I have loved Elena Collins’ dual time supernatural novels since the Witch’s Tree. The Cornish Witch is no exception.

In the present Megan’s father Bill has received a life changing letter, a letter that could upend his life as he knows it. He confides in Megan that he has another daughter that was given up for adoption and she has now contacted him. He is unsure how this will affect his relationship with his wife Jackie. Megan offers to go to St. Magwen’s Cove in Cornwall to do a reconnaissance mission on her sister. While in St. Mawgen’s Megan starts to be drawn into the past through eerie instances.

In 1625, Susanna mother to 17 year old Katel is the local midwife and healer. She is raising Katel on her own and has never disclosed the father’s name, despite the local town gossip. Katel is a young, beautiful, naive woman in a time period that is harsh to women and suspicious of wise women and healers. The suspicions of the local townspeople culiminates in a tragic incident that reverbates to the present day.

The story alternates chapters in the present and the past. I loved the historical time line the best, but the descriptions of Cornwall and the suspenseful storyline kept me eagerly reading.

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

The Cornish Witch has skyrocketed to the very top of my favourites from Elena Collins, which is quite a feat, as I adored The Wicked Lady. Once again, the book is told as a dual-timeline story with equal presence in the present day and the seventeenth century. In the present day, we meet Megan, who is on a mission from her father to solve the mystery of a letter from the past.
When she arrives in Cornwall, Megan begins to sense presences in the other rooms of the Ship Inn, and she becomes determined to uncover the secrets of what happened in St Mawgen Cove, hoping to bring some relief to the lost souls of the area.
Meanwhile, back in 1625, we meet Susanna and her daughter, Katel. As a single mother, Susanna worries about what will become of her daughter once her advancing years begin to impact her life and choices. While Susanna wants nothing but the best for Katel, it is apparent that Katel is too interested in the lives and opinions of others.
Straddling the two timelines, Collins reveals just enough to keep the reader interested but not to introduce any spoilers as we head for the big reveal and discover more about the local legends and their sources.
As the present day finally meets the past. The feeling of closure is comforting, yet a touch of melancholy remains, evoking past losses and prompting you to remember the names of those who have gone before us. I was moved to tears as I read, and I hope that you get as much joy as I did, despite the sobering context of the story.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is a dual timeline novel. In the present day, we follow Megan’s experiences. Megan notices that her dad, Bill, seems to have something on his mind. He recently received a letter, and something about it seems to be troubling him. When Bill tells Megan about the contents of the letter, she realises that their lives may never be the same again. Megan has questions, and she heads to St. Mawgen’s Cove in Cornwall, in search of answers.

The other narrative takes us to 1625, following Susanna and her daughter Katel. Susanna has raised Katel by herself, and has never talked about who her father is, even though Katel longs to know the truth. Some of the locals gossip about them, and Susanna doesn't always approve of the company her daughter keeps.

I quickly became invested in both storylines. In the present, I was excited to see exactly what Megan might discover, and following her felt like an adventure. I was also very interested in Susanna and Katel, in the historical storyline. I initially found Susanna more likeable than her daughter, but I felt they were both strong characters, and I was intrigued to see what, if anything, might connect them to Megan and her experiences.

I found the story quite eerie and suspenseful to read in places, and that was a quality I enjoyed. I also enjoyed Cornwall as a choice of setting, which made the story feel like an escape. Parts of the story were sad, and parts of it were heartwarming. It was a page turner that had me reading a little late into the night.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

So this is my second foray into the works of Judy Leigh writing as Elena Collins. I had high hopes after reading The Witch’s Tree.

The story is a dual timeline historical mystery and starts off strong with a very gripping opening scene….A spirit who preys on lone men offering only the kiss of death.

Soon we meet Megan.. Ah Megan.. and what a setup. The author gave me exactly what I was hoping for… it’s the depth and build up. Megan hasn’t had it easy.. she’s had her heart broken and has been kind of floating since.. she focuses on others rather than herself and this theme continues when her dad receives a letter that will rock the family.. a hidden secret. As any good daughter would do she sets out to help her dad get through this and this means travelling to St Mawgen Cove to meet this person from her dads past.

She chooses The Ship Inn for her stay.. the alarm bells don’t go off at first but there’s signs something isn’t quite right.

Moving to the second timeline we are back in 1625 and meet Katel. Katel is a young girl who is perhaps a little naive.. her mother is not so and can see the danger her daughter could be in.

Katel is quite independent and is now looking to her future.. but will her choice of company put her in danger?

The story manage to blend a mix of history, mystery and intrigue and is a masterclass in the art of the build up. Don’t get me wrong.. the pace is perfect but the author has a way of telling a story without the need for words at times.. it’s the character development.. the unwritten words and the how it makes you feel as a reader.

The author manages to work the dual timelines perfectly, neither overshadows or is given more time than needed but the style just added more depth to the plot, the suspense.. the fear of the unknown.. even from 2 chapters in I was worried for both Katel and Megan and the fates that may befall them. For me the future setting was more enthralling as we see Megan investigate this eerie village .. I felt the character needed this.. needed something for herself and the character develops well throughout.

Looking at the past and Katel tale is certainly more moving and emotional, you feel for the girl…and her mother.

Add in a healthy dose of the unknown, witches, ghosts, fear and injustice wow.. what a story.

The supernatural side of the tale really worked well..I won’t spoil it but the ghost of a woman who weeps at night for her heart broken and the drenched man, who will never rest because he was drowned at sea..I mean this alone had my interested peaked and hooked me in.

The setting has to be mentioned too. I’m not familiar with Cornwall myself having never been but the author paints vivid images and makes you want to visit yourself.. although maybe avoid anywhere called or similar too The Ship Inn ha.

The story is well rounded..plot, setting, characters all develop nicely and you can just tell there’s been a lot of time and energy put into the story from the author which has certainly paid off! A thrilling and emotional 5* read.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Cornish Witch by Elena Collins. It is the perfect blend of folklore, magic and mystery told over a dual timeline.

I love this author's captivating and immersive writing style and found the characters, both in the past and present, to be well written and relatable. I enjoyed both timelines although I think I loved the 17th century one just a little bit more. I found it intriguing that the harrowing events of the past echoed down the centuries and were still felt in present day.

I would definitely recommend this book book to historical fiction fans especially if you enjoy a timeslip plot.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for providing me with a complimentary copy for review consideration.

Megan heads to the Cornish village of St Mawgen Cove for a vacation. She plans on doing a lot of surfing and diving. She also hopes to meet her half sister whom she just found out about.
This book has dual timelines, I found the one set in the present more interesting. There’s a bit of a ghost story and a hint of romance to come.
It’s another good book by this author.

I was drawn to the this book as I have been reading a few books about witches recently.
It is more a dual timeline story about how hard it could be for women in the past if they didn't have a man and a nice ghost story.
The part about the long lost daughter was weak for me and just a device to get the main character to Cornwall

The Present: Megan just found out her father's secret. She will assist him by going to a town in search of her father's secret. She stays at The Ship Inn, which had been built for fishermen many years ago. The inn holds many secrets and even ghosts. 

The Past (1665) : Susanna and her daughter Katel  live in St. Mawgen Cove in Cornwall.Susanna is the local healer and doula. She is well loved and renowned but after a series of events, Susanna and her daughter are accused of witchcraft. Katel suffers an accident and Susanna dies.

The Present: Megan can see and feel the most famous ghosts in the inn, the Drenched Man and the Weeping Woman. She wants to help the proprietors with the inn and booking more clients, however,  the ghosts seem to scare them all away. If only Megan can find a way to help the ghosts move on while also finding love.

The Cornish Witch is a lovely captivating tale of love, sacrifice, redemption and finishing what was started. 💫💫💫💫💫

Thank you Netgalley  and Boldwood Books

I LOVE a good historical fiction novel and this one was no exception. I even enjoyed the dual timelines though I would have built a better connection between the two. The one written is a tad flimsy. With that split time line comes the fact that the original storyline gets lost in the plot development and comes back in a way that is almost like….oh yeah that’s also happening. And you don’t care about it by that point because the main plot is reaching its apex. All in all a great story about a part of history that was new for me. Thank you you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC

4.5 stars
Dual timeline ✅
Witchy read ✅
Cornish setting ✅
The two stories within The Cornish Witch were beautifully interwoven and I loved seeing how the dual timelines made the most of the characters and the community links. I found Susanna and Katel fascinating- the pellar traditions and risks they took in such a male dominated world were so interesting.
Megan had such an old soul and really wanted to get the best for everyone. She really understood the impact on Katel and Susanna despite not knowing them or their history before arriving in St Mawgen.
I loved the whole community of St Mawgen and how it welcomed those who visited and took the time to understand the history and legends of the past.

Now: When Megan’s father gets a letter containing a secret from the past, he asks her to go to the Cornish village of St Mawgen Cove to get to the bottom of the mystery. Megan is happy to take a holiday after a challenging year but as soon as she checks into The Ship Inn something feels amiss. There are noises in the room above, the locals tell tales of smugglers and shipwrecks and she can’t escape the story of the witch who waits and watches from the top of the cliff.

1625: Susanna and her daughter Katel live a contented life, but without the protection of a husband and father, Susanna fears for Katel’s future as she blossoms into womanhood. The fishing community of St Mawgen Cove is close knit but when misfortune arrives in the cove, it’s not long before villagers are looking for someone to blame. And when talk turns to witches, Susanna knows she and Katel are no longer safe.

Witches and ghosts and historical timelines, oh my! I truly enjoyed this lovely story! There were definitely darker times in it, but I really enjoyed the writing, the main characters, and the way the ending came together! 3.5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I liked the dual aspect and did find it quite hauntingly tense at times! I also liked the sense of place and Cornish culture. It dragged a little for me at points but still a solid read.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this dual timeline book.

Bill receives a letter which leaves him shocked. His daughter Megan offers to go to St Mawgen Cove in Cornwal and make enquiries.

The place has some history going back to 1625 when fisherman lived there with their families and a witch.

Where Megan is staying, The Ship which is now a pub has some guests, in the shape of ghosts living in rooms, meaning no customers stay for long.

She wants to learn more about what happened to them along with the finding more about the reason she’s actually there.

The two timelines are interwoven. The characters are all different to each other and so are their stories which you could envision.

It was a heartbreaking and moving read which was hard to put down, full of historical facts.

I highly recommend this book.

A Cornish Witch" by Elena Collins was a great read. The author has the ability to tell stories beautifully and has a way of rewriting the past, making it feel like you are actually there. Throughout this novel, the author alternates between two different storylines that connect beautifully. One of the stories focus on Megan and the present day, whilst the other focus on Katel and her mother Susanna in 1625. Katel and her mother live in St Mawgen’s Cove where Susanna is the local healer. Against her mothers approval, Katel gets herself involved and intertwined with witchcraft which uproots their life and causes all sorts of mayhem. In the present day story, Megan finds herself in St Margin’s Cove, partly on a secret mission, partly having a holiday. When she immerse herself with the locals of the town, Megan starts to become familiar with the coves haunting history and mystifying unexplained events. Over the course of the novel, it delivers satisfaction to the reader to follow these characters and discover their full-circle moments. I throughly enjoyed reading about how the people of the past are still connected to the cove and how their lives many many years ago still have such an influence over the area. Both of these storylines are enriched with wonderful characters, beautiful descriptive writing, and a plot that is bound to keep you engaged and entertained. The setting in which this novel takes place are described with so much love and detail that they become fond to this reader and a place of importance. The historical elements of this book are covered beautifully, and the harsh realities of history are woven so deeply into this story that it makes it a truly stunning yet heart-wrenching read. I found this novel and it’s storytelling to be refreshing, emotional and a beautiful read. It's a five-star read for me.

Thankyou to Netgallery and Boldwood Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. Check out @brydzandherbooks on instagram for more bookish content and reviews.

I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed this book that is so steeped in historical facts and fiction. When her father Bill receives some unexpected news Megan takes it upon herself to travel to St Mawgen Cove in Cornwall to find out more. The cove has an intriguing history that evolves around the fishermen, their families and a witch in the 1625. Megan soon learns that The Ship, the local pub where she is staying, has some ghostly residents who are turning customers away. She is determined to find out who they are and the stories behind them as well as finding the answers she has come to the cove for. This has dual timelines and I loved how they weaved in and out of each other. This is atmospheric, totally absorbing and so full of mystery. The characters are all so very individual and I could easily visualise the different characters and the events surrounding them. An absolutely brilliant read that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

Loved this. The switch between timelines and characters kept an even momentum between Megan and her family journey and the devastating events for Susanna and Katel.

Susanna and Katel's part of the tale is desperately sad and shows a piece of Cornish history that haunts the fishing village for many many years. It's such a fascinating tale and I love the superstition and witchcraft that we hear of. It's maddening that the people turned on Susanna and her daughter in the way that they did but karma delivers!!

Megan's holiday isn't one without motive except it takes a turn due to the ghosts that haunt The Ship Inn. She uncovers the truth and spirits rest which makes this take quite heartwarming.

I really enjoyed this. I've not been to Cornwall before but know there are places where there's a history steeped in tradition, superstitions and witchcraft that I need to experience for myself.

Elena Collins's The Cornish Witch is an atmospheric and immersive historical fiction novel that blends mystery, romance, and the supernatural, set in the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Cornwall. With its dual timelines, richly developed characters, and evocative setting, the novel offers readers a journey through time, unraveling dark secrets and long-buried family histories.

Plot and Themes:

The story follows Megan, a woman seeking solace at St Mawgen Cove after a turbulent year. Upon arrival, she is drawn into the town's eerie atmosphere, which is steeped in rumors of ghostly occurrences and secrets. Her discovery of a letter containing a family secret sends her on a journey to uncover the truth about her lineage and the haunting past of the village. As Megan digs deeper, she uncovers the tragic story of Susanna and her daughter Katel, who were accused of witchcraft in 1625 and met with a grim fate.

Collins masterfully intertwines the present and the past, showing how the sins of one generation reverberate through time. Themes of family, resilience, and the dangers of superstition are explored as Megan unravels the mystery of her ancestors and faces the psychological and supernatural forces that threaten to consume her.

Character Development:

Megan is a relatable protagonist, her personal struggles and emotional journey providing a strong anchor for the novel. Her quest for answers not only brings her closer to the town’s mysterious past but also offers a path toward healing her own wounds. The historical characters, Susanna and Katel, are equally compelling. Collins does a fantastic job of making their 17th-century lives feel both tangible and tragic, offering readers a glimpse into their world of persecution and resilience.

Setting and Atmosphere:

The Cornish coast, with its rugged cliffs and hauntingly beautiful landscapes, serves as the perfect backdrop for this tale of mystery and the supernatural. Collins’s descriptions of The Ship Inn and the surrounding village create an eerie, almost otherworldly atmosphere that envelops the reader. The tension between the past and present is palpable, as the landscape itself seems to hold the weight of forgotten histories and the lingering presence of the past.

Supernatural Elements:

The blend of historical fiction with supernatural elements adds a compelling layer to The Cornish Witch. The stories of witchcraft and ghostly hauntings are deeply interwoven into the novel’s narrative, enhancing the sense of mystery and suspense. The slow build-up of supernatural tension is perfectly balanced with the human drama, making the fantastical elements feel grounded and integral to the story’s emotional core.

Conclusion:

The Cornish Witch is a spellbinding read that will captivate fans of historical fiction, mystery, and the supernatural. Elena Collins expertly weaves a narrative that explores the complexities of history, family, and the echoes of past wrongs. With its richly detailed setting, compelling characters, and haunting atmosphere, the novel offers a deeply satisfying and immersive experience.

For readers who enjoy historical mysteries with a touch of magic, The Cornish Witch is an absolute must-read.

I really enjoyed The Cornish Witch, I really enjoyed the contrasting chapters which went back in time to the present. The different characters really made the chapters stand out and I enjoyed both the stories from Katle and Megan.
The writing style really gripped me and I really enjoyed getting swept away with this story.

oh im so glad i came across this book. it was a fantastic read. from the very first reading of the blurb i was hooked and im so glad i got the chance to read on.
the art of these books is when you have a great telling of both the past and present stories. they must both be as good as the other and you must be rooting and invested in both. and this knocks that out the park. because i somehow always have a bias in one of the eras. but with this one i loved both and couldnt wait to delve into them as their chapters arose. and i was invested in both to the point when one Pov ended i had to calm myself down so i could read the other Pov first before i new what happened next and vise versa!
the present day story is about Meghan who is tasked by her via on a mission of his own passed. when she checks in to The Ship Inn a bigger story starts to unfold. there are rumors about this place and it seems it might just be Meghan who has to find them out.
the arc is of the past where we have Susanna and her daughter. Susanna is a healer of the era and shes been teaching her daughter about what she does. but the two woman live in a vulnerable time. one that Susanna often feels unsafe in. when things start to go amoc in the local community the blame doesnt fall onto the right hands and as people start to get more worked up the "healing" whispers soon began to change to those of witchcraft. tensions start to build and Susanna is starting to get scared for her and her daughters own safety.
what does Megan have to do with these past stories. and is there more to what brought her to this village than she first thought?

this book was filled with page turners and i just adored it. there was a mix of cozy and magical element to the book. the scene setting was brilliant from both the past and present and it just all fit together so well.
this writer know her genre and im so glad she does!

This was really lovely! I absolutely loved both the past story of Susanna and Katel in 1625 and the present day story of Megan. The Cornish village with a history of eerie things and witchiness was a great setting. I love a good witch story. And I really like how the author wrote this one.

The heart of this story, I thought anyway, was really the familial relationships - mother and daughter with Susanna and Katel, Megan and her parents, Megan's dad and his long lost daughter, Megan and the different characters she befriends in St. Mawgen Cove. All the different relationships were what I thought really drove the story whether it was the present day 'mystery' solving or in the past, with all the villagers coming to Susanna for her healing abilities.

What stopped this from being a 5 star read was that I just wish we got more about what happened <i>after</i> the climax of everything. Like, I wanted more scenes of everyone together from the present day side, and maybe more scenes of haunting bits that occurred sometime between 1625 and present day at The Ship. How many people have seen the ghosts?? I'm so curious!

Much thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an early copy of this book to read.