Sterling Marsh fights for her life and her friends' on the last day of her job as Sheriff after a witch infiltrates their small town. I really enjoyed this book, it's good. I was planning to read it in one sitting, but life got in the way. I devoured this book because I was curious to find out what would happen next. The deaths were carefully planned and avoided being repetitive, which is no easy feat. Although the ending wasn't surprising, it had an element of unpredictability. I found it to be a refreshing read from the horror/mystery genre, despite having some theories.

Witch 13, overall, is a novel that taps into classic horrors with a dark and suspenseful tone. With a deliberate and slow-paced approach, Delaney examines Sheriff Marsh and her struggle with the dark, otherworldly mystery. The pacing might be slow for some, but horror fans will love Delaney's world-building and how he disassembles it with his witch character. This novel is sure to please horror fans, especially those who enjoy folkloric horror.

I have received this arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Finally got around to reading this, and let me say, it’s perfect for the start of fall / spooky season. I love witch stories, and this one is a far cry from the “cozy fantasy” I’ve been reading recently. Wonderfully atmospheric and creepy, this is a great read for anyone wanting a good scare and go get into a Halloween mood. It could be slow at times, and the ending was just alright, but overall I think this was a very entertaining read.

I am sort of a baby horror fan - I like the spooky but not TOO scary. This was a great level for me, sort of dark fantasy. Love all the nods to iconic fictional witches.

Though this book was a bit slow, I still enjoyed it. I loved the fact that Christmastime was paired with witchiness in this book. A main character starts seeing things, not sure if they're actually there. It's rare to see a witch described in old school fashion; black pointy hat, black robe and such. I absolutely loved the description of this witch, since this is what I envisioned when I was growing up. The story was well developed, and moved along at a good pace.

A narrative that leads you through a maze of tension and mystery, this thriller is a labyrinthine journey you won't want to escape.

Witch 13 is....a fun read. I couldn't put it down in some part! But others just seemed to drag on, I was thinking to myself that I "might" not finish it. The beginning was a slow start, but it was well written, with a well executed & creepy/gothic storyline. Very well developed characters. The end was definitely a shocker too!
I love books about witchcraft and the occult. This would definitely be a book i could see myself recommending to others to read.

This book has a definite Halloween feel and I was completely hooked by it.

Sheriff Sterling Marsh prepares for a bleak winter as she is about to resign. Christmas is around the corner and with a long night ahead of paperwork and a small get together with friends, she is surprised when a stranger appears in the form of a witch.

Witch 13 has lots of creepiness and the author creates an atmosphere that gives you goosebumps. Full of twists and turns that you are unsure where the story is going to lead you. You desperately want to know who the Witch is and what she is doing in the small town. The only downside was that you didn't really get to know the characters really well.

Overall a good scare read and if anyone is looking for that for over the Halloween season, I would recommend this book.

Crazy unique story! I feel like this author could turn this into a series about fairy tale monsters coming into the real world. Although the general idea was good, I felt like the flow was not great and things felt kind of piecemeal at times.

I do think this would make a very good scary movie!

The prose was beautiful. Graphic and horrific in places, but eloquently done at the same time. I definitely thought this was going to be more of a supernatural mystery that involved some sleuthing, so there was infinitely more murder than I expected. The explanation of the witch was interesting-something newer and novel compared to the hundreds of origin stories about witches that already exist. Her hat was especially terrifying.

I do wish there’d been more explanation of the supernatural in this otherwise normal world, more specifically how the main character fit. It was a fascinating read even though the horror genre is rarely my go-to. I had to keep reading to see how it ended, and while the ending wasn’t a surprise, it felt fitting.

True rating is 4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 due to Goodread's rating system.

Another book that it looks like I enjoyed more than most others. This is the third book of Delaney's that I've read so far, and the one that has clicked for me the most. I wanted to like his first novel but couldn't stand the main character, enjoyed his second novel but found it slightly lacking; in both instances, however, I found myself really enjoying his writing and hoping it would all come together for me.

This is the book that's finally pulled it together for me. Eerie and descriptive, it folds his prose into a story that's mysterious enough, but not unanswerable, and the explanations given are satisfying. What stood out to me the most, though, were two things- the witch herself and then ending.

The witch is wonderfully creepy, as are the things that happen around her. I feel like witches aren't often found in modern horror, never mind in a way that they're a serious threat to any character over the age of 5, so it was nice to see such a traditional figure turned into such a powerful antagonist.

Without spoiling anything, I also appreciated the ending- bittersweet and somehow also empowering in a strange way.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

A short book filled with tension and horror.
This is a great throwback to witches as they should be told, creepy, chilling and eerie.

Set in the midst of a bleak winter, Sheriff Marsh has one day until retirement when she meets the witch one night.
Horrific incidences and creepy occurances begin to happen across town, and the witch seems to be at the heart of it all.
She affects all those around her in the worst possible ways, bringing to the surface their fears and their sins and messed up backgrounds.

Unfortunately the ending fell a bit flat and felt a little rushed.

If you want a book that will unsettle you to read after dark and be shouting "don't go in there!" "run!" "Why not listen to him!?" at the pages, then look no further!

Anything witches and I'm happy! Plus the LGBT rep is A+!

Horror isn't usually my genre of choice, but I did enjoy this book! I think that says a lot for the author and the content.

Would absolutely recommend.

I received this book for free from netgalley for an honest review.

Really well thought-out book with amazing characters and amazing setting.

Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book, but I DNFed it at 45%.

Witch 13 by Patrick Delaney is a horror novel that blends elements of fairy tales, cosmic horror, and mystery. It tells the story of a sheriff who faces a deadly witch in a small town called Drybell.

Objectively, this book had everything going for it. I love fairy tales, cosmic horror, and witches, but for what ever reason, I could not click with this book. It might be that it wasn't on audio (my preferred format), but given that I've found several other favorites recently not on audio, I doubt that. Ultimately, the story felt traditional. I didn't get what made this story stand out. I wasn't invested in the characters, and our central character is a cop. I don't hate cop centered stories. However, I'm not the biggest fan. I can see myself giving this book another shot, especially if it gets an audio adaption, but for now, I am moving on to all the other books I'm still excited to read.

Also, the book is listed as LGBT on NetGalley, and it is NOT. To be frank, that also made me less interested in reading it because it certainly influenced why I requested it.

Witch 13 by Patrick Delaney
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a great read! Very creepy vibes and fast paced. I love the cover! Also the ending was very memorable! I recommend this one for sure, a great read for spooky season.
Thank you to Netgalley & Oblivion Publishing for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Literally caught myself saying, “wtf” multiple times through this book, but in a great way.

On the eve of her resignation, Sheriff Sterling Marsh prepares for a bleak winter in Drybell, Connecticut, after a string of bad decisions leaves her life in shambles. Two weeks before Christmas and expecting a long night of paperwork and quiet celebration with the friends she’s grown to know and love, she’s surprised when an unnerving stranger appears in the form of a witch.

A silent, menacing figure, the witch appears to be ripped straight out of a fairy tale, complete with a tall, pointed hat, and black clothing. But when strange things begin happening all over town, Sterling begins to suspect that there may be more to the witch than meets the eye.

As she works to maintain order as the world crumbles around her, the witch’s mysterious presence throws her world into a frenzy, threatening to send the sleepy town spiraling face-first into the darkest night it’s ever seen.

This one is full of creepy scenes and special characters. A definite horror tale that will keep you wanting more! It has a delicious amount of darkness, and will keep you guessing since secrets aren’t revealed until the very end. And it also has pictures!

Unsettling and atmospheric read, i'm drawn to horror so this was a fun netgalley arc to get!
The story is set in a small town, Sterling March is working her last night after ten years as a sheriff and the storm of the century is raging outside. Her co-workers are having a Christmas party but when the deputy's wife calls to report a problem at the city hall havoc ensures. She finds someone dressed as a witch and strange evidence of something horrific.

A good horror story that i'd recommend to anyone who's into horror!

This was a very middle-of-the-road book for me. But I do know people I can recommend this book to that will love and enjoy it.

Thank you Netgalley & publishers for the opportunity to review this book! I am always grateful.

As a lover of all things spooky and witchy, the title and cover of this book immediately caught my attention. Witches? Check. Spooky witch on the cover? Check check! SIGN ME UP!

This book it just a roller-coaster of a book to say least. this story was strange but the pacing of this book at time left me wanting more from it at times. I will say the ending was Intense and will say is not for someone with a weak stomach it gets gruesome. overall it was a meh read for me even though that ending was wow.