I am such a huge fan of the author, Paula Brackston, and have read everything else she’s written, at least once. But I confess that THE HAUNTING OF HECATE CAVENDISH just didn’t work for me. I struggled to read it and did not finish. It moved very slowly and I kept having to begin again. The plot was difficult to discern. I found I just couldn’t muster the energy or interest to start yet again and see if I could engage more with the story. Apparently, of all the author’s work, this one is not suitable for me and I am greatly disappointed. I’m sure it is my limitation as a reader and I apologize. I received my copy from the publisher.

Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Hecate Cavendish series. I got this on ebook through Netgalley to review.

Thoughts: DNF. Got about 15% of the way through this one and just couldn't keep reading it. It is beautifully written, but soooo boring. I had been wanting to read a book by Brackston for some time. I had "The Winter Witch" and "The Silver Witch" on my list to read but kept putting off reading them. I was excited to see this come up for review on NetGalley and grabbed a copy of it after reading the synopsis...which sounded right up my alley. I don't know if this book is similar to the others Brackston has written when it comes to pacing, but if it is, then Brackston just isn't the author for me. I prefer a faster pace and more action in my novels.

At 15% of the way in, we had seen Hecate go to work at the library twice and watch some cows with her brother. The writing flows beautifully, but is very dense, and nothing happens! I keep finding myself coming up with anything to do rather than sitting down to read this...even folding the laundry seemed like a treat compared to struggling through this.

I do think Hecate has potential as a character. She has a lot of the characteristics that I love in a heroine; independent, smart, striving against convention. I have nothing against her as a character and think some of the other characters introduced were intriguing as well. However, the characters were just completely weighed down by the lack of story and the dense language surrounding them.

Maybe at some point, when I am in a more patient mood and want to read some beautiful meandering writing, I will pick this up again. I am giving it 3 stars because I feel like I didn't get far enough in to provide fully informed feedback. However, I do feel that I had strong enough feelings about this that I do need to review what I did read.

My Summary (3/5): Overall this was really slow but beautifully written. I think a lot of the characters had promise, but the story was so boring and moved so slowly that I dreaded sitting down to read this. Reading is a fun escape for me and a way to entertain myself in my downtime...so sticking with a novel like this when I am actively disliking it (and am not learning something from it) is just not a thing I have time to do. This also put me off of Brackston as an author; I am not sure if her other novels are this slow, but I probably won't be picking any of them up any time soon because I am just not a fan of this slow deliberate style.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 23, 2024
Paula Brackston, author of “The Little Shop of Found Things” series, returns with another magical, bookish, enchanting read with “The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish”.
Hecate Cavendish has been offered her dream job as an assistant librarian at Hereford cathedral. An unusual offer for a woman in 1881 to be sure, and Hecate does not want to ruin her oppourtunity. She spends her days in the dark and musty library, refurbishing books and other historical items back to their original glory. It isn’t too long until Hecate begins to see strange figures lurking around the old cathedral, and when the crypt in the cathedral’s basement is vandalized, and its caskets opened, Hecate begins to wonder what other secrets the old cathedral holds.
“Haunting” is a book about books and old libraries, combined with demonic possession and supernatural entities and somehow, Brackston brings all three of my favourite things together in an engaging read.
As the protagonist, Hecate is relatable and outgoing, yet seen as a non-conformist and outlier to those around her and it was easy to find some of myself in Hecate. Hecate’s connection to the dead brings about all sorts of ghosts that lurk around the old cathedral, but being a female in her era makes it a challenge for Hecate to investigate the strange goings-on. There are multiple characters, both alive and dead, that Hecate tangles with, but it is not difficult to follow all of the intricate plot connections. Keep in mind, all of your questions won’t be answered as, like most of Brackston’s novels, this one is also the first in a series.
“Haunting” is well- written, humorous in parts and heartbreaking in others, and I was instantly hooked. “Found Things” was my first series by Brackston, and it was her creativity that initially turned me on to her as an author. After reading “Haunting”, I don’t see this changing and I will be waiting for the second novel and more of Hecate!

Set in the 1800's England. Young Hecate Cavendish gets a job as a librarian in Hereford cathedral. This library is not like most libraries. It holds ancient scriptures, the Mappa Mundi and it is also home to some very special souls. Within a few days of starting her job, the crypt in the cathedral has been robbed. All of the tombs have been disturbed and all of the bodies are gone. Did someone break in or did something break out? The story is well written and it does keep your interest. You go between late 1800 England and mid 1800 Egypt. We learn why her father named her after the Goddess of the Witches. The characters are very lovable. Hecate is a young woman ahead of her time refusing to conform to the box society is putting her in. She is a great character and I hope her story continues in other books. The supporting characters, Brother Michael, Lady Rathbone and Corporal Gregory all have their own stories that add to the saga. Think of Night at the Museum but in a cathedral. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

"The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish" was my first book by Paula Brackston. Several friends have recommended that I read her books so I was excited to see this on NetGalley and jumped at the chance to read and review. I have read books with magical themes and bits of fantasy and thought I would enjoy this book.  

I would rather not put down a book, the story or the author simply because I didn't connect with the genre. If this is the type of book you enjoy reading then I say give it read. Unfortunately, this book was not a hit for me.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

Just a so-so read, the story was too steampunk-esque for me. I found it tiresome and unbelievable when pictures talked and the Dead broke out their crypts.

2.5☆

This might be my favorite Paula Brackston book that I've read so far. I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley. This book had just the right blend of interesting subjects to me - likable characters, history, a little fantasy, some supernatural. It was different than some of my normal reading materials. I did not love the end, but I'm assuming there will be a sequel, which I would probably pick up to read.

Discovery of Witches meets Ebola Holmes! Hecate is a modern thinking young woman in the late 1800’s. She rides a bike is a fan of comfortable dress and wants gainful employment instead of a husband. Her father is an archaeologist and helps get her a job at a cathedral library.
The library is like the restricted section of the library in Harry Potter. The books are chained there is a curious map that sometimes moves and a chest of books under tight security. Hecate isn’t even allowed to ask about those books. Hecate begins noticing people that others don’t interact with. When one of them, Brother Michael, approaches her, she is shocked at what he says. However she is a rational young lady who seeks adventure and this is just want she was hoping for in life.

I wanted to like The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish so much. I mean, this should be absolute catnip for me as a reader: Victorian era, ghosts, books, magic, spunky heroines!

And yet it was not. I have liked Brackston's work in the past, but much about this book did not work for me. As other reviewers have noted, the pace is glacially slow, and the prose trudges along. Bursts of action happen, and I thought the pace would pick up, but then those brief respites of excitement just as quickly slid back into the murky, dull writing and narration. For such an accomplished author, Brackston's writing felt immature here--so much tell, rather than show....and showing when she could tell. Characters, additionally, felt very two-dimensional, and never fully fledged, meaning this lead character, who could be interesting, instead flouders through a cardboard cutout sea.

So while I soldiered on through the book hoping--praying--it would get better and suck me in, it never did and I left feeling disappointed and defeated. I don't know what I'm reading that editors and others apparently enjoyed, but this one was absolutely not for me.

The ebook ARC was provided by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions are mine alone.

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish is a captivating and fun story which begins a new series in which Hecate, the daughter of an esteemed archeologist, begins her job in England, 1881 at Hereford Cathedral as assistant librarian. The library houses unique items such as a medieval map and enticing chained volumes, as well as the spirits of ghosts who have been protecting the cathedral for centuries. Hecate begins to understand her mission as the human helper for her namesake, Hecate the Greek goddess of witchcraft and magic. She starts to unravel the ancient mysteries and seeks to protect those she cares for from an evil force that she is only beginning to understand. As always, Paula Brackston creates strong and endearingly brave heroines, twisty, exciting plot lines and vivid settings. Can't wait for the continuing adventure!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a pre-release edition of The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish in exchange for a honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Paula Brackston for the ARC!! Now into the review, I LOVE Hecate!! The story was amazing and well written, the only detail I’d wish for is a longer ending. It felt a little rushed and like we needed more info to truly wrap up the story. Was a fantastic read though!!

I was thoroughly enthralled by the Witch's Daughter and eagerly anticipated Paula Brackston's newest literary endeavor. It encompassed all of my expectations and showcased the same exceptional writing style that I had previously relished. The characters seamlessly inhabited the story's world, compelling me to persistently immerse myself in its pages. I usually go darker, but this was an enjoyable change.

I’ve read almost every Paula Brackston book and loved them all. She does an amazing job of mixing historical fiction with magic.

She’s done it again with this one. I immediately felt connected to Hecate and her world. Even though some bad things happen in the book I still felt cozy while reading it.

I will definitely read more of the series. If you like this book I highly recommend checking out Darcy Coates’ Gravekeeper series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Paula Brackston and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish. I have written this review voluntarily.

Brackston’s latest appears to be the first in what promises to be an exciting series, I’ve seen some reviewers complain about the end being unsatisfying. I found it quite the opposite - for me the end is a sort of gentle cliffhanger. No, the singular villain has not been revealed but that only serves to make me anticipate the future adventures of Miss Cavendish. And that definitely doesn’t mean that there’s a lack of a satisfying climax - in fact there are two very compelling scenes that lead to the end.

My previous reading of Brackston’s books led me to expect a slow burn of a story, and that’s what I experienced here. The story moves along at a gentle pace as Hecate navigates her new position as Assistant Librarian along with her mother’s ambition that she conform to society’s expectations of a young woman. Once the action starts, though, watch out. You’ll be turning pages as fast as you can read.

As a librarian, I connected right away with Hecate’s love of her new work. I enjoyed reading about her work and reveled in her discoveries. Additionally, I was delighted to find that the Hereford Mappa Mundi really exists and spent an enjoyable hour or so reading about it and exploring its images online.

This reader is definitely looking forward to more Hecate Cavendish.

I've read some other reviews and it seems the common "complaint" is the ending. Here are my thoughts on this. As I was reading the last few chapters, I questioned if there were enough pages for the story to resolve. To me, there is much more of this story to be told and I am excited, if there will indeed be more, to read whatever comes next. I guess this COULD be a standalone but I would be sorely disappointed if that was the case.
I love a book where you fall in love with the characters and I absolutely adore Hecate. This is the type of book that I want to devour every word and that's exactly what I did. The world that was built and the lore in the story was exquisite. I could vividly picture what the author must have been imagining as she put pen to paper.
I will say that I will experience extreme disappointment if this doesn't continue on to be a series. There just has to be more! Even if the ending would've completely tied up the story in a perfect little bow, I would still want more.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction with a dash of paranormal, thriller, and mystery.
I hope to read more of Hecate's story in the near future.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

Here I am, once again straddling the middle ground.

I liked Hecate’s character. She’s smart, opinionated, and headstrong, at a time when women weren’t supposed to be any of those things.

I loved the magic concept, the atmosphere, and the setting.

Pacing is uneven, with lots of oh so slow movement. Like the kind of slow that had me falling asleep with my Kindle in my hand. The kind of slow that you could skim endlessly without missing anything important. Then we’d get to a fun or interesting part, and bam, it’s over, and we’re back to meandering.

In the final quarter, we’re suddenly tossed into a whirlwind of activity. Unfortunately, for me, what was meant to be a terrifying, extended scene came off almost comical. Because the whole tone of the story up until then was a slow, cozy mystery, the “horror” aspect just didn’t work.

Then we go back to meandering.

Then that ending! And, no, not in a good way. The story just, well, ended. Not a cliffhanger, leaving us in anticipation for what’s to come. Not a powerful explosion, full stop. Nope. Just a little poof, a quiet sigh.

Maybe that was me sighing.

I do think this story has tons of potential, but…

This book overall is slow and sometimes hard to follow. At a quarter of the way through the book, the premise of the book was not revealed nor was it making sense what the plot was. It’s pages and pages of going back and forth between home life and trying to discover souls or ghosts in a library. I love ghost and horror stories but this just was not it. It was very hard book to get into and stay into.

This was my first book by a Paula. I was extremely invested the characters. I loved her world building and the relationship she had with her dad, that he didn’t try to shove her in a box, even in this historical fiction world. The atmosphere was perfect. This was the perfect combination of period peice and magic. I cannot wait to finish this series!!

Hecates enthusiasm for books holds a special place for me.
Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for sending this to me.

This is more like a 3.5 star. It would've been a four or 4.5 if I had liked the ending but I was not a fan of it. Everything else I enjoyed. The characters were amazing; they were charming and all had their own personalities and quirks. I loved seeing a supportive dad in a Victorian-era setting. I have so rarely seen that and it was so refreshing. The writing style was just beautiful and worked so well for me. I now want to pick up more books by this author. I loved the ghosts in the story and the paranormal aspects of it. Honestly, I wanted them to lean more into the magic side of things because the aspects we got of that were great.

The author's exquisite attention to detail beautifully brings the characters and era of the story to life. As I delved deeper into the book, I found myself increasingly engrossed in the narrative. However, I must admit that the initial 14 chapters proved to be quite a challenging read. Typically, I breeze through a book of this size within a day or two, but I found myself only managing to read 15-25 pages before needing a break. It took me a week to reach a point where the story truly began to captivate me. Despite the slow start, the tale itself is compelling and definitely worth persevering through the detailed beginning. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this enthralling story.