I’m consciously trying to read more horror for the month of October and this novella conveniently appeared on Netgalley, so I downloaded it. Witches are pretty Halloweeny, aren’t they. Well, this kind of fit the bill, but just barely. I mean, there were witches, but the book itself left a lot to be desired. It’s the second disappointing novella from the publishers. They try and do great with art, outside and in, but contents end up so underwhelming somehow. And I say somehow, because it’s actually kind of difficult to define, both novellas, the last one and this one, were technically fine. Just not very interesting or original or engaging in any way. Albeit in their very own separate ways. This one…I’ve read a short story by the author before, her style remains the same no matter the word count, it seems. That style being something along the lines of a gothic romance. You know the ones with cheesy covers, maybe from the 60s or 70s. The novella is very modern and set in present day, but it just has that mood and tone to it. The basic plot is this…a recent widow takes a holiday to refresh the mind in a remote old cottage by the sea her sister has recently renovated for her family. It sounds lovely and relaxing and would have been except that it’s on the witches’ land and they can’t wait to reclaim it. So yeah, it’s pretty traditional fare or witches’s brew if you will, it’s slim and reads quickly, but there’s just not much to it to wow the readers. There’s a sort of torpid muted quality to the storytelling that just doesn’t inspire active engagement, emotional or intellectual. It’s just kind of goes by in a pretty unmemorable fashion. Maybe fans of this style of writing and/or witches will get more out of it. But either way, it’s fine, mindless sort of thing, demanding neither much time nor attention. Thanks Netgalley.

Thank you NetGalley and Silver Shamrock Publishing for the eARC.
Robyn Crowe, who lost her husband 6 months ago and is still grieving has moved to a seaside cottage that her sister and husband have lovingly restored. It doesn't take long for her to realize something is very wrong and she finds out from the village coffee shop owner there's an explanation for the awful foetid smell and the aggressive crow who is intent on attacking her.
This is a story about ancient witches who want revenge and the women who fight them. It was a fun read, not too scary, but with a ominous undertone.