteries, and myth-soaked tales with strong, quirky heroines will find a lot to love here. The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish is an enchanting (and sometimes unsettling) start to what promises to be a spellbinding series.

Paula Brackstone’s writing is lush and atmospheric. Plot twists with a past and present thread that makes you want to keep turning the pages faster and faster. The pacing is deliciously slow-burn in the best way—mystery unfolding in layers like peeling back old wallpaper to find something sinister underneath. There’s also a sprinkle of dry humor and a touch of romance. Spellbinding and a bit spooky.

DNF'd at 35%

I tried, I did. But this writing style and the plot line just wasn't for me. That's okay, but I appreciate the publisher for giving me the chance to read and know that it wasn't my type of book.

I was introduced to Paula Brackston's writing a couple years ago. Her books generally featured magical realism with a light side of romance. Usually there's some dilemma that needs to be solved.
This novel had those Brackston traits but seemed a bit darker. The first in the series; perhaps, it will lighten up.
All in all, I'll give the next one a try to see what direction it goes in.

I really love Paula Braxton. this novel is not like many of her others, its more atmospheric, and a bit more creepy. I really liked Hecate, her family and some of the ghosts. Paula does problematic romance really well and she did that here. I really enjoy a good atmospheric slow novel, I just wish the plot was a little bit more, well, more. The Map was cool but the way the mystery was handled, did leave you at a cliff ending. I am assuming because this is a series. I wouldn't start here with Paula Braxton's work, but I would recommend it once you read more of hers.

I really enjoyed this story. I switched back and forth between the ARC and the audiobook, and both were well done. I am looking forward to the sequel.

DNF @10%

Unfortunately, I don't think this book is for me.

I made it about 10% in and I can tell this is just not what I thought it was going to be. I expected something a little darker, a little creepier. I wasn't a fan of the writing style, nothing much has happened at all yet (which is fine, since it's still early), but even when she has seen a ghost - zero creepiness.

I just don't care enough to push through to finish this book since it looks like it's going to be a series.

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish is about a young woman in 1880s Britain who starts working as an Assistant Librarian in a local cathedral. Ahead of her time and content to be an eager, single working gal, she quickly finds out that she is seeing people and images that others aren’t. Surprise! Hecate sees ghosts and magical images come to life. Her ghostly friendships come in clutch as mysterious things begin to happen at the cathedral. What I really enjoyed about this book was Hecate’s character. She is smart, brave, non-conforming, and curious! I was pulled into her journey from the start. While I was surprised by the ending of this book, it is a fantastic setup to continue Hecate’s story. If you want to read a mysterious and mystical story rooted in history, The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish is for you!