The Ravenswood Witch by Jenni Keer : Review

 

The Ravenswood Witch by Jenni Keer

Release Date: 30th September 2024

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Genres: Gothic Romance

‘There are a lot of shadows at Ravenswood, so you will need to be strong…’

The year is 1885 and a young woman is on the run, knowing if she’s caught, she’ll be hanged for murder. Moments from a safe haven, she collides with a gruff stranger, falling and breaking her ankle.

To her surprise, the man – Marcus Greybourne – convinces the local constable that she is his reclusive wife of ten years, Luna. He carries her back to the neglected and crumbling Ravenswood Hall, promising if she agrees to maintain this charade, he will keep her safe until her injuries have healed.

But the house is haunted by shadows and secrets. What’s more, the real Luna Greybourne is missing, without trace. Scratches and marks made by her around the house suggest witchcraft; and indeed Luna is known locally as the Ravenswood Witch; her reputation in tatters, like the wallpapers of the padlocked rooms she’d destroyed.

As strange happenings in the house continue, outside the screech of a raven echoes across oppressive woods that seem alive with dark magic. And the woman who is now pretending to be Luna can’t help but fear she’s escaped the noose for a far more terrible fate…

A completely compelling and unforgettable historical bookclub read – fans of Jane Eyre, Weyward and The Binding will be utterly spellbound.

Wanted by the law, a young woman on the run has an unfortunate accident with a handsome stranger and finds herself indisposed and unable to keep running. Injured from their collision she agrees to be looked after by him. All Marcus Greybourne asks in return is for her to assume a different identity. While she should have been more suspicious of the reason for his strange request, she is drawn to him and is desperate. 

Her arrival at his rather frightening home Ravenswood Hall under the guise of supposedly being his wife sets off a chain of events. Creepy goings on abound, witchcraft and rumours of curses and spells all ensure that the new Mrs Luna Greybourne is suspicious of everyone, not knowing who she can trust. Will the ghosts of the past usurp her position? What is going on in the woods and is there a real thing as magic? Are the couple in danger? Will others find out the truth about her true identity? Or will love save the day? Will Luna shake off the reputation as the Ravenswood witch? Most importantly, where is the real Luna Greybourne?

It seems that Jenni Keer's talent knows no bounds. This is an absolutely fabulous novel. If the novels Rebecca and Jane Eyre had a love child then this would be the result. A fantastically gothic romance with lots of intrigue and mystery and shocking revelations thrown in. There is a real sense of foreboding throughout the story and the book is very cleverly written to throw a curveball when you least expect it. If you love creepy houses, witchy undertones, ghostly goings on and mystery and romance then this is the book for you. I adored every single character and didn't know who to trust either.  I devoured this book and you will too. Highly recommended.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenni Keer is the well-reviewed author of historical romances, often with a mystery at their heart. Most recently published by Headline and shortlisted for the 2023 RNA Historical Romantic Novel of the Year.

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