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The Witch’s Stone
Some legends never die – they wait for you to come home.
When Jess Morgan arrives in Northumberland to research the history of a crumbling chapel, she’s drawn to the legend of the Brinkburn Witch – a woman said to appear when blood is spilled near an ancient standing stone. But the longer Jess stays, the stranger things become. Whispers echo through empty corridors, shadows move where none should, and the boundary between dreams and memory begins to blur.
Over a century earlier, Eliza Stratford turned to the witch for help after a violent betrayal – and sealed her fate with a terrible bargain. Now her story, and the secrets she died to protect, are surfacing again.
As Jess unearths the truth behind the legend, she begins to suspect her own connection to the past runs deeper than she ever imagined – and that some ghosts will do anything to be remembered…
Atmospheric, haunting and rich with dark folklore, The Witch's Stone is a spellbinding gothic timeslip mystery where the past refuses to stay buried.
When Jess Morgan arrives in Northumberland to research the history of a crumbling chapel, she’s drawn to the legend of the Brinkburn Witch – a woman said to appear when blood is spilled near an ancient standing stone. But the longer Jess stays, the stranger things become. Whispers echo through empty corridors, shadows move where none should, and the boundary between dreams and memory begins to blur.
Over a century earlier, Eliza Stratford turned to the witch for help after a violent betrayal – and sealed her fate with a terrible bargain. Now her story, and the secrets she died to protect, are surfacing again.
As Jess unearths the truth behind the legend, she begins to suspect her own connection to the past runs deeper than she ever imagined – and that some ghosts will do anything to be remembered…
Atmospheric, haunting and rich with dark folklore, The Witch's Stone is a spellbinding gothic timeslip mystery where the past refuses to stay buried.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2026
About the author
Kirsty Ferry
51 books64 followersKirsty is from the North East of England and won the English Heritage/Belsay Hall National Creative Writing competition in 2009. She has had articles and short stories published in various magazines, newspapers and anthologies and was also a judge in the Paws 'n' Claws 'Wild and Free' Children's Story competition in 2011 and in 2013. 'The Memory of Snow', her first novel, was commended in the Northern Writer's Awards, shortlisted to the top five of Wyvern's novel competition in 2011 and longlisted in the Red Telephone Novel Competition in 2012. You can find out more about Kirsty and her work at www.rosethornpress.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
June 15, 2026
awesome read!
I really liked this story. It was hard to put down. I liked that the story was set in the present time and also n the past.
I really liked this story. It was hard to put down. I liked that the story was set in the present time and also n the past.
May 24, 2026
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
I really liked that this book was set in Northumberland, there’s not enough books set in this fantastic part of the world so it was really pleasing to have a new one, particularly about witches!
This is a dual timeline book, one part set in the 1800s and the other in modern day. Both follow female characters with the latter investigating the location of the former. There’s a historical mystery to solve! I did like the modern parts but it took a while to understand how they were going to contribute to the overall story, whereas the historical story had a draw straight away.
There’s a deliberately frustrating treatment of the historical character Eliza, she’s being caged by her family, her thoughts and desires dismissed and it’s disappointing to see the narrow mindedness of her family. The author has done this very deliberately so we can understand her position, the danger and why she makes the decisions she does.
I liked the ending to this book. I wasn’t sure how things were going to wrap up, but it did so quite satisfactorily.
I really liked that this book was set in Northumberland, there’s not enough books set in this fantastic part of the world so it was really pleasing to have a new one, particularly about witches!
This is a dual timeline book, one part set in the 1800s and the other in modern day. Both follow female characters with the latter investigating the location of the former. There’s a historical mystery to solve! I did like the modern parts but it took a while to understand how they were going to contribute to the overall story, whereas the historical story had a draw straight away.
There’s a deliberately frustrating treatment of the historical character Eliza, she’s being caged by her family, her thoughts and desires dismissed and it’s disappointing to see the narrow mindedness of her family. The author has done this very deliberately so we can understand her position, the danger and why she makes the decisions she does.
I liked the ending to this book. I wasn’t sure how things were going to wrap up, but it did so quite satisfactorily.
June 3, 2026
Atmospheric, haunting gothic mystery!
Jess researches a Northumberland chapel and uncovers the legend of the Brinkburn Witch, tied to an ancient stone.
Parallel story: Eliza, 100 years earlier, made a dangerous bargain for help.
Rich with folklore, spooky, timeslip twists, and secrets that won’t stay buried.
Spellbinding, eerie, and beautifully written, perfect for historical mystery fans!
Jess researches a Northumberland chapel and uncovers the legend of the Brinkburn Witch, tied to an ancient stone.
Parallel story: Eliza, 100 years earlier, made a dangerous bargain for help.
Rich with folklore, spooky, timeslip twists, and secrets that won’t stay buried.
Spellbinding, eerie, and beautifully written, perfect for historical mystery fans!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an early readers’ copy of this book.
Kirsty Ferry has a gift for the moody, atmospheric writing that characterizes gothic historical romances. This novel exemplifies that style, so much so that I found myself reminded of Wuthering Heights at the first mentions of gloomy estates and windswept moors. The main female character, the young Eliza, is beautiful, tormented, and ‘unruly,’ which meant simply that she is defiant and wilful. Like Bronte’s Cathy, she is kept under close watch by her family and made to carry out their plans for her future without regard to her own desires. Both characters feel free only on the moors whose ‘temperament ‘ reflects their own. What little time the besotted Eliza and her forbidden lover/soulmate Lucian can steal from their watchers is spent in an ancient chapel where few venture.
Due to some mysterious trauma that Eliza cannot remember—she suffers from selective amnesia, or, perhaps in our terms, post-traumatic stress—in which Lucian is implicated, he is cast out by his family and she is promised to a much more respectable man. Or so he appears. Since 19th century medical science little understood her scattered memories and emotional outbursts in relation to her trauma, they are viewed as madness, or possibly even a curse. Witches figure strongly in both Eliza’s story and that of the contemporary protagonist Jess Morgan. For Eliza, the reclusive Isabel is a source of comfort and healing, while the community, as in many other similar historical situations involving ‘wise women,’ looks on ‘the witch’ with fear and suspicion.
Jess is a 30-something respected genealogist and historical researcher, divorced, introverted and lonely. She is summoned to return to her family roots in Northumberland in her professional capacity. Along with a varied crew of related specialists, including a former school friend, Nate, she is to examine the origins and purpose of the chapel where Eliza and Lucian met, for the purpose of developing a heritage site. Included on the research roster is the so-called Witch’s Stone. It was believed to release a witch when certain blood rituals were performed around it.
The author gently builds up suspense and premonition while the researchers gather. Staying in the renovated estate-turned-inn where Eliza grew up, Jess starts to feel herself slipping between her own life and times and Eliza’s. She believes that she can communicate with Isabel with whom she seems to have a special bond. Slowly, and with help from the historical crew, the mystery unwinds as the 21st century characters begin to put together the historic puzzle pieces to form the true picture of the fates of Isabel and Eliza. The mystery’s resolution exposes difficult secrets for Jess, but she also finds the courage and motivation to live the life she wants, unlike the sadly thwarted women of Isabel and Eliza’s generation.
Kirsty Ferry has a clear and captivating style, and this shows in her writing and storytelling skills. There are just enough gothic touches to allow for some pleasurable thrills, but not enough to turn the novel into one of supernatural scares. Her characters, especially Isabel, are well-drawn. I personally liked Eliza’s story more than Jess’s, and Jess herself, while likeable, is all too academic and a bit dull. Also, it’s hard to beat a gallop across the moors for romantic ambience.
Kirsty Ferry has a gift for the moody, atmospheric writing that characterizes gothic historical romances. This novel exemplifies that style, so much so that I found myself reminded of Wuthering Heights at the first mentions of gloomy estates and windswept moors. The main female character, the young Eliza, is beautiful, tormented, and ‘unruly,’ which meant simply that she is defiant and wilful. Like Bronte’s Cathy, she is kept under close watch by her family and made to carry out their plans for her future without regard to her own desires. Both characters feel free only on the moors whose ‘temperament ‘ reflects their own. What little time the besotted Eliza and her forbidden lover/soulmate Lucian can steal from their watchers is spent in an ancient chapel where few venture.
Due to some mysterious trauma that Eliza cannot remember—she suffers from selective amnesia, or, perhaps in our terms, post-traumatic stress—in which Lucian is implicated, he is cast out by his family and she is promised to a much more respectable man. Or so he appears. Since 19th century medical science little understood her scattered memories and emotional outbursts in relation to her trauma, they are viewed as madness, or possibly even a curse. Witches figure strongly in both Eliza’s story and that of the contemporary protagonist Jess Morgan. For Eliza, the reclusive Isabel is a source of comfort and healing, while the community, as in many other similar historical situations involving ‘wise women,’ looks on ‘the witch’ with fear and suspicion.
Jess is a 30-something respected genealogist and historical researcher, divorced, introverted and lonely. She is summoned to return to her family roots in Northumberland in her professional capacity. Along with a varied crew of related specialists, including a former school friend, Nate, she is to examine the origins and purpose of the chapel where Eliza and Lucian met, for the purpose of developing a heritage site. Included on the research roster is the so-called Witch’s Stone. It was believed to release a witch when certain blood rituals were performed around it.
The author gently builds up suspense and premonition while the researchers gather. Staying in the renovated estate-turned-inn where Eliza grew up, Jess starts to feel herself slipping between her own life and times and Eliza’s. She believes that she can communicate with Isabel with whom she seems to have a special bond. Slowly, and with help from the historical crew, the mystery unwinds as the 21st century characters begin to put together the historic puzzle pieces to form the true picture of the fates of Isabel and Eliza. The mystery’s resolution exposes difficult secrets for Jess, but she also finds the courage and motivation to live the life she wants, unlike the sadly thwarted women of Isabel and Eliza’s generation.
Kirsty Ferry has a clear and captivating style, and this shows in her writing and storytelling skills. There are just enough gothic touches to allow for some pleasurable thrills, but not enough to turn the novel into one of supernatural scares. Her characters, especially Isabel, are well-drawn. I personally liked Eliza’s story more than Jess’s, and Jess herself, while likeable, is all too academic and a bit dull. Also, it’s hard to beat a gallop across the moors for romantic ambience.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I was reading The Witch’s Stone, I was away for a few days in Northumberland which is where the book is set. Unlike the cold wintry weather of the book, it was beautifully warm and sunny while we were away. I was quite excited to realise that some of the locations weren’t far from where we were staying. There’s something quite special about reading ‘on location’ as it were. We visited a nearby stately home and it felt like I was right in the heart of the book.
There are two timelines in the book. In the present day, genealogist and researcher Jess Morgan has come back home to research the history of a ruined chapel. She is living in a grand refurbished old stately home that she and her teenage friends used to explore years before, believing it to be haunted. She is fascinated by a gravestone in the Church yard which seems to be an anomaly and also interested in the legend of the Brinkburn Witch and Isabel’s Stone. In the past, Eliza Stratford is recovering from an accident she has no memory of and feeling very frustrated by the restrictions placed upon her by her family.
As we move between past and present, sometimes the storylines come to a touching point and break through the confines of time. This time slip is done so well and the narrative flows effortlessly between the past and present. The Witch’s Stone itself seemed to be a timeless, liminal space where past and present could meet. Jess and her old friend Nate, who was also working on the project, quite often experienced things they couldn’t quite explain, that made them feel uncomfortable and made them feel like they just knew what had happened in the past – very spooky!
Eliza’s story was so moving. I want to be careful not to give anything away but I felt such compassion and fear for her. Not only was there a forbidden love, she was in grave danger from someone else and her family just thought she was a madwoman imagining things. No wonder she turned to ‘the witch’ for help. Was Isabel a witch or just another woman like so many from her time who was ‘a healer, a helper and a protector’ but who lived in fear of unjust accusations? I’ll leave you to make up your own mind about that when you read the book.
The Witch’s Stone is an eerie and atmospheric gothic thriller. I found this to be a really fast-paced read as I moved between one timeline and another, wondering what would happen to the characters and eager to see the mystery resolved. With themes of betrayal, danger, courage, love and second chances, The Witch’s Stone is a book I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m pleased to know there is a second witchy book due out later this year so I’m looking forward to reading The Snow Witch.
There are two timelines in the book. In the present day, genealogist and researcher Jess Morgan has come back home to research the history of a ruined chapel. She is living in a grand refurbished old stately home that she and her teenage friends used to explore years before, believing it to be haunted. She is fascinated by a gravestone in the Church yard which seems to be an anomaly and also interested in the legend of the Brinkburn Witch and Isabel’s Stone. In the past, Eliza Stratford is recovering from an accident she has no memory of and feeling very frustrated by the restrictions placed upon her by her family.
As we move between past and present, sometimes the storylines come to a touching point and break through the confines of time. This time slip is done so well and the narrative flows effortlessly between the past and present. The Witch’s Stone itself seemed to be a timeless, liminal space where past and present could meet. Jess and her old friend Nate, who was also working on the project, quite often experienced things they couldn’t quite explain, that made them feel uncomfortable and made them feel like they just knew what had happened in the past – very spooky!
Eliza’s story was so moving. I want to be careful not to give anything away but I felt such compassion and fear for her. Not only was there a forbidden love, she was in grave danger from someone else and her family just thought she was a madwoman imagining things. No wonder she turned to ‘the witch’ for help. Was Isabel a witch or just another woman like so many from her time who was ‘a healer, a helper and a protector’ but who lived in fear of unjust accusations? I’ll leave you to make up your own mind about that when you read the book.
The Witch’s Stone is an eerie and atmospheric gothic thriller. I found this to be a really fast-paced read as I moved between one timeline and another, wondering what would happen to the characters and eager to see the mystery resolved. With themes of betrayal, danger, courage, love and second chances, The Witch’s Stone is a book I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m pleased to know there is a second witchy book due out later this year so I’m looking forward to reading The Snow Witch.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jess Morgan is a genealogist and historical researcher who has returned to the area of Northumberland where she grew up to work on a new project looking into the history of a ruined chapel. There are plans to make it part of a Heritage Trail for tourists, so some interesting facts about the site are needed. Reacquainted with an old school friend, Nate, who is managing the project for the heritage group, Jess begins investigating the chapel’s past and discovers links with an ancient stone known as Isabel’s Stone – or the Witch’s Stone – and a woman called Eliza who is buried in the chapel graveyard.
A second thread of the novel is set in 1888 and follows Eliza, the twenty-two-year-old daughter of Lord and Lady Stratford of Stratford Chase. Eliza is recovering from an accident she suffered several months earlier which left her with damage to her spine and unable to remember what happened. All she knows is that Lucian Ashcombe, the man she loves, was somehow involved and was sent away, forbidden to see her again. But now Lucian has returned – and so has another man, Benedict Rochford, her intended husband. Can she trust either of them? If only her memories would come back!
Jess and Eliza are linked by a third woman: Isabel, the witch, whom it’s said can be summoned by running three times around her stone. I was interested to read at the end of the book that Kirsty Ferry was inspired by a brief record in an old book of a witch with an evil eye and a sinister cat who lived in a cottage near Brinkburn Abbey. Ferry’s portrayal of Isabel, the Brinkburn Witch, is much more sympathetic; she appears to the protagonists in times of need, tying the two storylines together. The two narratives merge further when Jess, who is staying in a room at Eliza’s old home, Stratford Chase, now converted into a hotel, begins to slip between past and present, and when Nate discovers an old hunting knife which seems to wield a strange power over him.
There are some supernatural elements, then, but they never completely dominate the novel; the focus is on the personal stories of the characters with Jess researching the history of the chapel and trying to rebuild her life after her recent divorce and Eliza struggling with her amnesia and looking for a way out of the marriage her parents and brother have planned for her. I was much more interested in Eliza’s story at first as it was where all the drama was taking place, but later in the book the two threads come together so well that it’s hard to separate one from the other. Not everyone in the story gets a happy ending, but that’s reality and I still found the final chapter very satisfying. I also loved the setting – not enough books are set in Northumberland! The fictional Stratford Chase and the ruined chapel are located in the Simonside Hills near Rothbury and the author describes the landscape beautifully.
This is the first Kirsty Ferry book I’ve read; she has written a large number of others and I’m not sure if any of them appeal to me, but I’ll certainly be looking out for The Snow Witch, due to be published later this year!
A second thread of the novel is set in 1888 and follows Eliza, the twenty-two-year-old daughter of Lord and Lady Stratford of Stratford Chase. Eliza is recovering from an accident she suffered several months earlier which left her with damage to her spine and unable to remember what happened. All she knows is that Lucian Ashcombe, the man she loves, was somehow involved and was sent away, forbidden to see her again. But now Lucian has returned – and so has another man, Benedict Rochford, her intended husband. Can she trust either of them? If only her memories would come back!
Jess and Eliza are linked by a third woman: Isabel, the witch, whom it’s said can be summoned by running three times around her stone. I was interested to read at the end of the book that Kirsty Ferry was inspired by a brief record in an old book of a witch with an evil eye and a sinister cat who lived in a cottage near Brinkburn Abbey. Ferry’s portrayal of Isabel, the Brinkburn Witch, is much more sympathetic; she appears to the protagonists in times of need, tying the two storylines together. The two narratives merge further when Jess, who is staying in a room at Eliza’s old home, Stratford Chase, now converted into a hotel, begins to slip between past and present, and when Nate discovers an old hunting knife which seems to wield a strange power over him.
There are some supernatural elements, then, but they never completely dominate the novel; the focus is on the personal stories of the characters with Jess researching the history of the chapel and trying to rebuild her life after her recent divorce and Eliza struggling with her amnesia and looking for a way out of the marriage her parents and brother have planned for her. I was much more interested in Eliza’s story at first as it was where all the drama was taking place, but later in the book the two threads come together so well that it’s hard to separate one from the other. Not everyone in the story gets a happy ending, but that’s reality and I still found the final chapter very satisfying. I also loved the setting – not enough books are set in Northumberland! The fictional Stratford Chase and the ruined chapel are located in the Simonside Hills near Rothbury and the author describes the landscape beautifully.
This is the first Kirsty Ferry book I’ve read; she has written a large number of others and I’m not sure if any of them appeal to me, but I’ll certainly be looking out for The Snow Witch, due to be published later this year!
June 4, 2026
When Jess returns to her childhood town to do some research in a derelict chapel, she doesn't expect anything to happen. Not even with the 'Witches Stone' beside it, where a witch is said to appear under the correct conditions. It isn't long however before the events of over a hundred years ago begin to bleed into the present - and vice versa. Evil lurks in the shadow of the stone and it will take people across time to cleanse it.
The tension really builds and builds in this book. Within the first ten or so percent of the book, you are presented with much of the mystery and many of the clues but no context. And it is that hunt for context, for understanding where the majority of the tension lies. And boy does the tension really go up.
One of my few complaints with the book is there is never any reason given for why Eliza and Luce can't be together. He seems to be of equal status to Eliza's family, and no reason is given as to why he can't court her openly before this whole book kicks off. It's very clear that they have been meeting in secret in the past, and its never explained why.
I also found the villain strange to get to grips with. He was one of the most chilling, skin crawling villains I've read in a while and I truly hated him, so much so. But at the same time, there were moments when he came across almost a pantomime in his villainy. There wasn't much to him beyond darkness, and it would have been cool to dig a little deeper.
The rest of the cast was fantastic however. Eliza had a terrible time of it, her chapters were painful at times to read, but I found her brother very interesting. He had so many shades of grey, and so getting to grips with who he was, was a very enjoyable ride.
This is gothic, this is a tragedy, not everything will end happily, but its well worth a read. Trigger warning, there is rape in this book and while its not NC-17 graphic, the scenes are emotional, and powerful. Truly spine chilling.
If you are looking for a Victorian gothic style book that at once both feels gothic light and very dark with some of its topics, then this is the book for you. The ending is perhaps a little rushed in some places, but it does tie up the tale nicely and offers a satisfactory ending. Highly recommend.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
The tension really builds and builds in this book. Within the first ten or so percent of the book, you are presented with much of the mystery and many of the clues but no context. And it is that hunt for context, for understanding where the majority of the tension lies. And boy does the tension really go up.
One of my few complaints with the book is there is never any reason given for why Eliza and Luce can't be together. He seems to be of equal status to Eliza's family, and no reason is given as to why he can't court her openly before this whole book kicks off. It's very clear that they have been meeting in secret in the past, and its never explained why.
I also found the villain strange to get to grips with. He was one of the most chilling, skin crawling villains I've read in a while and I truly hated him, so much so. But at the same time, there were moments when he came across almost a pantomime in his villainy. There wasn't much to him beyond darkness, and it would have been cool to dig a little deeper.
The rest of the cast was fantastic however. Eliza had a terrible time of it, her chapters were painful at times to read, but I found her brother very interesting. He had so many shades of grey, and so getting to grips with who he was, was a very enjoyable ride.
This is gothic, this is a tragedy, not everything will end happily, but its well worth a read. Trigger warning, there is rape in this book and while its not NC-17 graphic, the scenes are emotional, and powerful. Truly spine chilling.
If you are looking for a Victorian gothic style book that at once both feels gothic light and very dark with some of its topics, then this is the book for you. The ending is perhaps a little rushed in some places, but it does tie up the tale nicely and offers a satisfactory ending. Highly recommend.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Witch’s Stone is a beautifully eerie, slow‑burn gothic mystery that wraps itself around you like mist off the Northumberland hills. From the moment Jess Morgan arrives to research the crumbling chapel, there’s a sense of something ancient stirring beneath the surface — not loud or dramatic, but a quiet pull, as though the land itself has been waiting for her.
The legend of the Brinkburn Witch is irresistible: a woman who appears when blood touches the standing stone, a story whispered through generations. The author leans into that folklore with a deft, delicate touch, letting the unease build through shifting shadows, half‑heard whispers, and dreams that feel a little too much like memories. Jess’s growing sense that she’s connected to this place — and to its ghosts — gives the narrative a lovely emotional depth.
The timeslip element is woven beautifully. Eliza Stratford’s story, set more than a century earlier, is full of betrayal, desperation, and the kind of choices that echo long after a life ends. Her chapters feel steeped in candlelight and dread, and the bargain she makes with the witch casts a shadow that stretches all the way into Jess’s present. The way the two timelines begin to bleed into each other is one of the book’s greatest strengths — subtle, haunting, and deeply atmospheric.
As Jess digs deeper, the boundary between past and present blurs in a way that feels both magical and unsettling. The secrets she uncovers aren’t just historical curiosities; they’re threads that tug at her own identity, her own history, her own sense of belonging. The ghosts here aren’t simply apparitions — they’re memories, regrets, and stories demanding to be heard.
Rich with folklore, beautifully written, and quietly chilling, The Witch’s Stone is a spellbinding gothic mystery where the past refuses to stay buried and the landscape itself feels alive. Perfect for readers who love their stories atmospheric, haunting, and threaded with the kind of magic that lingers long after the final page.
With thanks to Kirsty Ferry, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The legend of the Brinkburn Witch is irresistible: a woman who appears when blood touches the standing stone, a story whispered through generations. The author leans into that folklore with a deft, delicate touch, letting the unease build through shifting shadows, half‑heard whispers, and dreams that feel a little too much like memories. Jess’s growing sense that she’s connected to this place — and to its ghosts — gives the narrative a lovely emotional depth.
The timeslip element is woven beautifully. Eliza Stratford’s story, set more than a century earlier, is full of betrayal, desperation, and the kind of choices that echo long after a life ends. Her chapters feel steeped in candlelight and dread, and the bargain she makes with the witch casts a shadow that stretches all the way into Jess’s present. The way the two timelines begin to bleed into each other is one of the book’s greatest strengths — subtle, haunting, and deeply atmospheric.
As Jess digs deeper, the boundary between past and present blurs in a way that feels both magical and unsettling. The secrets she uncovers aren’t just historical curiosities; they’re threads that tug at her own identity, her own history, her own sense of belonging. The ghosts here aren’t simply apparitions — they’re memories, regrets, and stories demanding to be heard.
Rich with folklore, beautifully written, and quietly chilling, The Witch’s Stone is a spellbinding gothic mystery where the past refuses to stay buried and the landscape itself feels alive. Perfect for readers who love their stories atmospheric, haunting, and threaded with the kind of magic that lingers long after the final page.
With thanks to Kirsty Ferry, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Big thanks to author Kirsty Ferry, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the ARC.
When Jess returns to Northumberland, where she spent her childhood, to research the history of a ruined chapel, she finds herself pulled into the mystery of the Brinkburn Witch (Isabel). According to the legend, a woman appears when someone circles around the Witch's Stone three times and spills blood. More than a century ago, a young woman named Eliza Stratford turned to Isabel for help, which meant giving up her life to protect her secrets and the one she loved. Now, staying in Eliza's old bedroom in her Victorian home, which was renovated as a hotel, Jess begins to experience timeslips, peaking into the lives of Isabel and Eliza, and to suspect that her connections to the place and the legend might be deeper than she thought.
The Witch's Stone was a very eerie, atmospheric gothic thriller with dual timelines and frequent time slips that intersect in a way that shows the storytelling mastery of the author. While time keeps slipping and decades pass, the only thing that stands in the middle of it all is Isabel's stone. It is both our anchor and our sails in this story, just like it is for Eliza, Isabel, and Jess.
Although this is a gothic thriller novel, it's also about lost and forbidden love, both mental and physical confinement, and betrayal. The characters, especially Eliza, bear the burden of haunting secrets, which creates an intriguing veil of mystery that lingers around the ruined chapel. The eerie atmospheres of the chapel and the moors effortlessly come alive in the reader's mind thanks to the author's refined and vivid descriptions. Eliza's spiralings, yearnings, and waiting in despair are heartwrenching, and they deeply seep into the atmosphere of the ruined chapel and the entire mood of the story. The book pulled me in from the start, and it proved to be very difficult for me to put down.
It is a book that is perfect for readers who like eerie, gripping, gothic thrillers with dual timelines, dark folkloric elements, witchcraft, and mysteries that trespass the borders of time.
When Jess returns to Northumberland, where she spent her childhood, to research the history of a ruined chapel, she finds herself pulled into the mystery of the Brinkburn Witch (Isabel). According to the legend, a woman appears when someone circles around the Witch's Stone three times and spills blood. More than a century ago, a young woman named Eliza Stratford turned to Isabel for help, which meant giving up her life to protect her secrets and the one she loved. Now, staying in Eliza's old bedroom in her Victorian home, which was renovated as a hotel, Jess begins to experience timeslips, peaking into the lives of Isabel and Eliza, and to suspect that her connections to the place and the legend might be deeper than she thought.
The Witch's Stone was a very eerie, atmospheric gothic thriller with dual timelines and frequent time slips that intersect in a way that shows the storytelling mastery of the author. While time keeps slipping and decades pass, the only thing that stands in the middle of it all is Isabel's stone. It is both our anchor and our sails in this story, just like it is for Eliza, Isabel, and Jess.
Although this is a gothic thriller novel, it's also about lost and forbidden love, both mental and physical confinement, and betrayal. The characters, especially Eliza, bear the burden of haunting secrets, which creates an intriguing veil of mystery that lingers around the ruined chapel. The eerie atmospheres of the chapel and the moors effortlessly come alive in the reader's mind thanks to the author's refined and vivid descriptions. Eliza's spiralings, yearnings, and waiting in despair are heartwrenching, and they deeply seep into the atmosphere of the ruined chapel and the entire mood of the story. The book pulled me in from the start, and it proved to be very difficult for me to put down.
It is a book that is perfect for readers who like eerie, gripping, gothic thrillers with dual timelines, dark folkloric elements, witchcraft, and mysteries that trespass the borders of time.
June 6, 2026
Jess finds herself returning home to take part in a major research project. Her hotel is newly renovated but once upon a time it was an old manor house - one she grew up exploring - and the subjects of her research are the people buried in the graveyard of a derelict church. The church and the so called 'Witch's Stone' standing nearby are the stuff of local legend, and it's not long before strange things start happening. Jess finds herself caught up in a story which began more than a century ago, and she's the only one who can help break the cycle of terrible events which followed.
This is great for a lover of the creepy gothic story. There's a lot of tension and atmosphere both in the scenes taking place in the present and in the past. The reader is given enough information and context to slowly piece together the chain of events, and is treated to a slow but powerful reveal at a couple of points through the book.
The writing style is easy to read but creates great brooding scenes, it's a very visual book. The modern characters seem well thought out and get subtly positioned to be in the right place at the right time without it being too obvious. I have a lot of sympathy for some of the characters - Nate in the modern timeline gets a particularly rough deal, and Eliza in the historical timeline is a beautiful example of the tortured, tragic heroine.
The villain of the piece is truly despicable - but quite under-developed. He was awful but there didn't seem to be a lot to him besides that awfulness, which let him down a bit I found. Lucian as well could have been developed more - beyond his love for Eliza we don't get to learn a lot about him as a person.
Definitely a book I will be recommending to others ad very much a compelling read that will have you questioning from the very first chapter.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
This is great for a lover of the creepy gothic story. There's a lot of tension and atmosphere both in the scenes taking place in the present and in the past. The reader is given enough information and context to slowly piece together the chain of events, and is treated to a slow but powerful reveal at a couple of points through the book.
The writing style is easy to read but creates great brooding scenes, it's a very visual book. The modern characters seem well thought out and get subtly positioned to be in the right place at the right time without it being too obvious. I have a lot of sympathy for some of the characters - Nate in the modern timeline gets a particularly rough deal, and Eliza in the historical timeline is a beautiful example of the tortured, tragic heroine.
The villain of the piece is truly despicable - but quite under-developed. He was awful but there didn't seem to be a lot to him besides that awfulness, which let him down a bit I found. Lucian as well could have been developed more - beyond his love for Eliza we don't get to learn a lot about him as a person.
Definitely a book I will be recommending to others ad very much a compelling read that will have you questioning from the very first chapter.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my review.
I really enjoyed my read of this book! The Witch's Stone is a dual timeline book, flashing between Jess Morgan, a thirty-something, divorced researcher and genealogist (and her childhood friend Nate), and Eliza Straford, a twenty-something heiress who is recovering from a violent something that took her memories, and straddling both worlds is Isabel, the aformated witch from the Stone.
I am thankfully very bad at guessing what happens next in a mystery story, so every twist and turn had me at the edge of my (metaphorical) seat. I wasn't actually sure how Ferry was going to go about connecting both timelines, and the connection being biological, and Isabel needing her descendant's power to end the horror of her time, was done very well.
This book touches upon a lot - the grief of a modern-day marriage falling apart, the overall horror of being a female in the 1800's, and being unable to choose your own fate, desperate men being terrible, and how believing a friend over your sister can be disastrous.
The one thing I do wish had happened was for Nate and Jess to communicate more. I think if they were more open with the weird shit that was happening to both of them, some of the modern-day plot elements could have been a little tighter. A lot of the modern-day plot was heavily reliant on us finding out what was happening in historical times, and as a genealogist myself, I really would've enjoyed more of Jess in her element.
Overall, a very solid read that I enjoyed. I've been wanting to dive more into dual timelines/historical mystery adventure type books, and this definitely satisfied my desires.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2026
The Witch’s Stone by Kirsty Ferry is a charming blend of romance, mystery, and a touch of magic that completely swept me away. With its atmospheric setting and dual-timeline elements, this book has a wonderfully cozy yet mysterious feel that kept me turning the pages.
One of my favorite things about the story was the setting. Ferry creates such a vivid sense of place, and the mix of history, folklore, and small-town charm made it easy to get lost in the world she’s built. There’s an enchanting quality running throughout the novel that gives it a little extra sparkle without overwhelming the story.
The characters are warm and relatable, and I especially enjoyed seeing how the past and present storylines intertwined. The romance is sweet and develops naturally, while the mystery surrounding the witch’s stone adds just enough intrigue to keep things interesting. I appreciated how the magical elements enhanced the emotional themes of love, fate, and second chances.
The pacing is gentle and more focused on atmosphere and relationships than nonstop action, which suited the story well. There were a few slower moments in the middle, but they allowed the characters and their connections to develop in a satisfying way.
Kirsty Ferry’s writing is easy to sink into, balancing humor, emotion, and a touch of whimsy beautifully. By the end, I was left with that cozy, contented feeling that comes from spending time with characters you’ve grown to care about.
Overall, The Witch’s Stone is a delightful and magical read that combines romance, history, and mystery with plenty of heart. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy uplifting stories with a hint of the supernatural and a strong sense of place.
One of my favorite things about the story was the setting. Ferry creates such a vivid sense of place, and the mix of history, folklore, and small-town charm made it easy to get lost in the world she’s built. There’s an enchanting quality running throughout the novel that gives it a little extra sparkle without overwhelming the story.
The characters are warm and relatable, and I especially enjoyed seeing how the past and present storylines intertwined. The romance is sweet and develops naturally, while the mystery surrounding the witch’s stone adds just enough intrigue to keep things interesting. I appreciated how the magical elements enhanced the emotional themes of love, fate, and second chances.
The pacing is gentle and more focused on atmosphere and relationships than nonstop action, which suited the story well. There were a few slower moments in the middle, but they allowed the characters and their connections to develop in a satisfying way.
Kirsty Ferry’s writing is easy to sink into, balancing humor, emotion, and a touch of whimsy beautifully. By the end, I was left with that cozy, contented feeling that comes from spending time with characters you’ve grown to care about.
Overall, The Witch’s Stone is a delightful and magical read that combines romance, history, and mystery with plenty of heart. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy uplifting stories with a hint of the supernatural and a strong sense of place.
May 6, 2026
The Witch’s Stone is set in my native Northumberland and it was for this reason that I requested an ARC of this book. I was eager to discover how the author would tackle the themes of witchcraft and gothic intrigue in this setting - and I was far from disappointed.
Kirsty Ferry delivers a beautifully woven timeslip mystery that effortlessly pulls you between past and present. Jess Morgan's journey into the history of a crumbling chapel in Northumberland and the nearby standing stone (known as the Witch’s Stone) quickly becomes something far more disquieting, as long-buried secrets begin to surface.
The legend of the Brinkburn Witch adds a chilling edge, and the more you read on, the more creepy and eerie the story becomes.
The dual timeline is handled brilliantly, with Eliza Stratford's past storyline adding emotional weight and tension. Her choices, shaped by betrayal and desperation, echo hauntingly into the present, creating a story that feels layered, rich, and deeply atmospheric. Parts of this story reminded me of Wuthering Heights, with the bleak moorlands, and the tortured heroine of Eliza closely resembling Catherine Earnshaw.
What truly stands out is Ferry's writing - evocative, fluid, and incredibly vivid. The setting is described perfectly; as someone who has regularly visited the moors of Northumberland, I know exactly how wild, bleak and unsettling they can be!
This is gothic timeslip at its finest: gripping, beautifully written, and impossible to put down.
Releasing 4th June.
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Kirsty Ferry for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Kirsty Ferry delivers a beautifully woven timeslip mystery that effortlessly pulls you between past and present. Jess Morgan's journey into the history of a crumbling chapel in Northumberland and the nearby standing stone (known as the Witch’s Stone) quickly becomes something far more disquieting, as long-buried secrets begin to surface.
The legend of the Brinkburn Witch adds a chilling edge, and the more you read on, the more creepy and eerie the story becomes.
The dual timeline is handled brilliantly, with Eliza Stratford's past storyline adding emotional weight and tension. Her choices, shaped by betrayal and desperation, echo hauntingly into the present, creating a story that feels layered, rich, and deeply atmospheric. Parts of this story reminded me of Wuthering Heights, with the bleak moorlands, and the tortured heroine of Eliza closely resembling Catherine Earnshaw.
What truly stands out is Ferry's writing - evocative, fluid, and incredibly vivid. The setting is described perfectly; as someone who has regularly visited the moors of Northumberland, I know exactly how wild, bleak and unsettling they can be!
This is gothic timeslip at its finest: gripping, beautifully written, and impossible to put down.
Releasing 4th June.
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Kirsty Ferry for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Witch’s Stone – Kirsty Ferry
Pub Date: 4 June 2026
If you love gothic atmosphere, haunting folklore, and stories where the past refuses to stay buried, The Witch’s Stone is an absolute must-read.
Kirsty Ferry delivers a beautifully woven timeslip mystery that effortlessly pulls you between past and present. Jess Morgan’s journey into the history of a crumbling chapel in Northumberland quickly becomes something far more unsettling, as whispers, shadows, and long-buried secrets begin to surface. The legend of the Brinkburn Witch adds a chilling edge, and the deeper you go, the more immersive and eerie the story becomes.
The dual timeline is handled brilliantly, with Eliza Stratford’s past storyline adding emotional weight and tension. Her choices, shaped by betrayal and desperation, echo hauntingly into the present, creating a story that feels layered, rich, and deeply atmospheric.
What truly stands out is Ferry’s writing — evocative, fluid, and incredibly vivid. The setting feels alive, almost like a character in itself, wrapping you in a constant sense of unease and intrigue. It’s the kind of book where you can almost hear the echoes in the chapel and feel the chill creeping in.
This is gothic timeslip at its finest — gripping, beautifully written, and impossible to put down. Kirsty Ferry continues to raise the bar with every book, and The Witch’s Stone is easily one of her strongest yet.
A haunting, spellbinding read that lingers long after the final page.
Rating: 5 stars
#TheWitchsStone
#GothicFiction
#HistoricalMystery
#BookTokUK
#TimeslipFiction
Pub Date: 4 June 2026
If you love gothic atmosphere, haunting folklore, and stories where the past refuses to stay buried, The Witch’s Stone is an absolute must-read.
Kirsty Ferry delivers a beautifully woven timeslip mystery that effortlessly pulls you between past and present. Jess Morgan’s journey into the history of a crumbling chapel in Northumberland quickly becomes something far more unsettling, as whispers, shadows, and long-buried secrets begin to surface. The legend of the Brinkburn Witch adds a chilling edge, and the deeper you go, the more immersive and eerie the story becomes.
The dual timeline is handled brilliantly, with Eliza Stratford’s past storyline adding emotional weight and tension. Her choices, shaped by betrayal and desperation, echo hauntingly into the present, creating a story that feels layered, rich, and deeply atmospheric.
What truly stands out is Ferry’s writing — evocative, fluid, and incredibly vivid. The setting feels alive, almost like a character in itself, wrapping you in a constant sense of unease and intrigue. It’s the kind of book where you can almost hear the echoes in the chapel and feel the chill creeping in.
This is gothic timeslip at its finest — gripping, beautifully written, and impossible to put down. Kirsty Ferry continues to raise the bar with every book, and The Witch’s Stone is easily one of her strongest yet.
A haunting, spellbinding read that lingers long after the final page.
Rating: 5 stars
#TheWitchsStone
#GothicFiction
#HistoricalMystery
#BookTokUK
#TimeslipFiction
June 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and to Kirsty Ferry for providing me with a copy of this book in return for a honest review!
The Witches Stone is a gothic mystery that transports you between modern day and the hidden past of the Northumberland Moors. Deffo for fans of a gothic tale with folklore elements!
Overall I’d rate this 3-3.5/5 stars ✨
The book is quite short in length and is a very easy read, you’ll find yourself easily enthralled into the mystery and secrets this story has to offer! The time slip elements, although not my personal preference, work well to portray the story and it flows very nicely as the perspectives join up.
The tale is equally paced, there is always new clues coming to light that will keep you hooked and wanting to read more! When reading it I was originally unsure on what the end goal may be/ where the character development was headed - I was pleasantly surprised with the character development, although feel like I wanted more from the ending!
The atmosphere built was of an eerie, most definitely, haunting mystery- this events within the book unravel steadily throughout the plot, if you’re looking for dramatic moments I would argue this book is lacking.
However, I did thoroughly enjoy this book, it was something new and refreshing from my usual reads. As this is my first book I have read by Kirsty, I would be keen to explore her other books that she has to offer!
The Witches Stone is a gothic mystery that transports you between modern day and the hidden past of the Northumberland Moors. Deffo for fans of a gothic tale with folklore elements!
Overall I’d rate this 3-3.5/5 stars ✨
The book is quite short in length and is a very easy read, you’ll find yourself easily enthralled into the mystery and secrets this story has to offer! The time slip elements, although not my personal preference, work well to portray the story and it flows very nicely as the perspectives join up.
The tale is equally paced, there is always new clues coming to light that will keep you hooked and wanting to read more! When reading it I was originally unsure on what the end goal may be/ where the character development was headed - I was pleasantly surprised with the character development, although feel like I wanted more from the ending!
The atmosphere built was of an eerie, most definitely, haunting mystery- this events within the book unravel steadily throughout the plot, if you’re looking for dramatic moments I would argue this book is lacking.
However, I did thoroughly enjoy this book, it was something new and refreshing from my usual reads. As this is my first book I have read by Kirsty, I would be keen to explore her other books that she has to offer!
June 3, 2026
For fans of historical novels which carry a spooky twist, this story packs it all: figures in the shadows, movement out of the corner of the eye, a lonely moorland landscape and ghostly, haunting presences.
Jess has gone back to her hometown to provide archeological research on a ruined old chapel, a place full of local myth, where she used to hang around in her teens with friends, daring each other to walk round the Witches Stone and summon whatever lurked in its shadows. Teamed on the project is Nate, an old acquaintance from her school days, who also remembers the legend of the stone and of Isabel, the ghostly figure whose status as a witch has been passed through the generations. Jess and Nate are soon caught up in the atmosphere of Brinkburn and the lingering stories of whether or not there really was a witch there all those years before.
Layered with the modern narrative is the story of Eliza, who is inhabiting the same place more than a hundred years before. Eliza is trapped in a mystery of her own, one that ends up having consequences that threaten to take a very dark turn.
What starts out as a research task soon becomes much more vital for Jess as she is determined to uncover the local legend of the Brinkburn witch - did she exist? And if she did, what was her likely fate as a condemned woman, hundreds of years ago, when the consequences of witchcraft were a crime?
Huge thanks to Boldwood Books for approving me to read this advance copy.
Jess has gone back to her hometown to provide archeological research on a ruined old chapel, a place full of local myth, where she used to hang around in her teens with friends, daring each other to walk round the Witches Stone and summon whatever lurked in its shadows. Teamed on the project is Nate, an old acquaintance from her school days, who also remembers the legend of the stone and of Isabel, the ghostly figure whose status as a witch has been passed through the generations. Jess and Nate are soon caught up in the atmosphere of Brinkburn and the lingering stories of whether or not there really was a witch there all those years before.
Layered with the modern narrative is the story of Eliza, who is inhabiting the same place more than a hundred years before. Eliza is trapped in a mystery of her own, one that ends up having consequences that threaten to take a very dark turn.
What starts out as a research task soon becomes much more vital for Jess as she is determined to uncover the local legend of the Brinkburn witch - did she exist? And if she did, what was her likely fate as a condemned woman, hundreds of years ago, when the consequences of witchcraft were a crime?
Huge thanks to Boldwood Books for approving me to read this advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a free digital ARC of The Witches Stone from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a first-time reader of Kirsty Ferry, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful cover and intriguing blurb. The combination of folklore, mystery and a dual timeline was impossible to resist.
One of the highlights of the novel was its Northumberland setting. It's a part of the country I love visiting, and Ferry captures its wild beauty and atmospheric landscapes perfectly. The rugged Simonside Hills, ancient history and sense of mystery provide the ideal backdrop for the story.
The novel follows Jess, a researcher investigating the history of an old chapel, who becomes fascinated by a local legend surrounding the Witches Stone. According to folklore, a witch appears whenever blood is spilt nearby. As Jess delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers Eliza's story in the past, a moving and emotional tale that centres around loss, difficult choices and a fateful bargain.
I'm always drawn to dual timeline and time-slip novels, and this story delivered plenty of intrigue as the past and present narratives gradually intertwined. The folklore elements added an extra layer of mystery, while Eliza's storyline was particularly engaging and emotional.
An atmospheric and enjoyable read that blends history, legend and romance against a wonderfully evocative Northumberland backdrop.
As a first-time reader of Kirsty Ferry, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful cover and intriguing blurb. The combination of folklore, mystery and a dual timeline was impossible to resist.
One of the highlights of the novel was its Northumberland setting. It's a part of the country I love visiting, and Ferry captures its wild beauty and atmospheric landscapes perfectly. The rugged Simonside Hills, ancient history and sense of mystery provide the ideal backdrop for the story.
The novel follows Jess, a researcher investigating the history of an old chapel, who becomes fascinated by a local legend surrounding the Witches Stone. According to folklore, a witch appears whenever blood is spilt nearby. As Jess delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers Eliza's story in the past, a moving and emotional tale that centres around loss, difficult choices and a fateful bargain.
I'm always drawn to dual timeline and time-slip novels, and this story delivered plenty of intrigue as the past and present narratives gradually intertwined. The folklore elements added an extra layer of mystery, while Eliza's storyline was particularly engaging and emotional.
An atmospheric and enjoyable read that blends history, legend and romance against a wonderfully evocative Northumberland backdrop.
June 5, 2026
The Witch's Stone by Kirsty Ferry is a dual timeline gothic historical mystery with a feminist slant .The striking cover immediately caught my eye and I am a sucker for a dual timeline narrative so I was eager to pick this one up.
We follow Jess, a historical genealogist, as she returns to her childhood home to work on a conservation project and the associated heritage site. Once there she finds herself increasingly interested in the local legend of the Brinkburn witch, but also in the story of Eliza Stratford, a woman who lived in the house and had a tragic tale of her own. As she continues to research she starts to see how the two stories are intertwined but more worryingly she starts to see strange visions and feel strange echoes of a past she never experienced. She feels compelled to uncover the truth of the women's stories but it may come at a cost higher than she could ever imagine.
This book had a good premise and the execution was good but I have to say that at times the storytelling got a little muddied and confusing. The supernatural elements are probably the strongest aspects of the story, but I do wish that the characters felt a little more fleshed out, unfortunately they all felt quite one dimensional which made it difficult for me to connect with them, making it harder for the book to hold my interest.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
We follow Jess, a historical genealogist, as she returns to her childhood home to work on a conservation project and the associated heritage site. Once there she finds herself increasingly interested in the local legend of the Brinkburn witch, but also in the story of Eliza Stratford, a woman who lived in the house and had a tragic tale of her own. As she continues to research she starts to see how the two stories are intertwined but more worryingly she starts to see strange visions and feel strange echoes of a past she never experienced. She feels compelled to uncover the truth of the women's stories but it may come at a cost higher than she could ever imagine.
This book had a good premise and the execution was good but I have to say that at times the storytelling got a little muddied and confusing. The supernatural elements are probably the strongest aspects of the story, but I do wish that the characters felt a little more fleshed out, unfortunately they all felt quite one dimensional which made it difficult for me to connect with them, making it harder for the book to hold my interest.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Review - The Witch’s Stone by Kirsty Ferry
⭐ 4.25 stars
I really enjoyed this one. Witch’s Stone has that dual‑timeline setup I love, following Jess, Nate in the present day and Eliza and Isabel in the 1800s. At first the timelines feel totally separate, but the way they slowly start to connect is honestly the best part of the book.
Jess returns to her home village for an archaeological dig near the old chapel ruins, and from the moment she arrives, strange things start happening; shadows, a woman in white, Nate acting weird, and then running into her ex Matt on top of it all. Meanwhile, the legend of the Witch’s Stone adds this perfect mix of folklore and tension.
Eliza’s chapters were my favourite. She’s dealing with trauma and memory loss, and the way her storyline is written feels emotional, respectful and surprisingly powerful. She’s not fragile at all, she’s stubborn, wild and determined, even when she can’t piece everything together.
The whole book has this historical fiction vibe with mystery, folklore and a touch of witchy atmosphere. The pacing is smooth, the characters are easy to follow, and the ending ties everything together in a really satisfying way. Definitely worth the 4.25 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐ 4.25 stars
I really enjoyed this one. Witch’s Stone has that dual‑timeline setup I love, following Jess, Nate in the present day and Eliza and Isabel in the 1800s. At first the timelines feel totally separate, but the way they slowly start to connect is honestly the best part of the book.
Jess returns to her home village for an archaeological dig near the old chapel ruins, and from the moment she arrives, strange things start happening; shadows, a woman in white, Nate acting weird, and then running into her ex Matt on top of it all. Meanwhile, the legend of the Witch’s Stone adds this perfect mix of folklore and tension.
Eliza’s chapters were my favourite. She’s dealing with trauma and memory loss, and the way her storyline is written feels emotional, respectful and surprisingly powerful. She’s not fragile at all, she’s stubborn, wild and determined, even when she can’t piece everything together.
The whole book has this historical fiction vibe with mystery, folklore and a touch of witchy atmosphere. The pacing is smooth, the characters are easy to follow, and the ending ties everything together in a really satisfying way. Definitely worth the 4.25 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2026
The Witch’s Stone is another good supernatural dual time novel from Kirsty Ferry.
Jess Morgan is a historical genealogist who has returned to her childhood home to help set up a heritage site, The site is an abandoned chapel next to a stone that is known as Isabel’s stone. Isabel was supposedly a 17th cerntury witch that still haunts the area, or so the legend says. While researching the chapel and the site, Jess stumbles on the story of Eliza Stratford. Eliza lived in the late 19th cerntury and has a story to tell. Eliza has a terrible accident that caused her to suffer from amnesia. Her childhood love Lucian Ashcombe has returned from abroad, but is acting strange around her. There is a mystery about that accident that caused her amnesia that is causing Eliza a lot of stress. Then there is Isabel, is there any truth in the stories of her demise? Does she really haunt the chapel and the surrounding environs and how does her story connect to Eliza and Jess?
This was a gothic story with twists and turns and a supernatural element that left me guessing. I really enjoyed how the three stories interconnected.
Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood books and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Jess Morgan is a historical genealogist who has returned to her childhood home to help set up a heritage site, The site is an abandoned chapel next to a stone that is known as Isabel’s stone. Isabel was supposedly a 17th cerntury witch that still haunts the area, or so the legend says. While researching the chapel and the site, Jess stumbles on the story of Eliza Stratford. Eliza lived in the late 19th cerntury and has a story to tell. Eliza has a terrible accident that caused her to suffer from amnesia. Her childhood love Lucian Ashcombe has returned from abroad, but is acting strange around her. There is a mystery about that accident that caused her amnesia that is causing Eliza a lot of stress. Then there is Isabel, is there any truth in the stories of her demise? Does she really haunt the chapel and the surrounding environs and how does her story connect to Eliza and Jess?
This was a gothic story with twists and turns and a supernatural element that left me guessing. I really enjoyed how the three stories interconnected.
Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood books and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.
June 10, 2026
THE WITCH'S STONE - KIRSTY FERRY
Set in the atmospheric countryside of Northumberland, the Witch's Stone takes place in two time periods: 1888 and the present day. In the present, Jess Morgan is a genealogist who is sent to a crumbling chapel to unravel some of its mysteries, including the legend of a local witch.
However, it doesn't take long for the past to emerge - quite literally - revealing terrible secrets and undying feuds. This is where the Witch's Stone is strongest; the characters of the 1888 timeline (Eliza, Lucian and Isabel) are the backbone of the entire plot. I also enjoyed the gothic vibes weaved throughout: ghosts, visions, haunted objects and more.
I love books that take more time to develop a setting and characters; I describe the Witch's Stone as a faster-paced historical fiction novel, where the action more or less starts taking place immediately. If you like the sound of this - as well as timeslip narratives in general - then you'll love the Witch's Stone.
Thank you to Kirsty Ferry and Boldwood Books for the chance to read this book.
Release date: 4 June
Review score: 3.5/5
TWs: d*ath, r*pe, v*olence, misog*ny, m*scarriage
Set in the atmospheric countryside of Northumberland, the Witch's Stone takes place in two time periods: 1888 and the present day. In the present, Jess Morgan is a genealogist who is sent to a crumbling chapel to unravel some of its mysteries, including the legend of a local witch.
However, it doesn't take long for the past to emerge - quite literally - revealing terrible secrets and undying feuds. This is where the Witch's Stone is strongest; the characters of the 1888 timeline (Eliza, Lucian and Isabel) are the backbone of the entire plot. I also enjoyed the gothic vibes weaved throughout: ghosts, visions, haunted objects and more.
I love books that take more time to develop a setting and characters; I describe the Witch's Stone as a faster-paced historical fiction novel, where the action more or less starts taking place immediately. If you like the sound of this - as well as timeslip narratives in general - then you'll love the Witch's Stone.
Thank you to Kirsty Ferry and Boldwood Books for the chance to read this book.
Release date: 4 June
Review score: 3.5/5
TWs: d*ath, r*pe, v*olence, misog*ny, m*scarriage
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"The Witch’s Stone" by Kirsty Ferry is an enjoyable 4-star read! Jess is tasked with researching a chapel and becomes fascinated by an ancient standing stone nearby. More than a century earlier, Eliza is attempting to regain her memory after a tragic accident and finds comfort in the same chapel.
The story is told through dual timelines, shifting between the present day and the late 1800s. At times, I felt there was some redundancy between the two timelines, as certain details could have been explained in either the past or present storyline rather than both. There are plenty of supernatural elements woven throughout the novel to keep things interesting. The plot was handled well, and I was satisfied with how the story unfolded.
This was my first book by Kirsty Ferry, but after seeing how many series she has written, I am excited to explore more of her work!
Thanks to Boldwood Books, Kirsty Ferry, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
The story is told through dual timelines, shifting between the present day and the late 1800s. At times, I felt there was some redundancy between the two timelines, as certain details could have been explained in either the past or present storyline rather than both. There are plenty of supernatural elements woven throughout the novel to keep things interesting. The plot was handled well, and I was satisfied with how the story unfolded.
This was my first book by Kirsty Ferry, but after seeing how many series she has written, I am excited to explore more of her work!
Thanks to Boldwood Books, Kirsty Ferry, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for this eARC.
4.5 Stars (for the love of all that is good and holy, Goodreads, get half stars already)
Excellent gothic story with a dual time line set in Northern England. The dual timelines merged at times, but I found it easy to follow despite this blending of “then” and “now." I really had trouble putting it down and finished the book in less than 3 days.
There is so much angst, sadness, love, and evil amongst the characters, and the author absorbs you in those emotions. That being said, I would advise you to check trigger warnings as these big emotions come from difficult topics that might not be right for everyone.
There is a love story in both timelines, but this is not a romance book and there is no spice. I can’t say too much about the love stories without spoilers - there are some elements of tragedy and fated love.
The main character, Jess, is complex and engaging. I could see being friends with her. She’s multi-faceted and learning about the past helps her deal with her present. And the other characters — in both timelines —were woven around her beautifully.
Speaking of beautiful, the description of the chapel and the moors and the main house were exquisite. From the authors info, it’s where she lives, and it’s clear she loves it. I’ve never been to that specific part of the UK., but it was easy to imagine it and to feel the cold winter weather.
I generally don’t like to be scared. This was eerie without making me want to sleep with a light on, although I did have to turn on a light while I was reading on my Kindle. But, again, I'm a wimp when it comes to being scared, so most will not have an issue with it.
If you like dual timelines, stories well grounded in history and location, complex characters, and some supernatural elements, I’d recommend this book. I also think it would be a good book club book, with the proviso of checking triggers (including rape and miscarriage)
4.5 Stars (for the love of all that is good and holy, Goodreads, get half stars already)
Excellent gothic story with a dual time line set in Northern England. The dual timelines merged at times, but I found it easy to follow despite this blending of “then” and “now." I really had trouble putting it down and finished the book in less than 3 days.
There is so much angst, sadness, love, and evil amongst the characters, and the author absorbs you in those emotions. That being said, I would advise you to check trigger warnings as these big emotions come from difficult topics that might not be right for everyone.
There is a love story in both timelines, but this is not a romance book and there is no spice. I can’t say too much about the love stories without spoilers - there are some elements of tragedy and fated love.
The main character, Jess, is complex and engaging. I could see being friends with her. She’s multi-faceted and learning about the past helps her deal with her present. And the other characters — in both timelines —were woven around her beautifully.
Speaking of beautiful, the description of the chapel and the moors and the main house were exquisite. From the authors info, it’s where she lives, and it’s clear she loves it. I’ve never been to that specific part of the UK., but it was easy to imagine it and to feel the cold winter weather.
I generally don’t like to be scared. This was eerie without making me want to sleep with a light on, although I did have to turn on a light while I was reading on my Kindle. But, again, I'm a wimp when it comes to being scared, so most will not have an issue with it.
If you like dual timelines, stories well grounded in history and location, complex characters, and some supernatural elements, I’d recommend this book. I also think it would be a good book club book, with the proviso of checking triggers (including rape and miscarriage)
June 7, 2026
3.75
I’ve never read a book by this author, but I will check out her future books.This book had many elements I love in a book, historical setting, dual timelines, witches and a little paranormal. In our present day timeline Jess, a historical genealogist, is going back to her hometown to research a crumbling chapel. She is drawn to the story of the Brinkburn Witch – a woman said to appear when blood is spilled near an ancient standing stone. The more Jess’ works on the site the more she hears whispers around her and sees visions of the past. In the past timeline we are following Eliza Stratford, a woman who turned to the witch for help after a violent betrayal. Can Jess uncover the truth or will the past continue to haunt the chapel?
Thank you Boldwood Books or an advance copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve never read a book by this author, but I will check out her future books.This book had many elements I love in a book, historical setting, dual timelines, witches and a little paranormal. In our present day timeline Jess, a historical genealogist, is going back to her hometown to research a crumbling chapel. She is drawn to the story of the Brinkburn Witch – a woman said to appear when blood is spilled near an ancient standing stone. The more Jess’ works on the site the more she hears whispers around her and sees visions of the past. In the past timeline we are following Eliza Stratford, a woman who turned to the witch for help after a violent betrayal. Can Jess uncover the truth or will the past continue to haunt the chapel?
Thank you Boldwood Books or an advance copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2026
I have mixed feelings over this book, too, be honest. The plot screamed, "Pick me up as it's really up my street witches, history, and a mystery, what's not to love?" Absolutely loved the time hopping and going back and forth between the three MFC's. Set in the late part of the 19th century a women has memory loss after a recent summer and is confined to her home by the family but this doesn't stop her venturing out and trying to remember what happened to her but it's not going going to end well. In the future we follow in clues about in the ruins and find gradually piece by piece realise what truly did happen......I loved the setting of the book and more when the book was set in the past but for me some partsnof the story weren't need and left me feel what was the point. It's still a good read with nice short chapters.More of a three and a half stars for me.
April 23, 2026
Dive into 19th century Britain, where a mystery is eager to be resolved.
On the other hand the author follows Jess and Nate nowadays, as they unfold the pieces of the puzzles.
The Witch known as Isabel still lingers on these lands, making the surroundings eerie to those who come there.
Especially where her infamous stone stands, that’s where the paranormal events begin for both Jess and Nate.
They sent on a mission beyond their choosing, through different timelines, to unravel the mystery about Eliza.
The story contains a fair share of intrigue, keeping your curiosity sparked to keep reading.
Are you read to find out the truth?
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me this opportunity.
On the other hand the author follows Jess and Nate nowadays, as they unfold the pieces of the puzzles.
The Witch known as Isabel still lingers on these lands, making the surroundings eerie to those who come there.
Especially where her infamous stone stands, that’s where the paranormal events begin for both Jess and Nate.
They sent on a mission beyond their choosing, through different timelines, to unravel the mystery about Eliza.
The story contains a fair share of intrigue, keeping your curiosity sparked to keep reading.
Are you read to find out the truth?
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me this opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed the atmosphere in The Witch’s Stone—the setting felt beautifully eerie, with its old legends, quiet mystery, and that slightly haunting tone woven throughout the story. The dual timeline between Jess and Eliza added an interesting layer, and I liked how their stories gradually connected.
For me, the pacing was a little slower in parts, and I didn’t always feel fully immersed in the characters, but I still appreciated the journey and the overall mood of the book. It feels like the kind of story you read more for the atmosphere and gentle unfolding of secrets rather than big, dramatic moments.
Overall, a pleasant and intriguing read with a lovely sense of place—definitely worth picking up if you enjoy softer, atmospheric mysteries with a touch of the supernatural.
For me, the pacing was a little slower in parts, and I didn’t always feel fully immersed in the characters, but I still appreciated the journey and the overall mood of the book. It feels like the kind of story you read more for the atmosphere and gentle unfolding of secrets rather than big, dramatic moments.
Overall, a pleasant and intriguing read with a lovely sense of place—definitely worth picking up if you enjoy softer, atmospheric mysteries with a touch of the supernatural.
June 10, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This novel had a really great premise, I’m just afraid the execution didn’t really do it for me. While I really liked the atmospheric vibe and the idea, I had hard time connecting with the writing and the characters.
The writing felt too explanatory and the dialogues fell flat. I wanted to know more about the characters, yet they felt really one dimensional and left me feel really indifferent about them.
It’s a pity because I think the story had a great potential, had it been a bit more fleshed out (the story and the characters).
I seem to be a minority here though, so I guess it just wasn’t my cup of tea
TW: rape
This novel had a really great premise, I’m just afraid the execution didn’t really do it for me. While I really liked the atmospheric vibe and the idea, I had hard time connecting with the writing and the characters.
The writing felt too explanatory and the dialogues fell flat. I wanted to know more about the characters, yet they felt really one dimensional and left me feel really indifferent about them.
It’s a pity because I think the story had a great potential, had it been a bit more fleshed out (the story and the characters).
I seem to be a minority here though, so I guess it just wasn’t my cup of tea
TW: rape
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC.
This is a timeslip story full of witchcraft, mostly in the past, but sliding into the present.
Jess is researching the history of a chapel in the present.
Strange things start to happen when she's drawn to the legend of a witch. She sees and hears things that shouldn't be there.
A century ago, Eliza seeks the help from a witch after she suffered a terrible incident. Somehow the past seeps into the present ...
I found this book a bit confusing, especially as I got further into it. It was enjoyable but my confusion hindered the pleasure of the read.
This is a timeslip story full of witchcraft, mostly in the past, but sliding into the present.
Jess is researching the history of a chapel in the present.
Strange things start to happen when she's drawn to the legend of a witch. She sees and hears things that shouldn't be there.
A century ago, Eliza seeks the help from a witch after she suffered a terrible incident. Somehow the past seeps into the present ...
I found this book a bit confusing, especially as I got further into it. It was enjoyable but my confusion hindered the pleasure of the read.
April 23, 2026
Historical dual timeline & time slip novels, involving witchcraft are my favourite type of books to review. This one starts well, a slow build up introducing the setting and characters, but at about 70% I found that the dual storylines started to confuse and kept jumping between the present and the past too frequently. I liked the initial plot, would have liked more back story to Isobel and her life, delving more into her special gifts and her role in the community to give depth to the characters. However, it’s an enjoyable read and I can see it doing well on a platform such as kindle unlimited. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy
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