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The Owl Witch
It's happening again ...
44 years ago, a small group of miners went missing in Maryland's Aragain Mountains. Twin sisters Leslie and Luann Montrose travel to Atlas at the foothills of Aragain Mountain to unravel the mystery and find themselves in the middle of a police investigation. Two missing hikers, a missing town resident, and four dead in the span of four days. Is there a connection? What the twins find in the woods could make a chilling addition to their Delmarva folklore podcast—if they make it out alive!
44 years ago, a small group of miners went missing in Maryland's Aragain Mountains. Twin sisters Leslie and Luann Montrose travel to Atlas at the foothills of Aragain Mountain to unravel the mystery and find themselves in the middle of a police investigation. Two missing hikers, a missing town resident, and four dead in the span of four days. Is there a connection? What the twins find in the woods could make a chilling addition to their Delmarva folklore podcast—if they make it out alive!
- GenresHorror
Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2025
2 people are currently reading
4125 people want to read
About the author
Claudine Marcin
7 books164 followersClaudine Marcin is the Maryland-based award-winning author of the short story "The Stairs" and is also known for the four-part romantic sci-fi mystery series titled "The Glory Box". She is a member of the Maryland Writers Association and the Harford County Writer's Group as well as a spirited football fan, poet, amateur photographer, and artist. For more information about Claudine’s books and to join her mailing list, visit her website at www.claudinemarcin.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 23, 2025
“The Owl Witch” by Claudine Marcin is the second book I’ve read by her, a few years after I loved “The House on Woody Creek Lane,” which was a 4-Star read for me back in 2023. I’m a huge fan of her writing style, and I couldn’t wait to jump into her latest horror novel of 2025. This book didn’t disappoint, and delivered nicely for the most part.
Before I begin my review, here are the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Car accidents (fatal)
- Domestic abuse
- Alcoholism
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this novel. Moving along, this is a solid read for those who love a good creature feature in a folk horror setting, taking place in a small town. This was brilliantly written with several stories happening at once involving different characters that eventually all intertwined.
This tends to be very hard for authors to pull off, but Marcin executed it perfectly, with nothing confusing or annoying. I also loved the immersive formatting, which used unique fonts for chapters, text messages, and more. It’s all about these little things that make a book shine in the grand scheme of things.
Everything revolves around this Owl Witch that had some vicious, memorable kills while reading. I’d never spoil anything for anyone, but some of these kills were excellent. I’ve always loved slasher novels, and the Owl Witch had several exceptional kills that would make Stephen Graham Jones smile.
There are a lot of characters in “The Owl Witch,” and I loved all their unique character development. They were all distinct, memorable, and left their mark on the story. My favorites were easily Luann, Leslie, Mia, and the legendary LB (Little Bear). I would also throw in the Owl Witch since this creature’s impact and carnage throughout the story were insane.
Speaking of her, the final 30% of this novel was incredible! The bloodbath continued as I enjoyed the backstory of who and what the Owl Witch is. I loved the climactic race to the end, especially with all the action, suspense, and bloodshed. The only thing that kept it from being a perfect 5/5 was that some chapters dragged on while reading. There were instances where there was more dialogue than needed, often consisting of conversations with little happening. I wish there were another horror scene or two with the Owl Witch instead.
Aside from that, this novel still rocked with a drop-the-mic ending. I still have my jaw on the floor after what transpired, and yeah, I’m going to continue keeping an eye on Marcin’s work since she’s one hell of an author.
I give “The Owl Witch” by Claudine Marcin a 4/5 for being a fantastic folk horror novel filled with superb characters, a uniquely written creature with killer tendencies, and an overall story that I’ll remember for many years to come. It’s such an in-depth read with fictional folk horror that felt so real, I'll never be able to look at an owl again without hearing a particular sound that sends a chill down my spine.
Click … Click … Click
Before I begin my review, here are the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Car accidents (fatal)
- Domestic abuse
- Alcoholism
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this novel. Moving along, this is a solid read for those who love a good creature feature in a folk horror setting, taking place in a small town. This was brilliantly written with several stories happening at once involving different characters that eventually all intertwined.
This tends to be very hard for authors to pull off, but Marcin executed it perfectly, with nothing confusing or annoying. I also loved the immersive formatting, which used unique fonts for chapters, text messages, and more. It’s all about these little things that make a book shine in the grand scheme of things.
Everything revolves around this Owl Witch that had some vicious, memorable kills while reading. I’d never spoil anything for anyone, but some of these kills were excellent. I’ve always loved slasher novels, and the Owl Witch had several exceptional kills that would make Stephen Graham Jones smile.
There are a lot of characters in “The Owl Witch,” and I loved all their unique character development. They were all distinct, memorable, and left their mark on the story. My favorites were easily Luann, Leslie, Mia, and the legendary LB (Little Bear). I would also throw in the Owl Witch since this creature’s impact and carnage throughout the story were insane.
Speaking of her, the final 30% of this novel was incredible! The bloodbath continued as I enjoyed the backstory of who and what the Owl Witch is. I loved the climactic race to the end, especially with all the action, suspense, and bloodshed. The only thing that kept it from being a perfect 5/5 was that some chapters dragged on while reading. There were instances where there was more dialogue than needed, often consisting of conversations with little happening. I wish there were another horror scene or two with the Owl Witch instead.
Aside from that, this novel still rocked with a drop-the-mic ending. I still have my jaw on the floor after what transpired, and yeah, I’m going to continue keeping an eye on Marcin’s work since she’s one hell of an author.
I give “The Owl Witch” by Claudine Marcin a 4/5 for being a fantastic folk horror novel filled with superb characters, a uniquely written creature with killer tendencies, and an overall story that I’ll remember for many years to come. It’s such an in-depth read with fictional folk horror that felt so real, I'll never be able to look at an owl again without hearing a particular sound that sends a chill down my spine.
Click … Click … Click
July 8, 2025
Possibly one of the scariest witches I’ve read!
I enjoyed The Owl Witch, it had a solid, fairly easy to follow plot, considering all the characters and lots of blood and gore! It felt overly descriptive and a bit slow during the first quarter with lots of details of how people looked and dressed taking up a bit too much page space.
I wanted more Owl Witch though. I loved reading her passages and once I got them I wanted nothing else but Owl Witch! I was expecting a bit more fantasy and folklore and didn’t enjoy the police procedural elements much, I’m not keen on crime fiction.
Overall, a frantic, sometimes frustrating, fun read for me!
I enjoyed The Owl Witch, it had a solid, fairly easy to follow plot, considering all the characters and lots of blood and gore! It felt overly descriptive and a bit slow during the first quarter with lots of details of how people looked and dressed taking up a bit too much page space.
I wanted more Owl Witch though. I loved reading her passages and once I got them I wanted nothing else but Owl Witch! I was expecting a bit more fantasy and folklore and didn’t enjoy the police procedural elements much, I’m not keen on crime fiction.
Overall, a frantic, sometimes frustrating, fun read for me!
May 23, 2025
Very well written. Very suspenseful. Kept me wanting to keep reading to find out what happens with each of the characters.
May 14, 2025
Loved this book. Kept me intrigued from start to finish. Claudine’s style of writing is very easy to read. Never a dull moment and hard to put down. If you’re a horror fan you will love it. Looking forward to your next one Claudine.
April 23, 2025
This is an ARC reader review.
This book is haunting. What started out as a simple fact gathering trip for sisters Leslie and Luann quickly turns into a small town nightmare.
Joined by the local sheriffs and ranger's offices, the sisters quickly get caught up in a series of disappearances and deaths.
Could all of this be tied to a story about a Native American village that suddenly disappeared in the 1800's?
The Owl Witch is a fast paced, terrifying read. I highly recommend it.
This book is haunting. What started out as a simple fact gathering trip for sisters Leslie and Luann quickly turns into a small town nightmare.
Joined by the local sheriffs and ranger's offices, the sisters quickly get caught up in a series of disappearances and deaths.
Could all of this be tied to a story about a Native American village that suddenly disappeared in the 1800's?
The Owl Witch is a fast paced, terrifying read. I highly recommend it.
Currently reading
August 6, 2025I started reading this book, and I could not put it down. I finished the book in two days. It was awesome. I have read all of Claudine's books, and this one is the best one so far. Great Job Claudine. Let me know when another book is ready to come out.
April 17, 2025
Claudine comes back with another terrifying story. The Owl Witch is a story about a witch named Nemnomtika. She is horrifying and has been terrorizing this small town for a long time. What makes this book particularly disturbing is that nobody is safe in this town. NOBODY! Once you hear the clicks you know she is there ready to kill. As I was reading the book I almost couldn't believe this was Claudine. Her writing is fantastic in this story. As were all of her previous books as well. I always look forward to her books. And I am honored to be the first to read them. Thank you Claudine I truly appreciate your work. There are many readers out there but not nearly as many authors. Thank you for being an author. I am grateful for your books.
-Joe (LJ)
-Joe (LJ)
November 12, 2025
A truly chilling and remarkable story that will keep you fixated in your seat page after page. I loved the premise in which twins, Leslie and Luanne, both out of towners, come to investigate small time lore only to discover that it’s anything but lore. I highly recommend for any fan of horror. Good until the last page.
April 8, 2025
The quaint town of Atlas, nestled in the mountains of Western Maryland, is the kind of place where everyone knows your name. But when two podcaster sisters arrive to investigate the mysterious 1980 disappearance of a group of miners, they stumble right into the middle of a current day nightmare. Townspeople are disappearing, some have been murdered - could it all be related to the long-buried secrets of 45 years ago? This book had me staying up far too late, desperate to uncover what happened next.
From the very first page, I was captivated by the author’s meticulous descriptions of the town, the scenery, the sheriff’s office, the diner - I could clearly picture all of the locations as if I were there. The cast of characters is extensive, but the depth of their development ensured that I had no problem keeping them all straight. I felt like I understood them all and cared about their fates, and that emotional investment kept me reading long after I should have been in bed sleeping.
The riveting story itself was enough to keep me turning pages, but the quality of writing was the icing on the cake. “A line of clouds like an enemy regiment was marching in from the southwest with a promise of mayhem and destruction.” Just one example of this author’s talent at crafting beautiful, descriptive prose, transforming a simple scene into something vivid and thrilling.
If you’re a fan of Stephen King, or simply someone who likes a good thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend The Owl Witch by Claudine Marcin. You won’t be disappointed.
From the very first page, I was captivated by the author’s meticulous descriptions of the town, the scenery, the sheriff’s office, the diner - I could clearly picture all of the locations as if I were there. The cast of characters is extensive, but the depth of their development ensured that I had no problem keeping them all straight. I felt like I understood them all and cared about their fates, and that emotional investment kept me reading long after I should have been in bed sleeping.
The riveting story itself was enough to keep me turning pages, but the quality of writing was the icing on the cake. “A line of clouds like an enemy regiment was marching in from the southwest with a promise of mayhem and destruction.” Just one example of this author’s talent at crafting beautiful, descriptive prose, transforming a simple scene into something vivid and thrilling.
If you’re a fan of Stephen King, or simply someone who likes a good thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend The Owl Witch by Claudine Marcin. You won’t be disappointed.
October 1, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. It was very suspenseful and always had me wondering what was going to happen next. I got it from the Bel Air arts festival, and the author was super kind and she even signed the book. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in gore and suspense.
April 21, 2025
I loved this book! Claudine did it again with a unique story and even more unique ending! Absolutely loved the tale of two sisters working on a podcast about paranormal mysteries. The sisters found themselves right in the middle of the nightmare that is the Owl Witch! Told from various POVs, the reader gets a glimpse into each character’s story and how The Owl Witch affects them. Highly recommend giving this book a read!
July 20, 2025
A solid horror read. Interesting characters, fun plot. A few unresolved items.
May 13, 2025
The Owl Witch is a chilling horror tale rooted in an old folklore legend, blending supernatural horror with the dark consequences of betrayal. The story revolves around Nemnok, a bird-like creature awakened by the tormented soul of Alba, the daughter of a Shaman from the Ar’ Ga Ana tribe. Her transformation into the Owl Witch, after witnessing the destruction of her people by Confederate soldiers—including the man she once loved—adds a haunting emotional core to the legend.
Set in the small mountain town of Atlas, the story begins with podcasters Leslie and Luann as they investigate the 1980s disappearance of a group of miners for their podcast Their arrival coincides with the accidental awakening of Nemnok by a couple of unsuspecting hikers, which reignites a new wave of killings and disappearances.
I really enjoyed the story. Most of the characters felt believable and well-suited to the small-town setting, and the pacing kept me engaged from start to finish. The legend of Nemnok was intriguing, and I especially appreciated how Alba’s tragic past tied into the creature's awakening.
That said, I did wish the book explored more about Nemnok’s identity before Alba invoked her—was she a spirit, a force, a deity? A bit more background would have made the myth even more powerful. I also found it odd that most of the townspeople seemed unaware of a legend tied so closely to their town’s history. Aside from the elderly mayor and Little Bear, no one appeared to know anything about Nemnok, which stretched believability a little.
Still, this was a compelling horror read with some folklore roots, effective buildup, and a satisfying sense of dread. I’d recommend it to fans of supernatural mysteries and folk horror. I was lucky enough to win this book through a Goodreads giveaway, and I’m glad I did!
Set in the small mountain town of Atlas, the story begins with podcasters Leslie and Luann as they investigate the 1980s disappearance of a group of miners for their podcast Their arrival coincides with the accidental awakening of Nemnok by a couple of unsuspecting hikers, which reignites a new wave of killings and disappearances.
I really enjoyed the story. Most of the characters felt believable and well-suited to the small-town setting, and the pacing kept me engaged from start to finish. The legend of Nemnok was intriguing, and I especially appreciated how Alba’s tragic past tied into the creature's awakening.
That said, I did wish the book explored more about Nemnok’s identity before Alba invoked her—was she a spirit, a force, a deity? A bit more background would have made the myth even more powerful. I also found it odd that most of the townspeople seemed unaware of a legend tied so closely to their town’s history. Aside from the elderly mayor and Little Bear, no one appeared to know anything about Nemnok, which stretched believability a little.
Still, this was a compelling horror read with some folklore roots, effective buildup, and a satisfying sense of dread. I’d recommend it to fans of supernatural mysteries and folk horror. I was lucky enough to win this book through a Goodreads giveaway, and I’m glad I did!
April 14, 2025
Follow the tale of The Owl Witch to the small town of Atlas, where two female podcasters named Leslie and Luann end up in the search for their next folklore tale from the Delmarva area. This tale however, may be the last one they ever investigate.
Why have so many people up and vanished from this place? First, some archeologists, then an entire group of miners just disappear? Why would multiple campers go missing, never to be seen again?
Prepare to meet a cast of characters that are realistic and vividly defined, and set in place that oozes with that small town feel. Prepare as well to be taken on a journey that will first unfold and then twist and turn its way to the final conclusion. Along the way expect the unexpected, and you won’t be disappointed!
Marcin has managed to create an intriguing tale that will keep you turning the pages. The writing flows easily, the characters are wholly relatable and the suspense and creepiness will keep glued to your seat, or bed (lights on please).
Why have so many people up and vanished from this place? First, some archeologists, then an entire group of miners just disappear? Why would multiple campers go missing, never to be seen again?
Prepare to meet a cast of characters that are realistic and vividly defined, and set in place that oozes with that small town feel. Prepare as well to be taken on a journey that will first unfold and then twist and turn its way to the final conclusion. Along the way expect the unexpected, and you won’t be disappointed!
Marcin has managed to create an intriguing tale that will keep you turning the pages. The writing flows easily, the characters are wholly relatable and the suspense and creepiness will keep glued to your seat, or bed (lights on please).
May 7, 2025
this uses the Owl Witch perfectly to tell the storyline, it had that suspenseful atmosphere that I was wanting and enjoyed from this book. It was everything that I wanted and enjoyed the overall story going on and enjoyed the characters. Claudine Marcin has a strong writing style and I loved the use of the concept and glad I got to read this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews