This was an absolutely delicious story.
Duel timelines, slight mystery, who can you trust vibes and a splash of magic make this a true winner!
I am kicking myself for not picking this up sooner.
The characters are well fleshed out, the plot is intriguing from the start and the setting is on fire.
Run, don't walk, to read this!
Much love to NetGalley & HarperCollins UK for my DRC.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story, and was interested to see how the story developed.

I absolutely loved this book, the twists and turns had me hooked and I didn’t want to put it down. The atmosphere the author creates is incredible. C J Cooke is a must read author for me now.

When HarperCollins emailed me with the news that C.J. Cooke—whose novel The Lighthouse Witches I had read early last year and thoroughly enjoyed—would soon be releasing a new book in the same genre and an ARC was mine if I wanted it, I was delighted. Cooke has the ability to bring any setting to life, giving the world her books are set in just as much personality as the characters who live in it, and The Ghost Woods lived up to my expectations of it on that front.

The story is primarily set in Lichen Hall, a sprawling manor house owned by the Whitlocks. Here, unwed pregnant mothers are allowed refuge until their children are born in order to avoid the humiliation and abuse they would doubtlessly face if they went instead to an institutional mother and baby home. However, rumors spread of the manor being a "palace of rot and ruin," home to fairies and witches and an odd couple who once, years ago, demanded to take their own son out of the morgue after he died in a car accident. What they did with the body nobody knows, but many in the surrounding countryside believe they experimented on it—and to date, the boy's grave has never been found.

This is the house where our two protagonists, Mabel Haggith and Pearl Gorham, find themselves upon discovering they are pregnant out of wedlock. Their narratives are set six years apart, with Mabel entering the Hall before Pearl, and this stylistic decision amplifies the mystery surrounding the setting: what goes on in the manor grounds? Why are the people living in the house upon Pearl's arrival an almost entirely different cast of characters than the ones around Mabel? What happened to those characters in the years between? Poisonous mushrooms, headless creatures, and sightings of children who apparently don't exist all clamor for the reader's attention, making one keen to read on and fill in the gaps. Some aspects of the plot weren't at all unexpected—the Cordyceps fungus was too obvious a Chekhov's gun to never be fired—but the real anxiety came from wondering how the characters would discover the truth, and how the climax would come about. (And it was a sight to behold, fiery and unforgettable.)

Cooke has spectacularly woven together a story featuring the fear of the unknown in several contexts: that of creatures unidentified and unidentifiable; that of nature at its wildest; that of pregnancy, of the violence it inflicts on a woman's body and the destruction it wreaks on the shape of her future; that of hidden truths and long-buried pasts coming to light. The evil child trope is turned on its head; the terror lies in how to best protect one's offspring, both from the forces of nature and from exploitation at the hands of others, human or inhuman. The author's note at the end of the novel addresses all this as well:

"I suppose the question could legitimately be asked whether motherhood, gay rights, reproductive rights, and gender inequality have any place in a gothic novel. For me, the gothic is exactly the space to explore darkness of any kind, and the practice of othering is one of the darkest corners of human history."

It's always a risk to write a novel with multiple perspectives from the first person, because even with extremely solid character building, there's always a chance that the reader will confuse one character's chapter for another's. Cooke handled this fairly well, all things considered: I could tell within a page or two whether Pearl was narrating or Mabel, due both to their distinct personalities and to the cues that came from their surroundings. When the two narratives converged into the same year, however, things became more complicated, and I recall an instance where I switched between thinking "this is Pearl" and "this is Mabel" at least thrice within the same chapter.

Horror isn't my go-to genre, so this was a refreshing read for me. I'd recommend this book to both serial horror consumers as well as readers who want to try something new, because the gothic avoids heavy depictions of gore while still managing to stay just the right amount of disturbing.

Thank you @netgalley for an electronic copy of the Ghost Woods! This was definitely an eerie read and I loved the twists and turns, however I did predict most of them, especially the major reveal.

Another great book from cj Cooke. Loved he previous book. Want to say thank you for net galley letting me read this book.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

After loving The Lighthouse Witches, I desperately wanted to pick up The Ghost Woods. While the books are standalones, set in different areas and eras, it's hard not to see similar themes running throughout both. Cooke has not disappointed with their latest offering!

What I loved:
- Split timeline - gosh I love dual timelines, wondering when or if they'll come together. The tension when you know something that one character doesn't that another has already experienced in the past. Edge of your seat kind of reading!
- The Scottish setting of Lichen Hall, Cooke has truly painted a vivid picture of this stately home, turned home for 'fallen women'.
- The folklore vibes; I'm such a sucker for folklore.
- Characters with drive and conviction. Our two main female protagonists come from different backgrounds but have very similar goals and both find themselves at Lichen Hall for the same reason, years apart.
- The subtle weaving of supernatural elements into the narrative. Cooke did this expertly in The Lighthouse Witches and does the same again here; one of my favourite aspects of their writing!
- The genuine creeps this book gave me; but in a good, invested kind of way!

What didn't reel me in:
- I think it's intentional but there are a couple loose ends that I wanted a bit more closure on, but that's just me wanting everything to be wrapped up neatly!

Read if you enjoy:
- Reading: The Lighthouse Witches, The Glass Woman, The Liar of Red Valley
- Strong FMC's
- Historical Fiction: Mid-20th Century
- Gothic settings.

I got the opportunity to read The Lighthouse witches last year and when this popped up on netgalley I jumped at the chance to read this book and I'm so grateful for being accepted.

This book is set in Scotland and about a residential home, Lichen Hall, is for girls who find themselves pregnant outside of marriage. Rather than bring shame onto the family, the girls are sent away from home to have their babies in secret, these children are then adopted.

The book is written in two timelines from the pov of two girls who have been sent to the same home. Mabel in 1959 finds out she's pregnant but adamant that she's never had sex and has no knowledge of how this could have happened. The present day girl, Pearl from 1965, became pregnant after a one night stand following a break up. Not only is she shamed by her family but she's also been forced to leave her job as a nurse.

Lichen Hall is full of suspicious and controversial stories from locals including the belief that the hall was cursed by a witch damning all who lives there.

While Mabel stays there it's clear that there's something unsettling and strange living in the woods. Later, Pearl also gets the feeling that there's something not right about the owners of the hall and the woods at the bottom of the residential home.

I absolutely loved this book, I started it in the airport in Malta and devoured it by the time we landed in the UK. As with Cooke's previous book, this one is atmospheric creepy and folklore. This book manages to convey the difficulties and prejudice they received and the harsh realities of the "residential homes" that makes it so emotional to read and keeps the reader engaged. It was an emotional rollercoaster of confusion, frustration, anger but at times happy sad for some of these characters. The female characters here are so well written! Cooke has become one of my favorite authors and is perfect for spooky season.

In summary, I bloody loved this book and if the cover isn't enough for you to pick it up I hope my review does!

This started off promising, but I unfortunately lost interest about halfway through. The beginning was intriguing and introduced some interesting characters.

I loved the different perspectives and time periods. The author did a great job of building the characters and making them seem like real people. The atmosphere was also fantastic; the setting felt real and at times sent shivers up my spine.

The plot, however, fell so flat for me and it took away the enjoyment of the book. It just sadly lost its spark. I seem to be in the minority here though, so I’m sure this book will reach the right readers!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher, for a chance to read and review this book.

I absolutely loved this book. It really is a brilliant read. Historical fiction interwoven with legend and mysterious happenings just perfect. This book is so well written losing nothing in the telling of the historical story with the more supernatural element. The characters are all so well written that you care for them all and the story is so cleverly told. A favourite for 2023 and the year has only just begun.

Lichen Hall stands hidden in the woods and for years, it has been a place for unmarried mothers to give birth. Pearl Gorham arrives there in 1965 and she is sure that something very strange is happening. There appears to be a young woman and her son living in the grounds but no one wants to talk about them. As the truth begins to creep through the walls, the inhabitants of Lichen Hall will have to make some sickening decisions and uncover the past before it’s too late for everyone. There are some strong Gothic vibes surrounding this mystery and the multi-layered plot is highly unique. The characters are very easy to root for because there is plenty of insight into 1960s attitudes towards unmarried pregnant women and homosexuality. I loved the dark folkloric atmosphere and I couldn’t wait to find out what was really in the woods. It does get very strange and gruesome towards the end but if you love dark, chilling reads, it’s a definite winner for you!

This is a beautifully written tale of a mysterious house where young women have come to give birth and have their babies adopted. It is set across two timeline which are held apart but are intertwined, much like the tendrils of mould engulfing the house. time is not strightforward in this place. A great story which I highly recommend

I would read C.J Cooke's shopping list at this point, so I knew I was going to enjoy this, but once I started, I literally couldn't put it down.

Split between two narratives, we in turn follow 17 year old Mabel int he past just told she is pregnant and convinced it must be a consequence of the ghosts inside her, and in the present day we have 22 year old Pearl, heavily pregnant and sent to give birth at Lichen House, a mother and baby home on the Scottish borders.

But Lichen House isn't necessarily the safe haven it's supposed to be. Strange presences haunt the woods. The caretakers are by turns kindly and cold. And a strange mould festers in the walls....

This is about as perfect as a gothic novel gets. I loved the dual narratives, and the writing was beautiful. I also loved the creeping sense of dread and unease that built throughout the book, leading to a fabulously chilling denouement. An easy five stars from me!

Thank you to both NetGalley and the publisher, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Another stunning example of modern gothic writing. I am constantly pulled into the middle of everything by this author and I love her writing style and imagination! If you want a book that will stay with you then pick up something by this author

I loved the authors other book- the Lighthouse Witches, and when I was invited to read another book by her, I could not say no!

C.J. Cooke does so well at describing the gothic and eerie. I love that her books have the ability to really pull me into the story.

When I got contacted if I wanted to read an ARC of C.J. Cooke's book The Ghost Woods I didn't hesitate one second, since I loved her previous book The Lighthouse Witches. I love the folklore elements, the mystery and the atmosphere that just suckes you into the story. Along with the gothic horror with ghosts and moldy mansions there is the sad and very relevant storyline of young mothers who are forced to give their children up for adoption because they couldn't afford to care for them and abortions were illegal. I said it after finishing The Lighthouse Witches and I'll say it again, if you should read one book this season read this. This was a book I just couldn't put down.

I have read C J Cooke’s previous books and loved them so needed no encouragement to read her new book The Ghost Woods. Like her previous offerings this is a dark and eerie read with a touch of the gothic. The Ghost Woods has a split timeline, with the plot taking place in 1959 and 1965, linked by two unmarried women arriving at Lichen Hall to give birth. Mable is only seventeen when she arrives at Lichen Hall, a large house owned by the Whitlock’s who open the doors to unmarried mothers. Six years later, Pearl, twenty two goes for the same reason, and like Mable feels all is not as it should be. With the strange behaviour of Mrs Whitlock, visions in the woods and tales of ghosts and witches both women find themselves in danger as their stories merge in 1965.

If you love a gothic, spinetingling, and creepy read then The Ghost Woods is for you. C J Cooke creates the perfect environment for this book. What is more disturbing than a large house in a woods, with eccentric owners, and a folklore tale of a Nicnevin, a fairy Queen from Scottish mythology. There is also the inside of the house with wings closed to fungus. There are fairy rings, supernatural sightings and strange goings on to add to the sense of menace and fear.

The split time line focuses on the stories of Mable and Pearl. Mable is only seventeen and is shocked to be told she was pregnant insisting she has never had sex. She is vulnerable and alone, finding her time at Lichen Hall difficult until she befriends Aretta and Rhami, both there for the same reason as her, a bond they share. In 1964 Pearl arrives at Lichen Hall, more mature than other residents at twenty two, she also becomes to realise that all is not right. She is more confident than Mable was, she had a life before, a job as a nurse that unfortunately fell apart once she became pregnant. Pearl’s story shows how it was still such a taboo to be an unmarried mother, even in you twenties. Even after the birth and adoption she can’t return to her job as a nurse.

Aretta and Rhami tie the two timelines together. Pregnant in 1959 with Mable and they stayed on to be maids at the Hall, and are there when Pearl arrived. They have a respect for the woods, a place that seems alive at night with the supernatural, lights and visions that frighten Mable and Pearl as well. This sinister theme underpins the whole book and I found myself on the edge of my seat as the book headed towards its conclusion, my heartbeat raised with a sense of dread.

I am becoming a huge fan of C J Cooke, with her ability to keep me in suspense with a touch of fear for her characters. Her stories are always brilliantly written, full of tension and creepiness and keep you guessing until the very last page. The Ghost Woods is another super supernatural tale from C J Cooke, and one I highly recommend.

This one started slow for me, however I persevered. The pace did pick up after a while. It’s well written, it’s creative, descriptive and well thought out. I like that it’s atmospheric and I really like the isolated setting. There’s a great cast of characters who are easy to root for. Unfortunately it fell a little flat. I got the sense of the gothic vibe but it not really creepy enough for me. Although predictable , I did enjoy the ending. If you’re looking for an atmospheric gothic read, this could be for you.

I loved this author's other book The Lighthouse Witches and was excited to read this. From the start I knew I was going to love it. It's dark and moves between the past and present as the story unfolds. I loved the characters and I have to admit I wasn't expecting some of the twists that occurred. It's another excellent read from CJ Cooke and I can't wait read future books too.

This is gothic horror and has 2 story strands - one in the late 50s and one in the mid 60s which slowly come together. They're both focused on young unmarried pregnant women who are sent to this strange isolated stately home in Scotland to give birth and then give away their children.

But the house is supposed to be cursed, and strange things are seen in the surrounding woods.

I thought this was really good and have actually now bought a copy too.

It's really clever in how it blends together typical horror like odd occurrences in the woods and the mushrooms slowly blooming throughout the house, and also social/political kind of horror in the lack of options that these women have that mean they find themselves stuck in this situation.

It's more on the creepy/spooky side of horror, although as it builds towards the end there is some more grisly body horror.

4.25 stars