Earlier this year, I randomly picked up The Wicked Hour, despite it being the second in a series and not having read the first.  I'm really glad I stepped outside my comfort zone (I hate reading books out of order), because it was amazing.  When I was approved to receive the sequel, The Witching Tree, you could have heard me squealing all the way in Burning Lake.  

I may or may not have also purchased the first in the series - Trace of Evil  - as well.

Detective Natalie Lockhart has a lot going on in her life.  After two insane cases with The Crow Killer and then The Violinist, she hasn't had a break.  It's taking its toll on her and she's struggling.  As much as I hate to see my favorite characters falling apart, I think that the stress of the job finally getting to Natalie makes her more real, more human. She fights with herself more than anyone or anything in this novel, and her internal dialogue is interesting.  Natalie has quickly become one of my favorite fictional detectives, and this book had a lot to do with that.

The author has a knack for crafting an intriguing mystery with lost of twists and turns that you don't expect.  During the course of the book, I must have had three or four suspects I just knew  were guilty.  In the end?  I was wrong on all counts.  The actual culprit took me by surprise because they hadn't even truly been on my radar.  Honestly though, I love it when that happens. I shouldn't be smarter than the author and figure it out halfway through the story.  

There were two things that bothered me, however.  One was a conversation Natalie had with someone that didn't end well.  On one hand, I get the other person's point, but I also feel for Natalie and the position she's in.  Team no one and everyone at the same time.  The other was the cliffhanger left at the end of the book.  I normally don't mind them, especially when I'm behind with a series and the next book is already out, but the nature of this one upset me.  All that said, I thoroughly enjoyed another trip to Burning Lake to watch Natalie and the rest of the BLPD solve another horrific crime.

The Witching Tree by Alice Blanchard caught my attention with the magnificent cover and the description. I may have overlooked the fact that it is the third book in the Natalie Lockhart series. And let me tell you, there is a lot I need to catch up on and I fully plan on it. Natalie Lockhart has been through a whirlwind of trauma and is considering leaving the police force. She has been a detective and led the case that put away a serial killer but now she is burnt out. However, when a local coven leader is found dead in one of the most gruesome ways, she can’t back out yet. The town needs her before it pulls itself apart.

Trigger Warnings: Gruesome Death, Assault, Abuse, Rape, Suicide

The book’s beginning reminds me very much of a Karin Slaughter book. It is just BOOM. Horrific murder scene. Then it goes into a multi-layered police procedural. Burning Lake has been through Hell and there are whispers of a curse. I love how the story goes back to the Witch Trials and follows the ancestry of a few of the main characters, including the victim. I did enjoy Natalie Lockhart’s character, but to be honest I didn’t really care for the love triangle. It seemed to slow the story down and I felt it inhibited her ability to focus on the investigation. BUT, once I read the first books in the series, I may change my mind on that.

The author really dives into Wiccan beliefs and how misunderstood it is, but also how it is possible for those of other religious beliefs to be more accepting of them. There are a few characters who really can say they are a true Christian in this novel because they know how to love.

HOWEVER, we can’t forget that massive cliffhanger!! I mean come on, at least wrap up some of the main plot points! Nope, it just ended!! I kept clicking my kindle thinking it had to be a mistake–there had to be at least a few more pages! I do plan to read the next book but I don’t like cliffhangers like that. Overall, this book is suspenseful and addicting. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Alice Blanchard for the opportunity to read this book!

In this third book in the series Detective Natalie Lockhart is faced with a particularly grisly murder of a beloved woman in their town of Burning Tree. Natalie is trying not to get overwhelmed by the case, but her family history keeps pulling her in. I like the strong character of Natalie, and in this book we see that she is very human in her mixed feelings about her job, life and love.

So I want to start off my review by saying that this is the third installment in a series, and I didn’t know that going in. I think my reading experience would’ve just been a little bit better had I known more of the characters back stories going in. That being said, it still read pretty well as a standalone! I did feel like I got caught up in little details and some parts of the writing style that bothered me and ended up taking me away from the story a bit. But the story itself hooked me from the beginning and I loved the way the case unfolded! The ending does leave off on a cliffhanger with a LOT of questions unanswered, which left me feeling a little let down since there had been so much build up around the case, to not get any answers was tough. But it did make me want the next book in the series so I can find out what happens, so well played!

Title: The Witching Tree
Author: Alice Blanchard
Genre: Mystery/thriller
Rating: 4 out of 5

As legend has it, if you carve your deepest desire into the bark of a Witch Tree, then over time as the tree grows, it will swallow the carvings until only a witch can read them.

Until now.

Detective Natalie Lockhart gained unwanted notoriety when she and her family became front and center of not one, but two sensational murder cases. Now she's lost her way. Burned out and always looking over her shoulder, Natalie desperately thinks that quitting the police force is her only option left.

All that changes when a beloved resident--a practicing Wiccan and founder of the town's oldest coven--is killed in a fashion more twisted and shocking than Natalie has ever seen before, leaving the town reeling. Natalie has no choice but to help solve the case along with Detective Luke Pittman, her boss and the old childhood friend she cannot admit she loves, even to herself. There is a silent, malignant presence in Burning Lake that will not rest. And what happens next will shock the whole town, and Natalie, to the core.

I’ve read the first book in this series, but I missed the second. I did enjoy this one, but it felt far too much like an advertisement for Wicca or I would have rated it higher. Seriously. You cannot tell me every single person in a group is good/peaceful/gets along with everyone (or, alternately, bad/racist/horrible/whatever adjective of choice) and expect me to believe you. If I leave out the pro-Wicca-all-of-us-are-peaceful-angels slant (which accounts for a good third of the book), this was an enjoyable mystery and thriller. But as is, the town of Burning Lake comes off a little too good to be true.

Alice Blanchard is an award-winning author. The Witching Tree is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Natalie Lockhart is a detective in the small town of Burning Lake, New York which is famous for it's incomparable and special Halloween celebrations in the U.S. and people come from all over to see and take part in all the festivities that Burning Lake has to offer with all of the uniquely charming and whimsical shops that are run and owned by real modern day witches. The town has many covens of witches who practice and deal in white magic magic with their healing herbs and potions etc. Natalie has gained unwanted notoriety with the last two cases she solved that has left her with a lot of emotional and psychological baggage.and she has been seriously thinking of leaving the police department. Then, one day in March on a snowy and blustery cold day, a body has been found murdered in the most heinous way and the victim happens to be one of the most respected and gentle people in this town and Natalie knows she must stay on as a detective to get justice for this beloved and special person. Little does Natalie know that this case may be the one to break her if she lives long enough to find the vile killer.

I found this to be a wonderful detective and police procedural story. The characters were interesting and well developed which made the book very enjoyable and entertaining. Natalie lives with her boyfriend but still has unresolved feelings for another man which I thought the author did a great job incorporating the romance into the story without it becoming a romantic novel and keeping the story focused on the mystery and suspense of the murder. This book does involve violence, blood and some very gory scenes that kept the story realistic in the descriptions of many crimes and killings. The only problem I had with book was the (Ugh) cliff hangar ending! I hate cliff hangars especially when I have no idea when the next book will come out and I want and need to know what happens now! I felt so frustrated and disappointed and just wished the blurb had stated that fact so I would have been more prepared for the ending. All that said I Can't Wait to read the next book in the series! This book can be read as a stand-alone since Alice Blanchard did a fantastic job of filling in any blanks needed from the previous books which now I can't wait to go back and read the first two books that shows how much I loved this story and the world of Detective Natalie Lockhart. I highly recommend this terrific detective story to all dark mystery readers!

I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books" and Netgalley for the complimentary digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I have given this creative and captivating book a rating of 4 1/2 BEWITCHING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!

Thank you to Alice Blanchard, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

This is the third book in the Natalie Lockhart series, yet it is easily read as a stand alone for anyone who has not read the other books.

Natalie is a strong female law enforcement lead, who is thinking of quitting the force because she’s having conflicting feelings about the past. She’s drawn back in due to a new murder investigation. There’s a little bit of paranormal mixed with this mystery.

This book takes the time to go in depth with the characters and their backgrounds, especially Natalie’s. The characters are well written and relatable.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery series and I look forward to the next installment.

I really liked the blurb for this book when I read it, and when it came time to read it, I really hoped it would live up to its premise. Sadly, to me, this was just another one of those mildly entertaining mysteries with a hint of the paranormal that starts out too slow, has too many loose ends left dangling for shock value alone, and you find yourself simply finishing reading because you might as well.

I’m not usually a fan of love triangles, but the love triangle in this book really had me going. The different kind, yet equal amount of tension between the FMC and the two men she’s torn between had me more riveted than the actual plot of the book. And that’s not a good sign for the book itself. If I wanted an angst-filled story about a sexy love triangle, I’d read a romance novel.

Nonetheless, I felt compelled to give this book 3 stars for the well-written characters and chemistry amongst the members of the love triangle. It’s too bad the mystery wasn’t as compelling.

This is book three in the Natalie Lockhart detective series by Alice Blanchard! The second one could have been stand alone but this one you definitely want to have read the first book. It dives so much more into what happened in Natalie’s past plus so many characters are repeat characters! Also, The first two are soo good it’s worth it.

After solving two sensational murder cases, Natalie is trying to avoid the press and the spotlight. She’s having trouble managing her feeling about the past and is considering leaving the force. But after she gets involved in the investigation of the heinous murder of a beloved local, she decides she has to stick around.

The Witching Tree dove so much more into Natalie and her past and all she’s suffered as a detective! I loved how in-depth we go with Natalie as a character as it makes the story that much easier to invest in. She’s a really great, strong, and flawed character.

The story was twisty and more then one crime seems to emerge! So many secrets are amongst the town peoples past in Burning Lake… this made the book hard to put down. The only challenge I had here is that this thriller ends on a cliff hanger! I am terrible with cliff hangers because I desperately need to know what happened and who did it!!

But am I just that much more invested to get my hands on book four?! Heck yes.

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2021/12/07/the-witching-tree-by-alice-blanchard/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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<i>Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>

I listened to the first two books in the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/261362-natalie-lockhart" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Natalie Lockhart</strong></em></a> series but <strong>The Witching Tree</strong> doesn't seem to be on audio yet.  I was curious to see what would happen with Natalie.  She has had a lot of big and dangerous cases ove the past year.  She's tired, grieving the loss of her sister,  and reconsidering her life choices.

She is living with Hunter Rose but still has a connection with her childhood friend, Luke.  I was Team Luke in the first book,  no time for romance in the last book and now I don't know.  I'm not Team Hunter as he seems to be pushing her to make decisions, where Luke leaves it up to her.

We start with a horrific murder, a bunch of shady people around, and no one really tells the truth.  Natalie perseveres and just when she makes headway, there are more deaths.  There are plenty of smart steps she takes in the investigation and she learns a lot. I do worry when she is out questioning people on her own without backup.  Someone out there is a murderer after all.  I like Natalie and she pieces things together with skill.

<strong>The Witching Tree</strong> was a really good read but it ends on a cliffhanger.  We don't really know who committed the murders or exactly why.  Natalie's personal relationships are also up in the air.  While we learn lots of facts and history about the town and those involved, nothing is resolved. I'm really enjoying the series but my rating is lower because of the lack of any closure here.

The Witching Tree by Alice Blanchard is a fast-paced mystery thriller that is sure to keep you second-guessing until the very end. A well-written read with intriguing characters. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

The Witching Tree starts with a bang, and does not let up! Natalie is a conflicted detective, burnt out after two high profile cases that she was in charge of. At her boyfriend's urging, she is considering quitting the force and becoming a lady of leisure-- free to pursue her painting and other hobbies. While that idea seems to appeal to her, she has police work in her blood. The whole novel has her attempting to make this decision.

A Wiccan woman is killed in gruesome style by a train, and burnt out Natalie is part of the case. While she is not the lead this time, she takes a big role in the attempt to discover who committed this heinous crime.

This is a police procedural, from start to finish. You are privy to all of the investigation into this murder, with some tidbits thrown in to put you off the scent of the true killer. It is well written, and especially attention grabbing, since the book opens with the murder occurring in real time, and it is an especially gruesome murder.

This book is part of a series, but can also be read as a stand alone. I haven't read any of the other books, and had no trouble following along. While I felt I was missing some back story, the author did fill in just enough to have everything make sense. The only part I felt was missing was Natalie and Luke's backstory-- her boss at the police station-- and felt like there was a lot there was was not revealed in this story.

The only negative that I had is this story ended on gaping cliff hanger, that (I'm assuming) will be the focus of the next Natalie story. The current plot and story line was tied up tight, but the last chapter or two introduced another "crime" that had nothing to do with the rest of the story. I don't love cliff hanger stories, especially when I am not reading a story in the chronological order. However, I would definitely read the next installment, if ever given the opportunity!

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Detective Natalie Lockhart is investigating a gruesome murder of her town's bellowed Wiccan leader, Veronica Manes. The residents of the town are heartbroken and are seeking the answers. Natalie, who is struggling with her own troubling past, is on the verge of quitting the force. But she feels she owes it to Burning Lake and her colleagues to find the killers.

This is my first book by Alice Blanchard and I can't wait to read more by this author. I love her writing style, the atmosphere she creates in her novel, and I always appreciate the good research that goes into writing investigative novels making them more real and exciting. The characters were also very relatable and likable. The main female character is vulnerable, yet strong. There is a love triangle: Natalie is torn between her childhood friend and a colleague, Luke, and her current boyfriend, Hunter, who is so amazing and caring, and wonderful in every way. You can't help but love those two men in Natalie's life. Although, I have to admit, I'm a little sceptical of Hunter, he is just too perfect to be true. The plot is twisted and keeps you guessing till the last page. And the ending... Let's just say, this book will have you hooked and wishing for more!

Although, this novel could be read as a stand-alone, there are many references to the events in the first two books, so I would recommend reading them in order. I will definetly go back and read books 1 and 2. This is a great detective series to get into, if you enjoy the genre or want to explore it. 4.5/5 stars from me!

Burning Lake has a history of witches dating back to the 1700s when three women were burned for witchcraft. Now Veronica Manes, the leader of a local coven, has been murdered in a gruesome manner. Detective Natalie Lockhart has already been involved in two sensational murder cases and is contemplating her resignation from the force. Now with Veronica’s murder she is unsure of her future. Veronica was well known in Burning Lake and was admired by many of its’ residents. Her death was carefully planned and evidence shows that it may have been the work of two murderers. Suspicion falls on a young couple who were known for drug use and practicing black magic. They disappeared shortly before the murder and the wife was acquainted with Veronica. Justin Fowler was an ex-con who spent years in prison after he was falsely accused of murder. On his release, Veronica was one of the few people who helped him and it led to an affair. Justin has problems with anger and recently had an argument with Veronica, placing him on the list of suspects.

In an effort to protect Natalie from another encounter with the press Lt. Luke Pittman takes the lead on this case, leaving her to follow up on their leads. Natalie is driven to find a solution but she is also starting to burn out. Her personal life is also in turmoil. She has feelings for Hunter, the owner of a successful security firm, but has also been in love with Luke since they were kids. They grew up together and she always envisioned a future with him but the timing has never been right. Hunter supports her resignation from the police and wants a committed relationship, but is she ready to give up on Luke and the only job she knows?

There is a malevolence in. Burning Lake that some attribute to a curse from the 1700s. Some town members can trace their ancestry back to the participants in the witch burning and Alice Blanchard’s The Witching Tree builds tension as Natalie looks for connections between Veronica’s murder and the town’s history. From the opening scenes to the surprising end this is a suspenseful story that will keep you engrossed and is highly recommended. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for my review.

Natalie Lockhart is still struggling with the events of the past year. Not only is she the most notorious member of the Burning Lake Police Department, her family may be the most notorious in Burning Lake. She is about to hand in her resignation, with the full support of her new lover, the very wealthy Hunter, when she is called to investigate the death of Veronica Manes, leader of one of the town's covens.

Natalie is in a race against time. She knows she must help solve the case--so that she can resign before the town's hiring freeze goes into effect. But the deeper she delves into Veronica's mysterious death, the more elusive the culprit becomes. And as her longtime friend and boss, Luke, pressures her to make a decision about their relationship, Natalie's stress level rises even further.

The book ends in a cliffhanger, so don't expect any resolution. Author Alice Blanchard has created such an evocative setting in Burning Lake. Even as the town residents deal with an extended winter (the kind I most despaired of growing up), it managed to make me homesick for Pittsburgh. I'm curious to see where the next installment of this series goes. I'm starting to distrust Hunter again and want to see if my suspicion is accurate. #TheWitchingTree #NetGalley #BurningLake

The Witching Tree had me holding my breath from page one to the final page.

I could not put this dark atmospheric book down.

Although this is book 3 in the series, I have not read the others and the author does a great job so you are not lost in the story.

I will now go back and catch up on the escapades of Natalie Lockhart and team.

I was getting nervous towards the end as I suspect everyone and all I will say is I will be first in line for book 4 of the Natalie Lockhart series.

Alice Blanchard and Natalie Lockhart you have a fan for life.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press Minotaur Books for a roller coaster of a read.

This was a well-written book with interesting characters and a decent premise. I was expecting some supernatural content with a terror filled mystery and this one did not disappoint.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for giving me the opportunity to read this.

No!!!!!!!! How could it end that way??!! Loved the book, although there seemed to be a lot of stuff repeated over and over. I knew Veronica must have discovered the truth about someone's identity. I knew this person was lying about who they really were. I can’t wait for the next book. I was not expecting that cliffhanger. I need to know what happened to Veronica and now Luke. Also, what was all the stuff that Dottie Coffman was trying to hide. There's a huge story there and it must be linked to hat happened to Veronica. Whoever is behind al this craziness, they are going to huge lengths to keep people quiet. I hate Hunter and Natalie together. She is supposed to be with Luke. Why can't she tell Luke that she loves him. Natalie is preventing herself from being truly happy. It seems that Hunter and Natalie only have physical attraction. It's all lust not love. Luke and Natalie have true love, even though Natalie wants to keep denying it. Natalie needs to be a police officer. I think Hunter is pressuring her to be someone that she isn't. What is with all the files and evidence going missing? The person doing it must have a reason. He/She is probably trying to cover something up. Burning Lake is a huge crime/murder magnet. How can so much bad stuff happen in one little place? Hopefully we eventually learn the truth behind Bella's disappearance. That's one mystery that needs to be solved.

Definitely recommend the book. Enjoyed the characters, story and writing style. Love the Natalie Lockhart series. Can't wait to see what's next for Natalie. I'm sure there will be more murders in Burning Lake that she will need to to investigate. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In many ways this is the best book of the series. Complex characters and an intriguing mystery. Lots of suspense and the tension is through the roof! However. The author did something very different with this one and I'm not sure if I like it or not. I will say it keeps me intrigued and I will definitely be reading the next book. I really like Natalie's character development from the first books, except for in the romance department. In that instance I want to reach into the pages and shake her. I hope this plot point is resolved for good, soon.

This book made me mad - not because it wasn't good, but because unlike the prior two in the series, this one ended with a cliffhanger and several unresolved plot points. I have no doubt all will be resolved in the next book, but having to wait is going to be extremely difficult!

As previously mentioned, this is the third in the Natalie Lockhart series, and with this one I feel like the story & characters have finally hit their stride. There's more growth, deeper plots, and hints at a complex web starting to unravel - hence being peeved about the cliffhanger...

I have enjoyed all three books, and look forward to meeting Natalie again.... hopefully soon.

This book, and series, is recommended for anyone who loves a compelling mystery filled with gritty crime scenes and characters that belie their tropes.