Book Broadcast: The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox

Book Broadcast is a post I have created to help ease the load of the books I have for review. It is a great way to spread the word, providing recognition to an author or publisher for sending me a book to review. As my reviewing and blogging duties have stepped up a notch in the last year, I don’t often have the time to complete an in depth review. I hope you can discover some new titles to read through this regular book post.

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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, a remnant of a dark history that calls 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…

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With Halloween fast approaching (house decorations are up in our street) I thought now might be exactly the right time to indulge in a book that caught my eye in a bookstore. The Witch of Willow Hall is the debut novel written by Hester Fox. It is set in the New England region of Massachusetts, in the 1820s, after the defining Salem witch trials. In fact, the links this book makes to the Salem witch trials was one of the reasons why I chose to read this non review book. I studied The Crucible by Arthur Miller in high school and completed a history unit in my university degree that covered the Salem witch trials. I find this point in history fascinating. The Witch of Willow Hall, is about a family, the Montroses, who flee to the area of the Salem witch trials, after a scandal engulfs them in Boston. What follows is middle child Lydia’s path of self discovery, as her new home ignites her supernatural powers as a witch. Along the way, Lydia negotiates a wicked sister, a villain and a new romance with her father’s new business associate, the dashing but brooding John Barrett. Lydia also suffers a catastrophic loss, which eventually serves to make her stronger and accept her destiny. The period detail is exact in this great work of historical fiction. Hester Fox ensures that she includes all the necessary social etiquettes, moral codes and social practices, to make this a believable historical tale. The romance is one of the best aspects of the story, which reminded me of classic novels penned by the Bronte sisters. While the character development for the leads was faultless, the side characters were often kept at arm’s length. If you are a fan of historical romances, historical fiction, the history of witchcraft, the supernatural or gothic novels, this one will hit the spot. The Witch of Willow Hall has just enough creepy and dark atmosphere to enhance your Halloween reading experience!

The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox was published on 24th September 2018 by Harlequin – Mira. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.

Learn more about the author of The Witch of Willow Hall, Hester Fox here.