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The Empty Cradle
Amy's so sure that her husband, Joel, is deeply invested in their future together. After all, it's his dream of a family together that has them trying so hard to have a baby, despite a series of disappointments. It's this certainty that leaves Amy absolutely floored when she learns of Joel's affair with her best friend.Heartbroken and horrified, Amy flees to a dilapidated cottage in a Yorkshire village, a place she'd bought with dreams of making it feel homey and warm. In the new village, she feels like a clear outsider, but a group of local women soon take her under their wing. They gather for a routine book club, they say. Before Amy knows it, these women are in her life, and in her home. Amy wakes one night to find herself outside in the fields. Strange offerings seem to be left on her doorstep. And the surveillance camera she installs shows shapes creeping around her house in the night. Strangest of all, she suddenly finds she's pregnant. A pregnancy that feels like a cruel joke. The book club is incredibly invested in Amy's pregnancy. And it might just be in Amy's mind, but the women's interest doesn't always seem safe. What do the women want with her? And what do they want with her baby?
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2025
19 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 29, 2025
Huge thanks you to the team at Random Things Tours for having me on the book tour for The Empty Cradle by Lisa Rookes.
“The Empty Cradle” managed to really intrigue me and surprise me. I certainly didn’t expect such a level of spookiness.
Amy finds herself moving into a new house after her husband and best friend betray her in the most upsetting way. She makes friends with a group of older women instantly and everything feels like falling into place. Until some bizarre things start happening around her that make her feel a bit unsettled. Then she finds out she is pregnant, but the dates are not adding up. And the strangest thing is that this group of women start to become a little bit too protective over her and her unborn baby. Especially her unborn baby.
The town is eerie, and so are its residents. As soon as Amy steps foot into the town, we can feel something shift. This story is a perfect pick during the Halloween season. It has enough mystery and suspense to make you wonder what the hell is going on, but also enough plot twists to keep you entertained. I coldly recommend it (pun intended).
The only part I struggled with is Amy’s gullibility. There are so many creepy things that happen to her in such a short time, and she is just oblivious to it all, which I found slightly concerning and couldn’t quite come to terms with. If it was me, I would have panicked by day three. But she decided to just shrug her shoulders to it all. That aside, it was such a lovely book!
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“The Empty Cradle” managed to really intrigue me and surprise me. I certainly didn’t expect such a level of spookiness.
Amy finds herself moving into a new house after her husband and best friend betray her in the most upsetting way. She makes friends with a group of older women instantly and everything feels like falling into place. Until some bizarre things start happening around her that make her feel a bit unsettled. Then she finds out she is pregnant, but the dates are not adding up. And the strangest thing is that this group of women start to become a little bit too protective over her and her unborn baby. Especially her unborn baby.
The town is eerie, and so are its residents. As soon as Amy steps foot into the town, we can feel something shift. This story is a perfect pick during the Halloween season. It has enough mystery and suspense to make you wonder what the hell is going on, but also enough plot twists to keep you entertained. I coldly recommend it (pun intended).
The only part I struggled with is Amy’s gullibility. There are so many creepy things that happen to her in such a short time, and she is just oblivious to it all, which I found slightly concerning and couldn’t quite come to terms with. If it was me, I would have panicked by day three. But she decided to just shrug her shoulders to it all. That aside, it was such a lovely book!
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August 14, 2025
Amy and Joel are happily married and trying for a baby. But then Amy discovers betrayal of the very worst kind and escapes to a dilapidated cottage on the Lancashire and Yorkshire borders with a plan to restore it and bring it back to life. When she arrives there she feels lost and lonely, but a welcoming group of local women quickly draw her in and lift her spirits.
However it’s not long before odd things start to happen. Iron scissors are left around her house, lumps of meat left at her door. A strange man keeps following her. The elderly neighbour wants to tell her something but can’t. And then Amy learns she is pregnant. Luckily her new friends are there to support and comfort her, despite Amy’s emotional turmoil. They’ll do anything they can to help keep her baby safe. Anything.
Well! I love a creepy read and that’s exactly what I got here. The Empty Cradle is full of suspicion and menace and had me utterly transfixed. The references to witchcraft and folklore are so chilling and there’s a terrifying sense of foreboding and apprehension which builds throughout the story, meaning my heart was racing more often than not.
Written in the first person, in a linear style, with short snappy paragraphs, makes this an absolute dream of a book to read - or should that be nightmare? (cackles evilly 👹)
Although I’ve read this at the height of summer I reckon this would be even more perfect for Halloween. So if you like your stories spooky and sinister then you need this one in your life. Autumn is just round the corner (boooo 😭) and as the nights start to draw in this is the ideal companion.
However it’s not long before odd things start to happen. Iron scissors are left around her house, lumps of meat left at her door. A strange man keeps following her. The elderly neighbour wants to tell her something but can’t. And then Amy learns she is pregnant. Luckily her new friends are there to support and comfort her, despite Amy’s emotional turmoil. They’ll do anything they can to help keep her baby safe. Anything.
Well! I love a creepy read and that’s exactly what I got here. The Empty Cradle is full of suspicion and menace and had me utterly transfixed. The references to witchcraft and folklore are so chilling and there’s a terrifying sense of foreboding and apprehension which builds throughout the story, meaning my heart was racing more often than not.
Written in the first person, in a linear style, with short snappy paragraphs, makes this an absolute dream of a book to read - or should that be nightmare? (cackles evilly 👹)
Although I’ve read this at the height of summer I reckon this would be even more perfect for Halloween. So if you like your stories spooky and sinister then you need this one in your life. Autumn is just round the corner (boooo 😭) and as the nights start to draw in this is the ideal companion.
August 21, 2025
Wow. This book did not go the way I thought it would and I loved it. I couldn’t put it down.
The Empty Cradle is a dark, atmospheric read that follows Amy, the main character who has recently moved to a run down cottage in Lancashire with plans to renovate. But things just don’t go to plan..
There are references to folklore and witchcraft which I think adds to the eerie effect. It’s fast paced and at times terrifying.
I really liked the length of the chapters, it kept me wanting to read more. There was also a plot twist that absolutely caught me off guard and that ending.. wow!
Ps I could have gone my whole life without knowing what a rat king is…
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys an eerie thriller with folklore laced throughout.
Overall I give this 5 stars!
The Empty Cradle is a dark, atmospheric read that follows Amy, the main character who has recently moved to a run down cottage in Lancashire with plans to renovate. But things just don’t go to plan..
There are references to folklore and witchcraft which I think adds to the eerie effect. It’s fast paced and at times terrifying.
I really liked the length of the chapters, it kept me wanting to read more. There was also a plot twist that absolutely caught me off guard and that ending.. wow!
Ps I could have gone my whole life without knowing what a rat king is…
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys an eerie thriller with folklore laced throughout.
Overall I give this 5 stars!
September 17, 2025
Amy has just moved to the village of Cragg Heath in Yorkshire, but something isn’t right. Who is following her and are the book club everything they appear to be?
I have always wanted to live in a small village and be part of a book club but after reading this book I might reconsider that wish. I really enjoyed this book. I would describe the storyline as a cross between the thriller and horror genre. It was haunting, intense, eerie and spooky at times.
The main character and narrator of the story is Amy. Amy has just discovered that her marriage is not what she thought it was. She and her husband Joel were trying for a baby when Amy discovers that Joel was having affair with her best friend Vix. So when she receives a notification about the cottage in Cragg Heath in a small village in Yorkshire it feels like fate. Cragg Heath is a tight knit community and it seems like the perfect place to escape to while Amy decides what to do with her life next. However, things quickly turn weird and Amy doesn’t realise what she has let herself in for. She starts seeing figures, hearing strange noises, strange offerings are left for her and she is being stalked by a man that no one else in the village has seen or can identify. Then she discovers she is pregnant but something doesn’t add up. As the story progressed I started to get a really uneasy feeling not only about the village but also its inhabitants because it felt like there were a lot of secrets being kept from Amy and no one was as they seemed. Especially the book club.
The story was so cleverly written that at times it was difficult to tell whether these things were actually happening to Amy or if it was her imagination working overtime. There were some scenes which were really creepy especially those where Amy was seeing figures on the ring doorbell. That scene was so vividly written that I felt like I was seeing what Amy was seeing. I had an idea of where the story was going but there was a big plot twist I wasn’t expecting. I had to read the ending twice as I was in complete disbelief.
This would be a good read for the spooky season.
I have always wanted to live in a small village and be part of a book club but after reading this book I might reconsider that wish. I really enjoyed this book. I would describe the storyline as a cross between the thriller and horror genre. It was haunting, intense, eerie and spooky at times.
The main character and narrator of the story is Amy. Amy has just discovered that her marriage is not what she thought it was. She and her husband Joel were trying for a baby when Amy discovers that Joel was having affair with her best friend Vix. So when she receives a notification about the cottage in Cragg Heath in a small village in Yorkshire it feels like fate. Cragg Heath is a tight knit community and it seems like the perfect place to escape to while Amy decides what to do with her life next. However, things quickly turn weird and Amy doesn’t realise what she has let herself in for. She starts seeing figures, hearing strange noises, strange offerings are left for her and she is being stalked by a man that no one else in the village has seen or can identify. Then she discovers she is pregnant but something doesn’t add up. As the story progressed I started to get a really uneasy feeling not only about the village but also its inhabitants because it felt like there were a lot of secrets being kept from Amy and no one was as they seemed. Especially the book club.
The story was so cleverly written that at times it was difficult to tell whether these things were actually happening to Amy or if it was her imagination working overtime. There were some scenes which were really creepy especially those where Amy was seeing figures on the ring doorbell. That scene was so vividly written that I felt like I was seeing what Amy was seeing. I had an idea of where the story was going but there was a big plot twist I wasn’t expecting. I had to read the ending twice as I was in complete disbelief.
This would be a good read for the spooky season.
October 6, 2025
Overall I really enjoyed this, but was a bit irked by some ?editing issues? with the timeline which made it seem like a thing that I wondered about (which turned out to be crucial and true) couldn't be the case because the timing was ten years out, and similar issues.
August 6, 2025
With The Empty Cradle, Lisa Rookes narrates the story of Amy, who wakes up to the cheating of her husband Joel with her best friend, crushing her dreams of building a family. Amy floods with sorrow and retreats to a shabby little house in a remote village in Yorkshire to calm down and start over. There, she felt anything but welcome and instead felt lost and alone. Eventually, a group of local women invited Amy to partake in their book club; the invitation became less pleasant when Amy started noticing odd happenings, unexplained gifts left at her doorstep, shadows moving around her home, and an unplanned pregnancy that felt like the greatest joke. Concerned expressions toward Amy from these women make her feel increasingly tense because she is never really certain who she can trust.
Amy, after a journey from vulnerability and grief, finds herself in a life-and-death battle to regain control and security. The portrayal of her deep emotions is raw and real, distinguished by betrayal and loss. The supporting characters, especially those from within the village, possess an entirely different nature and can be viewed as either strong allies or serious threats. This delicate balance nurtures an uncertainty that pulls the reader further toward Amy's own development, making her strength and mounting paranoia feel all the more genuine and compelling.
Motherhood, guilt, trust, and betrayal create the novel's thematic fabric, illustrating the many pressures that arise for women around pregnancies and motherhood. This theme is intertwined with the dangers and advantages of living in a woman's community and shows an active participation in the discussions around women's autonomy and the yet unresolved fear of stepping into unfamiliar environments.
Lisa Rookes' unclouded yet suspenseful writing carries vivid imagery of the rural landscape in ever-tightening psychological tension: the balanced rhythm orchestrates movement from expected consolatory moments to active engagement of darker, threatening strands, piquing and sustaining reader interest without involuntary melodramatic displays.
Being a climate thick with isolation and unease, it recounts the discomfort of being vulnerable in an altered world. The Yorkshire countryside in places suggests brief moments of serenity while darkening the enigma and danger falling upon Amy.
The Empty Cradle certainly offers a riveting story with a new take on trust and community that stands out in today's arena of suspenseful tales. The emotional elements linger long after this one winds up, intertwining personal trauma with strange mystery in an intoxicating way.
3.5/5
Amy, after a journey from vulnerability and grief, finds herself in a life-and-death battle to regain control and security. The portrayal of her deep emotions is raw and real, distinguished by betrayal and loss. The supporting characters, especially those from within the village, possess an entirely different nature and can be viewed as either strong allies or serious threats. This delicate balance nurtures an uncertainty that pulls the reader further toward Amy's own development, making her strength and mounting paranoia feel all the more genuine and compelling.
Motherhood, guilt, trust, and betrayal create the novel's thematic fabric, illustrating the many pressures that arise for women around pregnancies and motherhood. This theme is intertwined with the dangers and advantages of living in a woman's community and shows an active participation in the discussions around women's autonomy and the yet unresolved fear of stepping into unfamiliar environments.
Lisa Rookes' unclouded yet suspenseful writing carries vivid imagery of the rural landscape in ever-tightening psychological tension: the balanced rhythm orchestrates movement from expected consolatory moments to active engagement of darker, threatening strands, piquing and sustaining reader interest without involuntary melodramatic displays.
Being a climate thick with isolation and unease, it recounts the discomfort of being vulnerable in an altered world. The Yorkshire countryside in places suggests brief moments of serenity while darkening the enigma and danger falling upon Amy.
The Empty Cradle certainly offers a riveting story with a new take on trust and community that stands out in today's arena of suspenseful tales. The emotional elements linger long after this one winds up, intertwining personal trauma with strange mystery in an intoxicating way.
3.5/5
November 7, 2025
📚The Empty Cradle
✍🏻Lisa Rookes
Blurb:
Amy's so sure that her husband, Joel, is deeply invested in their future together. After all, it's his dream of a family together that has them trying so hard to have a baby, despite a series of disappointments. It's this certainty that leaves Amy absolutely floored when she learns of Joel's affair with her best friend.Heartbroken and horrified, Amy flees to a dilapidated cottage in a Yorkshire village, a place she'd bought with dreams of making it feel homey and warm. In the new village, she feels like a clear outsider, but a group of local women soon take her under their wing. They gather for a routine book club, they say. Before Amy knows it, these women are in her life, and in her home. Amy wakes one night to find herself outside in the fields. Strange offerings seem to be left on her doorstep. And the surveillance camera she installs shows shapes creeping around her house in the night. Strangest of all, she suddenly finds she's pregnant. A pregnancy that feels like a cruel joke. The book club is incredibly invested in Amy's pregnancy. And it might just be in Amy's mind, but the women's interest doesn't always seem safe. What do the women want with her? And what do they want with her baby?
My Thoughts:
The Empty Cradle is a dark, atmospheric read that follows Amy, the main character who has recently moved to a run down cottage in Lancashire with plans to renovate. But things just don’t go to plan..Amy floods with sorrow and retreats to a shabby little house in a remote village in Yorkshire to calm down and start over. There, she felt anything but welcome and instead felt lost and alone. Eventually, a group of local women invited Amy to partake in their book club; the invitation became less pleasant when Amy started noticing odd happenings, unexplained gifts left at her doorstep, shadows moving around her home, and an unplanned pregnancy that felt like the greatest joke. Concerned expressions toward Amy from these women make her feel increasingly tense because she is never really certain who she can trust. I .was a little disappointed with the conclusion, it left me with some unanswered questions. I really enjoyed this book. I would describe the storyline as a cross between the thriller and horror genre. It was haunting, intense, eerie and spooky at times.
Thanks NetGalley, Orion publishing group and Author Lisa Rookes for the complimentary copy of "The Empty Cradle" I am leaving my review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#Orionpublishinggroup
#LisaRookes
#TheEmptyCradle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Lisa Rookes
Blurb:
Amy's so sure that her husband, Joel, is deeply invested in their future together. After all, it's his dream of a family together that has them trying so hard to have a baby, despite a series of disappointments. It's this certainty that leaves Amy absolutely floored when she learns of Joel's affair with her best friend.Heartbroken and horrified, Amy flees to a dilapidated cottage in a Yorkshire village, a place she'd bought with dreams of making it feel homey and warm. In the new village, she feels like a clear outsider, but a group of local women soon take her under their wing. They gather for a routine book club, they say. Before Amy knows it, these women are in her life, and in her home. Amy wakes one night to find herself outside in the fields. Strange offerings seem to be left on her doorstep. And the surveillance camera she installs shows shapes creeping around her house in the night. Strangest of all, she suddenly finds she's pregnant. A pregnancy that feels like a cruel joke. The book club is incredibly invested in Amy's pregnancy. And it might just be in Amy's mind, but the women's interest doesn't always seem safe. What do the women want with her? And what do they want with her baby?
My Thoughts:
The Empty Cradle is a dark, atmospheric read that follows Amy, the main character who has recently moved to a run down cottage in Lancashire with plans to renovate. But things just don’t go to plan..Amy floods with sorrow and retreats to a shabby little house in a remote village in Yorkshire to calm down and start over. There, she felt anything but welcome and instead felt lost and alone. Eventually, a group of local women invited Amy to partake in their book club; the invitation became less pleasant when Amy started noticing odd happenings, unexplained gifts left at her doorstep, shadows moving around her home, and an unplanned pregnancy that felt like the greatest joke. Concerned expressions toward Amy from these women make her feel increasingly tense because she is never really certain who she can trust. I .was a little disappointed with the conclusion, it left me with some unanswered questions. I really enjoyed this book. I would describe the storyline as a cross between the thriller and horror genre. It was haunting, intense, eerie and spooky at times.
Thanks NetGalley, Orion publishing group and Author Lisa Rookes for the complimentary copy of "The Empty Cradle" I am leaving my review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#Orionpublishinggroup
#LisaRookes
#TheEmptyCradle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 7, 2025
Amy and Joel have been trying for a baby but so far they aren't having any success. Then out of the blue Amy finds that Joel has been having an affair with her best friend Vix. Naturally Amy is absolutely devastated and feels utterly betrayed. She decides to flee to the Lancashire/ Yorkshire borders to a cottage she intends to renovate. Cragg Heath is a small village steeped in history and folklore. The cottage is one of three up on the cragg overlooking the village. It's in quite a sorry state and will need a total renovation. But Amy is just glad to get away, that is until strange things start to happen to her....
The empty cradle was an atmospheric and creepy read, perfect for the spooky season. With references to witchcraft and folklore it was just the kind of story to pull me in. With wonderful descriptions of the area, and the isolation. There's a deep uneasy feeling that builds slowly as the story goes on and I had absolutely no idea where it was leading. Was Amy's mind playing tricks on her, was it all in her imagination, or was it real?
I had intended to give this a solid 5* as I did enjoy the book but was a little disappointed with the conclusion, it left me with some unanswered questions. Still very worthy of a read.
The empty cradle was an atmospheric and creepy read, perfect for the spooky season. With references to witchcraft and folklore it was just the kind of story to pull me in. With wonderful descriptions of the area, and the isolation. There's a deep uneasy feeling that builds slowly as the story goes on and I had absolutely no idea where it was leading. Was Amy's mind playing tricks on her, was it all in her imagination, or was it real?
I had intended to give this a solid 5* as I did enjoy the book but was a little disappointed with the conclusion, it left me with some unanswered questions. Still very worthy of a read.
August 26, 2025
This was so good. I’m not sure how a story could be scary, creepy, and really funny at the same time. I think that’s because it’s so well written it can be serious, dark and hilarious without ever being in bad taste or offensive (though there is a bit of swearing. Get over it).
Amy and Joel have the perfect life. Or so it seems. They buy houses, do them up and flip them for a nice profit. Except Joel is desperate for a family, and Amy is struggling to get pregnant. Then all at once, Amy has lost the cottage she had put in a sealed bid for, found out her pregnancy test is negative, and discovered that Joel is having an affair with her best friend.
We next see Amy in Yorkshire, having left Joel and moved into the cottage which she now mysteriously owns. It needs a lot of work, but she has enlisted the help of the enigmatic (or maybe just sullen and rude) Ethan, who seems to be a dab hand at everything practical. She met him through his cousin Sam, who Amy met at the craft market.
Now I have to admit that I don’t like Sam. She is everything I dislike – pushy, won’t take no for an answer, and organises wonderful get-togethers that you didn’t ask for, but feel you need to be grateful for. She has friends I wasn’t too sure about either – Ruby, Fran the estate agent, and pregnant Alice whose pregnancy is making her very ill and she throws up frogspawn. Maybe she’ll croak if she doesn’t get help soon. Sorry.
They are all friends, or maybe they are a coven. Ethan is obsessed with ley lines and her neighbour Pete seems to be trying to warn her of something. But he has a lovely elderly dog called Ian, so he is forgiven. I’ll even forgive him for calling the dog Ian.
I can’t pretend the book is perfect. There are a few things that don’t make sense or add up, and the ending is rather far-fetched, but I adored every page and read it in two sittings. One of my favourite books of the year so far.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours
Amy and Joel have the perfect life. Or so it seems. They buy houses, do them up and flip them for a nice profit. Except Joel is desperate for a family, and Amy is struggling to get pregnant. Then all at once, Amy has lost the cottage she had put in a sealed bid for, found out her pregnancy test is negative, and discovered that Joel is having an affair with her best friend.
We next see Amy in Yorkshire, having left Joel and moved into the cottage which she now mysteriously owns. It needs a lot of work, but she has enlisted the help of the enigmatic (or maybe just sullen and rude) Ethan, who seems to be a dab hand at everything practical. She met him through his cousin Sam, who Amy met at the craft market.
Now I have to admit that I don’t like Sam. She is everything I dislike – pushy, won’t take no for an answer, and organises wonderful get-togethers that you didn’t ask for, but feel you need to be grateful for. She has friends I wasn’t too sure about either – Ruby, Fran the estate agent, and pregnant Alice whose pregnancy is making her very ill and she throws up frogspawn. Maybe she’ll croak if she doesn’t get help soon. Sorry.
They are all friends, or maybe they are a coven. Ethan is obsessed with ley lines and her neighbour Pete seems to be trying to warn her of something. But he has a lovely elderly dog called Ian, so he is forgiven. I’ll even forgive him for calling the dog Ian.
I can’t pretend the book is perfect. There are a few things that don’t make sense or add up, and the ending is rather far-fetched, but I adored every page and read it in two sittings. One of my favourite books of the year so far.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours
August 19, 2025
Do you enjoy spooky vibes? Do you like a touch of paranormal with your thrillers? Do you want a book that has to be read with the lights on?
Then look no further, because do I have a recommendation for you!
With short, snappy paragraphs that leave you physically unable to put the book down, suspense that will leave you breathless and a creepy story that will have you questioning every single character, The Empty Cradle has it all.
It's been so long since I've read a book that genuinely creeped me out. I'm a horror movie fan through and through and I would LOVE to see this adapted to film because wow! The setting was eerie and spooky, even when Amy was surrounded by people, that ominous feeling never left.
Each and every side character gave me weird vibes, I didn't know who to trust, what was real and what wasn't, and what was going to happen. I would recommend reading the trigger warnings because whilst it's not gory, there are a few scenes some people may find upsetting surrounding illness & pregnancy.
What I really enjoyed was how Amy's reactions to the situations around her were realistic. She didn't just let things slide or convince herself she was imagining things, she was completely as worried and scared as you'd expect her to be, which made the story that much more sinister.
The ending blew me away, I didn't see it coming. When I finished, I had to go back and reread the last chapter because I was like WHAT!? Bloody loved it.
Thank you so much to the author @lisabwriter and @randomthingstours and @orionfiction for an advanced copy of the book and a spot on the tour 🖤
Then look no further, because do I have a recommendation for you!
With short, snappy paragraphs that leave you physically unable to put the book down, suspense that will leave you breathless and a creepy story that will have you questioning every single character, The Empty Cradle has it all.
It's been so long since I've read a book that genuinely creeped me out. I'm a horror movie fan through and through and I would LOVE to see this adapted to film because wow! The setting was eerie and spooky, even when Amy was surrounded by people, that ominous feeling never left.
Each and every side character gave me weird vibes, I didn't know who to trust, what was real and what wasn't, and what was going to happen. I would recommend reading the trigger warnings because whilst it's not gory, there are a few scenes some people may find upsetting surrounding illness & pregnancy.
What I really enjoyed was how Amy's reactions to the situations around her were realistic. She didn't just let things slide or convince herself she was imagining things, she was completely as worried and scared as you'd expect her to be, which made the story that much more sinister.
The ending blew me away, I didn't see it coming. When I finished, I had to go back and reread the last chapter because I was like WHAT!? Bloody loved it.
Thank you so much to the author @lisabwriter and @randomthingstours and @orionfiction for an advanced copy of the book and a spot on the tour 🖤
August 10, 2025
The Empty Cradle by Lisa Rookes
⭐️⭐️⭐️3/4
Publication Date: 14th August 2025
Thank you to @netgally and @orionpublishinggroup for the advanced copy in return for a honest review
This book was dark and gave off some great horror vibes, but the twist let the book down a little bit, I could see what was coming from the start, even when the author tryed to throw us off course. It was the folklore that made this book so interesting, and turned it into a fun read. I didn't feel fully invested with any of the characters, but loved the setting of the Yorkshire village and descriptions of the countryside. So this book was a little 50/50 for me, but I think thriller and mystery fans should definitely give this one a go.
⭐️⭐️⭐️3/4
Publication Date: 14th August 2025
Thank you to @netgally and @orionpublishinggroup for the advanced copy in return for a honest review
This book was dark and gave off some great horror vibes, but the twist let the book down a little bit, I could see what was coming from the start, even when the author tryed to throw us off course. It was the folklore that made this book so interesting, and turned it into a fun read. I didn't feel fully invested with any of the characters, but loved the setting of the Yorkshire village and descriptions of the countryside. So this book was a little 50/50 for me, but I think thriller and mystery fans should definitely give this one a go.
July 26, 2025
The plot of this has a dark and sinister feel of fear and horror. The twists are superior and I felt so unsure of who could be trusted in the deliciously dark and disturbing background. It's about a woman who finds out her partner has been cheating on her with her best friend. As a consequence she moves into a house that she is renovating and meets a group of lively women who insert themselves in her life. When she discovers she is pregnant the women seem to become a even more prominent part but the question is why? With strange events and folklore I really didn't know what was happening but I felt eager to find out.
September 17, 2025
Amy goes along with her husband’s dream of starting a family, though she’s ambivalent herself. After discovering his affair, she escapes to a dilapidated Yorkshire cottage she bought to flip—but begins to imagine a life there. Strange happenings, mysterious women, and a pregnancy she didn’t expect draw her into a dark folklore-tinged suspense that blurs the line between myth and nightmare. The Empty Cradle is a chilling, atmospheric read perfect for fans of magical realism and psychological thrillers.
Read my full review on my blog at https://writeontheworld.wordpress.com....
Read my full review on my blog at https://writeontheworld.wordpress.com....
September 17, 2025
Thank you to Random Things Tours and Orion Books for the copy. This read had me simply hooked and excited to get home to pick it up. One word: creepy!!!
The writing style was a definite standout for me; I would absolutely pick up another book by this author! The pacing kept me engaged, especially with the super creepy scenes. I loved how Amy’s emotions felt so real on the pages- you almost feel like you’re going crazy with her, whether or not it’s real. And the strange events made me suspicious of every single character, analysing if they were the evil targeting Amy. I would highly recommend this page-turner!
The writing style was a definite standout for me; I would absolutely pick up another book by this author! The pacing kept me engaged, especially with the super creepy scenes. I loved how Amy’s emotions felt so real on the pages- you almost feel like you’re going crazy with her, whether or not it’s real. And the strange events made me suspicious of every single character, analysing if they were the evil targeting Amy. I would highly recommend this page-turner!
August 26, 2025
Wow. This book took me for a rollercoaster ride! This book should come with the warning label: "Be careful who you trust!" Filled with manipulation, spooky vibes, and twist at the end that you won't see coming, I could NOT put this book down.
The author does a great job with the writing style. It from a first person perspective so no jumping between characters and the overall plot earned this book 4.5 stars from me!!!
Do not sleep on this one. Thank you NetGalley, author, and Orion Publishing for the eArc.
The author does a great job with the writing style. It from a first person perspective so no jumping between characters and the overall plot earned this book 4.5 stars from me!!!
Do not sleep on this one. Thank you NetGalley, author, and Orion Publishing for the eArc.
July 21, 2025
Many thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.
I loved this deliciously dark and creepy book and devoured the pages as fast as I could. This book had a sinister, twisty plot and I was left wondering who could be trusted. I also enjoyed the folklore that was mentioned throughout.
This book was definitely right up my street and I will be recommending this one to others, it had everything I loved in a book!
I loved this deliciously dark and creepy book and devoured the pages as fast as I could. This book had a sinister, twisty plot and I was left wondering who could be trusted. I also enjoyed the folklore that was mentioned throughout.
This book was definitely right up my street and I will be recommending this one to others, it had everything I loved in a book!
August 16, 2025
Even the blurb sounds creepy with this book, the whole premise of the book instantly puts the reader on edge, a really good horror thriller read.
Lots of twists kept me gripped from beginning to end wondering how everything was going to play out.
With the underlying folklore theme it gave a dark and sinister feel to the story, something I was thinking about even after the I’d finished the book.
#TheEmptyCradle @lisabwriter @orionbooks @randomthingstours
Lots of twists kept me gripped from beginning to end wondering how everything was going to play out.
With the underlying folklore theme it gave a dark and sinister feel to the story, something I was thinking about even after the I’d finished the book.
#TheEmptyCradle @lisabwriter @orionbooks @randomthingstours
August 21, 2025
Loved this book. It's a mix of mainly thriller with some horror thrown in for good measure (a perfect combination).
It's fast paced, addictive and will get your pulse racing at times as well as sending shivers down your spine and making your hairs stand on edge.
Full of twists and turns you think you've got it and then bamb there's a plot twist.
I really can't recommend enough especially with the spooky season around the corner.
It's fast paced, addictive and will get your pulse racing at times as well as sending shivers down your spine and making your hairs stand on edge.
Full of twists and turns you think you've got it and then bamb there's a plot twist.
I really can't recommend enough especially with the spooky season around the corner.
August 8, 2025
I thought the book was suspenseful and kept me intrigued in the beginning. However, I wasn’t really into the supernatural part of it. I felt a lot of the ending was redundant and just overall not satisfying. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters either and when their names were mentioned I had to think to remember who was who.
August 18, 2025
And breathe...
Whoa,what a book. Brilliant. It ticked all the boxes. It made my (dark loving)heart beat faster. It was thrilling, disturbing, gruesome, engaging, mysterious, and dark. Oh, it was so dark. I absolutely loved it from start to finish. I still can't stop thinking (and talking) about this book.
After a betrayal from her closest ones, Amy moves to little village to start new life. And after meeting a group of ladies from local book club, she almost feels like she has found her home. But...
'The darkness here is unlike the darkness at home. With the fields behind and no street lighting, it swallows you up. It's not unpleasant. Just thick.'
This book gave me chills. The end was unreal; I had to read it couple times to process what had happened.
Whoa,what a book. Brilliant. It ticked all the boxes. It made my (dark loving)heart beat faster. It was thrilling, disturbing, gruesome, engaging, mysterious, and dark. Oh, it was so dark. I absolutely loved it from start to finish. I still can't stop thinking (and talking) about this book.
After a betrayal from her closest ones, Amy moves to little village to start new life. And after meeting a group of ladies from local book club, she almost feels like she has found her home. But...
'The darkness here is unlike the darkness at home. With the fields behind and no street lighting, it swallows you up. It's not unpleasant. Just thick.'
This book gave me chills. The end was unreal; I had to read it couple times to process what had happened.
July 31, 2025
A very creepy thriller which i lapped up staying up late to finish it
When Amy wins her bid on a dilapitated cottage she plkand to flip it and move on but things get in the way and plans change
Thanks to net galley and the publishers for this arc.
4 stars
When Amy wins her bid on a dilapitated cottage she plkand to flip it and move on but things get in the way and plans change
Thanks to net galley and the publishers for this arc.
4 stars
August 19, 2025
The Empty Cradle by Lisa Rookes is a dark, creepy read that follows Amy, whose world gets turned upside down when she finds out her husband Joel is cheating on her—with her best friend, Vix. Ouch. Luckily, she’d already bought a property in a remote Yorkshire village, so she packs up and moves there on her own to fix it up and start fresh.
Once she settles in, Amy slowly starts making friends with some of the local women. One of them, Sam, gives her Ethans contact details to get in touch with him, so he can help her with the renovations. Strange things begin to happen, unexplained and weird gifts appear on her doorstep, strange shadows seem to be moving around her house and then she finds out she is pregnant, but how?
The whole book has a creepy, unsettling and dark vibe that I enjoyed, kept me guessing what was happening a lot. I was never really sure who Amy could trust throughout the story, which also built a constant sense of suspense and unease. However, because I was doubting all these characters, I found it hard to connect with any of them.
I have to admit I didn’t enjoy the ending as much. Some of the questions I had while reading felt unanswered, I personally prefer things to be wrapped up a bit more clearly, rather than being left open to interpretation.
One thing I really did love, though, was the folklore woven into the story. It added a nice extra layer to the atmosphere and setting.
Once she settles in, Amy slowly starts making friends with some of the local women. One of them, Sam, gives her Ethans contact details to get in touch with him, so he can help her with the renovations. Strange things begin to happen, unexplained and weird gifts appear on her doorstep, strange shadows seem to be moving around her house and then she finds out she is pregnant, but how?
The whole book has a creepy, unsettling and dark vibe that I enjoyed, kept me guessing what was happening a lot. I was never really sure who Amy could trust throughout the story, which also built a constant sense of suspense and unease. However, because I was doubting all these characters, I found it hard to connect with any of them.
I have to admit I didn’t enjoy the ending as much. Some of the questions I had while reading felt unanswered, I personally prefer things to be wrapped up a bit more clearly, rather than being left open to interpretation.
One thing I really did love, though, was the folklore woven into the story. It added a nice extra layer to the atmosphere and setting.
September 9, 2025
I loved this, mostly because I thought it was a thriller but actually turned into something else entirely. I loved the folklore sub plot, the ever growing sense of dread and confusion and the gothic vibes. Will definitely read more from this author again.
August 17, 2025
Some of this book was really exciting however the ending was a disappointment.
November 25, 2025
I really loved this book! Thank goodness because I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump. I love an isolated, creepy village with creepy people!
August 28, 2025
The Empty Cradle is the first I've read from Rookes, so was a great introduction to her writing style for me. On the basis of how much I enjoyed this book I now have her other books lined up on my Kindle.
I went into the book blind so had absolutely zero idea what awaited me. It didn't disappoint. It's dark, disturbing and was an absolute delight to read...I'm twisted, I know!
THIS is the kind of book I would love to see played out on the big screen!
The chill of the atmosphere was pervading and the unease fast became real as I waited for the unexpected to hit...I wasn't expecting THAT though!
A brilliant book, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
I went into the book blind so had absolutely zero idea what awaited me. It didn't disappoint. It's dark, disturbing and was an absolute delight to read...I'm twisted, I know!
THIS is the kind of book I would love to see played out on the big screen!
The chill of the atmosphere was pervading and the unease fast became real as I waited for the unexpected to hit...I wasn't expecting THAT though!
A brilliant book, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
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