A Witch's Lament

This is the first I’ve read from Cathy Walker and I wasn’t disappointed, I was hooked from the very first chapter. This was quite an enjoyable read, with magic, ancient evil, and family bloodlines all coming together in an intriguing novel.

I saw this book, and I hadn’t read the author before but was intrigued by the premise to give it a go. It didn’t take me long, probably only a page or two, to get hooked into the story. Skye is an interesting protagonist, and I liked how she came to Salem. I also quite enjoyed the plot, and the writing is excellent. I only had one thing bother me, and it’s a personal preference; I can’t stand when information is kept from people to keep them safe. Ugh. Anyway, it didn’t take me long to guess who the villain was in the story, but it was a wild ride to the end anyway. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

What I liked about this book:
- The blend of past and present.
- A great story filled with well-written magic and witches.
- It is a book that is very captivating and addicting.

This was an enjoyable read from start to finish.

A Witch’s Lament
By: Cathy Walker
As someone who grew up in the NorthEast not far from Salem, this book intrigued me from the beginning. It didn’t take long to become hooked on this story about Salem witches. The way the past and present are intertwined in this book was well done. It is a wild ride to find out the truth behind the rituals and disappearances.

I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of tales about the Salem witches and past evils being brought to light. The tone and style of this author are different than what I am used to. There is no complicated plot with many unexpected twists and turns, so there was some room for improvement, but I enjoyed the book overall.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity.

I loved the blurb for this book and was looking for something different to read so picked this one up and I have to say that I thought it was brilliant!

The book was really well written and I found it really addictive. I loved the mix of old and new, the balance was just right for me and I thought that the characters were superb, really well developed and they worked really well together too.

I did guess who was responsible but that did not detract from the story at all and there was plenty going on in each chapter of the book too. There were well developed backgrounds to the characters too which gave them an added depth and feelings.

It is 5 stars from me for this one, well written and an additive story – very highly recommended and I am off to get the second book in the series now!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Good storytelling, interesting world building and character development.
It’s an engrossing and entertaining story.
Recommended
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, Netgalley and BooksGoSocial.

I enjoyed this book. It was a fast-paced witchy thriller based in Salem, MA. The book was well-written and the characters were well-developed. I'll definitely be checking out the next book in the series.

A Witch’s Lament is the first in a new series from a relatively new author. If you like a good mystery, with a mix of history, romance and witch craft, then this book is for you. I will definitely be looking for book 2.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC. #Netgalley #AWitchsLament

This is a solid story about the witches in Salem, Massachusetts.
I’m always interested in reading these type of cozy mysteries, so I was really looking forward to reading this book.
While I found a tiny bit of it stale, most of it was well written and it kept me engaged until the end.

This was a quick and interesting story. It flips around from timelines but it’s easy to follow. The chapters aren’t terribly long. I look forward to the second book in the series.

Skye buys a house in Salem not realizing it’s “calling” her home. As the days pass the urgency of finding out about her powers and her past become more relevant as someone who’s been missing is found in her newly acquired house. Time is not on her side as she becomes friendly with Jerome the son of the person found in Skye’s home. Together they must figure out what happened to his mother and other happenings around Salem.

Personally I love books about witch craft and things of that nature. Overall , the characters in the book were great. I liked the story line a lot but it definitely got a little long at times. I think that they could have shortened some parts of it to keep the story line and mystery moving faster. However, it was a good read and I look forward to the next book.

I did enjoy this book. It is very well written.
It is a good story that I didn't want to put down.

If you like a good mystery this is a good one..

A fantastic story about how the past can affect the present with a bit of magic thrown in. Set in Salem the descendants of those involved in the witch trials discover how life is interlinked and now they need to stop a twisted murderer bent on revenge for past deeds. A great read and now have to go and find the next book in the series as I am hooked.

Well written. Magical. Witches.

What more could a girl want to read!

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book

I was looking for a new and interesting series to fall into on NetGalley and this really peaked my interest. This was a fantastic quick read and really fascinating. This author has truly mastered the art of storytelling and this was a great introduction to their work. Magic, ancient evil, Salem, family bloodlines. It's truly a great fantasy world.

Well written, great characterisation and really held my interest. I have already downloaded and read the second book.

Like many others, mention the Salem Witch Trials and I'm totally here for it! This was a really interesting fictional account of the trials. I love that this is a series, so it has time to build all the necessary scenes. It's a book I would recommend to anyone who appreciate historical fiction and books taking place in the Puritan era.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an eARC of, A Witch's Lament, by Cathy Walker, in exchange for an honest review.

This story was a fast paced enthralling first book of a series. I enjoyed the witch related elements as well as the characters. The location was perfect for setting the witchy tones and mystery.

I definitely had my suspicions of a certain character from the beginning and it was exciting following the storyline, even though it flipped around a bit.

I am looking forward to book #2.

I really enjoyed this novel about witches, fairies, dark power and magic. It was a love from the first page and I liked Skye, Flora and Jerome as a characters.
Skye being triggered by some invisible pull to buy an empty house in Salem, after one visit of the town started a great story for the mystery of Salem witches and trails which happened in the past.
The connection with the Good's family twists and we learn about he recent murders of the young girls which are killed as an offer during the dark rituals.
Solving 30 year old mystery, which has it's roots in ancient history is a great theme and here we find great twists in the plot as well.

I don't even mind a bit of a romance in this book, I find it complimentary to the story.
Although I knew a bit who will be the real murder, I was still happy with this book and eager to finish it up to the last page. I don't remember when was the last time I read a book about witches, but this one was great.

A quick and enjoyable read. To begin with, it did feel a little like there was too much coincidence happening, but that's later explained as forces at work to bring the past to light.
I found the mixture of past and present held my interest, and while I did guess who the perpetrator was, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
A Witch's Lament delivers what its blurb promises, and interesting mystery (partially) set in the time of the Salem witch trials. One to look for if this period of time is of interest to you.

Salem witches and witchcraft have long fascinated me, so any fiction that is based around the period in history I’m always picking up to read. And the fact this was the start of a series was an even bigger win for me. Spooky and emotive in many places this is really good escapism

This was a very fun fast-paced thriller set in Salem, Massachusetts! My favorite part was the witch trials! The only part I did not like was that I found the heroine to be annoying at times! Still, thus is the perfect book to read during Halloween season!

loved the use of salem witch trials for a suspenseful thriller. it was a engaging read that had me on the edge of my seat.

This is the first book I have read by Cathy Walker and believe me it won't be the last. A Witch's Lament grabbed me from the start and didn't let go to the end. Fast paced and with great characters this is an amazing book. I can't recommended it highly enough. 5 stars! I can't wait to read the next one.

A Witch's Lament by Cathy Walker.
The Salem Witches Book 1.
Salem, Massachusetts has managed to build a thriving industry of tourism on the foundations of its dark past. But, beneath the seaside charm, bewitching shops, and seasonal surge of wannabe-witches and thrill seekers, the ancient darkness still lurks. Oblivious to the brewing danger, Skye Temple buys a historic house in the witch capital of the world and on her first day uncovers a skeleton and ancestral diaries in her new home's library. In escalating events of magic and murder, Skye discovers her true bloodlines and a familial birth-task which involves guarding a powerful knife. 
Really good read. Great story. 5*.

In "A Witch's Lament" by Cathy Walker, the historical town of Salem, Massachusetts, comes alive with a potent blend of ancient darkness, witchcraft, and a haunting past. Skye Temple, unaware of the looming danger, purchases a historic house in Salem, only to uncover a skeleton and ancestral diaries on her first day. What follows is a gripping tale of magic, murder, and revelations as Skye unravels her true bloodlines and the responsibilities that come with them.

Walker skillfully immerses readers in the bewitching atmosphere of Salem, seamlessly blending its tourist appeal with the lingering shadows of its infamous history. The vivid descriptions of the town's bewitching charm and the interplay of modern life with the echoes of the past create an immersive and captivating setting. The author's attention to detail and knowledge of Salem's historical context lend authenticity to the narrative, enhancing the reader's experience.

Skye Temple emerges as a compelling protagonist, thrust into a world of secrets and ancestral tasks. Her journey of self-discovery and embracing her magical heritage is filled with suspense and intrigue. As Skye unravels the truth about her bloodlines and the significance of guarding a powerful knife, the stakes heighten, drawing readers deeper into the story. Skye's determination and resilience make her a relatable and admirable character, and her growth throughout the novel is a delight to witness.

The narrative also introduces Jerome Phips, a police officer haunted by his mother's disappearance during a ritual many years ago. Walker masterfully weaves together Skye and Jerome's stories, intertwining their paths and their shared quest for answers. The complex dynamics between the two characters, fueled by anger, blame, and a deep desire for the truth, add depth and emotional intensity to the plot. Their journey becomes a thrilling race against time to prevent the return of darkness and fulfill their intertwined destinies.

The pacing of the story is well-maintained, with a perfect balance of suspenseful moments, magical revelations, and character development. Walker's prose is engaging and descriptive, immersing readers in a world where ancient powers and modern-day struggles collide. The integration of historical elements, witchcraft, and familial secrets creates a captivating tapestry that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

While "A Witch's Lament" delivers an engrossing narrative, some readers may find certain aspects of the plot predictable or reminiscent of familiar witchcraft tropes. Additionally, further exploration of certain secondary characters and their motivations could have added more depth to the story.

In conclusion, "A Witch's Lament" is a bewitching tale that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the shadowed streets of Salem. Cathy Walker's skillful storytelling, atmospheric setting, and well-drawn characters make this novel a captivating read for fans of witchcraft, mystery, and the enduring allure of Salem's dark history.