Steeped in folklore, this gothic novel spans three generations of mystical women in a richly woven plot of small town suspicion and scandal. With the backdrop of the Ozarks, Kennedy flawlessly captures the authentic voices of each character, creating a well-crafted story that is equal parts haunting and heartbreaking. A lush and cinematic read.

Gracelynn lives with her adopted grandmother in Tin Mountain. Rumors are told among the locals that the two women may be witches. Yet, the town’s people come to them to cure their ailments. Suddenly, an evangelist named Josiah comes to Tin Mountain and enchants the locals with his revivals. Promising to save them and enrich their lives. The appearance of this man has Gracelynn’s grandmother afraid and she has to discover the terrible secret. Gracelynn has to choose to run or fight for the only family and home she has ever known. A folklore story about witches and how evil is hidden in a facade of a savior. The story is mesmerizing and riveting.

Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Really enjoyed this! So well written, with the dual historical settings very well realised. The characters were vivid and the connection between the two timelines intriguing. Definitely recommended!

Set in Depression era Ozarks, “The Witch of Tin Mountain” weaves together folk tales, history, superstition and supernatural horror into a hauntingly creepy story. With dual timelines and three female protagonists, it felt like an honest depiction of what being “other” in a superstitious community could feel like. A native to the area, Paulette Kennedy really gives us a sense of the place with beautiful descriptions, area appropriate dialogue and fully realized characters.

For the first 30% of the book, the two main characters, Gracelynn and Deirdre, both live in Tin Mountain, just at different times. So, it gets confusing not only distinguishing between them, but also figuring out which side characters inhabit which timeline. I did note after a while that the 1881 story is in third person, past tense and the 1931 story is in first person, present tense. This helped immensely and allowed me to start enjoying how the timelines each gave away pieces of the whole until everything came together at the end.

I will note that the men are depicted here as mostly horrible. In fact, some of the townspeople are so terrible that it makes it hard to hate the actual Devil.

Also, don't skip the author's notes at the end! She explains how actual events and places inspired this story.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Witch of Tin Mountain is a well-drawn generational story of a family haunted by a devil in the backwoods of the Arkansas Ozarks. Paulette Kennedy has done her research on Ozarks witchcraft and historical mountain healing, and it shows in the little details within the story of Gracelynn and her grandmother, Dierdre, who struggle to free themselves and Tin Mountain from a preacher who seems immortal. Told in the viewpoints of the two women, we're given two timelines: Dierdre's upbringing on the mountain and flight from it to a Charleston boarding school with the preacher hot on her heels, and Gracelynn's attempts to end the preacher once and for all before he turns the people of Tin Mountain against her.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The writing was atmospheric and the plot was crisp and kept me on the edge of my seat. It revels in Ozarks culture while taking small liberties and the characters were easy to root for the entire journey.

The moment I finished Chapter 1, I knew this would be a fantastic story and I wasn't wrong. This was so good. Filled with strong realistic women, an antagonist who was equally charming and scary, and a small town that felt real . The first night I went to bed, I had a fitful sleep dreaming of incubus and shadows. I wouldn't describe this book as horror but if you know the story of incubus you might have nightmares too. You'll definitely like this one if you love a story about witches, herbal healers, feminist women, and a satisfying ending that wraps everything up. Since this book spans generations, my only wish would be that Gracie and Deidre had more distinct voices. They spoke too much a like and had similar personalities. I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Overall, an immersive read.

tDon't forget to read the author's note as it was a big bonus. She speaks on her inspiration and what it meant for her to place the setting in the Ozarks. I would grab this book as soon as it's published (or preorder it!).. Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy.

Powerful, evocative and full of some beautiful description, I really enjoyed this. I personally enjoyed the dual time line, but I know not everyone likes this, and it isn’t always the easiest to follow.

That being said, I think fans of Where The Crawdads Sing would enjoy this one!

Set in the Depression Era, 'The Witch of Tin Mountain' weaves elements of Ozark folklore, supernatural, and magic realism to explore the complexities of familial love, duty, and loyalty as these come into conflict with unspoken expectations and obligations bequeathed by family members to their successors. Spanning three generations, the narrative delves into the lives of three women who grapple with their role as guardians of a powerful magic that binds them together. The story of their lives is constructed together by two narratives points, Gracelyn and Diedre, both of whom try to reach the far expanses of the past and the present to unearth the mystery, and also the courage to fight their adversary,

Unfortunately, though, despite an engaging premise, I could not quite relate to the characters. The dialogues were bland and indistinguishable from one another. The portrayal of Josiah Bellflower, especially, did not quite effectively carry the sinister demeanor that the character was expected to exhibit. However, the haunting atmosphere and the marvelous pace of the story made up for it. Even more earnest was the manner in which the novel conveyed the voices of the 'others' - women who were banished to the edge of society simply because they dared to find an identity different from the ones constructed by the normative patriarchal society, one that shunned meekness and submissiveness, and embraced rebellion and liberation.

All I can think right now is WOMEN!
I am literally out of words, this book is so powerful and beautiful and it's not just another typical witch story; it's a book that will leave you being proud and true to yourself, a book that will make you close your eyes and feel grateful that you are not just a woman but a strong one.
Paulette Kennedy did it again.

The setting of the book takes place in a mountain situated in the borders of several states and the timeline alternates between two times with three powerful women connected to each other.
Before anything else, I would like to mention how the place felt so real, sometimes I think I am seeing Tin Mountain through the eyes of our narrators and I have to say, I felt claustrophobic at times but still in awe for having the experience to partially see and feel how the people lived in that time.

The characters, I didn't have a favorite because the women are all equally likeable and I loved them all for being so strong that they agitated the men so much, you should definitely read this; it was so hilarious to read angry men and couldn't do anything but sexualize women then have the audacity to call them witches, (though they really are) sinners, temptress, seductress and many more names that implies women to be the cause of every man's sins. ironic. It's crazy how this story fictionally took place years ago and it's still applicable to our current state as women.

The main antagonist, HE who must not be named (just so I can avoid spoilers) surprisingly wasn't as unlikable as the menfolk.
He perfectly showed how evil can be cunning, twisted and manipulative, how it isn't always obviously evil and how fragile human' s belief system is regardless of how strong one believes in their religion. But the one fact that made me love this book even more is the role swap. He wasn't just another typical kind of evil, he was the type that we commonly see as women in most books about supernaturals, angels and demons and such and the whole idea is so refreshing.

And did I mention the character diversity? It's one of the things that made me love this masterpiece even more, there are queer and people with colors who are all living together in a secluded prolly haunted forest. I can't say they're living peacefully but it's so nice to feel seen and included in a book like this. A book that isn't just a story but a powerful one.

The plot, I won't say it's unique and I don't mind it all because I truly enjoyed the whole story. There's a right amount of magic and mysticism, symbolisms and a touch of forest witch magic.
For once it felt relaxing to have a clue and be right all along while reading and trying to piece the puzzle out. I obviously wasn't expecting to be this in love with the message of the book and that's one of my markers when I decide if a book makes it to my top reads.

This review might be longer than I usually do, but this is not enough to express how obsessed I am with the whole book,
female rage and beauty in one.
So if you loved or liked 'Fear street'? This book reminded me of that one.

Add this in your TBR list. This book deserves recognition.

It is rare that I find a book with such a combination of lush atmosphere, deep characterization, suspenseful plot, and well-earned emotional catharsis. A multigenerational story of extraordinary women, weaved into a cohesive thread about family curses, the many facets of love, and the magic of home. Voicey, witchy, and deliciously feminist, I loved PARTING THE VEIL (the author's debut), but THE WITCH OF TIN MOUNTAIN may be even better. I can't wait to see what Paulette Kennedy writes next!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of the book! Below is my honest review.

DNF-ed at 25%

I wish I liked this book because the cover is so pretty but I just couldn’t. A few things I want to comment on:

1. Because I got an early version of the book, the formatting was a little weird, which impacted my reading flow. None of the chapters were split up. title/page number/author’s name would show up in the middle of sentences. Sometimes, what-should-be-paragraphs would be broken into multiple sentences. It was a lot of interruptions to say the least.

2. I read 25% of the book and I still can’t tell you what happened or what's going on. There’s two timelines (one in 1931 and one in 1831, I believe), so there’s two main female protagonists. Both seem to have magical healing powers. There’s also a weird guy named Josiah, who Gracelynn (our protagonist) and her granny don’t really trust. But that’s about it. I can’t tell you where the story might go, what the romantic relationship might be, etc. It's almost like nothing really happened.

3. I felt like the two protagonists sounded the same to me, and maybe there’s a reason for that (maybe they’re related). For example, if you gave me a random piece of dialogue, I wouldn’t be able to tell if it was Deidre or Gracelynn, or really anyone else. The characters felt very flat and boring except maybe Aunt Val.

4. This book is categorized as magical realism, gothic fiction, etc. but I didn’t really get those vibes. I was expecting something that had more beautiful but dark writing. But like the characters, the world building fell flat. I didn’t get a sense of magic or power or anything like that from the first 25%.

Overall, this book wasn’t for me. Maybe I would have liked it if I finished it.

Would I recommend this book? N/A because I didn’t finish it.

Beautifully done!

Three separate stories flawlessly woven into one magical story! There wasn't a part of this I didn't love or devour.. So well researched. The magic in this book was real. This is the type of story I want to read over and over and I will - in October, at night with a cup of cocoa in my hands.

Atmospheric and haunting, The Witch of Tin Mountain flawlessly weaves folklore and history into a compelling, generational story of love, evil, and magic. With vivid characters and an immersive dive into the beauty and superstitions of her native Ozarks, Paulette Kennedy delivers a darkly captivating novel that readers will devour.

Hauntingly atmospheric and crackling with life, THE WITCH OF TIN MOUNTAIN is an unforgettable story of family, magic, love, hypocrisy, and the power—for good or evil—we all carry with us. The richly painted Ozark setting leaps from the page, and all three interlaced storylines are captivating, heartbreaking, and triumphant in equal measure. I inhaled this book in two days. Witchy readers won't want to miss it.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC for review!

I did not know what to expect when I started reading The Witch of Tin Mountain. I thought I would read an historical fiction novel in the Sun of The Huntress where we look at a specific time period through the eyes of a woman but the book was far more than that.

The book by Paulette Kennedy is a great blend of The Devil All The Time, the musical Bright Star, Practical Magic and a horror film. The characters are fantastic and you latch onto Gracie and her grandmother as they try to protect their family and small town from a traveling pastor and unseen forces.

Kennedy brings the Appalachias to life and brings a southern flavor to the story with slang and language that brings the region and era to life.

I greatly enjoyed The Witch of Tin Mountain and look forward to the next story by Paulette Kennedy!

This was a gothic, haunting and atmospheric story that I couldn’t put down. It was gripping and engaging the whole way through with a level of suspense and unpredictability that added an extra layer to the storytelling. It was a chilling read that has stayed with me since I read it. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I thought The Witch if Tin Mountain was a book with a deeply dark and haunting atmosphere that kept me entranced until the last page. Set in the Ozarks between two different time periods, you really get to see how the choices and secrets of the characters can be felt across generations. I immensely enjoyed the dual perspectives of Gracelynn and Deirdre and felt the change between first and third person helped differentiate their characters further. While the large amount of detail that is given about town-life and medicinal practices make the beginning somewhat of a slow start, it also allows for a really thorough immersion into the history of the Ozarks. It’s evident that a lot of research and care went into the telling of this story.
Overall, I really loved this book -from its complex and compelling characters to its eerie and occult aesthetic. 4 Stars.

I highly enjoyed this i gave it 4 stars. Honestly the writing hooked me and the plot was fresh and different a must read for everyone.

This was another slam dunk from Paulette! I was immediately drawn into the time era and setting, and Gracelynn is a main character we can root for from the beginning. I'm a sucker for feminist stories about witches, and this one totally delivered. Would definitely recommend.

"Wherever a witch's blood is spilled, a curse remains on the land. That's the saying, all right. Nobody ever blames the men that do the killing, and the burning, do they? Instead, they blame the witch."

The Witch of Tin Mountain is the sophomore novel of Paulette Kennedy. It tells of the struggles and strengths of three generations of "healer" women from the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Told through multiple point of views and timelines, Kennedy gives us a piece of southern gothic literature that is firmly woven with themes of the sins of the father, the empowerment of women, and home. She also delves into the heavier topics of same sex relationships, racial and socioeconomic discrimination, and familial physical and sexual abuse. There is so much to unpack in this eclectic mix of historical fiction, magical realism, and women's literature.

To begin, I LOVED the feel of the time and place. Kennedy is such an atmospheric writer, with prose that flows as gently as her mountain "crick." From the descriptive depictions of the setting, to the authentic use of the spoken language, I felt completely immersed in a place that I have never been. Being native to the region, the author is able to brilliantly convey not only the beauty of the area, but also the harshness of its land, climate, and sometimes, its people. It was almost as if the setting was its own character, and was my favorite element in the novel.

I also enjoyed the earthy supernatural pieces given us, along with the many faces of our foe, the preacher. I would categorize his relations with the Sutter/Werner women as a forbidden romance. I did pick up some Anne Rice "Lasher" vibes, and while I was unsettled and thoroughly creeped out by his character, I almost found myself wanting to root for him on his quest. Almost.

My only real criticism would be that at times I felt muddled, and would have to stop to get my bearings. I had to take inventory of which POV I was reading, which characters belonged there and what was happening in that timeline. I feel this is solely due to the similarities of the trials and tribulations each woman experienced, which is integral to the story but somewhat confusing when trying to establish a baseline.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I did enjoy this book. Once I had my bearings, I couldn't put it down. I found myself engaged, interested, and invested. This is an author to watch!

"As I've gotten older, I've come to realize that home is less about the place you live, and more about the people who love you. The memories you make. The laughs and tears and all the moments in between."

Many thanks to Union Lake Publishing for this gifted arc, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.