I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed this book that is so steeped in historical facts and fiction. When her father Bill receives some unexpected news Megan takes it upon herself to travel to St Mawgen Cove in Cornwall to find out more. The cove has an intriguing history that evolves around the fishermen, their families and a witch in the 1625. Megan soon learns that The Ship, the local pub where she is staying, has some ghostly residents who are turning customers away. She is determined to find out who they are and the stories behind them as well as finding the answers she has come to the cove for. This has dual timelines and I loved how they weaved in and out of each other. This is atmospheric, totally absorbing and so full of mystery. The characters are all so very individual and I could easily visualise the different characters and the events surrounding them. An absolutely brilliant read that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

Loved this. The switch between timelines and characters kept an even momentum between Megan and her family journey and the devastating events for Susanna and Katel.

Susanna and Katel's part of the tale is desperately sad and shows a piece of Cornish history that haunts the fishing village for many many years. It's such a fascinating tale and I love the superstition and witchcraft that we hear of. It's maddening that the people turned on Susanna and her daughter in the way that they did but karma delivers!!

Megan's holiday isn't one without motive except it takes a turn due to the ghosts that haunt The Ship Inn. She uncovers the truth and spirits rest which makes this take quite heartwarming.

I really enjoyed this. I've not been to Cornwall before but know there are places where there's a history steeped in tradition, superstitions and witchcraft that I need to experience for myself.

Elena Collins's The Cornish Witch is an atmospheric and immersive historical fiction novel that blends mystery, romance, and the supernatural, set in the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Cornwall. With its dual timelines, richly developed characters, and evocative setting, the novel offers readers a journey through time, unraveling dark secrets and long-buried family histories.

Plot and Themes:

The story follows Megan, a woman seeking solace at St Mawgen Cove after a turbulent year. Upon arrival, she is drawn into the town's eerie atmosphere, which is steeped in rumors of ghostly occurrences and secrets. Her discovery of a letter containing a family secret sends her on a journey to uncover the truth about her lineage and the haunting past of the village. As Megan digs deeper, she uncovers the tragic story of Susanna and her daughter Katel, who were accused of witchcraft in 1625 and met with a grim fate.

Collins masterfully intertwines the present and the past, showing how the sins of one generation reverberate through time. Themes of family, resilience, and the dangers of superstition are explored as Megan unravels the mystery of her ancestors and faces the psychological and supernatural forces that threaten to consume her.

Character Development:

Megan is a relatable protagonist, her personal struggles and emotional journey providing a strong anchor for the novel. Her quest for answers not only brings her closer to the town’s mysterious past but also offers a path toward healing her own wounds. The historical characters, Susanna and Katel, are equally compelling. Collins does a fantastic job of making their 17th-century lives feel both tangible and tragic, offering readers a glimpse into their world of persecution and resilience.

Setting and Atmosphere:

The Cornish coast, with its rugged cliffs and hauntingly beautiful landscapes, serves as the perfect backdrop for this tale of mystery and the supernatural. Collins’s descriptions of The Ship Inn and the surrounding village create an eerie, almost otherworldly atmosphere that envelops the reader. The tension between the past and present is palpable, as the landscape itself seems to hold the weight of forgotten histories and the lingering presence of the past.

Supernatural Elements:

The blend of historical fiction with supernatural elements adds a compelling layer to The Cornish Witch. The stories of witchcraft and ghostly hauntings are deeply interwoven into the novel’s narrative, enhancing the sense of mystery and suspense. The slow build-up of supernatural tension is perfectly balanced with the human drama, making the fantastical elements feel grounded and integral to the story’s emotional core.

Conclusion:

The Cornish Witch is a spellbinding read that will captivate fans of historical fiction, mystery, and the supernatural. Elena Collins expertly weaves a narrative that explores the complexities of history, family, and the echoes of past wrongs. With its richly detailed setting, compelling characters, and haunting atmosphere, the novel offers a deeply satisfying and immersive experience.

For readers who enjoy historical mysteries with a touch of magic, The Cornish Witch is an absolute must-read.

I really enjoyed The Cornish Witch, I really enjoyed the contrasting chapters which went back in time to the present. The different characters really made the chapters stand out and I enjoyed both the stories from Katle and Megan.
The writing style really gripped me and I really enjoyed getting swept away with this story.

oh im so glad i came across this book. it was a fantastic read. from the very first reading of the blurb i was hooked and im so glad i got the chance to read on.
the art of these books is when you have a great telling of both the past and present stories. they must both be as good as the other and you must be rooting and invested in both. and this knocks that out the park. because i somehow always have a bias in one of the eras. but with this one i loved both and couldnt wait to delve into them as their chapters arose. and i was invested in both to the point when one Pov ended i had to calm myself down so i could read the other Pov first before i new what happened next and vise versa!
the present day story is about Meghan who is tasked by her via on a mission of his own passed. when she checks in to The Ship Inn a bigger story starts to unfold. there are rumors about this place and it seems it might just be Meghan who has to find them out.
the arc is of the past where we have Susanna and her daughter. Susanna is a healer of the era and shes been teaching her daughter about what she does. but the two woman live in a vulnerable time. one that Susanna often feels unsafe in. when things start to go amoc in the local community the blame doesnt fall onto the right hands and as people start to get more worked up the "healing" whispers soon began to change to those of witchcraft. tensions start to build and Susanna is starting to get scared for her and her daughters own safety.
what does Megan have to do with these past stories. and is there more to what brought her to this village than she first thought?

this book was filled with page turners and i just adored it. there was a mix of cozy and magical element to the book. the scene setting was brilliant from both the past and present and it just all fit together so well.
this writer know her genre and im so glad she does!

This was really lovely! I absolutely loved both the past story of Susanna and Katel in 1625 and the present day story of Megan. The Cornish village with a history of eerie things and witchiness was a great setting. I love a good witch story. And I really like how the author wrote this one.

The heart of this story, I thought anyway, was really the familial relationships - mother and daughter with Susanna and Katel, Megan and her parents, Megan's dad and his long lost daughter, Megan and the different characters she befriends in St. Mawgen Cove. All the different relationships were what I thought really drove the story whether it was the present day 'mystery' solving or in the past, with all the villagers coming to Susanna for her healing abilities.

What stopped this from being a 5 star read was that I just wish we got more about what happened <i>after</i> the climax of everything. Like, I wanted more scenes of everyone together from the present day side, and maybe more scenes of haunting bits that occurred sometime between 1625 and present day at The Ship. How many people have seen the ghosts?? I'm so curious!

Much thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an early copy of this book to read.

I love this author's books and this is another great addition to her catalogue. Whenever I had to put it down, I couldn't wait to get back to it!
Two timelines, the present which is focused on Megan while 1625 is all about Susanna and her daughter Katel. Megan goes to Mawgen Cove on her father's behalf to search out a secret from his past that she has just learned. She stays at The Ship Inn which has lately changed hands and is rumored to be haunted.
Susanna is a pellar or healer and is very good at what she does. She and her daughter live alone and she's teaching Katel her trade. There's an old woman in the village who believes in the old ways and she's trying to get Katel to learn these things. She's trouble and causes havoc in the small community.
I loved the past story! The parts about the healing, detailing what was used and how things were done back then was brilliant. Also reading about the old ways and how easy it was to be convicted of witchcraft was quite scary. Life was precarious and you had to always be on the alert. My heart went out to Susanna. She was my favourite character in the whole story.
In the present the descriptions of Cornwall were wonderful. It explains a lot about diving and surfing too but not enough to detract from the story.
The reason I dropped a star was because the story was a little drawn out, especially the modern one. Then the last three chapters or so galloped along and everything was sorted very easily, too easily. There is an epilogue, it's just to tie up loose ends.
There are some lovely sea shanties in the book, including one at the start and the author includes links at the end for further information. I also have to mention the gorgeous cover.
A really great read and I'm already looking forward to her next book.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.

This dual-timeline book alternates between 1625 and present day. In the 1625 timeline, Susanna and her daughter Katel live in the fishing community of St Mawgen Cove, where Susanna makes her living as a healer. When misfortune arrives, the villagers need someone to blame, and they turn their sights toward Katel. Susanna knows that once they accuse her daughter of being a witch, there is no way to keep her safe. In the present day timeline, Megan’s father gets a letter from a daughter he fathered as a teenager. She was put up for adoption, and he never knew what happened to her. Now she is writing to him, wanting to meet. Megan suggests that she go to the Cornish village of St Mawgen Cove and check her out, and report back to her father. As soon as she arrives and she checks into The Ship Inn she feels like something strange is going on. There are noises in the room above, the locals tell tales of smugglers and shipwrecks and she can’t escape the story of the witch who waits and watches from the top of the cliff.

I really enoyed the 1625 timeline, much more than the present day timeline. I have always found it fascinating how little it took back in those days for people to cry "witch" and innocent people had to hang for the witch hysteria. The present day timeline frustratd me a bit. Megan went there for a vacation and to meet her half-sister, but it wasn't until closer to the end of the book that she did that. She spent almost the whole time surfing, diving, and helping the inn owners with their rebranding efforts. Maybe that is just me, but I would have made finding her my first priority. Overall, this is a solid 4 out of 5.

Another excellent captivating dual timeline novel from this author. Any books with herbalists, healers, wise women and those labelled as ‘witches’ are my favoured genre and this one ticks the boxes. I love how the author has included herbal remedies, crystals etc in the current timeline. Another hit with the setting, very well researched and it was very evident that the author had visited the area- I recognised St Ives and Porthleven from the very accurate descriptions. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy.

A timeslip novel of love, loss and superstition.

Set in 1625 and 21st century Cornwall, The Cornish Witch takes you back to a time when being woman with a knowledge of healing, and adhering to old 'traditional' ways, was a dangerous thing.

In 21st century Somerset the story follows Megan. A young woman in the midst of dealing with a painful breakup, her father Bill suddenly receives a letter that throws comfortable, if not predictable, life into disarray.

The letter sets off a chain of events that Megan did not see coming. It's written by an Emma Davey who claims to be Bill's daughter, one that his wife Jackie, and Megan for that matter, knows nothing of. In order to help her father, Megan takes a holiday to Cornwall in the hope of finding out more about her half sister Emma.

But it's in Cornwall, and her stay at The Ship Inn, that sees the start of the timeslip - the Inn dating from the mid 1600s and steeped in local history.

It's here we're introduced to Susanna and her daughter Katel. Slowly, invitingly, we're introduced to more 17th century characters who will each play a part in how Susanna and Katel's story culminate; Colan, Tedda, Beaten, Yowann. At the start we're not told who Katel's father is and this unknowing plays a big role in Katel's life - she's arguably wild and untamed due to the lack of fatherly supervision which manifests in later difficulties. But Katel and Susanna are both well loved in their community, for Susanna is a trusted healer.

Throughout their story we, the readers, are absorbed in witnessing the harshness of small coastal village life. Everyone knows everyone else's business, very little is secret, and friendships are thus tested when 'truths' come to light.

One of these supposed 'truths' is how Tedda is a witch, Tedda who then implicates Katel as following her suit and equally to blame for misfortunes that fall upon the community.

What follows is a series of events which are perceived to be the result of witchcraft. Collins writes with such vivid storytelling and rich detail that you are swept along in the story. You feel as if you are witnessing firsthand what's unfolding and it's emotive, you can't help but be drawn to these women, spurring them on and hoping that their resilience prevails. It's captivating and I appreciated how the chapters were distinctly of different centuries, making it easy to follow and understand storylines, but yet it never felt disjointed. Collins' writing beautifully bridged the centuries, emphasising a connection between the two settings that added to the mystical nature of the plot.

Meanwhile in the 21st century, Megan meets several characters; Carly, Tom, Patrick, the cleaner and Julien. These likewise help carry the story along at a nice pace. While it sometimes feels like Collins loses sight of the direction Megan is going in (i.e trying to find Emma Davey) the storyline nevertheless portrays the idyllic Cornish landscape and offers an encouraging if slightly eccentric romance for Megan.

The story is well written and generally well paced (I did find the ending to the 1625 storyline a bit abrupt). The storylines are neatly tied up, there is the odd twist that keeps you wanting to read more and past events are explained to fulfil everyone's satisfaction.

I've not read anything by this author before, but I think The Cornish Witch is the perfect introduction to more of Collins' books. I read it in 3 days, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I've tried not tk give too much away here, but needless to say I think it's perfect for fans of historical storylines or more generally for a holiday read - particularly if you're holidaying in Cornwall!

The Cornish Witch
by Elena Collins
Pub Date: Apr 20 2025

Now: When Megan’s father gets a letter containing a secret from the past, he asks her to go to the Cornish village of St Mawgen Cove to get to the bottom of the mystery. Megan is happy to take a holiday after a challenging year but as soon as she checks into The Ship Inn something feels amiss. There are noises in the room above, the locals tell tales of smugglers and shipwrecks and she can’t escape the story of the witch who waits and watches from the top of the cliff.

1625: Susanna and her daughter Katel live a contented life, but without the protection of a husband and father, Susanna fears for Katel’s future as she blossoms into womanhood. The fishing community of St Mawgen Cove is close knit but when misfortune arrives in the cove, it’s not long before villagers are looking for someone to blame. And when talk turns to witches, Susanna knows she and Katel are no longer safe.

Can Megan bring peace to St Mawgen and to two women who have been broken-hearted for centuries?

This is a story which tells a captivating tale that intwines a historical mystery with a touch of magic. And all of it takes place in atmospheric Cornwall. I loved the dual timeline that switches between the 17th century and the present. I enjoyed the author’s world-building, and her descriptive style brought St. Mawgan to life, which enhanced the story’s sense of mystery and intrigue. The back and forth between the two storylines is written so as they are clearly defined while at the same time portraying the sense of connection between the past and present. The slow reveal of the secrets of the past added multiple layers of depth to the present mystery.

This is a multi-genre book, and the author mixes historical fiction, mystery and witchcraft elements successfully. It created an excellent amount of suspense that had me glued to the pages. Witches and ghosts and smugglers…oh my! I found the pacing to be a tad on the slow side, but I think it added to the suspense and worked well here. And if you’re a historical fiction purist, you may not appreciate the witchcraft sections. If I have to mention one niggle it would be the ending, I wish there was more to it.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and its blend of the past with the present. It was captivating when it needed to be and a slow burn when it didn’t. I think the best part of the book was the setting and the way the author melded an intriguing mystery with a hint of magic. I recommend it to those who enjoy a captivating story with a touch of hocus pocus.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

Elena Collins delivers another captivating dual-timeline tale with The Cornish Witch—a blend of mystery, romance, and the supernatural. When Megan’s father receives a letter revealing a long-buried secret, Megan travels to the Cornish village of St Mawgen Cove to uncover the truth, under the guise of a surfing trip. What she finds instead is a haunting mystery, ghostly encounters, and a centuries-old tragedy that still lingers in the present.

Set in both modern times and 1625, the story follows Susanna, a healer and single mother whose daughter becomes dangerously entangled with a woman suspected of witchcraft. As suspicion and fear rise, the past unfolds with heartbreaking intensity.

Beautifully written and atmospheric, this novel explores themes of love, loss, and healing across time. With rich characters, vivid imagery, and a satisfying conclusion that ties both timelines together, The Cornish Witch is another enchanting read from Collins. Fans of her previous paranormal stories will not be disappointed.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Cornish Witch, my I’d been so looking forward to this ARC, Elena Collins being one of my must read authors and let me just say, she didn’t disappoint. 5 shining stars.
Being a time slip story it’s told in the 1600 and the present day.
I love how the holistic ways have stood the test of time. Even if lesser embraced in present day.
In present day we meet Megan who takes herself off to St Mawgan to uncover a family secret, there she stays at an old inn, which has a haunting vibe.
There she quickly settles in to friendships, surfing, diving and spooky tales of The Drenched Man, The Weeping Woman and The Waiting Witch. Can the tales and mysteries of old be laid to rest?
In the 1600s we meet Susanna, a single mum to her flirtatious and very pretty Katel, Tedda and Beaten. Susanna is known for her healing talents and is called upon for ailments and childbirth, Katel works with the fish the fishermen bring in, She is besotted with old lady Tedda and her enchantments, which her mother warns her against.
Bad things start to happen and pretty soon rumours spread and lives are ruined.
With Spirits trapped can they be set free?
Cold Kisses, Fishermen, Lotions and Potions and the much darker side of the coin, Tedda!!!
Its so well put together, I don’t quite know how she does it, but she had me gripped and scared at times too, as I read parts at bedtime, from start to finish. Highly Recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

St Magwen Cove is a Cornish fishing village that exactly 400 years ago was befallen by a tragedy that still has repercussions today.

The story is told in two timelines. In 1625 we have Susanna, a midwife and herbalist healer and her 17 year old daughter Katel who gets under the influence of a woman thought of as a witch, plus a whole host of villagers with unusual names. It's a heartbreaking story of witchcraft, smuggling, death and grief resulting in three ghosts called The Waiting Witch, The Weeping Woman and the Drenched Man, who are still haunting three of the four guest rooms in the Ship Inn because they used to be fishermen's cottages back then.

In the present day, 28 year old Megan, also into herbalism and crystals, has booked a room in the Ship Inn for a holiday - sun, sand, surfing and finding the half sister she never knew she had. She starts a romance with diver Patrick who is interested in an old shipwreck, but she also gets drawn into the history of the Ship Inn and the ghosts who are very much still around, in their grief-stricken and angry form.

The story is compelling but somewhat uneven in narrative. The supernatural element and the treatment of women in the 17th century, expected to still cook and clean while ill or just having given birth, is a lot more interesting than the lukewarm present day romance and trying to de-ghost an old pub. I don't believe in ghosts and it makes no sense whatsoever for an upset unalived witch to still kill men 400 years later - there wouldn't be anyone left! However I did find that story well-researched, atmospheric and compelling, and the haunted pub full of locals singing sea shanties while trying to be modernised by a gay couple is a fascinating mixture of the old and the new.

I can't believe that this is the third genre that Judy Leigh (under a pen name) has mastered, after her cosy murder mysteries and her romances for the older gals. Despite reservations about ghosts, I had a good time reading this and would recommend to anyone interested in historical fiction coupled with the supernatural and a contemporary romance in a Cornish setting with a gorgeous cover.

I’m not usually one for ghosts and witches but I figured I’d try this one anyways, since quite often old 1600’s witch trials were a complete farce. This, however was a legitimate witch and ghost story, but I didn’t feel like it was all that creepy or eerie.

The storyline was interesting, going back and forth in the two timelines and I thought the build up was well done. I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style - it just felt kind of flat, at least for Megan’s timeline, and some of the dialogue felt unnatural or mechanical.

The ghosts depicted in the book supposedly sent people screaming in terror but I never got that from the writing. They felt more like a weird interruption without much description to back up the declared emotional reaction. Susanna’s chapters were more fleshed out and better described, though the characters across the board felt fairly inconsistent.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

I enjoy any witchy novel and this one piqued my interest. The dual timeline of Megan and Susannah’s lives were really interesting. I particularly liked reading about Susannah’s life in the 1600s and the old healer ways. Megan’s journey to learn more about her family and expand her own life was really enjoyable too.

Megan's father receives a letter concerning the past and asks Megan to go to the village of St Mawgen cove to investigate. dual timeline

A dual timeline read of superstition, witchcraft, smugglers and haunted goings on set in Cornwall has all the right ingredients to be right up my alley and this definitely did not disappoint!
Loved the atmospheric backdrop of St Mawgen Cove, both in modern day and old., the descriptions and writing really pulled me in to feel like I was right there. The 1625 fishing village and lifestyle was my favourite, particularly the wide mix of strong well developed characters, not just in Susanna and Katel, but in the neighbours and friends around them as well.
I really liked modern day Megan's interest in 'new age' crystals and healing too. It was a clever link to the healing offerings of the wise women of before.
I liked this a lot!!

The story was fabulous, I was just a little put off by the switching back and forth. I thoroughly enjoyed being in the 17th Century, but I realize the story wouldn't have worked if it had been the sole era of the book. The characters were wonderful and each personality read as completely separate individuals. I had the mysteries figured out by the end but it was suspenseful getting there. I'd recommend The Cornish Witch as a good read!