The Book Of Witching is a devastating historical fiction / thriller / horror mash-up. Involving a set of witch trials on the Orkney Islands, so many parts of this book were difficult to read (& listen to.) To find out that much of this book was based on research completed by the author really broke my heart a bit.

When Clem’s daughter, Erin, wakes up after being injured in a fire in the Orkney Islands - she doesn’t know who she “actually” is. She is confident that she is someone named Nix and has suddenly developed a completely new personality.

Told in alternating view points and timelines, this book is so well done and I absolutely loved the pacing. I oftentimes struggle a bit with historical fiction but this is the second book by this author that I have been absolutely crushed by. A Haunting In The Arctic was one of my top 10 reads in 2023, and this book has made C.J. Cooke an auto-buy author for me.

This was one of the books that I listened to while walking through remote areas of Scotland so the story being based in the Orkney Islands made it even more atmospheric for me. Props to the narrator, Paula Masterson, for creating an incredible audio experience - your voice for Nix was deeply disturbing.

Check this one out if you like horror, historical fiction, and learning about witch trials!

**Thank you to Berkley Pub and NetGalley for the eARC of this title and to PRH Audio for the incredible listening experience!**

Another fantastic mix of historical fiction, folklore and horror from @cjcooke_author

I ate this book up, and found myself thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading it. In this story you jump from the 16th century in Scotland where Alison is being tried as a witch - and the horrific conditions and torture she had to endure while being innocent, just to keep her family safe.

Fast Forward to 2024, where Clem is desperately trying to save her daughter who was badly hurt while on a hiking trip. I loved how these two women centuries apart had their stories intertwined. This book is a fantastic read for this time of year!

This book is sooooo good.
It has a blend of historical fiction, fantasy and thriller.
We go between 1594 and 2024.
Clems daughter, Erin, is severely injured and in a coma after a trip gone wrong with her boyfriend and friend. Her boyfriend is dead and her friend is missing. When Erin wakes up, she doesn’t know who her family is and says her name is Nyx.
1594, Alison is on trial for witchcraft and is wrongly accused.
What connects the two timelines?
A storyline that is easy to follow and keeps you hooked with its fast pace.
This a perfect book for spooky season.

This was way spookier than I was expecting, wow! There's a bit of a folkloric horror vibe with the story, and I absolutely loved that - I found myself completely invested in Clem's struggle to discover what happened to her daughter, and I couldn't tear myself away. I didn't realize this would have a dual timeline sort of plot happening and sometimes I struggle with those because I'll be very into one plot but not so much the other one, and with this, I loved BOTH! Cooke has such a gift with writing and making the characters feel alive, whether they're a modern mama searching for answers, or a woman accused of witchcraft in the 1500s -- both timelines felt so well done! I'd highly recommend this for spooky season, it's got the perfect blend of historical fiction + horror + suspense. Couldn't put it down.

I discovered C.J. Cooke this year, and she has already become an auto-buy author for me. She is such a gifted storyteller. The emotions are palpable in her latest, a feminist story, with folklore, horror, historical fiction, thriller, and paranormal elements.

This has a dual timeline: the 1590s, where Alison finds herself wrongly accused of witchcraft, and 2024, where Clem is fighting to find out what happened to her daughter Erin who went on a hiking trip and ended up in the hospital badly burned and near death, with one of her companions dead and the other missing. Are the two situations related? Cooke weaves the tale together brilliantly.

The writing is incredibly atmospheric, and the story is well-researched. I felt like I was there in the modern-day hospital and on the Island of Orkney in the 16th century. Some scenes are chilling, and all are vivid, as is the feeling of creeping dread and the curiosity to uncover what it is that binds all involved. We see how far mothers will go for their children, and the terrible injustices and brutality people will inflict on one another.

The characters are so beautifully developed and memorable. Both timelines are suspenseful, and I was riveted. If I had to put the book down, I was thinking about it. This was an emotional read for me, with fear, anger, heartbreak, and hope, and a huge book hangover ensued. The Author's Note was super interesting, too. Perfect for spooky season.

Paula Masterton narrates the audiobook and delivers a nuanced performance as she brings a range of characters to life. She added to the emotions, the build-up of suspense, the atmosphere, and the book's mysteries, from figuring out what happened to Erin to the magic. This was very compelling both in print and on audiobook!

Clem receives the phone call every parent fears, her daughter, Erin, is in an intensive burn unit in Glasgow after a horrible accident left her burned over twenty percent of her body, her boyfriend dead, and her best friend missing. Clem rushes to the hospital and after a few days Erin wakes but insists that she is not Erin but Nyx and Nyx seems to be doing everything in their power to convince the world that Erin is a murderer.

Allison is a healer, a woman living in 1594 dedicated to bettering the lives of those around her. But as a hereditary member of the Triskele, word gets to John Stewart that her powers may be for more nefarious purposes, and he proposes that she create a charm to kill someone. Knowing the shaky political situation in Orkney, Allison refuses. A decision that will cost her everything.

I enjoyed this strictly because it read more like a murder mystery (because it mostly was) and placed the cause of a witch hunt on pure political motivations, which you don't see very often. And while yes, we could argue that all witch hunts are political as they target those of differing beliefs and/or women who gain a modicum of power in a geographic region, this one is simply Allison and her family against a noble that she told no. And I enjoyed that. I think it humanized the situation much more when you simply have one woman who genuinely thought she was doing the thing over and over again, only to have those in power wield that against her because they could. What I found incredibly unique, though, was linking the uprising of the *people* of Orkney to Allison. The fact that she repeatedly refuses to confess to save her people while they throw her to the wolves is far more impactful than any other witch story I've read. It wasn't just that Allison had saved their lives time and again through her magic. It was that she was still saving them.

I have to admit I did not care about the book. Like genuinely did not care, I felt the only reason the book was there was to serve as a reason for Nyx to be able to reach Erin hundreds of years in the future and it matched up with local folklore ergo creepy book must be in book. Honestly, the means of Nyx coming through to today could have been anything.

The only reason this isn't getting five stars is the whole cult thing. I'm forty years old, I lived through the tail end of the original "satanic cult" crap of the '80s and '90s, that stuff can stay there. Am I saying they don't exist? No, of course not. Am I saying that there aren't people walking around coming up with sex rituals saying they are "Pagan"? Nope. But is it low hanging fruit? Absolutely. Given the plot of this and especially how it ends, I'm not really sure why the cult was even needed. Erin was a direct descendant of Allison. The book could have come to her or even her daughter; there was no reason to go throwing the C word around. And yes, I get that book "chooses" people, but like I said, the whole cult thing was over done forty years ago.


Overall, it's definitely a solid read, less horror scary and more thriller scary. If you're planning this as your Spooky Season read, I'd recommend a backup as it's more aggravating than anything when it came to Allison's story.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley, for the free copy for review.

"The Book of Witching" by C.J. Cooke is a mesmerizing tale that proves a book about a book can indeed be darker and more enthralling than one might expect.

Cooke masterfully weaves together two timelines, each centered on a mother's unwavering love and determination to protect her child. The dual narratives create a rich tapestry of emotion and suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Alison's story, set in the past, is a heart-wrenching account of a woman accused of witchcraft and conspiracy to assassinate an Earl. The author's vivid portrayal of Alison's torment, under suspicion and persecution, evokes a visceral sense of outrage and empathy. Her resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity is both inspiring and haunting.

In the present timeline, we follow Clem, a mother grappling with the aftermath of her daughter's near-fatal accident. Cooke's depiction of Clem's anguish and determination is palpable as she navigates a labyrinth of questions surrounding her daughter's condition. The author skillfully builds suspense through Clem's perspective, keeping readers guessing and invested in her quest for answers.

The storytelling is poignant yet suspenseful, with each chapter revealing new layers of mystery. Cooke's ability to surprise readers with unexpected twists constantly challenges our assumptions and keeping us engaged until the very end. Just when you think you've pieced together the puzzle, the author delivers a wickedly clever conclusion that leaves you reeling.

A must-read!

I just loveeeee a folksy feminist tale. dual time lines? I jus knew this was gonna be so fun. This book is a PERFECT spooky season pick, especially if you like the witchy vibes.

Pros: I really became attached to the characters, even to Erin who was unconscious for a good portion of the book. This is one you’ll get through quick because it’s hard to put down. It’s one that has an air of mystery until the very end but still comes together very neatly.

Cons: it made me really want a pumpkin spice latte. I could feel the leaves turning as I read the booK.

This book made me gasp aloud. Feeling the pain, sensing the terror spiked air, the heavy smell of smoke filled my lungs, screams punctuating the silence. C.J. Cooke has the unique ability to completely transport you in time and to other places. You become one with the characters, stepping into the pages, and into another life. Told in a dual timeline, 1594 and present day. I tore through the pages, needing to know how Erin ended up in the hospital, and how she is connected to a woman living in 1594. As the story falls open before your eyes, unimaginable terror fills them. As hope grows dimmer with each passing day, the women are determined to make all is right for their families. Even if that means putting themselves in harm's way.

Clem receives a phone call every parent dreads. Her daughter is in the hospital, Erin is in a medically induced coma. Her boyfriend dead, and their friend missing. How did her trip to the Orkney Islands turn into this nightmare? In 1594, Alison has a good life. Her husband is well known craftsman. Her two children are growing like weeds before her eyes. Her family has a history of being part of the Triskele. The Triskele following is worldwide, their power and magic seeps into the land around them. Are they good or are they bad?

I loved that Cooke based the book on the witch trials that were held in the late 1500s on the islands of Orkney. The history and folklore oozes from beneath the covers. Bewitching you and everyone whose eyes grace the pages. This is another five star stunner for Cooke. I will be recommending this book to everyone who has a taste for magic, Scotland, or simply good taste in general. Thank you to C.J. Cooke and Berkley Publishing for my gifted copy.

A perfect read for chilly October evenings. Started out slow, but picked up about 1/3 until the story. Two timelines, but I thought the author did it well and kept it from being muddled or confusing.

Thanks for the author and the publisher for the advance copy to read and review.

4+ stars

Absolutely perfect for spooky season! This was a witchy, frightening, tense, and mysterious story with dual timelines. I also loved the narrator’s Scottish burr, which was perfect for this tale set in the Orkneys.

I will say, there are parts of this story that are really hard to listen to. A big portion of the past timeline involved a witch trial and the lengths some truly evil “holy” men went through to get the “witch” to confess. There’s torture, not just of the woman herself, but of her family, including her children. Her treatment by the men in power was absolutely enraging.

The modern timeline held lots of mystery and tension. There are supernatural elements to both timelines, and finding out how these stories intersect was spooky.

The book itself was still a bit of of mystery to me by the end. But the end gave me the shivers!!

I really appreciated the author’s note at the end. It’s not one to skip, as it has tons of historical context!

Many thanks to PRHAudio for the preview. All opinions are my own. If you loved The Lighthouse Witches, I think you’ll love this too.

C.J. Cooke is a new author for me although I have been hearing about her books in the horror genre. I was excited to sample one for myself.

Description:
Clem gets a call that is every mother’s worst nightmare. Her nineteen-year-old daughter Erin is unconscious in the hospital after a hiking trip with her friends on the remote Orkney Islands that met a horrifying end, leaving her boyfriend dead and her best friend missing. When Erin wakes, she doesn’t recognize her mother. And she doesn’t answer to her name, but insists she is someone named Nyx.

Clem travels the site of her daughter’s accident, determined to find out what happened to her. The answer may lie in a dark secret in the history of the a woman wrongly accused of witchcraft and murder four centuries ago. Clem begins to wonder if Erin’s strange behavior is a symptom of a broken mind, or the effects of an ancient curse?

My Thoughts:
C.J. Cooke lived up to her reputation as a really good story weaver with this book. I enjoyed the read and would recommend to anyone who likes thorror, fantasy or mystery. This one has a mysterious fantasy twist with historic ritual brought forward into the present. I liked the setting of the remote Orkney Islands in Scotland - it fit the story well as the author tells us afterwards this was inspired by historic events. The persecution of women for witchcraft is front and center in the chain of devastating events. The plot moved well and the characters were well-drawn. It kept me captivated.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group through Netgalley for an advance copy.

This book was bringing allllll the dark and witchy vibes for spooky season.

This one started a little bit slow for me, especially in the 1500s timeline, but at about 1/4 through I was thoroughly invested in both timelines. I was so curious to see how these two stories ended up intertwining, and the short chapters that often ended on cliffhangers had me flipping pages like crazy.

The characters in this book were so intriguing. The three main characters are put into difficult positions that often had me on the edge of my seat, and some of the secondary characters were sooo easy for me to hate (iykyk)😅 I really liked seeing how Alison, Clem, and Erin took on their mother roles under their different circumstances, and how certain themes of motherhood connected all of them across this huge span of time. I was surprised by some of the twists towards the end, and really liked where they took the story.

If you’re looking for a witchy, tense, mystery book this season, pick this one up!

This is a very satisfying dual timeline historical fiction with a good dose of mystery thrown in. The sections in the past are harrowing for their truth and for the sheer insanity that Alison Balfour is put through. Those sections are the strongest because Cooke taps into something visceral with Alison's incarceration and the way she leads the reader down a path with an inevitable end.

The present sections are equally as strong due in large part to the numerous questions that Cooke leaves the reader with, until she begins to fill in how we got to where we are. There are surprising connections to be made between the past and present and when they happened I was stunned at how Cooke pulled it off.

An excellent read for the spooky season. Strong women characters, witches and badass women.
A family of witches - dual time line of present and four centuries ago, the start of it all.
Erin and friends have gone to Orkney Islands - Erin suffers massive burns; her boyfriend is dead; no one can find her best friend.
Erin's mom, Clem, cannot cope - what were they doing?
Centuries ago a women was accused of witchcraft. Alyson comes from a long line of strong women who use their skills to help heal and build their community. Politicians use her to hide their attempt to kill the ruler.

It’s rare that I enjoy a story set in two different time periods, because I always seem to prefer one setting more than the other. This time, however it would be hard for me to choose my favorite.
During the 16th century, over 50 woman were executed, accused of being witches. It is Allison’s sad story that we follow, and it was a very dark time in Orkney, Scotland.
Then we meet Clem. A woman who has just received heartbreaking news. Her daughter Erin had gone hiking with her friends. An officer informs Clem that Erin has been badly injured and is now in a coma. Erin’s boyfriend is dead, and her best friend cannot be found.
Fate smiles on Erin and she wakes up, but she insists that her name isn’t Erin, and she does not recognize her mother. What happened on Orkney and what can Clem do to bring her daughter back. What connection is there between Allison and Erin?
This was a real page turner, and when I thought every hair raising thing had occurred, there was one more left. An incredibly sad read, but one that is perfect for spooky season. I hated when adulting got in the way, and I had to put it down.

Thank you @berkleypub and @netgalley for my advance copy! You all know I love Cooke and to get one so close to Halloween is perfection!

What a blend of folklore! This story is told in dual timeline and POVs. The atmosphere, location and vibes are perfect and so eerie. Both POVs were strong and I cared for what was going with both sets of families. Since this story is taken from real events that happened in Orkney, I was even more vested. This book is fast paced, easy to read and I loved when the two timelines intersected and we found out how they were connected. This was a perfect witchy tale!

Synopsis: Clem’s nineteen year old daughter, Erin, was seriously injured in an accident on a remote Scottish isle that left her boyfriend dead and her best friend missing. While Erin is in a medically induced coma in the ICU, Clem must travel to the Orkney Islands to find out what happened, and she will have to face the dark history of witches and an ancient curse.

Thoughts: What a perfect read for spooky season! It is moody and atmospheric with curses and witches and the pacing of a thriller. C.J. Cooke’s books are almost in a genre all their own with the mix of thriller, horror and historical fiction. I love the dual timelines of present day and the 16th century and how Cooke manages to weave them together so expertly. Both timelines and the characters in each are so engaging. If youre looking for a well-crafted, spooky read, look no further!

Read this if you like:
🐦‍⬛ witches
🐦‍⬛ dual timeline
🐦‍⬛ historical fiction
🐦‍⬛ Scotland
🐦‍⬛ cults

When Clem’s daughter, Erin, is severely injured after a hiking trip gone wrong, she stays by her side in the hospital. When Erin awakes she claims to be named Nyx. Clem needs to visit the site of the incident to find the secret of what happened.

I loved this one! It’s not really my usual read so I was a bit nervous to start it but it hooked me immediately. Both timelines were equally appealing to me, as both had significant traumatic events occurring. There was a touch of magic, but it was not overpowering. It was also interesting to read a book about women persecution through the claim of witchcraft in a different area than Salem!

“I do this for Orkney. If he is not stopped, these hills will be alive with stakes, innocent men and women in the flames. The damage may yet be done.”

The Book of Witching comes out 10/8.

From the book description: <i>Clem gets a call that is every mother’s worst nightmare. Her nineteen-year-old daughter Erin is unconscious in the hospital after a hiking trip with her friends on the remote Orkney Islands that met a horrifying end, leaving her boyfriend dead and her best friend missing. When Erin wakes, she doesn’t recognize her mother. And she doesn’t answer to her name, but insists she is someone named Nyx.

Clem travels the site of her daughter’s accident, determined to find out what happened to her. The answer may lie in a dark secret in the history of the Orkneys: a woman wrongly accused of witchcraft and murder four centuries ago. Clem begins to wonder if Erin’s strange behavior is a symptom of a broken mind, or the effects of an ancient curse?</i>

This book is told along multiple timelines: Mainly (1) Clem’s in the present day and (2) Alison’s in 1594. But there are some other chapters depicting important scenes from Erin’s POV leading up to the present events.

The premise of the book is very intriguing - I mean who wouldn’t be incredibly interested in a book about witches, isolated islands, possible possessions, and murder?! Dun, dun, dun. And all of it is in there, which really grabbed me right from the beginning. We are introduced to the present-day characters after the accident, so we’re thrown right into the middle of the action, no waiting. And with that comes all the excitement and tension that a good mystery/thriller provides.

And what’s better, both timelines were equally suspenseful and kept my attention. One didn’t drag down the book, expecting the other to save it. And when the connection between the two is revealed, it was really good. I didn’t see it coming at all. Each twist added to the equation a little bit more until *BOOM* it all made sense.

I just wished the author spent a little more time developing and explaining that connection. But maybe there will be a follow-up because there is some room for one (please??)

Pick this one up for a nice atmospheric spooky-season read!