The plot of this book was intriguing, but at the same time it was so slow. It's an odd mix when you're interested in the story and where it's going, but have to force yourself to continue reading because the plot won't pick up.

The story revolves around Hecate, who discovers she has a special ability to see and talk to ghosts after starting work at a library in a cathedral.. Sounds interesting right? The problem is it takes so long to get to this point, and then what should be interesting or exciting encounters with the ghosts seem very mundane. The feelings and interactions other characters have with Hecate feels forced at times - the author is trying to show that everyone loves and adores and respects Hecate, but it feels unnatural, especially for the times. There are long stretches where nothing of interest happens, then some quick action, followed by more long stretched of nothing, The pacing is off, which doesn't help the storyline. Towards the end, there is a bunch of action, but the ending is incredibly flat and leaves a lot to be desired. I understand this is written to be a series, but a better ending would have helped the overall story and brought more excitement into reading the next installment. Instead, I was left feeling unsatisfied and unsure how to feel.

This isn't to say the book is bad - it's not. There is some very good writing in here, but it gets overshadowed by how much the plot drags. While I am interested in a sequel, it will need to fix the pacing issues and deal with the ending in order to keep my interest.

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston is a mesmerizing journey into the mystical and haunting world of Hereford cathedral in 1881 England. Hecate Cavendish, a bold and curious Assistant Librarian, finds herself drawn into a web of ancient secrets and spectral encounters as she navigates her new role among the cathedral's storied collection. Brackston's evocative prose weaves a rich tapestry of history and fantasy, where the medieval world map becomes not just a relic but a portal to unexpected friendships, perilous threats, and the restless spirits of the cathedral's past. As Hecate delves deeper into the mysteries hidden within the cathedral's walls, she discovers that her journey to uncover the truth will test her courage and loyalty in ways she never imagined. The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish is a spellbinding tale that captivates from start to finish, blending historical intrigue with supernatural suspense in Brackston's signature style.

Thank you to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting read. The writing style made this to be a very slow read for me. I understand it was probably most for the effect of the time period and environment. It took a while for me to get into — the beginning was a little long before the plot picked up. Once that had happened though I was entertained. I enjoyed Hecates character and her determination to be independent. The paranormal aspect and lore added made for this to be a fun and eerie mystery for Hecate. I have my suspicions on pretty much everyone else.

Interesting read overall. I’d be interested to see how Hecate takes on the wickedness in her home when the story continues.

Based on the synopsis I was interested to read this one, but unfortunately I don't think it was for me.

I think I was hoping for a heavier tone of mystery and maybe something more from the characters. While I enjoyed the story at times, it did move a bit slowly for me. However, if you're a history fan, this is a great novel. The history in it is fantastic and there's a lot of intrigue for future stories.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for access to the e-ARC.

Thank you @netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review includes spoilers further down.

I came incredibly close to DNFing this one I’m afraid. The writing is overwrought and overdone. Felt like the author had a thesaurus active next to them the entire time. It was full of unnecessarily flowery descriptions and over the top adjectives. The plot was incredibly slow until the last 10%, only to hit you with the unfortunate fact that there will be another book and that none of the conflicts have been concluded and none of the mysteries have been answered.

I was also going to be really angry when the “villain” turned out to be John, based on the sheer number of times Hecate swore it could never be John because essentially she liked him too much. Now, knowing it wasn’t John, I’m almost angrier at how often the au tbh or lingered on that fact? Got instinct and looking a hot boy is a terrible reason to “know” he’s innocent.

I guess pleased I finished it because I hate DNFing books but I will absolutely not be picking up book two.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, for the free E-book for review.

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackstone is as atmospheric as they come, and I'm all for it. Set in the Hereford Cathedral, readers get a tour of the ancient chained library, its crypts, and a glimpse of the medieval Mappa Mundi. While some details may have been changed, these elements add an undeniable element of authenticity to the story.

Hecate, the heroine, is named after the Greek Goddess of witchcraft, ghosts, and necromancy. She is an inquisitive character who defies social norms, and her close relationship with her father is something special. I enjoyed following her as she crept through the crypt, conversed with ghosts, and pored over ancient tomes to unravel the mystery of the rogue souls, all while befriending a cat and a griffin.

The introduction of mystery, the supernatural, and an ominous, shadowy presence piques the reader's curiosity. The author's writing style kept me glued and engaged throughout the book.

This is a strong start to the series, and I look forward to delving deeper into this world and witnessing Hecate's growth as she resolves the mystery of who was behind the unleashing of the souls possessing the rich.

hecate can see and talk to ghosts and she gives off detective vibes all throughout the book. it is sad and haunting and left me quite shocked.

According to her mother, Hecate Cavendish needs to settle down with a nice man. According to her father, Hecate is a gifted scholar who should be given the freedom to choose her future. Things in the Cavendish house are, understandably for the late 1800s, tense. As if this weren’t enough, Paula Brackston makes things even more complicated for her protagonist in The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by, well, introducing some hauntings.

Hecate’s first day as assistant librarian at the Hereford Cathedral is a happy one. Only her mother’s disapproval mars the day, but Hecate is used to that. She wheels across town on her new bicycle, determined to make a good impression on the clerics at the cathedral. One might think that her gender and her name would put the men of the cathedral off but, with the exception of the cantankerous librarian, Hecate charms everyone she meets. Much to her surprise, she also charms the resident ghosts: a medieval monk, a Napoleonic veteran, a Georgian maid, and an aristocratic lady.

Things get stranger at the cathedral when an apparent desecration in the crypt and a shocking murder nearby lead Hecate and the ghosts to pursue supernatural leads. Hecate is the kind of protagonist to hare off on her own but, thankfully, she takes precautions to arm herself before tackling anything dangerous. It’s a relief to read a character who doesn’t charge in blindly. And, being a librarian myself, I appreciated that one of the things Hecate does to learn more about her adversary is to take a trip to the British Library and con her way into the archives.

Readers may want to wait for the next book in the series before picking up a copy of The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish. The conclusion to this book leaves a huge hanging thread that diminishes the effect of a pretty spectacular climax.

I was so excited to be accepted for Paula Brackston's new book but sadly this wasn't for me (at least at the time). The story did not grip me in a way that I wanted and I found myself falling asleep when I would read at night. That said, Brackston's writing style is beautiful and I thought that I would immediately fall in love with what was being written but it fell flat for me.

I am a reader that likes a character that is easy to connect with and dynamic enough to pull me in and while I thought the main character was interesting, she did not make up for struggling to pick up the book. I slogged through each chapter just trying to get through the book. There were moments throughout the novel that would pick up my interest, but when that would end it would again cause of a lack of interest.

Overall, there some interesting moments, but I was not enthralled with the book itself or the mysteries that should have made me want to continue. I will probably try this novel at a different time to see if my opinion changes and in turn update my review, but as it stands I am at a 2.5 stars for this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such an interesting premise for a book! The language is very descriptive. I felt like I was there with Hecate! If you’re interested in 1881 England, treasured old books, strong young women, and fantasy, I suggest you check this book out. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5
Thank you @macmillan.audio @stmartinspress #partner #macaudio2024 for the gifted audiobook and eARC of this book!

In this magical story we follow an assistant librarian, Hecate, who has magical skills who can see ghosts. 👻 Within the library that she works at is a secret library within which is old, mysterious and houses an unusual collection of books. Not just anyone has access to it. Next to Hecate desk is a map with eccentric people and mythical creatures. She will soon discover just how important those people and creatures mean to her.

💭I loved Hecate’s “take no sass” attitude. She is fiery, spunky, and spirited which made her easy to like. In fact, I am not sure there was a character in here that I didn’t fall in love with. This book was a magical slow burn that features extraordinary souls and fanciful writing. The author was able to create such a atmospheric setting it was easy to get lost in. I am not sure this book will be for everyone based on the prose and slowness of it so make sure you’re in the right mood going in! This was light in fantasy, mixed with historical fiction, mystery, paranormal and magic! I do think the audio helped me to become immersed into this ancient librarian’s world! This is labeled as book 1 so there will most certainly be a continuation of Hecate!

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish was a captivating story set in a historical period about a young woman named Hekate . The plot centers on her experience learning that spirits are speaking to her and that she can communicate with them without anyone else seeing her at her new work as the librarian's assistant at Hereford Cathedra.

I thought the book's plot was intriguing and that it had a lot of mystery, spirits, and murder! Even though I liked Hecate's personality and that she was unique, I thought everyone's respect for her was a little forced. To be honest, I thought the book's pacing was a little off; at first it started out slowly before picking up speed in the later part.

And the ending doesn't really appeal to me. The storyline was left completely unresolved. No answers to the questions or even a suggestion as to who the main villain is. Hekate merely postponed evil till a later time rather than vanquishing it.

Despite that, it still was a interesting book to read. Though it might not be for everyone, I thought this book was quite unique.

Paula Brackston has hit a home run with ‘The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish’. From the first page to the last, I was enthralled with every aspect of this story. The characters are well developed and the places are rich with detail. Hecate Cavendish, although the main character of this story, does not appear overtly so. She is well entwined with other characters, which I found made her stronger and more relatable to the average reader. The slow development of the story and its environment allows for total emersion into it. I was hard pressed to put this book down and found my thoughts and feelings lingering long after setting it down. This book is written in the past, which I loved for many reasons, but the depth in which the story is laid out, it’s as if you are riding on Hacate’s bike with her, feeling the wind in your face. Most people don’t appreciate or read a long review of a book, so I’ll conclude with this: read this book, you will not be disappointed. I am eagerly awaiting the next great adventure of Hecate! Great work, Paula.

Good world building and, in the end, a clever and engaging story. But it was so slow! The first half of the book just dragged. I almost gave it up a time or two, but finally the story came to life and the second half was quite enjoyable.

Hecate is just the kind of character that I love to love! She's got lots of moxie.
Hecate Cavendish is a young woman in the Victorian Era. She has a job as a librarian's assistant in a cathedral when strange things start happening. I really enjoyed Hecate's relationship with her father, but the rest of the family isn't bad either- the somewhat stodgy, but well meaning mother and the sickly, but mischievous brother. While, there were great, well rounded characters, I wasn't a big fan of the romance involved.
This is a fun story, that kept me wanting more, but I didn't love the ending. It is part of a series, so I'm hoping for more resolution in the next book.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy for review.

I definitely enjoyed this book and I'm sorry I've been busy (9 months pregnant)and delayed reading! I love historical fiction and liked the relevance with goddess hekate(sp?) The history behind the main characters name, history and everything magical I really liked as well.
I related to hecate in terms of being focused on her career path and not love life yet was so happy that she had found someone. Only to lose him so suddenly which I had lost my fiance years ago so I could relate.
Besides being able to relate this book was filled w magic, mystery, and suspense. The only thing I was upset about was the ending did not really have a resolution and left the story hanging! Otherwise I def recommend! Hoping for second book!

This book is a classic case of it's me not you. I thought this book would be different than it was, BUT I this is definitely a book my mom would really love!

This is a paranormal mystery with a gilded age kind of flair. Love that the FMC is independent and rides a bike. LOVED the MMC. The mystery unfolding was well done.

I wish the ending was a little more drawn out though. It felt like the conflict and resolution and occurred very quickly.

I also am a little too used to reading romances and this story hurt my heart and I will never forgive 😭

Read this if Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre style writing and gilded age mysteries are your thing! The writing definitely has more of that classic feel.

Overall, I would recommend this to the older mystery loving ladies at church or those nostalgic for Murder, She Wrote will love this book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review is voluntarily written, and the thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own.

When Hecate Cavendish gets her dream job of library assistant at the famed Hereford Library, she is excited to begin her journey. But when she settles in, strange things begin happening. Can she solve the mystery that the clues point to before everything goes awry? This book has it all, romance, paranormal intrigue, history, etc. Definitely cannot wait to see where this series takes us!

I felt confused by the content of this book. I sometimes it felt like a general fiction book with a society ball and romance of suitors. Then there was the religious side of the main character working in a cathedral library, the church choir, relics, crypt, priests, monks and all, which then also contrasted with the witches, ghosts, exorcisms and spells. I expected something a little different with the cover, but overall wasn't ever fully engaged with the book.

Hecate Cavendish is not your average 18th century young woman. First, her father encourages her desire to have a job and even helps her to secure a position as an assistant librarian at the Hereford Cathedral. Ever the rebel, she even shortens her skirts and buys a practical pair of high boots in order to make it easier to ride her bicycle around the village. While working on proving herself trustworthy to her boss, Hecate becomes aware of other employees of the Cathedral, the difference between Hecate and them is they are dead. When Hecate tells her father that she can see souls (their preferred term), he reveals to her that he was told that she would be born with special gifts from the goddess, Hekate and that's why she was given her rather unusual name. When an unexplained incident in the crypt of the cathedral seems to unleash dark forces, Hecate must learn how to access the powers of the goddess, with a little help from her friends, both living and dead, to save the library and the cathedral before more people get hurt. While I enjoyed this a great deal, it does end on a cliffhanger.