The Valley of Ravens

by Barbara Erskine

In the depths of the valley, two women, centuries apart, are bound by fate…
Present

Eve, desperate for a fresh start, arrives in the Valley of Ravens to restore a long-abandoned cottage.

Everyone knows the place is cursed. Why else would it be called The Witch’s House?

As Eve begins her renovations it becomes clear the place has a secret waiting to be uncovered, if only she can make the connection with the past.

Wales, 1260

Alys, a healer living in the depths of the valley, discovers Llewelyn – last true Prince of Wales – lying wounded on the battlefield. She tends him and her fate is forever bound to his.

Her vow to keep his final secret will echo through the centuries…

Genres: Historical Fiction

509 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 30, 2026

About the author

An historian by training, Barbara Erskine is the author of six bestselling novels that demonstrate her interest in both history and the supernatural, plus two collections of short stories. Her books have appeared in at least twenty different languages. She lives with her family in an ancient manor house near Colchester, and in a cottage near Hay-on-Wye.

Reviews

[Ashley Cloninger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Erskine, the Queen of time-slip is back again. Lady of Hay was my first time-slip read that I took off my mom’s bookshelf when I was a teenager, and I have been hooked ever since.

Eve Turner is an empath and an alternative healer who can sense the pain of her patients. Paul Bartlet is a retired physcian who does whatever he can to destroy Eve and her business. He calls the police and accuses her of killing her patient and harasses her to the point that while visiting her friend Ann in Wales, Eve makes the spontaneous decision to purchase a partially renovated cottage known locally as the witch’s house. The cottage was partially renovated by a London couple who suddenly abanoned the project and put the house on the market, Eve sees the cottage and feels an affinity to it. When the locals advise her that the house was called the witch’s house and that there were rumors of supernatueal happenings, Eve is unsettled at first, but then she feels a benign presence and is convinced that she is not in danger.

13th century Wales- Alys is a healer and one day she assists Prince Llewelyn ap Gruffudd after a battle with the English, over the years when Llewleyn visits the area he stops in on Alys and they become friends and confidants, As Llewelyn fights to keep Wales free from English rule, Alys has her own fight closer to home, dealing with the misogyny and superstitions of the locals. As danger comes closer and closer to Alys it also comes closer and closer to Eve. As the two time-lines intersect the past gives up it’s secrets and Eve must come to terms with her new life and the danger that she thought she left behind her. With the help of the new friends she has made, including Jo Clifford from Lady of Hay. Eve must find the strength for forge a new life on her own terms.

I enjoyed the setting and the supernatural portions of the book. It was nice to catch up with Jo Clifford to see how she is coping in her life since moving to Wales.

Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC,

[Daphne Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dual time- slip novel that uses historical facts, and skilful imagination to show how two women share a moment over the space of many centuries.
1260. Alys is on a Welsh battlefield and a horse with an injured rider is riding straight towards her, and he collapses at her feet. She cares for him and tends his wounds until his friends arrive and take him away. She later finds out that he is Llewelyn, Prince of Wales.
Present day sees Eve living in Aldeburgh in Suffolk, her late husband Tony, always wanted to live by the sea. Eve is a spiritual healer, but she couldn’t save her husband in his final illness with her healing hands.
Eve is invited to stay with a friend, Ann, in Wales. Whilst exploring one day, she finds an old stone cottage that has seen better days and is drawn to it. The last owners were frightened away, but Eve can feel that the stones of the cottage have suffered a traumatic past, and it is calling out to be healed and finally know peace.
Alys also knows the cottage, she used to live there. A family tragedy means that she is still keeping guard over her home to protect a treasure that was entrusted to her, but she believes that she and Eve can work together to destroy uneasy spirits and bring healing to each other.
The story is complex and the research was comprehensive and very detailed. There was too much repetition for my liking, which really affected the pace of reading, the art of knowing what to leave out would have improved this weighty novel greatly.
I have known Sempringham since my childhood, but never knew the story of a young child, taken away from her parents and growing up in ignorance of her Royal blood in a nunnery. So very sad.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers HarperCollinsUK for my advanced copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. A four star rating.
I will copy this to Goodreads and Amazon UK later.

[Alannah Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Erskine has a remarkable talent for weaving history, folklore and the supernatural into stories that feel completely immersive, and *The Valley of Ravens* is one of her strongest. From the opening chapters I was drawn into the atmospheric setting, where the landscape itself feels alive with secrets and echoes of the past.

The dual timeline is handled beautifully, with both storylines equally compelling and gradually revealing how the past continues to shape the present. Erskine builds tension with patience and confidence, allowing the mystery to unfold naturally while creating an underlying sense of unease that never quite disappears. I found myself constantly wanting to read just one more chapter.

What I loved most was the richness of the historical detail. It never feels like history is simply being explained to the reader. Instead, it becomes an integral part of the story, blending seamlessly with folklore, family secrets and the supernatural elements. The characters are believable and emotionally engaging, making it easy to become invested in their journeys.

The atmosphere is exceptional throughout, balancing moments of quiet reflection with genuine suspense. Even when the story ventures into the supernatural, it remains grounded in human emotion, exploring love, loss, loyalty and the enduring power of the past.

If you enjoy historical fiction with an eerie edge, layered mysteries and beautifully crafted storytelling, this is an easy recommendation. It completely absorbed me from beginning to end and reminded me why Barbara Erskine remains one of the best writers in this genre. A captivating, haunting and deeply satisfying read that deserves every one of its five stars.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read quite a few of this author's books over the years since I first fell in love with Lady of Hay which was an absolutely fantastic read. Since then some of her books have almost equaled it and some have not.
The premise of this book grabbed me. Two timelines, the same remote cottage and strange things happening to Eve in the present. Alys in the past is a lovely character who goes through a lot of trauma of her own. She's living this peaceful life in her cottage and known as a healer locally. She is content but this is Wales in a turbulent time in history and nothing stays peaceful for long.
Eve too has her troubles. When she comes to live in the cottage she's hoping life will be good and give her the sense of peace that she needs. She meets lots of new people as well as some she already knows.
We meet a character from Lady of Hay, which was nice and a mention of one or two from another book,
I wanted to love it but didn't!! The first half was incredibly slow and drawn out. There's lots of history and I did enjoy Alys's story. Eve got on my nerves eventually. She was living in the cottage because she wanted to be 'alone' but was constantly running to the neighbours for help at all times of the day and night. It picked up in the second half but then kind of fizzled out.
There's a wonderful dog in it and I loved the part she played in the story.
If you love this author it's worth a read. I seem to be in the minority when it comes to the reviews so don't go on mine alone.

Many thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for an early copy.

[Karen Mace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another beautifully told tale by the author that had me captivated from the outset! I loved the time slip aspect, alongside the historical and welsh folklore.

the 2 characters we follow are Alys back in 1260, and Eve in the present timeline and both are women who are 'healers'. Seen as different by the locals and always facing judgement and those who set out to dismiss their powers.

Eve is forced to move from Suffolk and soon finds herself a derelict cottage in the valley of ravens, named 'The Witch's House' and she's immediately fascinated by the feel she gets there and sets to work on restoring the house and the garden where she finds special plants growing. And the feeling that someone is always watching what she's doing there...

back in the timeline of Alys, we see her getting involved with healing Prince Llewyn after a battle building up a strong friendship with him, as he owes her his life. they do live in troubled times though with the battles between the welsh and the english so it puts their friendship to the test.

As Eve delves more into the history of the house and previous owners she finds herself even more connected to this space. She's still facing her own battles from the past and she gets help from locals who have seen her abilities close up.

There's a lot going on in both timelines, and it did get a little repetitive at times with the same things being covered, but there's still so much to enjoy and it had that wonderfully spooky element to it, and watching women standing up for themselves against adversity. highly recommend!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set against the backdrop of thirteenth-century Wales, The Valley of Ravens follows Alys, a wise woman and gifted healer whose life becomes irrevocably entwined with Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd through unforeseen events. In the present day, spiritual healer Eve is desperate for a fresh start after becoming the target of a doctor's personal vendetta. Hoping to leave the past behind, she moves into the mysterious Witches Cottage, where the boundaries between past and present begin to blur.

Barbara Erskine has a gift for blending meticulously researched historical fiction with the supernatural, and The Valley of Ravens is another example of why she is one of my favourite authors. The historical detail is beautifully woven into the story, bringing medieval Wales to life. The dual timelines are seamlessly intertwined and the supernatural elements add an eerie edge, creating the perfect balance between history, folklore and suspense.

As a long-time fan of Barbara Erskine's novels, this was everything I hoped it would be and I was absorbed from beginning to end, captivated by both Alys' and Eve's stories. Richly atmospheric and beautifully written, The Valley of Ravens is a captivating read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollinsUK, HarperFiction and Barbara Erskine for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Joanna Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since The Lady of Hay, I’ve always enjoyed Baarbara Erskine’s dual timeline novels. She weaves past and present together so effortlessly and her characters have great depth.
On this occasion her two protagonists are young widow Eve Turner, and Alys. Eve is a healer who has moved to Wales to escape the constant harassment from medical professional Paul Bartlett. He is a bitter man waging a war of his own on alternative medicine. Alys is a local healer who lived during the thirteenth century.
The author cleverly entwines the two stories from then and now as we follow Alys’s friendship with Llewellyn, the last Welsh born Prince of Wales and his tragic end. Back in present day, Eve has much to contend with. Although firm, supportive friendships have been made locally, a climate of unease is ever present, both with ghostly apparitions and present-day persecution. Eve knows Paul Bartlett has followed her to Wales, but it appears some of these incidents could be down to someone else; someone local.
It is a beautifully written book, carefully researched, as all Barbara Erskine’s novels are. The two timelines wrap around each other well, both filled with their own brand of suspense. An excellent read which I highly recommend to those readers who enjoy dual timeline novels.
My thanks to Harper Collins and the author for an ARC of The Valley of Ravens in exchange for an honest review.

[Christy fictional_traits · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘This whole valley, the cliffs, the rocks, probably even the stones in the river, remember.’

When healer Eve leaves England for Wales to escape the relentless harassment of a doctor determined to discredit her work, she hopes for a fresh start. Drawn to an abandoned cottage hidden deep within the Welsh countryside, she impulsively buys the property, only to discover that its history is far from forgotten. Known locally as the Witch's Cottage, it is haunted by Alys, a woman whose story exists in 13th century Wales during the final years of Prince Llewelyn.

‘Perhaps it's part of a larger story. Perhaps it's to do with witchcraft... It has stirred up something in the past that has brought you here to Wales.’

Blending history, folklore, and the paranormal, Barbara Erskine delivers exactly the kind of dual timeline story her readers have come to expect. I particularly enjoyed learning about the history of the last Welsh born Prince of Wales and the way Erskine wove it into the mystery surrounding the cottage and its ghostly inhabitants.

Although I felt the novel could have been a little shorter, the gradual unravelling of its mysteries kept me turning the pages. Rich in Welsh legend, atmosphere, and supernatural intrigue, 'The Valley of the Ravens' is sure to delight Barbara Erskine fans and readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of magic.

‘But ghosts? Are they imaginary, or myths…or are they real’?

[Leeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two healers, one from the 13th Century and one from the present day share an old stone cottage in Wales.

Between 1261 and 1287, Alys lived in a small stone cottage in Wales. Alys was a healer and treated villages and wounded soldiers. Tragedy forces Alys from her cottage, but she returns.

In the present day, Eve is also a healer but is forced from her home because Dr Bartlet is threatening her. Eve visits a friend in Wales and one day while out for a drive Eve takes a wrong turn and finds a small derelict stone cottage that is for sale. Eve loves the cottage and buys it.

After moving in, Eve discovers she has a friendly ghost living in the cottage. Alys watches over the cottage but can’t stop the evil doctor who is stalking Eve. Alys is not the only ghost in Eve’s cottage and soon things become very dangerous for Eve.

I loved the way this story switches between Alys, when she lived in the cottage and the present time. Alys is guarding a secret, and evil spirits are trying to steal what Alys is guarding.

Lots of twists and turns and very scary moments as Eve is stalked by Dr Bartlet who is convinced that Eve is a witch.

I loved this story lots of ghosts, evil people and witch hunts. I loved the descriptions of history between 1261 and 1287 in the time of Prince Llewelyn in Wales.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher HarperCollins for a chance to read and review this E-Book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time-slip fiction combining history, the supernatural and romance at its best that also includes a character from the iconic Lady of Hay. Atmospheric story telling and richly observed characterisation meeting with obsessions from the past and the present. Like her other novels it's immersive and the pace builds. Set in the Welsh marches readers encounter Llywelyn the Last Prince of Wales and the fraught politics and wars of the thirteenth century. Meticulous research about his daughter Gwenllian who was born a few months before his death and her fate when Edward I captured Llywelyn's brother David and his family draw attention to women without power its consequences for their lives - a factor at play in the story of Alys, a healer, whose story is at the heart of Erskine's novel. The history of the period casts its shadow across the novel and the life of Erskine's modern character, Eve - who faces a different kind of persecution while at the same time living in a place where the weight of the past pushes through into the present. Couldn't put it down!

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two women centuries apart are at the heart of this gripping story. Eve , a modern day healer, in search of a fresh start buys a tiny remote cottage know as the Witch's House . Alys , a healer from the 13th century ,who once inhabited the cottage is the resident spirit who Eve comes to know. . Their stories are inextricably bound over the course of the novel as are the lives of others in the vicinity.

The action in the past takes place at a time of much turmoil between England and Wales centring on the fate of Llewellyn of Gwynedd and his supporters . In the present it is Eve and her recent past along with her new start that take centre stage . As ever Barbara weaves the two time lines together almost seamlessly and the present is affected by the past . Fans of the Lady of Hay will recognise one of the present day characters
A brilliant story that had me gripped from start to finish and neglecting other things to carry on reading .
Thanks to net galley and Harpers Collins for an advanced arc to read and review

[Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Barbara Erskine, ever since I first read Lady of Hay in the late 80’s. This book is an engaging read, set in present day and 1260, in Wales, where Eve has come to hide, but also to try to move on with her life and where Alys is trying to fulfil a promise to her Prince.

This feels such an authentic book, the main characters may be fictional but a lot of the history, which is so well researched, reads really well. It takes place in a small hamlet, where people still care for their neighbours, where Eve has felt an affinity with an old cottage, and where she can heal her wounds. I like the addition of Teg, and also the premise that old buildings do absorb the feelings of its occupants, especially with hatred, such a strong emotion. Thoroughly enjoyable, it drew me in from the start and kept me riveted all the way to the end. Another triumph for the author

Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, thank you to Harper Fiction through Netgalley for the free copy. I have achieved nothing for the last couple of days as I have been glued to this book.
I have read Barbara Erskine books for a few years and enjoy them very much.
This book is about two healers, one in the past and one in the present. Eve, present healer, is hounded by a GP who does not believe in natural healing. Having lost her husband she tries to escape her tormentor by going to Wales. She finds a cottage, known locally as the witches cottage. The healer who had lived there in the past Alys, too was hounded after the villagers believed her and her family had betrayed the Prince of Wales, Llewelyn to Edward Longshanks men.

I really enjoyed this book, the two healers lives converging and how Eve helps to sort the reason why Alys couldn’t rest peacefully.

Well written, very interesting and gripping.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dual timeline book was immensely satisfying. Alys is a healer and the story starts for in 1260, when she helps Prince Llewelyn after a battle. They are destined to meet often, and Alys gets caught up in his betrayal and is asked to give tokens to his daughters. Her house is burnt down, a woman is hung and Alys and her brother flee. Present day Eve is also a healer, and has a problem with a Dr. Paul Bartlett, who is intent on smearing her name. She moves to Wales to the Witches House, and here is the stories intertwine. This is a story about strong women, healing, vengeance and betrayal. It kept me enthralled as I wanted to see how it all played out, and the ending was very fitting. My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for making this book available to me.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dual timeline story is not to be missed. Barbara Erskine manages to weave the two stories together so cleverly that you feel content at the end.
The two protagonists are Eve and Alys. Both are healers. Eve, in the present, flees her Suffolk home after being harassed but Dr Paul Bartlet. She comes to the Welsh Borders to be near her friend Ann, a fellow healer.
She is drawn to a cottage which is reputed to have belonged to a 13th century witch or healer. Alys is well respected as a healer and becomes friend of Prince Llewellin, the last Welsh Prince of Wales.
The characters are believable, the story fuĺl of interweaving threads as Eve and Alys' stories combine. The setting becomes so real that you can see it in your mind.
Not to be missed.

[julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one of Barbara Erskine’s number one fans (!), I was thrilled to receive a copy of her latest book, The Valley of Ravens, to review.
Wonderful to see that it’s another fat read! You know that with this author, you always get a well researched hefty read that totally absorbs you, with a couple of familiar characters from previous books making an appearance.
No author can do time-slip novels so beautifully and I couldn’t put it down! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to review another wonderful book.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

As per the usual format, Barbara Erskine has intertwined the present day with an historical period - this time the late 1200s - it never becomes boring. The seamless movement between the two periods of time are still fascinating and absorbing.
Eve is a very interesting character - a widow, a healer - hounded out of her home to hide in Wales. And so the intrigue begins.
A solid 4 star read.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Barbara Erskine/HarperCollins UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Sally Boocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great timeslip novel based in Wales. Alys, a healer from the 13th century and Eve a Healer from the present day are bound together when Eve discovers Alys's cottage in Wales and decides she wants to live there. Of course there are ghosts, and baddies on both sides of the ages which go to make a thoroughly entertaining novel to get totally immersed in.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

FABULOUS!
Barbara Erskine is my most favourite author of all time.
My first novel of hers was ‘The Lady of Hay’ and it’s my favourite book ever.
Her books are so well researched and I just love that most of the characters were real a few hundred years ago !!!
The only problem is that I don’t want to put it down and they never last long enough, roll on the next one !

5⭐️’s (x 100 !)

[Kimberley Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this dual-timeline audiobook about a modern day cunning woman who moves into a haunted cottage in Wales, and the 13th century cunning woman who haunts it.

It has ghosts, kings, battles, a modern-day witch hunter, a PI granny… all you could want from a witchy novel. The setting was beautiful and the narrator with her lilting Welsh accent was perfect.

[Valerie McGurk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of two women, many years apart, bound together by fate. By one of my favourite authors this read doesn’t disappoint. As friends are made, secrets are revealed. A truly exceptional and engrossing read.

[Marge · Rating 5 out of 5]

GET THIS BOOK INTO YOUR PERSONAL LIBRARY

Do what my headline says and do it sooner rather than later. Barbara Erskine is such a gifted writer! Her imagination and creativity truly blessed this reader as have most of her books.

[Jaye Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valley of Ravens

Another sensational read from Barbara Erskine. I simply loved it! I will now try to wait patiently for another year for her next best seller..

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another piece of art by Barbara Erskine. Read on 3 days, make sure you have time as once you start on the first page you won't want to put it down

[Luisa Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an atmospheric and often spooky tale with a premise that had me hooked from the first chapter. My interest in Welsh history meant I was always going to be intrigued by a story about Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and his daughter Gwenllian, and Erskine’s characteristic blend of history and the supernatural meant the novel didn’t disappoint.
I found the first half of the book a bit slow, and there were lots of characters to get my head around. I didn’t always manage to keep track of the host of minor characters. I preferred the second half, when the pace builds as events come towards the satisfying climax. Any fan of Barbara Erskine’s writing will enjoy this, especially as it links back to Lady of Hay. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.