The Witching Time

by Jean Stubbs

After the death of her beloved husband, Imogen Lacey is befriended by a group of strong, soulful women, who take joy in each other's company and celebrate their natural powers together. And when bad fortune falls her way, Imogen knows it wasn't these women who threatened her--it was they who saved her.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Aka Emma Darby

Jean was born in Lancashire and educated in Manchester. She has written many novels and short stories for magazines and collections, several of which have been adapted for radio and television. She has lived for more than twenty years in a cottage in Cornwall, England, with her husband.

Reviews

[``Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was in the mood for a good story of gothic suspense and since Jean Stubbs is one of my favorite authors I thought this would be just what I was looking for. Except there wasn't a lot of suspense in this one and by the 2nd chapter I could figure out who the bad guys were. It seemed to take forever before the characters in this book were able to figure it out though.
So I'm still in the mood for a good book of gothic suspense.

[Hannah]

DNF

Absolutely hate it when a book that I should normally adore turns out to be a complete dud.



***Pouty face***

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time I've read this book. It's very mystical and fun, and the setting is drawn with such clarity that you are sucked right into the English landscapes, cottages and shoppes.

Witches, murders, crafty hats, an ornery cat, and, oh yeah, the play is the thing.....

I don't doubt I'll read this for a third time somewhere in the future....

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up as I love witchy books but it was so much more. I've read it quite a few times now and enjoyed it more each time. The setting is beautiful, the characters are quirky and it definitely worth a read

[Mls3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out with such promise and then...well not to spoil the plot...overworked, implausible, important events unresolved...not a horrible book, but I would not recommend. Should I try another book by Jean Stubbs?

[Hel Gibbons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly enjoyable read. Would have liked to see more of the interesting plot elements though - the witchcraft and the hats!

[Marika · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you can get past the incredibly superfluous writing (urgh), and the very slow start you may enjoy the book.
However, key moments were anticlimactic, with one particular story-altering event being simultaneously unrealistic and then frustratingly flat.

The characters are mostly well rounded, but with the love interest having almost no physical description throughout the entire book save ‘long/tall brown man’, his influence on the protagonist’s life loses its impact.

So, lots of flaws.
But the story line is interesting with dappled excitement throughout, and the settings are beautiful. There are some keen, insightful thought processes that will leave you nodding, and some memorable characters that you wish you knew in real life.

My last note:
I feel like this book was written by three different people who were at odds with each other yet managed to fumble through to the end. It needs a good editing, and then another and another!
Having said that, I’ll be keeping the novel. It was one of my more painful reads but there is a charm to it, just hidden deep.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 17th-century witch uses her craft to transport herself to the 20th century. She brings spine-chilling terror to the present-day occupants of the old farmhouse in which she lived. She puts her mark on the man now living in the farmhouse, while his wife tries to save him.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very slow to start and a number of times I lost interest however I persevered and would say it was OK.

[zjakkelien · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. I would classify it as urban fantasy, as it is taken place in our current world and has elements of magic in it. The magical elements are not very pronounced, though. It is more like they are interwoven in the story. In the end, magic does play a large roll, but in a quiet way. Nothing flashy, no broomsticks, but there all the same and simply a part of the world.

The story is about Imogen, who is still grieving for the death of her husband and is invited to stay with an old school friend. Her friend is a staunch Christian and married to a vicar, but Imogen finds herself attracted to 'the listeners', a group of standing stones, and to a group of craftswomen who practice witchcraft. Being a milliner herself, eventually she joins them, but soon finds that all is not well in the world. Witchcraft is far from being universally accepted and the witches have an enemy...

[Jackie Jameson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet, compelling read. Had some confusion about the actual time period that the book was set in....some dialogue was almost Edwardian, but they still had pay phones and just some other ambiguities. A sweet simple story told by an author with supreme command of the English language.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful story of a woman finding her place and her magic. I want to live in the village where the coven is.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an okay novel. Not usually my type of book. I suppose if you like English fiction you might like it.

[Imogen]

I'm only reading this because the main character has the same name as me (which is cool as it doesn't happen very often!), but so far I'm enjoying it. It's cute and British and 1950s-ish :)

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The small township and the friendships formed in this booked were heart warming

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it overall, but some parts had me a little confused! But I would recommend it to someone to read!!!

[Elisabeth]

Couldn't get into it after 50-60 pages.