Hester Fox's second novel is a triumphant follow up to last year's The Witch of Willow Hall. A new minister with a colourful past arrives in Pale Harbour and meeting the prominent families of the town he is told to avoid the Widow Carver, a woman rumoured to have killed her own husband and to practice witchcraft. Gabriel Stone of course is immediately curious, who is this strange woman? Expecting a cackling crone, he visits the widow and discovers a lively, intelligent and captivating woman. However someone in the town has gone beyond rumour and speculation and is determined to terrorise Sophy Carver; first with strange noises and animals carcasses before trying to frame her for murder and threatening her life. Gabriel sets out to clear her name as he finds himself falling under Sophy's spell. This is a thrilling gothic tale full of twists and turns, perfect for fans of Essie Fox, Laura Purcell, Stacey Halls or the mid Victorian gothic fiction of Wilkie Collins and others. Perfectly paced and brilliantly plotted, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks so much to Harper Collins for sending me a copy.
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