I'll admit that historical fiction can go either way for me, depending on the subject and location. That said, the cover, blurb, and title for this one completely hooked me, and I've read and enjoyed some of this author's other work, so I was hopeful. As it turns out, I quite enjoyed A Lullaby for Witches, and if I had to pick one word to sum it up, I'd say captivating because this book certainly captivated me. The story is told from dual POV and timelines, and I enjoyed both timelines equally, which is surprising in itself - I usually will lean toward one or the other, but I was pulled into the lives of both Margaret and Augusta. Fox writes a compelling tale here with wonderful descriptions and a gothic feel. This is one that will appeal to readers of historical and women's fiction or even someone who enjoys tales of witches.

A Lullaby for Witches was a short yet intriguing read as it focuses on two women who are affected by the power of witches. Margaret and Augusta were both very strong female characters and one of them certainly has a dark side. I really liked that this book went into detail but not so much that I was bored with the storyline. It was also neat seeing how the present day events and history connected and how the two women did as well. I personally found Augusta to be a bit dull and liked Margaret's story better but the two stories definitely came together well to make an intriguing read! I of course loved the historical New England setting with the old buildings. If you're looking for a super magical read though, this book probably isn't what you're looking for. There's definitely magic but more in an empowering sense instead of magical.

I enjoyed the story of this book, though the writing was a little weak and didn't feel like it was complete. (Did read an ARC but believe it's close to publishing date) The Margaret storyline was good but I didn't quite understand how she turned vengeful so quickly and I would've liked a little more about her. The Augusta storyline was good too, I liked how you could tell she had some issues without being told she had issues but the fact that she wouldn't eat food was a little overdone and then never fully realized. Leo was a good character but also a little too idealized. Overall a great book, I just wish it had a bit more.

Margaret Harlowe never fit in with her wealthy New England family, cultivating the powers of nature and giving in to her darker nature. A hundred and fifty years later, Augusta Podos lands a dream job at Harlowe House, a museum in Tynnemouth, Massachusetts. When she discovers vague references to a daughter that was nearly completely erased from the historical record, Augusta can't resist digging into the mystery, even when it's clearly something not of this world.

I've liked other books that Hester Fox wrote, all featuring witchcraft in 1800's New England. The shoutout to Pale Harbor, Maine made me smile with familiarity. This one starts off with Margaret's thread, seen in flashbacks and dreams as well as her spirit lingering in Harlowe House. Augusta is going through a lot in her own thread, from upheaval and family distance as well as general unrest. She's happy to be at Harlowe House, and then especially when she finds clues leading to Margaret and starts having hallucinations that teases parts of Margaret's past. What we think is the ultimate plan is ultimately very different from what happens, but we get to see the truth of the past and the way forward for Augusta. I really enjoyed this, and couldn't put the book down until I finished it all in one sitting.

A Lullaby for Witches follows a two time period narrative, with a connection from past to present. The chapter alternate perspectives between two women. Many parallels emerge - the discord within family, the betrayal by a man, and the sense of not belonging. Yet, at the same time, the two women could not be more different. The climax of this book brings the two stories crashing together about as I expect yet the melodramatic conclusion keeps me turning pages to see if it turns out the way I expect it will.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2022/02/a-lullaby-for-witches.html

Reviewed for NetGalley and the HTP Winter 2022 historical fiction blog tour.

Another of those "women who are strange are outcast" books, with some very mild witchcraft going on. There is a deep connection between Augusta and the Harlowe House "aura", some thing (person? creature? spirit?) that clearly is part of the house and Harlowe family history. Working as an archivist there and this connection greatly influence Augusta's life, particularly as she delves deeper in the "missing" Harlowe, a daughter that has been written out of history. We also get to know Margaret, that daughter, and why she may have disappeared from the written Harlowe record.

This could be a good introduction to this genre for younger readers, but older ones may hope for something more regarding the history (or historical record and research).

eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.

4.5 Stars

A spine-chilling Gothic tale of two women divided by time, but united by a powerful supernatural bond, Hester Fox’ s A Lullaby For Witches will weave a hypnotic spell on readers everywhere.

Margaret Harlowe chafed at the claustrophobic shackles society and her well-to-do New England family imposed upon her. Being a biddable proper young lady held no appeal for Margaret who never could resist the call of the wild cliffs and tangled woods that surrounded her family estate. Far from the burdensome conventions of polite society, Margaret wanted to harness her inner power and broaden her spiritual horizons. Only Margaret’s eccentricities had begun to invite gossip and rumors all around circulated that the Harlowe girl is a witch….

One hundred and fifty years later, an elated Augusta Podos comes to Harlowe House for her dream job in this historic New England home that has been transformed into a museum in Tynemouth, Massachusetts. As Augusta begin to settle into her new role, the past begins to call to her in the most startling and unexpected of ways. Augusta becomes intrigued by Margaret Harlowe, the daughter of this influential family, who seems to have been completely and utterly expunged from all historical records. Augusta is immediately intrigued and begins looking into the life of Margaret Harlowe. But is she prepared for what she is about to uncover about this enigmatic member of the Harlow family?

As the past and the present begin to intertwine, Augusta finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into Margaret’s secrets. What is it that binds these two women across the centuries? As danger and darkness begin to take root, Augusta finds herself forced to choose between malevolent forces and her own life…

Can Augusta resist its wicked allure? Or will succumbing to temptation end up costing her everything?

Hester Fox is the queen of Gothic suspense and having devoured her previous releases, my expectations for A Lullaby For Witches were pretty high. Yet, this talented storyteller managed to exceed every single one with her latest novel. A Lullaby For Witches is a spooky and creepy tale packed with tension, menace, intrigue and foreboding that kept me absolutely riveted to the page.

A creepy, captivating and enthralling tale from a very talented writer, Hester Fox hits all the rights notes with her latest novel, A Lullaby For Witches.

Augusta is tired of her job as a guide at the historical jail. When her dream job comes open at Harlowe House, she jumps at the chance. Harlowe House was once owned by a shipping magnate. He had a daughter named Margaret. But, as Augusta begins to delve into her life, she discovers a very strange history indeed. Augusta begins to find herself pulled into some strange visions and she discovers a shared past.

Augusta is a character I adored. Basically because she comes into her own in this book. She develops a backbone and discovers what she wants. But Margaret has some sinister plans. Is Augusta strong enough to fight this off??? You need to read this to find out!

I am a huge fan of Hester Fox! She never disappoints! And this book is one of my favorites! I am not a big fantasy reader. But give me a ghost story or a witch story and I am all over it! This book has both! Add in the historical aspect and you have a winner!

Need a good witch/ghost story to keep you reading well into the night…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Read if you like: The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton.
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Going back and forth between two perspectives. Augusta works and lives in Salem as a tour guide, but when she gets a job at Harlowe House in Tynemouth, things change significantly. Then we have Margaret, who is a witch in Tynemouth in the 1800s. Margaret gets into some trouble that will have negative consequences.
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The book focuses on the mystery of what happened to Margaret and Augusta becomes entrapped in this mystery.
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I really loved reading from Margaret's perspective. Felt like the drama that happened with Augusta was added for shock value and I really just wanted more of Margaret.
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CW: toxic relationship, domestic abuse, minor sexual content, sexism, ghosts, and possession.

I loved this immersion into a historical mystery!

It was Gothic and intruguing and the perfect ambience and escape on a bleak wintry day.

Augusta is still searching for her place in the world when she lands a job at Harlowe House as an archivist. She is immediately drawn to the story of Margaret Harlowe.

Margaret disappeared over a hundred years ago. The family records have only one oblique reference to her existence, and Augusta feels compelled to uncover her story.

Margaret has been waiting for someone just like Augusta, but she wants more than words on a page or a recorded death.

Augusta's compulsion leads her on a journey of self-discovery, personal growth and new love. And it forces her to claim her own power.

A Lullaby for Witches is a book set in dual time periods. We travel between the late 1800s until the modern day in this witchy and suspenseful gothic tale.

Augusta has recently gotten her dream job working at Harlow House, an historic home turned into a museum in Tynemouth, Ma. Suddenly, she is having visions of a woman from the past. Who is she and why is Augusta the only one experiencing the odd occurances? Margaret also lives in
lives in Tynemouth but more than a hundred years in the past. The daughter of a wealthy family she has never belonged and is known in the community as the local witch. What connects and binds these two women across centuries?

This was a fun read. The dual timelines worked well. It was the perfect vehicle with which to tell this story of two women living in the same place but centuries apart. Fox does a good job of making each of the women compelling characters in their own right. I will admit that I was more drawn to story set in the past. There is real atmosphere and suspense created as we learn the truth of Margaret’s story. The supernatural elements were well handled although a bit predictable. And of course there is the element of witchcraft which is always a big draw for me. While this book is not groundbreaking, it made for a fun and easy read. I have read all of Fox’s books and enjoyed each of them. This is what I would call a cozy historical fiction gothic. It is not horror but has enough atmosphere and supernatural elements that it can fit into the gothic genre. A fun and witchy winter read!

Thank you to @netgalley and @graydonhousebooks for this ebook in exchange for a fair review.

*I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Graydon House/HarperCollins for this ARC!*

*Thank you so much for asking me to be a part of this blog tour!! I love Hester Fox’s books (you can check out my reviews for The Witch of Willow Hall, The Widow of Pale Harbor, and The Orphan of Cemetery Hill here!)*

I have been a fan of Hester Fox’s books since her first one was released. I have always described her writing style as a modern day Bronte. She has a lot of gothic and paranormal vibes in her writing. This book was a bit of a departure from her previous works, as she had a storyline that was set in the modern era.

I really enjoyed the dual timelines and dual perspective of this book. I felt that the timelines played off of each other well, providing information that was illuminating to the other timeline whenever they switched back and forth. I was a bit dubious about the modern storyline, but I ended up being very intrigued by it. I liked the fact that Augusta was a museum curator, so even though she was in the modern era, she was firmly rooted in the past as well.

Speaking of Augusta, I really enjoyed her character. I liked that she grew as a person as the story went along, but that she also kind of devolved as well. Her obsession with Margaret led her down a bit of a destructive path even as she was trying to find herself and become more independent. It created a fantastic tension that I really enjoyed.

Margaret was a fascinating character. I couldn’t tell for a long time exactly what her aim was, so when it came down to what her goal was I was completely surprised. I’m not surprised by books all that often, so this was an exciting experience for me!

Getting to see the house and the town from both the modern and historical perspectives was really fun! I love a good feeling of nostalgia, I guess that’s the romantic in me, and this book provided it in spades! I really enjoyed the dual timeline more than I was expecting.

If you are a fan of historical paranormal fantasy with some romance tossed in, then this is the book for you!

My Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I gave A Lullaby for Witches 4 Stars!

This is an engrossing historical fiction following two timelines and two strong protagonists. While they differ in age they are both coming into their own and trying to find the path they want to be on. Fox weaved these two storylines together seamlessly and managed to balance them perfectly within the framework of the overall story. Since I am a character driven reader this book really worked for me and I enjoyed being so firmly entrenched in our character’s heads. I did find that Margaret is written a lot stronger than Augusta and as the book progressed I was turned off by certain aspects of Augusta’s story.

My biggest issue with Augusta is that there were a lot of great ideas and important topics brought up but most of them never felt fully realized. A lot of her story is told to us rather than shown and it took away a lot of the impact and often times felt rushed. And I don’t think a lot of the ideas were even necessary to the story and Augusta’s character would have been a lot stronger without forcing all these things into her half of the story. I was also very disappointed by the use of disordered eating when it came to Augusta because it didn’t end up turning into anything other than a plot device for something that happens at the end and is only briefly mentioned. I don’t think something as serious as disordered eating should be used so frivolously and if that is something that is triggering for you than you might want to pass on this book.

If you are someone that enjoys stories about witches then this is one that you would probably really enjoy. Margaret is a character that will stick with me for awhile and I highly enjoyed her story. Augusta was vital to the story and despite the weakness in her part of the book she had some of the most atmospheric moments. Overall, this was a fun read that completely captivated me and I flew through it in only a couple of sittings. I am looking forward to reading more from Hester Fox because her writing hooked me from the very first page and she created one of my favorite characters I have read in awhile.

One hundred and fifty years ago Margaret Harlowe tired of dressing up and attending parties. She preferred instead to wander in the woods or along the cliffs of her family's estate. She knew she was different and had a strange affinity for nature and natural cures. Of course the women from the village, who would ignore her during the day, would come at night to Margaret for cures and spells. Then she meets the handsome man who works in the general store and their passionate romance begins, but ends badly. One hundred and fifty years later Augusta Podos finds herself in a dead end job and a unfulfilling relationship. A job at historic Harlowe House opens up and Augusta fulfills her dream of curating exhibits and investigating history. As she delves into the records of the house and discovers the little know Harlowe daughter, Something, or someone calls to Augusta across the ages, pulling her further into the mysteries of the house and changing, maybe even threatening, her life forever. I enjoyed reading A Lullaby for Witches very much. It was creepy enough to give me goosebumps but not enough to give me nightmares. Fans of Susanna Kearsley and Shannon McNear will enjoy reading A Lullaby for Witches as will anyone who enjoys a well-written suspenseful novel. Thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read an ARC.

From the author of The Witch of Willow Hall comes a deeply atmospheric new novel about a young museum worker, Augusta, who stumbles across a mysterious woman written out of the historical record. When this woman begins to call to Augusta across the centuries in strange and impossible ways--and may have dark intentions--Augusta must solve the mystery of the woman's identity, and her fate, before it's too late. Perfect for fans of The Once and Future Witches, and The Clockmaker's Daughter.

This is a story that spans 150 years, and alternates between two women; August Podos, and Margaret Harlowe. Augusta is tired of her job as a tour guide for a historic old city jail in Salem, Massachusetts as well as her pitiful relationship with her boyfriend which seems to be going nowhere. When she sees a job posting for Harlowe House, a once historic house turned into a museum, she leaps at applying. Augusta can't believe her luck when the position is offered to her. She is finally going to have the museum job of her dreams.

From the moment she sets foot at Harlowe House, she's drawn to a portrait of a young woman that hangs in the dining room. The portrait is said to be the mysterious Margaret Harlowe whose life story has been lost to the sands of time. Nothing much is known about Margaret and many question if she actually existed at all. There's no true record of her. Augusta chooses to do a little investigation into Margaret hoping to bring to light the plights of the women of the past. The more research Augusta does, the more she feels a strong connection to the past. Strange occurrences begin to happen, which spurs Augusta even more.

In 1876, Margaret Harlow is the daughter of a wealthy New England family in Tynemouth, Massachusetts, a town not terribly far from Salem. Margaret isn’t like all the other girls. She does not want to do needlework all day and raise a passel of children. Margaret likes to roam the cliffs and the nearby woods. She learns about plants and their natural healing powers...both positive and negative. In fact, many of the women who shunned her in the streets during the day would visit her under the cover of darkness, seeking help for their problems.

Increasingly drawn to the darker, forbidden practices of her craft, Margaret finds herself caught up with a local man, Jack Pryce, and the temptation of these darker ways threatens to pull her under completely. Margaret truly believed that she was invincible and nothing could harm her. The town thought she danced with the devil which was clearly a way to make her life a living hell. Her own family has no use for her. She has three older brothers, and none of them have the same coloring as she does. So, where did she come from?

In contemporary times, as Augusta digs deeper into Margaret's story she begins to have disturbingly vivid hallucinations in which it seems as though she is Margaret. Could Margaret be trying to communicate with her? Augusta begins to lose control and as past and present come crashing together, it seems some history really should be left well enough alone. Along with her new friend, Leo, will Augusta be able to make it out of Harlowe House unscathed!? For readers, we already know what's eventually going to happen to Margaret thanks to the prologue, but the surprise is how it happened and why?

Augusta Podos is in an unhappy relationship, working a dead-end job. But then she lands her dream job at Harlowe House, the historic home of a deathly family that is now a small museum.

As Augusta learns more about the Harlowe family she comes across references to a Margaret Harlowe, a mysterious family member who seems to have been dismissed from the family history over the years. Augusta is determined to find out more about the mysterious Margaret, which leads her to awaken a dark power that defined Margaret's life and could now take over hers.

I really enjoyed this witchcraft and mystery that spans generations.

As Augusta learns more about Margaret, she also learns more about herself, her family and find the strength to protect herself and those she loves from a darkness that threatens them all.

Augusta’s life is completely changed by landing her dream job working at the Harlowe House. Although her life quickly falls apart, she finds a passion in finding the life of Margaret who was almost completely hidden by time. A Lullaby For Witches chronicles Augusta’s path realizing her own ghosts and those in the Harlowe House. As Margaret, a witch, is trying to connect with her love Jack generations later, Augusta finds Leo, a coworker and new romantic partner. This book is filled with mystery, historical research, and a murder!

A Lullaby for Witches by Hester Fox is a historical paranormal fantasy novel. The story is A Lullaby for Witches is told in two different timelines with differing points of view in each timeline.

Augusta Podos always dreamed of working in collections at a museum and now she has landed her dream job at Harlowe House in Tynemouth, Massachussetts. As Augusta begins to research the past she finds mention of a mysterious woman, Margaret, who seemed to be a part of the Harlowe family but it was hard to find facts about Margaret. Deep in her research Augusta begins to see vision of Margaret and her life.

Margaret Harlowe was the daughter of a wealthy family living in Tynemouth in 1872 where she was expected to find a husband from the many prospects her family sought out. Margaret however was more fascinated with herbs to promote healing with her interested being called witchcraft making Margaret a pariah of her time.

A Lullaby for Witches by Hester Fox was such an engaging read with two very different sides to the story. The historical and the modern timelines were so distinct with the characters in each having their own voices and identities which I thought the author did a wonderful job with. Each side of the story kept the pages turning as I waited for how it would all come together and what would happen in the end. Definitely will read more from this author again in the future after finishing A Lullaby for Witches.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

This is the second book I’ve read by Hester Fox and I cannot believe I haven’t read her other books yet. I just love how atmospheric they are with just the right amount of gothic vibes thrown in and this latest one was no exception!

I love a good witchy story and this one had all that and more. Ever since reading those Ruth Chew books when I was a kid (totally showing my age here!) and then visiting Salem, Massachusetts, I fell in love with witch stories and Hester Fox brings us such an engaging one that kept me glued to the pages from the start.

Give me strong women and a good dual narrative and I’m all in. This one moves back and forth from the present to the past, one hundred and fifty years earlier, and while I often find that I am drawn to one timeline over the other, that was definitely not the case here. I was equally invested in both and found that I wanted to be with both characters equally. I loved that both characters, Augusta in the present and Margaret in the past, had such distinct voices. And I also loved the parallels between the two characters, how neither really felt they fit in where they were in their current situations.

This one has touches of paranormal that are expected when you pick up a book dealing with witches and while I don’t usually like that element, here it works so well. It adds to the overall tension and atmosphere of the book, and I actually found myself holding my breath a few times, not sure where things were headed when those elements were in play. The way these two stories intersected and came together took me by surprise and I loved that. I had my suspicions and while I was partly correct, the way it did was better than I could have imagined.

I loved the setting of this book and how it really comes alive throughout this book. The Harlowe House itself was almost a character and I just love when an author is able to do that. This book has left me wanting to go take a trip back up to Salem in the worst way and that is always such a good sign. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good atmospheric read with gothic vibes…you won’t be disappointed!

A LULLABY FOR WITCHES by Hester Fox is an atmospheric gothic novel with romance and supernatural elements.

Augusta Podos has landed her dream job in a historic home turned museum, the Harlow House in Tynemouth, MA. The home was owned by a wealthy New England family for centuries. As Augusta researches the family, she is drawn to a mystery. A daughter of the Harlowe family from over a century ago has almost been completely expunged from the family history.

Margaret Harlowe is always drawn to the wilderness of the forest and coast by her family’s home. The women in town come to her for potions and aid in the dark, but never by day. The people whisper “witch”. When Margaret learns some buried truths, her power takes a darker turn.

As Augusta digs deeper, can she resist the power that Margaret unfurls between the two across the lines of blood and time to save and keep her own life?

This story pulled me in with both women and both timelines. The author is great at setting a sinister atmosphere with plenty of twists and surprises. The two intertwining timelines with alternating perspectives come together at the climax with a twist that is foreshadowed and though easily resolved, it was still entertaining. Augusta and Margaret are great characters, but there are trigger issues with an eating disorder and abuse. I would have liked a little more from the secondary characters, who for me, seemed two dimensional. I did enjoy all the family research and felt the historical information was very accurate.

Overall, an entertaining atmospheric gothic read.