If you love historical novels with witchcraft as its theme then you would enjoy our next book review recommendation of The Secrets of Thistle Cottage by Kerry Barrett. Published by Harper Collins the eBook is split between two timelines ie 17th century and the present day.
Taking place in North Berwick, the past talks about widowed Honor Seton and her daughter Alice who are summoned to save the town lord’s wife – but they’re too late. A vengeful crusade against the Seton women leads to whispers of witchcraft all over town. Honor hopes her connections can protect them from unproven rumours and dangerous accusations – but is the truth finally catching up with them?
While the present-day shares about Tess Blyth who has fled Edinburgh with her daughter, Jemima to start afresh in Thistle Cottage. To hide from an explosive scandal that lands her husband in prison, she hides from the media’s unforgiving glare in North Berwick.
Tess is intrigued by the shadowy stories of witchcraft surrounding the women who lived in the cottage centuries ago. But she quickly discovers modern-day witch hunts can be just as vicious: someone in town knows her secret – and they won’t let Tess forget it…
What did I think of the book?
The eBook starts off in 1661 to Honor Seton, a widowed woman living in Thistle Cottage in North Berwick with her daughter Alice. At a time where women don’t live alone, read or earn money, Honor ends up inheriting her husband’s title of Burgess of the Town upon his passing.
Although she is well-liked among the locals, she is hated by Gregor Mackenzie, the local Laird who is planning to dredge the harbour, as Honor objects to this. With the practice of witchcraft rife in neighbouring villages, Honor’s medicinal knowledge of treating ailments using herbs is soon found out and she is blamed when Gregor’s wife dies due to a plague that descends upon the town. Gregor ultimately accuses her of witchcraft and she soon has to decide if she is going to run away in the night with her daughter to stay safe or be caught.
The present-day story shares about newly divorced Tess Blyth who has moved to Thistle Cottage with her teenage daughter, Jemima from Edinburgh. Tess is escaping from her past filled with scandal when her husband is caught for sexual assault, to restart a new life with her daughter. Tess and Jemima decide to stay incognito but adapt to local life. They soon discover about Honor and Alice as well as the history of the cottage when Jemima undertakes a history project.
Will Tess and Jemima be safe in their new home? Will Honor and Alice survive the nasty Gregor and his witchhunt? …
I loved that the book is set in dual timeline and found the characters really intriguing as it follows both the mothers’ and daughters’. The author Barret, creates a lovely story that is not only believable but hauntingly captivating and pulls the reader into their lives and predicament. The story proves that modern-day witch hunts still happen as they did in the 17th century. This is definitely a great book to add to your summer reading list!
How much is the book and how can you buy it?
The eBook is available on Amazon at £2.99 while the paperback edition retails for £7.37. Do check the website for the latest price as this might change)
About the author
Kerry Barrett was a bookworm from a very early age and did a degree in English Literature, then trained as a journalist, writing about everything from pub grub to EastEnders. Her first novel, Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, took six years to finish and was mostly written in longhand on her commute to work, giving her a very good reason to buy beautiful notebooks. Kerry lives in London with her husband and two sons, and Noel Streatfeild’s Ballet Shoes is still her favourite novel.
About the book
ASIN : B0923TKWTN
Publisher : HQ Digital
File size : 1807 KB
Print length : 347 pages
You may also want to read this:
eBook Review: The Therapist by B A Paris
eBook Review: The Invitation by A.M. Castle
eBook Review: The War Girls by Rosie James
* Disclaimer: We were given a copy of the book in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
23 comments
A new e-book to download and I love a good witch hunt style storyline. This sounds like a great one to add to my kindle.
It absolutely is and the price is reasonable as well
Thanks for this thorough review of this e-book. I am looking for something to bring on vacation, and think I found it!
So glad that we have helped you pick a suitable book
I can’t wait to read this one. Sounds like something I’d love.
Hope you get to add it to your reading list
I enjoy finding a new ebook to enjoy- it is such a convenient format and I feel a more eco option. The witchcraft storyline sounds gripping!
It certainly was gripping Melanie, I loved the story line
I really do love books with witchcraft themes so this is one I’m sure I’d enjoy. I love that she uses natural medicines like I do.
How lovely that you shared that Melanie
This caught my interest. A good book to read during your free time.
Absolutely or to take during your staycation holiday
Sounds like a great book! I love reading new books.
Reading is so relaxing and more people should do it
It sure is, I enjoyed reading it
Sounds like a great story to read! I love fantasy books so this is one I’ll definitely be checking out!
It sure is worth reading this ebook
Ah the unforgiving glare of the media. That does sound familiar. We hear about that all of the time. Thanks for the book intro!
You are welcome, it does show you the good and bad what the media can do to someone
What an interesting topic for a book! I can’t image a time where women didn’t have any real role and then to suddenly get all of this sort of power sounds captivating.
I agree, and men just blame intelligent and gifted women as witches..it was a strange time indeed
I love the history of witchcraft and the idea of fiction books about it, but I don’t think I’ve ever read one like this. I love the idea of a dual timeline, that sounds interesting x
It is an interesting story and the theme and dual timeline makes it even more enticing to read