The Last Witch is a powerful blend of history, horror, and folklore that left me unsettled in the best way. C.J. Cooke brings Helena Scheuberin’s story vividly to life, showing how quickly fear and misogyny could turn neighbors into accusers and women into prisoners. The atmosphere is suffocating, the prison scenes are raw, and the injustice is maddening, which is exactly why this book works so well.

Set in Austria during the 1400’s, The Last Witch follows the tale of real life accused, Helena Scheuberin as she is accused of witchcraft by future author of the Malleus Maleficarum, Heinrich Kramer.

C.J.Cooke has cleverly crafted a story, taking actual events, describing the horror that accused women of this era faced, adding an element of the supernatural, creating added tension to a tale that already portrays the sickening practices used by Kramer during his persecution of women during this time.

Some aspects are uncomfortable to read, particularly in the opening chapter in which a girl the age of 6 is accused. However, the story is well told and I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A 4 star rating from me. Loved the plot and the storytelling and relatable, likable characters. Loved every single second reading it.

The Last Witch by C J Cooke

A compelling story of prejudice, power and persecution, based on true events taking place in Austria in the 1400’s.
This evokes feelings of righteous anger often experienced when reading the witch trials, historical or fiction based.
A monk and enforcer for the Catholic Church Heinrich Kramer, sweeps through the Austrian towns persecuting women and children for his own sadistic pleasure. Under the guise of a papal edict from Pope innocent III, Kramer’s weakness for misogyny, torture and violence are clearly motives to seek out so called witches.
Kramer arrives in Innsbruck the home of Helena Scheuberin a wealthy woman married to a domineering but weak husband.
What unfolds is a story of Kramers fear mongering tactics encouraging petty vindictiveness amongst the town people, pitting neighbour against neighbour.
It is also the story of the courage of the women accused, who face a patriarchal system designed to subjugate and oppress them.
Elements of the supernatural and magical folklore are present, which prevents this story from being weighed down by such a heavy subject matter.
The harrowing re-telling of the accused women of Innsbruck is all the more heart-breaking because of our knowledge on historical witch trials and the many subsequent stories of the ones who survived and the many who did not.

A real page turner of a book, I will definitely be reading books from C J Cooke’s backlist.

‘Get ready for the rage’!

For people who like:
* Medieval European historical fiction
Historical Witch Trials
A hint of the supernatural and magical folklore

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Note : Heinrich Kramer is the author of the Malleus Maleficarum - which later become a how-to-guide for Witch Finders and anyone with a deeply unpleasant disposition.

The Last Witch is historical horror at its most immersive, blending rich period detail with a story steeped in suspense, folklore, and fierce feminism. Inspired by real events, it follows Helena Scheuberin, a young wife in fifteenth century Innsbruck whose life unravels when she is accused of both murder and witchcraft. Once a woman of privilege, she is thrown into a grim prison alongside six other accused women, her fate seemingly sealed by the malice of a priest determined to see her condemned.

Cooke’s prose is vivid and sensory. You feel the damp chill of the prison walls, hear the echo of boots on cobbles, and sense the creeping dread of an unjust trial. Yet beyond the haunting atmosphere lies the heart of the book: Helena’s unyielding will to stand against cruelty and the crushing weight of misogyny. The story becomes not only a tense and eerie mystery but also a poignant exploration of women’s resilience in the face of systemic oppression.

The supernatural thread, a cursed witch totem in the form of a severed hand and the ghostly possessions that follow, is woven seamlessly into the historical backdrop, enhancing the sense of danger and inevitability. However, it is Helena’s psychological journey that lingers most. She is intelligent, courageous and defiant, a heroine whose voice demands to be heard.

C.J. Cooke has once again delivered a tale that is both chilling and deeply human. With its combination of historical authenticity, gothic tension and emotional depth, The Last Witch stands as one of her most powerful works to date.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Set in 15th century Austria, when women were considered the property of men and the only role allowed to them was housekeeping and raising children. This is a dark and chilling tale inspired by real events of what happened to women who didn’t live by these rules and dared to speak out. It’s also a tale of religious zeal and the abuse of power.

A witch finder, Father Heinrich Kramer, approved to carry out inquisitions by the Pope has arrived in the peaceful city of Innsbruck to hunt out witches. Many people with gripes against women, came to him with accusations of witchcraft, such as causing their crops to fail or to cause someone to die. Helena Schueberin was one such woman, whose only crime was daring to speak out. Along with six other women accused of witchcraft, she was imprisoned and tortured in a dungeon before even coming to trial.

Helena was from the upper class of society and her courage in refusing to give in to Kramer’s demands despite the horrors he inflicted on her was inspiring. The historical research is extensive and the writing is powerful and often graphic as these ordinary women face injustice in the name of religion. The scenes of the townspeople turning from their peaceful lives, to becoming a horde screaming for the ‘witches’ to be put to death were particularly shocking. This is one of the best historical novels that I’ve read and I highly recommend it, especially to those who enjoy historical fiction based on real people and events.

2.5 star read for me, book wasn't really my cup of tea but I did enjoy the writers writing style as it was easy to follow along with the story

‘Each time a women stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women’

I am a huge fan of CJ Cooke. If you want well researched and expertly written books about witches (amongst many other areas) then look no further! However please be aware that these books will make you angry at how women were treated by the patriarchy and the consequences of misogyny that has been rife throughout the ages. CJ Cooke has reclaimed the voices of women who were often forgotten. She has become a autobuy author me and has absolutely smashed it out the park with this book.

I recognise I'm very much in the minority here but I couldn't get into this story. The early chapters didn't draw me into the story unfortunately and I DNF around 20%. All the other reviews I've read are glowing however! So do give this one a try, it just wasn't for me

C.J. Cooke has cast her spell on me with her wonderful and beautiful writing of The Last Witch! Once I was bewitched, I had a hard time putting this gripping, mesmerizing, chilling, dark, chilling, and atmospheric book down! This is the 5th book I have read by C.J. Cooke, and I can't wait to read more of her addictive, thought provoking and beautifully written books.

The Last Witch transported me to a time where women had no rights. They were considered the property of their fathers and then their husbands. They were considered to be the weaker sex and yet they were feared. Or shall I say, whomever was accused of being a witch was feared! It was a time where anyone could accuse someone else of being a witch and the accused person would be whisked away, tortured, and tried for performing witchcraft. While Helena is imprisoned with the other woman, another woman accused shows a cursed witch totem she smuggled in, a ghostly presence is seen and experienced.

Helena Scheuberin is accused of being a witch and taken from her life of luxury to a life chained up with other women and plunged into a world of darkness, pain, devastating loss, and horrific conditions. Father Kramer has made it his mission to rid the world of witches, and he will not be deterred in his mission.

This book was dripping with atmosphere, tension, dread, and danger. I found this book to be not only gripping but thought provoking as well. I was appalled at those who so easily accused others of being witches and how people came out in droves to watch the trials, torture, and executions of the women. I was angered at the evil men who abused their power and hid behind their religious cloaks.

I also couldn't help but wonder, why no one alive during the witch trials wondered why the accused witches didn't use their powers to free themselves? They were accused of causing crops to fail, children to die, and using all kinds of magic. If they could do all of that then surely, they could free themselves or use some magic to get free. Was that question ever raised????

I couldn't help but be angered by the injustice of it all. Outspoken women, those who used herbs, widowed women, or women who walked to their own beat, were tragically killed for being 'witches'. Where did the true evil lie? Not in the innocent women and children who were put to death but in those who pointed their fingers in those women's direction and by the power hungry and evil men who tortured and killed in the name of God.

C.J. Cooke did a tremendous job of setting the scene. Her beautiful and vivid descriptions had me feeling as if I was right there amongst the women as they tried to survive. I applaud C.J. Cooke for creating characters that I cared for and characters I loathed. It is obvious that she did a tremendous amount of research, and it paid off with this incredible book.

Beautifully written, dark, atmospheric, thought provoking and hard to put down! If you have not read a book by C.J. Cooke, do yourself a favor and put this one on your reading list.

Highly Recommend.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this and have already pre-ordered it, as I did with the last one I read by this author. It's a fascinating yet horrifying subject to read about, and what these women went through.

The Last Witch by C.J. Cooke is a powerful and haunting work of historical fiction that lingered long in my mind after the final page. Drawing on the true story of Helena Scheuberin - an outspoken woman in the 15th-century Innsbruck accused of witchcraft by the notorious Heinrich Kramer - this is a novel that grips with both its emotional intensity and its meticulous historical detail.

Helena's voice is the beating heart of this story, Intelligent, defiant, and unwilling to bow to a man like Kramer, she stands as a stark contrast to the era's brutal silencing of women. Imprisoned alongside six other women in cold, unforgiving conditions, she is forced into a world where survival is uncertain.

This is more than just a story about a witch trial, it's a story about resilience, truth, and the power of refusing to be silenced. A totally unforgettable, harrowing and beautifully written novel that I can't recommend highly enough.

The Last Witch by C.J. Cooke is a gripping historical novel that follows Helena, a woman imprisoned alongside six others in a harsh 15th-century prison in Innsbruck. The confined space becomes the setting for a tension-filled story when a cursed witch totem appears among the prisoners, stirring fear, suspicion, and dangerous desire for its power.

Helena’s journey is the emotional core of the story. She is an intelligent, outspoken woman caught in a loveless marriage and a society quick to label her a witch. Her struggle to regain agency and voice amidst betrayal and injustice is portrayed with striking honesty. The imprisoned women, along with figures in the contemporary storyline, create a complex web of alliances and power struggles, blurring victim and perpetrator roles. Their interactions add depth to Helena’s development, making her increasing resilience and quiet defiance compelling and real.

The novel deals with vital themes such as persecution, silencing women, and historic violence reverberating into the present world today. It highlights fears and oppressions tied to "otherness" and women's continuing struggle for autonomy. Permeating tension and terror is an eerie supernatural chilliness, while underscoring urgent and believable themes. These elements craft a story mirroring modern societal problems, and, by extension, systemic gender violence and cycles of trauma.
C.J. Cooke’s writing is clear and immersive, balancing moments of quiet despair with rising tension. It beckons us to reflect on how fear and violence against women are continuing and how resilience rises from oppression. Mixing historical detail with supernatural suspense creates an intense, memorable read.

But what makes The Last Witch so special is how it entwines historical fact with psychological concept, crafting an intense and haunting tale of injustice and survival. It calls into question the past violence in their present and how women continue to fight the retelling of their stories. Edgy with ambiance and dynamic characters, this novel draws readers into a world that has been stormed by history and the complexities of humanity.

Drawing on real events, this historical horror paints a bright picture of female power amidst a vast, dark landscape of female disempowerment, a thrilling addition to witcherature and silenced voices from the past.

From the moment I started reading this book I couldn’t stop. I loved how the characters came to life for me and a read: It flowed well and had me crying as I continued to read. It shares so much that women had to go through.

Absolutely love the way the author researches and uses real experiences of witch trials but then also adds fiction to make an amazing gripping story. Loved every minute of reading this.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this book from start to finish. The writing style and pace kept me hooked and the rage I felt on the behalf of these women was something else.

There is a slight supernatural element to this book however for me the real horrors is what was inflicted on these women by real people.

Knowing that this based on real people just adds to the horror and the true evil in this book is Heinrich Kramer.

This is a story about Helena Scheuberin and how she along with 6 other women were accused of witchcraft by Kramer and their treatment and trial afterwards.

C. J. Cooke has brought the story of Helena to life and the horrors that women were faced with at the time when all it took was an accusation to see you tortured and killed.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

Thank you to NetGalley, C. J. Cooke and Harper Collins Uk for this ARC

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC. The Last Witch is a fascinating and enjoyable read about Helena and her determination and courage after she finds herself accused of witchcraft. Historical with fiction flair I loved reading this book and would love to carry on learning what happened next. I also really enjoyed the information in the afterword. A must read for any fellow witch-loving readers.

For all my fascination with historical witchcraft and the associated witch trials, I had never heard of Helena Scheuberin - the protagonist of The Last Witch, and a real historical figure whose story is linked inextricably with that Heinrich Kramer (also known as the author of the infamous Malleus Maleficarum.

The Last Witch gives a voice to Helena as we witness her thrown into prison after being accused of witchcraft, her subsequent treatment, and eventual trial, with an element of the otherworldly thrown in for good measure.

I loved this novel - and the character of Helena - so much, and found it jarring to return to England in 2025 when I finished the last page; I had been so completely situated in the 1400s and in Innsbruck that it was startling to come back to myself on a sunny afternoon in Derbyshire.

Beautifully written, meticulously researched, and perfectly executed; this is a masterclass in historical fiction.

This book absolutely tore me apart. The injustice and torture endured by the women was truly heartbreaking. C.J Cooke makes you feel like you are walking through a piece of history with the vivid detail.

A powerful, dark, and poignant read based on a true historical event that will sit with me for a while.

A powerful and poignant spotlight on one of darkest times in history.

The Last Witch is a blend of historical fiction and the paranormal but the real horror is in the history. Father Kramer is on a rampage in 15th century Innsbruck and he barely disguises his war against women as a witch hunt, for in his ideology all women are witches. This chilling and compelling novel follows a group of women accused and brought to trial and in particularly, one woman who refused to succomb to Father Kramer's torture and demands for confession.

Graphic scenes portray the horrific brutality of the witch inquisitor, highlighting the terror of this era. Whilst this was hard to swallow, the bravery and ferocity of the main character, Helena, based on a real person was nothing short of heroic and I was in awe of her.  There were beautiful moments of sisterhood, compassion and strength which were all the more moving in the face of such cruel adversity. The Book of Witching had me enraged but this latest one from the author had me in mourning.

After reading all of C J Cooke’s gothic novels, I should really have been prepared for emotional trauma but my jaw hit the floor with this one. The first scene alone was enough to have me in tears. A brilliant masterpiece of witchlit but do not approach this one lightly!