An intriguing and unsettling read that engaged me all the way through. Well written with a compelling story and well developed characters, whilst not altogether likeable were definitely interesting and compelled me to want to know what happened and why.
I really enjoyed it

I saw Camilla Bruce and of course I immediately requested this on NetGalley! I've read You Let Me In so I was expecting strange and creepy. It definitely didn't disappoint on that account.

I was very intrigued by the first 20%. I get what other readers were saying, that both characters are unlikeable, but it didn't bother me. I wanted to find out more.

It really threw me when we got the Nicksby Documents p.o.v. That part didn't really work for me - the first perspectives had this subtlety about them that the Nicksby p.o.v. lacked. A bit too in your face, maybe?

Then it was flipped again later on, which definitely made me like it more. I was just extremely confused by Catherine's open letters and couldn't quite understand their purpose towards the end. Can't really say more without spoilers, though.

I think overall it was very clever, but somehow the perspectives didn't do it justice.

3.5 stars, rounded to 4.

Creepy and slow moving but once it ramps up then it gets really spooky

There's lots of atmoshere here and the town where it all happens is vague and only called F- which is creepy in its own right. I found this creepy and supernatural.

The Witch in the Well is similar to the authors previous works in the sense that it is well written with plenty of intrigue and a story that is interesting enough to keep me reading.

However I felt the narrative jumped around too much between the different characters which meant they were never given enough depth and as a result I felt no connection to any of them. The fact that none of them were especially likeable or existed solely to further the narrative didnt help either!

Overall, an interesting read but not Camilla Bruces' best work.

Thanks to NetGalley Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam Press for the ARC.

3.5 rounded up
How can Ilsbeth Clark accused of witchcraft and subsequently drowned in a well in 1862 cause such catastrophic results nearly 160 years later? Childhood friends Cathy and Elena become very bitter rivals because of Ilsbeth. Local teacher Cathy believes she has written the definitive account of Ilsbeth’s case believing in her innocence. When successful author Elena returns to the area in order to sell her deceased uncles house whose grounds contain the well, she reconnects to Ilsbeth’s story. Elena also begins to write about the case but she focuses on the magic she believes Ilsbeth possesses. This contradictory point of view sets both women on a collision course which overturns lives, bringing tragedy in its wake and at the centre of the ensuing storm is the enigma of Ilsbeth, a witch or an innocent? The story is told in various formats such as Elena‘s journal, Cathy’s book, documents, letters and so on with the question of the reliability of all three women being an intriguing conundrum but I can’t say I love the approach to telling the story.

This novel has much in common with other Camilla Bruce books in that it is full of atmosphere which she always does incredibly well and it also has a dark theme. The dilapidated castle/Manor house of Elena’s uncle adds a considerable amount of creep and a smidgen of horror and is used effectively to highlight the dark tone and the sense of mystery and supernatural elements surrounding Ilsbeth. The folklore and legends that arise as a consequence of the witches drowning is also an excellent element.

The novel is well written and there are plot twists and suspense to keep you interested. The principal characters are very hard to like with the once upon a time friendship souring with the growth of intense rivalry and obsession over Ilsbeth is done very well. Cathy in particular is hard to like, she’s spiky and bitter whereas Elena is more upbeat but doesn’t necessarily have her feet on terra firma. The bitter rivalry definitely makes for interesting reading in this multilayered novel.

However, I find the format and the changing points of view very confusing especially at the start. It zips between them, flipping backwards and forwards so it lacks cohesion. You do get used to it but I can’t honestly say I like it. It also feels overlong and would’ve had great impact if shorter in length.

Overall though, it’s an interesting combination of local folklore with some mild horror and spooky supernatural with questionable narrators. It’s a good book but doesn’t hook me in the same way as In the Garden of Spite which remains my favourite Camilla Bruce book.

Ps. Not giving the town a name but just F_________ ... why???

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Rounding up to 3 stars


This missed the mark a bit for me, I think partly due to the way I felt the story jumped from character to character.
I'd just get into the storytelling, then we would be hearing another version.
None of the characters are likeable.
I enjoyed the tale as a whole, witchcraft, village stories, toxic friendship, there's a lot to like.
Wish I could have enjoyed the overall book more.

I really enjoyed the prologue and the way this book starts. But unfortunately after a few chapters it loses that magic it had. I'm not sure if it just wasn't for me or not.