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The Witches of Hogsback
Zelda is a self-proclaimed do-gooder who simply cannot stay silent if she sees something wrong. Unfortunately, this doesn’t win her any popularity votes. Even her boyfriend Dylan couldn’t put up with it anymore.
Desperate to escape from everything for a while, Zelda signs up for a school hiking trip to Hogsback. Her illusion of having a nice, relaxing time shatters when she stumbles across a mystery nobody seems to care about: the death of local teen Stefan Dale.
Soon, Zelda finds herself knee deep in trouble: from having her room vandalised to nearly being killed by an unknown assailant. Someone clearly doesn’t want her looking into Stefan’s death. Her prime suspects are a group of teenagers known as The Witches of Hogsback, but are they really the most dangerous people in the forest?
There is more to this case than meets the eye.
Desperate to escape from everything for a while, Zelda signs up for a school hiking trip to Hogsback. Her illusion of having a nice, relaxing time shatters when she stumbles across a mystery nobody seems to care about: the death of local teen Stefan Dale.
Soon, Zelda finds herself knee deep in trouble: from having her room vandalised to nearly being killed by an unknown assailant. Someone clearly doesn’t want her looking into Stefan’s death. Her prime suspects are a group of teenagers known as The Witches of Hogsback, but are they really the most dangerous people in the forest?
There is more to this case than meets the eye.
- GenresYoung Adult
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2023
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 12, 2023
"𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙅.𝙍.𝙍 𝙏𝙤𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙖𝙬 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙜𝙤. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙪𝙨 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨, 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚, 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙, 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙩, 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚."
Before I start this review I want to mention that The Witches of Hogsback is set in Hogsback, the same place that inspired J.R.R Tolkien to write The Lord of The Rings. How epic is that!
Zelda signs up for a school hiking trip, but instead of being met with fresh air and an endless forest, her curiosity is awakened when she hears about a student and his mysterious death.
With adventure, new friendships and a creepy mystery to solve, Partridge takes the reader on a hiking trip that has eyes carved out on tree barks and rumours of witches roaming at night. This book is a quick read and is perfect for young adults. Mystery, action and adventure along with a beautiful setting in the quiet town of Hogsback.
Outcasts, whodunit and cottagecore descriptions - I loved it all! The chapters are short and fast-paced and it's interesting to see the group dynamic. I think teenagers will enjoy this read as they will be able to relate to the group of teenagers.
This book surprised me in so many ways and is definitely on my list of YA book recommendations. Spooky season is around the corner and this would be a great addition to any spooky TBR.
I think many South African readers will appreciate this book as there are familiar names and some readers who might have visited Hogsback will be able to experience the story on a different level as they are familiar with the area.
Many thanks to Lapa Uitgewers for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Before I start this review I want to mention that The Witches of Hogsback is set in Hogsback, the same place that inspired J.R.R Tolkien to write The Lord of The Rings. How epic is that!
Zelda signs up for a school hiking trip, but instead of being met with fresh air and an endless forest, her curiosity is awakened when she hears about a student and his mysterious death.
With adventure, new friendships and a creepy mystery to solve, Partridge takes the reader on a hiking trip that has eyes carved out on tree barks and rumours of witches roaming at night. This book is a quick read and is perfect for young adults. Mystery, action and adventure along with a beautiful setting in the quiet town of Hogsback.
Outcasts, whodunit and cottagecore descriptions - I loved it all! The chapters are short and fast-paced and it's interesting to see the group dynamic. I think teenagers will enjoy this read as they will be able to relate to the group of teenagers.
This book surprised me in so many ways and is definitely on my list of YA book recommendations. Spooky season is around the corner and this would be a great addition to any spooky TBR.
I think many South African readers will appreciate this book as there are familiar names and some readers who might have visited Hogsback will be able to experience the story on a different level as they are familiar with the area.
Many thanks to Lapa Uitgewers for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2024
I'm reading very little at the moment but at least I managed to get one seasonal book in.
This was an enjoyable read about a teen who goes sleuthing while on a camping trip and quickly finds herself knee-deep in danger.
I could have done without the touch of romance, but maybe that is an obligatory ingredient in YA novels. I did see a certain twist coming way in advance, but otherwise, the suspense was well done.
This was an enjoyable read about a teen who goes sleuthing while on a camping trip and quickly finds herself knee-deep in danger.
I could have done without the touch of romance, but maybe that is an obligatory ingredient in YA novels. I did see a certain twist coming way in advance, but otherwise, the suspense was well done.
May 19, 2023
#TheWitchesOfHogsback – Sally Partridge
#Lapa
The tiny village of Hogsback is nestled high in the Amatola mountains in the Eastern Cape. During the summer months tourists are attracted by the hiking trails and waterfalls, in winter by the snow, and will be met by vendors selling walking sticks irrespective of the season. The locals believe that fairies reside in the dense forests and the variety of fungi might very well provide sanctuary for tiny beings created by authors of fantasy.
Zelda is the type of person who simply cannot ignore anything that remotely resembles an injustice. As a young child she has attempted to free circus animals and, now as a teenager, she has faced disciplinary actions taken against her after calling a teacher out on her white privilege and comparing another to Harvey Weinstein. But when she blew the whistle on two students stealing chemicals from the science lab, her boyfriend, Dylan, claimed that she was negatively impacting his social acceptance and promptly dumped her – only to be seen with a new girlfriend almost immediately.
Although neither a hiker nor a socialite by nature, Zelda therefore grabs the opportunity to join the school hiking club on a 14-day hiking tour in Hogsback in a desperate effort to get away for a while. True to form, she is unable to ignore the recent death of a Hogsback teenager just prior to their arrival and promptly commences her own investigation. In the blink of an eye, she finds herself knee deep in danger: a witches’ coven threatens her, someone tries to kill her, and another person dies. Instead of backing down, this determines Zelda to unravel the mysteries.
The author has undoubtedly chosen the perfect setting for a spooky whodunnit; the magic of Hogsback comes alive in the text when she describes the Madonna and Child Falls, the trail on the left of the Thirty-Nine Steps; the Arboretum; the forests, and the residents. The first glimpse is brilliantly captured as follows: ‘It was hard to believe that moments ago there were farms and bare hills as far as she could see. It was as if the bus had slipped through a tear in the map and was rattling through a darker, greener world forgotten by time.’ (29)
This wonderful atmospheric novel is highly recommended for readers of fourteen and older who enjoy an entertaining combination of mystery and romance set against the backdrop of nature’s true beauty.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Uitdieperdsebek
#Lapa
The tiny village of Hogsback is nestled high in the Amatola mountains in the Eastern Cape. During the summer months tourists are attracted by the hiking trails and waterfalls, in winter by the snow, and will be met by vendors selling walking sticks irrespective of the season. The locals believe that fairies reside in the dense forests and the variety of fungi might very well provide sanctuary for tiny beings created by authors of fantasy.
Zelda is the type of person who simply cannot ignore anything that remotely resembles an injustice. As a young child she has attempted to free circus animals and, now as a teenager, she has faced disciplinary actions taken against her after calling a teacher out on her white privilege and comparing another to Harvey Weinstein. But when she blew the whistle on two students stealing chemicals from the science lab, her boyfriend, Dylan, claimed that she was negatively impacting his social acceptance and promptly dumped her – only to be seen with a new girlfriend almost immediately.
Although neither a hiker nor a socialite by nature, Zelda therefore grabs the opportunity to join the school hiking club on a 14-day hiking tour in Hogsback in a desperate effort to get away for a while. True to form, she is unable to ignore the recent death of a Hogsback teenager just prior to their arrival and promptly commences her own investigation. In the blink of an eye, she finds herself knee deep in danger: a witches’ coven threatens her, someone tries to kill her, and another person dies. Instead of backing down, this determines Zelda to unravel the mysteries.
The author has undoubtedly chosen the perfect setting for a spooky whodunnit; the magic of Hogsback comes alive in the text when she describes the Madonna and Child Falls, the trail on the left of the Thirty-Nine Steps; the Arboretum; the forests, and the residents. The first glimpse is brilliantly captured as follows: ‘It was hard to believe that moments ago there were farms and bare hills as far as she could see. It was as if the bus had slipped through a tear in the map and was rattling through a darker, greener world forgotten by time.’ (29)
This wonderful atmospheric novel is highly recommended for readers of fourteen and older who enjoy an entertaining combination of mystery and romance set against the backdrop of nature’s true beauty.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Uitdieperdsebek
May 31, 2023
Following a break up, Zelda's reputation at school gets the best of her and she desperately needs some alone time. Because she has this incessant need to do the right thing, she isn't on good terms with many people at school. She signs up for a two week school hiking trip to Hogsback thinking it will give her the time away she needs.
Instead, the night before the group arrives, a boy throws himself off a cliff. Curiosity gets the best of her and she visits the site where this supposed suicide occurred. Only, she finds evidence that might say otherwise. Could this have been a murder?
Zelda feels it's her duty to get to the bottom of what happened to Stefan Dale and in the process she has to navigate between the mysterious boy who showed up at the crime scene, a town full of folk who believe witches are involved, a group of kids who antagonise people for fun and you know, whoever is leaving threatening messages in her room. But Zelda will stop at nothing to get the answers she's looking for.
My thoughts:
I absolutely loved this short story. I haven't read much South African literature so I wasn't sure what to expect from it but I saw that cover and I knew I had to read it. The read was fast and so well written. So many little things that made it authentically South African without being tacky. I absolutely loved the story line, it took me right back to high school, it was immersive and nostalgic. There was so much mystery revolving around the plot that I wanted to keep reading until I knew everything!
Thank you @tbrwarriors for buddy reading this with me 💕
Instead, the night before the group arrives, a boy throws himself off a cliff. Curiosity gets the best of her and she visits the site where this supposed suicide occurred. Only, she finds evidence that might say otherwise. Could this have been a murder?
Zelda feels it's her duty to get to the bottom of what happened to Stefan Dale and in the process she has to navigate between the mysterious boy who showed up at the crime scene, a town full of folk who believe witches are involved, a group of kids who antagonise people for fun and you know, whoever is leaving threatening messages in her room. But Zelda will stop at nothing to get the answers she's looking for.
My thoughts:
I absolutely loved this short story. I haven't read much South African literature so I wasn't sure what to expect from it but I saw that cover and I knew I had to read it. The read was fast and so well written. So many little things that made it authentically South African without being tacky. I absolutely loved the story line, it took me right back to high school, it was immersive and nostalgic. There was so much mystery revolving around the plot that I wanted to keep reading until I knew everything!
Thank you @tbrwarriors for buddy reading this with me 💕
July 30, 2023
South African Author!
Zelda is a straightforward kind of gal, she knows right from wrong and she will not stand by and let wrong prevail - not if she can help it.
Unfortunately, this means that she is not exactly well-liked by everyone after she helps bring some truth to light at her school. After her (sucky) boyfriend convinces her his going to another girl's party so that he can try and 'manage' the situation she has put them in 'socially' 🙄 he gets into some trouble of his own and as a result, he and Zelda break up..... I mean, good riddance, he was a knob 😂
Knowing and liking NOTHING to do with hiking 😂 Zelda signs up to go on the 2-week long school hiking trip to Hogsback so she can get away from everything for a while and not spend the next 2 weeks in her own head, without a boyfriend and friends.
Once they arrive they immediately hear of the mysterious death surrounding a local teen, Stephan Dale. Zelda being Zelda, decides to boycott the hiking she never planned on doing anyway and to do some investigating of her own.
Her only suspects are known as the 'witches of hogsback'
What else will she find whilst looking for a killer?
This was such a page-turner. I loved that the book was descriptive and so atmospheric, the woods, the mist, the little town... I could so easily picture all of it. I loved reading about South African characters in a small SA town setting, there was something so 'familiar' about it 😊 The side characters were just as great. Zelda was not perfect but a very 'real' character to route for.
Zelda is a straightforward kind of gal, she knows right from wrong and she will not stand by and let wrong prevail - not if she can help it.
Unfortunately, this means that she is not exactly well-liked by everyone after she helps bring some truth to light at her school. After her (sucky) boyfriend convinces her his going to another girl's party so that he can try and 'manage' the situation she has put them in 'socially' 🙄 he gets into some trouble of his own and as a result, he and Zelda break up..... I mean, good riddance, he was a knob 😂
Knowing and liking NOTHING to do with hiking 😂 Zelda signs up to go on the 2-week long school hiking trip to Hogsback so she can get away from everything for a while and not spend the next 2 weeks in her own head, without a boyfriend and friends.
Once they arrive they immediately hear of the mysterious death surrounding a local teen, Stephan Dale. Zelda being Zelda, decides to boycott the hiking she never planned on doing anyway and to do some investigating of her own.
Her only suspects are known as the 'witches of hogsback'
What else will she find whilst looking for a killer?
This was such a page-turner. I loved that the book was descriptive and so atmospheric, the woods, the mist, the little town... I could so easily picture all of it. I loved reading about South African characters in a small SA town setting, there was something so 'familiar' about it 😊 The side characters were just as great. Zelda was not perfect but a very 'real' character to route for.
May 28, 2025
When they say dynamite comes in small packages, in this case, it is true!
Zelda was an interesting character, in that she gets hyper focused on doing the right thing...but somehow ends up doing the wrong things to get to the right outcome (if that makes sense). Like any high school kid, she is trying to figure her way through school, a break up and not quite fitting in and to get away from everything for a bit, she joins the school hiking club for their trip to Hogsback for a hiking holiday. But instead of hiking and enjoying the beautiful forests she learns of a teen who recently died and somehow figures that she needs to find out what really happened to him.
Filled with mystery, murder and underlying tension, it kept me hooked till the end. The Witches of Hogsback was a wonderful read.
Set in the beautiful Eastern Cape of South Africa, Hogsback is known for its scenic beauty and indigenous forests.....but in this instance, the beauty is hiding something far more sinister.
Keep an eye out for book 2 - Slaying in Sedgefield
Zelda was an interesting character, in that she gets hyper focused on doing the right thing...but somehow ends up doing the wrong things to get to the right outcome (if that makes sense). Like any high school kid, she is trying to figure her way through school, a break up and not quite fitting in and to get away from everything for a bit, she joins the school hiking club for their trip to Hogsback for a hiking holiday. But instead of hiking and enjoying the beautiful forests she learns of a teen who recently died and somehow figures that she needs to find out what really happened to him.
Filled with mystery, murder and underlying tension, it kept me hooked till the end. The Witches of Hogsback was a wonderful read.
Set in the beautiful Eastern Cape of South Africa, Hogsback is known for its scenic beauty and indigenous forests.....but in this instance, the beauty is hiding something far more sinister.
Keep an eye out for book 2 - Slaying in Sedgefield
June 26, 2023
"The air buzzed with life in the sunbeams that shone between the treetops. Bees, butterflies, and miggies danced in the light while a magic carpet of red and gold leaves crunched underneath."
My school librarian suggested this quick, mysterious YA read by a local South African writer. I enjoyed the imagery and sentence variety that begins every chapter - great for mentor sentences. Yet, the story is brief and leaves the reader wondering about several threads. I especially wanted to see more character development for our protagonist. Grades 8 and HS.
My school librarian suggested this quick, mysterious YA read by a local South African writer. I enjoyed the imagery and sentence variety that begins every chapter - great for mentor sentences. Yet, the story is brief and leaves the reader wondering about several threads. I especially wanted to see more character development for our protagonist. Grades 8 and HS.
May 18, 2023
Review coming.
January 28, 2026
stereotype city and bad writing and everything fucking sucked i hate this book and i hate zelda and yk what i hate sally partridge too
July 9, 2023
The Witches of Hogsback is a mystery thriller that follows Zelda, a high school student who signs up for a hiking trip to Hogsback, a small town in the Eastern Cape. She is an outsider, someone who isn’t usually part of the school’s hiking group, but she needs to get away for a while.
"Hogsback is a place where magic happens, where the impossible becomes possible and where anything can happen if you believe hard enough."
In Hogsback, she becomes involved in probing the death of Stephan Dale, a local teenager who was rumoured to be part of a group of witches. Zelda faces peril, deceit and dark secrets as she tries to discover the truth behind Stephan's death and the mysterious witches of Hogsback.
"There's a fine line between being brave and being stupid, and you're about to cross it."
The novel is a captivating and tense read that will keep you hooked until the end. The author creates a vivid and atmospheric setting that blends the natural beauty of Hogsback with the spooky and supernatural elements of the story. Having visited Hogsback myself, I could so clearly picture all the scenes.
Zelda is a courageous and determined protagonist who does not shy away from challenging the status quo and seeking justice.
"You can't judge a book by its cover, or a person by their appearance. You never know what lies beneath the surface."
The plot is full of twists that will keep you guessing. The novel also explores themes such as friendship, loyalty, betrayal, identity and prejudice.
"Some secrets are better left buried. Some mysteries are better left unsolved. Some people are better left alone."
The Witches of Hogsback is a novel that will appeal to fans of mystery, thriller and paranormal genres. It is a book that will keep you entertained, intrigued, in suspense and inspired. It is a book that will make you think about the hidden mysteries and magic of the world around you. It is aimed at the Young Adult market, and it is a good fit. It is always lovely to read this genre in a South African milieu.
"Hogsback is a place where magic happens, where the impossible becomes possible and where anything can happen if you believe hard enough."
In Hogsback, she becomes involved in probing the death of Stephan Dale, a local teenager who was rumoured to be part of a group of witches. Zelda faces peril, deceit and dark secrets as she tries to discover the truth behind Stephan's death and the mysterious witches of Hogsback.
"There's a fine line between being brave and being stupid, and you're about to cross it."
The novel is a captivating and tense read that will keep you hooked until the end. The author creates a vivid and atmospheric setting that blends the natural beauty of Hogsback with the spooky and supernatural elements of the story. Having visited Hogsback myself, I could so clearly picture all the scenes.
Zelda is a courageous and determined protagonist who does not shy away from challenging the status quo and seeking justice.
"You can't judge a book by its cover, or a person by their appearance. You never know what lies beneath the surface."
The plot is full of twists that will keep you guessing. The novel also explores themes such as friendship, loyalty, betrayal, identity and prejudice.
"Some secrets are better left buried. Some mysteries are better left unsolved. Some people are better left alone."
The Witches of Hogsback is a novel that will appeal to fans of mystery, thriller and paranormal genres. It is a book that will keep you entertained, intrigued, in suspense and inspired. It is a book that will make you think about the hidden mysteries and magic of the world around you. It is aimed at the Young Adult market, and it is a good fit. It is always lovely to read this genre in a South African milieu.
November 5, 2024
𝘈 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘩𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘰𝘨𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬.
𝘈 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵.
𝘈 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘣𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴.
𝘕𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦.
This was my second time reading The Witches of Hogsback, and it has yet again successfully got me in the perfect spooky reading mood. It is a fairly short book, but it features engaging, vivid, and skillfully crafted, fast-paced writing.
Zelda is what people like to call a do-gooder, and by being one, it has made her less popular amongst her peers; a loner.
I found her to be a lot like Pippa from A Good Girl's Guide to Murder because:
"𝘡𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘺'𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵."
I not only adored her character but also the side characters from the school hiking trip and how their friendship dynamic evolved over time.
There was also a slight romantic development thrown in between the mystery solving.
Honestly, it was such a fantastic read and also perfect for some cozy spooky vibes. I'd highly recommend this YA murder mystery with sprinkles of magic, witches, and hot goths!
p.s. Hogsback is a real place located in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and it's definitely a bucket list location I'd love to explore one day. It's also the setting that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to write The Lord of The Rings!
𝘈 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵.
𝘈 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘣𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴.
𝘕𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦.
This was my second time reading The Witches of Hogsback, and it has yet again successfully got me in the perfect spooky reading mood. It is a fairly short book, but it features engaging, vivid, and skillfully crafted, fast-paced writing.
Zelda is what people like to call a do-gooder, and by being one, it has made her less popular amongst her peers; a loner.
I found her to be a lot like Pippa from A Good Girl's Guide to Murder because:
"𝘡𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘺'𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵."
I not only adored her character but also the side characters from the school hiking trip and how their friendship dynamic evolved over time.
There was also a slight romantic development thrown in between the mystery solving.
Honestly, it was such a fantastic read and also perfect for some cozy spooky vibes. I'd highly recommend this YA murder mystery with sprinkles of magic, witches, and hot goths!
p.s. Hogsback is a real place located in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and it's definitely a bucket list location I'd love to explore one day. It's also the setting that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to write The Lord of The Rings!
June 17, 2025
Many thanks to Lapa Publishers for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Zelda, a do-gooder high-schooler, signs up to join a school hiking trip to Hogsback, after suffering a humiliating breakup with her boyfriend; having zero actual interest in hiking, though, Zelda is hoping for a nice relaxing time so that she can "process".
However, her own nature will get her in trouble because, as soon as they step foot in their hotel, she hears about the mysterious death of teenager, Stefan Dale and she just can't leave well enough alone. In her search for the truth, she meets a new boy and encounters murder, secrets and witches all hidden in the beautiful landscape of Hogsback.
As I've mentioned numerous times before, I am a fan of great characters, and our young hero, even though she is most annoying in the beginning, shows an incredible amount of growth; the supporting characters are also well-written and relatable.
The author truly brings the landscape to life, so much so that I really want to take a trip there and visit all the places, like the arboretum; just like J R R Tolkien did.
Zelda, a do-gooder high-schooler, signs up to join a school hiking trip to Hogsback, after suffering a humiliating breakup with her boyfriend; having zero actual interest in hiking, though, Zelda is hoping for a nice relaxing time so that she can "process".
However, her own nature will get her in trouble because, as soon as they step foot in their hotel, she hears about the mysterious death of teenager, Stefan Dale and she just can't leave well enough alone. In her search for the truth, she meets a new boy and encounters murder, secrets and witches all hidden in the beautiful landscape of Hogsback.
As I've mentioned numerous times before, I am a fan of great characters, and our young hero, even though she is most annoying in the beginning, shows an incredible amount of growth; the supporting characters are also well-written and relatable.
The author truly brings the landscape to life, so much so that I really want to take a trip there and visit all the places, like the arboretum; just like J R R Tolkien did.
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