The Lighthouse Witches Review

Hello, all!

I'm ready for some spooky reads, so I was browsing my library shelves and came across The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke, and figured I'd give it a go.

Pub Date: 10-5-21
Adult - Fantasy/Thriller

Liv is a single mother trying to make ends meet for her and her three daughters. When she's given a commission to paint a mural in a lighthouse on a remote Scottish island, she's eager to make a fresh start for her family. Soon after they arrive, two of Liv's daughters go missing, and she discovers the caves below the lighthouse have a frightening history. The lighthouse stands atop the place where many women of the town were wrongfully convicted and murdered for being witches hundreds of years ago. The townspeople believe the witches put a curse on the island and warn Liv about wildlings-- supernatural beings who mimic lost children.

Twenty-two years later, Luna, Liv's daughter, has never stopped searching for her missing mother or sisters. When she receives a call that her youngest sister, Clover, has been found, Luna is thrilled. Clover is the sister Luna remembers, only she's still seven years old instead of a grown woman. How has she returned? Where was she? Could she be a wildling? Luna will have to return to the island that caused so much grief if she's to have any hope of discovering what truly happened to her family.

Honestly, I feel pretty neutral about this book. It wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible either. It just was. It had an interesting concept, and I liked how it was told in alternating timelines. We also follow a lot of different perspectives, and I appreciated seeing the story unfold from all the characters. Although, it did get a little confusing at times keeping everything straight. Cooke's writing was detailed, and I loved all the descriptions of this small Scottish island. It helped drive home the creepy atmosphere. Overall, I liked the paranormal vibes, but there was just something lacking for me.

Rating: 3/5