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The House of Cursed Women
Not yet published
Expected 22 Oct 26Three women. One unbreakable curse. One last chance for freedom…They call her the She-Wolf.
France, 1312. Queen Isabella is a new mother. Her baby boy not only secures her ill-starred marriage but her own precarious future. And yet, she is terrified. A thirteen-generation curse hangs over her family. Can she free herself and her child from it?
They call her hysterical.
London, 1865. The corridors of Bedlam Lunatic Asylum move like white serpents around Lois. The women here are all the same – more mad than when they entered its doors. But if sin is the cause of her illness, and her memories are the manifestations of insanity, then who is the little boy who calls her Mama?
They call her selfish.
Brittany, 2026. Emma is preparing to marry Sam, a financier from New York. In the French countryside, they've rented a beautiful old castle for two weeks to unite their transatlantic families. But when her 16-year-old daughter Ivy steals a diamond intended for the wedding from the family archives, a dark force awakens…
France, 1312. Queen Isabella is a new mother. Her baby boy not only secures her ill-starred marriage but her own precarious future. And yet, she is terrified. A thirteen-generation curse hangs over her family. Can she free herself and her child from it?
They call her hysterical.
London, 1865. The corridors of Bedlam Lunatic Asylum move like white serpents around Lois. The women here are all the same – more mad than when they entered its doors. But if sin is the cause of her illness, and her memories are the manifestations of insanity, then who is the little boy who calls her Mama?
They call her selfish.
Brittany, 2026. Emma is preparing to marry Sam, a financier from New York. In the French countryside, they've rented a beautiful old castle for two weeks to unite their transatlantic families. But when her 16-year-old daughter Ivy steals a diamond intended for the wedding from the family archives, a dark force awakens…
Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 13, 2026
About the author
C.J. Cooke
13 books2,499 followersC.J. (Carolyn) Cooke is an acclaimed, award-winning poet, novelist and academic with numerous publications as Carolyn Jess-Cooke and Caro Carver. Her work has been published in twenty-three languages to date. Born in Belfast, C.J. has a PhD in Literature from Queen’s University, Belfast, and is currently Reader in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow, where she also researches the impact of motherhood on women’s writing and creative writing interventions for mental health. Her books have been reviewed in The New York Times, The Guardian, Good Housekeeping, and the Daily Mail. She has been nominated for an Edgar Award and an ITW Thriller Award, selected as Waterstones’ Paperback Book of the Year and a BBC 2 Pick, and has had two Book of the Month Club selections in the last year. She lives in Scotland with her husband and four children.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 9, 2026
C J Cooke can genuinely do no wrong. Every book is so compelling, so luxuriously haunting and inspires pure feminist rage. This one has gone right up there at the top with my favourites.
I don’t know how to express how much I loved this book without spoilers. The narrative around the curse was EVERYTHING I wanted and more. There is nothing I love more than a story that plays with time. I adore a dual contemporary/ historical timeline so to be treated to three here and a multi generational supernatural curse was a gift. My brain was doing internal fist pumps as the links between the three women started to come together. I loved all the timelines and the chilling gothic horror through the centuries. Isabella’s story was inspiring and CJC just writes (and rewrites) strong women so well. Adding in some institutional asylum horror was a genius move, building dread through an atmosphere of visceral vulnerability.
I had to physically make myself slow down reading this, there’s an urgency in each timeline and my eyes were tripping over the words as I had to remind myself to breathe. This is the kind of book that reminds me why I love reading, and that makes me mad when every book isn’t this good.
I don’t know how to express how much I loved this book without spoilers. The narrative around the curse was EVERYTHING I wanted and more. There is nothing I love more than a story that plays with time. I adore a dual contemporary/ historical timeline so to be treated to three here and a multi generational supernatural curse was a gift. My brain was doing internal fist pumps as the links between the three women started to come together. I loved all the timelines and the chilling gothic horror through the centuries. Isabella’s story was inspiring and CJC just writes (and rewrites) strong women so well. Adding in some institutional asylum horror was a genius move, building dread through an atmosphere of visceral vulnerability.
I had to physically make myself slow down reading this, there’s an urgency in each timeline and my eyes were tripping over the words as I had to remind myself to breathe. This is the kind of book that reminds me why I love reading, and that makes me mad when every book isn’t this good.
July 17, 2026
Absolutely loved this book. A curse spanning seven hundred years starting from the execution of the Templars up to present day. Told from three POV’s, we go right back to Queen Isabella the wife of Edward II through to Emma on the eve of her wedding day. Witchcraft, historical events wove throughout the story and a glimpse of Bedlam in the 1800’s, I couldn’t put this book down. Wonderful and highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC
July 27, 2026
First of all, thank you to #NetGalley, #HarperFiction, and, of course, C.J. Cooke for the opportunity to read an ARC of The House of Cursed Daughters.
This is my second novel by C.J. Cooke, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. While it felt different from The Last Witch, it still carried her unmistakable storytelling style. Once again, the historical details were fascinating, well-researched, and woven seamlessly into the narrative. I already knew a little about Queen Isabella before picking up this book and even recognized some of the places mentioned, which made the reading experience even more immersive.
One of the reasons I’ll continue reading Cooke’s books is that they always leave me wanting to learn more. Whenever she introduces a historical figure or event, I find myself researching the real history afterward, and I love when fiction inspires that kind of curiosity.
Stories with multiple points of view and timelines spanning centuries can sometimes feel overwhelming, but Cooke’s writing makes it effortless to follow every character and every era. I never felt lost, despite the complexity of the story.
Cooke also isn’t afraid to use disturbing imagery or moments of gore to heighten the unease, but it never feels excessive or included purely for shock value. Instead, it strengthens the haunting atmosphere and serves the story beautifully.
With multiple POVs, I often find myself impatiently waiting to get back to one particular character. Here, however, every storyline had me completely invested, and I was equally excited to return to each one. That said, Isabella’s story was definitely my favourite.
The House of Cursed Daughters is a beautifully eerie, time-spanning gothic tale that weaves together history, dread, folklore, and a haunting atmosphere. From the moment a dying knight curses young Isabella’s bloodline in 1307, the novel establishes a dark, sweeping tone that feels ancient, mysterious, and impossible to escape.
That said, it wasn’t quite a five-star read for me. There was just something missing that kept me from loving it completely. I think the ending left me wanting more. I had hoped for a clearer explanation of the curse itself and a more conclusive ending that brought together the stories of all the women connected to Isabella’s bloodline.
Overall, this is another atmospheric and beautifully written novel from C.J. Cooke that blends gothic horror with rich historical fiction. If you enjoy haunting family curses, dual (or multiple) timelines, and stories where history and folklore intertwine, this is definitely one to pick up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
This is my second novel by C.J. Cooke, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. While it felt different from The Last Witch, it still carried her unmistakable storytelling style. Once again, the historical details were fascinating, well-researched, and woven seamlessly into the narrative. I already knew a little about Queen Isabella before picking up this book and even recognized some of the places mentioned, which made the reading experience even more immersive.
One of the reasons I’ll continue reading Cooke’s books is that they always leave me wanting to learn more. Whenever she introduces a historical figure or event, I find myself researching the real history afterward, and I love when fiction inspires that kind of curiosity.
Stories with multiple points of view and timelines spanning centuries can sometimes feel overwhelming, but Cooke’s writing makes it effortless to follow every character and every era. I never felt lost, despite the complexity of the story.
Cooke also isn’t afraid to use disturbing imagery or moments of gore to heighten the unease, but it never feels excessive or included purely for shock value. Instead, it strengthens the haunting atmosphere and serves the story beautifully.
With multiple POVs, I often find myself impatiently waiting to get back to one particular character. Here, however, every storyline had me completely invested, and I was equally excited to return to each one. That said, Isabella’s story was definitely my favourite.
The House of Cursed Daughters is a beautifully eerie, time-spanning gothic tale that weaves together history, dread, folklore, and a haunting atmosphere. From the moment a dying knight curses young Isabella’s bloodline in 1307, the novel establishes a dark, sweeping tone that feels ancient, mysterious, and impossible to escape.
That said, it wasn’t quite a five-star read for me. There was just something missing that kept me from loving it completely. I think the ending left me wanting more. I had hoped for a clearer explanation of the curse itself and a more conclusive ending that brought together the stories of all the women connected to Isabella’s bloodline.
Overall, this is another atmospheric and beautifully written novel from C.J. Cooke that blends gothic horror with rich historical fiction. If you enjoy haunting family curses, dual (or multiple) timelines, and stories where history and folklore intertwine, this is definitely one to pick up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 rounded up
Paris 1307. Four heretics are to be burned at the stake and Phillip IV of France requires his daughter Isabella to witness it. One of the condemned souls is Knight Templar Jacques de Moloy, who she has met and when his eyes alight on Isabella, he begs for mercy. Under the cool watchful eye of her father this is something she cannot grant and thus, he curses her house, her lineage and that her bloodline will be tormented.
1865 London, Bedlam. Lois/Clara is confined to Bedlam, waking in a padded cell with no clue how she’s got there or even who she is. She possesses a red garnet that she knows is very significant but not why.
2026. Emma Harris is an artist and plagued by terrible dreams of fires, so vivid the heat seems to be on her face. Currently, she’s at the Château de Kerbelle near Paris for her wedding to Sam and her art exhibition called The Dress, featuring thirteen women through time, wearing versions of the dress.
Seven centuries. Three women. One blood curse.
Wow. CJ Cooke sure knows how to tell a terrific Gothic tale. The supernatural, curses, ghastly ghostly entities, tarot cards, witchcraft – it’s all here. It’s a dark Grimm style fairytale, watched over by the Château from whose walls the curse seems to come alive. Ash and dust, fire and smoke, blood, inheritance and identity. It’s fabulously atmospheric both in the French and English mediaeval courts, the horror of 19th century Bedlam where women’s rights are overridden and ignored, and in the 21st Century the château positively exudes a haunting aura.
The three timelines work really well. As a former history teacher, I find the Isabella storyline especially fascinating, I know her story but CJ Cooke makes me rethink how HIStory has branded her the She-Wolf of France, and she absolutely brings her to life. The impact of Moloy’s curse is vividly witnessed in the other timelines and via Emma‘s art which connects and brings the whole thing together.
However, much as I really love the book, Lois/Clara‘s story does fizzle out and we only meet the other women in the paintings briefly. That being said, I think it’s a terrific novel. It’s unsettling, tense, haunting and chilling, gritty raw and ghostly, but overall it’s a thoughtful and thought-provoking multigenerational novel. It’s vivid and well written. I think the author has another best seller on her hands!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins/HarperFiction for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Paris 1307. Four heretics are to be burned at the stake and Phillip IV of France requires his daughter Isabella to witness it. One of the condemned souls is Knight Templar Jacques de Moloy, who she has met and when his eyes alight on Isabella, he begs for mercy. Under the cool watchful eye of her father this is something she cannot grant and thus, he curses her house, her lineage and that her bloodline will be tormented.
1865 London, Bedlam. Lois/Clara is confined to Bedlam, waking in a padded cell with no clue how she’s got there or even who she is. She possesses a red garnet that she knows is very significant but not why.
2026. Emma Harris is an artist and plagued by terrible dreams of fires, so vivid the heat seems to be on her face. Currently, she’s at the Château de Kerbelle near Paris for her wedding to Sam and her art exhibition called The Dress, featuring thirteen women through time, wearing versions of the dress.
Seven centuries. Three women. One blood curse.
Wow. CJ Cooke sure knows how to tell a terrific Gothic tale. The supernatural, curses, ghastly ghostly entities, tarot cards, witchcraft – it’s all here. It’s a dark Grimm style fairytale, watched over by the Château from whose walls the curse seems to come alive. Ash and dust, fire and smoke, blood, inheritance and identity. It’s fabulously atmospheric both in the French and English mediaeval courts, the horror of 19th century Bedlam where women’s rights are overridden and ignored, and in the 21st Century the château positively exudes a haunting aura.
The three timelines work really well. As a former history teacher, I find the Isabella storyline especially fascinating, I know her story but CJ Cooke makes me rethink how HIStory has branded her the She-Wolf of France, and she absolutely brings her to life. The impact of Moloy’s curse is vividly witnessed in the other timelines and via Emma‘s art which connects and brings the whole thing together.
However, much as I really love the book, Lois/Clara‘s story does fizzle out and we only meet the other women in the paintings briefly. That being said, I think it’s a terrific novel. It’s unsettling, tense, haunting and chilling, gritty raw and ghostly, but overall it’s a thoughtful and thought-provoking multigenerational novel. It’s vivid and well written. I think the author has another best seller on her hands!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins/HarperFiction for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The House of Cursed Daughters is a beautifully eerie, time‑spanning gothic tale that weaves dread, history, and haunting atmosphere into one compelling thread. From the moment a dying knight curses young Isabella’s bloodline in 1307, the story sets its tone: dark, sweeping, and steeped in the kind of myth that feels almost too old to question.
What makes this book so captivating is how it moves through centuries while keeping the curse at its core. Each woman’s story feels distinct yet connected — Isabella witnessing horror that shapes her future, Lois waking in Bedlam with no memory and a sense of something ancient stalking her, and Emma arriving at a crumbling château where the walls seem to breathe with old secrets. The transitions between eras are seamless, and each timeline has its own flavour of fear.
The atmosphere is stunning. Paris in flames, the claustrophobic madness of Bedlam, and the present‑day château with its creeping unease all feel vividly alive. There’s a sense that the curse isn’t just following these women — it’s watching, waiting, choosing its moment.
I loved how the book blends gothic horror with emotional depth. It’s not just about a curse; it’s about inheritance, identity, and the weight of history pressing down on the present. The tension builds quietly but steadily, and by the final chapters, the story feels like it’s been tightening its grip for centuries.
A haunting, imaginative, and beautifully crafted novel that delivers both chills and heart. Perfect for readers who love multi‑generational mysteries, gothic settings, and stories where the past refuses to stay buried.
With thanks to CJ Cooke, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
What makes this book so captivating is how it moves through centuries while keeping the curse at its core. Each woman’s story feels distinct yet connected — Isabella witnessing horror that shapes her future, Lois waking in Bedlam with no memory and a sense of something ancient stalking her, and Emma arriving at a crumbling château where the walls seem to breathe with old secrets. The transitions between eras are seamless, and each timeline has its own flavour of fear.
The atmosphere is stunning. Paris in flames, the claustrophobic madness of Bedlam, and the present‑day château with its creeping unease all feel vividly alive. There’s a sense that the curse isn’t just following these women — it’s watching, waiting, choosing its moment.
I loved how the book blends gothic horror with emotional depth. It’s not just about a curse; it’s about inheritance, identity, and the weight of history pressing down on the present. The tension builds quietly but steadily, and by the final chapters, the story feels like it’s been tightening its grip for centuries.
A haunting, imaginative, and beautifully crafted novel that delivers both chills and heart. Perfect for readers who love multi‑generational mysteries, gothic settings, and stories where the past refuses to stay buried.
With thanks to CJ Cooke, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 rounded into 4 stars
The intention to upheld the unheard, underrated voices for Queens of England are highly appreciated. Amplified their contributions, characters, stories and more where they should be very welcomed. I really think mainstream history doesn’t give enough credit for Queens if she wasn’t the reigning one like Elizabeth or Victoria.
Isabella of France was one of QoE that I rarely come across and she ofc was subjected under misogyny much duh during medieval era.
I honestly don’t cared much on other POV like Emma or Clare. They are necessary but I’m more thrilled with Isabella’s POV. What’s next for Isabella to take action and such. I was so invested but didn’t realized that the plot actually pulled off a gothic genre. I only get it after I read other ppl’s review. Shame on me.
However I really really hate the historical inaccuracy where it’s abusive and vague. I understand this is historical fiction but when author promised to try her best to adopt from historical facts, please kindly deliver as exactly.
Looking into the curses, well I enjoyed but I wasn’t impressed much. I also wonder why the little girl has to shoulder a burden. She’s just a child. Shocking value isn’t there, and I still think The Lighthouse is better.
Overall, it’s a beautiful unsettling story that uplifting the story of an infamous queen woven with generational stories. Highlighting women’s life as it should be and deserved whereas mainstream history won’t do so.
The intention to upheld the unheard, underrated voices for Queens of England are highly appreciated. Amplified their contributions, characters, stories and more where they should be very welcomed. I really think mainstream history doesn’t give enough credit for Queens if she wasn’t the reigning one like Elizabeth or Victoria.
Isabella of France was one of QoE that I rarely come across and she ofc was subjected under misogyny much duh during medieval era.
I honestly don’t cared much on other POV like Emma or Clare. They are necessary but I’m more thrilled with Isabella’s POV. What’s next for Isabella to take action and such. I was so invested but didn’t realized that the plot actually pulled off a gothic genre. I only get it after I read other ppl’s review. Shame on me.
However I really really hate the historical inaccuracy where it’s abusive and vague. I understand this is historical fiction but when author promised to try her best to adopt from historical facts, please kindly deliver as exactly.
Looking into the curses, well I enjoyed but I wasn’t impressed much. I also wonder why the little girl has to shoulder a burden. She’s just a child. Shocking value isn’t there, and I still think The Lighthouse is better.
Overall, it’s a beautiful unsettling story that uplifting the story of an infamous queen woven with generational stories. Highlighting women’s life as it should be and deserved whereas mainstream history won’t do so.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Having read C.J. Cooke before, I was quietly optimistic that The House of Cursed Daughters would be a book written for me.
Strong female characters? Tick.
Women supporting women? Tick.
A story spanning generations? Tick.
A dark, gothic setting? Absolutely.
Stories with multiple POVs and timelines stretching across different centuries can sometimes feel intimidating, but Cooke's writing makes it effortless to keep track of each character in every timeline.
Cooke isn't afraid to use disturbing imagery or moments of gore to heighten the unease, but it never feels included simply for shock value. Instead, it deepens the atmosphere and horror in a way that feels purposeful and beautifully executed.
With multiple POVs, I usually find myself impatient to get back to one particular character but every storyline had me completely invested, and I was equally eager to return to each of them.
This is a beautifully unsettling gothic novel that blends mystery, horror, and generational secrets. Without a doubt, it's one of my favourite books of the year so far.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Strong female characters? Tick.
Women supporting women? Tick.
A story spanning generations? Tick.
A dark, gothic setting? Absolutely.
Stories with multiple POVs and timelines stretching across different centuries can sometimes feel intimidating, but Cooke's writing makes it effortless to keep track of each character in every timeline.
Cooke isn't afraid to use disturbing imagery or moments of gore to heighten the unease, but it never feels included simply for shock value. Instead, it deepens the atmosphere and horror in a way that feels purposeful and beautifully executed.
With multiple POVs, I usually find myself impatient to get back to one particular character but every storyline had me completely invested, and I was equally eager to return to each of them.
This is a beautifully unsettling gothic novel that blends mystery, horror, and generational secrets. Without a doubt, it's one of my favourite books of the year so far.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
★★★★☆ (4/5)
I want to start this review by highlighting the fact that the publication date of this book is absolutely perfect, as this is the ideal autumnal read!
The House of Cursed Daughters is a beautifully atmospheric historical fiction. The three narratives kept me invested, and I particularly enjoyed how the story moved across different periods
This is the first C.J. Cooke book I’ve read, and I’ve found that she is especially talented in world building and the historical elements throughout added real depth to the story.
While I found the overall story compelling, there were a few moments where I wanted more detail and a little more exploration of certain plot points and lore.
Overall, this is an immersive, haunting read that I would happily recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction with gothic themes. If you’re looking for an atmospheric novel to curl up with this autumn, this is well worth picking up.
I want to start this review by highlighting the fact that the publication date of this book is absolutely perfect, as this is the ideal autumnal read!
The House of Cursed Daughters is a beautifully atmospheric historical fiction. The three narratives kept me invested, and I particularly enjoyed how the story moved across different periods
This is the first C.J. Cooke book I’ve read, and I’ve found that she is especially talented in world building and the historical elements throughout added real depth to the story.
While I found the overall story compelling, there were a few moments where I wanted more detail and a little more exploration of certain plot points and lore.
Overall, this is an immersive, haunting read that I would happily recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction with gothic themes. If you’re looking for an atmospheric novel to curl up with this autumn, this is well worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The House of Cursed Daughters is one of my most anticipated books from the second half of 2026 and I was delighted to have received a copy of it before October. I was left feeling fulfilled after reading this. The House of Cursed Daughters was a beautifully written feminine focused story following women in a family line due to an ancient curse placed upon the family.
I adored the writing style of this, the multiple POVs, the differing time periods and how each time period was so detailed and linked incredibly well.
This book will make you feel so many emotions - rage, love, sadness and rage again! C.J Cooke writes these witchy women centred books with historical aspects so beautifully and I hope she never stops writing in this genre.
I adored the writing style of this, the multiple POVs, the differing time periods and how each time period was so detailed and linked incredibly well.
This book will make you feel so many emotions - rage, love, sadness and rage again! C.J Cooke writes these witchy women centred books with historical aspects so beautifully and I hope she never stops writing in this genre.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, and C.J. Cooke for sending me an e-arc of The House of Cursed Daughters. My gratitude knows no bounds.
As I sit to write this review, I wonder if any words will be enough to explain the genius behind this story. C.J. Cooke is at the tippy-top of my auto-buy author list, and when presented with the chance to read this new release early, I grabbed it with both of my greedy little hands and ran. The story follows the blood line of Isabella of France, the 12-year-old Princess who was cursed by a bitter knight. We travel through centuries, following Isabella as she grows, marries, rules England, and tries to live despite the curse hanging over her head. ‘Lois’ – a woman who wakes in Bedlam insane asylum with no idea who she is in the year 1865, and Emma, an artist based out of the Isle of Skye who is travelling to France for two reasons - her art show, and her wedding to her wonderful Canadian fiancé, Sam. We get treated to a few chapters from Ivy, also, Emma’s angsty teenage daughter who is trying to overcome her anger towards her mother.
Cooke writes these women in such a way that you feel them deeply in your bones. Their emotions become yours, their fear becomes your fear, and their story becomes one you feel lost in. Each woman is written so wonderfully, so uniquely and with their own voice that it is easy to switch up timelines; at no point reading this did I feel confused about whose story I was witnessing. The curse, placed on thirteen generations of Isabella’s bloodline is written in a way that only Cooke can manage; gritty, raw, and entirely unsettling. The constant presence hanging over each character is subtle, yet you are always aware of its presence, its power and its desire to get exactly what it wants.
With each new book Cooke releases, I am again reminded what a joy it is to be a reader. To experience these worlds for the first time through the expertly written scenes. The amount of time and effort put into each story sings from the pages, and you can tell that each character has been crafted with love and care and respect for their real life inspiration. Getting to experience the research through Cooke’s Instagram stories is an added bonus, and I have found myself searching up the podcasts and sources written in her acknowledgements, desperate to know more.
If this is the first novel of Cooke’s that you pick up, you are in for an absolute treat. Once again we have been graced with her genius, her expert story telling, and her virtuosity in research to bring us these women who history tries to erase, silence, or tarnish. Absolutely fantastic.
As I sit to write this review, I wonder if any words will be enough to explain the genius behind this story. C.J. Cooke is at the tippy-top of my auto-buy author list, and when presented with the chance to read this new release early, I grabbed it with both of my greedy little hands and ran. The story follows the blood line of Isabella of France, the 12-year-old Princess who was cursed by a bitter knight. We travel through centuries, following Isabella as she grows, marries, rules England, and tries to live despite the curse hanging over her head. ‘Lois’ – a woman who wakes in Bedlam insane asylum with no idea who she is in the year 1865, and Emma, an artist based out of the Isle of Skye who is travelling to France for two reasons - her art show, and her wedding to her wonderful Canadian fiancé, Sam. We get treated to a few chapters from Ivy, also, Emma’s angsty teenage daughter who is trying to overcome her anger towards her mother.
Cooke writes these women in such a way that you feel them deeply in your bones. Their emotions become yours, their fear becomes your fear, and their story becomes one you feel lost in. Each woman is written so wonderfully, so uniquely and with their own voice that it is easy to switch up timelines; at no point reading this did I feel confused about whose story I was witnessing. The curse, placed on thirteen generations of Isabella’s bloodline is written in a way that only Cooke can manage; gritty, raw, and entirely unsettling. The constant presence hanging over each character is subtle, yet you are always aware of its presence, its power and its desire to get exactly what it wants.
With each new book Cooke releases, I am again reminded what a joy it is to be a reader. To experience these worlds for the first time through the expertly written scenes. The amount of time and effort put into each story sings from the pages, and you can tell that each character has been crafted with love and care and respect for their real life inspiration. Getting to experience the research through Cooke’s Instagram stories is an added bonus, and I have found myself searching up the podcasts and sources written in her acknowledgements, desperate to know more.
If this is the first novel of Cooke’s that you pick up, you are in for an absolute treat. Once again we have been graced with her genius, her expert story telling, and her virtuosity in research to bring us these women who history tries to erase, silence, or tarnish. Absolutely fantastic.
July 17, 2026
Firstly thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
This is my second book by this author and it did not disappoint. Told from the points of view of three different women in different times in history and how they navigate a curse that was put on Isabella of France and her bloodline by the Grand Master of the Knights Templar at his execution . This story is informative, interesting and also had a horror aspect as the curse affects all the women of the bloodline . I love history so for me this ticked all the boxes - absolutely loved it
This is my second book by this author and it did not disappoint. Told from the points of view of three different women in different times in history and how they navigate a curse that was put on Isabella of France and her bloodline by the Grand Master of the Knights Templar at his execution . This story is informative, interesting and also had a horror aspect as the curse affects all the women of the bloodline . I love history so for me this ticked all the boxes - absolutely loved it
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I spent a good while in the first part of this book wishing we could skip wedding prep and just go back a few hundred years to Isabella.
Hers was the story I really wanted to hear.
But as the creepy goings on got creepier, I was happy to be with any of the characters
It all pulls together so well, and has a good sense of menace towards the end.
I think Cooke has another best seller on her hands here.
A VERY good read.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
Hers was the story I really wanted to hear.
But as the creepy goings on got creepier, I was happy to be with any of the characters
It all pulls together so well, and has a good sense of menace towards the end.
I think Cooke has another best seller on her hands here.
A VERY good read.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
I was very excited to be invited to read this book. CJ Cooke is fast becoming a must read author for me, I've loved the last couple so much I pre-ordered them and I will do the same with this one. I read this one over a couple of sittings, genuinely found it hard to put down. A solid five star read.
I was very excited to be invited to read this book. CJ Cooke is fast becoming a must read author for me, I've loved the last couple so much I pre-ordered them and I will do the same with this one. I read this one over a couple of sittings, genuinely found it hard to put down. A solid five star read.
July 16, 2026
Triple timeline linking Queen Isabella of France in the 14th century, Clara from the 1800’s imprisoned in Bedlam asylum and Emma preparing for marriage in the present day, all connected by an ancient curse.
Witchcraft, reincarnation, tarot, a revengeful ghost, fiction based on true past events- historical fiction at its best.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and NetGalley for the review copy.
Witchcraft, reincarnation, tarot, a revengeful ghost, fiction based on true past events- historical fiction at its best.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and NetGalley for the review copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was intrigued to read this book as it contained true characters I had never heard off. Told through 3 timelines it tells the stories of Isabella, Clara and Emma . A curse which has followed them down the generations through the line of Isabella becomes a frightening experience for all three women. Sometimes I found it hard to follow but overall a solid 4 stars .
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the seven layer salad of books. Perfect dressing, perfect crunchy details hidden throughout, and the most precious succulent sweet peas you will ever have(the woman in the book). All wrapped in a creepy atmosphere that will leave you longing for the rich family history. This authors writing style is a go to for me. Prime rib right here.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I will come back and edit this review tomorrow when I’ve had time to fully process this fantastic, dark, beautifully written novel.
For now, know this - C.J. Cooke has done it again. Absolutely phenomenal.
For now, know this - C.J. Cooke has done it again. Absolutely phenomenal.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Since reading the description of this book, it had me intrigued! I picked it up this afternoon and have devoured it!
It is such a great book- with interesting characters and compelling plot that draws you in.
In my opinion, it is one of the best books I have read. I loved it!
It is such a great book- with interesting characters and compelling plot that draws you in.
In my opinion, it is one of the best books I have read. I loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for this ARC. Ioge C.J.Cooke and this book did not disappoint. An excellently written, visceral historical novel. I loved every minute of reading it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I simply have no words good enough to do this book justice. CJ Cooke has done it again! Her writing is absolutely beautiful and I immediately felt transported into each of these women’s storylines. I was hooked from the first page and haven’t stopped thinking about it since I finished it last week. An absolutely stunning read and an easy 5⭐️ rating from me
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