This was a spellbinding novel, full of menace and building tension. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The descriptions of the house and it's decay was brilliant. The characters and description of the period were really well written. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early copy of this novel.

The plot of The Ravenswood Witch was a little different to other books of this genre which made this all the more compelling to read.

The book is set in 1885, and Ms. Keer does an excellent job in portraying the period, along with the setting of a derelict and run down house in which the main character finds herself. The house oozes with mystery and secrets and she finds herself wondering if in escaping the hangman's noose, she has stumbled into a more dark and dangerous situation.

This is an outstanding novel, and I will even go as far as saying it is amongst the best books I have read this year.

Jenni Keer’s “The Ravenswood Witch” is an enthralling blend of mystery, magic, and heartwarming human connection. From the first page, Keer pulled me into the quaint village of Ravenswood, where the air is full of secrets, and the past whispers through. The book masterfully balances elements of historical intrigue, romance, and the supernatural.

One of the standout features of “The Ravenswood Witch” is Keer's ability to create a rich setting.Keer’s vivid descriptions bring the fictional village to life, and as you follow the protagonist, you can't help but be transported there, feeling the weight of its mysteries. The way she intertwines the eerie past with present-day discoveries kept me turning the pages.

The characters are another highlight of the novel. The protagonist is a compelling figure—flawed yet determined. Her journey of uncovering the truth behind the legends of Ravenswood is beautifully handled. Relationships, whether familial, romantic, or friendly, are tenderly crafted, providing warmth and heart among the darker, magical elements.

Keer excels at blending the supernatural with human emotion, never allowing one to overpower the other. The magic feels natural and grounded, yet still filled with wonder. The pacing of the book is excellent, building tension and revealing secrets at just the right moments, with plenty of twists that will keep readers guessing until the very end. I highly recommend it!

This was pretty good! Definitely perfect cozy, fall, spooky season read. Not the most jaw dropping but definitely some twists and turns, and the ending picked up a lot with the pacing and I was waiting for that, so glad it happened. There were some lulls especially when it felt like she was just living in the house all day with nothing much happening, but three quarters of the way it picked up. Overall I do recommend, excellent fall season read, but not necessarily going on the favorites shelf.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Boring.

Published yesterday, September 30th, 2024, I delayed my review until October because the book's vibe — dark woods, ravens, witchcraft, haunted house and secretive behaviours—belongs in the month of Halloween.

The Ravenswood Witch is an enthralling five-star page-turner.
The Ravenswood Witch is a spellbinding gothic mystery from the bestselling author of No.23 Burlington Square, Jenni Keer ‘There are a lot of shadows at Ravenswood, so you will need to be strong…’

The novel starts with a young woman running from the life she knows. She must escape to London to be caught, which means the gallows poll. Her goal of reaching the ferry is within sight, but then she collides with a stranger. She falls and breaks her ankle…. Then, Marcus Greybourne reinvents her as his reclusive wife, Luna, protecting her from the grasp of the law.

Marcus saved her from hanging but brought the injured Eloise/Luna into a house full of dark mystery. It is neglected trapped and injured in her bed she hears strange noises and is surrounded by strange scratchings on the woodwork.

Who are her allies? Who can be trusted? The cunning man helps her ankle heal building trust between them. The villagers are scared of her and call her a witch. When she rescues the last raven of Ravenswood, naming him Bran he becomes her constant companion. Further evidence that she is a witch with her familiar.

There is light, the shared love of flowers with Marcus as he begins to repair the dilapidated house and white butterflies.

There are many twists and turns, with unreliable characters for the reader to navigate. The climax takes place on All Hallows Eve. Truth is revealed as masks are peeled away at the source of the rumours the well deep in Ravenswood.

Jenni Kerr cleverly creates for the reader the world of a small community in the late nineteenth century. The characters are superbly drawn and fit the setting perfectly. Power and superstition make a heady concoction, In the novel Jane Eyre, collides with The Woman in White and merges into a thrilling mystery written for 2024. The Ravenswood Witch is an enthralling page-turner.

A gothic and dark historical fiction that kept me hooked as I wanted to know what was behind the events and what was going to happen.
It made me think of Rebecca at times and I like the descriptions of the Hall and the fleshed out characters
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I strongly recommend, if you’re prone to nightmares or hearing bumps in the night, that you read this book in daylight – it’s dark and atmospheric, distinctly unsettling at times, the story laced with deception, filled with suspense, and with so many shocks and surprises. But it’s also an extraordinarily compelling read that will have you feverishly turning the pages, not knowing who to fear or trust – and I loved every single moment.

It’s 1885, and a young woman, desperate to get to London to have any chance of escaping the consequences of an accusation of murder, injures her ankle when she runs into Marcus Greybourne, the owner of nearby Ravenswood Hall. Her appearance is timely – his wife Luna is missing, and he’s willing to provide her with a temporary sanctuary if she’s willing to take her place and convince others of her identity. But the hall itself is far from a place of safety – its interior has been destroyed by acts of violence, there are signs of dark magic and witchcraft, and she learns that Luna’s behaviour and reputation has caused considerable mistrust and fear in the surrounding community.

And then there are the signs that she’s unwelcome and in personal danger – threats written in the dust, a voice in the darkness, reflections in the mirrors. The neighbouring wood is a particularly forbidding place – harbouring mysterious graves and a dried out well, and no birds or wildlife to disturb its stillness. There used to be ravens – and the only one who has managed to survive becomes her trusted companion when she’s increasingly unsure who she can turn to.

And if the new Luna has that uncertainty, so does the reader. The housekeeper, although lacking in the necessary skills, seems friendly enough – but her husband most certainly doesn’t. And as they grow closer, can she even trust Marcus himself – might he have done away with his wife? He’s keen that they gain the trust of the surrounding community – but why are there some that he warns her to steer clear of? And is the threat she feels from Luna’s restless spirit real or imagined? But equally disturbing for the reader is the very deliberate confusion about identity – layered and very cleverly done, with a few stunning twists to unsettle them further.

This is a book that rather defies description – it’s certainly deliciously gothic in feel, with elements of dark magic and the supernatural, and a pervading and creeping sense of evil. But there’s also an intriguing mystery at the heart of the story, facts that have been deeply hidden, truths that need to be uncovered. There are some very dramatic scenes – gripping, frightening, and wonderfully written – but also gentler moments as friendship becomes tentative romance, and particularly emotional and engaging. The storytelling is quite wonderful, perfectly paced for maximum impact – at times, things settle down and life takes a predictable course for a while, only for something to happen that throws everything off kilter once more.

I felt wrong-footed and unsettled throughout, often chilled to the core – but really couldn’t have enjoyed it more. It really would be the perfect choice for a Halloween read – but with considerably more to the story than you might be expecting – and, hoping you’ll manage to sleep soundly at night, I’d recommend this one very highly.

Such a lovely read especially during the autumn season. I found the writing to be amazingly gothic and atmospheric especially enjoyed the multiple points of view and the talented way that Kerr pulled it off.

Thank you Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel in advance in exchange for an honest review. This is the perfect fall read. Historical, witchy, plots, twists turns and even some hints of romance. This is a great novel and an amazing original story. Highly recommend picking up this fall!!

I enjoyed this book very much. Kept me thoroughly interested through one sitting. Look forward to much more by this author.

The Ravenswood Witch was an intriguing gothic mystery/romance.

A young women is running for her life from the law, accused of a heinous crime, she is running for freedom, when she literally runs into Marcus Greybourne, the master of Ravenswood House. He persuades the constables that the young woman is his missing wife Luna. He takes her back to his house and then the gothic undertones start. The servants seem to have secrets, the house is in deterioration. There are signs of violence and possible witchcraft, what has our young narrator gotten herself into? She agrees to continue the charade of being the missing Luna Greybourne, but what really happened to the real Luna and was her husband complicit in her disappearance? Strange twists and turns reveal a surprise ending.

I enjoyed the book as it reminded me of the gothic romances I read as a teenager.

Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.

Gothic mystery romance. Excellent plot and atmosphere. The pacing could have been better and the ending wrapped up too quickly for me. Still, a pretty quick read great for spooky season.

This is a real treat to read and I loved the atmospheric feeling to this one.
The intertwined stories of the two women is so cleverly written. The house and the woods are a huge part of the story and provide a deeply unsettling vibe.
The mystery of Luna’s whereabouts is certainly intriguing and as more secrets are uncovered, we’re unsure who to trust.
Strange noises and markings - accusations of witchcraft- all add up to a spooky read perfect for this time of year.

Running away from a place she once loved and a crime that she did not commit, she stumbles over a stranger who saves her and gives her somewhere to recover.

As time passes, increasingly worrying things happen in the house as she is getting more used to being the mistress of the household. It is just for a little while until she can travel with her ancle, right?

I adore this story. There is something about a good historical novel, isn’t there?
Especially when we get hints of some strong, dark magic. Something is not right here. We have no idea who is friend or foe, shall we heed the warnings we get?

Our leading lady, Mrs. Ravenswood, has feelings developing throughout the story, from uncertainty as things start to happen, trying to brush it off, then scared, sceptic, unsafe, and wondering if she is hallucinating to paranoid and scared. Oh, and there is guilt too. It's a wonderful surprise for you when you figure things out.

The rest of the characters we get to know through her eyes we get to know the others a little better, not the things they are hiding from her, of course.

I can see the mansion; I quite like it. I added a white brushed fence, though.
It is not that I want or need a mansion or a house that big… however, a library? Now you are talking my language. Perhaps a conservatory? And a forest is fine, perhaps not as dense.😉

THE RAVENSWOOD WITCH by Jenni Keer is a historical paranormal fiction set in 1885 somewhere in Europe. Our protagonist is running away from the law and literally crashes into the main male lead. This man, Marcus Greybourne, gives her a chance at escape for which she must pretend to be his unstable wife who hasn't been seen in a while. Thus begin a series of mysterious events in the eerie (and possibly haunted) estate at the Ravenswood.

The book starts slow with more telling than showing, but that's remedied once we hit the halfway mark. The mystery surrounding the main characters and the missing wife holds the reader's attention. The descriptions in the later part of the story make up for a creepy atmosphere and keep the readers second-guessing the characters' intentions. It's hard to tell who is lying and who is trying to help the FMC. The main female character isn't someone the reader can trust either. This element pushes the story further. Great job by the author for keeping the readers confuddled until the very end.

Despite the thrill of the narrative. I found the ending to be a bit rushed and underwhelming. After so much build-up, the problems were resolved too quickly. This is my major issue with the storyline -- it's erratic pacing. Secondly, the incidents and the explanations given at the end of the story grossed me out a little. While I do get that the inclusion of witches and dark magic will entail conversations about fornication and such, in my opinion, it wasn't done tastefully. Nor am I convinced with the way justice was served in this book. However, it has more to do with my moral compass than the story itself. It's the author's discretion to choose appropriate closure for her characters.

This one's a well-written book similar to the vibe in the classic, REBECCA. I would recommend THE RAVENSWOOD WITCH to readers who enjoy creepy historical books about morally grey characters and despicable witches. (Rating is 3.5 rounded off to 4.)

It is a dark adventure that draws the reader into its suspenseful and suspicious world, full of gothic influences, witches, and superstitions from the onset. Despite the illusion and multi-faceted characters, a romance emerges from the shadows. The house and wood are intricately detailed, bringing them to life, and the dark sensory imagery is chilling. I enjoyed the vivid sensory imagery that adds drama and suspense to the story and believed in the characters.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

A runaway girl collides with a man who is hiding a dark secret of his own.
Marcus Greybourne tells the Police that she is his wife of ten years, Luna, and he takes her back with him to his home Ravenswood. He lies to give her a second chance, he needs a wife in order to draw money from an inheritance, but where is Luna? The villagers believe she is a witch, is this connected with her disappearance?
The narrator needs shelter and protection from those who are chasing her down, so she can plead her innocence of the crime she has been accused of.
She agrees to continue the deception, but signs inside the house speak of dark magic and violence, will she be safe there?
A most intriguing start to a wonderfully dark and complex romance. Each page brings to light new secrets, suspicions, a wide host of characters, it is a puzzle to know who to trust. There is dark magic, spells, herbalists, the house is old, isolated and creepy, and a very protective Raven.
As romance begins to bloom, who stands to benefit the most from this arrangement? Will justice be done, or will they both be undone as this relationship develops?
This has been a great delight and joy to read this novel, it is a love story with thrills and chills. A feisty determined narrator, and an equally strong minded benefactor. Both are very easy to bond with, and you are encouraging them onwards all through this story. I found this to be immensely satisfying, and that Raven almost stole the book for me!
This is definitely on my to buy list for friends, and my various book groups will be recommended this as well. A perfect book for this season.
A five star read.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Boldwood Books for my advanced copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review.
I will leave reviews to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

This was so perfect for spooky season, the story was so well written i was involved in a way that I couldn't even predict what was coming.. It was really well built and I just have to thank netgalley for this chance.
Seeing both perspectives, specially Luna and all the mystery involving everything.. it was amazing

In an era when anything unusual or unexplained was attributes to witchcraft and many people punished for happening beyond their control, a young woman must avoid capture or die. Her life is saved when Marcus Greybourne convinces the constabulary that she is his wife Luna. Luna has not been outside the Ravenswood Manor in many years so the lie is easily accepted. This is the backstory of how a stranger finds herself THE RAVENSWOOD WITCH and it's perfect. These two strangers must learn to live together as the Manor itself takes on the mystery of the past and gives voice to the present. This is an atmospheric story set in a Gothic period that was all too easy to become engrossed in as the characters wove their troubled pasts and the futures they hoped to have. Jenni Keer skillfully built the manor and it's influence in every chapter to th epoint readers are not sure where the manor ends and the characters take the story forward.