The House Of The Witch is a gripping but spooky dual timeline tale about a single woman choosing to live alone and work as a midwife and healer. She’s accused of being a witch by a doctor, who upset by her choosing to not be his “other woman”, decides to make her life an absolute living hell…
In the present time, a young woman who has had a breakdown and allowed to take a six month sabbatical by her company, moves to the country to switch off and rest, rents a cottage for six months and finds some old papers underneath a floorboard that start her along the trail of the other woman’s life.
It’s shocking and upsetting in places and I became enthralled in the story of Ursula, and her fight with the dastardly Oliver B, and Adrianna’s time spent sinking into the mystery of events in the cottage years ago.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley.
#Netgalley, #TheBoldBookClub, #ClareMarchant.

The House of the Witch is centred on a small cottage in Norfolk, inhabited by Ursula in the 17th century and Adrianna in the present day

Ursula is a healing woman, creating tinctures, salves and lotions to cure illness and prevent infection. Having delivered many babies and saved people on their deathbed she is well liked and respected among the community, until a new doctor called Oliver arrives who becomes obsessed with Ursula to the extent that he will have her tried for witchcraft if he cannot possess her.

Meanwhile, Adrianna has rented the cottage for 6 months as a sabbatical from her high powered job in London. Her boyfriend Rick is a nasty piece of work, gaslighting her and yet she's still in love with him. Adrianna discovers Ursula's written account of her healing work and later a discovery in the garden sets her on the path of finding out as much as she can about this woman's tragic life and death.

I enjoyed the historical aspect of this story despite all the ordeals Ursula lives through, rather than the present day which was even harder to read due to the toxic relationship Adrianna is in.

A good read for the autumn and winter!

TW: controlling behaviour, gaslighting, torture

Another story that tells the fate of a woman healer whose community turns on them, I found this story atmospheric and perfect for Halloween.

A dual timeline, the story moves between Addie in present day as she takes up residence in a run-down cottage that holds mysterious papers; to Ursula in the seventeenth century as the paranoia of witchcraft starts to grip the country. Deciphering the ancient story, Addie starts to learn about Ursula’s life and similarly, readers are taken on this historical journey of female persecution.

I loved how atmospheric the story became: with chills, doors slamming and an unusually persistent gull. Not only that, the ambiguous dark stain on the hearth comes to bring the two women together who appear to have more in common than just the cottage that they live in. Furthermore, the control that men exert over both timelines was particularly haunting and I was desperate to see how Addie and Ursula would escape from this dominance.

Based on this, I sometimes found Addie’s behaviour a bit frustrating, especially concerning Rick. It was disappointing that she does not pick up on the warning signals, instead burying her head and explaining away all dubious actions. I wanted to see a bit of fire in Addie, a bit like what readers see in Ursula as she stands up to Oliver.

I found this another great portrayal of the witch-hunts in England during the seventeenth century, without it being too historical. The parallels established between past and present were particularly effective and I was gripped by both timelines, keen to see how the women would liberate themselves and what their conclusions would become.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The House of the Witc is a captivating novel that weaves together elements of mystery, fantasy, and suspense. This book transports readers into a world where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, and secrets lurk in the shadows of an old, enigmatic house.
The story follows Adrianna who finds herself drawn to a mysterious house rumored to be inhabited by a witch. As she delves deeper into the house's history and its current inhabitants, she uncovers secrets that challenge her understanding of reality. The novel masterfully builds tension as the protagonist navigates a world filled with magic, danger, and hidden truths.

The pacing of the book is well-balanced, with moments of suspense and intrigue that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Merchant skillfully blends elements of fantasy with psychological drama, creating a story that is entertaining.

Overall, The House of the Witch is a delightful and haunting tale that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned. I will absolutely pick up more of her work.

Thank you Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Clare Marchant for the eArc of The House Of The Witch

My first from Claire Marchant and I really enjoyed this historical fiction that was set in two time periods. We have Adrienna in the present day who has moved up to Norfolk from London to a few months to concentrate what she really wants from life. We also have Ursula in 1646, a local midwife and medicine women who is well known to the villagers and because she stood up for herself, was deemed a witch.

It soon becomes apparent with the lovely foreshadowing what these women have in common and what they have to battle to stand their ground against toxic people. I really loved the underlying flow for this book. Without saying much apart from feminine power and how we should brace that. For me, Its a very powerful book.

I loved both women from each timeline, they have been built up to be great role models. Both different, but similar qualities. What connected me to them, was they felt human. Perfectly flawed but loveable all the same.

The House of The Witch reminded me of and runs in the same vein as SlewFoot by From, which I loved and even though Clare has taken a less horror genre root. It's still horrifying how women have been treated in the past.

4.25 stars for Storygraph. 4 stars for other sites.

Using two different time periods, author Clare Marchant compares and contrasts two women, Ursula in 1648, and Adriana in the present. She shows how cultural and institutional bigotry have corrosive effects on those it is used against, and how easily abuse can be normalized and condoned.

In the present, Adriana rents a cottage in rural Norfolk. She's there to lick her professional wounds and is on sabbatical from her demanding job as a project manager. Her boyfriend Rick isn't happy she won't be in London with him, and is a little peeved that she won't leave him her car. But she does remind him that he's living in her swanky apartment in London. Adriana soon finds Rick to be displeased that she's enjoying a country life, with him dismissing her new friendships and interest in gardening.

While puttering around, she finds a bundle of notes under a floorboard, and feels these are important. She begins reading, and is drawn into the life of Ursula, a midwife in the mid-17th century, who happened to live in the same cottage.

In 1648, Ursula helps the women of her village to birth their children, and also prepares herbal remedies for a variety of illnesses and complaints. As a single woman resistant to ever taking a husband (her immigrant mother was abused), Ursula is seen as an anomaly, and an oddity, and she knows that it's a quick hop and skip from that to someone labelling her a witch.

When a wealthy man arrives in town, he immediately decides that he wants Ursula, and tells her so. She resists, at which point he begins a campaign to discredit her, which is too successful, and Ursula knows she's on very dangerous ground; i.e. witch accusation….

Marchant switches back and forth between Adriana and Ursula, ratcheting up the tension and danger in Ursula's life, while dismantling the fictions Adriana has come to believe about herself and her life in London.

Ursula's chapters were particularly interesting, and I liked the idea that this lone woman, despite the increasing peril she's in, maintains her principles and refuses to give in to the increasingly nasty demands of her aggressor.

Adriana's chapters were interesting, but I knew what was going on from early in chapter one, and it was just a matter of time waiting for Adriana to catch up to what was obvious.

I liked the recurring motif in the form of the bird in both timelines, and though I enjoyed this book, wished that Adriana's story had been more complex.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

First up, I usually avoid dual-timeline novels because I rarely find them successful. The House of the Witch is the exception that proves me wrong. It works! With two main stories, Adrianna in the present and Ursula in the 17th century, the two timelines flow together very smoothly and balance each other. I was equally immersed in both timelines and, in short, I loved it!

As the blurb describes it:
"...like Adrianna herself – the cottage holds secrets [...] 1646: Between her work as the village midwife and the medicines she sells from her cottage, Ursula has no need for a man. But this ideal leaves her unprotected in a world where just one accusation of witchcraft can mean certain death...."

One thing I liked is that the historical timeline is not filled with anachronisms (as often happens in dual timelines). The two main characters, and their lives, are each different and feel unique to their time, despite any "connections" they may share.

The supernatural elements are well embedded in the story. That, and the vivid descriptions making you really feel you are in the house and side by side with Adrianna/Ursula, made for a satisfying suspension of disbelief.

I very much enjoyed the writing style too. There's a down-to-earth, practical tone that adds to the sense of the quotidian, helping to immerse the reader in the scenes and making the magical aspects seem ordinary, not fantastical.

The House of the Witch is interesting in the parallels it implies between the lives of women in the past --- threatened with ostracism or death if they dare to live independently, outside of the control of men --- and of women today, who so often still suffer under the threat of men who want to control and constrain them. Plus ça change...

Highly recommended.

Thanks to the author, publisher @BoldwoodBooks and Netgalley for the ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.

#NetGalley #bookreview #books.beledit #ClareMarchant

An engaging read for those who enjoy historical fiction with elements of mystery and a touch of the supernatural. Though it has some uneven moments, Clare Marchant's careful attention to historical detail and the exploration of women's lives across time make it a thought-provoking novel.

1646 and in a small Norfolk village Ursula has foresworn men after witnessing so much violence towards women, she lives alone and makes her money as a midwife and healer. Into her orbit comes a physician newly arrived from Cambridge but when she spurns his advances, he swears to destroy her. 2024 and Adrianna has moved into a small Norfolk cottage as part of her recovery from a work-related breakdown. She loves her new life but also feels that a message from the past is waiting for her to uncover it.
I have mixed feelings about this book because both sections, the old and modern-day, are actually really good stories. However, I didn't feel that they gelled as well as they could and by switching the narrative I also felt that both stories were rather under-played, especially Adrianna's understanding of the actions of her boyfriend. Having said that, it's a good story and the research about the witch trials in East Anglia is solid.

This book has put me right in the mood for spooky season!! It's a brilliantly crafted historical story, set over dual timelines and I loved it!

The story of Adrianna is set in the present, while that of Ursula is back in 1646, and the setting is Norfolk. Adrianna moves to a rundown cottage to get away from London for 6 months, and find that peace she craves but life in Norfolk starts to take some odd turns for her and she's set now on a quest of researching more about the cottage after some strange findings.

The timeline of Ursula is also a fascinating one - she's a local midwife in 1646, and she's there for the local woman when trouble hits them. She's seen violence in her own life so wants to do for others what wasn't done for her, and you can see why she now lives alone seeking a quiet life. When illness hits local children, she's the one they turn to but it doesn't take long before those who object to her lifestyle do all they can to turn many against her.

I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this storyline. Both female characters are excellent personalities to be following and the author has a wonderful way with words - the descriptions are perfect and make it all so atmospheric. It's one of those books that you totally lose yourself in and become so wrapped up in these womens' lives and I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a stunning read!

*The House of the Witch* by Clare Marchant is an engaging historical fiction novel with a touch of mystery and supernatural intrigue. Set across dual timelines, the story weaves together the lives of two women—one in present-day Norfolk and the other in the 17th century during the witch trials. Marchant’s talent for bringing history to life shines through, making for an immersive read.

One of the book’s strongest aspects is its atmospheric setting. The descriptions of the 1600s are rich and vividly capture the fear and suspicion of the era, while the modern-day segments offer a nice contrast. The connection between the two timelines is cleverly constructed, and as secrets unravel, readers are drawn into the tension that surrounds both women’s lives.

For readers seeking a historical mystery with a hint of magic, this book will hit the spot.

In this fascinating dual-timeline historical fiction novel, readers alternate between the perspectives of Adrianna in the twenty-first century and Ursula in 1646, both living in the same cottage in rural Norfolk. Adrianna is running from the stresses of life in London and finds some secrets and mysteries around the property, including a bundle of old paper from long ago. Ursula, in 1646, is a capable midwife and apothecary, but the powerful new doctor wants to control her -- through marriage or by killing her to prove that she is a witch. With a lot on the line for Ursula and other challenges ahead of Adrianna, both women seek independence and freedom here in rural Norfolk. With some clever characters and complex storylines, readers uncover Ursula’s secrets from multiple perspectives while Adrianna uncovers a mystery in her own life. Both women are complex and strong characters, and they undergo serious personal challenges over the course of the novel. Highlighting the constant fear of accusations of witchcraft, this is a fascinating fall read full of capable characters and a web of deceit and manipulation. A complex and fascinating dual timeline historical mystery novel awaits readers who are looking to uncover Ursula’s secrets with Adrianna.

What a powerful and delightful book. This dual timeline story really showcased the way that women's lives still run parallel to each other. There is something so beautifully poignant about finding courage and strength in the stories of the women who have com before us, and Merchant clearly shows that our foremothers, despite being separated by generations, still have the power to guide, instruct, and inspire us with their stories.

Thank you Netgalley, Boldwood, and Claire Marchant and for sharing this book with me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

This wasn't a bad book, but if I'm being honest, I wanted more from it. Ursula's story was interesting and I would have loved more of it instead of Adrianna second guessing herself constantly because of her crappy boyfriend. I get what the book was trying to do, but I don't think it quite succeeded there. Still, it was an enjoyable read. 3.7 stars.

The season the witch is upon us and Clare Marchant’s House of the Witch is the novel I kicked it off with. This book is reminiscent of Weyward in that it has dual timelines. One set in the past where a woman has been accused of witchcraft and one in the present, where a woman fleeing problems in her everyday life flees to the countryside. She stays in an ancient cottage that has been affiliated with witchcraft and there she finds an ancient diary/grimoire of sorts. Both women are the victims of men and must find a way to reclaim their own feminine power.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Even though half of it is set in the past (and is the more interesting story) it is still relevant to today’s world where women still struggle with being diminished by insecure men and where we still fight for autonomy over own body and the threat of imprisonment over that revoked right. The modern day story was good but I did become frustrated with that character as she failed to see what was going on in her own relationship. Still, how many of us have failed to see how harmful another person is to us when to those around us it is plain as day.
I loved the descriptive passages in this book and even though it deals with dark subject matter there was a coziness about it that I found greatly appealing. I long to find an ancient cottage in the English countryside where my witchy self can reside with a full as my familiar. Yes, the story was a bit predictable and could possible use more originality, but I just didn’t care because this type of book is my happy place. Overall, this book was the perfect read to enter into the witchy season.

Thank you to @netgalley and to @boldwoodbooksnl for and-arc of this novel.

I absolutely loved this book. I was gripped by the story of Adrianna and Ursula. Set in modern day and 1646, this is historical fiction at its best.
I loved the two strong women bound by place and history. I read The House of the Witch in two sittings, it was hard to put down and I can’t wait for its publication day so I can hold the physical book in my hands.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book.
31st August- just wanted to add I’ve bought a physical copy of this book and I’m absolutely loving this story again.

I got my paperback copy and enjoyed this wonderful story again. The ending made me emotional and I would love to know what became of Ursula.

Another dual timeline, historical fiction, which Marchant does so well. Set in the present day and 1646, the links between the 2 times are explored in one place, the historical detail was brilliant.

CONTENT WARNING: ableism, domestic violence, mention of child abuse, murder, parental abandonment, threat of rape, gaslighting, violence, torture, blood, abusive relationship, misogyny

I’m always intrigued by stories featuring witch trials, and this one also featured a dual timeline. They usually feature strong-minded women who are ahead of their times, and it is always fascinating to read about how constrained they truly were, and how free we are today. Reading books like these always leaves me with a sense of gratitude to the women (and men) who fought for women to have equal freedoms as men.

We first meet Adrianna, who is on a performance-related sabbatical from work. She’s really enjoying her time out in the country renting a cottage, and has taken to gardening and getting back to nature now that she’s away from the fast-paced life in London. Rick, her boyfriend, seems superficially supportive, but over the course of the story, it becomes more and more clear that he’s anything but. I picked up on the red flags very early on, and found it frustrating how passive Adrianna is, making excuses to herself and constantly second-guessing herself. But what kept me reading her timeline was her interest in the carved stone she found in her backyard, drawing her into a mystery connected to the other timeline.

Hundreds of years in the past, Ursula lives in the same cottage, and maintains her independent living status by working as a midwife and folk healer. She loves living alone and has no desire to change that, but when a new doctor moves to town and sets his sights on Ursula, it threatens everything she values. I really liked Ursula’s character and timeline. She isn’t just smart, she’s savvy. There’s nothing more appealing than a character who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. Unfortunately, Ursula was designed more for present day than the 17th century—after repeatedly refusing the doctor, she realizes that she’s in a dangerous position and has nowhere to turn.

It’s common knowledge that healers, midwives, and wise women were often the first to be denounced as witches. Followed by women who had resources that others felt entitled to, those who lived alone, or were outsiders in the community. So when Ursula continues to spurn the doctor, she comes ever closer to being accused of witchcraft.

This was a really beautifully done story. Although I really didn’t like Adrianna’s character for a lot of the story, I was able to admire her tenacity in digging up (pun intended!) the mystery in the backyard of the cottage. It was really cool to see how everything was revealed slowly, and then in Ursula’s next chapter, the actual events are described. I was especially impressed with how Ursula handled everything that was happening to her; rather than spend all of her energy fighting a system that was designed to ignore her she put her efforts into figuring out a solution that worked for her.

Overall, this was a fantastic story, and it was done really well. The pacing was consistent, and the story pulled me in quickly and didn’t let go. I was just as intrigued by the mystery of the stone as Adrianna, but I made the connection a little faster, probably because I read the summary of the book and Adrianna didn’t. Several of the plot twists were obvious, but we all know how witchcraft accusations go, but there were a few that got me, including the big reveal. This was a truly enjoyable book, and I’m happy to report that Adrianna showed a lot of character growth—all she needed was fresh air, a garden, some country air, and a good mystery to focus on. I especially loved how the two timelines eventually found some common ground as well. I’d recommend this if you like historical fiction, dual timelines, historical mysteries and/or stories about witch trials.

I have been a huge fan of Clare's previous books so I was very excited to read this one. I love a dual timeline story so this aspect appealed to me a lot, as well as the witch trials of the 1600's. Ursula's story was one of hardship and I couldn't help but feel angry for her. It's truly astonishing to learn that so many women went through what Ursula did and they were innocent. I would have loved a couple more chapters to learn more about Ursula and what happened next. Where the story fell slightly was Adrianna's present-day narrative. I found myself becoming more and more irritated by her blindness to what was happening to her and it made me want to reach into the pages to give her a good shake. This was still a quick read that had all the elements I've come to expect from Clare's work.

⭐⭐⭐✨

Another amazing and fascinating historical story from Clare!
So atmospheric, I was soon drawn into the story.
Ursula is a wonderful character, she has chosen a life where she lives on her own, her childhood was scarred by a violent conflict between her parents, so she lives a simple life looking after the locals with her herbal remedies and midwifery skills.
Suddenly her life is rocked by the arrival of a doctor, who is hell bent on having her as his mistress, even against her will. It was so incredibly tense and thrilling to watch the drama unfold.
Adrianna moves into the cottage that once was inhabited by Ursula, her own life and career in tatters, and straight away she feels that something has happened in this place. Quickly she is drawn into the history of the cottage and this gives her something to focus on as she tries to rebuild her life and overcome her own lost confidence.
Two strong women, separated by time but both influenced by the men in their lives. You could really feel Adrianna taking on the strength from reading Ursula’s journal, influencing her to make important decisions and changes to her own life in the modern world.
So many brilliant twists, and breath holding moments, I really struggled to put down this fantastic book!