Sorrow Spring

by Olivia Isaac-Henry

Chilling and uncanny folk suspense in a novel of twisted sisterhood and dark secrets. She thought arriving there was bad enough.
Then she tried to run away…

1978. When teenager Rina Pine is dumped by her hippy mother in the parochial village of Sorrow Spring, and forced to live with her aged aunt, Agatha Pine, she doesn’t think things can get any worse.
There she finds a community beholden to the past, and a village in the grip of a close-knit circle of older women who worship the local spring and its patron saint, all under the leadership of the formidable Agatha.
But when a child goes missing and a young mother is killed, Rina is drawn into the dark and sinister truth flowing through the sacred waters that give the place its name. Rina is about to learn what it truly means to be a daughter of Sorrow Spring…

Genres: Horror, Gothic, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

469 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2024

Reviews

[Ceecee · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1978 Prosperina Fuschia Pine, known as Rina, is dumped by her mother Lily in the village of Sorrow Springs to live with her aged and taciturn Aunt Agatha. It’s a strange place to say the least and Rina is frightened on more than one occasion by what she sees. As she is still quite young and naive much of what she learns is incomprehensible to her.

In 2019 Rina’s niece Cate begins a search for an aunt she knows nothing about. Is her father Emesh confused or does Rina actually exist? What will she discover?

I find this to be slow at the start and it takes a while for me to get into it. What happens to Rina and what Cate learns is interesting, taking the storytelling into strange sisterhood territory, known as The Sistren. There are traditions, omens, rooks aplenty, folklore and more earthly interventions. A strong sense of the sinister does come across which Rina’s Aunt Agatha definitely adds to. For a lot of the plot line there’s a feeling that something dreadful is going to happen and it usually does.

Although I like the premise, I think the novel is way too long and if I’m honest, a certain amount of boredom sets in chiefly because it’s all pretty much the same theme. What I absolutely can’t get my head around is the HUGE amount of dialogue especially in the 1978 timeline. There’s way too much in my opinion. The 2019 narrative flows much better and there’s a good mystery here. As for the ending, well, that’s a rapid turnaround in thinking and I’ll say no more!

Overall, it’s a mixed bag read for me with some good parts where I’m engaged and enjoying it and other sections which drag.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

[Myra King]

I really struggled with this book, unfortunately.

I understand what the author was going for, however, I don't think it was executed well enough.

It was way too long for a start. I lost interest two thirds of the way in but continued to read out of desire to know the end, rather than genuine enjoyment.

I just couldn't connect with any of the characters. I can't think of one who I was rooting for. Maybe the rook that was caught in the cage. I hoped the best for him.

There was too much emphasis on pointless topics, and not enough of the actual folklore.

Also, making the lead character a child was a stupid mistake. I couldn't suspend disbelief that far.

I think there should have been a few more content edits before the printing press.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️
If you start this book and think it is slow going and just a bit boring, do persevere because it does perk up and become quite addictive after about a third of the way in. I listened to a lot of this on Audible and was engrossed as I sorted through boxes of Christmas decorations🎄 It would have been a 4⭐️ read but the ending was slightly annoying, so I knocked off a quarter star, but it is an interesting folk horror mystery.

[Kelly (Little.shropshire.reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorrow spring centres around Rina, a 12 year old girl. Her mum brings her to live with her aunt in Sorrow Spring and doesn't come back for her. Felling abandoned and alone, she quickly notices all is not what it seems. With whispered conversations, locked doors, and strange disappearances, Rina is determined to find out what is going on and why she has been brought here.

A slow-burn, dual timeline that switches from 1978 and 2019. I struggled to get into this story. i found the pacing way too slow for me. For that reason, my attention to it wavered in the middle part. Nothing really comes together until the last third. Maybe if it was shorter, it may have compelled me to want to keep reading more, I don't know. From the beginning, you do get the sense of something sinister looming in the distance. I just wanted it to be darker, more creepy, with more suspense, to grip and draw me into it.

I did like the story in general. It's cloaked in mystery, folklore, and rituals. A creepy, close-knit village, where outsiders are not welcome. A group of women known as the Sistren keep the community safe from harm. Shrouded in secrecy that goes back years and years.

It's worth reading for the folklore and seeing what years of traditions can do to people and the lengths they will go to. I just wanted more.

Thank you, Netgalley and Harper Collins UK, for my ARC.
My opinions are my own.

[Bethany Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorrow Spring by Olivia Isaac-Henry is a gripping thriller that transports readers into the unsettling and ominous world of Sorrow Spring - an isolated community held captive by its past, led by a close-knit circle of older women, known as the Sistren.

Plot Overview:
The novel unfolds through a dual timeline. In 2019, we follow Cate, who embarks on a reluctant journey at her father Emesh's request, searching for her estranged aunt Rina - whom no one believes even exists due to the lack of items like a birth certificate, passport or even photographs. Despite her doubts, Cate agrees to the road trip, hoping to ease her ailing father's mind. The second timeline takes us back to 1978, where we follow Rina's experience when she is mysteriously sent to live at Sorrow Spring with her Aunt Agatha, who also happens to be the leader of the Sistren. As soon as Rina arrives, the village's sinister atmosphere begins to creep in, with its traditions, folklore, and eerie omens intensifying the sense of dread.

Writing and Atmosphere:
From the very beginning, Isaac-Henry masterfully weaves a palpable sense of mystery and unease throughout the novel. The eerie setting of Sorrow Spring is the perfect backdrop for the strange and disturbing events that unfold. The author skilfully incorporates twists and a touch of gore, which amplifies the sinister tone of the story. However, at 430 pages, the novel's length and occasional pacing issues pulled me out of the story on more than one occasion.

Characters:
The characters in Sorrow Spring are well-crafted, each bringing their own unique personality to the table. Their complex relationships add depth to the story, creating a sense of tension and leavers the readers not knowing who can be trusted, which certainly kept me on edge! Agatha, in particular, stands out as a poignant character who embodies the village's dark and twisted traditions, adding to the overall atmosphere of the book. The dynamic between Cate and Rina’s storylines works well, and their respective journeys are central to the narrative, driving the story forward as the layers of mystery are gradually peeled back.

Final Thoughts:
Sorrow Spring by Olivia Isaac-Henry is a chilling thriller that excels in creating an eerie and unsettling atmosphere. The dual timeline and well-crafted characters keep the reader engaged, though the novel's length and pacing could have been tighter. Despite these minor drawbacks, the story’s twists, the palpable sense of dread, and the dark secrets of Sorrow Spring make it a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers. If you enjoy a mix of the occult, folklore, mystery, and a touch of horror, Sorrow Spring is a book worth exploring.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are few tropes I love more than those associated with folk horror. A stranger arriving in a rural and isolated village, somewhat lost to time, where the locals practice mysterious rites and are beholden to the “old ways”. And that is why Sorrow Spring made me deliriously happy.

This book has every folk horror element I love and that is often hard to find. A blending of thriller and horror novel, I enjoyed it immensely and found it to be the perfect summertime read. It started out a little slow, but it hardly mattered to me as I felt like I was gradually being introduced to the mystery of Sorrow Spring alongside Rina. And as secrets the of the town and the ominous Sistren slowly reveal themselves, I became completely immersed in the unfolding darkness.
If you are curious about folk horror this would be good book to start with. It completely encapsulates the genre and is a compelling and enjoyable read.

[Leigh✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Martin Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

proper page-turner. really enjoyed it

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Mel (CrazyforBooksandCoffee) · Rating 3 out of 5]

1978. When teenager Rina Pine is dumped by her mother in the village of Sorrow Spring, and forced to live with her aunt, Agatha Pine, she doesn’t think things can get any worse. But when a child goes missing and a young mother is killed, Rina is drawn into the dark and sinister truth flowing through the sacred waters that give the place its name. Rina is about to learn what it truly means to be a daughter of Sorrow Spring.

I had such high hopes for this book but it just fell a little flat for me. I didn't connect with the characters and wasn't drawn in by the plot. I felt it was too long and repetitive in parts and dragged out. This isn't a bad book just not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley,Harper Collins UK and Olivia Isaac-Henry for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah Festa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her views on men were contradictory . On one hand, they were lustful, unclean and never to be trusted. On the other, they were to be deferred to and respected. Women in a ‘man’s’ role.

This had a very, very, slow start and honestly I nearly dnf'd it but I stuck with it and just under half way through the mystery really grabbed me and I was eagerly flipping the pages to find out what we would discover next.

It was a little hard at times seeing through the eyes of a child as I think some of the perspective and language was off but I guess that was the point.

I personally didn't like the ending and some of the choices on the lead up to the ending but I think that is a personal thing for me.

Overall, I liked the writing style and once the mystery solving really kicked in I was sold but I think perhaps some of the initial pages could have been edited down as I would have enjoyed getting to this part sooner.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story:
When Rina’s mother leaves her with her mysterious, frightening and previously unknown Aunt Agatha at her home in the village of Sorrow Spring in the summer of 1978, she tells her she’ll be back for her by Christmas.

But the longer Rina spends in Sorrow Spring, the more she realises all is not as it seems, with strange customs that appear to be directly connected to her and her family… Her aunt is the leader of a group of village women known as the Sistren. Outwardly, they seem to be a typical group of village busybodies. But is there more to their traditions than good works and church events? Why do village boys seem to be going missing? And might Rina herself be in danger?

My thoughts:
We are properly into autumn now in the UK, which makes it the perfect time to start reading spooky stories!

“Sorrow Spring” by Olivia Isaac-Henry is a duel-timeline novel that moves between the summer of 1978, and the arrival of Prosperina Fuchsia Pine (Rina) in the village of Sorrow Spring, and 2019, and her niece Cate’s search for an aunt she didn’t know she had.

On the cusp of her thirteenth birthday, Rina is left by her mother at the house of her Aunt Agatha; and while she claims she’ll be back for her ‘soon’, it’s not long before Rina realises she’s stuck there. But why would her mother do such a thing? Aunt Agatha soon makes it clear that their family, the Pines, have an important role in the village, in particular related to the village’s annual festival focused on St Faran. But what this is and why it affects Rina only gradually becomes clear as the story plays out, and Rina’s suspicions become a terrifying reality.

In 2019, Cate Pine-Hewson had no idea she even had an Aunt Rina. Raised by her father and grandmother (Rina’s brother and mother), she only discovers this when her father, seriously ill after suffering a stroke, begs Cate to find her. This leads Cate on a path back to Sorrow Spring, and back into the dangers that are still just as deadly 40 years on…

This book was just my sort of read, with its mysterious and spooky plot, and the way the author gradually reveals what is really going on. For much of the book you’re not certain how much is real, and how much is a 13-year old’s imagination, especially one who enjoys reading books like Agatha Christie’s "The Pale Horse"! Revelations come thick and fast in the last quarter of the book, and the ending was both satisfying and left me fearing for the next generation in Sorrow Spring! A perfect autumnal read to get you ready for spooky season!

[Bucks, Books & Beyond · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a first chapter this book has! Someone, identity unknown at this point, is hiding in the woods plotting the assassination of an old drunk man known as 'Sun'. You can feel the hatred this unknown individual has for Sun dripping off the page, but why? What has Sun done to deserve the gruesome fate that awaits him? This chapter sets the scene perfectly for what becomes a dark, atmospheric and compelling read.

We are then taken back to 2019 with Cate's timeline. she is describing her family situation and someone called Rina is her aunt but she's never met her. In fact, no one has met her, and only her father is adamant of Rina's existence. To everyone else her father was an only child.

We then go to 1978 and follow Rina's timeline, age 12, living in a commune in Wroxwood but mysteriously taken to the small village of Sorrow Spring by her mother and left with her Aunt Agatha as part of some sort of agreement. Aunt Agatha lives in a huge house on her own but on Rina's first night staying with her aunt, she overhears a conversation between her Aunt and a mysterious late night visitor. The conversation is very cryptic and clearly was not for Rina's ears but left me with an abundance of questions and a sick feeling in my stomach that there was definitely something very sinister at play here.

This is a very dark and sinister read from the start, exploring how ancient traditions in small towns can go horribly wrong. There is no big dramatic shock moments, but more that subtle sense of unease that runs through the pages as the story progresses. The author brilliantly portrayed the desperation of Rina and the intensity of her desperation as the story progressed. I was really rooting for Rina to have a positive outcome from it all.

Although most of the book is told in the 1978 timeline following Rina, I was really intrigued to see how the author was going to merge the 1978 timeline with the 2019 timeline and Cate to bring the story to a conclusion. My only criticism is the book is quite long in my opinion for the story being told. I felt perhaps the story could have been condensed to make the narrative and pacing tighter. But this doesn't take away the fact this was a great read.

This book is a perfect dark sinister read now the nights are drawing in and the temperatures are dropping. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a story with a deep sense of unease running through the pages.

[Lydia Omodara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1978, twelve-year-old Rina finds herself unceremoniously dumped in the tiny, isolated village of Sorrow Spring, her mother informing her that she will be staying with her formidable aunt, Agatha, for the foreseeable future. It isn't long before Rina starts to notice strange goings on afoot in Sorrow Spring - and her aunt seems to be at the centre of them. 

Years later, Cate's sick father confesses that he had a sister who disappeared when they were children. Cate - still unconvinced as to whether or not this aunt who has never been mentioned before actually exists - sets off for the last place her father says Rina was seen - Sorrow Spring. 
In this folk suspense tale, author Olivia Isaac-Henry crafts an eerie setting in Sorrow Spring, a village whose very name is suggestive of anguish. It takes a surprising length of time for Rina to start seriously questioning some of the unusual ritual and behaviour she witnesses, which Isaac-Henry attempts to explain away by reminding the reader that she has grown up in a commune and so has no bar for normal behaviour to compare it to. Once Rina does start to piece together what is happening, the tension and sense of foreboding ratchets up as she (and the reader) wonders who she can really trust among the mysterious outsiders, commanding vicars and a host of old ladies along the spectrum from dippy but affable to menacing. 

Although there were parts of the novel which really gripped me, overall I didn't feel that the storyline lived up to the promise of the setting, and I was underwhelmed by the ending. I just wanted the author to go darker, even if it meant things were left more open-ended. Additionally, while the Sorrow Spring of 1978 is richly described and peopled by a host of interesting major and minor characters, the 2019 timeline feels a lot less vivid, the characters thinly drawn and with unclear motivations in several instances. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

[Annette Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorrow Spring by Olivia Isaac-Henry is a tense slow burning tale with strong folk horror vibes that make it perfect reading as we head towards the darker evenings of Winter. With clever use of dual timelines the author creates a wonderfully atmospheric story designed to keep the reader on the edge of their seat as the truth about what happened in the small village of Sorrow Spring in 1978 is finally revealed.
In 1978 teenage Rina is abandoned by her mother in the remote village of Sorrow Spring , left to live with her elderly and rather peculiar aunt. From the beginning something seems off, and as she learns more about the mysterious sisterhood of village women and their strange rituals she becomes more and more concerned. When a local boy she has befriended goes missing and she witnesses another ritual that truly horrifies her she desperately tries to escape.
In 2019 Cate has been asked by her father to try to find out what happened to his sister Rina who disappeared thirty years before. As she tries to unravel the secrets and mysteries of the past she may learn more than she ever bargained for, and could bring terrible danger to her doorstep.
While much of the book is focussed on Rina's timeline, I was intrigued to see how the author would bring both timelines together, and I think it was largely successful, even if it felt a little rushed, especially in comparison to the much slower pace of the rest of the book. I liked how the author wove elements of medical technology that were in the news in the time period she was describing into the story, and thought it worked well as a contrast to the religion and folklore based mythology.
This is a book for folk horror fans who like a slower paced story and are willing to let it unfold and take them in unexpected directions.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

[Tim Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

A real mixed bag, the curate's egg.
On the positive side, I did find myself investing in the key characters and the mix of personalities worked really well. Although it's a well-trod theme the author crafted the details well making it quite convincing, but it was always going to be difficult to break from the orbit of the Wicker Man or Harvest Home.
The bits I struggled with (and this might just be me) I really had a hard time to lock on to a visual image of the main protagonists. Rina, she yo-yoed in my head between appearing as the younger Alice of Lewis Carroll and Katniss Everdeen, although we knew what her age was, it was that awkward juncture of childhood and adulthood (which I suppose was the point). But just what DID she look like?
This wasn't helped by the limping on of the early to middle section where it seemed to be a cross between Ann of Green gables and Denis Wheatley. Simpering teenage love interest was distracting me throughout (like The Hunger Games).
Why the weird names? Either go full-on Charles Dickens or give solid reasons that the readers have to work out. I see the Hippy thing, but even then they wouldn't have been so obtuse, Lullaby, Fletcher Son etc. I found the names rocks in the road to trip over.
The time changes were very oddly spaced. Chapter after chapter of Rina and then, out of nowhere the return to the current day. My feeling is that they should have been scattered around to almost create cliff-hanger chapter endings.
I laughed out loud at what I am going to call the 'Star Wars' moment, even more so because it involved a character called 'Luke'!
On Luke; calling him 'Luke Glebe', I know what the origin of the word 'Glebe' is... is it perhaps evidence of the author's cleverness with names, and I missed it?
Would I read another book by this author? Definitely!
Despite what sounds like criticism, I think there is an acute imagination in this book that is worth investing in.
I really wanted to give it a higher star rating.

[Rudrashree Makwana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has been told in dual timelines. This is a folk horror with secrets, mystery, suspense and buried truth. The setting of the sorrow spring is so eerie. It took me a while to get into this book but once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down.

In 1978, Rina was abandoned and had no choice but to live with her Aunt in the isolated village. But the more time she spend with her elderly Aunt, the more secrets she gets to know about the village. A mother is being killed and the child goes missing, the women beholding past and something is so powerful and unbelievable about the powers of local spring. Local people of village believes in many things Rina is oblivious to.

While in 2019, Cate, Rina’s niece is looking for her and trying to find out all about the family secrets and dark secrets the village is harbouring. The more she digs in the past, the more secrets unravels and secrets come out.

This was an engaging read about horror folklore, traditions, secrets, sisterhood, unthinkable happenings and buried truth. You will definitely like this book if you like dual timeline and folk horror filled with mystery, secrets and mysterious characters.

Thanks to the Publisher

[Lisa Tristram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this ARC. My thoughts are my own.

To be honest, when I started this book, I wasn't too sure what was going to happen....a few chapters in, and I couldn't put it down.

It's not an author I've heard of before, so I was a bit nervous if it was going to be my cup of tea.

How to describe this book horror, supernarural,mystery, folk lore/historical is a mixture of everything.

Nothing is given away about where the story is heading.....a girl is dumped off at her Aunts house in a village....no explanation of why and if her mum's going to return....we like the child are left wondering what's going on and how could a mum do this..
Slowly buy surely the story unravels...and just when you think everything has been explained another twist hits you.

If you like a book with twists and turns, this is your book ....I hope this gets the publicity it deserves as it was such a grabbing book that will definitely be looking into more books by this author.

[SurakaJaneBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO SPOILERS

Olivia Isaac-Henry’s Sorrow Spring is an atmospheric masterpiece that will grip you from the very first page and won’t let go.

Fans of classic cult horror such as The Wicker Man or eerie stories reminiscent of The Midwich Cuckoos will find this book so utterly captivating. It’s a perfect spine-chilling blend of gothic horror and thriller that although burns slowly, will keep you hooked to the end.

From the second you step into the strange and haunting village of Sorrow Spring, you feel like you’ve been plunged into a world that feels timeless and unsettling.
The small, tight-knit community at the heart of the story is heavily steeped in mystery, and it quickly becomes apparent that there is more to this place than meets the eye.

With every chapter, the sense of dread intensifies as the village’s secrets slowly start to unravel, which left me feeling both intrigued and on edge. (With shivers)

What truly makes Sorrow Spring shine is Isaac-Henry's way of creating an eerie atmosphere. Those gothic undertones, combined with a suffocating sense of isolation, set the perfect backdrop for a story that is filled with suspense, occult happenings, and a touch of gory horror. The tension builds steadily until you reach the ending that is as unexpected as it is satisfying.

This one is a must-read for anyone who loves creepy cult stories, eerie landscapes, and dark, mysterious plots. It’s the kind of book that begs to be read on a stormy October night, the rain smashing down outside as you turn page after page, unable to stop. You will be left with unsettling sense of unease that lingers long after the final page, Sorrow Spring is a perfect autumn read for fans of horror and thrillers alike.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

[G · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gave this book two tries, because, you know, folk horror blah blah blah; failed epically both times. The writing is simply terrible, IMO. Things are so slow I found myself doing basically anything (cleaning the dryer's lint screen... taking care of the recycling...) just so I didn't have to go back to reading; not exactly a good sign, especially as this thing drags on for almost 500 pages -- kill me now.
Also, there's a child character who calls his mum not Mum, nor Lily (as is her given name), he calls her Lullaby (insert Puke Emoji here). I don't know about you, but I refuse to spend time in the company of people like this, even if they're fictional.
A hard, unapologetic and decisive DNF for me. This book is being permanently deleted as we speak.

My thanks to Netgalley for an eARC, but this was just... no.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This feels a bit of a sleeper book. The blurb sounded interesting enough, but it falls well short of what awaits. It does lean more into the occult than I expected, but as a fan of that I was more than happy, and it managed it while keeping some very good thrilleresque twists. The ancient rites are flavour for the story rather than a crutch it leans, it remains a thriller first and foremost. And the story is strong and enjoyable, but the book truly shines with the characters. They bring such atmosphere to this story! When the big events happens the characters bristle with personality. These are powerful women who could stare down any threat and the writing captures that so well.

A good read for anyone who enjoys strong female characters and some good rituals in hooded robes!

[Trina Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rina has grown up in a commune with her mum and brother, but when she comes of age her mother sends her to live with Aunt Agatha in Sorrow Springs. It's 1978 but Sorrow Springs female residents are still following paganistic rituals and the legend of St Faran. It's soon made clear to Rina that she's the next leader of the Sistren. But their believes are abhorrent to Rina and she vows to make her escape. But once you're in Sorrow Spring its impossible to leave.
On the whole I enjoyed this novel, its certainly atmospheric with a strong leaning to paganism and sacrificial offerings. I can't help feeling it was a little to long though and I found it slow and slight repetitive in places. However it was a solid read with strong if not dubious characters

[Sarah Bloomfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to netgalley, the author and Harper Collins for approving my request to read this book.

I've not heard of this particular author before but the books title and cover really caught my eye and the synopsis really grabbed my attention.

Sorrow Spring centres around a young girl called Rina who is left by her mother to live with her aunt in an eerie village which is shrouded in mystery and intrigue and a very strange, close knit community.

Dark, brooding, atmospheric and deliciously creepy this book was right up my street and I thoroughly enjoyed how it all unravelled. I also thought it was well written and I loved the character development throughout.

I will definitely be recommending this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

[Jay Dwight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Atmospheric read.

Two time lines - 1978 and 2019.
In 1978, Prosperina (Rina) Pine is taken by her mother from her commune life and left to live with her Aunt in the village of Sorrow Spring. Rina doesn't like her new life, thinks it's temporary and can't wait to return to her immediate family. However, she soon learns Sorrow Springs is a place she can't leave, her bloodline means there's a destiny she needs to fulfil.

In 2019, Catherine Pine is asked by her dying father to find his long lost sister Rina, a sister Catherine never knew her father had.

Sorrow Springs is a town of secrets and mystery. The story is a slow reveal that keeps you keen to keep reading to find out what is going on in this strange little village.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was somewhat confused by this novel - what appeared to be an exploration of folklore seemed to become a story of violence and murder. There were interesting parts but I think it was too drawn out and lost its way.
Men were to be deferred to but then were only a necessary evil and the women were the important characters.
Aunt Agatha was a strong character who would be obeyed and followed at all costs who then caved in to Rina.
Rina was the frightened girl who matured and became the voice of reason who then caved in to the pressure of others. Conflicting characters!
Sorry, not consistent enough for me although there were some interesting sections.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Olivia Isaac-Henry/HarperCollins UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

[4cats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third novel from Olivia Isaac-Henry, her first 2 being crime novels. You can see this crime element in her Sorrow Spring which is more of a folk horror read with an element of crime. The narrative moves from the past to the present, however the main story is set in the late 70's and focuses on Rina a 12 year old girl who finds herself being handed over by her mother to her Aunt who lives in Sorrow Spring. Even at a young age Rina can tell things aren't quite right in this isolated village. This was an easy read, short chapters help drive the narrative. Something about it reminded me of The Wicker Man, the hidden village, the dark secrets and Rina being abandoned to the sinister villagers.

[Heidi Marie Crowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author was very good at creating lots of mini mysteries within the big mystery. I ended up finishing the book within three days because I was so impatient for answers. Beautiful writing style too.

I was interested by the author's choice to make Rina so young, and not an older teenager. Her naivety made for some interesting interpretations of the things that were happening around her, although I also felt like her deduction skills were too good for a 12/13-year old at times.

The ending was also not what I initially expected, but that was half the fun of it. I knew some unexpected twists were coming because that was just the aura that the book exuded from the start.

I have already recommended this book to friends!

[Gilly-Tamar K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book I found that I couldn’t put it down This is brilliant folk but also has elements of crime within it pages. This novel is large set in two timelines 1978 and the present.

Sorrow Spring is a village of dark secrets And a sisterhood guarding something sinister that goes back hundreds of years. Within the sisterhood there is rivalry in jealousy get despite this they all recognise the need to act the way they do.

What I enjoyed about the book as well with that in the 1978 timeline it brought up the current affairs of the time and likewise with the present timeline.

I like the conclusion at the end. It was a little twist. I wasn’t expecting. This is quite a big thick book of over 400 pages for every page was worth turning for the next.

[Hannah Sherrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well written atmospheric folk tale had me gripped right from the start!

In 1978, twelve year old Rina is taken by her mother away from the commune where she grew up with her brother and is left with an older aunt that she has never met in the isolated village of Sorrow Spring.

Mystery and horror unfurls and I enjoyed the tense slow burn that Olivia Isaac-Henry delivers. The character development was incredibly well done and it’s a great page turner full of twists and drama that left me unable to put it down!

Thank you Harper Collins for the ARC, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and fully recommend it to those who enjoy a dark and gripping read.

[Tim Rideout · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘… a deep-seated unease nags at the corners of my mind.’

Evoking BBC folk-horror plays ‘Robin Redbreast’ and ‘Penda’s Fen’, Olivia Isaac-Henry takes us back to the late 1970s, with a visit to the uneasy and unsettling community of Sorrow Spring.

Thirteen year-old Rina finds Sorrow Spring to be a place of entrapment, seething tension and violence, associated with a pagan tradition that goes back to the seventeenth century. Her exploration of the community’s dark heart exposes her to unresolved traumas and an obsessive focus on retaining power at all costs.

A superbly chilling and atmospheric novel.