The Witch's Debt

Coal Mountain #1

by Edward Rollins

It’s been ten years since Jake Calhoun, scion in an ancient line of witches, turned his back on the obligations of his family and fled the town of Pineville, West Virginia. After ten years spent among dark magic and questionable company, only the death of a close family member — and the cryptic message brought to him by her ghost — could bring him home again.

"She needs you."

Who is ‘she’ and what does ’she’ need from him? Those three words and a sense of respect leave Jake with little choice, but to return to where ancient responsibilities demand he unravel the meaning of the message, even as he faces the reasons why he left in the first place.

In the middle of it all, a string of murders set Jake on a collision course with a malicious influence willing to kill to get what it wants and more powerful than he's ever seen. Like it or not, Jake has no choice but to chase the meaning of the message and find the killer before anyone else dies. In his search for answers, he is confronted by the consequences of his past actions, the strained family ties that drove him to run, and the woman he left behind- — the woman he still loves.

397 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Chris Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters in a setting that felt authentic. My first book in the genre and I can't wait for more.

[E.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I don’t give a lot of five stars. I loved this book. The story was great and the characters jumped off the page. There isn’t a ton of description, but I can see myself in the setting. Hope there will be more.

[Liora Ellington · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Witch’s Debt is a dark, atmospheric, and emotionally charged read that hooked me from the first page. Edward Rollins weaves together mystery, family secrets, and magic with incredible depth. Jake Calhoun is a flawed but compelling protagonist, haunted by his past and drawn back into a world he thought he’d left behind. The ghostly message, the small-town tension, and the slow burn of lost love all blend perfectly into a story that feels both haunting and human. Rollins’s writing is immersive and lyrical perfect for fans of witchy thrillers with heart, danger, and redemption. Completely captivating.

[Maissy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Witch’s Debt is one of those rare books that feels dark and intimate all at once. Edward Rollins captures grief, guilt, and magic with stunning realism. Jake’s return to Pineville isn’t just about solving a mystery it’s about facing everything he tried to bury. The atmosphere is eerie and cinematic, the tension relentless, and the emotional stakes high. I loved the blend of supernatural danger and human vulnerability. It’s a haunting story about love, loss, and unfinished debts that linger long after death. Fans of moody, character-driven witchcraft fiction will absolutely love this one.

[Amber Fults · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, urban tale of spells and old loves rekindled. This felt like autumn and Halloween wrapped into a world vividly crafted in the only place it could happen: the Midwest. Can’t wait to read more from this series.

[Laurel Heebsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great take on urban fantasy (or is it contemporary fantasy?) Life in Appalachia with Celtic-inspired witchcraft. I would read more in the series!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! I loved the characters and the setting. The pacing was good, and the details and explanations about the magic made it seem real. I'm looking forward to reading the second book.

[Philbeert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent story but the typos & bad grammar in my copy really took me out of the story throughout. How is this still an issue?!