The Cornish Witch by Elena Collins is a marvellous dual timeline novel that consumed me from the start.
The action is set in 1625 and present day in a Cornish fishing village. A modern-day inn is at the centre of the action.
Tragic events in 1625 means that there are lost souls unable to rest. These spirits cause havoc in present day as they want everyone to suffer as they did. Present day owners of the inn are losing trade due to the restless spirits.
In 1625 there are women accused of being witches. They are in fact midwives with knowledge of herbs and plants. Locals believe they are causing mischief.
In present day there are a mother and daughter who run a new age shop in Minehead who also believe in the healing power of plants.
A shipwreck on the sea bed has lain there undiscovered for four centuries until a pair of divers come along. The Cornish coast is littered with wrecks as smugglers used to lure ships to their doom.
There is the theme of mothers and daughters in both time periods. We witness the strong bonds.
Sins from the past lure their heads. We witness that something beautiful can be born from tragic events.
All the characters were well drawn, realistic and believable. They were easy to empathise with.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Cornish Witch. Elena Collins has spun another marvellous tale. Her books spring to life under her descriptive pen. She is a masterful storyteller, whether writing under Elena Collins or Judy Leigh, all her books are first class. I always know that when I pick up one of her tales, it will be a cracking story.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

The Cornish Witch
By: Elena Collins

5 Stars

This was a story of a cornish small village and the tales that make it infamous. Megan finds out she has a long lost relative, which brings her to the small village of St. Mawgen. While there, she finds ghosts and tales that will stay with her longer than just for her holiday. She meets new friends and learns the tragic history of this small fishing village.

This was a beautifully written blend of past and present. The mysteries of the present slowly explained with the tales of the past. It was so well done. I am all about ghost stories, but this was so much more. It was magic and mystery. It was myth and legend. It was tragic and hopeful. It was a very well told tale. The characters were well done and brought the reality of the times. They were easy to love, easy to feel for. The scenery was descriptive and beautiful. I absolutely loved this book. Start to finish it had me hooked and swept up in both the past and the present of a Cornish village.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

Grab this one or any of the author’s books at curl up and enjoy the wild ride. You won’t be disappointed.
It makes a change to read a book that makes you feel good and is entertaining ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review! #thecornishwitch #netgalley

Follow this dual timeline story where two worlds collide in very different ways!

I wanted something a bit different to my normal reads and the vibrant sunset in this cover drew me into the book.

Since reading this book and looking online for others from this author I’ve noted that Elena Collins is a pen name for Judy Leigh who writes romance books.

This is a poignant novel that brings together social history, folk lore and genealogy into one beautiful novel. I often find dual timelines that are so different to each other are very difficult to get right but this author has!

I’d recommend this book to everyone to try!!

I have always loved Elena's stories but this one was my absolute favourite. Timeslip novels are my go to genre, I just love the merging of time lines and the people it involves but this wonderful story with witches in Cornwall will be hard to beat, thank you

This is a dual time line book. The present day and 1625. I loved the atmosphere of 1625, witchcraft and simple remedies, and a strong character in Susanna. The tension builds as the story progresses, and bad things keep happening. In the present day, there is a haunted hotel and a family member to be found. It was great how the two stories interconnected, and even if you don’t believe in the supernatural the story is still intriguing. If you enjoy historical fiction you'll enjoy this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy to review.

Thank you, Boldwood Books, for the ARC of The Cornish Witch. I enjoyed it so much and am sad to be finished with visits to St. Mawgen. The dual timeline was written so well and the story came together at the end beautifully. It was a perfect mix of romance, history, mystery, and family. The characters were interesting and I could.feel the difference between the timelines in language and traditions.

The Cornish Witch is another fascinating, atmospheric, paranormal mystery romance from Elena Collins. A dual timeline novel of secrets from both past and present. Our modern day heroine, Megan is the one to put it all together and solve the centuries old mystery along with the current one by bringing two separated families together with their members. The stories unfold slowly giving us a chance to get to know the characters and understand the trials they face. There are some complex threads to unravel and the journey of both are intriguing and mesmerising. The two timelines cross over in the finale and we are given a wonderful conclusion to a dramatic and sometimes heartbreaking plot: though there is tragedy in both times, rectification is possible so that restoration can begin.

When Megan’s father receives a letter that divulges a secret from the past, he is quite shaken and not sure what to do. He eventually unloads his worries with his daughter with whom he shares a close relationship and she offers up a solution. She will go to the Cornish Village of St Mawgen Cove to unravel the mystery for him but under the guise of a surfing holiday. When she lands at the Cove and checks in at The Ships Inn, she is soon captivated by another mystery that surrounds the accommodation and St. Mawgen community. Yes, there are ghosts with bad odours, wailing and other strange sounds that go bump in the night. These paranormal activities certainly set her on edge but her desire to help those spirits left behind, drives her forward to solve a centuries old mystery. Elena gives us lots of clues, vivid imagery and accounts of events to keep us turning the pages as we move from one timeline to the next, and learn about the past villagers of the 1600s while keeping our eyes open on the present.

The second timeline set in 1625 delivers interesting characters such as Susanna, the villager’s choice herbalist-healer, a single parent who lives with her daughter Katel. The father of Katel is unaware of his offspring but as Katel grows up, many strange things begin to happen as she is drawn into the circle of a woman who may be a witch. Many misfortunes happen and the villagers are looking for someone to blame. And when the topic of witches arises, Susanna knows that her daughter’s association with Tedda (accused of using witchcraft to evil ends) means she is no longer safe. Quickly the world around her begins to crack as explosive accusations fly.

This is a story about broken hearts, secrets, misunderstandings, the strength of a mother’s love and how it may take centuries for healing to come. But I am happy to say the novel, though often sad, ends on a high note: with all mysteries solved, not only for those from the past but also for Megan and her family in the present. There’s even a new romance on the horizon for our modern day heroine!

For those who love Elena’s previous paranormal novels, you will enjoy this one as well. I was charmed by the characters and appreciated both timelines equally. I also loved how the past slides into the present ending in a grand finale. An enthralling, spellbinding dual timeline from a much loved author once again! 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.

A woman investigates a family mystery in a Cornish village, uncovering secrets from the past that connect her to a 17th-century mother and daughter accused of witchcraft. She must unravel centuries-old heartbreak and find peace for them both. The book is well-written and a good choice if you’re looking for women’s fiction with supernatural elements.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of The Cornish Witch, having previously loved The Witch’s Tree by Elena. As a big fan of historical fiction, I was immediately drawn to this dual-timeline story, which follows Megan in present-day Somerset as she travels to Cornwall to uncover a newly discovered family connection. While staying at an old pub in St Mawgen, she finds herself caught up in local legends and ghostly occurrences. The town is said to be haunted by a witch, and the pub itself holds eerie secrets that seem to be costing the owners business.

The historical timeline takes us back to the 1600s, following healer Susanna and her daughter Katel in this same Cornish village. Their story unfolds with themes of mystery, persecution, and resilience.

I thoroughly enjoyed the blend of history, witchcraft, and the supernatural—right up my street! The story flowed beautifully, and I was absorbed in both Megan’s and Susanna’s worlds. My only slight critique is that the ending felt a little flat. However, that didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. I’d rate this a solid 3.5 ⭐️stars, and I’ll definitely be reading more from Elena Collins in the future!

I truly felt as if i had been taken back in time and was a fly on the wall for the entirety of this novel. The level of description and detail takes the reader on connected journeys between the past and the present while integrating the mysterious retelling of the history within this book. Regarding the history, I am always a sucker for ghost stories and witches, and this novel had both in spades which kept me turning pages rapidly. I loved the characters embodying these roles as well, their stories made the reader root for and connect to them while feeling the emotions along with the characters as they lived. I would absolutely recommend this book to others, it pulled the heartstrings and easily kept my interest throughout its entirety which I believe are indications of a well-written novel. The author did an amazing job with this historical fiction piece and to anyone who is intrigued by this description even a bit: READ IT.

Elena Collins has crafted an engaging story in *The Cornish Witch,* blending history, mystery, and the supernatural into an emotional read. The novel shifts between the present and the 17th century, following two women connected by fate as they seek truth and peace.

Megan travels to St Mawgen Cove to unravel a family secret but finds herself caught in something much older and creepier. The Ship Inn, with its eerie atmosphere, is perfect for this tale. Meanwhile, in 1625, Susanna and her daughter Katel face the dangers of superstition and fear, highlighting the precarious reality for women accused of witchcraft.

Collins’ lyrical writing paints a vivid picture of Cornwall’s rugged beauty and its heavy past. With themes of injustice, resilience, and the bond between mothers and daughters, *The Cornish Witch* is a haunting yet uplifting read that lingers long after the last page. Fans of historical fiction with a supernatural twist will be captivated.

Another great read fro Elena Collins who is fast becoming one if my preferred authors.
The dual time-line started off slowly and then the story came together to produce a very satisfying read that I didn't want to put down.
The part set in the past was very atmospheric and all the characters, both past and present, were highly believable and well rounded.
I would highly recommend this book.

This was a book I was invited to read but it really wasn’t for me. I much preferred the recent timeline to the past. A decent enough story but too much romance for me.

I read this as soon as I got the approved ARC. Elena Collins is one of my favorite authors of historical fiction with a touch of near magical realism. I know she will never disappoint and this book is probably my favorite so far.

This book has so many wonderful layers. Once I was into it, I did not stop until I finished.

The book follows two timelines; Megan, who has just discovered that she has a half sister and travels to Cornwall to look for her, and Susanna, a local wise healer and her daughter Katel, who is roped into some witchcraft by a local pellar. Megan begins to investigate the past after staying at The Ship, which is the local haunted inn.

It has the perfect mix of eerie, melancholy and joy to make it a truly enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A spellbinding read that grabbed me from the first page. When Megan goes on holiday to Cornwall to look for her half sister she didn’t know she would find self-healing, a romantic connection and some lost spirits from 1625. She cannot escape the tales of smugglers and shipwrecks but through her kindness and understanding she is able to bring peace to the Cornish Cove of St Mawgen. Historical and well written.

The Cornish Witch by Elena Collins is such a masterpiece! Elena is a genious author! Love her work... the characters were so perfectly created, they looked like they really existed. It was an amazing experience!

I loved it. I was hooked right from the start and couldn't put it down. I loved the dual timeline in the book too as it felt like I really got to grips with the story

The Cornish Witch is a dual timeline novel with the first timeline taking place in St. Mawgen's Cove, Cornwall, in 1625, with Susanna as one of the local wisewoman/healers (they use the term pellar) and her daughter Katel, who is being befriended by another pellar, Tedda, who tinkers in evil magic. Katel seems to be about 17, the age when her mother became pregnant out-of-wedlock but Susanna refuses to name Katel's father, even to her. The second timeline takes place in the present day with Megan, who runs a new age shop with her mother in Somerset. When her father confesses to her that he had a child with an ex-girlfriend when he was young, that ex gave the baby up for adoption, and that his first child had just contacted him, Megan realizes she lives in Mawgen's Cove and makes plans to take a vacation there and try to meet her half sister. There is way more to this story, which features the supernatural as the Ship Inn where Megan stays is haunted by two ghosts, the Drenched Man and the Weeping Woman, while the town itself is haunted by the Waiting Witch who preys on men at night and kisses them, causing them to die. I love how both timelines were wrapped up very nicely in the last chapter and epilogue. I highly recommend this novel and look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.