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The Ghost Woods
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50 copies available
U.S. only
In the midst of the woods stands a house called Lichen Hall.
This place is shrouded in folklore—old stories of ghosts, of witches, of a child who was not quite a child.
Now the woods are creeping closer, and something has been unleashed.
Pearl Gorham arrives in 1965, one of a string of young women sent to Lichen Hall to give birth. And she soon suspects the proprietors are hiding something.
Then she meets the mysterious mother and young boy who live in the grounds—and together they begin to unpick the secrets of this place.
As the truth comes to the surface and the darkness moves in, Pearl must rethink everything she knew—and risk what she holds most dear.
This place is shrouded in folklore—old stories of ghosts, of witches, of a child who was not quite a child.
Now the woods are creeping closer, and something has been unleashed.
Pearl Gorham arrives in 1965, one of a string of young women sent to Lichen Hall to give birth. And she soon suspects the proprietors are hiding something.
Then she meets the mysterious mother and young boy who live in the grounds—and together they begin to unpick the secrets of this place.
As the truth comes to the surface and the darkness moves in, Pearl must rethink everything she knew—and risk what she holds most dear.
384 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2022
267 people are currently reading
28.2k people want to read
About the author
C.J. Cooke
9books1,893followersC.J. (Carolyn) Cooke is an acclaimed, award-winning poet, novelist and academic with numerous publications as Carolyn Jess-Cooke and Caro Carver. Her work has been published in twenty-three languages to date. Born in Belfast, C.J. has a PhD in Literature from Queen’s University, Belfast, and is currently Reader in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow, where she also researches the impact of motherhood on women’s writing and creative writing interventions for mental health. Her books have been reviewed in The New York Times, The Guardian, Good Housekeeping, and the Daily Mail. She has been nominated for an Edgar Award and an ITW Thriller Award, selected as Waterstones� Paperback Book of the Year and a BBC 2 Pick, and has had two Book of the Month Club selections in the last year. She lives in Scotland with her husband and four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,040 reviews
July 23, 2022
Then: Dundee, May 1959, Mabel Haggith aged 17 visits the doctor with her mother, they say she’s pregnant but she doesn’t understand as she’s done nothing wrong. It must be the ghosts inside her as they make her do some strange things.
Now: Pearl Gorham, September 1965, aged 22 and a nurse. She’s heavily pregnant and being taken to a mother and baby home in the Scottish Borders which is a 16th Century Manor House called Lichen House and is owned by the Whitlock family. There are many rumours about the Whitlocks and certainly the ghost woods, trees with pale ghostly trunks that are on their property adds to the strangeness. Pearl is treading where Mabel treads before her and their stories become entangled and intertwined.
This is another clever, creative and different Gothic tale from CJ Cooke. In this one motherhood is the principal theme, specifically unmarried mothers and their treatment and lack of power at this time. It’s well documented that mother and baby homes in this era have terrible reputations, look no further than the Magdalene laundries.
However, of course, it’s not that simple as a fantastical, imaginative story emerges woven in with several aspects of nature which mingles with fables and legends especially those from Gaelic folklore. I really enjoy this element though obviously it requires some suspension of disbelief but with the evocative descriptions of the house and its surrounds and some thoughtful explanation the author pulls you in and you go with the flow.
At times it’s creepy and menacing as a suspenseful dark tale unfolds with even darker deeds which includes betrayal, murder, destruction, some cruelty, manipulation and violence. There is a big mystery that lies at the heart of Lichen Hall and the further the Pearl in particular digs, the more horrifying it becomes.
The characterisation is good throughout and the author gives us some to root for and cheer on especially in Mabel, her son Sylvan and Pearl. The portrayal of Sylvan is fascinating but my lips are sealed on how!
Overall if you like a mixture of the factual and Gothic, the supernatural and fantasy then this one is for you.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins/HarperFiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Now: Pearl Gorham, September 1965, aged 22 and a nurse. She’s heavily pregnant and being taken to a mother and baby home in the Scottish Borders which is a 16th Century Manor House called Lichen House and is owned by the Whitlock family. There are many rumours about the Whitlocks and certainly the ghost woods, trees with pale ghostly trunks that are on their property adds to the strangeness. Pearl is treading where Mabel treads before her and their stories become entangled and intertwined.
This is another clever, creative and different Gothic tale from CJ Cooke. In this one motherhood is the principal theme, specifically unmarried mothers and their treatment and lack of power at this time. It’s well documented that mother and baby homes in this era have terrible reputations, look no further than the Magdalene laundries.
However, of course, it’s not that simple as a fantastical, imaginative story emerges woven in with several aspects of nature which mingles with fables and legends especially those from Gaelic folklore. I really enjoy this element though obviously it requires some suspension of disbelief but with the evocative descriptions of the house and its surrounds and some thoughtful explanation the author pulls you in and you go with the flow.
At times it’s creepy and menacing as a suspenseful dark tale unfolds with even darker deeds which includes betrayal, murder, destruction, some cruelty, manipulation and violence. There is a big mystery that lies at the heart of Lichen Hall and the further the Pearl in particular digs, the more horrifying it becomes.
The characterisation is good throughout and the author gives us some to root for and cheer on especially in Mabel, her son Sylvan and Pearl. The portrayal of Sylvan is fascinating but my lips are sealed on how!
Overall if you like a mixture of the factual and Gothic, the supernatural and fantasy then this one is for you.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins/HarperFiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
October 28, 2022
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Atmospheric
In the middle of Ghost Woods in Scotland is Lichen Hall, a huge house with mysterious members, rooms, and incidents. It is a place where unwed girls go to give birth and hand over the child to adoptive parents. It is supposedly a better place than the ‘institutions� that serve the same purpose.
Mabel goes there in 1950 and Pearl in 1965, along with a good many other girls. Pearl notices strange happenings and events in and around the house. One day, she meets a mysterious young woman and a boy on the grounds. Together, they start to unravel the hidden secrets even as darkness threatens to swallow them whole.
The story comes in the first-person POV of Mabel and Pearl in alternating timelines.
My Thoughts:
The story is divided into four parts:
� Part I: okayish and slow
� Part II: picks up pace and intriguing
� Parts III and IV: engaging and steady-paced
As you can see, the book is slow to start and even a little boring. But once the atmosphere sets in, it keeps you hooked.
I read by the author and know that she writes settings very well. The book lives up to the previous one in this aspect. It is atmospheric, gothic, and dark. It’s not spine-chilling but has enough to sustain the mood.
Folklore and science blend nicely, and there are enough social issues to add to the list. However, it doesn’t get preachy or OTT.
Various human emotions and dark sides merge seamlessly as the story progresses. It also requires a little suspension of belief to take a few things in stride.
The main characters are well-defined if not fully sketched. The side characters do what’s required of them. Though they aren’t explored, we get the essence of each character without trouble.
Mabel and Pearl’s voices are distinct enough. They blur a little toward the climax, but it’s still easy to keep track.
The author’s note at the end is detailed and provides insights into her idea and intent for the book.
The climax and ending are predictable (there are many hints). The climax isn’t as impactful as I wanted, but the detailed epilogue is more than satisfying.
To summarize, The Ghost Woods is a dark and atmospheric tale that uses folklore and science to explore the dark human side. Be careful of the triggers.
Thank you, NetGalley and Emma Pickard from HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheGhostWoods
One Liner: Atmospheric
In the middle of Ghost Woods in Scotland is Lichen Hall, a huge house with mysterious members, rooms, and incidents. It is a place where unwed girls go to give birth and hand over the child to adoptive parents. It is supposedly a better place than the ‘institutions� that serve the same purpose.
Mabel goes there in 1950 and Pearl in 1965, along with a good many other girls. Pearl notices strange happenings and events in and around the house. One day, she meets a mysterious young woman and a boy on the grounds. Together, they start to unravel the hidden secrets even as darkness threatens to swallow them whole.
The story comes in the first-person POV of Mabel and Pearl in alternating timelines.
My Thoughts:
The story is divided into four parts:
� Part I: okayish and slow
� Part II: picks up pace and intriguing
� Parts III and IV: engaging and steady-paced
As you can see, the book is slow to start and even a little boring. But once the atmosphere sets in, it keeps you hooked.
I read by the author and know that she writes settings very well. The book lives up to the previous one in this aspect. It is atmospheric, gothic, and dark. It’s not spine-chilling but has enough to sustain the mood.
Folklore and science blend nicely, and there are enough social issues to add to the list. However, it doesn’t get preachy or OTT.
Various human emotions and dark sides merge seamlessly as the story progresses. It also requires a little suspension of belief to take a few things in stride.
The main characters are well-defined if not fully sketched. The side characters do what’s required of them. Though they aren’t explored, we get the essence of each character without trouble.
Mabel and Pearl’s voices are distinct enough. They blur a little toward the climax, but it’s still easy to keep track.
The author’s note at the end is detailed and provides insights into her idea and intent for the book.
The climax and ending are predictable (there are many hints). The climax isn’t as impactful as I wanted, but the detailed epilogue is more than satisfying.
To summarize, The Ghost Woods is a dark and atmospheric tale that uses folklore and science to explore the dark human side. Be careful of the triggers.
Thank you, NetGalley and Emma Pickard from HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheGhostWoods
December 18, 2024
Very disrespectful towards mushrooms
October 8, 2024
C.J. Cooke’s "The Ghost Woods" is a masterful exploration of gothic horror, blending eerie folklore, the supernatural, and the harrowing real-life experiences of unwed mothers in the 1950s and 60s. Set against the haunting backdrop of Lichen Hall—a crumbling, isolated manor steeped in legend and shadowed by dark woods—the novel draws readers into an unsettling world where the boundaries between reality and myth blur in disturbing ways. With themes of motherhood, trauma, and societal repression running deep, this is not just a ghost story, but a poignant commentary on the treatment of women who were cast away for their circumstances.
The narrative unfolds in two timelines, each following a young woman sent to Lichen Hall to give birth and leave their child behind. In 1959, Mabel finds herself inexplicably pregnant, though she has no memory of ever having been with a man. She arrives at Lichen Hall in a state of confusion and fear, believing that her condition is the result of something supernatural. Fast forward to 1965, when Pearl, a 22-year-old nurse, is similarly sent to the manor after being ostracized for her pre-marital pregnancy. While both women arrive for the same reason, they soon discover that the true horrors of Lichen Hall go far beyond their own personal tragedies.
From the moment they step foot in the manor, the sense of dread is palpable. Lichen Hall is decaying from the inside out, with mold festering within its walls, strange apparitions haunting its grounds, and the woods themselves seeming to encroach upon the house. The caretakers, Mrs. Whitlock and her husband, are unsettling figures in their own right—Mrs. Whitlock, in particular, insists on handling the pregnancies without any medical intervention, her behavior veering between cold detachment and sinister intent. Her husband, suffering from dementia, only adds to the aura of decay, while the strange young boy, Wulfric, who roams the grounds, has an eerie fascination with mushrooms and the natural world, hinting at something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface.
What makes "The Ghost Woods" truly compelling is Cooke’s ability to intertwine gothic horror with real-world trauma. At its core, the novel explores the shame, isolation, and abuse that unwed mothers endured during this period. Lichen Hall becomes not just a physical place, but a symbol of the systemic oppression faced by women—its walls trapping them in silence and secrecy. The friendships that form between the women, particularly between Pearl and Mabel, offer moments of warmth amidst the bleakness, but their bond is also forged by the shared suffering and uncertainty of their futures.
The supernatural elements of the novel are woven seamlessly into this larger narrative of horror and loss. The house itself feels alive, with its creeping mold and decaying structure reflecting the internal rot of the societal systems that put these women in such dire straits. The woods surrounding the manor are filled with ghostly figures, unsettling folklore, and a sense of impending doom. Cooke introduces a variety of supernatural motifs—from witches and haunted woods to strange, sentient fungi that evoke a visceral sense of unease. These elements add depth to the novel’s atmosphere, heightening the tension and pushing the boundaries between what is real and what is imagined.
Pearl and Mabel’s journeys eventually collide, unraveling the dark secrets of Lichen Hall, the true nature of the woods, and the strange happenings within. As the two timelines converge, the reader is taken on a twisting, suspenseful ride that leads to a shocking conclusion. The truth behind Lichen Hall is deeply tied to the folklore and mythology that have surrounded the manor for centuries, but it also reflects the more human horrors of memory, trauma, and loss.
While the ending may require a suspension of disbelief for some, the journey is well worth it. Cooke manages to balance a deeply atmospheric, slow-burn horror with moments of genuine emotion and humanity. The dual timelines allow for a rich, layered narrative, and the characters—particularly Pearl and Mabel—are complex, relatable, and sympathetic. Mrs. Whitlock’s Jekyll-and-Hyde persona, Wulfric’s unsettling presence, and the other inhabitants of Lichen Hall all contribute to the claustrophobic, eerie mood that pervades the novel.
Cooke’s signature style, evident in her previous works The Lighthouse Witches and The Nesting, shines through here as well, with her talent for creating vivid, moody settings and her ability to explore the psychological depths of her characters. The horrors of The Ghost Woods are not just found in the supernatural, but in the way society treated these vulnerable women, stripping them of their dignity and choices. The novel’s exploration of motherhood—its joys, pains, and sacrifices—adds a level of emotional resonance that elevates the story beyond traditional gothic horror.
For readers who enjoy atmospheric, character-driven horror with a blend of folklore, history, and social commentary, "The Ghost Woods" is a must-read. Cooke’s ability to craft a chilling, immersive world while also addressing real-life issues makes this novel both haunting and thought-provoking. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page, leaving you to ponder the true cost of the secrets we bury and the stories we leave untold. Whether you’re a fan of gothic literature or just looking for a compelling, eerie read, The Ghost Woods will not disappoint.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this unputdownable mystery's digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
The narrative unfolds in two timelines, each following a young woman sent to Lichen Hall to give birth and leave their child behind. In 1959, Mabel finds herself inexplicably pregnant, though she has no memory of ever having been with a man. She arrives at Lichen Hall in a state of confusion and fear, believing that her condition is the result of something supernatural. Fast forward to 1965, when Pearl, a 22-year-old nurse, is similarly sent to the manor after being ostracized for her pre-marital pregnancy. While both women arrive for the same reason, they soon discover that the true horrors of Lichen Hall go far beyond their own personal tragedies.
From the moment they step foot in the manor, the sense of dread is palpable. Lichen Hall is decaying from the inside out, with mold festering within its walls, strange apparitions haunting its grounds, and the woods themselves seeming to encroach upon the house. The caretakers, Mrs. Whitlock and her husband, are unsettling figures in their own right—Mrs. Whitlock, in particular, insists on handling the pregnancies without any medical intervention, her behavior veering between cold detachment and sinister intent. Her husband, suffering from dementia, only adds to the aura of decay, while the strange young boy, Wulfric, who roams the grounds, has an eerie fascination with mushrooms and the natural world, hinting at something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface.
What makes "The Ghost Woods" truly compelling is Cooke’s ability to intertwine gothic horror with real-world trauma. At its core, the novel explores the shame, isolation, and abuse that unwed mothers endured during this period. Lichen Hall becomes not just a physical place, but a symbol of the systemic oppression faced by women—its walls trapping them in silence and secrecy. The friendships that form between the women, particularly between Pearl and Mabel, offer moments of warmth amidst the bleakness, but their bond is also forged by the shared suffering and uncertainty of their futures.
The supernatural elements of the novel are woven seamlessly into this larger narrative of horror and loss. The house itself feels alive, with its creeping mold and decaying structure reflecting the internal rot of the societal systems that put these women in such dire straits. The woods surrounding the manor are filled with ghostly figures, unsettling folklore, and a sense of impending doom. Cooke introduces a variety of supernatural motifs—from witches and haunted woods to strange, sentient fungi that evoke a visceral sense of unease. These elements add depth to the novel’s atmosphere, heightening the tension and pushing the boundaries between what is real and what is imagined.
Pearl and Mabel’s journeys eventually collide, unraveling the dark secrets of Lichen Hall, the true nature of the woods, and the strange happenings within. As the two timelines converge, the reader is taken on a twisting, suspenseful ride that leads to a shocking conclusion. The truth behind Lichen Hall is deeply tied to the folklore and mythology that have surrounded the manor for centuries, but it also reflects the more human horrors of memory, trauma, and loss.
While the ending may require a suspension of disbelief for some, the journey is well worth it. Cooke manages to balance a deeply atmospheric, slow-burn horror with moments of genuine emotion and humanity. The dual timelines allow for a rich, layered narrative, and the characters—particularly Pearl and Mabel—are complex, relatable, and sympathetic. Mrs. Whitlock’s Jekyll-and-Hyde persona, Wulfric’s unsettling presence, and the other inhabitants of Lichen Hall all contribute to the claustrophobic, eerie mood that pervades the novel.
Cooke’s signature style, evident in her previous works The Lighthouse Witches and The Nesting, shines through here as well, with her talent for creating vivid, moody settings and her ability to explore the psychological depths of her characters. The horrors of The Ghost Woods are not just found in the supernatural, but in the way society treated these vulnerable women, stripping them of their dignity and choices. The novel’s exploration of motherhood—its joys, pains, and sacrifices—adds a level of emotional resonance that elevates the story beyond traditional gothic horror.
For readers who enjoy atmospheric, character-driven horror with a blend of folklore, history, and social commentary, "The Ghost Woods" is a must-read. Cooke’s ability to craft a chilling, immersive world while also addressing real-life issues makes this novel both haunting and thought-provoking. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page, leaving you to ponder the true cost of the secrets we bury and the stories we leave untold. Whether you’re a fan of gothic literature or just looking for a compelling, eerie read, The Ghost Woods will not disappoint.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this unputdownable mystery's digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
October 13, 2022
Okay, I’ll admit it, I was officially creeped out by this book. It is set in the late 1950s - mid 1960s in Scotland where being an unwed mother and her unfortunate illegitimate child was still very much a stigma. We’ve all heard of the horrific Magdalen laundries which only closed down far too recently for any reasonable person’s thinking. In this story, Lichen House, a truly massive gothic mansion in a remote Scottish location abutting some very dense woods seemed like a humane alternative for many families. The house has a dark past but we don’t believe in witches and ghosts - do we?
Mrs Whitlock runs the house now. Her older husband, who is obsessed with fungi and the symbiotic relationship between some fungi and animals, is slowly developing dementia so his actions are somewhat erratic. Mrs Whitlock herself is alternately charming and friendly and then cold and mean. Also living there is their grandson, Wulfric, another very strange individual. Into this weird environment the young, pregnant women arrive. Some of them do not stand a chance.
There is no midwife, they must fend for themselves. When a problem arises no doctor is called. The red flags are already flapping madly in the wind! The story focuses on Mabel, Pearl, Morwen, Rahmi and Aretta.
Mabel feels she has ghosts inhabiting her body and her baby, Sylvan, is rejected by the couple that comes to adopt him after only a few days. Mabel is happy to have him back but struggles to make a life for them in a crude shack on the grounds of Lichen House. Sylvan is indeed a very different child, he has ‘the sight� and can see things that others can’t.
Pearl is the last of these women to arrive and she tries to help them as she is a qualified nurse. But it is all too little and too late for most of the residents. This would be a perfect Halloween read - spooky but not violent per se. The story is very gothic and unsettling and quite mysterious.
Do read the author’s notes at the end of the story. She has successfully explored the themes of motherhood, the different views of it, women’s equality and rights and the freedom to choose their own se*uality. Many thanks to Netgalley for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Mrs Whitlock runs the house now. Her older husband, who is obsessed with fungi and the symbiotic relationship between some fungi and animals, is slowly developing dementia so his actions are somewhat erratic. Mrs Whitlock herself is alternately charming and friendly and then cold and mean. Also living there is their grandson, Wulfric, another very strange individual. Into this weird environment the young, pregnant women arrive. Some of them do not stand a chance.
There is no midwife, they must fend for themselves. When a problem arises no doctor is called. The red flags are already flapping madly in the wind! The story focuses on Mabel, Pearl, Morwen, Rahmi and Aretta.
Mabel feels she has ghosts inhabiting her body and her baby, Sylvan, is rejected by the couple that comes to adopt him after only a few days. Mabel is happy to have him back but struggles to make a life for them in a crude shack on the grounds of Lichen House. Sylvan is indeed a very different child, he has ‘the sight� and can see things that others can’t.
Pearl is the last of these women to arrive and she tries to help them as she is a qualified nurse. But it is all too little and too late for most of the residents. This would be a perfect Halloween read - spooky but not violent per se. The story is very gothic and unsettling and quite mysterious.
Do read the author’s notes at the end of the story. She has successfully explored the themes of motherhood, the different views of it, women’s equality and rights and the freedom to choose their own se*uality. Many thanks to Netgalley for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
November 3, 2023
2.5 stars
A gothic and atmospheric tale that never quite engrossed me.
A home for fallen women. This is what Lichen Hall offers. An isolated decrepit estate tucked and hidden near The Ghost Woods. This novel follows several women who are forced to endure their pregnancy surrounded by strangers in this crumbling mansion. There are plans for their babies that they promise to give up.
I liked the idea of this story and was excited to read it in October during spooky season. Gothic stories are usually a win for me but this didn’t quite work the way I had hoped. The gothic, witchy aspect wasn’t believable for me so I never felt truly invested. I also didn’t fully connect with any of the characters which kept me at a distance from the story. I usually love stories revolving around pregnancy, birthing and motherhood but this missed its mark for me.
This novel unfolds through two timelines, a few years apart. It shares a few chapters of each timeline in chunks which I found choppy. I did find myself confused between storylines several times as they are similar and share some of the same characters.
Overall, this had a promising start but never captured my full attention. This is my first book by this author and I would be curious enough to try another to see if this was just a one-off with my lack of connection.
A gothic and atmospheric tale that never quite engrossed me.
A home for fallen women. This is what Lichen Hall offers. An isolated decrepit estate tucked and hidden near The Ghost Woods. This novel follows several women who are forced to endure their pregnancy surrounded by strangers in this crumbling mansion. There are plans for their babies that they promise to give up.
I liked the idea of this story and was excited to read it in October during spooky season. Gothic stories are usually a win for me but this didn’t quite work the way I had hoped. The gothic, witchy aspect wasn’t believable for me so I never felt truly invested. I also didn’t fully connect with any of the characters which kept me at a distance from the story. I usually love stories revolving around pregnancy, birthing and motherhood but this missed its mark for me.
This novel unfolds through two timelines, a few years apart. It shares a few chapters of each timeline in chunks which I found choppy. I did find myself confused between storylines several times as they are similar and share some of the same characters.
Overall, this had a promising start but never captured my full attention. This is my first book by this author and I would be curious enough to try another to see if this was just a one-off with my lack of connection.
March 12, 2025
Why are there so many…books about fungi? 🎵🍄🟫�
Fungus seems to be a hot topic for gothic thrillers these days…from T. Kingfisher’s What Moves the Dead to M.L. Rio’s Graveyard Shift to C.J. Cooke’s The Ghost Woods. All of these books explore the unique topic of mycology. The Ghost Woods is a gothic folk horror novel and the last installment of the thematic trio which also includes The Nesting and The Lighthouse Witches.
Told in two timelines 1959 and 1965, two women detail their experiences at Lichen Hall, a house for unwed mothers. Pearl is a nurse and comes from the upper-class society and Mabel is very poor and is from lower-class Dundee. Shrouded in folklore, Lichen Hall might also be home to ghosts, witches, and a child who is not quite a child. Surrounded by fungi, the mystical landscape is foreboding. The two women must learn the truth about Lichen Hall and its caretakers in order to survive.
The Ghost Woods includes themes of motherhood, memory, trauma, and humans� relationship with nature. The setting is very atmospheric, creepy, and disturbing! The characters are fully developed and the plot is engrossing. However, the twists are pretty obvious and it felt like a lot of time was spent setting up the plot.
I have enjoyed all three books in this trilogy, but The Lighthouse Witches still remains my favorite.
3.5/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 4/29/25
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for the ARC of The Ghost Woods in exchange for an honest review.
Fungus seems to be a hot topic for gothic thrillers these days…from T. Kingfisher’s What Moves the Dead to M.L. Rio’s Graveyard Shift to C.J. Cooke’s The Ghost Woods. All of these books explore the unique topic of mycology. The Ghost Woods is a gothic folk horror novel and the last installment of the thematic trio which also includes The Nesting and The Lighthouse Witches.
Told in two timelines 1959 and 1965, two women detail their experiences at Lichen Hall, a house for unwed mothers. Pearl is a nurse and comes from the upper-class society and Mabel is very poor and is from lower-class Dundee. Shrouded in folklore, Lichen Hall might also be home to ghosts, witches, and a child who is not quite a child. Surrounded by fungi, the mystical landscape is foreboding. The two women must learn the truth about Lichen Hall and its caretakers in order to survive.
The Ghost Woods includes themes of motherhood, memory, trauma, and humans� relationship with nature. The setting is very atmospheric, creepy, and disturbing! The characters are fully developed and the plot is engrossing. However, the twists are pretty obvious and it felt like a lot of time was spent setting up the plot.
I have enjoyed all three books in this trilogy, but The Lighthouse Witches still remains my favorite.
3.5/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 4/29/25
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for the ARC of The Ghost Woods in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2025
THE GHOST WOODS by C. J. Cooke
Page Count: 408
Publisher: Harper Collins
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: A Haunting in the Arctic
Where to buy: It's not easily accessible here in the States. I bought my edition from Blackwell's HERE and I see that another edition will be released in the US, in April 2025
Release Date: October 2022
General Genre: Gothic, Psychological Suspense, Supernatural/Paranormal
Sub-Genre/Themes: Parents sending their daughters away when they get pregnant out of wedlock, folklore, scandals, women, motherhood, sapphic romance, ghosts, creepy children, remote estates, cursed families
Writing Style: Dual timelines, short chapters, great pacing/plotting
What You Need to Know: In the midst of the woods stands a house called Lichen Hall.
This place is shrouded in folklore—old stories of ghosts, of witches, of a child who was not quite a child.
Now the woods are creeping closer, and something has been unleashed.
Pearl Gorham arrives in 1965, one of a string of young women sent to Lichen Hall to give birth. And she soon suspects the proprietors are hiding something.
Then she meets the mysterious mother and young boy who live on the grounds—and together they begin to unpick the secrets of this place.
As the truth comes to the surface and the darkness moves in, Pearl must rethink everything she knew—and risk what she holds most dear.
My Reading Experience: Dual narratives tell the stories of two women, Pearl in 1965 and Mabel ten years or so earlier. Both women are sent away to Lichen Hall to give birth when their families discover they are pregnant out of wedlock. I was transported to this place. I could see every detail in my mind. A remote manor is hidden away from the rest of the world occupied only by women in various stages of pregnancy and motherhood.
Something about this gave me dark academia vibes even though there is no schooling or classes but I think this is due to the nature of the female dynamics and relationships between the young mothers and the all-women staff.
There are bullies and "the new girls" and secrets and rivalries. The atmosphere is so absorbing. The book is 400+ pages but the pages fly with short chapters and the back-and-forth timeline. I did end up enjoying Mabel's timeline a little more, but not enough to feel disappointed with the switchbacks.
Final Recommendation: You need a hot cup of strong tea, a cozy blanket, and a few hours to lose yourself at Lichen Hall. See the ghosts lurking in the shadows. Light a candle to walk down a long hallway. Hear a child laughing in the woods. Hear a woman screaming in the middle of the night. Make friends with a young woman who is part of the staff and tells you secrets and stories about Lichen Hall and the owners that you aren't allowed to know...
Page Count: 408
Publisher: Harper Collins
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: A Haunting in the Arctic
Where to buy: It's not easily accessible here in the States. I bought my edition from Blackwell's HERE and I see that another edition will be released in the US, in April 2025
Release Date: October 2022
General Genre: Gothic, Psychological Suspense, Supernatural/Paranormal
Sub-Genre/Themes: Parents sending their daughters away when they get pregnant out of wedlock, folklore, scandals, women, motherhood, sapphic romance, ghosts, creepy children, remote estates, cursed families
Writing Style: Dual timelines, short chapters, great pacing/plotting
What You Need to Know: In the midst of the woods stands a house called Lichen Hall.
This place is shrouded in folklore—old stories of ghosts, of witches, of a child who was not quite a child.
Now the woods are creeping closer, and something has been unleashed.
Pearl Gorham arrives in 1965, one of a string of young women sent to Lichen Hall to give birth. And she soon suspects the proprietors are hiding something.
Then she meets the mysterious mother and young boy who live on the grounds—and together they begin to unpick the secrets of this place.
As the truth comes to the surface and the darkness moves in, Pearl must rethink everything she knew—and risk what she holds most dear.
My Reading Experience: Dual narratives tell the stories of two women, Pearl in 1965 and Mabel ten years or so earlier. Both women are sent away to Lichen Hall to give birth when their families discover they are pregnant out of wedlock. I was transported to this place. I could see every detail in my mind. A remote manor is hidden away from the rest of the world occupied only by women in various stages of pregnancy and motherhood.
Something about this gave me dark academia vibes even though there is no schooling or classes but I think this is due to the nature of the female dynamics and relationships between the young mothers and the all-women staff.
There are bullies and "the new girls" and secrets and rivalries. The atmosphere is so absorbing. The book is 400+ pages but the pages fly with short chapters and the back-and-forth timeline. I did end up enjoying Mabel's timeline a little more, but not enough to feel disappointed with the switchbacks.
Final Recommendation: You need a hot cup of strong tea, a cozy blanket, and a few hours to lose yourself at Lichen Hall. See the ghosts lurking in the shadows. Light a candle to walk down a long hallway. Hear a child laughing in the woods. Hear a woman screaming in the middle of the night. Make friends with a young woman who is part of the staff and tells you secrets and stories about Lichen Hall and the owners that you aren't allowed to know...
April 21, 2023
TW: rape
A case of cool concept which ended up being wasted in a very long and tedious story.
The initial dual pov didn't help, because after awhile it just became... boring.
The fantasy wanna be mixed with gruesome every day life details, needed more development at the end, and not the swift ending that the author provided us with.
I was like, "really, after all of that, we get this?" -_-
Not for me I guess.
A case of cool concept which ended up being wasted in a very long and tedious story.
The initial dual pov didn't help, because after awhile it just became... boring.
The fantasy wanna be mixed with gruesome every day life details, needed more development at the end, and not the swift ending that the author provided us with.
I was like, "really, after all of that, we get this?" -_-
Not for me I guess.
December 29, 2024
3.50 Stars💫“The Ghost Woods,� a sophomore novel by C.J. Cooke, At the heart of the book, we are introduced to two captivating women, Mabel and Pearl, who each experience the profound journey of motherhood at Lichen Hall—but decades apart. The narrative artfully shifts back and forth between Mabel's life in the 1950s and Pearl's in the vibrant 1960s, weaving a tapestry of their birth stories and the fates of their children. As their timelines converge chillingly, the layers of the plot unfold, revealing a haunting mystery that keeps you guessing.
This book unfolds as a slow burn, immersing you in its eerie atmosphere and the intricate details of its characters. Sometimes, you may wish for a quicker pace, but the wait is worth it. When you think you’ve grasped the story, it accelerates towards an exhilarating climax that leaves me breathless. The revelations in the final chapters are nothing short of astonishing and will linger with you long after the last page.
“The Ghost Woods� rewards patience with its richness. Pearl and Mabel are deeply layered characters whose struggles resonate beyond the page. The supporting cast of women adds even more depth to this complex tale. It is not just a mystery—it’s a profound character study, beautifully crafted with exquisite prose and sharp dialogue.
It’s a must-read for anyone drawn to slow-burning gothic tales that unravel intricate mysteries and explore the complexities of human nature.
This book unfolds as a slow burn, immersing you in its eerie atmosphere and the intricate details of its characters. Sometimes, you may wish for a quicker pace, but the wait is worth it. When you think you’ve grasped the story, it accelerates towards an exhilarating climax that leaves me breathless. The revelations in the final chapters are nothing short of astonishing and will linger with you long after the last page.
“The Ghost Woods� rewards patience with its richness. Pearl and Mabel are deeply layered characters whose struggles resonate beyond the page. The supporting cast of women adds even more depth to this complex tale. It is not just a mystery—it’s a profound character study, beautifully crafted with exquisite prose and sharp dialogue.
It’s a must-read for anyone drawn to slow-burning gothic tales that unravel intricate mysteries and explore the complexities of human nature.
May 24, 2023
This book started off really well, it was intriguing, atmospheric and rather creepy. There were two timelines that you could tell would eventually connect with each other and it was fun learning how it would all connect.
It was quite hard hitting there were a lot of really heavy topics in this one. It was based on Scottish Folk Lore which was very interesting and I would love to learn more about it.
The horror in this book relies on isolation and atmosphere, there is a little bit of body horror to near the end. I wished this was a short story because this book really dragged in the middle it took too long for the timelines to merge and when they did it wasn't all that satisfying.
I would try something else from this author as I did like the concept and the writing I just thought it got as a little lost in the middle.
It was quite hard hitting there were a lot of really heavy topics in this one. It was based on Scottish Folk Lore which was very interesting and I would love to learn more about it.
The horror in this book relies on isolation and atmosphere, there is a little bit of body horror to near the end. I wished this was a short story because this book really dragged in the middle it took too long for the timelines to merge and when they did it wasn't all that satisfying.
I would try something else from this author as I did like the concept and the writing I just thought it got as a little lost in the middle.
April 10, 2025
Thank you Berkley pub for an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback
Publishes April 29 and follows 2 different women Mabel and Pearl in 2 different timelines who are both sent to a home for expecting mothers to give birth and adopt off their babies. The home is in a place known as the ghost woods.
Throughout this story we have flip flopping timelines with these two women with their very different backgrounds, a ghostly presence, strange occurrences, scandal, and many jaw dropping secrets to be revealed.
I was initially not sure if this book was my vibe. I loved the ghostly gothic atmosphere but beyond that I was apprehensive. As the story progressed, that quickly changed and I was fully invested.
This book was weird, unique, dark, super intriguing, took some really interesting turns, and overall really entertained me throughout.
Video review:
Publishes April 29 and follows 2 different women Mabel and Pearl in 2 different timelines who are both sent to a home for expecting mothers to give birth and adopt off their babies. The home is in a place known as the ghost woods.
Throughout this story we have flip flopping timelines with these two women with their very different backgrounds, a ghostly presence, strange occurrences, scandal, and many jaw dropping secrets to be revealed.
I was initially not sure if this book was my vibe. I loved the ghostly gothic atmosphere but beyond that I was apprehensive. As the story progressed, that quickly changed and I was fully invested.
This book was weird, unique, dark, super intriguing, took some really interesting turns, and overall really entertained me throughout.
Video review:
May 10, 2023
It was fine. It’s a feminist book from the point of view that all men are bad, all women are gay and isn’t it awful how badly women were treated in the past? To the point where my eyes did a few rolls.
I finished it as I wanted to know what happened in the end so I did skim read the last quarter. Some of the book is a little drawn out.
It was atmospheric though. Not creepy or supernatural enough as everything explained by ‘science�. It was a comment on women’s rights masquerading as a gothic horror.
I enjoyed The Nesting much more.
I finished it as I wanted to know what happened in the end so I did skim read the last quarter. Some of the book is a little drawn out.
It was atmospheric though. Not creepy or supernatural enough as everything explained by ‘science�. It was a comment on women’s rights masquerading as a gothic horror.
I enjoyed The Nesting much more.
October 18, 2022
Omg what a read!!!
The story of two young pregnant women who stay at Lichen Hall a gothic mansion with a dark secret which the owner tries to hide. I devoured this book in one sitting. Gothic, creepy in places terrifying. I dare you to take a trip into The Ghost Woods I can promise you will not be disappointed.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.
The story of two young pregnant women who stay at Lichen Hall a gothic mansion with a dark secret which the owner tries to hide. I devoured this book in one sitting. Gothic, creepy in places terrifying. I dare you to take a trip into The Ghost Woods I can promise you will not be disappointed.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.
December 19, 2022
This absolutely freaking ROCKED. The story, the characters, the writing, the setting, the gothic horror of it all, everything. My sole wish would be for more lore on the witch BUT that’s not enough to drop it down from 5 stars.
October 29, 2023
C.J. Cooke is one of my favorite authors since I adore books that are a bit paranormal.
The Ghost Woods is an excellent dual-timeline book with two girls arriving at Lichen Hall. Mabel in 1959 and the Pearl in 1965 and both are pregnant. They have been sent away to give birth and then to give up their babies. However, there are strange things going on at Lichen Hall....what is really going on there?
I really liked this book, it was engrossing and I found myself drawn into the story and the lives of Pearl and Mabel. I quite like the paranormal angle of the story and I did guess right what was going on towards the end, not that hard to figure it out. The ending made me wish that it would be a sequel.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
The Ghost Woods is an excellent dual-timeline book with two girls arriving at Lichen Hall. Mabel in 1959 and the Pearl in 1965 and both are pregnant. They have been sent away to give birth and then to give up their babies. However, there are strange things going on at Lichen Hall....what is really going on there?
I really liked this book, it was engrossing and I found myself drawn into the story and the lives of Pearl and Mabel. I quite like the paranormal angle of the story and I did guess right what was going on towards the end, not that hard to figure it out. The ending made me wish that it would be a sequel.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
August 16, 2023
This didn’t work for me. There is nothing distinctive about the two protagonists, which, coupled with the fact that their POVs are set in the same place with all the same people around the dame time, means you easily lose sense of who’s who and whose POV you’re reading. The book also dragged on for 350 pages and then ended in a mad rush, with hurried and half-hearted explanations and for everything we patiently sat through for 350 pages. TW for rape and graphic childbirth scenes.
August 24, 2024
4.5 stars! Mushrooms, ghosts, lesbians and a witch? Beautiful. 🌈
October 16, 2022
“I have a ghost in my knee. There’s a small pocket just behind the kneecap and she’s hiding in there, all tucked up in the soft mattresses of cartilage. She is very small and terrified so I’m sitting with that leg straightened so I don’t disturb her. I’ve not set a word about this to anyone. They’d think I’m mad.�
I don’t think I’ve read a more perfect opening-line to a gothic horror novel in long time, and The Ghost Woods only got better from that point on. An overgrown house in the woods, whispered legends of ghosts and witchcraft, a child who isn’t quite a child, and a pregnant woman sent to give birth amidst it all. If you’re still looking for your perfect Halloween-read, look no further because this is my definitive recommendation for 2022.
The Story
Told in dual timelines, The Ghost Woods follows two young, pregnant women’s time at Lichen Hall; an remote gothic manor in the woods that serves as a safe haven for unwed women to give birth and potentially offer up their new-borns for adoption. In 1959, 17-year old Mabel is shocked and confounded by her condition; how could she be pregnant, while she knows she’s never had sex? It must be due to the ghosts that inhabit her body�
In 1965, 22-year old nurse Pearl lost everything after the “shame� of her pre-marital pregnancy got around town. Desperate, and knowing she won’t be able to take care of the baby, she turns to Lichen Hall for help.
Both women soon find Lichen Hall not as safe a haven as the had hoped. Mould festers within the walls, strange apparitions lurk in the surrounding woods and the caretakers and inhabitant of the manor all seem privy to bouts of strange behaviour. Whether that be Mrs Whitlock insistence of “no medical intervention� surrounding the pregnancies, her husband’s collapse into dementia, or the strange boy with a precocious interest in mycology and botany.
Both women’s stories eventually collide to unearth the secrets at the roots of Lichen Hall.
What I liked
I’ve been a C.J. Cooke fan ever since and . Both are gothic thriller/horror novels that combine a taught mystery, interesting characters and strong themes of motherhood, and both showcase the authors pension for creating unsettling imagery and vivid atmosphere perfectly. The Ghost Woods follows perfectly as the third entry in this “spiritual trilogy�, and might be my favourite thus far. On a surface level, you have a creepy tale that plays with many of the familiar tropes in horror (witches, ghosts, haunted houses, Scottish folklore etc.) and takes inspiration from the classics (Hill House, The Fall of the House of Usher, Frankenstein�). On a deeper level, there’s a far more disturbing and emotional story of the price of motherhood, memory, trauma and the (medical) mistreatment of women in our not too distant history. It’s this subtle interweaving of “layers of horror� and emotion that sets a great horror novel apart from the bunch. I was not only on the edge of my seat, intrigued, excited and thrilled from beginning to end, but I also had plenty of food for thought left long after I’d closed the final chapter.
What I didn’t like
You could argue that the reveal at the end requires some suspension of disbelieve, that I can see might put some readers off. Throughout the story we’re constantly questioning whether the events at Lichen Hall are natural or supernatural in nature and the ending ultimately doesn’t quite fit neatly into either box. Because of the great set up, I was completely able to suspend my disbelieve towards the ending, but I can see it being point of contention for some.
Overall, I highly recommend The Ghost Woods , especially as a companion on a dark and gloomy autumnal night. I can see this becoming a favourite of the year for me personally.
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t think I’ve read a more perfect opening-line to a gothic horror novel in long time, and The Ghost Woods only got better from that point on. An overgrown house in the woods, whispered legends of ghosts and witchcraft, a child who isn’t quite a child, and a pregnant woman sent to give birth amidst it all. If you’re still looking for your perfect Halloween-read, look no further because this is my definitive recommendation for 2022.
The Story
Told in dual timelines, The Ghost Woods follows two young, pregnant women’s time at Lichen Hall; an remote gothic manor in the woods that serves as a safe haven for unwed women to give birth and potentially offer up their new-borns for adoption. In 1959, 17-year old Mabel is shocked and confounded by her condition; how could she be pregnant, while she knows she’s never had sex? It must be due to the ghosts that inhabit her body�
In 1965, 22-year old nurse Pearl lost everything after the “shame� of her pre-marital pregnancy got around town. Desperate, and knowing she won’t be able to take care of the baby, she turns to Lichen Hall for help.
Both women soon find Lichen Hall not as safe a haven as the had hoped. Mould festers within the walls, strange apparitions lurk in the surrounding woods and the caretakers and inhabitant of the manor all seem privy to bouts of strange behaviour. Whether that be Mrs Whitlock insistence of “no medical intervention� surrounding the pregnancies, her husband’s collapse into dementia, or the strange boy with a precocious interest in mycology and botany.
Both women’s stories eventually collide to unearth the secrets at the roots of Lichen Hall.
What I liked
I’ve been a C.J. Cooke fan ever since and . Both are gothic thriller/horror novels that combine a taught mystery, interesting characters and strong themes of motherhood, and both showcase the authors pension for creating unsettling imagery and vivid atmosphere perfectly. The Ghost Woods follows perfectly as the third entry in this “spiritual trilogy�, and might be my favourite thus far. On a surface level, you have a creepy tale that plays with many of the familiar tropes in horror (witches, ghosts, haunted houses, Scottish folklore etc.) and takes inspiration from the classics (Hill House, The Fall of the House of Usher, Frankenstein�). On a deeper level, there’s a far more disturbing and emotional story of the price of motherhood, memory, trauma and the (medical) mistreatment of women in our not too distant history. It’s this subtle interweaving of “layers of horror� and emotion that sets a great horror novel apart from the bunch. I was not only on the edge of my seat, intrigued, excited and thrilled from beginning to end, but I also had plenty of food for thought left long after I’d closed the final chapter.
What I didn’t like
You could argue that the reveal at the end requires some suspension of disbelieve, that I can see might put some readers off. Throughout the story we’re constantly questioning whether the events at Lichen Hall are natural or supernatural in nature and the ending ultimately doesn’t quite fit neatly into either box. Because of the great set up, I was completely able to suspend my disbelieve towards the ending, but I can see it being point of contention for some.
Overall, I highly recommend The Ghost Woods , especially as a companion on a dark and gloomy autumnal night. I can see this becoming a favourite of the year for me personally.
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
April 24, 2025Is this for real?! Is this happening this year?
October 23, 2022
Most importantly this book was beautifully written, atmospheric, clever, and vivid with a cast of great characters. But…it just fell a little flat for me. I didn’t get a particular scary vibe from the book-yes it’s set in a fancy old house in the middle of nowhere, and yes there’s a sinister vein running through the story but was I creeped out? No.
Did I figure out what was going on somewhere around the moment one character told another about a fungus that spreads and infects ants? Sadly yes.
I didn’t hate the story I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped. I slogged through part one, really enjoyed part two, and then read steadily through part 3.
Content warning: SA, FAMILIAL RAPE, RAPE, BABY LOSS.
Personal note: I started this book a week after a miscarriage-whilst this doesn’t change my opinion of the content of the story it most likely did have an effect on how I read it, and why I found it hard work in parts.
Did I figure out what was going on somewhere around the moment one character told another about a fungus that spreads and infects ants? Sadly yes.
I didn’t hate the story I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped. I slogged through part one, really enjoyed part two, and then read steadily through part 3.
Content warning: SA, FAMILIAL RAPE, RAPE, BABY LOSS.
Personal note: I started this book a week after a miscarriage-whilst this doesn’t change my opinion of the content of the story it most likely did have an effect on how I read it, and why I found it hard work in parts.
October 19, 2022
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for approving me for an ARC of this book. I listened to the audiobook of The Lighthouse Witches last year and absolutely loved it so could not resist requesting this one. I even found a copy of the book in Rossiter Books, Cheltenham to add to my collection.
The Ghost Woods is a dual timeline story which is one of my favourite tropes. I love seeing how the two different stories come together and how they are linked. Whilst these two stories were set quite close together in terms of time I loved the puzzle of figuring out what had happened in a short space of time.
Our first story centres around Mabel, a young girl who finds herself pregnant in the late 1950’s and is sent to Lichen Hall, a home for unwed pregnant women. The plan is for her to give birth to her child and then give it up for adoption before returning home. When she arrives there she meets Morwen and the two soon develop a loving friendship.
Skip forward to 1965 and Pearl, also pregnant finds herself at Lichen Hall. From the minute she arrives things are not right and you get the sense that she is in trouble. Mabel no longer works at the house and every one seems to be lying to her. The owner Mrs Whitlock is acting very strange and Pearl can’t work out what is going on. To top if all off there’s also something strange happening in the woods.
I will fully admit that this book gave me all the creepy, spooky dark Halloween vibes I was expecting. I was engrossed in the story and wanted to work out what was going on. There were lies, secrets, love, friendship and so much that the end felt like a whirlwind. I love that the story is based on real places and whilst the events in this book did not happen, establishments like Lichen Hall did exist and it’s scary to think of the trauma’s many young women and children faced in such recent times.
C.J. Cooke has done it again and written something superb, it’s twisted, horrifying and full of suspense. Definitely the perfect spooky read for this season!
The Ghost Woods is a dual timeline story which is one of my favourite tropes. I love seeing how the two different stories come together and how they are linked. Whilst these two stories were set quite close together in terms of time I loved the puzzle of figuring out what had happened in a short space of time.
Our first story centres around Mabel, a young girl who finds herself pregnant in the late 1950’s and is sent to Lichen Hall, a home for unwed pregnant women. The plan is for her to give birth to her child and then give it up for adoption before returning home. When she arrives there she meets Morwen and the two soon develop a loving friendship.
Skip forward to 1965 and Pearl, also pregnant finds herself at Lichen Hall. From the minute she arrives things are not right and you get the sense that she is in trouble. Mabel no longer works at the house and every one seems to be lying to her. The owner Mrs Whitlock is acting very strange and Pearl can’t work out what is going on. To top if all off there’s also something strange happening in the woods.
I will fully admit that this book gave me all the creepy, spooky dark Halloween vibes I was expecting. I was engrossed in the story and wanted to work out what was going on. There were lies, secrets, love, friendship and so much that the end felt like a whirlwind. I love that the story is based on real places and whilst the events in this book did not happen, establishments like Lichen Hall did exist and it’s scary to think of the trauma’s many young women and children faced in such recent times.
C.J. Cooke has done it again and written something superb, it’s twisted, horrifying and full of suspense. Definitely the perfect spooky read for this season!
November 21, 2022
I would not recommend this book to anyone. It is a poorly written story where the plot line has more holes than a wormy mushroom, plenty of times it is moved on a whim as a fool attempt to keep the story going, forgetting about the logic or motivation behind it (here is the reference to the love life of the second main narrator - Pearl). And OMG how many times the author was losing a trail of her thoughts, it is just insanely confusing to see snow turn into rain, a character change his outfit in midsentence, object "magically" appear in the next line after they mentioned to be thrown away (and there was no gothic mysticism behind it, only a teenager throwing a tantrum and a pen while starting to doodle in mare seconds, with a ghost pen no less).
June 27, 2023
This was an absolutely delicious story.
Duel timelines, slight mystery, who can you trust vibes and a splash of magic make this a true winner!
I am kicking myself for not picking this up sooner.
The characters are well fleshed out, the plot is intriguing from the start and the setting is on fire.
Run, don't walk, to read this!
Much love to NetGalley & HarperCollins UK for my DRC.
Check the triggers on this one before jumping in.
Duel timelines, slight mystery, who can you trust vibes and a splash of magic make this a true winner!
I am kicking myself for not picking this up sooner.
The characters are well fleshed out, the plot is intriguing from the start and the setting is on fire.
Run, don't walk, to read this!
Much love to NetGalley & HarperCollins UK for my DRC.
Check the triggers on this one before jumping in.
March 19, 2025
This book is dark and gothic, and also incredibly sad. It’s horrifying both as a folk horror and also as a real life horror. It’s almost like reviewing two different books that are perfectly woven together.
One is the tale of Scottish unwed mothers sent to institutions/homes and having their babies taken for adoption in the 1950’s and 60’s. And the other a haunting folk horror tale of mushrooms and a dark entity I can’t describe without spoilers.
The damp Lichen Hall moldy forest vibes were immaculate. I need a disinfectant scrubbing after reading this.
I received an advanced copy of the new paperback version coming out this year thanks to NetGalley. All book opinions are very much my own.
One is the tale of Scottish unwed mothers sent to institutions/homes and having their babies taken for adoption in the 1950’s and 60’s. And the other a haunting folk horror tale of mushrooms and a dark entity I can’t describe without spoilers.
The damp Lichen Hall moldy forest vibes were immaculate. I need a disinfectant scrubbing after reading this.
I received an advanced copy of the new paperback version coming out this year thanks to NetGalley. All book opinions are very much my own.
October 6, 2023
Atmospheric, dark and mysterious!
Welcome to Lichen Hall, where you'll be made very welcome but you may not want to venture into the woods at night....
I enjoyed this book, but it is long and plods on a bit in the middle! It offers no surprises but it's well-written and perfect for an October night.
Welcome to Lichen Hall, where you'll be made very welcome but you may not want to venture into the woods at night....
I enjoyed this book, but it is long and plods on a bit in the middle! It offers no surprises but it's well-written and perfect for an October night.
March 12, 2025
Review to come upon release. Top notch (with some trigger warnings for rape, miscarriage/stillbirth, adoption trauma, etc)
June 27, 2023
Lichen Hall, an imposing and gloomy residence, sits deep within the forest and miles from anywhere. Run by the Whitlock’s, it is a temporary home for expectant mothers. In 1956 Mabel arrives and then, six years later, in 1965, Pearl is sent here. It’s a lonely place, Mrs Whitlock doesn’t encourage visitors and as a result, Lichen Hall is almost self sufficient. These two girls are expected to give birth, hand their babies over for adoption and then leave. But Lichen Hall may have other plans�
This was a wonderfully spooky read. I listened to it and the narration was perfect. There’s a deep sense of foreboding within the story, the mysterious lights, the darkness of the nature surrounding Lichen Hall, the unpredictability of Mrs Whitlock all really ram the tension up. The two separate timelines of the characters work together brilliantly and the 1960s setting really enhances the eerie remoteness and isolation of the hall.
Incredibly atmospheric, this would be the perfect Halloween read. But I loved it just as much in the height of summer!
This was a wonderfully spooky read. I listened to it and the narration was perfect. There’s a deep sense of foreboding within the story, the mysterious lights, the darkness of the nature surrounding Lichen Hall, the unpredictability of Mrs Whitlock all really ram the tension up. The two separate timelines of the characters work together brilliantly and the 1960s setting really enhances the eerie remoteness and isolation of the hall.
Incredibly atmospheric, this would be the perfect Halloween read. But I loved it just as much in the height of summer!
May 21, 2024
Thất vọng quá. Truyện th� loại fantasy có yếu t� kinh d�, nhưng nó c� không ra hẳn fantasy mà cũng không ra hẳn kinh d� (kiểu nửa này nửa n� nên không cảm thấy quá kì bí hay s� hãi).
60% đầu của truyện tương đối lan man và thuần tuý k� v� quãng thời gian sống � lâu đài Địa Y của Mabel và Pearl � hai dòng thời gian, h� lo lắng v� việc sinh đ� th� nào, rồi một s� s� bí ẩn h� trải nghiệm khi sống � đây. Nhưng những bí ẩn đó diễn ra rải rác trong 60% đầu này mà không được tập trung nhiều nên cảm giác tò mò của mình không kéo dài lâu.
Truyện bắt đầu tăng tốc hơn khi hai nhân vật này sinh con (� 2 dòng thời gian khác nhau) và thêm một s� hành động bí ẩn của bà Whitlock (ch� nhân lâu đài), sau đó là một v� giết người bí ẩn, khiến mình bắt đầu cảm thấy hấp dẫn hơn. Tuy vậy, truyện lại tr� v� nhịp đ� đơn điệu ban đầu, k� c� khi đã có nhiều tình tiết hơn cho thấy s� kì l� đáng s� đang xâm chiếm lâu đài Địa Y. Hai dòng thời gian chập lại với nhau � dòng thời gian hiện tại, các nhân vật gặp nhau và tiếp tục quá trình sống � lâu đài Địa Y. Mình khá thất vọng vì nghĩ rằng dòng thời gian 1956 s� tiết l� điều gì đó giải đáp những hành vi kì l� của bà Whitlock, nguồn gốc của nấm đang xâm chiếm lâu đại Địa Y � năm 1965 (hiện tại), nhưng dòng 1956 đáng tiếc thay ch� là k� một câu chuyện đơn thuần v� Mabel (kèm theo một chút s� kì l� diễn ra � lâu đài Địa Y) và kết thúc, không tạo thêm cái gì mới hơn cho dòng năm 1965.
Đến cuối cùng lên cao trào truyện thì nhịp truyện đã nhanh hơn, nhưng mình không cảm nhận được s� căng thẳng và dồn dập của tình tiết truyện. Truyện kết thúc mang tính nhân văn nhưng cũng không thực s� giải quyết được mọi th� triệt đ�.
Truyện cũng tập trung vào mối quan h� m� con, việc phải t� b� đứa con mình sinh ra vì không th� nuôi nó... nhưng mà mình không thấy ch� đ� này mang sức nặng quá lớn trong truyện. Mình nghĩ là nếu tác gi� muốn trọng tâm của truyện là v� m� con, nỗi đau mất con, sang chấn tâm lý thì truyện chưa làm tới.
TW là có yếu t� cưỡng hiếp nhé.
60% đầu của truyện tương đối lan man và thuần tuý k� v� quãng thời gian sống � lâu đài Địa Y của Mabel và Pearl � hai dòng thời gian, h� lo lắng v� việc sinh đ� th� nào, rồi một s� s� bí ẩn h� trải nghiệm khi sống � đây. Nhưng những bí ẩn đó diễn ra rải rác trong 60% đầu này mà không được tập trung nhiều nên cảm giác tò mò của mình không kéo dài lâu.
Truyện bắt đầu tăng tốc hơn khi hai nhân vật này sinh con (� 2 dòng thời gian khác nhau) và thêm một s� hành động bí ẩn của bà Whitlock (ch� nhân lâu đài), sau đó là một v� giết người bí ẩn, khiến mình bắt đầu cảm thấy hấp dẫn hơn. Tuy vậy, truyện lại tr� v� nhịp đ� đơn điệu ban đầu, k� c� khi đã có nhiều tình tiết hơn cho thấy s� kì l� đáng s� đang xâm chiếm lâu đài Địa Y. Hai dòng thời gian chập lại với nhau � dòng thời gian hiện tại, các nhân vật gặp nhau và tiếp tục quá trình sống � lâu đài Địa Y. Mình khá thất vọng vì nghĩ rằng dòng thời gian 1956 s� tiết l� điều gì đó giải đáp những hành vi kì l� của bà Whitlock, nguồn gốc của nấm đang xâm chiếm lâu đại Địa Y � năm 1965 (hiện tại), nhưng dòng 1956 đáng tiếc thay ch� là k� một câu chuyện đơn thuần v� Mabel (kèm theo một chút s� kì l� diễn ra � lâu đài Địa Y) và kết thúc, không tạo thêm cái gì mới hơn cho dòng năm 1965.
Đến cuối cùng lên cao trào truyện thì nhịp truyện đã nhanh hơn, nhưng mình không cảm nhận được s� căng thẳng và dồn dập của tình tiết truyện. Truyện kết thúc mang tính nhân văn nhưng cũng không thực s� giải quyết được mọi th� triệt đ�.
Truyện cũng tập trung vào mối quan h� m� con, việc phải t� b� đứa con mình sinh ra vì không th� nuôi nó... nhưng mà mình không thấy ch� đ� này mang sức nặng quá lớn trong truyện. Mình nghĩ là nếu tác gi� muốn trọng tâm của truyện là v� m� con, nỗi đau mất con, sang chấn tâm lý thì truyện chưa làm tới.
TW là có yếu t� cưỡng hiếp nhé.
April 17, 2025
This was my 2nd book by C.J. Cooke and like the first one that I read last year *The Book of Witching*, I was not disappointed.
This was a gothic thriller steeped in fantasy. The story was told in dual timelines following both Mabel and Pearl, and eventually the timelines merged together in the present. Both Mabel and Pearl are sent Lichen House, a home for unwed, pregnant mothers to have their babies. What they found was a creepy house surrounded by fungi.
I really enjoyed this book and the author does an amazing job of weaving a thriller with fantasy that keeps you turning the pages to see what craziness happens next. I love stories that are told in dual timelines and I really connected with Pearl's character and was addicted to the story.
The Ghost Woods was definitely very atmospheric and creepy. The author has a gift for storytelling. The imagery put you right there in the action and the descriptive writing left you feeling what the characters were feeling.
I have now read two books by this author and am very interested in looking into her backlog.
Great book!
This book is set to release on April 29th 2025!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was a gothic thriller steeped in fantasy. The story was told in dual timelines following both Mabel and Pearl, and eventually the timelines merged together in the present. Both Mabel and Pearl are sent Lichen House, a home for unwed, pregnant mothers to have their babies. What they found was a creepy house surrounded by fungi.
I really enjoyed this book and the author does an amazing job of weaving a thriller with fantasy that keeps you turning the pages to see what craziness happens next. I love stories that are told in dual timelines and I really connected with Pearl's character and was addicted to the story.
The Ghost Woods was definitely very atmospheric and creepy. The author has a gift for storytelling. The imagery put you right there in the action and the descriptive writing left you feeling what the characters were feeling.
I have now read two books by this author and am very interested in looking into her backlog.
Great book!
This book is set to release on April 29th 2025!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
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