Review of 'The House of the Witch' by Clare Marchant

Review of 'The House of the Witch' by Clare Marchant

Release date: Aug 9th, 2024

Publisher: Boldwood Books

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REVIEW

The House of the Witch by Clare Marchant is a finely crafted, captivating and enlightening novel set in two timelines: 1646 and 2024. Everything swirls around and is affected by the historical thread. This woman who worked with herbs, delivered babies and tried to live a quiet simple life gets classed as a witch because she refuses the advances of a married man. Her words reach into the future and make a big impact on another woman— also under the control of a nasty man.

Details are vivid and every moment crisp with amazing descriptions that pulled me in. There are many beautiful passages where I could feel every movement, hear every sound and watch events unfold. Some scenes made me cringe from the horrific treatment of these two women. The author paints a painful existence of abuse. One woman is made to feel inferior and even crazy. The other is labelled falsely as a witch for refusing to bend to a man’s desires. In both timelines, there are men who want to dominate and control women. The author has provided quite an intense and, at times, graphic picture of this behaviour that filled my eyes with tears. Although suffering is well depicted, we also see admirable courage of those who fought back. I won’t forget this novel any time soon as there are strong images now lodged in my mind!

Ursula of 1646 does not want a relationship because of what her mother experienced at the hands of her cruel father. She chooses to live alone a quiet life, tending to her herbs, delivering babies and helping the sick when needed. But no matter how hard she tries, that peaceful existence seems elusive, especially after she is seen and hunted down by a dreadful doctor who gets it in his head he must have her as a mistress. Ursula makes it clear on every occasion she is not interested and wishes he would return to his ill wife and children that he has left on their own. He claims he wants to do medical research and asks to compare notes with Ursula but it is not her expertise he seeks but her bed. He is a very creepy character that would make anyone shudder! He does not give up and employs a spy to watch her moves. And when that fails, he tries other tactics that include destroying her reputation and credibility. And soon she is labelled a witch. The next part of the story had me on the edge of my seat and watching in horror what was to come as a result.

In the 2024 timeline, we meet Adrianna who works in an important financial position in London but something happens that dwindles her confidence. One thing after another brings her undone so she takes a six month sabbatical and heads north to rural coastal Norfolk where she stays in an old cottage that was once the residence of a 1646 herbalist named Ursula. Adrianna discovers a hidden journal of this woman in the cottage and learns of her trials. Between this written account of Ursula’s life, some old stones with strange markings, plus another unexpected find, Adrianna is plunged into a centuries old mystery that begins to parallel her own life. There is a fascinating bird in this story, too, that bridges the gap of centuries and adds a nice paranormal touch! During Adrianna’s stay in the village, she learns a lot about herself but also her heart awakens to the type of man she has been living with. And it is not a pretty revelation!

I was taken with both timelines and although the historical is always most intriguing to me, the modern thread kept me on the edge as I hoped Adrianna would see what was in front of her. There are some magnificent twists in Ursula’s story and Adrianna’s, too, that made me happy as I wanted to see a positive outcome for them both. After taking a firm stand, justice is served on their behalf. Yes, all a bit cryptic I know but I don’t want to give anything away. It is quite a dramatic journey for these women so should be experienced by the reader. I will say I love that Ursula’s words from the ancient past help Adrianna with her dilemma in the present. For a moment in time, the centuries between them melt away.

I am glad to have read this gripping story of courage, resilience, history, triumph, discovery and hard fought freedom. These victim women, worlds apart, ultimately rise to the top. Finally, as champions of their own destinies. I highly recommend The House of the Witch! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.