21 October 2024

The Book of Witching

 

By C. J. Cooke

Review

In May 2024 Erin is seriously ill in a Glasgow hospital. She's been very badly burned in a camping accident on Orkney in which her boyfriend died. After being brought out of a medically induced coma she claims her name is Nyx. On Orkney in 1594 Alison Balfour awaits trial, accused of witchcraft. If found guilty she'll be burned alive. With over 400 years separating them, how are Erin and Alison linked?

Set during dual timelines, The Book of Witching is a compelling read. The historical aspect is fascinating and although incredibly cruel and brutal, it's hugely interesting and educational. I found myself glued to the pages and totally immersed — a testament to the author's research and knowledge. The fact that the book is inspired by real events adds extra depth and brings home how despicably the accused were treated. A great read.

★★★★☆

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollins
  • Publication Year: 2024
  • Author: C. J. Cooke
  • Genre: Horror

Synopsis

Four hundred years separate them.

One book binds them.

Glasgow 2024: Clem waits by her daughter’s hospital bed. Erin was found on an idyllic beach in Fynhallow Bay, Orkney with catastrophic burns and only one memory: her name is Nyx.

But how did she get these burns? And how did her boyfriend end up burned alive?

Orkney 1594: accused of witchcraft, Alison Balfour awaits trial. The punishment? To be burned alive.

Separated by four hundred years but bound by the Book of Witching, two women stand imperilled. Can they unlock a centuries-old mystery? And will Fynhallow Bay give up its secrets before someone else dies?

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