The Witch of Willow Hall

Summary (from the publisher): New Oldbury, 1821

In the wake of a scandal, the Montrose family and their three daughters—Catherine, Lydia and Emeline—flee Boston for their new country home, Willow Hall.

The estate seems sleepy and idyllic. But a subtle menace creeps into the atmosphere, remnants of a dark history that call to Lydia, and to the youngest, Emeline.

All three daughters will be irrevocably changed by what follows, but none more than Lydia, who must draw on a power she never knew she possessed if she wants to protect those she loves. For Willow Hall’s secrets will rise, in the end…

Review: I received an advance reader's edition of this novel from the author.

Set in 1821, this novel follows the story of Lydia, whose family has been forced to leave their home in Boston and seek refuge in their new country estate, Willow Hall, following a damaging scandal that has ruined the marriage prospects of Lydia and her two sisters. However, soon after arriving at Willow Hall, Lydia begins to sense otherworldly disturbances - loud cries in the middle of the night and eerie figures visible in the garden in the dark - that prevent her from feeling at ease. Between the scandal surrounding her family, a devastating family tragedy, discord between Lydia and her older sister Catherine, and the spiritual disturbances surrounding Willow Hall, Lydia's world is far from idyllic. Over the course of the novel, revelations help Lydia discover who she truly is and find her true path in life.

This novel does an excellent job of building suspense from the very beginning. The tone is eerie and foreboding throughout, with the additional strain of the initially unnamed scandal and the lack of family harmony. Lydia, with her earnest devotion to her younger sister and love of reading, is easy to like as a narrator. Additionally, the rural nature of Willow Hall, combined with the restricted social role of women in 1821 provide an ideal setting for this novel, whose narrator feels the forces of both the supernatural and society hemming her in.

I would be curious to learn more about Lydia's older brother Charles who is off stage for the entirety of the novel. Given the significant role Charles played in the family scandal, I was curious to learn more about what his relationship with Lydia was like. Additionally, I found the character of Mary Preston, Lydia's ancestor, really interesting and would love to know more about her life story, maybe even in another novel.

An entertaining work of historical fiction that successfully combines supernatural thrills and a budding love story. Thank you to the author for allowing me an early look at her debut work!

Stars: 5