Mercy Booth lives on a remote farm on the moors with her father where they farm sheep. Ellis Ferreby comes looking for work and Mercy grants it. From then on both Mercy and Ellis stories collide.

I quite enjoyed this book. It has a lot of things that I like. There is the bleak isolation of the Yorkshire Moors to start with and a lot of times did remind me of Wuthering Heights. There are plenty of family secrets for both Mercy and Ellis which I have to say I didn't see the biggest one of all coming. It's also a ghost story along with superstitions and folklore.

The story did have a lot to do with sheep and I would say the author did research or knows the subject. I felt at times however this was a little much and didn't really add anything extra to the story.

The story did have plenty of atmosphere and I did like the descriptions of the area and all the superstitions. This book is definitely a nod to the Brontes which isn't a bad thing at all. Not overly creepy for me but the story is a gothic family mystery.

I would definitely read more by this author in the future and I have already read her previous books.

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the book to review albeit very late.

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"One coin marks the first to go . . .
A second bodes the fall . . .
The third will seal a sinner’s fate . . .
The Devil take them all . . ."

#TheCoffinPath by #KatherineClements is going to be a hard book to review without spoiling it but at the same time, I can't think of anyone I'd recommend it to. The writing is solid, the story is ok but wobbly & overall, this is a solid 3 star book. But.

There isn't really any reason for this to have been set in 17th century England as the majority of the book doesn't need it. The Yorkshire Moors in the middle of winter provide the atmosphere and the house, Scarcross Hall, doesn't really have a presence.

You'll note I've said this is a 3 star book and to be honest, it was pushing a 4 star rating until the conclusion. The conclusion left me feeling cheated and frustrated. If it hadn't been for the other 94% of the book, the ending would have dropped it to a 2.

Overall, I liked it but it was only really adequate at the end.

I originally chose this book because I love historical fiction. The cover alone gave me spooky vibes so what better time to read it than around Halloween!

From the start this book was giving off all kinds of spooky and creepy vibes, it was definitely an atmospheric read! I loved the description of Scarcross Hall and the surrounding areas, the authors attention to detail was second to none and she had obviously done her research.

Whilst this book was packed with atmosphere I did struggle with the first half. I know that there is an element of laying the ground work and getting to know the characters but I wanted it to get moving a bit quicker. This book was definitely saved with the action packed second half and I am glad that I persevered with it.

I loved Mercy as a main character. She was strong, stubborn, loyal and admirable. It was evidently clear how much she loved Scarcross and its land and how determined she was to see it thrive. She had a hard exterior that suited her well in a male dominated world but the softer moments really brought out her kinder side. Her care towards those nearest her, especially Sam, made her a remarkable character. I must admit that as the story went on my heart did break for her. For all she had given I felt she was treated so unfairly.

I also found it hard not to like Ellis. Yes he did have stalker vibes and something was definitely off with him from the start but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him when the final revelations took place. I had not foreseen those outcomes and I was truly shocked when I read them. Whilst Ellis was in the wrong he too had been betrayed and unloved for so long, for him I felt it was more about identity than ownership. These two main characters were doomed from the start which is a shame but it definitely made for an exciting read!

Gripping ,sad and totally believable ,romance and hauntings,a atmospheric and brooding. would have liked to read a lot more.about some characters i want to read more about them but a gripping read

Just as the name suggests, this is a creepy read that you just can't put down. You are desperately needing how it is going to end throughout and the atmospheric setting adds to the tension. It is brilliant.

Chilling! I know it's a cliche, but this book kept me awake at night. This was absolutely gripping, and finally finding out the story behind the ghost and the mystery was a spectacular moment. Would definitely recommend this book!

Ancient curses, family secrets, a remote moorland setting and a crumbling old house reached only by an ancient track called the coffin path.

The creation of atmosphere is what stands out the most from this book and it creates a sense of growing dread that keeps on building throughout. The book is filled with a dark and gothic imagery highlighting the harshness, poverty and superstitions in the seventeenth century with some wonderful descriptions of the desolate Yorkshire moorland and the hard way of life for the people who live there.

This is a story that builds up slowly, ramping up the spooky atmosphere that leads to a dramatic climax where secrets are finally revealed.

Plus, if you ever want to know about sheep farming in the seventeenth century then this is the book for you! 

You can certainly see the homage to Emily Bronte that Katherine Clements has paid but with such gothic atmosphere that brings to mind the likes of Du Maurier as well as Bronte.

If you enjoy a slow building atmospheric read then this is a book that will have you bound as tightly as seventeenth century superstitions captured people's believes!

Grab a copy of whats described as 'The perfect ghost story' as it is a book that needs to be read!

A big thank you to the author Katherine Clements, publishers Headline and NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and independent review.

I enjoyed this book and read it through in one day. From the very start you're plunged into the gothic, with the sense that something malignant is lurking at the isolated Scarcross Hall and gradually gaining strength as the novel progresses. Clements uses her setting to great effect, imbuing the house (with its strange noises), and the moors and the fells with danger. The unforgiving landscape and the capricious weather combine with family secrets to present an ominous atmosphere and creeping dread. A perfect read for a dark winter's night.

While it took me a while to read, only because I was super busy with my studies, I sped through this book - it was utterly engaging and I loved the gothic elements in the story. I also found the historical elements compelling and interesting to explore in a fictional tale. I haven't read any of Clements other books but I definitely enjoyed her writing style and the way she is successful in building both tension and suspense.

A ghost story and a historical chiller (which was the first unexpected twist). I hadn’t realised that The Coffin Path didn’t have a modern day setting and I enjoyed the mental shift moving the already remote Scarcross Hall back through time.

Scarcross Hall houses Mercy Booth, she lives with her father and they farm sheep on the inhospitable land. As we first encounter Mercy a stranger has approached the edge of their property – he is looking for work and gets taken on as shepherd and farmhand.

Life is tough at Scarcross and the sheep are precious – their sale will provide the coin to keep the household fed and warm through the hard winter months. It is of considerable concern, therefore, when sheep and lambs start to disappear – their bloody bodies to be found ripped and slashed…valuable resources callously ruined.

Mercy faces other problems. Her father’s health is failing and she is increasingly reliant upon the farmhands. As a single child Mercy expects to inherit Scarcross but property and land is not left to daughters – in England of olde the son inherits. Mercy’s father would see her married if he could – Mercy has other ideas and is relying upon her father’s promise that he will leave her Scarcross.

Adding a chilling twist to events is a series of unexplained phenomenon plaguing Scarcross Hall. Mercy’s father is missing his treasured inkwell and some ancient coins. Their housekeeper seems to have a sixth sense and foretells of problems which shall accompany the finding of the coins. Strange sights at night, moving furniture in locked rooms and other unexplained incidents add a delightful chill to The Coffin Path.

A great read this one, ghost story, mystery, social commentary and a thumpingly good historical thriller makes The Coffin Path well worth seeking out.

This is Katherine Clements' third novel and this one is set Just after the civil wars, across the moors of Yorkshire which make for a compellingly spooky and atmospheric back-drop to the story. Scarcross Hall is the home of Mercy Booth, a farmers daughter who takes her role as heir to the family business very seriously. One day upon walking the moors she feels that someone or something is watching her and this feeling continues both on the moors and back at home. When a mysterious stranger appears asking for seasonal work, Mercy finds herself reluctant to take him on, but with nothing more than a feeling to base it on, she has no choice but to accept him.
Soon there are occurrences that no one can account for. Sheep and lambs are being taken and killed across the moors, with no evidence as to who or what is doing the killing, and at Scarcross Hall, her father's prize possession, three ancient gold coins have vanished.
"One marks the first to go. A second bodes the fall. The third will seal a sinner's fate. The Devil takes them all."
In parts this was a little like The Silent Companions because of the link with things moving unaccountably within a house and if you enjoyed that, then you will certainly want to put this on your reading list. My only negative is that there is a lot of talk about sheep and lambs, a lot!

17th century Yorkshire: Mercy Booth is an unusual woman. She by all expectations be married with a family but instead she manages her father's estate, Scarcross Hall. She's more likely to be found walking the Moors with her dog, checking their flock of sheep than any of the more genteel activities usually expected of landowners daughters. She's loves Scarcross with a passion but others fear it.....evil is said to lurk there. Mercy denies it but deep down she knows something isn't right. When a stranger arrives looking for work her first instinct is to send him away.....but there's something about the man that makes her take him in....that decision changes everything at Scarcross Hall.

As I write this review I'm unsure how much I liked this. Yes it's atmospheric, and yes there's a sense of dread building throughout the book. But there's also way too much sheep talk. I know that they are an important part of events but still.....sheep....an animal so boring they're universally acknowledged to be a sleep aid! Also I felt as if we were meant to see Mercy as the heroine of the story but she's not particularly likeable in fact no one in the book is which made it difficult to be concerned about anyone's fate. However the latter part of the book is actually a cracking read - it just takes awhile to get there. I understand slow burners but this is barely smoking at first then just takes off. It was worth waiting for. Also on the more positive side this is beautifully written, the authors use of language is fantastic....it's just a shame so much of it was used on sheep!

A gripping and unputdownable book that I tried to savour but couldn't! Excellent writing and wonderful plot to match.

I was intrigued to read The Coffin Path and wasn't disappointed. The book is based around a sheperdess called Mercy who lives at Scarcross Hall with her father, and a housekeeper. The book is based in the Yorkshire Moors in the 17th cantury. Mercy is a strong willed, independent woman who works on the farm. The story is a ghost / horror story. I didn't find that I was scared to death, but it was certainly very creepy. The book was very atmospheric and portrayed well the eeriness and darker side of the moors. The descriptions vividly evoked the ghostly atmosphere that the author was trying to convey. Her characters were all well developed, especially Mercy who was a really strong character that I was drawn to. For me the book had a feel of Wuthering Heights about it, not only as it was set on the moors, but also in the character of Ellis. The storyline was really well written and kept me turning pages to find out what happened. If you want something really creepy, intensely atmospheric and with an interesting storyline then I would recommend this book.

I read this during A heavy snow fall it helped with the atmosphere tremendously!
I enjoyed it but I would not class it as a creepy ghost story. It certainly described how hard and grim life was in the 16th century on a remote farm.
It has a gothic feel to it but if you are expecting to be scared by ghosts you won't be.
I did enjoy it though.

I read this book feeling utter glee at the creepy gothicness on offer in this fab book, The Coffin Path. I loved the sense of time and place in the remote, unforgiving landscape of the 17th century Yorkshire moors. I loved the main character, Mercy, who oversaw day-to-day activities on her family estate as a master shepherdess (extremely useful when sheep find themselves in tight spots). I loved the feeling of isolation Mercy and her father faced and the tight relationships they had closer to home. I loved the edginess of Ellis's arrival and wondered what it might mean for our intrepid family.

Mostly, I loved the ominous dread that seeps in through the entire book leaving the reader sweaty-palmed and anxious. It was so lovely to have no clue where it was headed as the drama builds and builds and builds. Just when you think you've reached a plateau where you can relax the tension, even more challenging events unfurl. I was gripped and eager to award 5 stars. But, a rather peculiar thing happened in the last fifth that just got out of control and seemed untenable. I was disappointed with this big twist but it certainly didn't negate my previous delight. This is a great read for a cold, rainy day sitting by the fire. More, please, Ms. Clements! I love your style and feel for history.

This is Katherine Clements’ third novel set in 17th century England, but it has a different feel from the previous two. Rather than being a straight historical novel like The Crimson Ribbon and The Silvered Heart, The Coffin Path is a ghost story with a lonely rural setting and this time there is much less focus on the political and social events of the period.

It’s 1674 and there are signs that spring is on its way to the Yorkshire moors. The first lamb of the season is about to make its appearance, but it is a difficult birth and requires human assistance. Mercy Booth of Scarcross Hall, who farms the land and tends the sheep for her elderly father, helps to deliver the lamb into the world but its mother dies in the process – the first of several bad omens. Next, three ancient gold coins go missing from her father’s collection and reappear in unexpected places – and then Mercy begins to hear noises coming from a disused bedchamber upstairs.

Around this time, a stranger arrives looking for work. His name is Ellis Ferreby and although the local people are slow to trust him, he soon proves himself to be a good shepherd and a reliable worker. Ellis, however, is a man with secrets and it seems that he could have reasons of his own for coming to Scarcross Hall.

We slowly get to know both Mercy and Ellis as their stories alternate with each other throughout the novel. We hear what Mercy’s life has been like, growing up without a mother, with only her eccentric father, Bartram, and the servants for company – and we learn of her hopes for the future, which centre around the knowledge that one day, as her father’s only heir, she will inherit her beloved Scarcross Hall. As for Ellis, his background is shrouded in mystery and the truth about both his past and his purpose in being at Scarcross is only revealed later in the novel.

The 17th century is obviously a period which interests Katherine Clements and of which she has a lot of knowledge: The Crimson Ribbon was the story of a servant in the household of Oliver Cromwell, while The Silvered Heart was about a highwaywoman in the aftermath of the English Civil War. The Coffin Path is set just a few decades after those two books yet I felt that the story would have worked just as well if it had been set in almost any other period, either an earlier century or a later one. Although the effects of the recent Civil War do still linger in the lives of our characters, this only has any real significance towards the end of the book – otherwise, perhaps because Scarcross Hall is so isolated from the wider world, there is a general feeling of timelessness.

However, what the novel lacks in sense of time is made up for in sense of place. There are some wonderful descriptions of the moors surrounding Scarcross Hall, bringing to life this harsh but beautiful landscape. We also explore some of the old traditions and beliefs which survive in this remote part of England: the White Ladies is an ancient stone circle which the villagers associate with evil, while the Coffin Path of the title refers to the old track down which coffins would be carried from the moors to the church for burial. It’s no wonder that in a place like this, people like Ellis and Mercy are viewed with suspicion and distrust – Ellis because he is an outsider and Mercy because she is an independent, unconventional woman, still unmarried in her thirties and doing ‘a man’s work’ on the farm.

I enjoyed following the personal stories of both main characters and I liked the supernatural elements too: they were suitably eerie, but at the same time subtle enough to keep me wondering whether there really were ghosts involved or whether something else was happening. My only problem with the book (other than the fact that, like many novels these days, it is written in present tense) was that there were times when the plot seemed to be moving forward very slowly. It didn’t help that the first few chapters are devoted to describing, in great detail, the birth of a lamb; I would have preferred a stronger opening to pull me straight into the story.

Of the three books by Katherine Clements I have read, I think I liked both of the others better than this one, but it’s good to see that she has tried something slightly different here. What will she write next, I wonder?

"One coin marks the first to go.
A second bodes the fall.
The third will seal a sinner's fate.
The Devil take them all."

I've been reading quite a lot of short ghost stories recently, I like M.R. James, Edgar Allen Poe and H.P. Lovecraft. So when The Coffin Path cropped up on NetGalley and was described as 'The perfect ghost story' I thought I'd give it a go.

This is an excellent book to read in a cold and miserable winter, it has a good balance of supernatural and human interactions. I do think the story line was a little predictable, but I still enjoyed the read.

The Coffin Path has all the basic elements of a good ghost story; creepy house, check; stark moor; check; bucket load of family secrets, check. It harks back to more traditional ghost stories and I like that element.
However, it also interweaves complex family dynamics, a little in the way of Shirley Jackson but not as surreal. The characters at first appear to be stock characters in a ghostly drama, but Clements invests them with realism and depth.

It is also a little gruesome at times and is overly dramatic, but Clements sort of owns this and it works.

There is some lovely writing and the descriptions, particularly of the landscape around are original and invoking.

I did have a few issues, as previously mentioned the plot, especially the 'twist' ending, was a bit obvious. Plus, I felt the story was dragged out quite a bit.

However, I found The Coffin Path a dark and atmospheric read with a depth that isn't always found in books of this genre.

My Rating: 4 Stars

I received a copy of The Coffin Path, via NetGalley, in return for an honest review. My thanks to the author and publisher.

There are stories about Scarcross Hall and the surrounding moors. Rumours of evil happenings go back over a hundred years. Many folks from the village fear this land and the tales of witchcraft and devilry, avoiding the old coffin path to the church if they can. Now lambs are being found mutilated on the moors and up by the standing stones known as the White Ladies, where sacrifices were allegedly made long ago. In the house itself strange dragging noises are heard coming from an unused room and footsteps echo where nobody walks.

A wonderful atmospheric chiller for cold winter nights.

First of all, thank you so much to Headline publishers and Caitlin Raynor for allowing me to read a copy of this eerie, fascinating novel, set on the Yorkshire moors in the seventeenth century via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I love a good ghost story but haven't read one in quite some time and definitely haven't read one that gripped me as much as the story of Mercy Booth and her moors filled with sheep did. It's an incredibly atmospheric novel and I could visualise the moors that Mercy lives on and the sheep that are in her care in full, glorious detail. The house that she lives in with her father and housekeeper becomes almost a character unto itself with the number of secrets it keeps and the strange noises that have started to emanate from a locked bedroom within the house, terrifying residents and visitors alike.

Our story begins with Mercy tearing out into the inclement weather to assist a ewe who is struggling to give birth to her lamb (more on this scene later) and from there we learn about Mercy's life, an independent young woman who has taken most of the work of looking after her family's flock from her father as his health, strength and mind begins to fail. She is determined, strong and fiercely loyal to her family's business and probably knows as much or indeed more about looking after sheep than her head shepherd does. The novel follows her life as they take on a mysterious new worker, stranger to the town Ellis Ferreby, the family start to discover a number of mutilated sheep on the premises, precious things of her father's go missing and there are aforementioned curious noises from the bedroom where a young boy once died. Meanwhile, all residents at the property are starting to get an odd sense that someone is watching them and wishes them ill. For what purpose? All will be revealed but the journey to get there might make you want to turn the lights back on if you're reading this just before bed.

This novel has one of the most brutal and graphic beginnings I've ever read and although it doesn't set the tone for what the rest of the book is going to be like (i.e. not so graphic) I'd seriously go into it with your stomach well fortified! Our main character, Mercy is birthing a lamb and in full, gory detail the process is described to the reader as Mercy struggles to save both the newborn and its mother. I'm lucky enough to have quite a strong stomach (must be the huge volume of horror tomes I've read in the past?), and as soon as I read this opening chapter I knew I was going to enjoy this book. Not so much for the content I hasten to add, but for the writing style, the setting and how Katherine Clements pulls you into Mercy's world effortlessly, where not only can you visualise everything around her but you're fighting her corner completely and hoping that she manages to save the animals from certain death.

The Coffin Path is very much a book that illustrates the sign of the times where poverty, superstition, rumours of witchcraft and fear of religion - that is to say, what would happen if you didn't attend church are rife. The author portrays these attitudes and worries perfectly and it's a fine historical account of what it might be like to live in England in these frightening times. Speaking of frightening, there's passages of this narrative that I think will stay with me for a long time yet, it was incredibly creepy and disconcerting and there's a particular fire screen that I don't think I will ever forget! I loved the whole gothic nature of Mercy's story and not only was her character written to perfection, instantly making me root for her but she was flawed, vulnerable and undeniably human which I adored. I'm not going to talk about the ending too much but let me just say, if you like being shocked you're in for a treat here. Unfortunately, I kind of guessed parts of the "big reveal," but luckily, not everything surrounding it and it was a fantastic way to finish off an engrossing and thrilling novel.