The Lighthouse Witches

By: C. J. Cooke

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

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)

Phenomenal

This is a stunning and gorgeously written book.
The setting is my dream location for any genre and the characters are very relatable (and there are many characters)
The storyline is completely original (CJ Cooke is particularly gifted in this way, utterly creative and original, always)
2 minor issues: because there are so many characters, it makes it difficult at times really feel these characters, on a deeper level.
At times the story is a little fantasy driven, a little too much “outside the realm of possibility” in some ways.
But like any great artist, and this author truly is, I am happy to take the good with “suspension of disbelief” issues I had at times.
I have to say that The Nesting is perhaps the best book I’ve ever read (in this genre) so my expectations were quite high.
Perhaps this is the reason for me being a bit hyper critical in this case.
This is an author to follow, to support, and to be inspired by.
Also, the performers are OUTSTANDING, and there are many of them.
Each is utterly pitch perfect.
The character of Liv does so many voices, so beautifully, I could not believe the layers there.
Each and every character is brought to life by these performers, and that drew me right in.
Another example of how a great book becomes a masterpiece with the right lineup of narrators.
I wait with bated breath for the next book from this author.
To me there is no greater compliment.
Buy this book now.
Both as an audible listen and in hardcover format.
Beautiful 🕷🕸🕷

Unique and stirring

What a beautiful story and a new take on an old theme. That's all I want to say for fear of giving away anything. Narrator is amazing and the story is evenly paced.

Loved it

I think my favorite book I've listened to on Audible so far! At first, it's a bit disorienting the way the book jumps from point of view to point of view and bounces around in timelines, but stick with it. It gets easier to follow and there is a VERY good reason for it that is explained in the end.

The book is architected well, the narrators were good (the one for Luna was my favorite). I read that they're going to be making a TV series based on this book, and I'm excited to watch it when it comes out.

I liked the pacing, the character development, and things were tied up nicely at the end for those that find that important (I'm ok with ambiguous endings with a few loose ends).

Exactly my kind of book!

What a trip! I love the history, mystery, and paranormal suspense and mis-direction. I know I will read this one again!

Soooo weird but good

Full of detail and mystery this story was both riveting and at times confusing but well worth a credit. All becomes clear in the end; sort of. It’s a rich fantasy wrapped in folk lore and mystery.

Good storyline, a bit confusing delivery

The story itself was interesting but, especially in the beginning, I kept getting lost. I had to go back and pay close attention to who and when things were happening. Lots of characters to keep track of.

Eventually it’s started getting easier. Overall, an interesting story but a lot of effort to get through it. I like audiobooks because I can do other things (crafting, cooking, etc) while I’m listening. This one wasn’t suited to multitasking.

I cried

Old Scottish folklore, intrigue, mystery, familial bonds, and the things we will do to protect and keep the ones we love.

good story

I didn't like the division of the chapters. Overall a good storyline. It jumped around too much.

Great pre-Halloween listen

I binged this in 2 days. Good for those looking for a horror story before Halloween. Also, if you’re an Outlander fan stuck in the droughtlander the Scottish setting/history helps pass the time until Book 9 comes out.

amazing!

I have always loved anything to do with time travel. This was whole new level. I had to really focus but the story was so captivating that was easy. would make awesome movie.