I'm not too sure how I felt about this. It is a very creepy thriller, but the supernatural twists were too far fetched for me. How some if it fitted together was quite confusing as well. I thought the mental health problems, and suicide references were dealt with fairly well. BUT I almost stopped reading when the weather was described as schizophrenic. That's just a NO! I loved the relationships between the children and Lexi/Sophie, but I thought it very strange that Aurelia's death didn't seem to have been investigated properly. Gaia is six years old and is quite clear on what she saw, why was she not asked? #netgalley #thenesting

A thriller with a supernatural twist, The Nesting is a story that will keep the reader turning the pages until they find they’ve read the whole book.. I couldn't put it down myself, a new take on Gothic mystery, I thought this was really gothic and creepy. I found the authors writing and descriptions really good, I really felt like I was in Norway, there were times that it seemed a bit far fetched but I will always give a book a bit of creative licence as your meant to, but I absolutely loved this, a great gothic thriller

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Lexi, needs a new challenge, a fresh start. When she hears the girl on the train talking about a nannying job she finds herself quite randomly pretending to be Sophie and heads off to Norway to be nanny to little Gaia and baby Coco. When she gets there she finds herself in the middle of nowhere, with a reluctant housekeeper, a distant employer and two lovely little kids whose mother sadly and quite tragically recently having committed suicide.

Their dad, Tom is determined to finish his wife Aurelia's dream home even though its tearing him apart. What are the noises Lexi keeps hearing in the basement? Is there more to Aurelia's death than anyone is letting on? I loved the folklore and stories interweaved between the pages, the Norwegian setting, the creepy forest and the feeling that the house is alive.

The story jumps between then and now, so the reader gets the whole picture. I really enjoyed the story and would recommend.

The Nesting is rife with unreliable narrators – not because they’re trying to be tricksy or sly to us, the reader, but because the story strands float and twist in a maelstrom of mental illness, PTSD, unaddressed grief and culture clashes. As each POV is picked up and dropped, the versions of ‘real’ outright contradict each other, leaving the reader wrong-footed. Even the POV of Lexi– a woman who has somehow fluked and lied her way to Norway with a seemingly affluent, if grieving, family, speaks in earnest blunt honesty to the reader, while she endeavours to keep her secrets from the fractured group she now lives with, and uncovers theirs.
A swift recap – Lexie – homeless, lonely, suicidal, lost, somehow wangles her way into a nannying job with a grieving family and their Norwegian cleaner, in Norway – where the wife and mother of the family died in suspicious/sad circumstances sometime earlier. The family are, understandably, haunted by grief – but it becomes apparent that they may have been haunted long before that, by a Nokk, a river spirit, after architect Tom destroyed the ages-old habitat in the woods where they are building: chopping down trees for the best view and moving, and then poisoning, the river.
This is where culture clashes come into play. Cooke does a great job of fleshing out just how a vegan, ecology-conscious, do-no-harm city slicker architect and his wife might still utterly fail to apply their approach to saving the planet to the centuries-old trees and river on their doorstep. Belying my own prejudices here, but Tom and Aurelia are that particular brand of city planet-aware type, wherein they hold themselves, as humans, superior to the eco-system, rather than recognising that they are part of it – in much the same way that they fail to make any effort to integrate or understand the culture of Norway and its respect for that same eco-system. They are very much fish-out-of-water – or if not out of water, then they flopped out of a safe pond and into the sea, but insist seaweed is pondweed. This wilful blindness has very real consequences for them and everyone connected with them and their building projects.
In a less capable writers’ hands, this revenge tale might have fallen flat. Easy enough to root for the Nokk if, say, you’re still raging because your neighbour cut down three beautiful trees (ahem) – but it’s not only Tom and Aurelia facing the consequences of their actions – everyone is affected by the aftershocks, and no matter repentance or good intentions, they are not to be left off the hook as every secret, every insecurity, every immorality is uprooted and exposed. There is not a character in this book that doesn’t have baggage, and that includes even the smallest child.
The Nesting is a swift and enjoyable read. It’s a page-turner – a term I don’t use lightly, but in this case I started it late afternoon, and had finished it by mid-morning the next day. I ate up the story, at top speed. Cooke balances beautiful, vivid descriptions of the Norwegian landscape and architecture with a plot that moves rapidly despite covering months of time, using horror tropes that you’ll recognise and love, but with a distinctly Norwegian twist – the author spent time travelling there and this adds an authenticity to the tale that carries it through. In some ways it reminded me very much of The Only Good Indians – covering some of the same themes, though with less emotion and less gore, so if you like this, read that, and vice versa.
I did feel, towards the end, as things resolved, slightly blindsided by some of the revelations, which appeared a little too abruptly, a little too conveniently – but I have to concede that I read at such a pace (in itself a compliment) that it’s entirely possible I missed some clues, so when I go back and reread, which I will, this may no longer be something that jolts me. Certainly, in retrospect, there are clear arguments as to why certain characters are more susceptible to the influence of the Nokk than others. Cooke does an outstanding and engaging job of weaving together a legitimate haunting with the terror of a family and lifestyle crumbling through your fingers, or never existing at all. I could go on and on, finding more layers and puzzles pieces – but I won’t because I think I’m sailing perilously close to spoilers.
The book is beautiful too – shout out to cover designer Andrew Davies (for HarperCollins), because the gorgeous design is why I so desperately wanted to read this.

A fantastic thriller with a supernatural bent, The Nesting is a book that will keep the reader absolutely hooked. I literally read it in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down. There are a couple of bits that seem a bit far fetched but the rest of it is so gripping you can totally overlook them. Highly recommended title.

This beautifully written tale is narrated from the perspectives numerous a number of vivid individuals including our main character Sophie (aka Lexi) a complex individual who suffered from a wide range of relatable issues. I felt a strong connection with her and a lot of empathy because I also suffer from some of her issues including feeling worthless, unwanted and unloved. I also have the same relationship with my mother that Lexi had with her own. I thought Lexi was a fantastic character who had a wicked sense of humour even when everything was going wrong in her life. Her interactions with little Gaia were really sweet and heart warming and it was lovely witnessing the bond that developed between them as the story unfolded. Knowing that Lexi suffered from issues caused the reader to doubt some of her narratives when she started experiencing strange events. Was she having hallucinations, was her mind or someone else playing tricks on her or were supernatural forces and mother nature wrecking havoc on what they viewed as trespassers on their territory? Little six year old Gaia was a very realistic blend of sweet little angel and obnoxious spoilt brat. A adorable little princess who wasn't allowed to play with dolls and for all intents and purposes was like a tiny Rupunzel trapped in a draughty old house surrounded by trees and wild animals. Interspersed throughout the story was chapters that slipped back in time, were narrated from the perspective of Gaia and Coco's beloved mumma Aurelia and took the reader through the events leading up to what happens in the intense prologue. I had mixed feelings about her and her husband Tom, how reliable were their descriptions of each others behaviour? Was Aurelia suffering from anxiety and paranoia and imagining things? Or were their thoughts, actions and behaviour being manipulated by outside forces? And how do mysterious housekeeper Maren and Aurelia's bubbly friend Derry fit into the story? I loved the isolated setting,the old house surrounded by a deep forest, the snow adding a alien feeling and atmosphere to the story. I always think that forests can seem sinister and otherworldly even in broad daylight never mind in the dead of night when you can hardly see and all you can hear is your own footsteps that sound so.loud no matter how carefully you tread or maybe it's not your footsteps,maybe it's the footsteps of whoever or whatever is pursuing you.

This is a extremely well written, atmospheric story that is a mesmerizing blend of domestic drama, thriller and mystery with a added dash of Norwegian folk lore and a sprinkle of the supernatural. A intense, spine chilling sense of foreboding permeates the pages, the reader can't escape the feeling that something horrifying is going to happen. I really enjoyed this enthralling story and would happily read more of this talented author's books in the future. This is definitely going to be one of my favourite reads of this year. Worth far more than five stars and very very highly recommended.

I have been looking forward to reading The Nesting for ages after seeing the unbelievably gorgeous cover and pleasingly it was just as brilliant as I had hoped. The story follows Lexi, a troubled young woman who, through a strange twist of fate, ends up as nanny to two very young children in Norway. She goes to live with the children and their recently widowed father Tom in a stunning but remote part of Norway where he is trying to build his deceased wife’s dream house. However, once Lexi arrives, strange and dark things begin to happen and Lexi has to try and protect her young charges from an unknown danger whilst trying to uncover exactly how their mother, Aurelia died.

First off, I just have to say that The Nesting is honestly so beautifully written, there is a mysterious and ghostly quality to the prose which both impressed me and scared me in equal measure! This book was giving me flashbacks to reading Du Maurier’s Rebecca, one of my all time favourite books. The Nesting does exactly what Rebecca does in the sense that it creates such a heightened sense of atmosphere which pulls the reader into its orbit and refuses to let go. The setting of Norway is one of the best parts of reading The Nesting. The dramatic and mercurial Norwegian climate and landscape was almost a character in and of itself, so powerful a presence does it have in this book. I also absolutely loved the running theme of the dangers of disturbing nature which felt supernatural in a way but still totally believable. There is also some really fascinating insight into Norwegian Folklore which adds yet another layer of intrigue to this brilliant tale.

I really cannot praise The Nesting highly enough, it is exactly the kind of book I just adore, full of atmosphere, a dark fairytale quality and a setting that leaps off the page. Once you add to that the emotional resonance of the story and the genuine and affecting maternal relationship Lexi forms with the two children in her care, you end up with a pretty perfect book in my opinion. I actually think it would make an incredible movie or TV show so I’m keeping my fingers crossed to see that in the future! I highly recommend this book, especially to anyone who loves a story rich in folklore and ethereal beauty.

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Nesting’ by C.J. Cooke in exchange for an honest review.

‘The Nesting’ proved an atmospheric psychological thriller with elements of folk horror and the Gothic running throughout.

Serendipity has brought Lexi to a remote Norwegian forest where she has been employed as the nanny to the two young daughters of widower Tom. He is an architect embarking on an ambitious environmental project in memory of his recently deceased wife, Aurelia.

Lexi has a troubled past and was very down on her luck when the opportunity presented itself to ‘borrow’ the identity of another woman and apply for this position. It allows her to leave her old life behind, though obviously she has to be alert for possible exposure as well as cover her lack of actual experience of nannying.

In classic Gothic mystery style Lexi begins to hear and see things that don’t make sense. The seemingly fairy tale setting of ancient woods and a nearby fjord becomes increasingly dark and menacing. Lexi knows that she needs to protect the children in her care, though from who or what?

I came to this literary Gothic horror novel without prior knowledge of its plot, apart from it being set in Norway and that it contained elements of Norwegian folklore. In addition, there was that stunning cover art.

I was immediately drawn into this atmospheric mystery from its powerful Prologue, recounting the final minutes of Aurelia’s life and a chilling warning from a folk tale. Throughout the novel, the focus switches between Lexi’s first person narration in the present and flashbacks to past events.

I did wonder about Tom’s determination to build Aurelia’s Nest after the destruction of their first summer house prior to Aurelia’s death. It seemed such a strange project, though I think that he felt a need to build something unique that reflected his passion for nature. Throughout there was cautionary folk wisdom related to the environment and its guardian spirits.

From her Notes, Cooke’s love of Norway and especially its wilderness was obvious. She recounts her experiences during a number of research trips there. I admired her desire for authenticity and attention to detail.

I especially appreciated the folklore integrated into the narrative. Inspired by her research into Norwegian myths and folklore, Cooke wrote her own fairytales that were featured in the novel as ‘Book of Remembered Norse Folk Tales’, translated by Aurelia.

Overall, I felt that this was beautifully written and subtle in its elements of folk horror, leaving a chilling sense of unease over more visceral horror. It evoked memories of classic Gothic novels, such as Henry James’ ‘The Turn of the Screw’, while being fresh and original.

Again, the emphasis throughout upon the environment and the link between this and myth and folklore was a highlight for me.

Aside from the striking cover art, the inventive chapter headings are accompanied by illustrations of bare branches that resemble the spreading antlers of an elk.

While this was my first experience of C.J. Cooke’s work, after reading this I plan to seek out her other writing.

Highly recommended.

Note: as I have reviewed both the print edition and audiobook my review to my blog, Goodreads and Amazon U.K. reflects this. My review to Waterstones only refers to the print edition as they don’t sell audiobooks.

I do enjoy a seasonal read, particularly at this time of year. October is the perfect month to settle down with a mug of something hot, to snuggle under a blanket and to read books that make your spine tingle and which have you constantly looking over your shoulder. I don't know about you, but I do enjoy a good scare from time to time.

The Nesting by C J Cooke certainly provides some elements that will have you looking into the dark corners of your bedroom and watching out for the Sad Lady. I'll say no more about her, other than she's not someone who needs a little cheering up!

The book begins with us meeting Lexi who is at a real low point - her relationship has ended, she is homeless, suicidal and lacking family structure. She fakes a job application and gets taken on as a Nanny to a motherless family and finds herself (now Sophie) in a remote area of Norway looking after two girls while their father completes an architectural build which was started when his wife was alive.

In some ways, this book reminded me a little of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. We have a house in a gorgeous setting, a dead wife, an obsessive housekeeper, a girl trying her best to fit in and a father reminiscent of Maxim De Winter. But also, we have mysterious footprints, sightings of the Sad Lady, Norwegian folklore, infidelity, childlessness, suicide, a diary that reveals secrets and as in all the best horror stories - do not under any circumstances go down into the basement! If you're a horror fan, I guess you know where that advice leads.

The book moves along at a good pace, and I not only enjoyed the supernatural elements, but I also came to care about Sophie/Lexi and liked the protective and loving relationship she shared with the girls in the family. I also loved the Norway setting and the descriptions of the landscape and fjords.

The only thing that let the book down a little was that it felt like everything got wrapped up very quickly and abruptly at the end. It didn't detract too much from my enjoyment, but I'd have liked a slower unravelling to reach the conclusion.

Some have described this as a modern-day Gothic, and I'd agree. I'd definitely recommend this to others and would happily read other books by this author. It's a solid 4 stars.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for sharing an early copy of this book.

If you'd like an October scare, you don't have to wait long as this one is published on the 15th of October.

The Nesting is a compellingly and haunting novel full of mystery, Nordic folktales, hints of the gothic and the power of the natural world. It evokes the magnificent Norwegian landscape that forms a key part of the story. I was completely invested in this clever and very well written read.

Lexi Ellis is dealing with the breakdown of her relationship and her own mental health. She is practically homeless and desperate to change her life. She overhears a conversation about a vacant post for a nanny and in desperation she takes on the identity of another woman and secures the post. This leads to her moving to Norway to take on the care of two little girls, Gaia and Coco, who have recently lost their mother, Aurelia, in an assumed suicide. The girls’ father architect Tom is grieving his loss but is intent of building a house in the remote Norwegian forest as a tribute to his late wife. This was to be his second attempt, a previous house was destroyed when a river flooded. As the family settle into life alongside, Maren, the housekeeper and Tom’s business partner Clive and his partner Derry, some strange events begin to take place. Both Gaia and Lexi (now Sophie) experience an apparition which Gaia dubs the ‘sad lady’, a woman who seems to have emerged from the water. Lexi believes that the young girls are in danger and she will do anything to protect them.

The unnerving narrative moves between the past with Aurelia and the present with Lexi and it imbibes the story with folklore, superstition, and history whilst making the most of the atmospheric location, the dark forests and the foreboding cliffs. It really made me shiver. The writing style is vibrant, twisty and smart, it builds a growing sense of alarm and dread.

The characters are all very well drawn. Maren, the taciturn housekeeper, who was very loyal to Aurelia, Tom the rather distant father, Clive the ambitious businessman and the spiritual Derry. I particularly liked Lexi with her self-deprecation, sarcasm and dry sense of humour. She is a subtle and kind examination of someone struggling with her mental health. Her interactions and negotiations with the little girls are very sweet and funny.

In summary this is a spooky and ghostly novel with a tremendous atmosphere. It is really well plotted and an enthralling read. It is perfect for dark, winter nights.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A down on her luck young woman blags her way into a nannying job for a recently bereaved family in Norway.  To get away with the ruse Lexi has to take on the name and persona of 'Sophie' the woman she essentially stole the job from.  In Norway Tom is determined to build an environmentally friendly, high concept house in memory of his late wife on the side of the fjord where she died. While the build is underway Sophie (formerly Lexi) takes care of Tom's two young daughters at an old, traditional Norwegian house beside the new build.  It isn't long before Sophie starts to hear and see strange, disturbing things. But are these things real or just products of her own, slightly unstable mind?

A fresh, modern take on the Gothic mystery with some spooky Norwegian superstition and two adorable children.

The cover of The Nesting is absolutely gorgeous and the premise, a modern gothic, was right up my street. I was thrilled to receive an early copy.

The story is about Lexi, who is in desperate straits after both a failed relationship and a failed suicide attempt. She's soon homeless and out of a job too! When she sees an opportunity, she cons her way into a job as a nanny even though she has no experience of working with children. Her new employer, Tom Faraday, is an architect working on a new-build in a rural part of Norway. This is the second house he has built on the site. The first one collapsed under mysterious circumstances but he is determined to finish this new house as a tribute to his late wife, Aurelia, who drowned in the fjord.

The Nesting is a super-spooky, gothic suspense. The chills occur as soon as Lexi arrives in Norway, with both Lexi and one of the children seeing a ghostly figure dripping with water - Aurelia's body was fished out of the fjord. Also running through the story are extracts from Aurelia's diary, which adds an element of mystery - did she kill herself or not? And if so, who is to blame? (There are no shortage of suspects!) Adding an extra layer to the story are snippets of Norwegian folk tales.

The Nesting is an interesting blend of ghost story, gothic mystery and domestic suspense, which leaves the reader wondering if Lexi and Aurelia are imagining what they are seeing. (All is explained at the nail-biting finish!) The lush Norwegian landscape is incredibly atmospheric and makes an effective backdrop to the spooky events. It certainly frightened me! I thoroughly enjoyed The Nesting and have no hesitation in recommending it as the perfect chilling winter read.



Thank you to C.J. Cooke and Harper Collins UK for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.

CJ Cooke returns and reinvents herself moving from writing dime a dozen crime thrillers to a spectacular and chilling modern Gothic thriller in which the woods appear to be creeping in on a nanny and two young girls. Architect Tom Faraday is determined to finish the high-concept, environmentally friendly home he’s building in Norway—in the same place where he lost his wife, Aurelia, to suicide. It was their dream house, and he wants to honour her with it. Lexi Ellis takes a job as his nanny and immediately falls in love with his two young daughters, especially Gaia. But something feels off in the isolated house nestled in the forest along the fjord. Lexi sees mysterious muddy footprints inside the home. Aurelia’s diary appears in Lexi’s room one day. And Gaia keeps telling her about seeing the terrifying Sad Lady...Soon Lexi suspects that Aurelia didn’t kill herself and that they are all in danger from something far more sinister lurking around them.

There is no denying that The Nesting is a mesmerising gothic-tinged tale and one of the areas Cooke excels at is creating a profoundly unsettling and disquieting atmosphere throughout this dark narrative. It's a story ripe with engaging, complex characters and the writing tempts you and allows you to become fully immersed into the story from early on and continues in a propulsive fashion for its entirety. A creepy, disturbing and cracking read full of nuance and sophistication with a genuinely engrossing plot. Published just as the nights begin to drastically draw in, it is the perfect gloomy treat for the spooky month of October, full of intense mystery and intrigue, pulse-pounding suspense and captivating right from the very beginning. This is a richly-told Gothic thriller set against the backdrop of frigid but stunningly beautiful Norway and the Nordic fjords with the isolated rural locale adding an extra sinister element. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.

I admit that it was cover love at first sight when I first spotted The Nesting, but the blurb itself had me fully intrigued as well. The promise of a gothic thriller set in Norway was simply irresistible... And I'm happy to say that the story most definitely ended up living up to that gorgeous cover for me. Eerie, atmospheric with a hint of the paranormal and a healthy dose of Nordic folklore... There is simply a lot to love in this modern gothic thriller.

The Norwegian setting is beautifully described as well as incorporated into the plot, and it made for the perfect backdrop for this story. You will find that eerie, dark and ominous vibe around the Nordic setting and the house itself, which sets the tone for the rest of the story and really complemented the plot. You will find yourself instantly on edge as soon as you arrive in Norway along with the main character, wondering what happened in the past and how this might relate to the present. I especially loved the incorporation of the Nordic folklore and how this element was used to add that eerie vibe as well as the hint at the supernatural. Likewise, I loved how big of a role nature itself played in it all.

The Nesting uses a multiple POV structure, which includes flashbacks with Aurelia's POV, the past and present with Tom and the present with Lexi. While I do confess that the initial chapters with Lexi didn't impress me too much, as soon as the story takes you to Norway I found myself to be hooked and the unique vibe of the story started to shine through. While I never did warm up to Lexi or Tom, they did make for fascinating characters to follow and the same goes for the rest of the cast. The mystery around Aurelia's death and the flashbacks to the past were perfect to inject that supernatural vibe and it definitely gave the story that gothic and creepy feel. It was interesting to see especially Lexi develop over time and I also enjoyed seeing those secrets and lies slowly being revealed as the story evolves.

The Nesting is part supernatural with Nordic folklore elements as well as a ghost story, part domestic drama and part thriller, all dipped in a delicious horror sauce with ecological sprinkles. It's without doubt a rich and captivating story with lots of different elements that add dept and intrigue to the story. I did have some minor issues with the plot and lack of connection to the characters, but the beautiful writing mostly makes up for that and the eerie atmosphere so present in most nordic noir stories is brilliantly developed as well. If you enjoy gothic thrillers and don't mind dealing with unlikeable characters or stepping into the supernatural, The Nesting is an excellent addition for your wishlist.

Gothic and creepy. I really did feel I was in Norway where the book takes place - those woods and who are the hidden people! Folklore fans will love the references.

Not so keen on Lexi. Seemed very naïve and her state of mind at the start of the book changed a bit quick! You do have to suspend your sense of disbelief with what she does and what she gets away with. But that doesn't spoil the enjoyment of the book a s a whole.

It was clever to have two narratives as this really rounded off the novel well. There were some interesting people in this novel. Not sure I would like to meet any of them in real life but what a cast to enjoy!

I would certainly read the author's next book.

This started off really well. There is no argument that this is a very well written book, with interesting characters, atmospheric spooky setting and of course I was drawn to the Norwegian setting (dare I say my favourite pop group are one reason for this?)

However this felt to drag and this story felt overly long and drawn out, only for the ending to be rather abrupt and extremely neat.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

This was my first experience reading CJ Cooke and it won’t be my last. The Nesting is really well written and researched. A creepy, gothic tale set in the Norwegian fjords, peppered with folklore and fairy tale, it couldn’t be more fitting for this time of the year. A real page turner with actual substance and great characters.
It is lovely to come across another great author from Belfast – I will be telling my friends and family about her.
Thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for the opportunity to read The Nesting in exchange for an honest review.

If you like old folklore and a mystery to send shivers down your spine then you can't go wrong with this one. Fast paced with good characterisation and description of setting, full of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.

I try not to read reviews or hear too much about a book before reading it myself, but I kept hearing about this one. Phrases like "Gothic Thriller" and "Nordic Folklore" abounded, so I couldn't resist requesting a copy. I really enjoyed the start of this book, but I found the rest wishy-washy - not the writing (which is superb), but the plot and the characters. I think I was expecting something much darker than "The Nesting" delivered.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

After a break-up with her boyfriend and finding herself homeless Lexi finds her perfect getaway - nannying for a family who have lost their mother, and a father desperate to finish building their perfect home. But not all is as Lexi expected, there's something evil lurking, wanting to destroy it all.
Perfectly chilling Nordic Thriller. I couldn't get enough.

Cooke's writing keeps you hooked from the very beginning and the characters were very well written and even when I wasn't reading The Nestling it's all I could think about...getting back to picking up this brilliant book. Definitely 5/5 stars worthy.