The Lighthouse Witches

Single mother Liv takes a commission to paint a mural in a lighthouse on a remote Scottish isle, bringing her three daughters with her. The lighthouse holds dark secrets dating back to 1662 during Scotland's witch trials. Twenty-two years later, Luna is the only surviving member of her family after her mother and sisters disappeared that winter at the lighthouse. When she receives word that her youngest sister has been found - exactly as she was two decades ago - Luna must return to the island to uncover the truth. The story moves between timelines, connecting ancient folklore with modern mystery as multiple narrators piece together what happened at the lighthouse. The island's history of witch hunts, changelings, and unexplained events becomes increasingly relevant to both past and present. This gothic mystery explores themes of motherhood, sisterhood, and how ancient superstitions can echo through generations. The boundary between folklore and reality grows increasingly unclear as characters grapple with what they believe possible.

Readers call this book atmospheric and creepy but note it requires patience to follow the multiple timelines and characters. Many found the Scottish folklore elements and lighthouse setting compelling. Positives: - Strong sense of place and haunting atmosphere - Complex mystery that comes together at the end - Original take on witch history - Well-researched Scottish folklore elements Negatives: - Confusing timeline jumps between 1998 and 2021 - Too many characters to track - Slow pacing in first half - Some found the ending rushed and unsatisfying "The supernatural elements felt believable within the story's context," noted one Amazon reviewer. Another complained that "keeping track of four Livs across different time periods required constant flipping back." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (47,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (11,000+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.75/5 (4,000+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (800+ ratings)

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The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow Three sisters uncover their ancestral witch powers while fighting for women's rights in an alternate historical New England.

Pine by Francine Toon A missing woman's daughter navigates Scottish folklore and family secrets in a remote Highland community.

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner Two timelines connect through an 18th-century apothecary's secret business of selling poisons to women and a modern-day historian's discovery of mysterious bottles.

🌊 The remote Scottish island setting of "The Lighthouse Witches" was inspired by the Isle of Skye, known for its rugged landscapes and rich folklore surrounding witchcraft and the supernatural. 🕯️ C.J. Cooke wrote part of the novel while battling Long Covid, which she has said influenced the book's themes of isolation and perceived reality. ⚔️ The witch hunts described in the book reflect real Scottish history - between 1563 and 1736, approximately 4,000 people were accused of witchcraft in Scotland, a much higher rate per capita than in England. 🗼 The lighthouse in the novel is partially based on Dubh Artach lighthouse, a remote Scottish lighthouse built in 1872 that stands on a treacherous rock surrounded by dangerous waters. 🎨 The author, who also publishes under the name Carolyn Jess-Cooke, is not only a novelist but also an award-winning poet and academic who teaches creative writing at Glasgow University.