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The Raven
As illness tightens its grip, something darker begins to stir.
England, 1665. As plague ravages London and fear spreads north to York, Martin Blake, a humble cobbler, struggles to protect his family through a bitter, death-shadowed winter. When the parish rector, his wife’s domineering uncle, forces orphaned children from London into their already meager home, Martin’s fragile world begins to unravel.
Grief, illness, and the weight of buried sins close in. Ravens gather. Martin’s reason begins to slip. Whispers spread—of misused alms, of spirits that roam at night, of faith twisted into something monstrous. As snow blankets the land and the dead lie unburied, Martin must confront a chilling truth: is he haunted by guilt, or by something far more sinister?
A gothic tale of illness, obsession, and the perilous border between loyalty and madness.
England, 1665. As plague ravages London and fear spreads north to York, Martin Blake, a humble cobbler, struggles to protect his family through a bitter, death-shadowed winter. When the parish rector, his wife’s domineering uncle, forces orphaned children from London into their already meager home, Martin’s fragile world begins to unravel.
Grief, illness, and the weight of buried sins close in. Ravens gather. Martin’s reason begins to slip. Whispers spread—of misused alms, of spirits that roam at night, of faith twisted into something monstrous. As snow blankets the land and the dead lie unburied, Martin must confront a chilling truth: is he haunted by guilt, or by something far more sinister?
A gothic tale of illness, obsession, and the perilous border between loyalty and madness.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2026
About the author
Susan McCauley
16 books286 followersSusan McCauley is an award-winning author who writes gothic horror, ghost stories, and folklore-driven fantasy for middle grade, YA, and adult readers, exploring faith, fear, and the darker costs of history.
To learn more, visit her on the web at www.sbmccauley.com
To learn more, visit her on the web at www.sbmccauley.com
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August 8, 20263/5⭐⭐⭐
⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺
I went into this expecting a moody gothic read, and on that front it delivers — 1665 England, plague, snow, grief, and just enough dread to make you want three blankets . The ravens ended up being my favorite part. You're never quite sure if they're actually stalking Martin or if it's all in his guilt-wrecked head, and honestly, not knowing was the best part of the book.
Where it lost me a bit was the middle. Once the setup was established, I kept waiting for things to move forward, and instead it felt like the story was pacing in place same grief, same dread, same conflicts, just restated. The writing itself is genuinely good, and the historical detail is convincing, so I'd still pick up something else by this author.
One thing to highlight: this book goes to some dark places, including childhood sexual abuse and religious abuse, so it's worth checking content warnings before you start.
I didn't dislike it. I just closed it feeling more puzzled than moved. I almost dnfed this book but I still finished.
Thank you to NetGalley and Celtic Sea for providing me with this ARC in exchange of an honest review
⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺
I went into this expecting a moody gothic read, and on that front it delivers — 1665 England, plague, snow, grief, and just enough dread to make you want three blankets . The ravens ended up being my favorite part. You're never quite sure if they're actually stalking Martin or if it's all in his guilt-wrecked head, and honestly, not knowing was the best part of the book.
Where it lost me a bit was the middle. Once the setup was established, I kept waiting for things to move forward, and instead it felt like the story was pacing in place same grief, same dread, same conflicts, just restated. The writing itself is genuinely good, and the historical detail is convincing, so I'd still pick up something else by this author.
One thing to highlight: this book goes to some dark places, including childhood sexual abuse and religious abuse, so it's worth checking content warnings before you start.
I didn't dislike it. I just closed it feeling more puzzled than moved. I almost dnfed this book but I still finished.
Thank you to NetGalley and Celtic Sea for providing me with this ARC in exchange of an honest review
March 11, 2026
First, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC copy of the book.
This was a heart wrenching but beautiful example of gothic horror. A protagonist you can’t help but feel for as he descends into madness and a truly disgusting antagonist who you spend the entire book praying gets his comeuppance.
This is my first work by McCauley but she is clearly talented and can weave an engaging narrative with fleshed out characters. Certainly would recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre.
This was a heart wrenching but beautiful example of gothic horror. A protagonist you can’t help but feel for as he descends into madness and a truly disgusting antagonist who you spend the entire book praying gets his comeuppance.
This is my first work by McCauley but she is clearly talented and can weave an engaging narrative with fleshed out characters. Certainly would recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre.
August 2, 2026
The Raven by Susan McCauley
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 stars
I’m not even sure how to review this one, which feels oddly appropriate considering I’m not entirely sure what I just read. It’s definitely atmospheric. Creepy? Absolutely. Gothicky? Very much so. Bleak enough to make you want to wrap yourself in three blankets and avoid 1665 England forever? Without question. Plague, snow, grief, ravens… this book really looked at joy and said, “Not in my house.”
The ravens ended up being one of my favorite parts of the story. Susanna adores them and feeds them, while Martin sees them as harbingers of death and bad luck. After he accidentally kills one in a trap, the birds seem to take an unhealthy interest in him. Whether they were actually stalking him or whether guilt was slowly unraveling his mind is never entirely clear and honestly, I think that’s what made them so unsettling. Every time another raven appeared, I found myself thinking, “This is probably going to ruin Martin’s day.”
That uncertainty is probably exactly what the author was aiming for (maybe?) I was never completely sure where reality ended and Martin’s guilt, grief, and fear began and I think that was the point. I didn’t connect with the story as much as I’d hoped but the oppressive gothic atmosphere and the lingering sense of dread kept me turning the pages.
By the end, I wasn’t disappointed so much as puzzled. The gothic atmosphere, the ever present ravens and Martin’s slow unraveling kept me reading even when I wasn’t entirely sure where the story was taking me. This is one of those books where you finish the last page, close it slowly and try to decide whether you understood it or whether it quietly outsmarted you. I’m still not sure which it was.
Thank you to NetGalley and Celtic Sea, LLC for the digital advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Expected publication date: September 8, 2026.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 stars
I’m not even sure how to review this one, which feels oddly appropriate considering I’m not entirely sure what I just read. It’s definitely atmospheric. Creepy? Absolutely. Gothicky? Very much so. Bleak enough to make you want to wrap yourself in three blankets and avoid 1665 England forever? Without question. Plague, snow, grief, ravens… this book really looked at joy and said, “Not in my house.”
The ravens ended up being one of my favorite parts of the story. Susanna adores them and feeds them, while Martin sees them as harbingers of death and bad luck. After he accidentally kills one in a trap, the birds seem to take an unhealthy interest in him. Whether they were actually stalking him or whether guilt was slowly unraveling his mind is never entirely clear and honestly, I think that’s what made them so unsettling. Every time another raven appeared, I found myself thinking, “This is probably going to ruin Martin’s day.”
That uncertainty is probably exactly what the author was aiming for (maybe?) I was never completely sure where reality ended and Martin’s guilt, grief, and fear began and I think that was the point. I didn’t connect with the story as much as I’d hoped but the oppressive gothic atmosphere and the lingering sense of dread kept me turning the pages.
By the end, I wasn’t disappointed so much as puzzled. The gothic atmosphere, the ever present ravens and Martin’s slow unraveling kept me reading even when I wasn’t entirely sure where the story was taking me. This is one of those books where you finish the last page, close it slowly and try to decide whether you understood it or whether it quietly outsmarted you. I’m still not sure which it was.
Thank you to NetGalley and Celtic Sea, LLC for the digital advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Expected publication date: September 8, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
‘If you enjoy horror movies that have more depth and less jump-scares, this book is for you!’
The Raven is what I would summarise as a love-child of Ken Follett’s ‘Pillars Of The Earth’ and Susan Hill’s ‘The Woman In Black’. Exactly what you’d expect from a 17th Century, dark, folkloric novel. Full of eeriness and strange happenings and leaning on religion and the Great Plague, the author leads you on a journey of ups, downs, hope, and despair, to the point where you yourself question if what just happened, did actually happen!
Plot: 7/10
Although fairly simple, the story is engaging throughout and keeps the reader engrossed through every page – even if it you get the feeling of the inevitable. I personally felt like it was a little bit of a slow start, but once I was around 25% in, I got into the rhythm and flew through the rest.
Characters: 7/10
If I had to rate this section JUST based on Martin alone, it would be a 9. The depth of character building with him was excellent, you really get a sense of what the man is going through. The other characters, although well written, were sometimes a little harder to remember – and I personally had to keep referring to previous chapters to remember who was who, and what their relation was.
Worldbuilding: 7/10
Not much to say on worldbuilding really. It’s set predominantly in Yorkshire, but I feel it could’ve been anywhere that isn’t London really and it still would’ve worked. General sense of darkness was profound throughout the book, but apart from a few notable landmarks, you could be anywhere between Scotland and Cambridge – not a bad thing at all though, just to note.
Writing Style: 8/10
Easy read, easy language used, very free flowing - overall solid page-turner. The author does a fantastic job at making you detest a character, then feel sorry for them, then detest them all over again! The suspense that is built up where needed was very well done and I like to think that this is a very strong point of the author.
Summary
Overall, I will say I thoroughly enjoyed The Raven. This is simply a dark, folklore novel that was done very well. Although just over 200 pages, you get a true depth of the story and the characters, without feeling like anything was rushed or skipped over. If you enjoy horror movies that have more depth and less jump-scares, this book is for you! It certainly makes me want to explore more of Susan McCauley’s works!
Overall rating: 7/10
The Raven is what I would summarise as a love-child of Ken Follett’s ‘Pillars Of The Earth’ and Susan Hill’s ‘The Woman In Black’. Exactly what you’d expect from a 17th Century, dark, folkloric novel. Full of eeriness and strange happenings and leaning on religion and the Great Plague, the author leads you on a journey of ups, downs, hope, and despair, to the point where you yourself question if what just happened, did actually happen!
Plot: 7/10
Although fairly simple, the story is engaging throughout and keeps the reader engrossed through every page – even if it you get the feeling of the inevitable. I personally felt like it was a little bit of a slow start, but once I was around 25% in, I got into the rhythm and flew through the rest.
Characters: 7/10
If I had to rate this section JUST based on Martin alone, it would be a 9. The depth of character building with him was excellent, you really get a sense of what the man is going through. The other characters, although well written, were sometimes a little harder to remember – and I personally had to keep referring to previous chapters to remember who was who, and what their relation was.
Worldbuilding: 7/10
Not much to say on worldbuilding really. It’s set predominantly in Yorkshire, but I feel it could’ve been anywhere that isn’t London really and it still would’ve worked. General sense of darkness was profound throughout the book, but apart from a few notable landmarks, you could be anywhere between Scotland and Cambridge – not a bad thing at all though, just to note.
Writing Style: 8/10
Easy read, easy language used, very free flowing - overall solid page-turner. The author does a fantastic job at making you detest a character, then feel sorry for them, then detest them all over again! The suspense that is built up where needed was very well done and I like to think that this is a very strong point of the author.
Summary
Overall, I will say I thoroughly enjoyed The Raven. This is simply a dark, folklore novel that was done very well. Although just over 200 pages, you get a true depth of the story and the characters, without feeling like anything was rushed or skipped over. If you enjoy horror movies that have more depth and less jump-scares, this book is for you! It certainly makes me want to explore more of Susan McCauley’s works!
Overall rating: 7/10
September 5, 2026
England, 1665 & York is suffering a bitter cold winter. Martin Blake is a cobbler who supplements his family's meagre diet with the poaching of small game, but one day his trap holds a dead raven. Martin is upset as his wife, Susanna, dotes on the ravens which she feeds with breadcrumbs.
Following this incident, bad luck & the ravens seem to stalk Martin. He is obliged to take in four orphaned children & when his son & wife die shortly afterwards, Martin wonders if the children brought the plague with them.
Losing his wife makes Martin lose his grasp on reality & he descends into madness, talking to people who are not there & failing to care for the orphans. As the winter continues, is Martin being haunted by his own guilt or by something more sinister?
At under 200 pages this was a fairly short read but even so it seemed to drag. The pacing was off as Martin's descent doesn't slowly build up to allow the feeling of dread to build but seems to happen all at once. Also it felt like it was set much earlier than the 17th century & had a more Medieval feel than the time of Charles II. Lots of other readers seemed to enjoy it but it wasn't for me unfortunately.
SUMMARY:
Plot: 3/5 - The pacing of Martin’s descent into madness was off to me as it seemed to happen all at once.
Writing Style: 4/5 - Descriptive & atmospheric, I feel the pacing didn’t work.
Enjoyment: 3/5 - Lots of other readers seemed to enjoy it but it wasn't for me unfortunately.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Book Whisperer/Celtic Sea, LLC, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
TWs:
Following this incident, bad luck & the ravens seem to stalk Martin. He is obliged to take in four orphaned children & when his son & wife die shortly afterwards, Martin wonders if the children brought the plague with them.
Losing his wife makes Martin lose his grasp on reality & he descends into madness, talking to people who are not there & failing to care for the orphans. As the winter continues, is Martin being haunted by his own guilt or by something more sinister?
At under 200 pages this was a fairly short read but even so it seemed to drag. The pacing was off as Martin's descent doesn't slowly build up to allow the feeling of dread to build but seems to happen all at once. Also it felt like it was set much earlier than the 17th century & had a more Medieval feel than the time of Charles II. Lots of other readers seemed to enjoy it but it wasn't for me unfortunately.
SUMMARY:
Plot: 3/5 - The pacing of Martin’s descent into madness was off to me as it seemed to happen all at once.
Writing Style: 4/5 - Descriptive & atmospheric, I feel the pacing didn’t work.
Enjoyment: 3/5 - Lots of other readers seemed to enjoy it but it wasn't for me unfortunately.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Book Whisperer/Celtic Sea, LLC, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
TWs:
June 29, 2026
✨ARC Review✨
The Raven was my first book by Susan McCauley and it pleasantly surprised me. Written in the third person, the short story weaves a dark and haunting story centred on a man who is simply trying to do right by his family, even as circumstances around him grow increasingly grim. Despite the main characters flaws and missteps, his intentions feel genuine and you can't help but root for him to finally catch a break. As the story progresses, he slowly descends into madness which really pulls you in as you feel the impending doom. The author does a great job of setting up the eerie tone of the plot. Overall, The Raven is a haunting and compelling read that leaves a lasting impression.
The Raven was my first book by Susan McCauley and it pleasantly surprised me. Written in the third person, the short story weaves a dark and haunting story centred on a man who is simply trying to do right by his family, even as circumstances around him grow increasingly grim. Despite the main characters flaws and missteps, his intentions feel genuine and you can't help but root for him to finally catch a break. As the story progresses, he slowly descends into madness which really pulls you in as you feel the impending doom. The author does a great job of setting up the eerie tone of the plot. Overall, The Raven is a haunting and compelling read that leaves a lasting impression.
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March 20, 2026182 pages
The year is 1665.
This is a sad, tragic story about a man who slowly goes mad. It is heartbreaking and breathtaking all at once. Martin Blake is a man who is married to Susanna. They have a young son. Martin would do anything for the pair. His love for them is incomparable. They live in a small village in York, far away from the pestilence that is rampaging London.
Martin and his family don’t have much. He is a poor cobbler and only has occasional work. On his way home, he accidentally kills a Raven. Its mate stares at him from a nearby tree. A bitter winter brings five orphan children to their home. They have very little to share, with the stingy stipend for the additional children from the local church, they don’t have enough. The rector of the church, Susanna’s uncle, is a terrible, unforgiving man.
Martin’s guilt, unspoken secrets and poverty take their toll. Martin is losing his grip.
A series of tragedies compound his stress. Martin suffers a complete breakdown. He no longer has a sense of reality.
Influenced by religion, his delusions become manifest.
Martin’s story is very sad, but important in terms of an individual’s mental health. I read the book in one sitting. I found it tragic and engrossing. This book will stay with me for some time. I was fascinated witnessing Martin’s slow descent into madness. The characters in this story are brilliant. The protagonists are fully fleshed out. Their motivations are clear and consistent with their personalities.
I want to thank NetGalley and Book Whisperer - Celtic Sea LLC for forwarding to me a copy of this thoughtful book. The opinions I’ve expressed in this review are solely my own.
The year is 1665.
This is a sad, tragic story about a man who slowly goes mad. It is heartbreaking and breathtaking all at once. Martin Blake is a man who is married to Susanna. They have a young son. Martin would do anything for the pair. His love for them is incomparable. They live in a small village in York, far away from the pestilence that is rampaging London.
Martin and his family don’t have much. He is a poor cobbler and only has occasional work. On his way home, he accidentally kills a Raven. Its mate stares at him from a nearby tree. A bitter winter brings five orphan children to their home. They have very little to share, with the stingy stipend for the additional children from the local church, they don’t have enough. The rector of the church, Susanna’s uncle, is a terrible, unforgiving man.
Martin’s guilt, unspoken secrets and poverty take their toll. Martin is losing his grip.
A series of tragedies compound his stress. Martin suffers a complete breakdown. He no longer has a sense of reality.
Influenced by religion, his delusions become manifest.
Martin’s story is very sad, but important in terms of an individual’s mental health. I read the book in one sitting. I found it tragic and engrossing. This book will stay with me for some time. I was fascinated witnessing Martin’s slow descent into madness. The characters in this story are brilliant. The protagonists are fully fleshed out. Their motivations are clear and consistent with their personalities.
I want to thank NetGalley and Book Whisperer - Celtic Sea LLC for forwarding to me a copy of this thoughtful book. The opinions I’ve expressed in this review are solely my own.
September 13, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the Arc.
3.5 ⭐️
An atmospheric gothic tale set in the year 1665 in england where death, grief and poverty were ravaging the streets. Martin blake, a humble cobbler tries his best to care for his small family throughout the winter when the parish rector, who is also his wife's uncle, thrusts upon them three orphans to take in. After which a series of unfortunate events starts happening and Martin's small world begins to crumble as lies and secrets long buried threatens to be dug up, under the watchful gaze of the ravens.
I enjoyed the writing and the moody, gothic atmosphere of the novel. I found the characters to be well written. I felt for the protagonist as he slowly descends into madness and kept hoping for the downfall of the disgusting antagonist the entire book.
For such a short novel, it was very engaging and delivered exactly what i expected of it.
3.5 ⭐️
An atmospheric gothic tale set in the year 1665 in england where death, grief and poverty were ravaging the streets. Martin blake, a humble cobbler tries his best to care for his small family throughout the winter when the parish rector, who is also his wife's uncle, thrusts upon them three orphans to take in. After which a series of unfortunate events starts happening and Martin's small world begins to crumble as lies and secrets long buried threatens to be dug up, under the watchful gaze of the ravens.
I enjoyed the writing and the moody, gothic atmosphere of the novel. I found the characters to be well written. I felt for the protagonist as he slowly descends into madness and kept hoping for the downfall of the disgusting antagonist the entire book.
For such a short novel, it was very engaging and delivered exactly what i expected of it.
July 21, 2026
ARC review. A deeply gothic story reminiscent of Poe and Shelley with deep seeded faith and questionable behaviors of those stationed to lead and protect us.
Martin lives a meager life, but is happy and fulfilled with his son and wife, whom he loves more than anything. When the superstitions begin after the death of a raven, his world collapses.
Set during the plague era, the church heads are evils and ungodly, the true heroes the common man. The ravens bring about madness in Martin, as he watches his life dissolve around him. Holding onto secrets drives him, and being able to tell the truth releases him and brings about an ending that is just and pure.
A true gothic horror that does not need fancy blood and killing to get under your skin. As madness takes hold you are afraid what will happen next, wondering all along if what you see is real or of the mind.
A great story of those who lead being in it for the wrong reasons, damaging the pure of heart, and the way that justice can come in the end after all, which karma and faith strong subjects throughout.
Martin lives a meager life, but is happy and fulfilled with his son and wife, whom he loves more than anything. When the superstitions begin after the death of a raven, his world collapses.
Set during the plague era, the church heads are evils and ungodly, the true heroes the common man. The ravens bring about madness in Martin, as he watches his life dissolve around him. Holding onto secrets drives him, and being able to tell the truth releases him and brings about an ending that is just and pure.
A true gothic horror that does not need fancy blood and killing to get under your skin. As madness takes hold you are afraid what will happen next, wondering all along if what you see is real or of the mind.
A great story of those who lead being in it for the wrong reasons, damaging the pure of heart, and the way that justice can come in the end after all, which karma and faith strong subjects throughout.
September 17, 2026
The Raven by Susan McCauley is a dark and chilling tale of torment, both mental and physical. Readers, prepare yourselves for this one. I cannot caution you enough with trigger warnings. If you’re sensitive to certain topics, please tread lightly. For those that want to brave it, buckle in for one doozy of a tale.
Starvation. Illness. Death. Just three bearers of the darkness that take up residence inside the home of this poor family. I breezed through this, so nervous to see what was to come of this poor family next.
Check out my full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/the-r...
Starvation. Illness. Death. Just three bearers of the darkness that take up residence inside the home of this poor family. I breezed through this, so nervous to see what was to come of this poor family next.
Check out my full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/the-r...
June 27, 2026
Thank you so much, Susan, for the advance copy of The Raven!
Once I turned to that first page, I had a very hard time putting this book down. There was a sense of foreboding from the very beginning, but I never expected the amount of heartbreak I would endure alongside these characters.
This book is so atmospheric, the setting is a character in itself. It's dark, moody, and almost hopeless - a feeling that becomes more prevalent as we descend into madness.
The journey of each character was unexpected, at least for this reader. I don't want to give anything away, but this story is a nod to the fact that evil can descend upon and often does victimize the best and purest of people.
Read The Raven this fall, and get your tissues ready. It's a beautifully horrific tale of love, lies, madness, and justice.
Once I turned to that first page, I had a very hard time putting this book down. There was a sense of foreboding from the very beginning, but I never expected the amount of heartbreak I would endure alongside these characters.
This book is so atmospheric, the setting is a character in itself. It's dark, moody, and almost hopeless - a feeling that becomes more prevalent as we descend into madness.
The journey of each character was unexpected, at least for this reader. I don't want to give anything away, but this story is a nod to the fact that evil can descend upon and often does victimize the best and purest of people.
Read The Raven this fall, and get your tissues ready. It's a beautifully horrific tale of love, lies, madness, and justice.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really loved how The Raven made me feel like I was right there in the freezing cold during the plague. Susan McCauley writes in a way that is super creepy and dark, but it kept me hooked because I wanted to see if the main character was actually seeing ghosts or just losing his mind from stress and guilt. The book is very sad and heavy, but the way she describes the spooky atmosphere is amazing. If you like stories that are scary, historical, and make your skin crawl, you should definitely check this one out!
September 8, 2026
3.5 stars for me
I read this book as an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review based on my reading the story. for this ARC.
I read The Raven as an advanced review copy from NetGalley and this was an interesting gothic historical read for me and one that took me a little out of my comfort zone. Set in England in 1665 during the plague, the story follows Martin Blake, a humble cobbler trying to keep his family together while surrounded by illness, poverty, grief and fear. When orphaned children are brought into his home, an already difficult situation becomes increasingly disturbing and Martin begins to lose his grip on what is real and what may be happening inside his own mind.
The setting is probably what I liked most about this book. The cold winter, the plague, the unburied dead and the general sense of desperation create exactly the kind of bleak atmosphere I expect from a gothic story. There is a constant feeling that something bad is about to happen. The ravens add another layer to that unease, particularly because it is never entirely clear whether they represent something supernatural or whether they are connected to Martin's growing guilt and paranoia.
Martin is a troubled character and his emotional state drives much of the story. Grief and guilt gradually begin to consume him, while religious influence and family secrets make his situation even more complicated. I liked the way the author explores the relationship between faith, fear and guilt. There are also some very dark themes here, including abuse and religious manipulation, so this is certainly not a light gothic read.
The book is quite short and the writing is easy to follow, but I did feel that the pacing could have been tighter.There were stretches where the same sense of dread seemed to circle around without the story moving forward enough. I was interested in the mystery surrounding Martin and the ravens, but I wanted a little more development in some areas, particularly towards the end.
I did enjoy the uncertainty of whether Martin is actually being haunted or is his mind breaking down under the weight of everything he has experienced? That question kept me reading -_- The historical setting also worked well and gave the story a grim realism that balanced the more supernatural elements -_-
Overall, The Raven was a solid gothic read with a strong atmosphere and an intriguing central idea -_- It did not completely work for me, mainly because of the pacing and some of the repetition, but there was more than enough here to keep me interested -_- The writing is good, the setting is convincing and there are some genuinely unsettling moments -_-
A good choice for readers who enjoy short gothic stories, historical horror, psychological unease and stories where you are left wondering whether the supernatural is real or simply a product of a troubled mind.
I read this book as an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review based on my reading the story. for this ARC.
I read The Raven as an advanced review copy from NetGalley and this was an interesting gothic historical read for me and one that took me a little out of my comfort zone. Set in England in 1665 during the plague, the story follows Martin Blake, a humble cobbler trying to keep his family together while surrounded by illness, poverty, grief and fear. When orphaned children are brought into his home, an already difficult situation becomes increasingly disturbing and Martin begins to lose his grip on what is real and what may be happening inside his own mind.
The setting is probably what I liked most about this book. The cold winter, the plague, the unburied dead and the general sense of desperation create exactly the kind of bleak atmosphere I expect from a gothic story. There is a constant feeling that something bad is about to happen. The ravens add another layer to that unease, particularly because it is never entirely clear whether they represent something supernatural or whether they are connected to Martin's growing guilt and paranoia.
Martin is a troubled character and his emotional state drives much of the story. Grief and guilt gradually begin to consume him, while religious influence and family secrets make his situation even more complicated. I liked the way the author explores the relationship between faith, fear and guilt. There are also some very dark themes here, including abuse and religious manipulation, so this is certainly not a light gothic read.
The book is quite short and the writing is easy to follow, but I did feel that the pacing could have been tighter.There were stretches where the same sense of dread seemed to circle around without the story moving forward enough. I was interested in the mystery surrounding Martin and the ravens, but I wanted a little more development in some areas, particularly towards the end.
I did enjoy the uncertainty of whether Martin is actually being haunted or is his mind breaking down under the weight of everything he has experienced? That question kept me reading -_- The historical setting also worked well and gave the story a grim realism that balanced the more supernatural elements -_-
Overall, The Raven was a solid gothic read with a strong atmosphere and an intriguing central idea -_- It did not completely work for me, mainly because of the pacing and some of the repetition, but there was more than enough here to keep me interested -_- The writing is good, the setting is convincing and there are some genuinely unsettling moments -_-
A good choice for readers who enjoy short gothic stories, historical horror, psychological unease and stories where you are left wondering whether the supernatural is real or simply a product of a troubled mind.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bottom Line
The Raven by Susan McCauley was a DNF for me at 48%. While I am clearly in the minority based on other reviews, this one simply didn't land for me. As someone who loves true Gothic supernatural stories and was particularly excited about the York setting (where I live!), I was hoping for an atmospheric, slow-burn eerie story, but the pacing and character execution fell short.
Atmospheric Expectations vs. Genre Reality
Part of my struggle with The Raven stems from marketing and genre expectations. It feels as though "Gothic" is increasingly used as a catch-all term for anything mildly spooky, when true Gothic literature relies on a very specific sense of atmospheric dread, psychological tension, and deliberate pacing. Here, the story felt more like a modern attempt at a spooky tale without the underlying structural hallmarks that make the Gothic genre work.
Pacing & Technical Execution
The pacing felt wildly uneven throughout the first half. The narrative would linger for pages on Martin obsessing over crows, only to suddenly jump forward several months with zero buildup. We abruptly land in the middle of his son Thomas at the height of a sudden fever, only for him to die a few pages later.
Furthermore, a significant plot of the book is the past sexual abuse of Martin's wife by her uncle. It was a heavy, uncomfortable plot element that I simply did not want to read about. Jumping over crucial emotional beats while dwelling excessively on singular obsessions and trauma created a jarring reading experience.
I think the novella length did the story a real disservice; it was trying to accomplish too much in far too few pages to allow genuine atmosphere or tension to build properly.
Characterization
Martin is clearly the main anchor of the story, but I found it difficult to connect with him or understand his motivations. Beyond a surface-level desire to care for his family, he felt flat, and his emotional responses lacked depth. In a genre that relies so heavily on character interiority and atmospheric weight, having a central character whose emotional journey lands flat made it hard to stay invested.
Final Verdict
While there were vague hints that Martin might be hearing voices alongside his fixation on being cursed by crows, by nearly the halfway point there was still no tangible supernatural element present to pull me back in. Readers looking for a quick, spooky atmospheric read might enjoy this more than I did, but for readers seeking a traditional Gothic supernatural story with deep characterization, it may not quite hit the mark.
Bottom Line
The Raven by Susan McCauley was a DNF for me at 48%. While I am clearly in the minority based on other reviews, this one simply didn't land for me. As someone who loves true Gothic supernatural stories and was particularly excited about the York setting (where I live!), I was hoping for an atmospheric, slow-burn eerie story, but the pacing and character execution fell short.
Atmospheric Expectations vs. Genre Reality
Part of my struggle with The Raven stems from marketing and genre expectations. It feels as though "Gothic" is increasingly used as a catch-all term for anything mildly spooky, when true Gothic literature relies on a very specific sense of atmospheric dread, psychological tension, and deliberate pacing. Here, the story felt more like a modern attempt at a spooky tale without the underlying structural hallmarks that make the Gothic genre work.
Pacing & Technical Execution
The pacing felt wildly uneven throughout the first half. The narrative would linger for pages on Martin obsessing over crows, only to suddenly jump forward several months with zero buildup. We abruptly land in the middle of his son Thomas at the height of a sudden fever, only for him to die a few pages later.
Furthermore, a significant plot of the book is the past sexual abuse of Martin's wife by her uncle. It was a heavy, uncomfortable plot element that I simply did not want to read about. Jumping over crucial emotional beats while dwelling excessively on singular obsessions and trauma created a jarring reading experience.
I think the novella length did the story a real disservice; it was trying to accomplish too much in far too few pages to allow genuine atmosphere or tension to build properly.
Characterization
Martin is clearly the main anchor of the story, but I found it difficult to connect with him or understand his motivations. Beyond a surface-level desire to care for his family, he felt flat, and his emotional responses lacked depth. In a genre that relies so heavily on character interiority and atmospheric weight, having a central character whose emotional journey lands flat made it hard to stay invested.
Final Verdict
While there were vague hints that Martin might be hearing voices alongside his fixation on being cursed by crows, by nearly the halfway point there was still no tangible supernatural element present to pull me back in. Readers looking for a quick, spooky atmospheric read might enjoy this more than I did, but for readers seeking a traditional Gothic supernatural story with deep characterization, it may not quite hit the mark.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"The Raven" by Susan McCauley comes out September 8, 2026, and is a dark historical horror set in England during the plague of 1665. This ended up being a really good mix of gothic horror, psychological horror, and historical fiction, especially if you like your horror bleak and atmospheric.
Martin Blake is a struggling cobbler trying to keep his family alive through an already brutal winter when they are forced to take in orphaned children from plague-stricken London. After Martin accidentally kills a raven, more begin appearing around the family, and things slowly start to feel very wrong. From there, the story plays with grief, guilt, religion, superstition, illness, and the question of whether something supernatural is actually happening or Martin is simply losing his grip on reality.
The atmosphere is what I liked best. Everything feels cold, miserable, claustrophobic, and increasingly hopeless in exactly the way I want this kind of historical horror to feel. McCauley lets the unease seep in gradually instead of immediately showing her hand, and I liked never being completely sure how much of what Martin was experiencing could actually be trusted. The ravens obviously add another creepy layer, but the plague, poverty, religious control, and general awfulness of surviving this period are already doing plenty of the horror work on their own.
I also liked how much of the horror comes from people rather than relying completely on the supernatural. There is a lot of religious guilt and hypocrisy running through the story, and some of the human behavior is every bit as disturbing as the stranger things happening around Martin.
The pacing is a little slower in the beginning, although it picks up considerably once things start unraveling. My biggest issue was probably the POV switching. There were a few transitions where the perspective changed abruptly enough that I had to reorient myself, and I think clearer breaks between viewpoints would have helped. I also wouldn't have minded a little more room for some of the characters and ideas to develop because this is a fairly short book.
Those things didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the overall story, though. This is much more about dread, atmosphere, and watching everything slowly come apart than outright scares or gore. If you like gothic historical horror, unreliable perceptions, religious horror, and stories where you're never entirely sure if the threat is supernatural or psychological, this is definitely worth checking out.
Author Note: Thank you Celtic Sea, LLC for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Martin Blake is a struggling cobbler trying to keep his family alive through an already brutal winter when they are forced to take in orphaned children from plague-stricken London. After Martin accidentally kills a raven, more begin appearing around the family, and things slowly start to feel very wrong. From there, the story plays with grief, guilt, religion, superstition, illness, and the question of whether something supernatural is actually happening or Martin is simply losing his grip on reality.
The atmosphere is what I liked best. Everything feels cold, miserable, claustrophobic, and increasingly hopeless in exactly the way I want this kind of historical horror to feel. McCauley lets the unease seep in gradually instead of immediately showing her hand, and I liked never being completely sure how much of what Martin was experiencing could actually be trusted. The ravens obviously add another creepy layer, but the plague, poverty, religious control, and general awfulness of surviving this period are already doing plenty of the horror work on their own.
I also liked how much of the horror comes from people rather than relying completely on the supernatural. There is a lot of religious guilt and hypocrisy running through the story, and some of the human behavior is every bit as disturbing as the stranger things happening around Martin.
The pacing is a little slower in the beginning, although it picks up considerably once things start unraveling. My biggest issue was probably the POV switching. There were a few transitions where the perspective changed abruptly enough that I had to reorient myself, and I think clearer breaks between viewpoints would have helped. I also wouldn't have minded a little more room for some of the characters and ideas to develop because this is a fairly short book.
Those things didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the overall story, though. This is much more about dread, atmosphere, and watching everything slowly come apart than outright scares or gore. If you like gothic historical horror, unreliable perceptions, religious horror, and stories where you're never entirely sure if the threat is supernatural or psychological, this is definitely worth checking out.
Author Note: Thank you Celtic Sea, LLC for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a digital ARC of The Raven through NetGalley. After reading to 48%, I decided to mark this as an honorable DNF.
This was not a case of poor writing. The historical setting was convincing, the plague atmosphere was vivid and unsettling, and the opening immediately intrigued me. I was initially invested in Martin and Susanna’s situation, and the presence of the raven added a strong sense of foreboding.
What I Loved:
The strongest element of this novella was its atmosphere. The plague setting felt immersive, bleak, and historically grounded, and the author did a strong job creating a world shaped by fear, poverty, illness, and survival.
I also appreciated the writing itself. The prose was clear and readable, and I could absolutely see the kind of dark, emotionally heavy story the author was trying to tell. Even though this particular book didn’t ultimately work for me, I would still consider reading more from Susan McCauley in the future.
What I Didn’t Love:
My main issue was the pacing and lack of narrative progression. By nearly halfway through the novella, I felt as though the story was still reinforcing the same emotional and situational conflicts rather than developing into something new.
The novel spends a great deal of time focused on poverty, survival, grief, trauma, and caring for orphaned children. While those elements are clearly important to the story, I reached a point where I understood the situation but was waiting for the narrative to evolve. Instead of feeling like the tension was escalating, it began to feel repetitive.
The novel also deals with very heavy subject matter, including childhood sexual abuse, trauma, grief, manipulation, and religious abuse. Readers may want to check content warnings before picking this up, as these themes play a significant role in the story.
Rating:
⭐️ 2 out of 5 stars. DNF at 48%. While I appreciated the writing, historical atmosphere, and plague-era setting, the pacing and repetitive emotional conflict kept the story from working for me.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy very dark, slow-paced historical fiction with heavy emotional themes and plague-era atmosphere. If you prefer a clearer sense of narrative momentum or escalating tension, this may feel too slow or repetitive.
One Compelling Sentence:
A dark, atmospheric historical novella with a strong plague-era setting, but one whose slow pacing and repetitive emotional conflict ultimately made it the wrong fit for me.
This was not a case of poor writing. The historical setting was convincing, the plague atmosphere was vivid and unsettling, and the opening immediately intrigued me. I was initially invested in Martin and Susanna’s situation, and the presence of the raven added a strong sense of foreboding.
What I Loved:
The strongest element of this novella was its atmosphere. The plague setting felt immersive, bleak, and historically grounded, and the author did a strong job creating a world shaped by fear, poverty, illness, and survival.
I also appreciated the writing itself. The prose was clear and readable, and I could absolutely see the kind of dark, emotionally heavy story the author was trying to tell. Even though this particular book didn’t ultimately work for me, I would still consider reading more from Susan McCauley in the future.
What I Didn’t Love:
My main issue was the pacing and lack of narrative progression. By nearly halfway through the novella, I felt as though the story was still reinforcing the same emotional and situational conflicts rather than developing into something new.
The novel spends a great deal of time focused on poverty, survival, grief, trauma, and caring for orphaned children. While those elements are clearly important to the story, I reached a point where I understood the situation but was waiting for the narrative to evolve. Instead of feeling like the tension was escalating, it began to feel repetitive.
The novel also deals with very heavy subject matter, including childhood sexual abuse, trauma, grief, manipulation, and religious abuse. Readers may want to check content warnings before picking this up, as these themes play a significant role in the story.
Rating:
⭐️ 2 out of 5 stars. DNF at 48%. While I appreciated the writing, historical atmosphere, and plague-era setting, the pacing and repetitive emotional conflict kept the story from working for me.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy very dark, slow-paced historical fiction with heavy emotional themes and plague-era atmosphere. If you prefer a clearer sense of narrative momentum or escalating tension, this may feel too slow or repetitive.
One Compelling Sentence:
A dark, atmospheric historical novella with a strong plague-era setting, but one whose slow pacing and repetitive emotional conflict ultimately made it the wrong fit for me.
September 16, 2026
This book was provided for review by NetGalley and The Book Whisperer. Thank you!
Trigger Warnings – Death of a child, death of an adult, mentions of rape/sexual assault
Martin Blake is a humble man. A cobbler by trade, he does his best to provide for his wife and young son. It isn’t easy as the winter is bitterly cold and fear of plague lurks around every corner. Their meager supplies are put under greater stress when the parish rector practically forces them to take in three young orphans from London. The stipend they come with isn’t enough and the winter is becoming cruel.
Set at the height of the 1666 plague, The Raven is a dark and moody read. It’s a blend of truth and fiction, a gothic horror that has the aspects of a fairy tale. As events unfold, the feeling of unease grows both for the characters and for the reader. The choices that are made become influenced more and more by outside forces – hunger, paranoia, greed. One death becomes another and soon the lines between what is real and what is a delusion become blurred.
Despite the historical setting, the overall language of The Raven is engaging and easy to follow. The characters speak in a manner that is not quite modern but not fully historically accurate either. A dark and dreary atmosphere permeates every aspect of the story and of the characters’ lives. There is a sense of tragedy one feels in the opening pages that builds to its inevitable conclusion. A conclusion that is as satisfying as it is sad.
I personally enjoyed reading The Raven. While I had a decent idea of what to expect going into the book, I was still pleasantly surprised. The story draws you in from the first page and holds tightly until the very end. While there is certainly a “villain” in the story, the majority of the characters are in that morally gray area. They are trying to do their best with what they have and not all of them are successful.
It’s quite clear that the author did a great deal of research to bring to life such an incredible book. With a somber and dreary storyline set over an equally somber historical backdrop, I could easily see it appealing to my readers who love a good dark read. I would advise more sensitive readers to check the trigger warnings before delving into this particular tale.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Raven by Susan McCauley is an atmospheric, character-driven story set against a richly detailed historical backdrop. With its strong focus on relationships, emotion, and survival during unsettling times, the novel offers an engaging premise and a cast of well-developed characters — even if the execution didn’t always feel as polished as it could have been for me.
The story follows a group of characters navigating fear, uncertainty, and the weight of circumstance as their lives become increasingly shaped by both external danger and personal struggles. Much of the novel’s strength lies in its character work. McCauley takes time to build personalities and emotional depth, making the characters feel distinct and believable. Their relationships and internal conflicts kept me invested and curious about how everything would unfold.
That said, I often felt the writing needed to be tightened up. There were moments where continuity became distracting — particularly scenes where characters were described as asleep but then appeared to be actively involved in conversations or reacting to events happening at the same time. These inconsistencies pulled me out of the story and made certain sections feel confusing rather than immersive.
The pacing also felt uneven at times. Some passages lingered longer than necessary and could have benefited from sharper editing to maintain momentum. While I remained interested in the overall story, there were stretches where the narrative felt heavier than it needed to be.
Even with these issues, the underlying story is a good one, and the character development stands out as a clear strength. Readers who enjoy slower, character-focused historical fiction with a strong atmospheric presence may still find a lot to appreciate here.
Expected publication: September 8, 2026.
Devour or Nibble?
Nibble. The characters and overall story make this worth picking up, but uneven pacing and moments that needed tighter editing kept it from being a fully immersive read for me. A good choice if you enjoy atmospheric, character-driven stories and don’t mind a slower pace.
**I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
The story follows a group of characters navigating fear, uncertainty, and the weight of circumstance as their lives become increasingly shaped by both external danger and personal struggles. Much of the novel’s strength lies in its character work. McCauley takes time to build personalities and emotional depth, making the characters feel distinct and believable. Their relationships and internal conflicts kept me invested and curious about how everything would unfold.
That said, I often felt the writing needed to be tightened up. There were moments where continuity became distracting — particularly scenes where characters were described as asleep but then appeared to be actively involved in conversations or reacting to events happening at the same time. These inconsistencies pulled me out of the story and made certain sections feel confusing rather than immersive.
The pacing also felt uneven at times. Some passages lingered longer than necessary and could have benefited from sharper editing to maintain momentum. While I remained interested in the overall story, there were stretches where the narrative felt heavier than it needed to be.
Even with these issues, the underlying story is a good one, and the character development stands out as a clear strength. Readers who enjoy slower, character-focused historical fiction with a strong atmospheric presence may still find a lot to appreciate here.
Expected publication: September 8, 2026.
Devour or Nibble?
Nibble. The characters and overall story make this worth picking up, but uneven pacing and moments that needed tighter editing kept it from being a fully immersive read for me. A good choice if you enjoy atmospheric, character-driven stories and don’t mind a slower pace.
**I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Big thanks to author Susan McCauley, Book Whisperer, and NetGalley for the ARC.
This multiple POV, atmospheric, gothic horror novel mainly follows Martin Blake, a humble cobbler, who struggles to protect his family through a bitter, death-shadowed winter. When his wife's uncle, the parish rector, forces him to take in four orphans from London, his already struggling household becomes even harder to manage. As death and unimaginable amounts of grief burden Martin on top of a secret that changed the course of their lives, he slowly starts losing his grip on reality. As ravens gather and phantoms appear, Martin now has to choose between keeping his promise to his wife to keep her secret and surrendering to the madness that is slowly consuming him.
This novel, although just below 200 pages, evokes every single emotion I expected from a gothic horror with the given premise. The atmosphere and the setting were masterfully and vividly described by the author, and I was immediately pulled in, to the point where I could vividly imagine the Blake family's cabin and its surroundings like I actually lived there.
Martin's character development was certainly one to be studied. He is a character who grew up under the pressure of religious dogmas, which instilled an obsession with loyalty and always choosing the right path. At times, he came across as the real evil in this story, and he sometimes believed it himself, all the while knowing who the real evil has been all along. I admired the tenderness of his heart and the admirable man that he really is. Even in his rapid descent into madness, he sees Susanna as his anchor and holds on to her to do the right thing.
Although Elliot, Susanna's uncle and the rector of the parish, should come with some serious trigger warnings, he is the absolute embodiment of how some people can stomp over all the moral boundaries to acquire the power they desire so much, and in a sense, what is really so wrong with the world.
This novel is a perfect example of how gothic horror with strong moral messages should be crafted, and I am more than thankful to have been allowed to read the ARC. I totally recommend this novel to all gothic horror lovers.
This multiple POV, atmospheric, gothic horror novel mainly follows Martin Blake, a humble cobbler, who struggles to protect his family through a bitter, death-shadowed winter. When his wife's uncle, the parish rector, forces him to take in four orphans from London, his already struggling household becomes even harder to manage. As death and unimaginable amounts of grief burden Martin on top of a secret that changed the course of their lives, he slowly starts losing his grip on reality. As ravens gather and phantoms appear, Martin now has to choose between keeping his promise to his wife to keep her secret and surrendering to the madness that is slowly consuming him.
This novel, although just below 200 pages, evokes every single emotion I expected from a gothic horror with the given premise. The atmosphere and the setting were masterfully and vividly described by the author, and I was immediately pulled in, to the point where I could vividly imagine the Blake family's cabin and its surroundings like I actually lived there.
Martin's character development was certainly one to be studied. He is a character who grew up under the pressure of religious dogmas, which instilled an obsession with loyalty and always choosing the right path. At times, he came across as the real evil in this story, and he sometimes believed it himself, all the while knowing who the real evil has been all along. I admired the tenderness of his heart and the admirable man that he really is. Even in his rapid descent into madness, he sees Susanna as his anchor and holds on to her to do the right thing.
Although Elliot, Susanna's uncle and the rector of the parish, should come with some serious trigger warnings, he is the absolute embodiment of how some people can stomp over all the moral boundaries to acquire the power they desire so much, and in a sense, what is really so wrong with the world.
This novel is a perfect example of how gothic horror with strong moral messages should be crafted, and I am more than thankful to have been allowed to read the ARC. I totally recommend this novel to all gothic horror lovers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Horror and history - right up my street. I'll admit that the first thing that drew me to this book was its absolutely stunning cover - the way the raven dominates the page, mixed in with the gold vines and the gothic title just took my breath away. I know you should never judge a book by its cover but I couldn't help it with this one. It was too beautiful to just leave there.
From the start, this book was difficult to put down. It flowed beautifully and was full of tension from the word go. I loved how just one little decision by our main character set off a sequence of events that led to his ruin. It was a perfect depiction of the Butterfly Effect....or should I say, Raven Effect. What interested me the most was the way that the Raven was used as a metaphor for death and ruin, which has been a belief for the longest time. The bird shows up at important moments within the story when everything seems to be going wrong for Martin whether it be illness or death. We see him descend into madness, convinced that the birds are haunting him because of his one action at the start of the book.
The story is set in a village just outside of York in 1665 and there are mentions of important historical events going on at the time - mainly the Great Plague. This is one of the major plot points of the story as Martin and his wife take in children who have come to their village to escape the sickness. There are also mentions, which I loved, of how King Charles II brought ravens into the Tower of London - the legend here goes that if the ravens that are residents of the Tower ever leave, then the White Tower will crumble and the British Monarchy will fall. Again a metaphor for death and ruin. The way these themes were woven into the story was masterful and I can see why McCauley has won awards for her work.
It's not often I'll pin the word masterpiece on a novel, but to me this deserves it. A wonderful mix of gothic horror and historical fiction that is so full of tension and makes you feel for its characters. I had tears in my eyes at points while reading this, which rarely happens when I read a book. And that? That is a sign that its bloody brilliant.
5/5
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy
From the start, this book was difficult to put down. It flowed beautifully and was full of tension from the word go. I loved how just one little decision by our main character set off a sequence of events that led to his ruin. It was a perfect depiction of the Butterfly Effect....or should I say, Raven Effect. What interested me the most was the way that the Raven was used as a metaphor for death and ruin, which has been a belief for the longest time. The bird shows up at important moments within the story when everything seems to be going wrong for Martin whether it be illness or death. We see him descend into madness, convinced that the birds are haunting him because of his one action at the start of the book.
The story is set in a village just outside of York in 1665 and there are mentions of important historical events going on at the time - mainly the Great Plague. This is one of the major plot points of the story as Martin and his wife take in children who have come to their village to escape the sickness. There are also mentions, which I loved, of how King Charles II brought ravens into the Tower of London - the legend here goes that if the ravens that are residents of the Tower ever leave, then the White Tower will crumble and the British Monarchy will fall. Again a metaphor for death and ruin. The way these themes were woven into the story was masterful and I can see why McCauley has won awards for her work.
It's not often I'll pin the word masterpiece on a novel, but to me this deserves it. A wonderful mix of gothic horror and historical fiction that is so full of tension and makes you feel for its characters. I had tears in my eyes at points while reading this, which rarely happens when I read a book. And that? That is a sign that its bloody brilliant.
5/5
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
NetGalley kindly provided me with an ARC, in exchange for a review.
Set during London's Great Plague of 1665, The Raven follows the travails of Susanna and Martin, a cobbler who is unable to join the Cordwainer's Guild due to the shame brought on by his wife's bearing a child out of wedlock. Living in the York countryside, the couple struggle to feed not only themselves and their young son, but also orphaned children which Susanna's evil uncle, the church rector, places in their charge. Though patrons provide a stipend for the couple to help care for the children, the uncle does not deliver the full amount to them. One morning while checking his rabbit trap, he finds that a raven was trapped and killed. The raven, as a harbinger of death or a diabolical messenger, continues to haunt Martin throughout the story, as misfortune repeatedly strikes.
The author did well in establishing the historical setting and in creating a believable world. What failed for me, though, was the pedestrian plotline and the characters plucked from Central Casting. I found no complexity in either the characters or the story. The reader is aware of all the hidden truths and are aware of the solution. Ravens make several follow-up visits with Martin which, storywise, is meant to blur his ability to distinguish between natural events and supernatural vengeance. It just didn't work for me, though. I, as a reader, did not feel any sense of dread when ravens arrived, and, in fact, every reference to ravens in the story could have been eliminated without affecting my reading of the story. The story is also dragged out by the convenient device of Susanna's insistence on Martin keeping a promise to her. Then, when the author is ready to bring the story to a conclusion, she just as conveniently has Martin break his promise, which Susanna is, of course, okay with, now.
In my opinion, this novella would have benefitted a great deal from a story coach who could have helped the author flesh out her ideas better and avoid the cliched characters and plotlines. Still, not a "bad" book, and I'll give it 3 stars.
Set during London's Great Plague of 1665, The Raven follows the travails of Susanna and Martin, a cobbler who is unable to join the Cordwainer's Guild due to the shame brought on by his wife's bearing a child out of wedlock. Living in the York countryside, the couple struggle to feed not only themselves and their young son, but also orphaned children which Susanna's evil uncle, the church rector, places in their charge. Though patrons provide a stipend for the couple to help care for the children, the uncle does not deliver the full amount to them. One morning while checking his rabbit trap, he finds that a raven was trapped and killed. The raven, as a harbinger of death or a diabolical messenger, continues to haunt Martin throughout the story, as misfortune repeatedly strikes.
The author did well in establishing the historical setting and in creating a believable world. What failed for me, though, was the pedestrian plotline and the characters plucked from Central Casting. I found no complexity in either the characters or the story. The reader is aware of all the hidden truths and are aware of the solution. Ravens make several follow-up visits with Martin which, storywise, is meant to blur his ability to distinguish between natural events and supernatural vengeance. It just didn't work for me, though. I, as a reader, did not feel any sense of dread when ravens arrived, and, in fact, every reference to ravens in the story could have been eliminated without affecting my reading of the story. The story is also dragged out by the convenient device of Susanna's insistence on Martin keeping a promise to her. Then, when the author is ready to bring the story to a conclusion, she just as conveniently has Martin break his promise, which Susanna is, of course, okay with, now.
In my opinion, this novella would have benefitted a great deal from a story coach who could have helped the author flesh out her ideas better and avoid the cliched characters and plotlines. Still, not a "bad" book, and I'll give it 3 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5
this was such a heavy, atmospheric read and it honestly stayed with me after finishing this Gothic Horror.
it’s set during the plague, and you can feel that straight away everything feels cold, bleak, and just hopeless.
we follow martin, who’s trying to hold his family together while everything around him is falling apart, and you can really feel how much pressure he’s under you can feel his emotions and the weight on his chest.
and then things just keep getting worse
more people in the house, more illness, more tension.
and this constant feeling that something isn’t quite right
what I really loved about this was the atmosphere it’s very slow, very heavy, and kind of unsettling the whole way through like you’re not always sure what’s real and what’s not, and that uncertainty just keeps building.
the ravens, the whispers, the guilt it all adds to that feeling that something darker is happening beneath the surface and martin himself was such an interesting character
he’s not perfect, he’s struggling, and you can feel him starting to unravel as everything closes in around him.
it’s one of those books where you’re constantly questioning — is this grief, guilt, or something actually supernatural.
it’s not fast-paced at all, but that worked for this story
it’s more about the slow descent, the tension, and the emotional weight of everything happening
this definitely isn’t a light read it’s dark, uncomfortable, and leans heavily into those gothic elements which I absolutely loved, and I thought it made the book more unsettling.
but if you enjoy slower, more atmospheric stories that focus on character and mood, this really delivers
overall, such a haunting and unique read I really enjoyed this one.
If you like
- gothic horror
- descent into madness
- grief & guilt
- isolation
- is it supernatural or not
- slow psychological unraveling
You will definitely enjoy this one.
thank you to netgalley, the publisher & susan mccauley for the arc
this was such a heavy, atmospheric read and it honestly stayed with me after finishing this Gothic Horror.
it’s set during the plague, and you can feel that straight away everything feels cold, bleak, and just hopeless.
we follow martin, who’s trying to hold his family together while everything around him is falling apart, and you can really feel how much pressure he’s under you can feel his emotions and the weight on his chest.
and then things just keep getting worse
more people in the house, more illness, more tension.
and this constant feeling that something isn’t quite right
what I really loved about this was the atmosphere it’s very slow, very heavy, and kind of unsettling the whole way through like you’re not always sure what’s real and what’s not, and that uncertainty just keeps building.
the ravens, the whispers, the guilt it all adds to that feeling that something darker is happening beneath the surface and martin himself was such an interesting character
he’s not perfect, he’s struggling, and you can feel him starting to unravel as everything closes in around him.
it’s one of those books where you’re constantly questioning — is this grief, guilt, or something actually supernatural.
it’s not fast-paced at all, but that worked for this story
it’s more about the slow descent, the tension, and the emotional weight of everything happening
this definitely isn’t a light read it’s dark, uncomfortable, and leans heavily into those gothic elements which I absolutely loved, and I thought it made the book more unsettling.
but if you enjoy slower, more atmospheric stories that focus on character and mood, this really delivers
overall, such a haunting and unique read I really enjoyed this one.
If you like
- gothic horror
- descent into madness
- grief & guilt
- isolation
- is it supernatural or not
- slow psychological unraveling
You will definitely enjoy this one.
thank you to netgalley, the publisher & susan mccauley for the arc
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thank you netgalley
The Raven • Susan McCauley
One phrase: gothic grief wrapped in madness 🖤
This was such a heartbreaking and beautifully written gothic horror story.
Set in England during the plague year of 1665, The Raven follows Martin Blake, a poor cobbler trying desperately to protect his wife and child while illness, winter, poverty, guilt, and grief slowly close in around him.
And wow. This book is bleak in the best gothic way.
Martin is the kind of protagonist you cannot help but ache for. He loves his family deeply, but every burden placed on him chips away at his mind. The plague creeping closer, the orphaned children forced into his already struggling home, the cruelty of the rector, the ravens gathering, the secrets he carries, all of it builds into this slow, tragic unraveling that feels impossible to look away from.
The atmosphere is heavy and chilling. Snow. Sickness. Unburied dead. Religious fear. Whispered rumors. Ravens watching from the trees. It all creates this suffocating sense of dread that perfectly matches Martin’s descent.
What I loved most was how emotional the horror felt. This is not just scary because of ghosts or madness or death. It is scary because it feels human. Poverty, guilt, grief, religious control, and fear all become their own kind of haunting.
And the antagonist? Absolutely vile. I spent the entire book waiting for his downfall.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🖤 gothic horror
🐦⬛ ravens and omens
❄️ bleak winter atmosphere
🕯 plague era England
😭 grief and guilt
⛪ religious fear
🧠 descent into madness
👻 possible haunting
💀 historical horror
📖 tragic literary feel
📚 Read this if you like:
Atmospheric gothic horror, historical fiction with emotional weight, morally grim stories, slow descents into madness, and books that leave you unsettled long after the final page.
This was tragic, haunting, and deeply engrossing. Definitely a story that sticks.
#TheRaven #SusanMcCauley #GothicHorror #HistoricalFiction #BookReview
The Raven • Susan McCauley
One phrase: gothic grief wrapped in madness 🖤
This was such a heartbreaking and beautifully written gothic horror story.
Set in England during the plague year of 1665, The Raven follows Martin Blake, a poor cobbler trying desperately to protect his wife and child while illness, winter, poverty, guilt, and grief slowly close in around him.
And wow. This book is bleak in the best gothic way.
Martin is the kind of protagonist you cannot help but ache for. He loves his family deeply, but every burden placed on him chips away at his mind. The plague creeping closer, the orphaned children forced into his already struggling home, the cruelty of the rector, the ravens gathering, the secrets he carries, all of it builds into this slow, tragic unraveling that feels impossible to look away from.
The atmosphere is heavy and chilling. Snow. Sickness. Unburied dead. Religious fear. Whispered rumors. Ravens watching from the trees. It all creates this suffocating sense of dread that perfectly matches Martin’s descent.
What I loved most was how emotional the horror felt. This is not just scary because of ghosts or madness or death. It is scary because it feels human. Poverty, guilt, grief, religious control, and fear all become their own kind of haunting.
And the antagonist? Absolutely vile. I spent the entire book waiting for his downfall.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🖤 gothic horror
🐦⬛ ravens and omens
❄️ bleak winter atmosphere
🕯 plague era England
😭 grief and guilt
⛪ religious fear
🧠 descent into madness
👻 possible haunting
💀 historical horror
📖 tragic literary feel
📚 Read this if you like:
Atmospheric gothic horror, historical fiction with emotional weight, morally grim stories, slow descents into madness, and books that leave you unsettled long after the final page.
This was tragic, haunting, and deeply engrossing. Definitely a story that sticks.
#TheRaven #SusanMcCauley #GothicHorror #HistoricalFiction #BookReview
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Raven by Susan McCauley is a haunting historical horror novel set in the 17th century that blends gothic atmosphere with the feeling of a dark folk tale. Despite the historical setting, the language is very accessible and easy to follow, which made the story immersive without feeling heavy or difficult to read.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the shifting point of view between characters within the same scene. Seeing the same moment from different perspectives adds emotional depth and makes the tension between characters feel very real.
The story follows a family trying to get by and survive a harsh winter, but small moments and uneasy dynamics quickly create a sense of foreboding. An accidental killing of a raven, seen as a bad omen, casts a shadow over everything that follows. As the family takes in orphaned children fleeing plague-stricken London, the tension continues to build.
The novel has the tone of a dark Grimm-style tale where events slowly spiral out of control. Paranoia, superstition, hunger, and power begin to shape the characters’ choices, and the line between fear, delusion, and reality becomes increasingly blurred.
What makes the story especially unsettling is that the true horror often comes from people rather than anything supernatural. The atmosphere is haunting, and the sense of tragedy building throughout the book keeps you turning the pages even as you wish the characters could escape what feels inevitable.
The ending felt satisfying and fitting for the story, bringing the themes together in a way that stayed true to the dark tone of the book.
This is clearly a well-researched novel with a strong historical backdrop. Because of some darker themes, readers may appreciate trigger warnings, but overall it’s a compelling and atmospheric read for fans of gothic historical fiction.
Thank you to Book Whisperer and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the shifting point of view between characters within the same scene. Seeing the same moment from different perspectives adds emotional depth and makes the tension between characters feel very real.
The story follows a family trying to get by and survive a harsh winter, but small moments and uneasy dynamics quickly create a sense of foreboding. An accidental killing of a raven, seen as a bad omen, casts a shadow over everything that follows. As the family takes in orphaned children fleeing plague-stricken London, the tension continues to build.
The novel has the tone of a dark Grimm-style tale where events slowly spiral out of control. Paranoia, superstition, hunger, and power begin to shape the characters’ choices, and the line between fear, delusion, and reality becomes increasingly blurred.
What makes the story especially unsettling is that the true horror often comes from people rather than anything supernatural. The atmosphere is haunting, and the sense of tragedy building throughout the book keeps you turning the pages even as you wish the characters could escape what feels inevitable.
The ending felt satisfying and fitting for the story, bringing the themes together in a way that stayed true to the dark tone of the book.
This is clearly a well-researched novel with a strong historical backdrop. Because of some darker themes, readers may appreciate trigger warnings, but overall it’s a compelling and atmospheric read for fans of gothic historical fiction.
Thank you to Book Whisperer and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Big thanks to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of "The Raven" by Susan McCauley in exchange for an honest review.
So, here's one.
This book is pretty much different from my usual read, even outlandish I shall say. Horror is not my cup of tea so I believe I won't be able to give a true judgment to the book but I certainly had a journey here. Pessimistic, dark, freezing cold journey.
It is possible to read the book in one afternoon (maximum two) and I think it was meant to be devoured in one sitting. It is a story about a dark period of history (you'll never want to romanticize the days of yesteryear ever again), grief, unlikely events and madness that leaves a bitter aftertaste.
To be honest , I don't really know the purpose of that book. There's certainly a plot with several unexpected turns (for me) but not much to it. Does that make sense? I hope it does. Not much to discuss or think about here I shall say, just the pure facts. The story will be a perfect read for a gloomy autumn day. Don't read it at night though.
Little about the plot.
It is the year 1665. The time of the plague in England. The situation is hard enough but when Martin accidentally kills a raven, which he takes as bad luck but hopes it is not, it might get even worse. And it is the former as the accident started a very unfortunate chain of events (I assume it could happen in any case so don't know if the raven is at fault but anyways).
There was a happy ending. Can I call it a happy end? Not sure. More like a sad but deeply satisfying ending.
As I said at the beginning I'm not a horror master but I had chills running down my spine so I'd say it is a solid read.
From the author's note I learned that the story has been in different stages of its creation and that it will be a future film! When I was reading I thought that it would fit for a gothic movie that I would be absolutely terrified to watch. Nonetheless, I'm excited for the movie.
So, here's one.
This book is pretty much different from my usual read, even outlandish I shall say. Horror is not my cup of tea so I believe I won't be able to give a true judgment to the book but I certainly had a journey here. Pessimistic, dark, freezing cold journey.
It is possible to read the book in one afternoon (maximum two) and I think it was meant to be devoured in one sitting. It is a story about a dark period of history (you'll never want to romanticize the days of yesteryear ever again), grief, unlikely events and madness that leaves a bitter aftertaste.
To be honest , I don't really know the purpose of that book. There's certainly a plot with several unexpected turns (for me) but not much to it. Does that make sense? I hope it does. Not much to discuss or think about here I shall say, just the pure facts. The story will be a perfect read for a gloomy autumn day. Don't read it at night though.
Little about the plot.
It is the year 1665. The time of the plague in England. The situation is hard enough but when Martin accidentally kills a raven, which he takes as bad luck but hopes it is not, it might get even worse. And it is the former as the accident started a very unfortunate chain of events (I assume it could happen in any case so don't know if the raven is at fault but anyways).
There was a happy ending. Can I call it a happy end? Not sure. More like a sad but deeply satisfying ending.
As I said at the beginning I'm not a horror master but I had chills running down my spine so I'd say it is a solid read.
From the author's note I learned that the story has been in different stages of its creation and that it will be a future film! When I was reading I thought that it would fit for a gothic movie that I would be absolutely terrified to watch. Nonetheless, I'm excited for the movie.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
England, 1665. Plague is spreading. Ravens are gathering. And one man's grip on reality is slipping... slowly, terrifyingly, and completely believably. The Raven by Susan McCauley is gothic horror done right.
Martin Blake is a humble cobbler in York, doing his best to keep his family alive through a brutal, death-haunted winter. When his wife's domineering uncle, the parish rector, forces orphaned children from plague-ravaged London into their already stretched home, Martin's fragile world begins to fracture at the seams. Grief piles on illness, illness piles on guilt, and guilt piles on something darker... The ravens gather. The whispers spread. And Martin can no longer tell whether he's being haunted by his own sins or by something genuinely sinister.
The atmosphere here is suffocating in the best possible way. McCauley evokes 17th-century England with an authenticity that feels lived-in... the biting cold, the creeping dread, the isolation of a community slowly being consumed by plague. Fans of gothic horror will likely find echoes of Edgar Allan Poe in the slow-building psychological unease.
Martin is a quietly compelling protagonist. He's not a hero... he's a man with buried sins and too many mouths to feed, which makes his unravelling all the more affecting. The supporting characters, particularly the rector, are sharply drawn, and the central tension between faith, guilt, and superstition gives the story real thematic weight.
If you love gothic horror, unreliable narrators, and historical settings that feel like they could swallow you whole, The Raven is well worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Susan McCauley for providing an advance copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
#TheRaven #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Raven takes place in the year 1665, a time of turmoil for England, with thousands dying of the Bubonic Plague.
McCauley’s short novel is set just outside of York, in the North of the country, with deprivation and the threat of Plague spreading from the capital looming.
It’s clear that the author carried out a lot of research, ensuring that her writing is historically accurate. I’m a former History teacher and couldn’t find fault, which was refreshing.
The characters are well written, with depth and emotion. The protagonist, Martin Blake (a cobbler) lives with his wife, Susanna, and young son, Thomas. Thomas, we discover, was born out of wedlock; forcing the couple into exile and poverty. Their little home is threadbare but warm; a focal point as they face jeopardy on all fronts.
Other characters include Susanna’s repugnant uncle, Elliot (the avaricious parish rector) and her beloved brother, Nicholas (an impoverished curate). The Blakes are charged with caring for four children, orphaned by the Plague. These extra mouths add to the pressure faced by Martin and his family.
The story begins with Martin inadvertently killing a raven, which leads to a sequence of events that cause him to cling to all he holds dear and ultimately question reality.
The birds are featured throughout as a portent of danger. The book is part fantasy, part gothic horror and is not a comforting read. In fact, as the story progresses, the text becomes a little chaotic and jarring but this could be a device to reflect the mental state of the protagonist. I really enjoyed the first three quarters of the book but found the last a little challenging. Saying that, I am keen to read more from Susan McCauley and would recommend this title to fans of alternative historical fantasy.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Book Whisperer, for the advance copy to review.
McCauley’s short novel is set just outside of York, in the North of the country, with deprivation and the threat of Plague spreading from the capital looming.
It’s clear that the author carried out a lot of research, ensuring that her writing is historically accurate. I’m a former History teacher and couldn’t find fault, which was refreshing.
The characters are well written, with depth and emotion. The protagonist, Martin Blake (a cobbler) lives with his wife, Susanna, and young son, Thomas. Thomas, we discover, was born out of wedlock; forcing the couple into exile and poverty. Their little home is threadbare but warm; a focal point as they face jeopardy on all fronts.
Other characters include Susanna’s repugnant uncle, Elliot (the avaricious parish rector) and her beloved brother, Nicholas (an impoverished curate). The Blakes are charged with caring for four children, orphaned by the Plague. These extra mouths add to the pressure faced by Martin and his family.
The story begins with Martin inadvertently killing a raven, which leads to a sequence of events that cause him to cling to all he holds dear and ultimately question reality.
The birds are featured throughout as a portent of danger. The book is part fantasy, part gothic horror and is not a comforting read. In fact, as the story progresses, the text becomes a little chaotic and jarring but this could be a device to reflect the mental state of the protagonist. I really enjoyed the first three quarters of the book but found the last a little challenging. Saying that, I am keen to read more from Susan McCauley and would recommend this title to fans of alternative historical fantasy.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Book Whisperer, for the advance copy to review.
Did Not Finish
May 24, 2026Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this. All opinions are my own.
I saw the description of this book and thought that I would really enjoy it. The writing was atmospheric and captured what life would be like for the Martin and Susanna during this time. The fear of a wide spread plague, meager income, and wretched family secrets make for a hard life for these two and their son. While I was able to appreciate how the author established the book's premise, I didn't connect with the story or the characters.
The chapter titles are who the POV is going to be from during that chapter. So I know that a chapter may be from the POV of Martin and Susanna. However, the transition from one to the other was from paragraph to paragraph, with no clear break in between. While the chapters have breaks, they do not seem to be related to POV changes. This abrupt change of POV from one sentence to the next took me out of the story. I'd be reading and realize the POV changed and I'd have to go back a few paragraphs to figure out when it happened. I'm not sure if this was intentional by the author or if it was due to some editing errors, but I will give the benefit of the doubt that perhaps it was intentional and it is just not resonating with me.
This book would be perfect for people who are familiar with the author's previous works or those with similar writing styles. Readers who enjoy dark, gothic stories would likely enjoy this.
I love historical fiction, gothic settings, traumatic settings, etc. Unfortunately, this book was just not for me. I ended up DNF'ing at 64%. The book never really sucked me in past the first chapter, but I wanted to give it a chance. I am open to possibly revisiting this book in the future, so do not write it off as a bad book.
I saw the description of this book and thought that I would really enjoy it. The writing was atmospheric and captured what life would be like for the Martin and Susanna during this time. The fear of a wide spread plague, meager income, and wretched family secrets make for a hard life for these two and their son. While I was able to appreciate how the author established the book's premise, I didn't connect with the story or the characters.
The chapter titles are who the POV is going to be from during that chapter. So I know that a chapter may be from the POV of Martin and Susanna. However, the transition from one to the other was from paragraph to paragraph, with no clear break in between. While the chapters have breaks, they do not seem to be related to POV changes. This abrupt change of POV from one sentence to the next took me out of the story. I'd be reading and realize the POV changed and I'd have to go back a few paragraphs to figure out when it happened. I'm not sure if this was intentional by the author or if it was due to some editing errors, but I will give the benefit of the doubt that perhaps it was intentional and it is just not resonating with me.
This book would be perfect for people who are familiar with the author's previous works or those with similar writing styles. Readers who enjoy dark, gothic stories would likely enjoy this.
I love historical fiction, gothic settings, traumatic settings, etc. Unfortunately, this book was just not for me. I ended up DNF'ing at 64%. The book never really sucked me in past the first chapter, but I wanted to give it a chance. I am open to possibly revisiting this book in the future, so do not write it off as a bad book.
September 11, 2026
Even the small villages around York in 1665 are not safe from the effects of the great plague which is ravishing the south of England. In the quiet hamlet of Acaster Malbis, Martin Blake ekes out a meagre living as a humble cobbler because without the funds to join the prestigious Guild of Cordwainers, Martin must continue to make his shoes in secret, this pleases his wife’s uncle, the local church rector, who begrudges the expense of new leather.
Martin’s wife, Susanna is a gentle soul, who cossets the ravens which come to her for food but there is a deep underlying sadness which makes her yearn for more children of her own. When her rector uncle asks Martin and Susanna to take in a family of London children who have been orphaned by the pestilence, Martin reluctantly agrees as the family are poor enough without extra mouths to feed, this change in circumstances brings devastating tragedy to the family and the start of Martin’s mental health problems.
The Raven is an atmospheric story and it must be said is rather creepy in places, filled with an undercurrent of menace and a creeping sense of dread. The sense of history is palpable and although only a shortish story the characters come across well, especially Susanna’s uncle who is an ambitious man with no sense of Christian compassion. The ravens too are as much a part of the narrative- as the humans and I could hear their incessant cawing and sense their malevolent presence. Martin’s tumble into insanity is harrowing and deeply disturbing which all adds to the bleakness of the story.
Overall, The Raven works as a chilling and atmospheric read, interesting enough to read in one sitting and with a Gothic inspired cover, which is what piqued my interest in the first instance.
Martin’s wife, Susanna is a gentle soul, who cossets the ravens which come to her for food but there is a deep underlying sadness which makes her yearn for more children of her own. When her rector uncle asks Martin and Susanna to take in a family of London children who have been orphaned by the pestilence, Martin reluctantly agrees as the family are poor enough without extra mouths to feed, this change in circumstances brings devastating tragedy to the family and the start of Martin’s mental health problems.
The Raven is an atmospheric story and it must be said is rather creepy in places, filled with an undercurrent of menace and a creeping sense of dread. The sense of history is palpable and although only a shortish story the characters come across well, especially Susanna’s uncle who is an ambitious man with no sense of Christian compassion. The ravens too are as much a part of the narrative- as the humans and I could hear their incessant cawing and sense their malevolent presence. Martin’s tumble into insanity is harrowing and deeply disturbing which all adds to the bleakness of the story.
Overall, The Raven works as a chilling and atmospheric read, interesting enough to read in one sitting and with a Gothic inspired cover, which is what piqued my interest in the first instance.
September 18, 2026
Susan McCauley’s The Raven is set in 1665, when England is being devastated by the Bubonic Plague. The story takes place just outside York, with poverty, fear, and the threat of plague hanging over every part of the characters’ lives.
The story begins with Martin accidentally killing a raven, and from there everything starts to unravel. Ravens appear throughout the book as a dark warning sign, and the novel gradually shifts into something part historical fiction, part fantasy, and part gothic horror.
The main character, Martin Blake, is a cobbler living with his wife, Susanna, and their young son, Thomas. Their family has been pushed into poverty and isolation because Thomas was born out of wedlock, but their small, worn-down home still feels warm and real. That sense of home becomes really important as things start closing in around them.
The supporting characters are memorable too, especially Susanna’s unpleasant uncle Elliot, the greedy parish rector, and her brother Nicholas, a poor but kind curate. When the Blakes take in four children orphaned by the plague, the pressure on the family becomes even heavier.
One thing I really appreciated was how well researched it felt. I’m always a bit wary of historical fiction getting the details wrong, but I couldn’t find much to fault here, which made the setting feel convincing and immersive.
This definitely isn’t a cozy or comforting read. As the book goes on, the writing becomes more chaotic and unsettling, which may be intentional, reflecting Martin’s state of mind. I really enjoyed the first half, though I found the final section more difficult to get through. Even so, I’m interested to read more from McCauley and would recommend The Raven to readers who enjoy dark, alternative historical fantasy.
The story begins with Martin accidentally killing a raven, and from there everything starts to unravel. Ravens appear throughout the book as a dark warning sign, and the novel gradually shifts into something part historical fiction, part fantasy, and part gothic horror.
The main character, Martin Blake, is a cobbler living with his wife, Susanna, and their young son, Thomas. Their family has been pushed into poverty and isolation because Thomas was born out of wedlock, but their small, worn-down home still feels warm and real. That sense of home becomes really important as things start closing in around them.
The supporting characters are memorable too, especially Susanna’s unpleasant uncle Elliot, the greedy parish rector, and her brother Nicholas, a poor but kind curate. When the Blakes take in four children orphaned by the plague, the pressure on the family becomes even heavier.
One thing I really appreciated was how well researched it felt. I’m always a bit wary of historical fiction getting the details wrong, but I couldn’t find much to fault here, which made the setting feel convincing and immersive.
This definitely isn’t a cozy or comforting read. As the book goes on, the writing becomes more chaotic and unsettling, which may be intentional, reflecting Martin’s state of mind. I really enjoyed the first half, though I found the final section more difficult to get through. Even so, I’m interested to read more from McCauley and would recommend The Raven to readers who enjoy dark, alternative historical fantasy.
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