The Lighthouse Witches

By: C. J. Cooke

Narrated by: Eva Feiler, Lesley Harcourt, Jess Nesling, Joshua Manning

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

A Most Anticipated Novel by Pop Sugar * Book Riot * Betches * Bustle * and more!

"Utterly spellbinding.... Witchcraft meets thriller." (Pop Sugar)

Two sisters go missing on a remote Scottish island. Twenty years later, one is found - but she's still the same age as when she disappeared. The secrets of witches have reached across the centuries in this chilling Gothic thriller from the author of the acclaimed The Nesting.

When single mother Liv is commissioned to paint a mural in a 100-year-old lighthouse on a remote Scottish island, it's an opportunity to start over with her three daughters - Luna, Sapphire, and Clover. When two of her daughters go missing, she's frantic. She learns that the cave beneath the lighthouse was once a prison for women accused of witchcraft. The locals warn her about wildlings, supernatural beings who mimic human children, created by witches for revenge. Liv is told wildlings are dangerous and must be killed.

Twenty-two years later, Luna has been searching for her missing sisters and mother. When she receives a call about her youngest sister, Clover, she's initially ecstatic. Clover is the sister she remembers - except she's still seven years old, the age she was when she vanished. Luna is worried Clover is a wildling. Luna has few memories of her time on the island, but she'll have to return to find the truth of what happened to her family. But she doesn't realize just how much the truth will change her.

©2021 C.J. Cooke (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Right from the start, I was hooked on this eerie, cryptic novel. I don’t know how C. J. Cooke does it, but every time I pick up one of her books, I can’t stop reading until the last page.” (Samantha Downing, USA Today best-selling author of My Lovely Wife)

"Utterly spellbinding.... Witchcraft meets thriller." (Pop Sugar)

"Truly scary....a new horror novel set on a remote Scottish island." (Book Riot)

Spellbinding!

This was so unusual and gripping. The narrators were fantastic and I was entirely captured from start to finish. Absolutely loved it!!

Witches, Scotland, Time Travel

The narration of this book made the book even better. I loved all the voices that were so convincing.
Although the title makes you think it is all about witches, it is so much more. You immediately love the characters.
The book begins with the burning of witches in the late 1600's and the curse they put on the Isle.
There are 3 different time periods that are taking place that are easily followed.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a gothic tale with a definite twist.

Slow start

It took awhile for the story to take off but well worth hanging in there. I would have enjoyed a little more of an historical narrative. Good October read!

Took a bit to get into the story

It took some time to get into the story but it was worth the wait. I got lost and had to rewind a few times but in the end it was a really good mystery.

Fantastic!

I have discovered narrators can make or break a book for me. The choice of narration for this was spot on. The story itself was incredible. The narration puts it over top. I’m almost nervous to check out this author more on audible because I don’t want to be disappointed…

Amazing

I loved reading this book. the narrator did such a great job with all the twists and turns. I wasn't expecting the ending but then again part of me was and it was really touching and relatable and heartfelt an amazing.

Loved!

Absolutely, positively, thoroughly enjoyed, once I figured out that it was bouncing back and forth through time frames!

Good Story

This is an interesting story about witches and the belief in witchcraft. It combines history with folklore and shows how each can be devastating to human lives.
The narrators are good, but the children's voices are sometimes too whiny.

A surprise

I was pleasantly surprised that this book wasn’t corny at all. I love anything set on a small Scottish island. The sea, the forest are atmospheric and layer well with the folklore and witchcraft themes. Loved it! First book by this author and now I need more.

A bit juvenile

It’s a cool concept, but I found it to be a bit too juvenile. It kind of stretches out so that you don’t find out the big reveal too early. Still, it was quite fun and gripping. The audiobook narrators did a wonderful job in bringing this to life.