I always enjoy Paula Brackston's books and The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish is a wonderful start to another great series. I loved the historical setting of England and Hecate's eagerness to work in the cathedral's library. This magical story kept me turning pages to the end. Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Only minor detail spoilers, no major plot spoilers below:


The first 60% was very slow, a lot of establishing the world and mundane things, follower by 20% of "oo is it starting to pick up?", followed by the remaining 20% going full tilt. I texted my friend to tell them the book I was reading was mid, and 2 hours later my tears were falling on my kindle mourning a character I hadn't realized I was attached to?? It's very much a whiplash-y read.
The ending felt a little too daydreamy, with her putting on a special magic girl outfit and deciding to exclude everyone that could have helped her because of the "I need to do this on my own" trope, and I was genuinely furious to realize at the end that it ISN'T a standalone.
Also fair warning it does has that English mindset of "foreign 'exotic' magics are about death and evil", which yes is partially due to it being historical but also I feel is just reflecting the biases of the creator a bit? I mean, the father is an English ARCHAEOLOGIST, and he is seen as beloved and well traveled, as if English archaeologists didn't either steal or destroy half of the world's treasures, (some of which this character keeps in his attic. No joke.) I believe it is a reflection of internal biases due to a collection of small details such as the father's occupation and such, but the other details would be full-on spoilers, so please understand I'm not just hating on the English. I lived in England for a bit, and the reason I see these biases in the text is because I study English literature specifically, and these are the things we look for.

Was it fun? Sure! Did I learn a lot about a cathedral that exists in England! You betcha! Am I going to seek out the sequel? Probably not.

This is a book for anglophiles and mythology lovers, so this might be the book for you! It just so happened to not be the book for me, and that's okay, my opinion is subjective and I still believe this book is well-written and very much worth publishing

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review

In England in 1881, Hecate Cavendish gets a new position as Assistant Librarian in the Hereford cathedral. The cathedral houses an ancient chained library, wisdom guarded for centuries, mysteries and stories locked onto its worn, humble shelves. The most prized artifact, however, is the medieval world map which hangs next to Hecate’s desk. Little does she know how much the curious people and mythical creatures depicted on it will come to mean to her. Nor does she suspect that there are lost souls waiting for her in the haunted cathedral. Some will become her dearest friends. Some will seek her help in finding peace. Others will put her in great peril, and, as she quickly learns, threaten the lives of everyone she loves.

This is the first book in a new series, and I am eager to see where Hecate's story goes from here. I had never heard of the term Mappa Mundi before, and I was also unfamiliar with chained libraries, so as I was reading this book, I was doing research on the things I was reading about. Hereford Cathedral is also actually a real place, and I loved all of the factual elements that were incorporated into this work of faction. I adored Hecate. She was so headstrong and brave, and I can't wait to read more about her. If you are a fan of historical fiction, or even fantasy fiction since there were elements of that in the book, then you are going to love this book. I highly recommend it!

It’s 1881 and Hecate Cavendish has a new job at Hereford Cathedral in the library. Upon starting at the library, she looks at it. Hecate also learned that she can speak with the dead. All the Cathedral ghosts are friendly, but the dark force has unearthed from the cathedral tombs. And these dark ghosts are after Hecate.

There were things I liked about this book and things I didn’t. It was a little slow and I didn’t like how the ending was largely unresolved. This is definitely book one in a series. I did like how Hecate was strong and came up with her own solutions, instead of relying on other people, particularly men.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

📚 The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston 📚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎉Publication Date🎉
July 23, 2024

✨Tropes✨
📚Mystery
📚Talking to ghosts
📚Magic

✨Summary✨
Hecate Cavendish is a seemingly normal, albeit, over educated girl for her time. Her greatest wish is to work with old texts and tomes instead of attending parties and finding a husband like other girls her age in the late 1800s. Much to her mother’s chagrin, Hecate even orders a bicycle, the first in the county, all the way from America, to get around the country lanes. When Hecate’s father secures her a position as an assistant librarian, Hecate is overjoyed. After a rocky start, Hecate settles in to her role. However, when a series of mysterious events begin to occur, Hecate finds herself obliged to get involved and help. She even discovers that she possesses unique gifts she never knew she had. Can Hecate solve the mysteries unfolding in the cathedral and, consequently, the town?

✨Critiques✨
It did take awhile to get into the book. I almost gave up on it. However, I’m glad I stuck with it.

✨Elements I Loved✨
The speaking to ghosts and finding out their background stories was really fun.
The author’s writing style was also so good. I would have given up on the book early on if not for how well written the book is. It was a little hard for me, personally, to get into at first, but after about a quarter of the way through, it picked up and I ended up enjoying it. I loved the added mystery to the story that kept me guessing the whole way through.

🪄Standout magic features🪄
The added magical ability of touching the mappa mundi and making the creatures and pictures come alive was so fun.

👩🏻My Recommendation👩🏻
If you’re looking for a good, witchy, ghostly book for the fall, this is it. It’s perfect for curling up with a cup of tea and a blanket on a cool, crisp day.


Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC.

"The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish is a notable work that skillfully merges historical fiction with elements of fantasy and mystery. Brackston excels in crafting a vivid and immersive world, filled with well-developed characters, which distinguishes this book within its genre. The narrative emphasizes themes of empowerment and the significance of knowledge, leaving a lasting impact on readers.
This book is highly recommended for enthusiasts of historical fantasy and those who appreciate stories featuring strong, independent female protagonists. Its combination of whimsy, mystery, and emotional depth makes it an ideal choice for readers seeking an engaging journey to a magical rendition of Victorian England.

This book sounded like it would be right up my alley, but I wasn't hooked. There was a lot going on— the magic map, talking to ghosts, a sick brother, a budding romance, spirit possession— but somehow it all fell flat for me (especially the romance). I appreciated that it clearly stated "Book 1" on the cover so I knew to expect some sort of cliffhanger. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this kind of story right now.

I've always wanted to read a book by this author and I finally did.

Blending fantasy with historical fiction is not my type of book. However, I liked this story set in a world of magic and ghosts.

Hecate whose name came from the goddess of ghosts and magic, had special power. From her first day of work in the cathedral library, Hecate was fascinated by the medieval map Mappa Mundi. One day she touched the map and the map came to life. No one else could hear it, just like no one could see the lost souls she befriended in the library.

When the tombs in the cathedral were broken, Hecate knew that the course of the Essedenes had been summoned and that only she could stop the dangerous spirits of the ancient tribe.

Brackston immediately introduces a very interesting character with a special power. Hecate is a wonderful daughter, a caring sister and a brave person who has the gift of seeing and communicating with the dead.

Hecate's ethereal friends are nicely portrayed and are sympathetic and convincing. The cathedral library with its old books was a great setting for this well-written story.
I will read more books by this author.

If you like fantasy mixed with historical fiction and the mysterious world of spirits, definitely try this book.

Hecate becomes employed at a cathedral as a library assistant much to the disappointment of her mother. She quickly finds out that she is gifted in that she can see ghosts.

I genuinely wanted to enjoy this book as the premise sounded fun and mystical but unfortunately I didn’t find much that stood out. In fact, I found myself speed-reading more often than not.

My biggest takeaway was Hecate’s empathy for the ghosts and her struggle with whom to trust. The ghosts stories could have been far more in depth and compelling in my opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. The review expresses my own opinion.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc!

I absolutely devoured this book. I was hooked within the first few pages and I could hardly put it down. I cannot recommend this book enough. Happy reading!

It usually takes me a few days to read a book by this author, but i read this one faster. I really enjoy her writing. The story just draws you in quickly. I really liked the main character but her mother and friend got on my nerves so bad. The ending wasn't quite satisfactory for me, but since this is going to be a series, I can forgive thar a little bit.
I was super lucky and got this as an ARC from Netgalley. These opinions are my own.

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston is a paranormal mystery/thriller set in England in 1881.

Hecate is a single young woman, embarking on her first job as assistant librarian at the nearby cathedral. It isn’t very long before she realizes that she is able to see and communicate with ghosts inhabiting the cathedral.

Soon after strange occurrences begin happening at the cathedral, and in the town beyond. Hecate must use her ability to solve the mystery.

Hecate was a very independent, and forward thinking woman for the time period, however it sometimes led her into reckless behaviour which put her in danger. At times her father even seemed to encourage her recklessness, which I felt was a bit odd, even if he was excited at finding out about her abilities. That said, I enjoyed seeing her fight to find a place for herself that didn’t involve marrying and setting up house.

I enjoyed seeing Hecate’s relationships develop throughout the story. I did wonder what in the world she found in common with her best friend, Clementine. They seemed so completely different and at times I found Clementine to be quite annoying.

I did have a bit of trouble in the middle of the book. The story started to drag a bit and I found it hard to stay engaged, but it eventually picked back up.

One incident in the book nearly brought me to tears. It was just heart wrenching what happened. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but make sure you have a tissue box handy.

All in all, I enjoyed the story, even though the mystery was not resolved at the end. I am torn about continuing the series, usually I’m excited for the next book to come out, but I’m ambivalent about continuing at this point. I’m going to assume it’s just my current mood, because as I said, I did like this book, and can’t figure out why I’m not looking forward to the next book with more enthusiasm.

In my opinion The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish is well worth a read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really wanted to like this book. The premise sounds right up my alley. However I had a really hard time getting into it. I even stopped and read two other books hoping it would be better when I went back to it. Alas that was not to be. For me it was hard to follow and just gets too wordy at times. Hopefully it appeals to others

Brackston continues to charm and delight me with another historical fantasy series. She had me as soon as Hecate met her first "lost spirit" and held me all the way through this book. Hecate is a strong, intelligent, and resourceful heroine who is learning to deal with her own mysterious past and future while learning to navigate in a world of mysticism and religion. The setting of a cathedral is the perfect backdrop for the mysticism, intrigue, and danger. This book is a must read for any Paula Brackston fan. This is not your average ghost story.

The cover of this book is what initially grabbed my attention but after reading the blurb I thought "The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish" really had a unique and interesting premise.
I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style unfortunately, most of the book felt very slow and I definitely didn't enjoy some of the turns the storyline took.
I do this that this book will definitely be a great fit for many, it just wasn't for me.

Thank you Paula Brackston, Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.

The boycott of St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, and other related imprints is a direct response to the publisher’s lack of accountability regarding statements made by an employee in their marketing department and their failure to respond to concerns about possible systemic issues within the department.
We are asking the company to address and denounce the Islamophobic and racist statements and behavior, as well as take active steps to protect employees, influencers, readers, and authors from racist and discriminatory behavior. Terminating the employee is not, and has never been, a demand of the boycott.

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish is a blend of historical fiction and fantasy set in the 1880s. I was entranced in the beginning and loved Hecate, the setting, the paranormal/fantasy elements/characters, and the premise. However, my interest waned around halfway due to pacing. If you enjoy a slower pace, this book might be more up your alley.

Narration by Marisa Calin is outstanding as usual. She remains one of my favorite narrators.

I received an ARC and ALC from St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent writing - very descriptive to the point of where I felt like I was living this story as I read it!
Great characters and I look forward to the continuation of the series.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

I was very interested in this book but struggled with it, I really enjoyed Hecate's character. I found it very slow and it didn't hold my attention, even through the premise and the plot of the book are great, the methology of Hekate, ghosts, even the era it's set in. It just moved to slow, I'm not sure I would make it through the next book.

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish was appealing to me on many levels, but ultimately it was the shallowness of an intriguing cover and the fact that the main character works in a library and can see ghosts that had me hitting the request button on NetGalley. I love books that are filled with even more books, especially if some of them might be magical!
This follows Hecate Cavendish, a young woman who has just begun working at the cathedral library as the assistant librarian. It’s a huge library with ancient books secured with lock and chain, a giant medieval map covered in mythological beasts, and a locked cabinet she’ll likely never get to open. It’s the stuff of book enthusiast dreams. Shortly after her hiring the tombs beneath the cathedral were vandalized, though it seems to Hecate that perhaps something broke out rather than someone broke in. Hereford is suddenly plagued by a rash of murders and unusual circumstances that Hecate is sure are related to whatever escaped from the cathedral’s depths. Buoying this belief is Hecate’s own new found ability to see and speak with the peaceful dead that reside in Hereford’s cathedral and the fact that she is perhaps the chosen daughter of her namesake, the goddess Hecate.
This is an intriguing story set in what seems to be an unusually egalitarian town. Hecate’s father supports her working in the library and believes her immediately when she comes to him with tales of speaking with spirits. He’s been around the world on archeological digs and has seen strange things, not to mention he was told by a seer before Hecate’s birth that she would have extraordinary gifts. She has two handsome suitors, a dear friend who seems to be the exact opposite of her and yet who accepts Hecate’s oddities without hesitation, and even the police are inclined to believe her. All this is perhaps the most fantastical part of this story about roaming spirits and uncanny magic. I did find Hecate to be a likable main character and all the side characters were inoffensive, though unmemorable.
I think that this book needed more pizzazz. While I felt compelled to continue reading thanks to the progressively more unsettling events, this never truly grabbed my attention the way my most favorite books have in the past. I didn’t love any of the characters and ultimately wasn’t invested. Nothing is inherently disappointing or bad about The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish, it’s just not going to be a favorite book and I don’t feel compelled to continue the series.