The Ravenswood Witch by Jenni Keer - #bookreview #blogtour

 

1885

Her heart was pounding and her breaths were raspy in her throat. She was beyond exhausted and had to rest for a moment, steadying herself by placing her hand on a rough gatepost and bending forward to stop herself being sick...

***

‘There are a lot of shadows at Ravenswood, so you will need to be strong…’

The year is 1885 and a young woman is on the run, knowing if she’s caught, she’ll be hanged for murder.

 Moments from a safe haven, she collides with a gruff stranger, falling and breaking her ankle.

To her surprise, the man – Marcus Greybourne – convinces the local constable that she is his reclusive wife of ten years, Luna. He carries her back to the neglected and crumbling Ravenswood Hall, promising if she agrees to maintain this charade, he will keep her safe until her injuries have healed.

But the house is haunted by shadows and secrets. What’s more, the real Luna Greybourne is missing, without trace. Scratches and marks made by her around the house suggest witchcraft; and indeed Luna is known locally as the Ravenswood Witch; her reputation in tatters, like the wallpapers of the padlocked rooms she’d destroyed.

As strange happenings in the house continue, outside the screech of a raven echoes across oppressive woods that seem alive with dark magic. And the woman who is now pretending to be Luna can’t help but fear she’s escaped the noose for a far more terrible fate…

***

I was so pleased when I was offered an advanced readers copy of this book as part of the blog tour, as I was already a fan of Jenni Keer's books. I have previously read At the Stroke of Midnight and No. 23 Burlington Square, both of which I enjoyed very much. You can read my reviews of those books by clicking on their respective titles.

I do not often read spooky books and I definitely steer clear of the horror genre. I am far too much of a coward for that! However, whilst this was spooky and quite eerie at times I really enjoyed that element of the story. 

Sticking with the witchy theme, I recently read Weyward by Emilia Hart, as well as The House of the Witch by Clare Marchant. Both excellent books with similarities. The plot of The Ravenswood Witch was a little different to either of those which made this all the more compelling to read.

The plot has much to offer; a runaway fugitive, witchcraft, ghostly apparitions and a romance to boot. There was also a twist partway through the book that I was not expecting. It was an excellent curve ball to throw into the plot. I shall say no more about that as I would hate to spoil your own discovery of this when you read the book. And I do use the word when as you will really be missing out on an excellent book if this one passes you by.

The book is set in 1885, and Ms. Keer does an excellent job in portraying the period, along with the setting of a derelict and run down house in which the main character finds herself. The house oozes with mystery and secrets and she finds herself wondering if in escaping the hangman's noose, she has stumbled into a more dark and dangerous situation.

This is an outstanding novel, and I will even go as far as saying it is amongst the best books I have read this year. I highly encourage you to treat yourself to a copy of this to snuggle down with in the run up to Halloween.

ISBN: 978 1785139796

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Formats: e-book, audio, hardback and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  352 (paperback)

About the Author:

Jenni Keer is the well-reviewed author of historical romances, often with a mystery at their heart. Most recently published by Headline and shortlisted for the 2023 RNA Historical Romantic Novel of the Year.

(ARC and all media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)