The Witch of Willow Hall

It’s not a story filled with witches...witchcraft...spell casting...or broomstick riding hags... and not a black cat in sight. Almost from the very first it is filled with quiet, unsettling terror. I actually found myself holding my breath at times....and very few things in books or movies scare me anymore. If your horror includes authors like Simone St. James and Kate Morton, and early Stephen King...when child eating clowns lived in the sewers...you might be adding Hester Fox to that list when you finish this one. It’s a gothic mystery mixed with a bit of romance and horror. A tragedy with lies...loss... and love... but most importantly...it’s one woman’s tale of discovering that there’s more to herself than she could ever show more have known. I just wished that Lynda had learned sooner that you can’t save them all. show less

Now, The Witch of Willow Hall is exactly what I wanted to read. Ms. Fox establishes the historical setting with the type of clarity that I love in historical fiction. Plus, there is plenty of mysterious, otherworldly happenings to satisfy my need to escape into fantasy. The story has a surprising dark side that may cause more than one reader to cast it aside for the ick factor, but there is also an unexpected sweetness to the story that more than made up for it. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this one and don’t regret it a minute.

What an intriguing read! When the Montrose family was forced by scandal to uproot their lives and flee the city, I at first thought to myself that surely it could not have been that severe, after all what was not considered scandalous in those days? The scandal itself is a bit of a mystery, and there are hints that it may have been caused by Lydia or by Catherine, but either way I could not wait to find out what it was. Once settled in their new home it seems that gossip has followed them, and sadly a tragedy is not far behind. The relationship between the sisters held me spellbound. For having been raised by the same parents in the same home, they could not have wound up more different from each other. This was a captivating work of show more historical fiction with a gothic ghost story feel, complete with heroes to cheer for and villains that I took delight in hating.

I received an advance copy for review. show less

This is a rich and atmospheric novel about a witch discovering her own power, but only after suffering tragedy and scandal within her own family. Lydia is a very like-able character, even if her past includes too-many-to-be-coincidental accidents among those who have caused her anger. After her family departs Boston in scandal (caused by an unfortunate relationship between her brother and sister) and the tragic death of her younger sister Emmline, Lydia struggles to manage her family woes while also coming to terms with the growing feelings she has for her father's young business partner. Overall, a good book and definitely recommended for those who like their historical fiction with a dash of witchcraft.

THE WITCH OF WILLOW HALL is a wonderful throwback to those beloved vintage gothic romances. Set in 1821, the story follows the Montrose family as a scandal in Boston sends them retreating to the small town of New Oldbury. Their fresh start in the country is anything but peaceful, as a malevolent force seems to be plaguing their home, Willow Hall. Will middle daughter Lydia’s inheritance of a powerful family legacy be able to save them? Unfortunately, I was in a rush to finish this book and get it back to the library in time, so I didn’t get to savor it like I wanted to!! Still, I thought WILLOW HALL was an enjoyable witchy read and an impressive debut from Hester Fox. Just the right about of spooky goodness and sweet romance. show more Borrowed from the library. show less

The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox is a mix of genres: paranormal, romance, coming of age, and historical fiction. The title might lead you to believe that the book is all about witches and witchcraft when in actuality it isn’t. There is lots of good stuff going on and none of it related to witchcraft.
The main character Lydia Montrose, along with her parents and two sisters, are forced to flee Boston after a scandal involving her older sister Catherine. To escape the rumors they retreat to their summer home of Willow Hall in the small rural town of New Oldburg, MA.
Once they arrive, Lydia finds the house unsettling. She sees and hears things others in her family do not. She thinks she saw a woman walking in the garden in the show more middle of the night yet when she investigates no one is there. Then she receives a message written on her mirror that only she can see. All of these worrisome events have made it difficult for her to settle in at Willow Hall.
The one bright point is John Barrett, her father’s young business partner, and the former owner of the land on which Willow Hall now sits. Lydia is immediately attracted to Mr. Barrett but Catherine also has her eyes on him. Mr. Barrett is invited to dine with the family and shows up with a friend August Pierce. Catherine immediately forgets Mr. Barrett leaving Lydia to think she might have a chance with him.
Lydia has a lot of self-doubt to overcome. She has always lived in Catherine’s shadow and found her escape in books and her love for her younger sister Emeline. Yet the secrets that surround her maybe her undoing, for Catherine is keeping dark secrets that could ruin everyone, even the house has secrets. But the biggest secret lies within Lydia. She will have to uncover them all before she is able to shield and defend her family.
Had I not known going in this was the author’s debut novel, I would never have guessed it because the book is so well written. The characters are well developed and the plot moves along nicely with an excellent subplot to assist the story’s progression.
A couple of things stood out for me about this book. First the prose is above par. The author has that rare talent of describing a scene so you can see it in your mind’s eye and yet the description does not go overboard and bore the reader. Second is character development. Loved how I was so drawn to Lydia and how I hated Catherine. You know an author has done their job when she/he elicits these types of emotions from the reader.
I just read Kate Morton’s latest book The Clockmaker’s Daughter and this book is reminiscent of her style. Therefore, I highly recommend The Witch of Willow Hall if you are a fan of Kate Morton. I also think fans of historical fiction and witchy tales will like this too.
I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion. For more of my reviews, and author interviews, please visit my blog at www.thespineview.com. show less

This is a tale of a family that moves out of the city due a scandal surrounding the eldest daughter, Catherine. They move to a somewhat more rural location but the townspeople still whisper. Catherine is a beauty and also a bit of a shrew. Lydia, the second daughter is a more bookish girl. She lost her fiance due to the scandal although she was not overly distraught at this. Emaline, the last daughter is still a child.

As the family settles in the girls meet their father’s business partner and Lydia finds herself attracted to him. Her sister, an inveterate flirt does what she can to keep his interest while also ensnaring his friend. For Catherine cannot let Lydia have anything. But this is more than a tale of sisters and the jealousies show more that occur. This is a story of strange happenings and spirits and a legacy passed from mother to daughter.

There is no reading this book and trying to reconcile it to any kind of reality so don’t try. Just sit down, settle in and enjoy what is a truly engrossing story. It’s a slow building romance, it’s a family drama, it’s a tale of sisters – with one being creepy-evil and one being sweet with an unexpected temper that can really manifest in unexpected ways.

I started reading and was still reading at 2 in the morning and only stopped because I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. I just found myself so involved in the world of Willow Hall that I didn’t care about the things that weren’t based in reality. It’s a perfect book for a dark and stormy night. Just curl up under a fuzzy blanket with a cup of cocoa and immerse yourself in the world of Catherine and Lydia of Willow Hall. show less