The Lighthouse Witches
by C.J. Cooke
Summary
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.
My Review
This was my first time reading this author, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. She’s a truly underrated writer who deserves more attention! The story had me hooked, and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end with an unexpected twist that took me by surprise.
I listened to the audiobook, which featured a full cast of narrators, and they did a fantastic job. The variety of voices and accents really brought each character’s POV to life, which was helpful since there are quite a few characters to keep track of. While the story could feel a bit chaotic at times with all the details and perspectives, the narrators made it much easier to follow. I also enjoyed the short chapters and thought the pacing was strong—it started a bit slow but really picked up around the 30% mark.
The dual timelines were fun to piece together, as I tried to connect the past with the present. Although the story didn’t go quite as I’d expected, it was an entertaining read with a little bit of everything—family drama, romance, coming-of-age themes, mythology, and some fantastical touches. If you’re hoping for a read that’s heavy on witchy elements, this one leans more toward being about witches than involving active witchcraft. But as a fantasy-sci-fi blend, it was enjoyable, and I’m excited to read more from this author!