Publisher: Berkley Books
Published: October 5, 2021
Source: Netgalley via Publisher
Summary:
Two sisters go missing on a remote Scottish island. Twenty years later, one is found–but she’s still the same age as when she disappeared. The secrets of witches have reached across the centuries in this chilling Gothic thriller from the author of the acclaimed The Nesting.
When single mother Liv is commissioned to paint a mural in a 100-year-old lighthouse on a remote Scottish island, it’s an opportunity to start over with her three daughters–Luna, Sapphire, and Clover. When two of her daughters go missing, she’s frantic. She learns that the cave beneath the lighthouse was once a prison for women accused of witchcraft. The locals warn her about wildlings, supernatural beings who mimic human children, created by witches for revenge. Liv is told wildlings are dangerous and must be killed.
Twenty-two years later, Luna has been searching for her missing sisters and mother. When she receives a call about her youngest sister, Clover, she’s initially ecstatic. Clover is the sister she remembers–except she’s still seven years old, the age she was when she vanished. Luna is worried Clover is a wildling. Luna has few memories of her time on the island, but she’ll have to return to find the truth of what happened to her family. But she doesn’t realize just how much the truth will change her.
My thoughts:
C.J. Cooke is still a relatively new author to me, having only discovered her books last year when I read The Nesting, which I absolutely loved! As soon as I saw she had a new book out, I immediately requested it and I’m so happy to say it was another deliciously chilling gothic thriller that I cannot recommend enough!
Much like The Nesting, I once again binge-read this book in a day. It completely captivated me and I found myself totally immersed in the story. I was totally hooked and while there are some really creepy parts to this book, there are some other parts that are just totally lyrical that really lulled me into this story. It is so completely atmospheric that I felt like I was right there in the Scotland highland with the characters – I place, I might add, that I would love to visit one day!
I loved the characters and how it was told with three alternating timelines. While it may seem like it would be confusing it is not at all as they have such distinct voices, and I loved how it all came together in the end. There are elements of gothic vibes and local legend and it all combines to tell such a chilling tale, and it really is the perfect story for right now. I have always been fascinated with tales of witch trials and loved how the author wove that into this story. There is a history to the lighthouse and that combined with the witch trials and the missing girls just kept me glued to the pages.
Once again, C.J. Cooke has knocked it out of the park with her latest book…and her timing with this one could not have been more perfect time – just as we begin our fall season and are craving these dark, spooky reads. I loved this one and know that I will certainly be recommending it to all my thriller-loving friends that love dark, chilling reads.
