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A Haunting in the Arctic
A deserted shipwreck off the coast of Iceland holds terrors and dark secrets in this chilling horror novel from the author of The Lighthouse Witches.
The year is 1901, and Nicky is attacked, then wakes on board the Ormen, a whaling ship embarked on what could be its last voyage. With land still weeks away, it's just her, the freezing ocean, and the crew - and they're all owed something only she can give them...
Now, over one hundred years later, the wreck of the Ormen has washed up on the forbidding, remote coast of Iceland. It's scheduled to be destroyed, but explorer Dominique feels an inexplicable pull to document its last days, even though those who have ventured onto the wreck before her have met uncanny ends.
Onboard the boat, Dominique will uncover a dark past riddled with lies, cruelty, and murder--and her discovery will change everything. Because she'll soon realize she's not alone. Something has walked the floors of the Ormen for almost a century. Something that craves revenge.
The year is 1901, and Nicky is attacked, then wakes on board the Ormen, a whaling ship embarked on what could be its last voyage. With land still weeks away, it's just her, the freezing ocean, and the crew - and they're all owed something only she can give them...
Now, over one hundred years later, the wreck of the Ormen has washed up on the forbidding, remote coast of Iceland. It's scheduled to be destroyed, but explorer Dominique feels an inexplicable pull to document its last days, even though those who have ventured onto the wreck before her have met uncanny ends.
Onboard the boat, Dominique will uncover a dark past riddled with lies, cruelty, and murder--and her discovery will change everything. Because she'll soon realize she's not alone. Something has walked the floors of the Ormen for almost a century. Something that craves revenge.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2023
346 people are currently reading
28494 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Cooke
11 books2,257 followersC.J. (Carolyn) Cooke is an acclaimed, award-winning poet, novelist and academic with numerous publications as Carolyn Jess-Cooke and Caro Carver. Her work has been published in twenty-three languages to date. Born in Belfast, C.J. has a PhD in Literature from Queen’s University, Belfast, and is currently Reader in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow, where she also researches the impact of motherhood on women’s writing and creative writing interventions for mental health. Her books have been reviewed in The New York Times, The Guardian, Good Housekeeping, and the Daily Mail. She has been nominated for an Edgar Award and an ITW Thriller Award, selected as Waterstones’ Paperback Book of the Year and a BBC 2 Pick, and has had two Book of the Month Club selections in the last year. She lives in Scotland with her husband and four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,232 reviews
September 30, 2024
This is the most shocking, challenging, highly disruptive, but also perfectly written novel that haunted my soul as the selkie wife’s traumatic story imprinted in my heart to stay there forever! I cannot express how my emotions are scattered around everywhere and how I felt so shaken to the core after reading this complex, well-polished, detailedly executed and crafted novel. The dark, spooky atmosphere of the Icelandic town is portrayed so realistically that you feel the cold hitting your face, shivering to the very fiber of your being as the little hairs on your body all stand up. The eerie, whooshing sounds coming from outside make you tremble with their animosity. You are forced to face your fear of claustrophobia, being trapped in a mental and physical cage, and you test your abilities to survive.
The picturesque descriptions of the High Arctic, the fictional historical tales blended with folklore, and the urban Nordish tales are perfectly interwoven. Three timelines created around the haunting shipwreck and the curse of the ghost, a mythical creature lurking in the area to hunt its prey, keep you on your toes. The big mystery that intersects these three different timelines to unveil the jaw-dropping conclusion is also well established and will make you scream in amazement.
I haven’t been so moved by a book in a long time. Even though this is an amazing, eye-popping, earth-shattering, heart-throbbing mystery, it's also a thought-provoking psychological thriller that questions the mental cages humans create and lock themselves inside to reminisce about the past traumas they've faced. This makes it even more heartbreaking and deeply penetrating; it's one of the saddest stories you may ever read. Some parts of the selkie wife’s story will make you gasp, hardly able to breathe as your tears keep washing your cheeks like a torrent.
The main story opens in 1973 in Ormen: a ghost ship that was once a whaling ship from the 1800s, where researcher Dr. Diego Almeyda's remains are finally found, including his shattered feet, as the other occupants of the ship are still vanished into thin air.
Then we move back and forth between two timelines, 1901 and the present, introducing us to Nicky: the daughter of George Abney, the owner of the Ormen whaling ship. Nicky is captured by very dangerous people, kidnapped, and thrown aboard the ship to become a selkie wife to serve the crew's special desires. Nicky has already gone through a lot, having lost her daughter and sent her husband to war. She must find a way to escape from this worst kind of hell.
In the present time, Dominique, an urban explorer, is filming her adventure in Skumaskot, where she's headed to explore the remains of Ormen to share with her social media followers. However, her solo trip takes an unexpected turn when she meets three other explorers who seem to be working on a secret agenda.
Overall, this is not an easy read for everyone! It's a harsh, dark, brutal experience that you need to toughen up to digest some chapters without becoming too frustrated. However, the plot idea, execution, depictions, and the wrapping up of the shocking mystery are incredible and make the book unique and unputdownable.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this fascinating book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
If you’re interested in reading my extended book reviews, movie critiques, and hilarious astrology articles, be sure to check out my Medium account using the link below:
medium.com
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The picturesque descriptions of the High Arctic, the fictional historical tales blended with folklore, and the urban Nordish tales are perfectly interwoven. Three timelines created around the haunting shipwreck and the curse of the ghost, a mythical creature lurking in the area to hunt its prey, keep you on your toes. The big mystery that intersects these three different timelines to unveil the jaw-dropping conclusion is also well established and will make you scream in amazement.
I haven’t been so moved by a book in a long time. Even though this is an amazing, eye-popping, earth-shattering, heart-throbbing mystery, it's also a thought-provoking psychological thriller that questions the mental cages humans create and lock themselves inside to reminisce about the past traumas they've faced. This makes it even more heartbreaking and deeply penetrating; it's one of the saddest stories you may ever read. Some parts of the selkie wife’s story will make you gasp, hardly able to breathe as your tears keep washing your cheeks like a torrent.
The main story opens in 1973 in Ormen: a ghost ship that was once a whaling ship from the 1800s, where researcher Dr. Diego Almeyda's remains are finally found, including his shattered feet, as the other occupants of the ship are still vanished into thin air.
Then we move back and forth between two timelines, 1901 and the present, introducing us to Nicky: the daughter of George Abney, the owner of the Ormen whaling ship. Nicky is captured by very dangerous people, kidnapped, and thrown aboard the ship to become a selkie wife to serve the crew's special desires. Nicky has already gone through a lot, having lost her daughter and sent her husband to war. She must find a way to escape from this worst kind of hell.
In the present time, Dominique, an urban explorer, is filming her adventure in Skumaskot, where she's headed to explore the remains of Ormen to share with her social media followers. However, her solo trip takes an unexpected turn when she meets three other explorers who seem to be working on a secret agenda.
Overall, this is not an easy read for everyone! It's a harsh, dark, brutal experience that you need to toughen up to digest some chapters without becoming too frustrated. However, the plot idea, execution, depictions, and the wrapping up of the shocking mystery are incredible and make the book unique and unputdownable.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this fascinating book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
If you’re interested in reading my extended book reviews, movie critiques, and hilarious astrology articles, be sure to check out my Medium account using the link below:
medium.com
January 29, 2025
The beginning of C.J. Cooke’s novel,
A Haunting in the Arctic,
immediately drew me into the story. The author knows how to create an atmosphere of suspense, horror, and drama that doesn’t let go. In 1901, Nicky is attacked and wakes up aboard the Ormen, a whaling ship that has left Dundee, Scotland. With landfall weeks away and home months away, it’s just her, the ocean, and the crew of twenty who feel they’re owed something only she can give them.
In December, 2023, the wreck of the Ormen is off the coast of northern Iceland at the abandoned ghost town of Skumaskot near the Arctic Circle. It’s scheduled to be destroyed and sunk as an underwater wildlife reef in a couple of weeks. However, explorer and social media influencer hopeful, Dominique, feels the need to document the ship in its last days. Onboard, Dominique will find a past full of lies, betrayal, cruelty, and murder. Soon, she realizes she’s not alone. Something that wants revenge is aboard the ship too.
Told from mainly two perspectives and two time periods with a look at a third time-period in the history of the ship Ormen, this story is atmospheric and dark. The third time-period is 1973 when scientists were using the vessel as an Arctic research vessel.
From the beginning chapter, the author pulls readers into a disturbing and cruel story full of suspense and mystery. What happened to the original whaling crew? What happened to the research crew? Can the answers be found aboard the ship? The author does a great job of bringing the story lines together and making this a cohesive novel.
It was easy to visualize the conditions both Nicky and Dominique faced. Their characters came to life as each faced both personal internal struggles and struggles with others. There are several twists to the story and the conclusion caught me by surprise. Will you see it coming? While multiple timelines are not my favorite plot device, this one kept me engaged throughout. The author does a great job of weaving threads of grief, trust, revenge and its consequences, retribution, violence, guilt, trauma, folklore, and more into the plot.
Overall, this engrossing and suspenseful horror novel is well-done and horrifying at times. Featuring flawed protagonists and a solid plot, the story kept me turning the pages rapidly. C. J. Cooke is a new-to-me author, but I hope to read more books by her. Readers should be aware that there should be several trigger warnings listed for this novel.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Berkley Publishing Group published this novel on February 27, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
--------------------------------------
My 3.8 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
In December, 2023, the wreck of the Ormen is off the coast of northern Iceland at the abandoned ghost town of Skumaskot near the Arctic Circle. It’s scheduled to be destroyed and sunk as an underwater wildlife reef in a couple of weeks. However, explorer and social media influencer hopeful, Dominique, feels the need to document the ship in its last days. Onboard, Dominique will find a past full of lies, betrayal, cruelty, and murder. Soon, she realizes she’s not alone. Something that wants revenge is aboard the ship too.
Told from mainly two perspectives and two time periods with a look at a third time-period in the history of the ship Ormen, this story is atmospheric and dark. The third time-period is 1973 when scientists were using the vessel as an Arctic research vessel.
From the beginning chapter, the author pulls readers into a disturbing and cruel story full of suspense and mystery. What happened to the original whaling crew? What happened to the research crew? Can the answers be found aboard the ship? The author does a great job of bringing the story lines together and making this a cohesive novel.
It was easy to visualize the conditions both Nicky and Dominique faced. Their characters came to life as each faced both personal internal struggles and struggles with others. There are several twists to the story and the conclusion caught me by surprise. Will you see it coming? While multiple timelines are not my favorite plot device, this one kept me engaged throughout. The author does a great job of weaving threads of grief, trust, revenge and its consequences, retribution, violence, guilt, trauma, folklore, and more into the plot.
Overall, this engrossing and suspenseful horror novel is well-done and horrifying at times. Featuring flawed protagonists and a solid plot, the story kept me turning the pages rapidly. C. J. Cooke is a new-to-me author, but I hope to read more books by her. Readers should be aware that there should be several trigger warnings listed for this novel.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Berkley Publishing Group published this novel on February 27, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
--------------------------------------
My 3.8 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
November 5, 2023
WOWZA!
Atmospheric, haunting, heart wrenching, dark, and chilling. A Haunting in the Arctic is well written and well thought out. It is shocking, evokes emotion and explores trauma. Cooke's writing is incredibly descriptive and vivid. I felt as if I was right there with the characters on the ship as a silent observer.
1901, Nicky, the daughter of George Abney, the owner of the Ormen whaling ship, was attacked, and brought on board. There she is told that she is to serve as a "selkie wife" to the men onboard. Nicky is shocked, sickened and can't believe what she is hearing. Her father owns the vessel, after all. This can' t be happening, but sadly it is.
1973, Dominique (Dom), an explorer, has an urge to go to the Ormen which has washed up on the remote coast of Iceland. She wants to document it, before it is destroyed. While exploring the Ormen, Dom observes that there has been recent activity on the ship. Others have been her before her. Soon she realizes that she is not alone, three other explorers have shown up as well.
The book is told through two timelines and readers learn more about Nicky and Dominique through their POV's. Both timelines have a dark, haunted, and creepy feel to them. Talk about being right up my alley! The book drew me in from the very start. I love, love, love books set in cold environments with a trapped feeling and this one fits the bill. The cold, the ocean, and the ice all made for a chilling and harsh element that worked so well with the other themes in this book. I also loved the use of folklore in this Gothic feeling book.
Trauma, survival, heartache, and loss are just a few of the themes of this book. Parts of this book will be very difficult for some to read. Nicky's time on the Ormen is horrific, heartbreaking, and sad. I felt for her the entire time. C.J. Cooke did an amazing job weaving both timelines together. I had no idea where the author was going to take me, and I enjoyed the ride. I did not see the reveal coming at all. I had to pick my jaw up from the floor. I love it when an author can shock me.
I can't wait to read what C.J. Cooke writes next!
*Be sure to read the author's note at the end where she discusses trauma.
*Traveling friends buddy read
#AHauntingintheArctic #NetGalley #CJCooke, #Berkley
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Atmospheric, haunting, heart wrenching, dark, and chilling. A Haunting in the Arctic is well written and well thought out. It is shocking, evokes emotion and explores trauma. Cooke's writing is incredibly descriptive and vivid. I felt as if I was right there with the characters on the ship as a silent observer.
1901, Nicky, the daughter of George Abney, the owner of the Ormen whaling ship, was attacked, and brought on board. There she is told that she is to serve as a "selkie wife" to the men onboard. Nicky is shocked, sickened and can't believe what she is hearing. Her father owns the vessel, after all. This can' t be happening, but sadly it is.
1973, Dominique (Dom), an explorer, has an urge to go to the Ormen which has washed up on the remote coast of Iceland. She wants to document it, before it is destroyed. While exploring the Ormen, Dom observes that there has been recent activity on the ship. Others have been her before her. Soon she realizes that she is not alone, three other explorers have shown up as well.
The book is told through two timelines and readers learn more about Nicky and Dominique through their POV's. Both timelines have a dark, haunted, and creepy feel to them. Talk about being right up my alley! The book drew me in from the very start. I love, love, love books set in cold environments with a trapped feeling and this one fits the bill. The cold, the ocean, and the ice all made for a chilling and harsh element that worked so well with the other themes in this book. I also loved the use of folklore in this Gothic feeling book.
Trauma, survival, heartache, and loss are just a few of the themes of this book. Parts of this book will be very difficult for some to read. Nicky's time on the Ormen is horrific, heartbreaking, and sad. I felt for her the entire time. C.J. Cooke did an amazing job weaving both timelines together. I had no idea where the author was going to take me, and I enjoyed the ride. I did not see the reveal coming at all. I had to pick my jaw up from the floor. I love it when an author can shock me.
I can't wait to read what C.J. Cooke writes next!
*Be sure to read the author's note at the end where she discusses trauma.
*Traveling friends buddy read
#AHauntingintheArctic #NetGalley #CJCooke, #Berkley
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
August 27, 2025
**4.5-stars**
💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙
Ooo, this was very, very clever. Cooke delivered the exact level of unsettling atmosphere I was hoping for.
In this story we are treated to two very distinct and very memorable perspectives. We follow Nicky, whose story begins for us in 1901, as well as Dominique, who offers us a more present day perspective.
There are a few other, one section, perspectives we get every now and then just to help buff out some of our action. Cooke's execution of this was fantastic, IMO. It sounds like a lot, but when you are reading it, it flows so well.
All of our drama sort of surrounds a ship known as the Ormen. In 1901, Nicky was attacked one night and wakes aboard the Ormen, a ship her father owns, where she is then kept and abused throughout an entire sea voyage.
Over a hundred years later, the wreck of the Ormen has washed ashore in a remote area of Iceland. It's scheduled to be destroyed, but explorer Dominique feels compelled to document its last days.
I don't want to say too much. This is so cunningly done, it's best to just know the basics from above, or the publisher's synopsis, and let the rest wash over you as it comes.
Some aspects of the story are absolutely gut-wrenching, particularly all that Nicky was subjected to aboard the Ormen. Her evolution as a character is horrific and also broke my heart. I loved being on this journey with her. It felt like honoring a memory in a way by bearing witness to it all.
I really enjoyed the back-and-forth between Nicky and Dominique. As the story was building, I was so curious how it was going to intersect. You could feel the past influencing Dominique, but how would it ultimately play out?
I was sad for Nicky, chest-achingly sad, and scared for Dominique. My emotions were all over the place. The stark atmosphere, cold and desolate, def got under my skin.
Additionally, the audiobook was fantastic. I felt like the narrator's accent brought a certain level of authenticity to it that enhanced my experience.
I would 100% recommend this to Horror fans, particularly fans of Historical Horror, or Arctic Horror. The way this beautifully-blends those 2-subgenres is top shelf indeed!
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I have truly enjoyed Cooke's work thus far, and am definitely looking forward to more.
💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙
Ooo, this was very, very clever. Cooke delivered the exact level of unsettling atmosphere I was hoping for.
In this story we are treated to two very distinct and very memorable perspectives. We follow Nicky, whose story begins for us in 1901, as well as Dominique, who offers us a more present day perspective.
There are a few other, one section, perspectives we get every now and then just to help buff out some of our action. Cooke's execution of this was fantastic, IMO. It sounds like a lot, but when you are reading it, it flows so well.
All of our drama sort of surrounds a ship known as the Ormen. In 1901, Nicky was attacked one night and wakes aboard the Ormen, a ship her father owns, where she is then kept and abused throughout an entire sea voyage.
Over a hundred years later, the wreck of the Ormen has washed ashore in a remote area of Iceland. It's scheduled to be destroyed, but explorer Dominique feels compelled to document its last days.
I don't want to say too much. This is so cunningly done, it's best to just know the basics from above, or the publisher's synopsis, and let the rest wash over you as it comes.
Some aspects of the story are absolutely gut-wrenching, particularly all that Nicky was subjected to aboard the Ormen. Her evolution as a character is horrific and also broke my heart. I loved being on this journey with her. It felt like honoring a memory in a way by bearing witness to it all.
I really enjoyed the back-and-forth between Nicky and Dominique. As the story was building, I was so curious how it was going to intersect. You could feel the past influencing Dominique, but how would it ultimately play out?
I was sad for Nicky, chest-achingly sad, and scared for Dominique. My emotions were all over the place. The stark atmosphere, cold and desolate, def got under my skin.
Additionally, the audiobook was fantastic. I felt like the narrator's accent brought a certain level of authenticity to it that enhanced my experience.
I would 100% recommend this to Horror fans, particularly fans of Historical Horror, or Arctic Horror. The way this beautifully-blends those 2-subgenres is top shelf indeed!
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I have truly enjoyed Cooke's work thus far, and am definitely looking forward to more.
arc
March 19, 2024C.J. Cooke does atmospheric world-building like no one's business, whether it's the the sinister house and forest in The Ghost Woods, the isolated fjord of The Nesting, or the remote Scottish island and cave of The Lighthouse Witches. So when I read the blurb for this book - evoking the wondrous landscapes of Iceland and a ship that's been drifting aimlessly for decades after its crew has vanished - I couldn't get my hands on this fast enough.
Like the author’s previous novels, this is dark, sinister, moody, atmospheric gothic at its finest. The harsh, bleak, isolated winter landscape of Iceland is the perfect match for the subject matter. This is haunting ghost story and suspenseful thriller and macabre gothic all in one, with the magic and mysticism of Norse folktales woven throughout. The pacing is tight and efficient, the tone is suitably ominous, and the chilling, sinister atmosphere never lapses. This is not a cozy mystery or your run of the mill Celebrity Book Club psychological thriller (sorry, not sorry). C.J. Cooke is better than that - their writing is always raw, truthful, and unflinching, which often means jarring, horrifying, tragic, and heartbreaking. I can't give the author a higher compliment than to say that I did not feel warm for a single second while reading this (note: this is what I want from a gothic/ghost story/thriller).
Trust me, just read this (preferably in one sitting for maximum chills) - you won't be disappointed.
Like the author’s previous novels, this is dark, sinister, moody, atmospheric gothic at its finest. The harsh, bleak, isolated winter landscape of Iceland is the perfect match for the subject matter. This is haunting ghost story and suspenseful thriller and macabre gothic all in one, with the magic and mysticism of Norse folktales woven throughout. The pacing is tight and efficient, the tone is suitably ominous, and the chilling, sinister atmosphere never lapses. This is not a cozy mystery or your run of the mill Celebrity Book Club psychological thriller (sorry, not sorry). C.J. Cooke is better than that - their writing is always raw, truthful, and unflinching, which often means jarring, horrifying, tragic, and heartbreaking. I can't give the author a higher compliment than to say that I did not feel warm for a single second while reading this (note: this is what I want from a gothic/ghost story/thriller).
Trust me, just read this (preferably in one sitting for maximum chills) - you won't be disappointed.
October 14, 2023
2.5 Stars (outliner opinion)
One Liner: Atmospheric but ruined by the ending
1901, Dundee, Scotland
Nicky is missing her husband Allan, who is at war. One day, she is attacked by a stranger and wakes up aboard the Ormen, her father’s whaling ship. Soon, Nicky realizes she is in big trouble, and things aren’t what they seem.
2023, Skúmaskot, Iceland
Dominique is an urban explorer. She finally managed to reach Skúmaskot, an old shark fishing village on the northern tip of Iceland, to stay aboard Ormen, which was to be dismantled in the next few weeks. She meets a trio of explorers who may or may not have hidden intentions.
What is the connection between the two timelines? Where will the stories intersect, and what happens next?
The past timeline comes in the third-person POV of Nicky, and the present timeline is in the first-person POV of Dominique.
What I Like:
After enjoying the previous two books by the author, I was excited to read this one (the cover is stunning, too). As always, the setting is atmospheric and has touches of magic realism. The book starts slowly but picks up pace, which turns out to be a blessing.
The book tries to deal with issues like past trauma, grief, closure, etc. It does get a few things right, especially Nicky’s life with Allan, her father’s business, her dysfunctional family, etc.
The third-person narration for Nicky’s timeline is a relief, given the content. While some readers may find it too distant, I prefer it that way. Makes it easier to continue reading at a stretch.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
First, this one is a dark read. I was expecting it, so that wasn’t an issue (please check the triggers at the end of the review) for me. However, as the book progressed, it felt more like misery porn (most of Nicky’s track is a torture) rather than having the characters do something to change the situation. When it does happen, it feels a little too late.
Second, I confess to having little to no idea about ships and the whaling industry. However, it does seem that the Ormen spent a long time on the sea, that too, with the men more interested in r*ping the MC rather than catching whales (there is just one instance of capturing a whale).
Third, the present timeline seemed quite well until the end. Then, it made almost no sense. The author’s note explains the intentions behind the concept, but TBH, it’s badly done. I wish I could say otherwise. I don’t want to reveal spoilers, but the ‘truth’ nullifies a majority of the timeline, which is not how one handles a plot. I have too many questions with no answers. I knew there would be weak points (the previous books had them), but this one gets too much.
Fourth, if the book has magic realism, it should be more than a decorative piece. The Selkie stuff was interesting until it wasn’t. It takes way too much time to see it in action. Even then, it’s just a glimpse. For a book based on revenge, this one doesn’t even show the actual bits. That’s the most disappointing part. If you make me read so much tragedy and tell me multiple times that someone got their revenge on the actual bad guys, have the courtesy to show me at least a scene or two.
Fifth, I don’t like the representation of the Inuit tribe. It may or may not have been based on truth, but I don't have to like it.
Sixth, there are third and fourth timelines, which are vague and try to add to the atmosphere but don’t really work. They only cause more confusion and add to the questions. Just because a book has supernatural elements doesn’t mean it cannot make sense. It still needs to stand on its own and provide satisfactory answers.
To summarize, A Haunting in the Arctic starts great but spirals into a neverending tragedy and an unappealing reveal/ twist. I wish I loved this, but I don’t.
I’m an outliner (until now), so please read other reviews before you decide.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions about the book.
#NetGalley #AHauntingintheArctic
***
TW:
One Liner: Atmospheric but ruined by the ending
1901, Dundee, Scotland
Nicky is missing her husband Allan, who is at war. One day, she is attacked by a stranger and wakes up aboard the Ormen, her father’s whaling ship. Soon, Nicky realizes she is in big trouble, and things aren’t what they seem.
2023, Skúmaskot, Iceland
Dominique is an urban explorer. She finally managed to reach Skúmaskot, an old shark fishing village on the northern tip of Iceland, to stay aboard Ormen, which was to be dismantled in the next few weeks. She meets a trio of explorers who may or may not have hidden intentions.
What is the connection between the two timelines? Where will the stories intersect, and what happens next?
The past timeline comes in the third-person POV of Nicky, and the present timeline is in the first-person POV of Dominique.
What I Like:
After enjoying the previous two books by the author, I was excited to read this one (the cover is stunning, too). As always, the setting is atmospheric and has touches of magic realism. The book starts slowly but picks up pace, which turns out to be a blessing.
The book tries to deal with issues like past trauma, grief, closure, etc. It does get a few things right, especially Nicky’s life with Allan, her father’s business, her dysfunctional family, etc.
The third-person narration for Nicky’s timeline is a relief, given the content. While some readers may find it too distant, I prefer it that way. Makes it easier to continue reading at a stretch.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
First, this one is a dark read. I was expecting it, so that wasn’t an issue (please check the triggers at the end of the review) for me. However, as the book progressed, it felt more like misery porn (most of Nicky’s track is a torture) rather than having the characters do something to change the situation. When it does happen, it feels a little too late.
Second, I confess to having little to no idea about ships and the whaling industry. However, it does seem that the Ormen spent a long time on the sea, that too, with the men more interested in r*ping the MC rather than catching whales (there is just one instance of capturing a whale).
Third, the present timeline seemed quite well until the end. Then, it made almost no sense. The author’s note explains the intentions behind the concept, but TBH, it’s badly done. I wish I could say otherwise. I don’t want to reveal spoilers, but the ‘truth’ nullifies a majority of the timeline, which is not how one handles a plot. I have too many questions with no answers. I knew there would be weak points (the previous books had them), but this one gets too much.
Fourth, if the book has magic realism, it should be more than a decorative piece. The Selkie stuff was interesting until it wasn’t. It takes way too much time to see it in action. Even then, it’s just a glimpse. For a book based on revenge, this one doesn’t even show the actual bits. That’s the most disappointing part. If you make me read so much tragedy and tell me multiple times that someone got their revenge on the actual bad guys, have the courtesy to show me at least a scene or two.
Fifth, I don’t like the representation of the Inuit tribe. It may or may not have been based on truth, but I don't have to like it.
Sixth, there are third and fourth timelines, which are vague and try to add to the atmosphere but don’t really work. They only cause more confusion and add to the questions. Just because a book has supernatural elements doesn’t mean it cannot make sense. It still needs to stand on its own and provide satisfactory answers.
To summarize, A Haunting in the Arctic starts great but spirals into a neverending tragedy and an unappealing reveal/ twist. I wish I loved this, but I don’t.
I’m an outliner (until now), so please read other reviews before you decide.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions about the book.
#NetGalley #AHauntingintheArctic
***
TW:
August 24, 2023
1901. Nikki’s father George Abney, owner of the whaler The Ormen is in financial trouble. He warns her to stay out of sight for a while, but she is attacked, rendered unconscious and finds herself on board The Ormen much against her will.
1973. The Ormen a repurposed whaling ship from the late 1800s, and now a research vessel is a ghost ship. The only “inhabitant“ the remains of Dr Diego Almeyda. What stalks the floors of the ship seeking revenge?
Present day. Urban explorer. Dominique is heading to Skumaskot in Iceland, a deserted shark fishing village. She is heading to The Ormen , breached since 1973.
CJ Cooke is nothing if not ambitious as what she’s created here is a very clever idea and she has pulled it off. I’m not going to pretend it’s easy to read as at times it’s a dark, harsh and tragic tale. It’s a chiller of a nonlinear timeline mystery set amongst a perfectly matched Icelandic landscape in the depths of winter. It’s chock full of atmosphere, it’s ominous in tone with events that freeze you to the core. There is a spooky atmosphere from the start, things that have no rational explanation. It’s ghostly, creepy, fear inducing, definitely macabre, and horribly fascinating. It’s full of tension, surprises and twists I don’t see coming until nearly the end when light dawns and puzzles fit together.
This is an emotional tale, it induces anger, shock and it makes you sad as horrifying trauma ensues. The atmosphere on the whaler in the 1901 timeline is a tough read on several levels.
The modern timeline becomes a very deep and mind blowing mystery as Dom is joined by three others whose presence is unnerving. You become uncertain what’s transpiring, it further deepens the conundrum and there’s a sense of vulnerability but also danger that is palpable. The timelines although nonlinear, form a cohesive whole and a common theme throughout is the myths and legends of folklore which are woven into the storytelling.
Overall, though not the easiest of reads because of what occurs, it’s well worth reading and kudos to CJ Cooke for having a creative originality of storytelling.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, HarperFiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Such a pity the U.K. cover isn’t showing up as it’s very good.
1973. The Ormen a repurposed whaling ship from the late 1800s, and now a research vessel is a ghost ship. The only “inhabitant“ the remains of Dr Diego Almeyda. What stalks the floors of the ship seeking revenge?
Present day. Urban explorer. Dominique is heading to Skumaskot in Iceland, a deserted shark fishing village. She is heading to The Ormen , breached since 1973.
CJ Cooke is nothing if not ambitious as what she’s created here is a very clever idea and she has pulled it off. I’m not going to pretend it’s easy to read as at times it’s a dark, harsh and tragic tale. It’s a chiller of a nonlinear timeline mystery set amongst a perfectly matched Icelandic landscape in the depths of winter. It’s chock full of atmosphere, it’s ominous in tone with events that freeze you to the core. There is a spooky atmosphere from the start, things that have no rational explanation. It’s ghostly, creepy, fear inducing, definitely macabre, and horribly fascinating. It’s full of tension, surprises and twists I don’t see coming until nearly the end when light dawns and puzzles fit together.
This is an emotional tale, it induces anger, shock and it makes you sad as horrifying trauma ensues. The atmosphere on the whaler in the 1901 timeline is a tough read on several levels.
The modern timeline becomes a very deep and mind blowing mystery as Dom is joined by three others whose presence is unnerving. You become uncertain what’s transpiring, it further deepens the conundrum and there’s a sense of vulnerability but also danger that is palpable. The timelines although nonlinear, form a cohesive whole and a common theme throughout is the myths and legends of folklore which are woven into the storytelling.
Overall, though not the easiest of reads because of what occurs, it’s well worth reading and kudos to CJ Cooke for having a creative originality of storytelling.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, HarperFiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Such a pity the U.K. cover isn’t showing up as it’s very good.
August 31, 2024
It was really close to being really good, but something was missing…hard to pinpoint what it was. Everything was just a little too. The events were a little too awful. The ending a little too neat. The revelations a little too unrooted. It needed more editing and story development/cohesion.
November 3, 2023
How the F does a ghost from 1901 who has been stuck on a boat near the arctic circle for 122 years, know how to use Tik Tok? By haunting a few adventurers who were checking out the wreck? Stop this 😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2023
**Rating: 2/5**
This was honestly a disappointment. I was beyond excited when I read the blurb because this sounded right up my alley, and I couldn't wait to become immersed in a chilling, gripping and sinister tale. I liked the fact that the Ormen was a whaling ship, and I enjoyed learning more about the whaling era in early 20th century Scotland. The book also had a strong start, where we are introduced to both Nicky and Dominique in different timelines, but unfortunately that's where all intrigue ended for me.
Firstly, if you're going to read this I think I need to make the trigger warnings for sexual assault very clear. There are multiple scenes in this that I honestly found excessive, and when the same scene is constantly repeated it stops adding to the story and only succeeds in making the reader exceedingly uncomfortable. I ended up really dreading Nicky's chapters for this reason, thinking oh here we go again every time I saw the POV change. In the same vein, Dominique's inexplicable dreams and/or visions are repeated over and over again with slight variations each time, really slowing the pacing down and making it such a slog to get through.
The ending was okay. I thought it was a pretty interesting idea but it wasn't executed very well - the twist felt contrived and a lot of things went unexplained. I'm probably being a bit pedantic here but I also really think the book could do with some further editing. There were a few typos and spelling errors here and there, and more importantly:
She had been with her father the day one of his ships, the Ormen, returned from Greenland. It was usual for them to return with a haul of walruses, penguins, and Arctic foxes, but this time they came home with polar bears - and they were still alive.
THERE ARE NO PENGUINS IN GREENLAND. ONLY THE GALÁPAGOS PENGUIN LIVES IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE AND IT COULD NOT BE FARTHER AWAY FROM THE ARCTIC CIRCLE, LIVING ALONG THE EQUATOR AND ALL.
This was honestly a disappointment. I was beyond excited when I read the blurb because this sounded right up my alley, and I couldn't wait to become immersed in a chilling, gripping and sinister tale. I liked the fact that the Ormen was a whaling ship, and I enjoyed learning more about the whaling era in early 20th century Scotland. The book also had a strong start, where we are introduced to both Nicky and Dominique in different timelines, but unfortunately that's where all intrigue ended for me.
Firstly, if you're going to read this I think I need to make the trigger warnings for sexual assault very clear. There are multiple scenes in this that I honestly found excessive, and when the same scene is constantly repeated it stops adding to the story and only succeeds in making the reader exceedingly uncomfortable. I ended up really dreading Nicky's chapters for this reason, thinking oh here we go again every time I saw the POV change. In the same vein, Dominique's inexplicable dreams and/or visions are repeated over and over again with slight variations each time, really slowing the pacing down and making it such a slog to get through.
The ending was okay. I thought it was a pretty interesting idea but it wasn't executed very well - the twist felt contrived and a lot of things went unexplained. I'm probably being a bit pedantic here but I also really think the book could do with some further editing. There were a few typos and spelling errors here and there, and more importantly:
She had been with her father the day one of his ships, the Ormen, returned from Greenland. It was usual for them to return with a haul of walruses, penguins, and Arctic foxes, but this time they came home with polar bears - and they were still alive.
THERE ARE NO PENGUINS IN GREENLAND. ONLY THE GALÁPAGOS PENGUIN LIVES IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE AND IT COULD NOT BE FARTHER AWAY FROM THE ARCTIC CIRCLE, LIVING ALONG THE EQUATOR AND ALL.
November 23, 2024
A much darker Pirates of the Caribbean!
In 1901, a whaling ship named the Orman is shipwrecked in a remote area of Iceland. In 1973, a group of researchers stayed on the shipwreck, only for the project to end in disaster. It is now 2023, and a new group of explorers attempt to research the same shipwreck before it is scheduled to be destroyed. Alternating chapters between Dominque (the present) and Nicky (the past), the stories eventually merge to uncover the dark past of the ship.
This incredibly well-written and atmospheric gothic novel is deeply disturbing. Nicky’s chapters are very difficult to read due to the horrific abuse she suffered onboard the Orman. This heart-wrenching tale resembles the plots of The Pirates of the Caribbean movies, but includes a much darker twist. Think about what really could have happened to Elizabeth Swann on board the ship if it was not a Disney movie! Through themes of trauma, guilt, and survival, the plot focuses on the folkloric imaginings of femalehood.
Despite a few lingering questions, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from C.J. Cooke. Thankfully, I have The Ghost Woods waiting for me on my NetGalley shelf!
4/5 stars
Trigger warnings: rape, abuse, cutting
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for the ARC of A Haunting in the Arctic in exchange for an honest review.
In 1901, a whaling ship named the Orman is shipwrecked in a remote area of Iceland. In 1973, a group of researchers stayed on the shipwreck, only for the project to end in disaster. It is now 2023, and a new group of explorers attempt to research the same shipwreck before it is scheduled to be destroyed. Alternating chapters between Dominque (the present) and Nicky (the past), the stories eventually merge to uncover the dark past of the ship.
This incredibly well-written and atmospheric gothic novel is deeply disturbing. Nicky’s chapters are very difficult to read due to the horrific abuse she suffered onboard the Orman. This heart-wrenching tale resembles the plots of The Pirates of the Caribbean movies, but includes a much darker twist. Think about what really could have happened to Elizabeth Swann on board the ship if it was not a Disney movie! Through themes of trauma, guilt, and survival, the plot focuses on the folkloric imaginings of femalehood.
Despite a few lingering questions, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from C.J. Cooke. Thankfully, I have The Ghost Woods waiting for me on my NetGalley shelf!
4/5 stars
Trigger warnings: rape, abuse, cutting
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for the ARC of A Haunting in the Arctic in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2023
I picked up this book because it sounded interesting and a review on the back called the author a “master of feminist gothic”, which sounded perfect for me. However, I did not expect this “feminist” book to just be trauma porn and include a woman being raped, repeatedly, by multiple men. I don’t consider any book that includes these things to be anything close to feminist. And there were no trigger warnings, so the rape was totally unexpected. PLUS: this book was just BAD. It needed many, many more editing passes, and the story barely made sense. But don’t worry, the author made sure the women were adequately traumatized. F*ck off.
November 21, 2023
In my books, C.J. Cooke has firmly established herself as the Queen of creating gothic atmospheric settings. Whether it's the unsettling house and woods of The Ghost Woods, the secluded fjord in The Nesting, or the desolation of the Scottish island in The Lighthouse Witches, she ventures into even more chilling waters in her latest work—a haunted ghost ship.
Just when I thought I had seen it all from entitled men who inflict pain upon women for their own desires, Cooke creates a dark, unique, emotional, bone-chilling, vivid narrative as she delves into themes of trauma and revenge. While not overtly descriptive, her writing resonates quietly yet vividly, painting a clear picture of pain and trauma through atmospheric prose. Adding another layer to the story, Cooke introduces Norse folktales, adding an exciting, unique, haunting dose of chills.
The cleverly paced reveal is surprising, with jaw-dropping moments that go beyond twists. The satisfying payoff brings everything together, leaving me with awe and an unforgettable reading experience.
A Witches Words read with some of my favoirte witches.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
Just when I thought I had seen it all from entitled men who inflict pain upon women for their own desires, Cooke creates a dark, unique, emotional, bone-chilling, vivid narrative as she delves into themes of trauma and revenge. While not overtly descriptive, her writing resonates quietly yet vividly, painting a clear picture of pain and trauma through atmospheric prose. Adding another layer to the story, Cooke introduces Norse folktales, adding an exciting, unique, haunting dose of chills.
The cleverly paced reveal is surprising, with jaw-dropping moments that go beyond twists. The satisfying payoff brings everything together, leaving me with awe and an unforgettable reading experience.
A Witches Words read with some of my favoirte witches.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 14, 2024
"I was present and absent at the same time. I was a trace, a fragment. A haunted haunting."
The Lighthouse Witches is one of my faves of this year and i recently read this one by the author as well and I'm now officially a fan of Cooke's work! Can't wait to read her entire backlist!
A mix of thriller, paranormal, and historical fiction set on a ship with atmospheric and suspenseful plot, great twist, and a satisfying ending
Tho at times it was hard to read certain chapters because of the topics this book dealt with so I'd suggest to look up trigger warnings before diving into this one
The Lighthouse Witches is one of my faves of this year and i recently read this one by the author as well and I'm now officially a fan of Cooke's work! Can't wait to read her entire backlist!
A mix of thriller, paranormal, and historical fiction set on a ship with atmospheric and suspenseful plot, great twist, and a satisfying ending
Tho at times it was hard to read certain chapters because of the topics this book dealt with so I'd suggest to look up trigger warnings before diving into this one
February 27, 2024
4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2024/02/26/...
Few books have left me as disturbed and creeped out as A Haunting in the Arctic by C.J. Cooke. This novel delves into the depths of psychological terror and trauma, weaving a narrative that is both addictive and profoundly unsettling.
The story is told in two timelines, first opening in Dundee, Scotland in 1901 with Nicky, a young woman whose father owns the whaling ship Ormen. Times have been hard for her–following a devastating loss, her husband has gone off to war, leaving her alone. After receiving some unnerving news about her father’s business, Nicky heads to the park and is suddenly attacked and abducted. When she wakes, she finds herself inexplicably aboard the Ormen, beginning its months-long voyage to Icelandic waters. As the ship carries her further away from home, Nicky realizes with horror what the crew intends for her.
Meanwhile, the second timeline unfolds in the present day. The wreck of a whaling ship, determined to be the Ormen, has washed ashore in the arctic. A young explorer named Dominique is determined to make her way to the site to document the wreck and find out what happened to it in its last days before it is scheduled to be destroyed. Initially traveling alone, her plans hit a snag when she encounters a trio of adventurers heading to Iceland to do exactly the same thing. Ultimately deciding to team up, the group makes it to the shipwreck only to find themselves stalked by an eerie presence on the ice while trapped in a storm.
Before I proceed with my review, it must first be noted that A Haunting in the Arctic is not for the faint of heart. It is one of the darkest books I’ve read in a while, unapologetic in its portrayal of human suffering. There are sensitive and distressing themes aplenty, most of them dealing with sexual assault and violence. Although these are woven into the very bones of the novel, integral to its premise and progression, the detailed depiction of such scenes may prove distressing to some. Therefore, reader discretion is strongly advised.
That said, this is my third book by C.J. Cooke, and it might be my favorite yet. The author’s strength has always been her remarkable talent for crafting immersive atmospheres, which she displayed even in her earlier novels, The Nesting and The Lighthouse Witches. In A Haunting in the Arctic, Cooke’s prose again brings the setting to life, evoking a palpable sense of isolation and dread.
For all its bleakness though, the novel also contains moments of deep and powerful emotion, exploring themes of loss and resilience. Nicky and Dominique emerge as intricately written characters, both living through their own private hells, yet the subtle connections between them, spanning across time, won’t be fully revealed until much later at the end. The mystery kept the tensions high and added an additional layer of intrigue, keeping me hooked as answers were gradually revealed.
Again, A Haunting in the Arctic was not an easy book to read, nor would it be suitable for all readers. However, I do believe horror fans brave enough to venture into its icy depths will find a haunting narrative that offers gut-wrenching and chilling resonance.
Few books have left me as disturbed and creeped out as A Haunting in the Arctic by C.J. Cooke. This novel delves into the depths of psychological terror and trauma, weaving a narrative that is both addictive and profoundly unsettling.
The story is told in two timelines, first opening in Dundee, Scotland in 1901 with Nicky, a young woman whose father owns the whaling ship Ormen. Times have been hard for her–following a devastating loss, her husband has gone off to war, leaving her alone. After receiving some unnerving news about her father’s business, Nicky heads to the park and is suddenly attacked and abducted. When she wakes, she finds herself inexplicably aboard the Ormen, beginning its months-long voyage to Icelandic waters. As the ship carries her further away from home, Nicky realizes with horror what the crew intends for her.
Meanwhile, the second timeline unfolds in the present day. The wreck of a whaling ship, determined to be the Ormen, has washed ashore in the arctic. A young explorer named Dominique is determined to make her way to the site to document the wreck and find out what happened to it in its last days before it is scheduled to be destroyed. Initially traveling alone, her plans hit a snag when she encounters a trio of adventurers heading to Iceland to do exactly the same thing. Ultimately deciding to team up, the group makes it to the shipwreck only to find themselves stalked by an eerie presence on the ice while trapped in a storm.
Before I proceed with my review, it must first be noted that A Haunting in the Arctic is not for the faint of heart. It is one of the darkest books I’ve read in a while, unapologetic in its portrayal of human suffering. There are sensitive and distressing themes aplenty, most of them dealing with sexual assault and violence. Although these are woven into the very bones of the novel, integral to its premise and progression, the detailed depiction of such scenes may prove distressing to some. Therefore, reader discretion is strongly advised.
That said, this is my third book by C.J. Cooke, and it might be my favorite yet. The author’s strength has always been her remarkable talent for crafting immersive atmospheres, which she displayed even in her earlier novels, The Nesting and The Lighthouse Witches. In A Haunting in the Arctic, Cooke’s prose again brings the setting to life, evoking a palpable sense of isolation and dread.
For all its bleakness though, the novel also contains moments of deep and powerful emotion, exploring themes of loss and resilience. Nicky and Dominique emerge as intricately written characters, both living through their own private hells, yet the subtle connections between them, spanning across time, won’t be fully revealed until much later at the end. The mystery kept the tensions high and added an additional layer of intrigue, keeping me hooked as answers were gradually revealed.
Again, A Haunting in the Arctic was not an easy book to read, nor would it be suitable for all readers. However, I do believe horror fans brave enough to venture into its icy depths will find a haunting narrative that offers gut-wrenching and chilling resonance.
January 30, 2024
1901: Nicky is attacked and brought aboard the whaling ship the Ormen. With land weeks way, Nicky is forced to do things she never thought imaginable.
Current time: The Ormen has washed up on the remote coast of Iceland, and it’s set to be demolished soon. Dominique feels a pull to document the ship’s final days even though those who have ventured onto the wreck before have met untimely ends.
Onboard the boat, Dominique will uncover a dark past riddled with lies, cruelty, and murder. It’s not long before she realizes she’s not alone. Something else is onboard, and it seems to be craving revenge.
his book was really interesting, and I loved the execution. There were two main points of view told from centuries apart, with one point of view from the middle sort of occasionally popping up. I really enjoyed both the 1901 timeline and the 2023 equally as much and I loved how they came together in the end.
In the 1973 timeline the Ormen, the ship, has been drifting since the 1800’s and its crew are long vanished. It’s since been turned into a research vessel and the body of one of the researchers is found onboard. The body has been brutally mutilated and locked in the cabin.
This timeline was interesting because I kept wanting to know how the body got trapped inside, and when the storyline was switched back and forth, I was kept in suspense! It was so hard waiting, but I loved the 2023 timeline as well.
In 2023 Dom is an urban explorer and sets out on a trip to visit the Ormen before it was sunk for good. She’s going to film her journey and share it with her followers. She ends up meeting three other people there who are on a similar mission.
Dom’s story was so interesting. I was kept in suspense by this story as well. It was such a suspenseful book to read because all the timelines kept me waiting and wanting to find out what was going to happen next. It was almost as if it were two complementary books running side by side and I enjoyed it a lot.
I do think this one is more of a dark thriller than horror, but that’s probably just splitting hairs at that point. There are some pretty dark topics discussed in the later part of the book. This is most definitely a dark gothic tale and it will thoroughly creep you out. It was actually pretty brutal, but the story did end up being worth it in the end.
I did struggle a little with all the different characters, but by the end I had a good understanding of who was who. When everything was coming together at the end, I was scratching my head wondering how everything was going to play out. I loved how it all worked out, and it was wonderful.
If you are looking for a dark and twisty book that has a lot of history, then check this one out.
This review will be posted to my blog, speedreadstagram.com the week of publication.
Current time: The Ormen has washed up on the remote coast of Iceland, and it’s set to be demolished soon. Dominique feels a pull to document the ship’s final days even though those who have ventured onto the wreck before have met untimely ends.
Onboard the boat, Dominique will uncover a dark past riddled with lies, cruelty, and murder. It’s not long before she realizes she’s not alone. Something else is onboard, and it seems to be craving revenge.
his book was really interesting, and I loved the execution. There were two main points of view told from centuries apart, with one point of view from the middle sort of occasionally popping up. I really enjoyed both the 1901 timeline and the 2023 equally as much and I loved how they came together in the end.
In the 1973 timeline the Ormen, the ship, has been drifting since the 1800’s and its crew are long vanished. It’s since been turned into a research vessel and the body of one of the researchers is found onboard. The body has been brutally mutilated and locked in the cabin.
This timeline was interesting because I kept wanting to know how the body got trapped inside, and when the storyline was switched back and forth, I was kept in suspense! It was so hard waiting, but I loved the 2023 timeline as well.
In 2023 Dom is an urban explorer and sets out on a trip to visit the Ormen before it was sunk for good. She’s going to film her journey and share it with her followers. She ends up meeting three other people there who are on a similar mission.
Dom’s story was so interesting. I was kept in suspense by this story as well. It was such a suspenseful book to read because all the timelines kept me waiting and wanting to find out what was going to happen next. It was almost as if it were two complementary books running side by side and I enjoyed it a lot.
I do think this one is more of a dark thriller than horror, but that’s probably just splitting hairs at that point. There are some pretty dark topics discussed in the later part of the book. This is most definitely a dark gothic tale and it will thoroughly creep you out. It was actually pretty brutal, but the story did end up being worth it in the end.
I did struggle a little with all the different characters, but by the end I had a good understanding of who was who. When everything was coming together at the end, I was scratching my head wondering how everything was going to play out. I loved how it all worked out, and it was wonderful.
If you are looking for a dark and twisty book that has a lot of history, then check this one out.
This review will be posted to my blog, speedreadstagram.com the week of publication.
January 21, 2024
I'm sorry but what the actual eff. Someone please explain to me how a ghost from the early 1900's is aware of mobile phones let alone know how to create and maintain a TikTok account. Why didn't the editor question any of this. Seriously!
October 14, 2023
This didn’t work too well for me. The timelines were confusing at times and the ending was odd. I particularly did not enjoy Nicky’s story and the strange distancing between her and the events that happened to her. There seemed to be several plot points that didn’t make sense. Thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
November 22, 2023
This book has a beautiful cover... and there were never penguins in Greenland.
December 17, 2024
A Haunting in the Arctic by C. J. Cooke
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Berkley
Format: digital arc
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: The Ghost Woods, The Nesting
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978059355...
Release Date: Feb 27th, 2024
General Genre: Ghost, Horror, Supernatural Thriller
Sub-Genre/Themes: deserted shipwreck, historical fiction, Iceland, paranormal encounter, survival, dark past, revenge
Writing Style: dual narratives, suspense, gothic vibes/mood, intricately plotted,
What You Need to Know: A deserted shipwreck off the coast of Iceland holds terrors and dark secrets in this chilling horror novel from the author of The Lighthouse Witches.
My Reading Experience: Dual timelines kept the pages flying. Both stories are compelling in their own way. Nicky's POV in the past was slightly more engaging and generated emotional investment that was important in escalating the tension necessary for high-stakes horror. I enjoyed the folklore elements and the setting in Iceland. The mystery and suspense were perfectly plotted allowing for layers of suspense and intrigue. I enjoyed developing theories and wondering what would happen next—content warnings for SA, death of a child, and self-harm. Lots of twists and turns, blindsided and big reveals. C. J. Cooke is on my list of insta-buy authors.
Comps: Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, The Gathering by C. J. Tudor, Ghost Station by S. A. Barnes
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Berkley
Format: digital arc
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: The Ghost Woods, The Nesting
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978059355...
Release Date: Feb 27th, 2024
General Genre: Ghost, Horror, Supernatural Thriller
Sub-Genre/Themes: deserted shipwreck, historical fiction, Iceland, paranormal encounter, survival, dark past, revenge
Writing Style: dual narratives, suspense, gothic vibes/mood, intricately plotted,
What You Need to Know: A deserted shipwreck off the coast of Iceland holds terrors and dark secrets in this chilling horror novel from the author of The Lighthouse Witches.
My Reading Experience: Dual timelines kept the pages flying. Both stories are compelling in their own way. Nicky's POV in the past was slightly more engaging and generated emotional investment that was important in escalating the tension necessary for high-stakes horror. I enjoyed the folklore elements and the setting in Iceland. The mystery and suspense were perfectly plotted allowing for layers of suspense and intrigue. I enjoyed developing theories and wondering what would happen next—content warnings for SA, death of a child, and self-harm. Lots of twists and turns, blindsided and big reveals. C. J. Cooke is on my list of insta-buy authors.
Comps: Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, The Gathering by C. J. Tudor, Ghost Station by S. A. Barnes
June 6, 2024
“Sleep tight, be kind and do no wrong. Lest mermaids wound you with their soul. Prayers and payments do not postpone, they trap you by their stone.”
Wow. A paranormal, historical fiction, ghost ship? Yes! I loved this book! This author truly knows how to paint a picture. I could feel myself on the ship and in the arctic. This book has 3 timelines but Nicki’s historical one was my favorite, albeit the most difficult to read. The synopsis of the book gives a pretty good idea that Nicki is abused during her stent on the ship however a little warning in the beginning would be helpful for readers who may have missed that. 🤍
Wow. A paranormal, historical fiction, ghost ship? Yes! I loved this book! This author truly knows how to paint a picture. I could feel myself on the ship and in the arctic. This book has 3 timelines but Nicki’s historical one was my favorite, albeit the most difficult to read. The synopsis of the book gives a pretty good idea that Nicki is abused during her stent on the ship however a little warning in the beginning would be helpful for readers who may have missed that. 🤍
April 2, 2024
CW: multiple extremely graphic rapes and assaults, miscarriage, death of a child, self-harm, animal violence
Thank you to the publisher and GoodReads for an e-book giveaway copy.
Thank you to the publisher and GoodReads for an e-book giveaway copy.
December 27, 2024
I had no plans to read this; I’ve previously tried a book by the same author (The Lighthouse Witches) and thought it was dreadful. But then I spotted a hardback copy of A Haunting in the Arctic in a £1 box outside a charity shop and couldn’t resist. The cover is lovely; the title and premise call to mind some of my favourite horror novels, combining an icebound setting (Dark Matter, Where the Dead Wait) and a haunted boat (literally my favourite ghost story of all time). Also, all the books I’d planned to read over Christmas turned out to be flops, so I was in need of something new...
And: it starts very well. There are two major parallel plotlines. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a young woman named Nicky is bundled aboard the whaling vessel Ormen, her father’s ship, against her will. In 2024, urban explorer Dominique plans to document the last days of the Ormen – now stranded off the coast of Iceland – before the ship is broken up. I found both strands instantly absorbing. At the beginning, Nicky’s character is developed effectively, while the wreck of the Ormen is vividly drawn and definitely creepy.
Unfortunately, two of the problems I had with The Lighthouse Witches are repeated here: the writing, at a line level, never really rises above ‘fine’; and there are plot holes – in some cases the narrative contradicts itself from one sentence to the next. (I know I’m always going on about subpar proofreading and editing, but really, this was put out by a major publisher. Where’s the quality control?) The need to slot the writing into a conventional spooky-thriller style means nothing is just allowed to be inexplicable. The story has no freedom to be weird. Characters are always having to think inane things like ‘how could any of this be real?’
Some more specific thoughts with spoilers:
In a nutshell: while this book has some solid concepts and a great setting, it’s also pretty ham-fisted, and that drags it down into banality.
And: it starts very well. There are two major parallel plotlines. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a young woman named Nicky is bundled aboard the whaling vessel Ormen, her father’s ship, against her will. In 2024, urban explorer Dominique plans to document the last days of the Ormen – now stranded off the coast of Iceland – before the ship is broken up. I found both strands instantly absorbing. At the beginning, Nicky’s character is developed effectively, while the wreck of the Ormen is vividly drawn and definitely creepy.
Unfortunately, two of the problems I had with The Lighthouse Witches are repeated here: the writing, at a line level, never really rises above ‘fine’; and there are plot holes – in some cases the narrative contradicts itself from one sentence to the next. (I know I’m always going on about subpar proofreading and editing, but really, this was put out by a major publisher. Where’s the quality control?) The need to slot the writing into a conventional spooky-thriller style means nothing is just allowed to be inexplicable. The story has no freedom to be weird. Characters are always having to think inane things like ‘how could any of this be real?’
Some more specific thoughts with spoilers:
In a nutshell: while this book has some solid concepts and a great setting, it’s also pretty ham-fisted, and that drags it down into banality.
February 27, 2024
I requested a copy of the ARC from the publisher, Berkley, on NetGalley and was approved in exchange for consideration of a review. All opinions discussed are my own and are subjective to myself as a reader.
If you prefer video/audio format, I do have a non spoiler review that you can find here.
C. J. Cooke had me hook, line and sinker with just the first two pages of this one! The brief prologue was a promise of what would unfold in its pages: fear, isolation, destruction. The ambiance of the setting was both beautiful and terrifying. The mystery of this ship called to me like a siren.
A HAUNTING IN THE ARCTIC tells the tale of the ship, the Ormen, in a dual timeline. Its origin is presented through the perspective of Nicky, the daughter of the ship's owner in 1901. Its forlorn present and impending destruction is told through the perspective of Dominique, an explorer whose intent is to document the ship, give her a second chance to tell of events she's kept secret for so long, entrenched on the shores of an abandoned settlement in Iceland.
I was drawn in by the mystery of the ship as presented in Dominique's timeline, but before I had made my way through the first half of the book, I found myself more intrigued and excited to read the history of the ship from Nicky. The author left me a couple clues that helped me figure out one of the big mysteries that emerged in the present, so I found the end of the present timeline a touch disappointing. The choice to not explain the why of an important piece of the story irked me. This was not the case with Nicky's timeline, however. I found its ending and its tie to the present to be absolutely brilliant.
Reading the description of the ship, when it was used as a whaling vessel and all the lore, superstitions and crew positions - it felt to me that the author did her due diligence researching the setting, time period and terminology. Besides the nautical aspect, the trauma suffered by some of the characters was visceral, yet there was beauty in the recovery process. Either the author has first hand experience or she did her homework - so I either admire her journey or appreciate the dedication given to what was likely hours of research.
I fell in love with the writing style of C. J. Cooke - especially with her ability to build suspense and to make the pages feel alive with the atmosphere of the setting. The first night I started reading this book, I only made it through Chapter 1. Friends, I had seriously disturbing dreams that night. I decided this one would be a read-only-in-sunshine-book after that! Cooke's magnificent style alone makes me hungry to read more of her work.
I won't lie to you all - I requested this book on NetGalley on a whim because I liked the title. All it took was the words "Haunting" and "Arctic" and I was hitting the request button. I love horror most when it takes place in a cold setting for some reason and when you throw in a possibly haunted shipwreck - it was, as they say, the perfect storm.
You can find this review along with other reviews spanning multiple genres at The Nerdy Narrative or if you prefer video format, I do have a BookTube Channel
A heartfelt thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for their support towards my enthusiasm for reading and reviewing!
Special thanks to my highest level Patrons: Ev, Amanda L., Sharon, Andrew, Star, Kate, Gail, Amanda F., Lourdes, Tara, John, Ann, Chad K., Ashley E., & Jennifer M.
If you prefer video/audio format, I do have a non spoiler review that you can find here.
C. J. Cooke had me hook, line and sinker with just the first two pages of this one! The brief prologue was a promise of what would unfold in its pages: fear, isolation, destruction. The ambiance of the setting was both beautiful and terrifying. The mystery of this ship called to me like a siren.
A HAUNTING IN THE ARCTIC tells the tale of the ship, the Ormen, in a dual timeline. Its origin is presented through the perspective of Nicky, the daughter of the ship's owner in 1901. Its forlorn present and impending destruction is told through the perspective of Dominique, an explorer whose intent is to document the ship, give her a second chance to tell of events she's kept secret for so long, entrenched on the shores of an abandoned settlement in Iceland.
I was drawn in by the mystery of the ship as presented in Dominique's timeline, but before I had made my way through the first half of the book, I found myself more intrigued and excited to read the history of the ship from Nicky. The author left me a couple clues that helped me figure out one of the big mysteries that emerged in the present, so I found the end of the present timeline a touch disappointing. The choice to not explain the why of an important piece of the story irked me. This was not the case with Nicky's timeline, however. I found its ending and its tie to the present to be absolutely brilliant.
Reading the description of the ship, when it was used as a whaling vessel and all the lore, superstitions and crew positions - it felt to me that the author did her due diligence researching the setting, time period and terminology. Besides the nautical aspect, the trauma suffered by some of the characters was visceral, yet there was beauty in the recovery process. Either the author has first hand experience or she did her homework - so I either admire her journey or appreciate the dedication given to what was likely hours of research.
I fell in love with the writing style of C. J. Cooke - especially with her ability to build suspense and to make the pages feel alive with the atmosphere of the setting. The first night I started reading this book, I only made it through Chapter 1. Friends, I had seriously disturbing dreams that night. I decided this one would be a read-only-in-sunshine-book after that! Cooke's magnificent style alone makes me hungry to read more of her work.
I won't lie to you all - I requested this book on NetGalley on a whim because I liked the title. All it took was the words "Haunting" and "Arctic" and I was hitting the request button. I love horror most when it takes place in a cold setting for some reason and when you throw in a possibly haunted shipwreck - it was, as they say, the perfect storm.
You can find this review along with other reviews spanning multiple genres at The Nerdy Narrative or if you prefer video format, I do have a BookTube Channel
A heartfelt thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for their support towards my enthusiasm for reading and reviewing!
Special thanks to my highest level Patrons: Ev, Amanda L., Sharon, Andrew, Star, Kate, Gail, Amanda F., Lourdes, Tara, John, Ann, Chad K., Ashley E., & Jennifer M.
December 11, 2025
Wintery horror mystery told over two timelines, with folklore elements. Excellent creepy read.
September 7, 2024
I’m having flashbacks of slimer. What is it about abandoned boats that makes a horror writer think .. “you know what this really needs? A shit ton of SA scenes over and over again. “ If you’re going to depict a woman going through something this dark and horrible you better be ready to thread deeper than surface level emotions and have the ability to write on the damage done to the psyche and connect with readers on that trauma. Putting that all aside…. The multiple povs, timelines and what the actual fuck nonsensical ending really left a bad taste in my mouth.
November 9, 2023
2.5 stars
I’m a huge fan of CJ Cooke and this was one of my most highly anticipated books of 2023, so it left me feeling incredibly disappointed. First of all, this book needs a million trigger warnings for r*pe. It reads like trauma porn in so many chapters. Secondly, I guessed the plot twist almost immediately. I kept assuming there would be another twist because that was so obvious but nope, and I find that surprising for CJ Cooke. Thirdly, I’m a HUGE fan of gothic horror and books about the arctic so I am THE target audience for this book but it just didn’t really deliver for either of those interests for me. Fourthly, how tf did she know what TikTok is? Just felt like so many plot holes that were not explained sufficiently because the ending was too rushed. This had potential with its folklore stories weaved into it but it just didn’t commit to that side of things enough.
I’m a huge fan of CJ Cooke and this was one of my most highly anticipated books of 2023, so it left me feeling incredibly disappointed. First of all, this book needs a million trigger warnings for r*pe. It reads like trauma porn in so many chapters. Secondly, I guessed the plot twist almost immediately. I kept assuming there would be another twist because that was so obvious but nope, and I find that surprising for CJ Cooke. Thirdly, I’m a HUGE fan of gothic horror and books about the arctic so I am THE target audience for this book but it just didn’t really deliver for either of those interests for me. Fourthly, how tf did she know what TikTok is? Just felt like so many plot holes that were not explained sufficiently because the ending was too rushed. This had potential with its folklore stories weaved into it but it just didn’t commit to that side of things enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2024
This is not a perfect book - I had problems with some of it. But, the atmosphere is deliciously creepy, the characters are people you can get behind (or wish to shove overboard), and the plot strangely compelling. The majority of the story alternates between two timelines: The 1901 timeline involves a kidnapped woman on board the whaling ship Ormen, somewhere in the Arctic Ocean. The 2024 timeline deals with Dominique who has travelled alone to a remote and desolate Icelandic village to record (for TikTok likes of all things!) the demolition of the wreck of the Ormen run aground on the coast. Only, Dominique finds she is not alone and there is someone or something else out there. Something/one possibly involved in murder, mayhem and revenge. I found the bouncing around between timelines was a tad choppy and happened too often. I was just getting into the rhythm of one set of characters to have the rug pulled out from under me. This was somewhat annoying. The dark, creepy atmosphere of the desolate wreck and abandoned village were vividly described. The pacing starts off slow and builds up, but some bits were a bit repetitive. The book really could have used an editor. I do wish that more page space had been dedicated to the conclusion, which seemed somewhat abrupt to me. The ending was rather a surprise, but was just not dealt with adequately or properly (I'm not a fan of endings like this!). However, despite these annoyances (and terrible ending), I wanted to find out what really happened in 1901 and why it affected anyone in 2024. This book isn't for everyone - some parts are dark, brutal and not easy to consume.
Note: The author researched whaling ships, but evidently didn't bother to research what animals a whaling ship would catch. Penguins aren't on the menu. There are no penguins in the Arctic Circle. The only penguins in the northern hemisphere are found in the Galapagos, near the equator, nowhere near the location of this whaling ship in this novel.
Trigger warning: rape... repeatedly. Amongst other things - the setting is a whaling ship.
May 6, 2024
I have loved every single book I have read by the amazingly talented C.J. Cooke, and A Haunting in the Arctic is definitely this author at her best. We have 2 different viewpoints in this story, Nicky on a whaling ship called the Ormen in 1901, and Dominique an explorer in 2023 who has set out to see the wreck of the Orman before it is destroyed on a coast in Iceland. This book gives new meaning to the word trauma, and it is not for the faint of heart. Nicky's story is brutal and heartbreaking, and her entire POV was incredibly tough to read, while Dominique's POV is indescribably creepy as well as the most mysterious of the two storylines.
The audiobook is narrated by Lucy Goldie, and I am still uncertain about how I feel about it. On one hand, she was the perfect narrator with her thick Scottish brogue (Nicky is from Scotland), but on the other, this made her extremely hard to understand at times and even slowing the audiobook down didn't completely help me. Unless you are good with accents, I think reading might be the way to go here though I do not regret my time with the audio.
Revenge is a large part of A Haunting in the Arctic, and at times it gave me Into the Drowning Deep vibes. The climax completely shocked me, and I was NOT expecting how these two characters would become connected. I thought the way the book ended was completely beautiful after so much pain, and if you enjoy horror, gothic stories, and books that will make you think, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
The audiobook is narrated by Lucy Goldie, and I am still uncertain about how I feel about it. On one hand, she was the perfect narrator with her thick Scottish brogue (Nicky is from Scotland), but on the other, this made her extremely hard to understand at times and even slowing the audiobook down didn't completely help me. Unless you are good with accents, I think reading might be the way to go here though I do not regret my time with the audio.
Revenge is a large part of A Haunting in the Arctic, and at times it gave me Into the Drowning Deep vibes. The climax completely shocked me, and I was NOT expecting how these two characters would become connected. I thought the way the book ended was completely beautiful after so much pain, and if you enjoy horror, gothic stories, and books that will make you think, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
January 1, 2024
okay writing, hated how the author tacks on parts about Inuit women supposedly wanting to be taken onboard whaling ships to be impregnated by sailors. ending was a bit trite and i got over “this is trauma and haunting of a place” being stated repeatedly so quick.
ALSO HOW DOES A GHOST HAUNTING A REMOTE PLACE IN ICELAND WITH NO PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT LIVESTREAMING ON TIKTOK??
ALSO HOW DOES A GHOST HAUNTING A REMOTE PLACE IN ICELAND WITH NO PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT LIVESTREAMING ON TIKTOK??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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