The Cornish Witch by Elena Collins is a beautiful dual-timeline novel combining historical fiction, mystery, and a little supernatural set against the atmospheric backdrop of Cornwall. Contemporary Megan makes her way to windswept St Mawgen Cove village following a cryptic letter being received by her father. She remains at the historic Ship Inn and becomes sensitive to eerie noises and lingering ghosts. We also follow Susanna and her daughter Katel in 1625: Susanna, a healer from a small fishing community, becomes increasingly suspect and targeted as news of witchcraft spreads following a series of ill fortune.

Collins excels at establishing a sharp sense of place. The seaside setting—ranging from atmospheric coves to the vengeful inn—is conjured vividly, so that the setting itself is akin to a character. The converging timelines are well-timed, gradually disclosing the ways in which historical injustices reverberate into contemporary life. Megan's story is gripping and readable, driven by her compulsion to right family secrets, and the 17th-century tale is moving and suspenseful, exploring community scapegoating and maternal sacrifice

I really, really wanted to enjoy this book more because many of the elements to this story were really atmospheric and spooky, but I think Elena Collins tried to include too many intersecting plotlines and it sadly made the book drag too much for me. This book has dual timeline POVs switching between Megan in the present and Susanne in 1625. In the present Megan has just discovered her father has a secret daughter from before he met her mother and she lives in a small village called St. Mawgen Cove in Cornwall, so she decides to take a holiday there to try and find her half sister. In the other timeline we follow Susanne in St. Mawgen in the past as her life gets more and more chaotic, she is a healer in the village but has competition from another healer who deals more in darker arts and possibly even black magic too, and this other healer has her hooks in Susanne's daughter Katel. The storyline switches between the two, mixing together two mysteries, one of Megan's family and the other of the history of the fishing village and all of the misfortunate they suffered.

There were aspects of this story that I enjoyed but also quite a bit I would criticise. Firstly, the ghostly old wive's tales and ghost stories about the Waiting Witch, Drenched Man and Weeping Woman in the modern times were really fascinating and I wanted to learn more about them and how they came to haunt the cliffs and rooms at The Ship Inn - the way the historical timeline slowly revealed who was who was really well done and it ended up being a heartbreaking story. I found myself more connected to the historical plot because that story felt far more interesting to me, I love a good tale of witches, especially when it highlights the bad behaviour of men who accuse women of witchcraft due to their own insecurites and guilt. Susanne was a kind and loving woman who cared deeply about her daughter and community, always trying to do the best by everyone and never had a bad word to say, even about the people who were making her life difficult. Katel was an emotional and frustrating teenager, as most teens are, who made some really bad decisions and trusted the wrong people, but her story of finding love was touching even if it was a little bit fantastical. I really liked the setting and seeing how the village worked back in those days too.

Unfortunately, I did find it quite superficial and repetitive though, and the present timeline felt a little bit too crowded and disconnected for my liking. In both timelines certain information is repeated multiple times and it starts to get a little bit much after a while, and I didn't really feel any connection to the characters on a deeper level because the story was told in a relatively detached sort of manner. In the present times, I wish the story had focused more on Megan unravelling the mysteries of the past and possibly how that could've connected to her family or something along those lines, but instead this timeline read a bit like a Hallmark movie where the out of towner sweeps in, becomes best friends with everyone far too quickly and helps save the local inn from failing as a business. This side of the storyline was far too focused on following Megan as she went surfing multiple times and finding out what she ate for each meal, and the subplot of finding her half sister didn't really serve the storyline as well as it could've, in fact it felt mostly forgetten for most of the book, which was annoying when the slow start of the story focused so much on this plot point. The addition of the romance with Patrick also felt like it was added on last minute and moved far too quickly to feel genuine to me.

Overall, I could see hints at a really interesting and entertaining story within this book but I think it was hidden under far too many mostly irrelevant subplots. I wish this story had just been a good ghost story, with a bit more omph to it to really get my heart racing and feel the fear the villagers were feeling in both timelines instead of focusing so much on Megan's day to day life. I also wish we'd gotten a deeper connection to the characters so that we could really feel the romance, the mystery and spookiness all combined together. I loved the vibes of this book, but I just don't think it was executed quite as well as it could've been and for that I am really disappointed. I think you might like this if you enjoyed Where The Crawdads Sing or possibly The Lost Apothecary - but don't expect it to be quite as good as those unfortunately, I am saddened to say. A big thank you to the author, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this.

This is a brilliant dual timeline read
A real page turner filled with intrigue!
A story where events from centuries past
Have impacts on a community that last.

Smugglers, healers and witchcraft, too,
Romance and drama, lots of things to do!
How can they impact what's happening now?
Megan's determined to find out somehow!

A holiday with the hope of surfing and sun
Megan's hoping for waves and fun.
She's also seeking a link to her family, too,
But with ghosts around, what should she do?

I'm impressed with how this book flows so well
With the dual timeline and so much to tell!
Romances in both eras and surprises, too,
Separate but brought together before all is through.

A superb story with drama and more
With characters, history and mystery to explore
I really enjoyed this all the way through
And have no hesitation highly recommending it to you.

For my copy of this book I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

Thank you to the publishers, Net Galley and the author for the opportunity to review. My review opinions are my own.

This is a atmospheric story told beautifully in dual timelines of the 1600's and present day. The characters are vibrant and come alive to the reader. The setting of a English coastal village adds to the rich story

The 1600's takes the reader to a time of witch hunts and a powerful healer desperate to survive for her daughter. When events arise that cast suspicions on them they are at risk. In present day a young surfer comes to the village to find her long lost half sister for her Father. She stays in a ancient mysterious haunted inn that leads her to investigate the witch hunts after several hauntings and stories from the local people. The two come together in a unexpected and exciting conclusion.
The writing is so well crafted I found myself reading to the conclusion. This is a must read. I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment.

This author is one of the authors I discovered thanks to NetGalley. I was not disappointed by this new book. I liked the new setting, Cornwall feels quite fascinating and different. Also the characters were interesting. At first I thought they were too esoteric for my taste, but it was not the way I couldn’t cope with. And even though I am not a surfer myself I quite liked the scenes including surfing. So I must say, I liked the book a lot.

1625, Susanna and her daughter help the local community with healing and births. But they are vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft. Present day, Megan heads to Cornwall to search for her half sister but discovers the local ghosts first...
The Cornish Witch is a dual timeline novel set in Cornwall in the 1600s and present day.
Ahhhh I loved this book!
Megan is shocked to find out she has a half sister and goes to meet her. She stays at an old inn where the ghosts of the Weeping Woman and the Drenched Man are driving guests away. Local men are also afraid of the Waiting Witch whose kiss results in immediate death.
Meanwhile, in the 1625 timeline, Susanna is teaching her daughter Katel how to be a healer and midwife. But Katel is more tempted by the dark magic of Tedda, leading to conflict with her mother and fears for her safety.
I adored the witchcraft elements (as you may remember, my dissertation was on witchcraft in Tudor England) and the spooky ghost angle. The connection between the ghosts and the historic figures was obvious but the exact formulation wasn't fully revealed until the end.
Both timelines were equally well developed and emotionally driven. The historical aspect had been thoroughly researched and felt authentic. The themes of womanhood and family are central to the book as Megan seeks to bring peace to the past and the present.
The Cornish Witch is an excellent, engaging, and emotional book.

Elena Collins's "The Cornish Witch" is an enthralling historical novel that masterfully interweaves past and present, providing an enchanting journey to the center of Cornish mystery and folklore. Set against dual timelines: 1625, in which Susanna and her daughter Katel, healers in a small fishing community, are increasingly accused of witchcraft; and the present day, when Megan finds herself in St Mawgen Cove seeking to unravel a family secret dating back centuries.

The author skilfully establishes an atmospheric backdrop, and Cornwall's storm-battered cliffs, ancient hostels, and whispering coves take on a character of their own. The Ship Inn, where Megan lodges, is especially well-realized, its spooky atmosphere heightened by stories of restless ghosts and a crying woman. Megan's journey into the local myths and paranormal activity gradually uncovers the tragic history that happened to Susanna and Katel.

The book is at its best when tracing the themes of the abiding strength of motherly love, the risk of superstition, and the inevitability of unresolved injustice seeping into the present day. The historical account of Susanna and Katel is poignant and engaging, presenting a vivid portrait of persecution directed towards women during the 17th century. At the same time, Megan's journey in the contemporary era of trying to solve the mystery infuses the book with a gripping component of suspense and individual self-discovery.

Whereas the pacing is slow build, this permits a satisfying depth of characters and a slow reveal of secrets so that the eventual merging of the timelines is utterly rewarding. "The Cornish Witch" is an engrossing read for anyone interested in historical fiction, mystery, and supernatural fiction, and it delivers a moving mix of human drama and haunting folklore.

This book was such an incredible and enjoyable read. It has it all - historical fiction, witchcraft, love, finding yourself, betrayal. There are so many elements to this book that made it very difficult to put down.

It starts off a little slowly as the characters are being introduced, as well as the two worlds in two time periods. But it soon starts to run along to the end. My emotions were all over the place reading this book. From joy to wonder to heartbroken and then back to joy. When I got to the 70% stage I could not put it down and actually walked around the house glued to my phone so I didn't have to part with this fabulous story.

In this fantastic book we meet two women from different time periods. Susanna is living in the Cornish village of St Mawgen Cove in 1625, a time when belief and fear of witchcraft is very prevalent. She lives alone with her teenage daughter Katel, Susanna is the local healer, and trusted by everyone in the village. But trust starts to fade when strange things start to happen to the citizens. Katel has come under the influence of a local women who many people believe to be a witch and suspicion starts to land on the doorstep of Susanna and Katel.

In modern day St Mawgen Cove Megan is enjoying a surfing holiday while staying at the local hotel, believed by many to be haunted by The Drenched Man and the Weeping Woman. She is intrigued by the stories about these two ghosts, and by the local tale of the witch who watches and waits.

Are these two stories connected? Read this fantastic book to find out.

When you think of Cornwall as written in the books, it's al about, cliffs, smugglers and witches and this book delivered. I loved Susanna, she's an amazing healer, mom and friend. Her heartache and heartbreaks are written so well. The historical details in the book were well researched and descriptive.

Overall this was a phenomenal book.

#TheCornishWitch #NetGalley

Graced with a pretty cover, the novel The Cornish Witch has big ambitions using two timelines, a historic one and a modern one. If you love the movie "Practical Magic", you will be tempted by the blurb here.
I was initially drawn into the story because of the emotional drama triggered by the family secret surrounding Megan's dad. It prompts the lead character to go to Cornwall to meet that mystery half-sister, but oddly enough it's completely put on the back burner until the last quarter of the novel. Megan goes about her holiday and even enjoys a little romance of her own. It felt a bit odd to have such developments considering why she went there in the first place. And in the end, she finds out that she'd already met that long-lost sister without realising it (too convenient and quick a resolve, in my opinion). What first started as a major shift in her life sort of ends up being a mere excuse...
The atmosphere and the folklore of the past timeline was interesting, but it wasn't as gripping as I was hoping it to be. The pace from one timeline to the other was uneven, and it failed to keep me riveted consistently.
Great premise, but not convinced by the overall execution.

I absolutely adored this duel timeline book! It weaves together great stories from two different time periods (17th century and modern day) with perfect balance and development of the characters. The way the chapters and "sections" are presented makes it easy to follow and I completely stayed engaged; this is not often the case with time=slip type books and was something I appreciated.

The fact that there are elements of spooky, suspense, witch craft, cozyness, family and history hit all high notes for me. Now, if you are an HF snob, this may not be the book for you. But if you are looking for a great book that is cozy, well told and has you craving a haunted 17th century inn at the coast...PICK THIS ONE UP!

Elena Collins weaves a haunting dual-timeline tale in The Cornish Witch, blending historical tragedy with modern-day redemption. When Megan arrives in St Mawgen Cove to uncover a family secret, she’s drawn into the centuries-old story of Susanna and Katel—a mother and daughter branded as witches by their superstitious village.

Collins excels at atmosphere, painting Cornwall’s rugged cliffs and whispering inns with gothic allure. The 1625 storyline is particularly gripping, a poignant exploration of maternal love and persecution. However, the present-day mystery lacks the same urgency, with Megan’s investigation sometimes feeling secondary to the historical plot.

While the pacing wobbles between timelines, the emotional payoff is satisfying. Collins’ research into witch trials and local lore shines, and the themes of injustice and resilience resonate deeply.

The Cornish Witch by Elena Collins is a beautifully told story that explores the fierce power of a mother’s love and the sacrifices one makes to protect family. With a touch of magic woven throughout, this novel strikes a perfect balance between heart and witchy intrigue. As someone who loves stories with magical elements, I was immediately drawn into the world Collins created. The characters are vibrant, relatable, and full of depth, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys.

This was my first time reading anything by Elena Collins, and I was thoroughly impressed by her engaging writing style and ability to blend emotion with just the right amount of humour. The story moves at a lovely pace, building both tension and warmth in equal measure. The Cornish Witch is a heartfelt and enchanting read that will stay with you long after the final page—perfect for fans of historical fiction with a magical twist.

I just finished The Cornish Witch by Elena Collins and here are my musings.

Megan goes to St Mawgen Cove for a vacation… and to get to the bottom of a family secret that has been haunting her father for decades… Things go awry from the moment she arrives. The inn is haunted… The legends are many and the stories of witchcraft if toe curling… There is a dark history in the cove… Can Megan bring peace to the past so it stops destroying the future?

It took me a while to get into the past timeline. It wasn’t interesting to begin with and honestly, I was more intrigued with what Megan was up to and why she was at the cove. The past did get really exciting about half way through though and actually was more entertaining than Megan haha

The writing style was really solid. I got sucked right into the story and I was so invested in it, I stayed up past my bedtime and I hate doing that haha!

It was all really well done and worked well together. Like I said, my only gripe was how mundane the past was but it’s necessary for you to know the story. Now the pace was a bit slow, I needed a faster trot but honestly, it worked for me anyway.

Definitely one of the best reads of the month.

4.5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @theboldbookclub for it gifted copy


#historcalfiction #gothicread #gothicbook #gothicreader #bookreview #bookclub #bookishbanter #booklover
#ghoststory #thecornishwitch #boldwoodbooks #elenacollins #bookalorian #netgalley

If you’re a fan of witchy reads with a touch of historical intrigue, The Cornish Witch is a captivating choice. This dual-timeline novel transports readers back to 1625, weaving together the intense and often harrowing lives of Susanna and her daughter Katel, alongside a present-day storyline that, while less gripping, adds a modern twist to the tale.

For me, the 1625 timeline truly stole the show. Susanna and Katel’s journey is rich with atmosphere, capturing the wild spirit of Cornwall with a vivid, almost cinematic quality. Their struggles against suspicion, fear and the harsh realities of their time pulled me in from the start, making each chapter feel like a spellbinding piece of living history. The author does a fantastic job of immersing you in their world where whispers of witchcraft echo against the rugged coastline.

While the present-day storyline didn’t quite match the intensity of the historical sections, it still brought some enjoyable moments, especially with its eerie, spirit-laden atmosphere. The ghostly presences that linger between the centuries added a haunting edge that I appreciated, binding the two timelines together in a satisfying if somewhat predictable way.

Overall, if you’re drawn to stories that blend past and present, with a healthy dose of folklore and witchcraft, this one is well worth a read. Just be prepared to find yourself more enchanted by the old world than the new.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read an eARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this latest book from Elena. Dual time-line and full of magic, spells and witches. She always delivers and this was one of her best. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This is a beautiful story about a mother's love for her child and the lengths one will go to protect their family. Set in both the past and present, this story tells the tale of St Mawgen Cove. In the 1600s, single mother Susanna is doing her best to raise her daughter and be a healer to the cove while avoiding a dark woman of power trying to corrupt her daughter. Megan has come to the cove for vacation and to uncover a family secret, but a lot is happening there. Men are dying, the inn is haunted, and a waiting witch watches from the cliffs. Can Megan solve the riddles of the past and lay the spirits to rest, or are they bound to be forever restless? I loved this story and invested in both the past and the present. It was a fun read that had me guessing what would happen next.

This is my first time reading anything by Elena Collins or Judy Leigh but it certainly won’t be the last!

Firstly this appealed to me because of witches and the paranormal and secondly because I always loved visiting Cornwall. The writing was spell bounding but I struggled a little with the dual timeline but I really enjoyed Katel and Susanna’s story.

Megan's father gets a letter out the blue, something from his past. Megan decides to take a holiday in Cornwall, a village called St Mawgen Cove and whilst there will help out her father. Staying in The Ship in things go a little spooky. 1625, Susanna lives with her daughter Katel. She is a healer and it's not long before there are rumours of witchcraft and Susanna and Katel are not safe.

I really like this book. I'm always up for a dual timeline story especially if there is a little bit of witchy.

Cornwall is the perfect setting for the story with it's own tales of smugglers and ghosts. It reminded me of Jamaica Inn and this was mentioned a couple of times.

The story of Susanna and Katel was my favourite part of the story. I especially enjoyed all the witchy elements and the smuggling. Megan's story I found a little sugary, especially with the predictable romance. This however did not spoil the story at all. Best of all I enjoyed the village of St Mawgen Cove. It had plenty of ghosts, superstitions and tales of smugglers.

I also have to mention the sea shanties. Scan the QR code and take a listen. It's very haunting.

This is the first time reading a book by the author. I will seek out more and do have a copy of The Witching Tree on my kindle, and a copy of The Wicked Lady.

I did receive a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for review.

I love a witchy book and split timelines so this one was pretty much guaranteed to be a winner for me.
Beautifully written and a really enjoyable story that I struggled to put down.