4 stars

C.J. Cooke really got my art with this one. All her Cooke’s books have been great, but this was exceptional. I love the blend of historical mystery and some supernatural elements. It was a hard book to put down.

More and more books like this, please! I’m generally a slow reader but was compelled to stay up until three in the morning to finish this. Knowing the tragedy of the real Alison Balfour from the sixteenth century in part thanks to the stories shared by the author on Instagram made this even more enjoyable but in a somber way. I finished the book feeling some heaviness for Alison and so many other women who met a similar unfair fate—and I say that in a complimentary way as I think it’s important history. Dual timelines, supernatural elements, a mysterious death or perhaps murder combine for an excellent story. This is the second book I’ve read from Cooke (the first being The Lighthouse Witches) and will read more this summer.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I was especially eager for the opportunity to read this one early and have shared my excitement about it in a large social media group dedicated to Appalachian witchcraft so that other members can preorder or put it on their radar.

"C.J. Cooke's 'The Book of Witching' is a riveting blend of historical mystery and supernatural chills, set against the stark backdrop of the Orkney Islands. The novel follows Clem, a devoted mother plunged into a nightmare when her daughter Erin, after a tragic hiking accident, wakes with no memory of her past and claims to be someone named Nyx. As Clem navigates a labyrinth of ancient curses and familial secrets, the story toggles between her desperate search and the tragic tale of Alyson Balfour, a woman ensnared by the witch trials of the 16th century. Cooke weaves a tight, atmospheric narrative that bridges centuries, blending folklore with raw human emotion. Though occasionally overshadowed by its ambitious dual timelines, this novel is a compelling read, earning a solid four stars for its hauntingly beautiful prose and intricate plotting."

A good read. I was not overly entertained by this book, but there was not really anything wrong with it either.

The history repeats itself! Another fantasy thriller blending folklore and feminism from C. J. Cooke that connects different timelines and challenges our grey cells with its mind-bending execution and fast-paced storyline filled with twisty revelations. This book has earned my five blazing stars for its perfect blend of horror, mystery, and historical fantasy!

I recently read "A Haunting in the Arctic" by this author, which blew my mind nearly a year ago. In my opinion, "The Book of Witching" is even more compelling. Based on true events that occurred in 16th century Orkney, Scotland, it tells the story of seventy-two women who were executed during the North Berwick witch trials. The tale begins with Alyson (or Alison) Balfour, who was accused of assisting a man in a plot to kill his brother. Despite the man being acquitted, she was executed in 1594 at Gallow Ha’ in Kirkwall, Orkney.

The book opens in the present day at Fynhallow, Isle of Gunn, Orkney, where a park ranger finds a teenage girl covered in blood with a burned body, still alive, lying on the ground.

Clem, a fifty-year-old divorced mother, works two jobs to care for her teenage daughter Erin, who recently went on a hiking trip with friends and her baby granddaughter Freya.

When Clem gets a horrifying phone call informing her that Erin is hospitalized and in a medically induced coma in Orkney, she rushes to find out what’s going on. She discovers that Erin is unconscious, with several fingers amputated and suffering from serious burn marks. Erin's boyfriend Arlo, who was on the trip with her, is found dead with his body burned and hands bound. Her best friend Senna is missing. The police start an investigation and, based on text messages, suspect Erin might be responsible for Arlo's death and possibly harmed Senna, who has not contacted her parents.

Strangely, when Erin wakes from the coma, she doesn’t recognize her parents and denies her name, insisting on being called “Nyx.” What happened to her on the Orkney Islands? What was the black book with ugly pages that Clem saw in the restroom, which disappeared before her eyes? Who was the woman burning at the stake that appeared and vanished?

We also get to read Alison Balfour's POV, where she is asked to make a charm for an earl’s bastard brother who wants to replace him using powerful magic. Even though she refused, she was still put on trial, tortured for a crime she didn’t commit, and declared a witch.

What connects Erin and Alison? A charm, a powerful curse, or the "Book of Witches"? Continue reading to find out!

Overall, this book is pure addiction! I couldn’t put it down. Absolutely devoured, thrilled, and enjoyed it! Orkney folklore, the bridge between two timelines, smart twists, historical facts, and the pulsing pace make this book a reader's dream come true! C.J. Cooke is one of my auto-approved, brilliant authors who can blend history and folklore into perfect horror fantasy plotlines!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.