Hecate Cavendish starts her new life as Assistant Librarian at Hereford cathedral. The cathedral houses ancient books, and Hecate is thrilled to be employed there (despite her mother's misgivings and desire Hecate start thinking seriously about marriage). Hecate is particularly entranced by a fascinating medieval world map that hangs next to her desk. It has all sorts of mythical creatures and beings illustrated on it, and Hecate finds herself constantly drawn to the map.

One day, after touching the map, she begins seeing the ghosts who inhabit the cathedral, and shares this revelation with her archaeologist father, who is thrilled for her. (These two have a great relationship.)

Lots more fantastical stuff happens, but honestly, I can't really say I paid much attention to the events. There was something about the writer's style, or the situations or characters that just never quite engaged my interest.

Hecate feels a little too wonderful. I found the other characters' belief that she was wonderful and special unbelievable and irritating, her mother's characterization as a nag was irritating, and the revelation about Hecate, as Hekate, didn't interest me. In fact, this book did not engage me, and was forgettable.

Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

This book took me awhile to get into. I think it was because I started it on Ebook and then eventually got the audiobook. I thought it was a nice fantasy book and made for a light read. This book didn't seem like a YA from the cover but I think it might make people more interested if marketed as YA.?
I am interested to see where the series will go. Finding out what else Hecate is capable of will be cool. This book was definitely a good establishing story.

I have mixed feelings. I loved the writing and Hecate's character. I forgot how much I love historical fiction, and this reminded me. I was hooked from the start and never wanted to put it down. It felt long in some parts, but then the ending felt rushed. I also didn't realize this was the first in a series. I thought this was a standalone, so to my surprise, at 98%, I had no idea how it would be wrapped up. Alas, it was not, and I'll be continuing the series solely to figure out what I want to know most.

It took me a little while to get into this one because the dialogue and the treatment of the narration felt way too modern in many places. Also, Hecate is a lovely character, but everything comes so easily to her in the majority of the book. Everyone believes she can see ghosts, and her father in particular is her complete confidante from the get-go. It's encouraging to see a father-daughter relationship shown as so sweet and supportive, but at times I wished there was at least a little more tension between them (or between her and anyone really.) At times it felt like Edward was willing to throw all caution to the wind because he was on the lookout for his next big adventure. Also, John and Phileas were so taken with Hecate that I kept guessing that one of them had to be the culprit Hecate was looking for. On the one hand, I'm glad John turned out to be a true supporter but that also led to my impatience with the book. It's missing a strong central internal conflict for Hecate; all of the conflict is external, and because modern books just don't follow that approach anymore, it took some readjusting in my head to go with it.

This one feels like it's written in the tradition of older novels where clear lines are drawn between Good and Evil, Heroes and Villains. Once I was on board with that idea, I started to really get into the book. Charlie is an absolutely sweet, lovely character; I was truly worried for his health. Hecate's mother, Beatrice, surprised me and also sounded familiar; she's similar to many matriarchs in traditional books whose job it is to make sure her daughter marries well.

I wasn't put off at all by the depictions of the demon figures or the exorcism; clearly Paula Brackston has done her research. And Hereford sounds like such a lovely place that I wanted to go there to take a stroll and then visit the cathedral. I was also surprised by how much I enjoyed the friendly ghosts and the griffin. Kudos on those characters!

Some of the modern-day attitudes seemed shoe-horned into the story, but even with the few issues I've mentioned here I actually really liked this book and am curious to read the sequel to find out what happens next. Who, I want to know, is summoning the dead and why? If nothing else, Paula Brackston has left me waiting for that answer.

Good fun all the way around.

This beginning of a new series mixes historical fiction with the supernatural as Hecate Cavendish begins a job in the library of a cathedral and is soon drawn into a battle of good versus evil. One night the crypts of the cathedral are desecrated, with old coffins shattered and remains removed. It is not the act of simple grave robbers, and Hecate learns she has special talents that will make her indispensable to the investigation. When strange murders occur in her village the stakes appear to become even higher. I look forward to the next volume!

I didn't think I could like Paula Brackston more than I have with her Found Things Series, but I loved the origin story of this new series and cannot wait to read the next one! It had all the elements I love when I'm reading; elements of history, magic, interesting/rich relationship dynamics and a strong female character overcoming adversity. No one is rescuing this heroine but her! There were points in the book that I had hoped for a different outcome but again I love that it was not predictable, There was one tiny moment where the timeline seemed to suddenly leap ahead and for a moment I was lost but it might have been me and it sorted itself quickly.

This book is really interesting. It’s a historical mystery with fantastical elements like ghosts and incantations. It also takes place in Hereford Cathedral (an actual historical place in the UK) and incorporates real-life elements like its chained library and mappa mundi. Respect is paid to both the Christian God and other deities like Hecate. Seeing as how Hecate rules over liminal realms, it felt fitting for this story to incorporate so many dichotomies and in-betweens.

As much as I enjoyed this book, I must confess that I was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster near the end. (I’m really hoping some sort of hocus pocus comes into play in a future book, because I was devastated.)

The Haunting Of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston is a beautifully written historical fiction fantasy with a dose of paranormal mystery and a sprinkling of romance. 

I liked Hecate as a protagonist. From her kind heart to her desire to not be forced into societal norms during her era, she's a cute little ball of feisty. With a supportive father, she's able to explore her passions and find a job working as an assistant librarian at the cathedral. 

Brackston has a poetic way with words.  The world building is vivid and atmospheric. The way the settings are depicted and the gorgeous map really pull the imagery together.  Even though Hecate has a powerful connection to something ancient and can speak to ghosts, I felt this was more a paranormal mystery than witchy like other books. I think the historical points make the magical elements pop more and add a whimsical touch.

I did feel that the novel was a bit longer than I would've liked. There are a few areas I felt it could've ended smoothly. A few times I started drifting to other thoughts as I read or listened.

Overall though, I had such a fun time in this new series and look forward to where Hecate takes us next. With a mystery still to solve, danger on the loose and a little cliffhanger, I'll be patiently waiting for the next release in this series.

Thank you macmillan audio for the gifted ALC read by Marisa Calin. Calin has a gorgeous reading voice and I felt she fit Hecate's personality well. I also want to thank St. Martins Press for the gifted copy to add to my Brackston collection! All thoughts are my own.

You had me at Paula Brackston and magical historical fiction! Another brilliant novel and captivating start to a new series. I look forward to the next installment!

Hecate Cavendish is a bookish young woman who is more interested in research and academics than most girls her age but that’s not all that sets her apart - she has a special ability that allows her to interact with the spirit world.

This is a solid start to what I assume will be a series. Hecate is a delightful character that you can truly get behind and the fantasy elements are fun and whimsical rather than silly. I loved Hecate’s relationship with her father.

Overall, I enjoyed this story - plenty of mystery to keep it going and excitement. My only reservation is the ending was a bit of a let down. There’s a lot of action building up but the story didn’t feel fully resolved. I assume this is because some elements will continue in the next installment. I will definitely give the series consideration.

I received this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish is my first read by Paula Brackston & it will not be my last. She has an amazing imagination & an equally brilliant writing style. Definitely re-reading this one at Halloween.

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This novel begins a new fantasy series set in Hereford Cathedral, which houses the famed chained library, and the medieval masterpiece, the Mappa Mundi. In 1881, Hecate Cavendish is eagerly beginning her adult life with her first job as the cathedral’s assistant librarian. Over the next few days, she senses peculiarities to which the chief librarian is not privy. While reverently cleaning the map frame, her fleeting touch sets off restless movement fluttering through the various depictions. The little griffin leaves his one-dimensional home, circumnavigates the library, and comes to rest on her shoulder, soon becoming an ally. With the advent of these strange occurrences, Hecate’s life takes a different turn, her only confidant being her archaeologist father, who has been chasing elusive artifacts most of his life and admits he has been longing for her inherent ‘gift’ to blossom. Brother Michael, the ghostly, centuries-old resident of the library, comes to Hecate’s aid. When the crypt is broken into, the police inspector agrees with Hecate’s speculation that, rather than someone breaking into the tombs, something has clearly broken out.

Brackston is an evocative writer and always mistress of an imaginative story, imbuing multifaceted characters with warmth and relatability. She adds charming imagery to her surprisingly human ghosts; Brother Michael’s ethereal makeup allows him to turn pages using only his ghostly breath, so if he spills loose folio leaves, Hecate tidies up. Hecate is an intelligent, principled protagonist, with a willingness to fight evil to her last breath, as the novel ventures into darker territory than Brackston’s previous novels. As with her Found Things series, I loved the marvelous believability of it all, although I did not expect so many unfinished threads at the conclusion, or to have to wait to discover who is responsible for all this mayhem. But, wait and anticipate, I must!

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish is a historical tale of a librarian assistant at a Cathedral library. It is here she witnesses ghosts, interacts with a magical map with mythical creatures. While it all sounds exciting, this story was a bit slow, and the ending was unsatisfying.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston was such a fun book. Hecate Cavendish, a young woman in 19th-century England, can see and speak with ghosts. She doesn't realize this until she begins working as an Assistant Librarian at the Hereford Cathedral. But things get interesting and scary for Hecate's family. She loves her father, and is kind to her ailing brother. She wants her mother to stop pushing her to find a husband!
She doesnt need her mothers persistence. I really liked her relationship with her father.
I really enjoyed the mix of mystery and adventure and I look forward the next book in this series.

I really liked the story. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for an advanced readers copy.

Paula Brackston is one of my favorite authors. I really enjoyed her Found Things series, so I picked this book up as soon as I saw it was available. This is the first book in The Hecate Cavendish series, and I'm already looking forward to the next one.

Description:
England, 1881. Hereford cathedral stands sentinel over the city, keeping its secrets, holding long forgotten souls in its stony embrace. Hecate Cavendish speeds through the cobbled streets on her bicycle, skirts hitched daringly high, heading for her new life as Assistant Librarian. But this is no ordinary collection of books. The cathedral houses an ancient chained library, wisdom guarded for centuries, mysteries and stories locked onto its worn, humble shelves. The most prized artifact, however, is the medieval world map which hangs next to Hecate’s desk. Little does she know how much the curious people and mythical creatures depicted on it will come to mean to her. Nor does she suspect that there are lost souls waiting for her in the haunted cathedral. Some will become her dearest friends. Some will seek her help in finding peace. Others will put her in great peril, and, as she quickly learns, threaten the lives of everyone she loves.

My Thoughts:
Hecate Cavendish is a great character with special witchy abilities atrributable to the goddess of witches/ghosts she was named after. Her father, an unconventional man for his time, named her and he also served as a great role for Hecate. I liked Hecate's unconventional approach to life - she didn't want to just get married and have children, she wanted to do purposeful work in the great library at Hereford. Hecate became aware of her special abilities only after she began work as an assistant librarian in Hereford Cathedral. I enjoyed her relationship with the ghosts she met, but I especially liked her interactions with the Mappa Mundi and the characters on the map. There is both darkness and light in this book and Hecate must try to defeat an evil presence. I didn't like the ending to the book as it did not provide the answers to my questions; however, I assume this was the author's intent and more answers will come as the series progresses. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes magical realism, stories about witches and ghosts, or historical fiction.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Reads like a procedural. Very interesting, but kind of slow and quite the cliffhanger for an ending. Loved the protagonist, especially the fact that she's a woman, and a.young one at that! She goes about her mystery in quite the methodical way, dealing with ghosts and malevolent spirits in such a calm way. She's a young woman in Victorian times who gets a job in the library at the Cathedral as a library assistant to the Master Librarian. She reacts to something called the Mappa Mundi, which comes to life in her presence. She has a little pet from it! She is investigating a series of murders that have taken place since the crypts were desecrated and has determined that there are paranormal forces at work. With the help of her father, an archeologist, a reverend from the Cathedral, and a police detective, she comes to find what is happening, but by the end still needs more time to determine the who, and that is the cliffhanger. Some sad parts, beautiful friendship, an amazing mystery. Quite an interesting read.

England, 1881. Hereford cathedral stands sentinel over the city, keeping its secrets, holding long forgotten souls in its stony embrace. Hecate Cavendish speeds through the cobbled streets on her bicycle, skirts hitched daringly high, heading for her new life as Assistant Librarian. But this is no ordinary collection of books. The cathedral houses an ancient chained library, wisdom guarded for centuries, mysteries and stories locked onto its worn, humble shelves. The most prized artifact, however, is the medieval world map which hangs next to Hecate’s desk. Little does she know how much the curious people and mythical creatures depicted on it will come to mean to her. Nor does she suspect that there are lost souls waiting for her in the haunted cathedral. Some will become her dearest friends. Some will seek her help in finding peace. Others will put her in great peril, and, as she quickly learns, threaten the lives of everyone she loves.

I loved this novel. From the magic in the library to the lines of family and romance. At first it was slow, but gradually it went faster and faster as more information was discovered. Hecate is such a unique character. She loves her family but refuses to be anything but herself. I love the supportive parent, though the mother occasionally left a bitter taste to my mouth.

I love just about any novel that involves a library, but a magical library is definitely my favorite. The paranormal elements that combine the Christian faith with older, or Pagan, beliefs was interesting. I want to see a visual of the map, however. Maybe its something the author could add to the next book.

Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.

I have always enjoy reading any book by Paula Brackston. I love the historical settings and they are so descriptive. Hecate Cavendish worked in the library at Hereford cathedral. She discovers she can see the several ghost that are still in the cathedral. There is a map, Mappa Mundi, that only she can see the figures come to life. I can’t wait for the next book to continue with the adventures with Hecate.

Thank you NetGalley, St Martin’s Press, and Paula Brackston for the ARC.

I liked Hecate as our main character and enjoyed her relationship with her father and brother. I loved her interest in learning and working in the library; some really cool magical things were happening. However, I didn't feel any urgency when things would happen, no suspense, no moments where I felt like I had to continue reading to see what was going to happen next. At least until more towards the end when things pick up in the story but by then I wasn't really interested anymore.

Early Release/NetGalley/Now Available

I was genuinely amped up when I saw Brackstone had released something, not related to her prior long running compilations, and was extremely anticipatory for new material.

But shortly into this one, I came to the realization that there’s an abundance of expendable details describing various aspects of the surrounding area, that serves no purpose other than to drag the story and plot out. I refer to these as filler and fluff. Just one more way to add to the page numbers, yet adding no value to what’s happening.

It’s actually distracting, and can be motivationally deadening. As well as interfering with a respectable tempo, it can also deflect away from what’s going on in the major step-up of the characters, the storyline and plot of the novel, and even the building of the "world" this takes place in. The beginning was dragged under by a fair extent of dispensable drivel.

Finally, at 60+% of the book, not only does the pace pick up, it accelerates at breakneck speeds, where I had to put the book down for extended periods. Where was all this before, when it was needed? Now, as everything begins to fall apart, Now, as so much begins to come to fruition, NOW it "increases to warp speed???
Just when you’re trying to link the plots together, the good and the bad, and make sense of everything up until this point, NOW you’re NOT provided with a breather??

Fortunately/unfortunately since this is a pre-press release, I’m hoping a lot of the run-ons, nonessential prattling, and lack of paragraphs will be addressed prior to the official release.

The book involves ghosts, or as they prefer to be identified: “the lost souls,” and they’re of monumental importance in the book. They were a conclusive surplus, adding a heightened intrigue to the plot.
Without adding a spoiler, I will say I strongly remonstrated against the living soul that was lost, toward the end of the book. Particularly with it happening at a significant and critical point where it appeared a crucial endeavor was possibly beginning to wrap up.
Not the best way to throw in such a major event, at the same moment another major event is coming to a wrap.

I am compelled to point out an intensity
of discontentment I didn’t expect from such a seasoned author. I have come to expect a greater degree of enrichment from her. A cleaner presentation, a more concise approach to the plot and storyline, than what this provided would have brought it up a notch or two.

The majority of the book reads at a 2, with the end coming in closer to a 3, which made it difficult to rate. I don’t feel I should have to sludge my way through 215 pages out of 359, before it opens up to the level of stimulation it began to show. But alas, once again, I came across with more disappointment when I saw I only had 3-4% to finish, and it was nowhere near being wrapped up, not even smaller fragments of the plot, and subplots which were thrown in along the way.

I abhor the fact that my final rating is a 2. Saddened indeed!

I appreciate the opportunity provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/MacMillian in obtaining a pre-released transcript of this novel.