Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, but I look forward to reading and reviewing other books by this author in the future.

Such a beautifully tragic story. It does tug at all the heartstrings. Give this a read for something different.

A short historical ghost story that mixed real events. If felt like a fever dream stuck in the decaying reality of world war two. Well written and creepy.

The Haunting Scent of Poppies follows Charlie, a small-time crook who skipped serving in the war and is later haunted by the people who would have been his comrades. It's short, harrowing, and vivid enough to keep you up at night. I love how the author managed to pack in a richly layered narrative in a sparse few pages, and the ending still felt complete and satisfying.

This was a spooky and short ghost story that definitely had an insidious bent. It was perfect to read right around Christmas time. I am not huge on war stories but found the horror elements kept me mostly in the story. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title.

4 star!

While this wasn't particularly scary, it was still unsettling. It is a traditional ghost story that follows a thief who stole the wrong thing.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a well written, quick and easy read that had great horror elements. It was dark and very unsettling/creepy. I love a story where the main characters descends into madness and this fit that perfectly!

This short story was eerily soulful. Really liked the brevity of this plot and the show-not-tell narrative.
Charlie is an appropriately grey character very suitable for this setting. Him being a petty thief and picking up a rare book from a bookstore close to the first anniversary of the book owner's untimely death in The War feels very poetic. So is the consequent haunting of Charlie.
The underlying narrative about the effects of The War is very poignant. Even not enlisting, Charlie, a common thief, cannot escape the horrors of it. When he is being haunted, he is experiencing the book owner's horrific death in the trenches drenched in mustard gas. The soldiers who returned half-faded and the people the dead soldiers left behind in their lives are all living in the memory of it all.
I will be looking forward to reading more by the author.

A satisfying ghost story to read on a winter's night.

In the immediate aftermath of WW1, Charlie Briggs, a thief, is lying low in Petersfield to avoid the police. Spotting a bookshop, he decides to steal some books to tide him over the Christmas period.

Unfortunately for him, the rare copy of The Art of War that he steals appears to be cursed. Charlie starts dreaming of the death of the previous owner, experiencing the horror of the trenches and bombardment by mustard gas waking to find burning blisters on his skin. He is also pursued by a bandaged figure with glowing red eyes that urges him to 'remember me'.

This dark little tale combines the horror of warfare and the agonising death many young soldiers experienced with a growing feeling of being trapped by the consequences of your actions. Although Charlie is a far from likeable character, I pitied him during his growing realisation that the book he has stolen has sealed his fate.

The Haunting Scent of Poppies by Victoria Williamson is a perfect ghost story for the winter season, set during Christmas in the atmospheric chill of the English countryside.

This is one of those books that makes me so grateful to be able to read in English—otherwise, I would have completely missed out on this hidden gem.

The story starts with an intriguing setup: a thief, a mysterious bookshop, and a rare, precious book. I was hooked from the very first page. Despite the limited number of characters and a seemingly static setting, the atmosphere is incredibly well-crafted. The author masterfully creates a haunting, immersive world that lingers with you long after you've finished reading.

It’s a quick read, just a couple of hours, but it leaves a deep impression. One quote, in particular, stayed with me:
"It was a single poppy, growing so far out of season it no longer seemed like a symbol of summer life, but a grotesque warning of death."

The book hasn’t been translated into Italian yet, but I sincerely hope it will be. It’s the kind of story that deserves a wider audience. Thoughtful, eerie, and beautifully written, it’s a tale that lingers like a persistent fragrance.

Victoria Williamson is also the author of The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle (2018), a touching story of friendship between a Scottish girl and a Syrian refugee, and The Boy with the Butterfly Mind (2019), which explores life through the eyes of a boy with ADHD. After reading The Haunting Scent of Poppies, I can’t wait to dive into more of her work.

If you’re looking for a beautifully atmospheric ghost story, treat yourself to this one—it’s well worth it!

The Haunting Scent of Poppies by Victoria Williamson is a beautifully written, deeply emotional historical fiction novel that masterfully captures the devastation of war, the resilience of the human spirit, and the complexity of relationships during tumultuous times. Set during and after World War I, the story follows a young woman named Clara as she navigates a life altered by the horrors of war, loss, and the profound impact of the Great War on both soldiers and civilians.

Williamson’s writing is evocative and rich, with vivid descriptions that transport readers into the world of early 20th-century Europe. The haunting scent of poppies, which serves as a symbol throughout the novel, is a perfect metaphor for the lasting emotional scars of war—both the trauma and the remembrance. The book beautifully intertwines personal and historical elements, showing not just the impact of war on soldiers, but on families, communities, and individuals who are left to pick up the pieces.

The characters in The Haunting Scent of Poppies are complex, relatable, and full of depth. Clara’s journey of grief, healing, and self-discovery is compelling, and her relationship with those around her—particularly with her family and the soldiers who have come back home—feels both tender and heartbreaking. The emotional highs and lows are perfectly balanced, making for a truly immersive reading experience.

What truly stands out in this novel is Williamson’s ability to evoke powerful emotions while maintaining a sense of hope. The story is poignant, without being overwhelming, and the themes of memory, sacrifice, and the scars left by war are explored with sensitivity and grace. The pacing is just right, with moments of tension and reflection that keep the reader invested from start to finish.

The Haunting Scent of Poppies is a five-star read that will resonate deeply with fans of historical fiction, particularly those interested in stories of resilience, healing, and the lasting impact of war. This is a novel that stays with you long after the final page, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I was given an advanced copy in exchange for a review.

Perfect novella! The horror elements are nicely done and the writing is very good. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This was an interesting short novella on the horrors of war and their ability to haunt (in this case, not the best of people) long after they have gone. The main character is definitely a complex man, and I feel like the story could have taken a little longer to flesh him out beyond a black and white characterisation. The horror in this one is short, but ultimately satisfying, and this is very much an effective Christmas ghost story that packs a bit of a punch behind it.

I would be keen to see more in a compilation of short stories or as a longer novel!

The Haunting Scent of Poppies gives classic Victorian ghost story with a chilling mix of The Twilight Zone. From beginning to end this is a page turner and the perfect addition to my winter reading list! Thanks NetGalley & Silver Thistle Press!

I had a hard time getting into this one at first because war stories tend to be some of the hardest for me but I can usually get past the rough patches with a good ghost story. The main character in this short novel is morally complex which makes for an interesting read and the atmosphere is wonderful. Not to on my top reads list, but it worth the time.

A decent little story where you almost feel sympathy for the thief as he deals with the consequences of hating stolen a haunted book.

“Hadn’t he had his own trenches to crawl through, in the basements and backstairs of London? Hadn’t he got his fair share of War wounds to show for his troubles? This was his War trophy, and he’d be damned if some hallucination caused by the Spain Arms thieves was going to rob him of his reward.”

He’s a man desperate to survive, even if we don’t agree with his methods and even if he causes a crazy amount of harm to those he comes across. He almost deserves it; even in his dreams, a place where he could be free of his pains and poverty he chose to save the book and not a man.

I would read more by this author!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!

This was more of a mini-novella or short story - very quick read. It started out immediately with creepy undertones. The story was a good one, predictable in some spots, but enjoyable nevertheless. We're meant in the beginning to see the protagonist for what he is - a career criminal. But the story takes a dark turn and I actually found myself feeling sorry for him and wishing him a happy ending. There are a few spots that gave me a bit of a chill.

This is a beautifully haunting story. A perfect accompaniment to the dark nights, this has just the right amount of chill factor. Set after the Great War the story tells the tale of petty criminal Charlie Briggs who believes that he has made the luckiest of finds - a rare and valuable book, but is the book the find of his dreams or the stuff of his nightmares?
Huge thank you to the publishers for a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a copy of The Haunting Scent of Poppies.

This was a great spooky short story which intertwined traditional ghost stories with the horrors of war and the experiences that many faced in such a clever way. Really worth reading for fans of creepy stories.

Rating 3.5/5

I’m usually not one for a horror book, especially with a historical setting, there are a few exceptions, and after reading another of her books earlier in the year, I decided this author is one of them.

The Haunting Scent of Poppies is a short book that packs a punch, honestly, I’ll be thinking about this book for a while, it is an eerie and chilling story. I didn’t think that having a ghost story set at Christmas would be all that effective but actually, it is the perfect setting for such a story, the cold winter atmosphere and people generally being more good-natured works so well to set against what is happening to Charlie.

Charlie is an interesting character. He is a bit of a scoundrel, but I still felt bad for him when things started to go wrong for him, even though I also knew I shouldn’t. I liked that everything that happens is a result of his poor choices and that he is being forced to deal with the consequences in quite a terrifying way.

I also liked the way the memories of the War were weaved into Charlie’s reality. As it slowly gets worse and worse, it changes his mindset a little, though not enough to change his outcome.

Whilst it was a little gruesome for me at points, although perhaps not to a seasoned horror reader, I enjoyed the atmosphere that the author created in this story and I was captivated from start to finish.

This was a really good novella! The author was able to add a lot of atmosphere and impact in such a short novel. I also love the nod to the impact of the war and the horror the soldiers had to deal with as well as all the people who profited on their lives.