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The Malan Witch
"Naught remained of their bodies to be buried, for the crows took back what was theirs."An idyllic coastal cottage near a sleepy village. What could be more perfect? For Robyn Crowe, borrowing her sister’s recently renovated holiday home for the summer seems just what she needs to deal with the grief of losing her beloved husband.But behind those pretty walls lie many secrets, and legends of a malevolent sisterhood—two witches burned for their evil centuries earlier. Once, both their vile spirits were trapped there. Now, one has been released. One who is determined to find her sister. Only Robyn stands in her way.And the crow has returned.
127 pages, Paperback
Published August 17, 2020
15 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Cavendish
41 books424 followersHello, my name's Catherine Cavendish and I write suspense novels, novellas and short stories of the ghostly, haunted, creepy kind that include supernatural, paranormal, Gothic and other, related themes.
THE STONES OF LANDANE is out now from Flame Tree Press - When Jonathan agrees to accompany his girlfriend, Nadia, on a trip to Landane, he imagines a short relaxing break in the countryside, but he quickly discovers that Nadia isn’t just drawn to the ancient Neolithic stone circle, she is obsessed by the megaliths. One in particular holds a fascination for her. Within hours, her personality begins to change, and it isn’t long before Jonathan starts to fear for her sanity. All too soon he realizes, it isn't only Nadia who is in danger
My other novels from Flame Tree Press are:
THOSE WHO DWELL IN MORDENHYRST HALL - Evil runs deep at Mordenhyrst Hall… When Grace first sets eyes on the imposing Gothic house, she is struck with an overwhelming sense that something doesn’t want her there. Her fiancé’s sister heads a coterie of Bright Young Things whose frivolous lives hide a sinister intent. Simon, Grace’s fiancé, is not the man she fell in love with, and the local villagers eye her with suspicion that borders on malevolence.
Her friend, Coralie, possesses the ability to communicate with powerful spirits. She convinces Grace of her own paranormal gifts – gifts Grace will need to draw deeply on as the secrets of Mordenhyrst Hall begin to unravel.
THE AFTER-DEATH OF CAROLINE RAND - Alli is caught between fantasy and reality, past and present, in the life of a famous singer from the 1960s and soon learns that evil infests the once-holy building she called
home. Before long, Alli's fate will be sealed, and she will learn about her role in the after-death of Caroline Rand. It begins with a chilling greeting: "Welcome to The Columbine, Miss Sinclair. You are expected."
DARK OBSERVATION - is published by Flame Tree Press. In the dark days of war-torn London, Violet has more to fear than bombs. From deep within the Earth, demonic forces are rising.
IN DARKNESS, SHADOWS BREATHE. Carol and Nessa are strangers with one thing in common, they are in the hands of an entity that knows no boundaries and crosses dimensions - bending and twisting time itself - where danger waits in every shadow
THE GARDEN OF BEWITCHMENT. Historical haunted Gothic horror set in the wilds of the Yorkshire moors - pure Bronte country - with a Bronte theme.
And - THE HAUNTING OF HENDERSON CLOSE. Ghostly horror set in Edinburgh's Old Town.
THE CROW WITCH AND OTHER CONJURINGS is my first short fiction collection and is out now from Weird House Press.
My novellas THE DARKEST VEIL, COLD REVENGE, MISS ABIGAIL'S ROOM, THE DEMONS OF CAMBIAN STREET, DARK AVENGING ANGEL, LINDEN MANOR, THE DEVIL INSIDE HER and THE SECOND WIFE are published by Crossroad Press.
My novels THE DEVIL'S SERENADE and SAVING GRACE DEVINE have also been released in new editions by Crossroad Press, as has my novel of the Lancashire Witches - THE PENDLE CURSE.
I live with a long-suffering husband and a delightful black cat who has never forgotten that her species used to be worshipped in ancient Egypt. She sees no reason why that practice should not continue. Who am I to argue?
When not slaving over a hot computer, I enjoy wandering around Neolithic stone circles and visiting old haunted houses.
THE STONES OF LANDANE is out now from Flame Tree Press - When Jonathan agrees to accompany his girlfriend, Nadia, on a trip to Landane, he imagines a short relaxing break in the countryside, but he quickly discovers that Nadia isn’t just drawn to the ancient Neolithic stone circle, she is obsessed by the megaliths. One in particular holds a fascination for her. Within hours, her personality begins to change, and it isn’t long before Jonathan starts to fear for her sanity. All too soon he realizes, it isn't only Nadia who is in danger
My other novels from Flame Tree Press are:
THOSE WHO DWELL IN MORDENHYRST HALL - Evil runs deep at Mordenhyrst Hall… When Grace first sets eyes on the imposing Gothic house, she is struck with an overwhelming sense that something doesn’t want her there. Her fiancé’s sister heads a coterie of Bright Young Things whose frivolous lives hide a sinister intent. Simon, Grace’s fiancé, is not the man she fell in love with, and the local villagers eye her with suspicion that borders on malevolence.
Her friend, Coralie, possesses the ability to communicate with powerful spirits. She convinces Grace of her own paranormal gifts – gifts Grace will need to draw deeply on as the secrets of Mordenhyrst Hall begin to unravel.
THE AFTER-DEATH OF CAROLINE RAND - Alli is caught between fantasy and reality, past and present, in the life of a famous singer from the 1960s and soon learns that evil infests the once-holy building she called
home. Before long, Alli's fate will be sealed, and she will learn about her role in the after-death of Caroline Rand. It begins with a chilling greeting: "Welcome to The Columbine, Miss Sinclair. You are expected."
DARK OBSERVATION - is published by Flame Tree Press. In the dark days of war-torn London, Violet has more to fear than bombs. From deep within the Earth, demonic forces are rising.
IN DARKNESS, SHADOWS BREATHE. Carol and Nessa are strangers with one thing in common, they are in the hands of an entity that knows no boundaries and crosses dimensions - bending and twisting time itself - where danger waits in every shadow
THE GARDEN OF BEWITCHMENT. Historical haunted Gothic horror set in the wilds of the Yorkshire moors - pure Bronte country - with a Bronte theme.
And - THE HAUNTING OF HENDERSON CLOSE. Ghostly horror set in Edinburgh's Old Town.
THE CROW WITCH AND OTHER CONJURINGS is my first short fiction collection and is out now from Weird House Press.
My novellas THE DARKEST VEIL, COLD REVENGE, MISS ABIGAIL'S ROOM, THE DEMONS OF CAMBIAN STREET, DARK AVENGING ANGEL, LINDEN MANOR, THE DEVIL INSIDE HER and THE SECOND WIFE are published by Crossroad Press.
My novels THE DEVIL'S SERENADE and SAVING GRACE DEVINE have also been released in new editions by Crossroad Press, as has my novel of the Lancashire Witches - THE PENDLE CURSE.
I live with a long-suffering husband and a delightful black cat who has never forgotten that her species used to be worshipped in ancient Egypt. She sees no reason why that practice should not continue. Who am I to argue?
When not slaving over a hot computer, I enjoy wandering around Neolithic stone circles and visiting old haunted houses.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
February 6, 2021
Wow, what a tale! Set in Cornwall, Robyn moves into her sister's cottage to get over the loss of her deceased husband. But strange things start to happen there. Full of local lore about two burnt witches who once lived there. Has one of them returned? What about the sister's witch? Then there are Hedra and Meliora, a white witch. Can they help Robyn to cleanse the cottage? Great tale about witches if there ever was one. I especially liked the combination with some Cornish legend. Fast paced, creepy, supernatural, exactly what you'd expect from a book about witches and some more. Couldn't put it down. Highly recommended!
September 25, 2020
Read as part of my Horror Group Challenge 🎃🧟♀️
It definitely had some creep factor to it!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
It definitely had some creep factor to it!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
October 24, 2020
This was a creepy atmospheric haunting tale!
Robyn Crowe is trying to pick up the pieces of her life after losing her husband, Simon to cancer. She is wanting to just get away somewhere where she can have some solitude and grieve in peace.
Robyn's sister Holly and Holly's husband, Will own a small renovated cottage named "Malan Cottage" in a small village which sets by the sea and it is far away from everyday life. They think it would be the perfect place for Robyn to stay and they decide to leave to go on a three month holiday while Robyn gets comfortable in the cottage.
Though it seems to be the ideal place as Robyn settles in but then things go bad quickly as weird things start happening in the cottage with noises, foul odors, drafts, and stones that appear from nowhere in the kitchen.
Robyn quickly wants to know more about the cottage so she heads into town and what she learns from the villagers makes her head reel as where the cottage is built use to be land where witches had been burned.
Things go bad real fast from that point on in the story which kicks this book up into high gear!
Thoughts:
I loved this spooky tale of a witches revenge as that is basically what this story is about and the author, Catherine Cavendish just pulled me quickly into this world as the story grabbed me from the first page and kept me captured all the way to the end of the book.
It is sort of considered a short story as it around 130 pages, but I flew through it quick as so much happens within the story with the witch haunting that there is no time to come up for air as the haunting antics just escalates the more that the story moves along!
Giving this book five "spooky" stars.
Highly Recommend!
My thanks to NetGalley and Silver Shamrock Publishing for letting me review this ARC.
Robyn Crowe is trying to pick up the pieces of her life after losing her husband, Simon to cancer. She is wanting to just get away somewhere where she can have some solitude and grieve in peace.
Robyn's sister Holly and Holly's husband, Will own a small renovated cottage named "Malan Cottage" in a small village which sets by the sea and it is far away from everyday life. They think it would be the perfect place for Robyn to stay and they decide to leave to go on a three month holiday while Robyn gets comfortable in the cottage.
Though it seems to be the ideal place as Robyn settles in but then things go bad quickly as weird things start happening in the cottage with noises, foul odors, drafts, and stones that appear from nowhere in the kitchen.
Robyn quickly wants to know more about the cottage so she heads into town and what she learns from the villagers makes her head reel as where the cottage is built use to be land where witches had been burned.
Things go bad real fast from that point on in the story which kicks this book up into high gear!
Thoughts:
I loved this spooky tale of a witches revenge as that is basically what this story is about and the author, Catherine Cavendish just pulled me quickly into this world as the story grabbed me from the first page and kept me captured all the way to the end of the book.
It is sort of considered a short story as it around 130 pages, but I flew through it quick as so much happens within the story with the witch haunting that there is no time to come up for air as the haunting antics just escalates the more that the story moves along!
Giving this book five "spooky" stars.
Highly Recommend!
My thanks to NetGalley and Silver Shamrock Publishing for letting me review this ARC.
September 6, 2020
Rounded up from 3.5
The Malan Witch by Catherine Cavendish is a fast paced novella. There is so much atmosphere and really good creepy scenes in this book. There was a few times I had to stop reading this while in bed. Robyn Crowe is staying at her sister's sea side cottage. Her husband has just died and she needs some time to herself. The disturbances starts right away. Phantom smells and the most aggressive crow ever. Then Robyn finds out about the Malan witches that lived in the very same spot that the cottage now sits on. You'll have to read it to find out what happens in this good vs. evil battle. The ending is great.
The Malan Witch by Catherine Cavendish is a fast paced novella. There is so much atmosphere and really good creepy scenes in this book. There was a few times I had to stop reading this while in bed. Robyn Crowe is staying at her sister's sea side cottage. Her husband has just died and she needs some time to herself. The disturbances starts right away. Phantom smells and the most aggressive crow ever. Then Robyn finds out about the Malan witches that lived in the very same spot that the cottage now sits on. You'll have to read it to find out what happens in this good vs. evil battle. The ending is great.
October 12, 2020
THE MALAN WITCH is a novella by author Catherine Cavendish. As she does so well in her writing, the atmosphere in this nasty tale was consistent throughout. Things begin a little melancholy, and steadily move from "uneasy", to downright malevolent.
"Witches have long memories . . . "
Recently widowed, a young woman named Robyn is set to spend a few months at her sister's summer cottage. Though the family only recently remodeled the place known as Malan Cottage, they felt the getaway would be just the break Robyn was in desperate need of. Of course, as in any small town, locals were quick to set her on edge with tales of her temporary home.
". . . a local legend surrounded the fate of two women, Jowanet and Zenobie, in late Tudor England."
Robyn quick begins noticing disquieting images and sounds all around her. To the author's credit, instead of a close-minded character who won't consider the reality of her situation until it's too late, Robyn is the type to latch onto the truth, and try to do something to counter the threat.
". . . All the evil they built up stayed behind . . . "
Overall, I felt that the location, general atmosphere, most of the characters, and pacing were all very well done. I enjoyed the fact that the opposition was pure evil, instead of the usual "wrongly accused" variety. This made for a much more potent story, and added tremendously to the anticipation of what would come next.
Recommended.
"Witches have long memories . . . "
Recently widowed, a young woman named Robyn is set to spend a few months at her sister's summer cottage. Though the family only recently remodeled the place known as Malan Cottage, they felt the getaway would be just the break Robyn was in desperate need of. Of course, as in any small town, locals were quick to set her on edge with tales of her temporary home.
". . . a local legend surrounded the fate of two women, Jowanet and Zenobie, in late Tudor England."
Robyn quick begins noticing disquieting images and sounds all around her. To the author's credit, instead of a close-minded character who won't consider the reality of her situation until it's too late, Robyn is the type to latch onto the truth, and try to do something to counter the threat.
". . . All the evil they built up stayed behind . . . "
Overall, I felt that the location, general atmosphere, most of the characters, and pacing were all very well done. I enjoyed the fact that the opposition was pure evil, instead of the usual "wrongly accused" variety. This made for a much more potent story, and added tremendously to the anticipation of what would come next.
Recommended.
January 9, 2021
The Malan Witch reminded me that I don’t read enough witchy stories. This story had the eerie creepiness that made you realise that witches aren’t so ugly old hag with warts on her face, a long misshapen nose, and a pointy hat. It was easy to imagine sitting around a campfire having this story read, it was cosy and mildly unsettling.
The Malan Witch has central themes of grief and loneliness being at the epicentre. Robyn has lost the love of her life in the most traumatic of consequences. Her husband died of cancer. She had to endure watching him be fit and healthy and robust what seemed like one minute to a shadow of his former self, not knowing who she was just that she was there supporting him. Incredibly sad. Her sister Holly suggests that she take some time to recuperate and heal at their holiday home. A little cottage on the Cornwall coast. Beautiful scenery, quiet and tranquil, everything that she is needing right now. The cottage has existed in one form or another for generations, her sister being the most recent occupants after it ended up derelict.
The house has an instant creepy feel. For one it stinks, kind of like a sulphuric smell. If you’ve read as much paranormal stories as I have, you know this isn’t good news. She finds out from a local (who also seems to be related to everyone in the village) that the house is seeped in legend. Two sister witches used to stay there and that the house is well named, translated into Devil’s cottage. The witches subjected the village to hell, and they were finally burned at the stake. Their spirits came back but where held in place by two dolls that were effigies of the witches. Robyn’s sister set one free by burning the doll and now one witch has come back with vengeance on her mind.
The Malan witch had a few moments that made me gasp but I felt it failed to really hit its mark. It was an intriguing story that could have been executed better, I guess I just didn’t find it that frightening. The fact that the witch could shapeshift was very cool and even more so that one of them was a crow. I have a massive thing for crows and ravens. I think ultimately I just wanted more from this story.
The Malan Witch has central themes of grief and loneliness being at the epicentre. Robyn has lost the love of her life in the most traumatic of consequences. Her husband died of cancer. She had to endure watching him be fit and healthy and robust what seemed like one minute to a shadow of his former self, not knowing who she was just that she was there supporting him. Incredibly sad. Her sister Holly suggests that she take some time to recuperate and heal at their holiday home. A little cottage on the Cornwall coast. Beautiful scenery, quiet and tranquil, everything that she is needing right now. The cottage has existed in one form or another for generations, her sister being the most recent occupants after it ended up derelict.
The house has an instant creepy feel. For one it stinks, kind of like a sulphuric smell. If you’ve read as much paranormal stories as I have, you know this isn’t good news. She finds out from a local (who also seems to be related to everyone in the village) that the house is seeped in legend. Two sister witches used to stay there and that the house is well named, translated into Devil’s cottage. The witches subjected the village to hell, and they were finally burned at the stake. Their spirits came back but where held in place by two dolls that were effigies of the witches. Robyn’s sister set one free by burning the doll and now one witch has come back with vengeance on her mind.
The Malan witch had a few moments that made me gasp but I felt it failed to really hit its mark. It was an intriguing story that could have been executed better, I guess I just didn’t find it that frightening. The fact that the witch could shapeshift was very cool and even more so that one of them was a crow. I have a massive thing for crows and ravens. I think ultimately I just wanted more from this story.
January 30, 2021
Set in a quaint, UK seaside town, ‘The Malan Witch’ invoked a lot of memories of childhood holidays for me. Sandy beaches and blue seas, beach-side cabins and sea-front towns. These were fond and cherished memories until I read this book and Catherine Cavendish succeeded in making them retrospectively creepy and disturbing!
Following the tragic loss of her husband, Robyn is looking forward to a long stay at a quiet spot in a quiet coastal village where she can escape while she comes to terms with her loss. Robyn’s peace is soon shattered when she begins seeing dark silhouettes and hear strange noises at night. She soon learns of the infamous history of the town, and the two evil sisters burned at the stake many years before, whose restless spirits rumoured to be trapped in the house where Robyn is staying.
The sister’s evil has unwittingly been released. Can Robyn stand against their dark power, or is already too late to prevent an infernal reunion, centuries in the making?
The Malan Witch is a beautifully written and incredibly well-researched book. The history of Witchcraft is something I’ve long had an interest in, and the level of historically accurate detail Cavendish has put into this story is both impressive and effective. I would seriously recommend looking up some of the folk-magic related items referenced in the Malan Witch (poppets and bodkins, children’s shoes and hag stones) while reading it. It’s incredibly creepy stuff, with a real-life history and used to great effect in this book.
The witches themselves are an incredibly sinister antagonist for Robyn. They are a subtle but troubling presence at first, always in the periphery and suggested elusively, but not overtly threatening. As the story progresses, and things build, the threat becomes more real and increasingly insurmountable and I was surprised by how far Cavendish took things in this regard. Rest assured, this is a scary book, particularly in the first half when the tension is being built. Once things really get going in the latter half, there is a sense that anything could happen and the whole thing becomes gloriously unpredictable and wildly inventive.
The books setting of an isolated seaside town plays a major role in ‘The Malan Witch’. At first, we see it through Robyn’s eyes as a picturesque and charming place, filled with natural beauty and largely unspoiled. As the story progresses, and things take a dark turn, the isolation becomes more problematic than desirable, and the charm begins to manifest sinister undertones. The shift is subtle and gradual and never overtly referenced, but there nonetheless.
Atmospheric and creepy, building to an epic and thrilling finale, The Malan Witch uses the real-life history of UK folklore to weave a scary and unpredictable story that deserves a place on any horror fans shelf.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/category/...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter - @RickReadsHorror
Following the tragic loss of her husband, Robyn is looking forward to a long stay at a quiet spot in a quiet coastal village where she can escape while she comes to terms with her loss. Robyn’s peace is soon shattered when she begins seeing dark silhouettes and hear strange noises at night. She soon learns of the infamous history of the town, and the two evil sisters burned at the stake many years before, whose restless spirits rumoured to be trapped in the house where Robyn is staying.
The sister’s evil has unwittingly been released. Can Robyn stand against their dark power, or is already too late to prevent an infernal reunion, centuries in the making?
The Malan Witch is a beautifully written and incredibly well-researched book. The history of Witchcraft is something I’ve long had an interest in, and the level of historically accurate detail Cavendish has put into this story is both impressive and effective. I would seriously recommend looking up some of the folk-magic related items referenced in the Malan Witch (poppets and bodkins, children’s shoes and hag stones) while reading it. It’s incredibly creepy stuff, with a real-life history and used to great effect in this book.
The witches themselves are an incredibly sinister antagonist for Robyn. They are a subtle but troubling presence at first, always in the periphery and suggested elusively, but not overtly threatening. As the story progresses, and things build, the threat becomes more real and increasingly insurmountable and I was surprised by how far Cavendish took things in this regard. Rest assured, this is a scary book, particularly in the first half when the tension is being built. Once things really get going in the latter half, there is a sense that anything could happen and the whole thing becomes gloriously unpredictable and wildly inventive.
The books setting of an isolated seaside town plays a major role in ‘The Malan Witch’. At first, we see it through Robyn’s eyes as a picturesque and charming place, filled with natural beauty and largely unspoiled. As the story progresses, and things take a dark turn, the isolation becomes more problematic than desirable, and the charm begins to manifest sinister undertones. The shift is subtle and gradual and never overtly referenced, but there nonetheless.
Atmospheric and creepy, building to an epic and thrilling finale, The Malan Witch uses the real-life history of UK folklore to weave a scary and unpredictable story that deserves a place on any horror fans shelf.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/category/...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter - @RickReadsHorror
November 19, 2020
Rounded up from 2.5 stars.
Is there such a thing as cozy horror? That’s what this felt like to me: a decent premise, a couple of good scares, but never really a feeling of dread or like anyone was actually in any danger.
Is there such a thing as cozy horror? That’s what this felt like to me: a decent premise, a couple of good scares, but never really a feeling of dread or like anyone was actually in any danger.
August 24, 2020
Witches. What comes to mind when you think of witches? I immediately hope for a normal looking woman who is creating unknown havoc. On the other hand I also love the witch from the swamp that looks like she’s been decaying for centuries.
🌙Review of “The Malan Witch by Catherine Cavendish”
In this book, Robyn Crowe (I freaking want this last name please! It’s so cool) borrows her sister’s newly renovated cottage as a get away. Robyn recently lost the love of her life and she just needs her away. This might not have been the trip that Robyn was looking for because behind the walls lie many secrets that will soon come for her.
The story is set in a small town along the shore. It seems like the perfect place to be when you want to just relax and get away. I could visualize this cabin by the sea and get lost in it. It was very atmospheric with underlying eerie tones that kept my interests peaked. I wish we could have had more backstory and connection with the main character and her loss. I wanted to feel what she was feeling but it seemed to be swept aside by the story. I felt the story was very fast moving and always something at every turn which I liked. There was a scene toward the end that felt anti climatic to me and fell flat. I would have wanted more there but overall I gave this story a 3/5. ⭐️
🌙Review of “The Malan Witch by Catherine Cavendish”
In this book, Robyn Crowe (I freaking want this last name please! It’s so cool) borrows her sister’s newly renovated cottage as a get away. Robyn recently lost the love of her life and she just needs her away. This might not have been the trip that Robyn was looking for because behind the walls lie many secrets that will soon come for her.
The story is set in a small town along the shore. It seems like the perfect place to be when you want to just relax and get away. I could visualize this cabin by the sea and get lost in it. It was very atmospheric with underlying eerie tones that kept my interests peaked. I wish we could have had more backstory and connection with the main character and her loss. I wanted to feel what she was feeling but it seemed to be swept aside by the story. I felt the story was very fast moving and always something at every turn which I liked. There was a scene toward the end that felt anti climatic to me and fell flat. I would have wanted more there but overall I gave this story a 3/5. ⭐️
May 10, 2022
Full review on my blog here: https://letsgetgalactic.com/2020/08/2...
I love atmospheric little seaside cottage locations in stories, and Catherine Cavendish is amazing at giving these salty, windy places the justice they deserve. The Malan Cottage gave me the creeps even before the spookiness really picked up the pace, and that’s because there’s just something so haunting to me about cliffside waves and choppy waters. And if the moodiness of the story’s setting isn’t enough to give you goosebumps, there’s a witch or two here that definitely will!
The Malan Witch introduces us to Robyn, a woman visiting her sister’s recently purchased and renovated cottage in an attempt to relax and take a bit of a vacation after the passing of her husband shakes her world. Robyn was an easy character to get to know and relate to – an avid reader, she curled up with one of my favorite horror books within the first few chapters and that was enough for me to take a liking to her immediately!
Shortly after arriving, Robyn starts to encounter some weird happenings in the house. On a trip to the nearby small town, she meets with a few locals who tell her the story of sister witches that lived and practiced dark magic right where her sister’s new cottage is situated. I won’t go into too much of the witchy backstory here, because finding out about it was part of the fun of discovering what exactly what was happening to Robyn.
There were a few small things I wish had gotten a bit more expanding upon, like the relationship between Robyn & her late husband, which I feel would’ve packed a bit more of an emotional gutpunch. As it stands, without some extra bit tugging at our heartstrings and making us care, the mentions of Robyn’s husband could honestly have been omitted for me since they didn’t seem to make much of a difference either way. I also think that there were a couple bits of dialogue that seemed a bit too simple or easy for the story, things that were too convenient almost, like a particular phone call with Robyn’s sister, or happening upon the same few people that the characters need when they’re in the town. That said, none of these things dampened my enjoyment of it overall, to be honest! I still had a lot of fun.
I loved the symbolism in the story, from the small poppets (dolls) to the terrifying crow. If you love books featuring scary witches and spooky magic, this is a quick one that you’ll be able to jump into and finish in a day. It’d make perfect oceanside reading for anyone on vacation, but even curled up on bed like I was, it was a heck of a good time! I usually love everything Silver Shamrock Publishing puts out, and although this is my first book by Catherine Cavendish, I can already tell you it won’t be my last!
I love atmospheric little seaside cottage locations in stories, and Catherine Cavendish is amazing at giving these salty, windy places the justice they deserve. The Malan Cottage gave me the creeps even before the spookiness really picked up the pace, and that’s because there’s just something so haunting to me about cliffside waves and choppy waters. And if the moodiness of the story’s setting isn’t enough to give you goosebumps, there’s a witch or two here that definitely will!
The Malan Witch introduces us to Robyn, a woman visiting her sister’s recently purchased and renovated cottage in an attempt to relax and take a bit of a vacation after the passing of her husband shakes her world. Robyn was an easy character to get to know and relate to – an avid reader, she curled up with one of my favorite horror books within the first few chapters and that was enough for me to take a liking to her immediately!
Shortly after arriving, Robyn starts to encounter some weird happenings in the house. On a trip to the nearby small town, she meets with a few locals who tell her the story of sister witches that lived and practiced dark magic right where her sister’s new cottage is situated. I won’t go into too much of the witchy backstory here, because finding out about it was part of the fun of discovering what exactly what was happening to Robyn.
There were a few small things I wish had gotten a bit more expanding upon, like the relationship between Robyn & her late husband, which I feel would’ve packed a bit more of an emotional gutpunch. As it stands, without some extra bit tugging at our heartstrings and making us care, the mentions of Robyn’s husband could honestly have been omitted for me since they didn’t seem to make much of a difference either way. I also think that there were a couple bits of dialogue that seemed a bit too simple or easy for the story, things that were too convenient almost, like a particular phone call with Robyn’s sister, or happening upon the same few people that the characters need when they’re in the town. That said, none of these things dampened my enjoyment of it overall, to be honest! I still had a lot of fun.
I loved the symbolism in the story, from the small poppets (dolls) to the terrifying crow. If you love books featuring scary witches and spooky magic, this is a quick one that you’ll be able to jump into and finish in a day. It’d make perfect oceanside reading for anyone on vacation, but even curled up on bed like I was, it was a heck of a good time! I usually love everything Silver Shamrock Publishing puts out, and although this is my first book by Catherine Cavendish, I can already tell you it won’t be my last!
Read
March 20, 2021A quieter horror novella with great atmosphere and building dread. Review later. . .
August 31, 2020
Robin Crowe moves into her sister's and her brother-in-law's cottage in a Cornwall village near the sea to recover and heal from the loss of her husband. She has only been there a few days when strange things begin to happen. She notices an awful smell in some parts of the cottage, and there are places where it's windy and cold even though the windows are closed. Then, one day when she is out in the shed a crow swoops down after her and viciously attack her causing her to have to get stitches in her head! She learns from a local woman in town that the cottage sits on the spot where two witches were burned to death! And ever since then, no one has been able to live there for long because the cottage is supposed to be haunted by the evil Malan Witch.
Things get stranger and more scary, until the woman in town tells Robin about a White Witch who may be able to help her get rid of the Malan Witch. But can she? This is one edge-of-your-seat thriller with lots of twists and turns. Thanks to the author and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book as an early read. Check it for an entertaining read!
Things get stranger and more scary, until the woman in town tells Robin about a White Witch who may be able to help her get rid of the Malan Witch. But can she? This is one edge-of-your-seat thriller with lots of twists and turns. Thanks to the author and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book as an early read. Check it for an entertaining read!
October 6, 2020
Title: The Malan Witch
Author: Catherine Cavendish
Synopsis: An idyllic coastal cottage near a sleepy village. What could be more perfect? For Robyn Crowe, borrowing her sister’s recently renovated holiday home for the summer seems just what she needs to deal with the grief of losing her beloved husband.
But behind those pretty walls lie many secrets, and legends of a malevolent sisterhood—two witches burned for their evil centuries earlier. Once, both their vile spirits were trapped there. Now, one has been released. One who is determined to find her sister. Only Robyn stands in her way.
And the crow has returned.
But behind those pretty walls lie many secrets, and legends of a malevolent sisterhood—two witches burned for their evil centuries earlier. Once, both their vile spirits were trapped there. Now, one has been released. One who is determined to find her sister. Only Robyn stands in her way.
And the crow has returned.
Publisher: Silver Shamrock Publishing
Rating: ⭐⭐
⭐
Publishing Date: August 18, 2020
The Malan Witch is a story of a house that holds the spirits of two witches. This house is a holiday home of the responsible sister and the down-on-her-luck sister is crashing while trying to get her life back on track. Unfortunately, one of the sisters releases one of the witches accidentally. Now she will do whatever she can to have the other witch released.
I enjoyed the concept of this story. Its slightly cliche (chick in chaos being haunted) but it had a cool back story. Problem is there was so much info dumping it was hard to chew through. If this story was formatted differently, I would probably have enjoyed it more. Maybe more chapters (40 pages for a chapter is a lot for an epic tale and this is only 130 pages!) and switching POVs? Its a good solid story however.
Thank you to Silver Shamrock Publishing for a gifted copy of "The Malan Witch" in exchange for a honest review.
August 5, 2020
3.5 Stars
I’ve been seeing the Cavendish name here and there for the last two years now (thanks to my interest in Flame Tree Press), but this is my first time reading anything more from her than a short story. The Malan Witch is a novella about a haunted cottage where two witch sisters once lived long ago. The place has since been renovated by Robyn’s sister, Holly, who has mistakenly released one of the captive witch spirits by burning a doll she found in the home. Apparently, there were two, one for each sister. Now, one is free and looking to release her sibling. Nobody knows this, of course, until Robyn decides to vacation at the house the summer following the loss of her husband. But shortly after her arrival in the quiet town, she starts getting spooked by a crow that seems to keep watch over the cottage.
This is an easily digestible story with minimal substance. It gets into the thick of things almost immediately, pushing you through very little backstory or character development. What we know of everybody comes right off the bat. Even Robyn’s loss of her husband is only lightly touched, though it seems like there could have been some beneficial progression there to leave us with more of an emotional impact. Yes, the husband comes into play a couple times, but it’s always brief. Everyone else is pretty one-dimensional, though the white witch in town is more mysterious (thanks to people either loving or hating her); as such, you aren’t sure if she can be quite trusted.
I had some issues with this novella, but nothing that ruined the experience. I would have liked more character development, for one. I also had an issue with how easily characters accepted the witch haunting - it didn’t feel very natural. When Robyn calls her sister to tell her every crazy thing going down at the cottage, Holly accepts it within a minute. The haunting, itself, is also pretty mild. I didn’t find events all that alarming (if at all), but Robyn takes to them with gusto immediately. The writing, though good, had a YA feel to it; I was expecting something a little more mature and complex than what I read.
Though I didn’t feel any danger from this story - it wasn’t scary at all - I found the ride enjoyable enough (albeit slim). The last chapter definitely picked things up for me, even if I didn’t get the great deceit I was expecting and hoping for. Though The Malan Witch did nothing to blow me away, I still found potential in Cavendish’s work, so I will check out more from her down the road.
Review by Aiden Merchant
www.aidenmerchant.com (Also on Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, and Amazon)
contact@aidenmerchant.com (Message for review consideration)
I’ve been seeing the Cavendish name here and there for the last two years now (thanks to my interest in Flame Tree Press), but this is my first time reading anything more from her than a short story. The Malan Witch is a novella about a haunted cottage where two witch sisters once lived long ago. The place has since been renovated by Robyn’s sister, Holly, who has mistakenly released one of the captive witch spirits by burning a doll she found in the home. Apparently, there were two, one for each sister. Now, one is free and looking to release her sibling. Nobody knows this, of course, until Robyn decides to vacation at the house the summer following the loss of her husband. But shortly after her arrival in the quiet town, she starts getting spooked by a crow that seems to keep watch over the cottage.
This is an easily digestible story with minimal substance. It gets into the thick of things almost immediately, pushing you through very little backstory or character development. What we know of everybody comes right off the bat. Even Robyn’s loss of her husband is only lightly touched, though it seems like there could have been some beneficial progression there to leave us with more of an emotional impact. Yes, the husband comes into play a couple times, but it’s always brief. Everyone else is pretty one-dimensional, though the white witch in town is more mysterious (thanks to people either loving or hating her); as such, you aren’t sure if she can be quite trusted.
I had some issues with this novella, but nothing that ruined the experience. I would have liked more character development, for one. I also had an issue with how easily characters accepted the witch haunting - it didn’t feel very natural. When Robyn calls her sister to tell her every crazy thing going down at the cottage, Holly accepts it within a minute. The haunting, itself, is also pretty mild. I didn’t find events all that alarming (if at all), but Robyn takes to them with gusto immediately. The writing, though good, had a YA feel to it; I was expecting something a little more mature and complex than what I read.
Though I didn’t feel any danger from this story - it wasn’t scary at all - I found the ride enjoyable enough (albeit slim). The last chapter definitely picked things up for me, even if I didn’t get the great deceit I was expecting and hoping for. Though The Malan Witch did nothing to blow me away, I still found potential in Cavendish’s work, so I will check out more from her down the road.
Review by Aiden Merchant
www.aidenmerchant.com (Also on Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, and Amazon)
contact@aidenmerchant.com (Message for review consideration)
October 17, 2020
Another page turner from Catherine Cavendish! I loved the atmospheric setting--an ancient seaside cottage with a history--what's not to love?
In this case, the history was witches hellbent on revenge, and while I'm not big on the witch-as-evil narrative overall (witches are environmentalists, for the most part), I'll willingly go along wherever Cavendish wants to take me. Such is her skill as a storyteller.
There are plenty of twists and turns in this novella to keep the reader guessing. Who is the "good" witch...is there such a thing? What does the Malan Witch really want, and why is she messing with the protagonist? What is that smell?
I loved the historical details, sense of place, and the authenticity re: spellwork. Cavendish definitely did her homework.
I found it hard to put this one down until I had the answers, and now I'm hoping for a sequel. Highly recommended.
In this case, the history was witches hellbent on revenge, and while I'm not big on the witch-as-evil narrative overall (witches are environmentalists, for the most part), I'll willingly go along wherever Cavendish wants to take me. Such is her skill as a storyteller.
There are plenty of twists and turns in this novella to keep the reader guessing. Who is the "good" witch...is there such a thing? What does the Malan Witch really want, and why is she messing with the protagonist? What is that smell?
I loved the historical details, sense of place, and the authenticity re: spellwork. Cavendish definitely did her homework.
I found it hard to put this one down until I had the answers, and now I'm hoping for a sequel. Highly recommended.
October 8, 2020
I’m consciously trying to read more horror for the month of October and this novella conveniently appeared on Netgalley, so I downloaded it. Witches are pretty Halloweeny, aren’t they. Well, this kind of fit the bill, but just barely. I mean, there were witches, but the book itself left a lot to be desired. It’s the second disappointing novella from the publishers. They try and do great with art, outside and in, but contents end up so underwhelming somehow. And I say somehow, because it’s actually kind of difficult to define, both novellas, the last one and this one, were technically fine. Just not very interesting or original or engaging in any way. Albeit in their very own separate ways. This one…I’ve read a short story by the author before, her style remains the same no matter the word count, it seems. That style being something along the lines of a gothic romance. You know the ones with cheesy covers, maybe from the 60s or 70s. The novella is very modern and set in present day, but it just has that mood and tone to it. The basic plot is this…a recent widow takes a holiday to refresh the mind in a remote old cottage by the sea her sister has recently renovated for her family. It sounds lovely and relaxing and would have been except that it’s on the witches’ land and they can’t wait to reclaim it. So yeah, it’s pretty traditional fare or witches’s brew if you will, it’s slim and reads quickly, but there’s just not much to it to wow the readers. There’s a sort of torpid muted quality to the storytelling that just doesn’t inspire active engagement, emotional or intellectual. It’s just kind of goes by in a pretty unmemorable fashion. Maybe fans of this style of writing and/or witches will get more out of it. But either way, it’s fine, mindless sort of thing, demanding neither much time nor attention. Thanks Netgalley.
August 25, 2020
I’ll be honest, I haven’t read a lot of books about witches but they (at least the bad ones) terrify me. The dark and unpredictable power they hold over normal people is frightening, and everything about the setup for this book led me to believe I was in for a thrilling ride. It has an isolated cottage on a remote cliff, strange occurrences right from the beginning, and a back story about burned witches looking for revenge
Unfortunately, the story I got was less exciting than anticipated. Lots of crows, but not much in the way of scares. Loads of exposition dumps when I wanted more character development. And an ending that left me wanting and a little frustrated.
Despite its flaws the story kept me turning the pages to see what would happen. I liked the emphasis on spells/hexes/totems, and there were moments when I was genuinely concerned for Robyn’s safety. I also thought it was really neat that Robyn gains a powerful ally in the last third of the book. There were some cool ideas here, like the haunting of Robyn’s niece, but many weren’t fleshed out enough to fully enjoy.
Unfortunately, the story I got was less exciting than anticipated. Lots of crows, but not much in the way of scares. Loads of exposition dumps when I wanted more character development. And an ending that left me wanting and a little frustrated.
Despite its flaws the story kept me turning the pages to see what would happen. I liked the emphasis on spells/hexes/totems, and there were moments when I was genuinely concerned for Robyn’s safety. I also thought it was really neat that Robyn gains a powerful ally in the last third of the book. There were some cool ideas here, like the haunting of Robyn’s niece, but many weren’t fleshed out enough to fully enjoy.
August 27, 2020
Sometimes I feel when I read novella length books I am missing something. I suppose it has something to do with character development and plot being shortcut in some manner. But this is definitely not the case with The Malan Witch. Despite its shorter length I found it to be a highly immersive and complete tale.
Robyn Crowe lost her husband six months ago and still in the depths of grief, she decides to go stay in her sister's vacation coastal cottage. While the place has been recently renovated, it is also extremely old and Robyn soon starts to learn that many secrets are held within the walls of the place dubbed the Malan cottage. Before Robyn knows it, she starts feeling and seeing things in the home and there is also a crow hovering around that refuses to leave. After speaking with locals, she discovers that the home is on the property where two witches were once burned. Could the incidents be related and if so, what could the spirits want from Robyn?
I've read another book by Cavendish last year and really enjoyed it so when she reached out to me, I couldn't pass this one up. Cavendish has a wonderful ability to create Gothic atmospheres and while reading this, I kept thinking it would be a perfect read for a crisp autumn night with the wind rustling outside and a candle flickering in the corner. I was immediately attached to Robyn and felt both her grief and her fear. I also really liked the side characters whom Robyn sought out for help. And finally, there was even a twist or two thrown into the tale for good measure which made it only that much more enjoyable. Do I feel the story could have been longer? Well, as an avid reader, probably so. But do I feel it needed to be? Absolutely not. And if you are looking for a fairly quick read full of suspense and atmosphere then look no further. Cavendish is quickly becoming a go-to author when I'm in the mood for spooky, Gothic scares.
Robyn Crowe lost her husband six months ago and still in the depths of grief, she decides to go stay in her sister's vacation coastal cottage. While the place has been recently renovated, it is also extremely old and Robyn soon starts to learn that many secrets are held within the walls of the place dubbed the Malan cottage. Before Robyn knows it, she starts feeling and seeing things in the home and there is also a crow hovering around that refuses to leave. After speaking with locals, she discovers that the home is on the property where two witches were once burned. Could the incidents be related and if so, what could the spirits want from Robyn?
I've read another book by Cavendish last year and really enjoyed it so when she reached out to me, I couldn't pass this one up. Cavendish has a wonderful ability to create Gothic atmospheres and while reading this, I kept thinking it would be a perfect read for a crisp autumn night with the wind rustling outside and a candle flickering in the corner. I was immediately attached to Robyn and felt both her grief and her fear. I also really liked the side characters whom Robyn sought out for help. And finally, there was even a twist or two thrown into the tale for good measure which made it only that much more enjoyable. Do I feel the story could have been longer? Well, as an avid reader, probably so. But do I feel it needed to be? Absolutely not. And if you are looking for a fairly quick read full of suspense and atmosphere then look no further. Cavendish is quickly becoming a go-to author when I'm in the mood for spooky, Gothic scares.
August 8, 2020
This is my second exposure to Catherine Cavendish, and although The Garden of Bewitchment wasn’t for me, it gave me a pretty clear look at what the author does well - atmosphere and secluded seaside locales. Both of these elements are fully on display in The Malan Witch and I’m pleased to say I really enjoyed the story.
I can usually count on reading at least one Silver Shamrock book a month, but it feels like I’ve read three in fairly rapid succession - Curse of the Pigman, Slaves to Gravity, and now The Malan Witch. All four or five star reads and such a wide variety of horror subgenres and tropes on display is just one reason why Silver Shamrock is one of the best indie presses churning out quality horror right now.
Back to the story at hand - our story follows Robyn who opts to spend the summer in her sister’s cottage as a means to cope with the loss of her husband. She learns a bit about local folklore and the history of the cottage/the land the cottage was built on from a local woman who she befriends. At first the occurrences in and around the house are subtle and just a bit unsettling, but whenever the titular witch makes an appearance, the description sent chills running up my spine. Cavendish does an excellent job spreading events throughout the runtime of the novella and, as mentioned before, establishing the chilling atmosphere.
The final chapter wrapped up the story brilliantly. Any loose ends, allusions to future story, and even the motives and background of a particular character who figures prominently into the climax feel very blatant on the author’s part to add an air of mystery to the story. In my opinion, the creep factor wouldn’t have lingered quite so well if every little piece concluded with a neat bow on it.
I enjoyed this novella quite a bit and would recommend it to several groups of readers. If you enjoy the consistently good and varied output from Silver Shamrock, this won’t disappoint. Readers looking for a good witch story, and this is a trope I’d personally like to read more of, will enjoy the connections between modern-day happenings and the history of the house/land/town. Finally, despite the fact that it’s obviously a story about witches, this book hits a lot of my favorite beats found in haunted house stories - applying the new (to me, anyway - witches) to the familiar (ghosts). If you’re still not quite sold, Kealan Patrick Burke hits yet another homerun on this cover and it’s going to look incredible on your shelf.
I received a copy from the publisher for review consideration.
I can usually count on reading at least one Silver Shamrock book a month, but it feels like I’ve read three in fairly rapid succession - Curse of the Pigman, Slaves to Gravity, and now The Malan Witch. All four or five star reads and such a wide variety of horror subgenres and tropes on display is just one reason why Silver Shamrock is one of the best indie presses churning out quality horror right now.
Back to the story at hand - our story follows Robyn who opts to spend the summer in her sister’s cottage as a means to cope with the loss of her husband. She learns a bit about local folklore and the history of the cottage/the land the cottage was built on from a local woman who she befriends. At first the occurrences in and around the house are subtle and just a bit unsettling, but whenever the titular witch makes an appearance, the description sent chills running up my spine. Cavendish does an excellent job spreading events throughout the runtime of the novella and, as mentioned before, establishing the chilling atmosphere.
The final chapter wrapped up the story brilliantly. Any loose ends, allusions to future story, and even the motives and background of a particular character who figures prominently into the climax feel very blatant on the author’s part to add an air of mystery to the story. In my opinion, the creep factor wouldn’t have lingered quite so well if every little piece concluded with a neat bow on it.
I enjoyed this novella quite a bit and would recommend it to several groups of readers. If you enjoy the consistently good and varied output from Silver Shamrock, this won’t disappoint. Readers looking for a good witch story, and this is a trope I’d personally like to read more of, will enjoy the connections between modern-day happenings and the history of the house/land/town. Finally, despite the fact that it’s obviously a story about witches, this book hits a lot of my favorite beats found in haunted house stories - applying the new (to me, anyway - witches) to the familiar (ghosts). If you’re still not quite sold, Kealan Patrick Burke hits yet another homerun on this cover and it’s going to look incredible on your shelf.
I received a copy from the publisher for review consideration.
September 11, 2022
“From then on, the reign of terror began until, at last, the witches were caught, tried for their heinous crimes, and rightly burned. Naught remained of their bodies to be buried, for the crows took back what was theirs”
————————
Robyn Crowe is at her sister’s cottage by the coast recovering after the passing of her husband. Isolated and on a wind-whipped cliff, the atmosphere soon turns sinister when holed pebbles (hag stones), inexplainable strange smells, a creepy puppet & two strangers observing her from afar appear.
Then there’s the mean spirited crow who seems to be watching her and the terrible nightmares about witches. It’s soon apparent that she’s not alone in the cottage and that whoever it is doesn’t mean her well.
-Tense from the first few pages and rich in folklore; I started this late last night and found myself regretting it because I just wanted to keep reading although it was way past my bedtime.
It’s a really enjoyable tale of small town folk horror and a great entry point to Cavendish’s writing. I’ve wanted to visit Cornwall for some time and this has reinforced it with its well written atmosphere. Also; I need to find myself some hag stones!
Can’t wait to read the next couple of Cavendish’s books still waiting in my TBR❤️
October 11, 2020
T'is the season of the witch. Halloween in other words. At least that time of year is fast approaching. What better way to get in the mood and chill the spine but by reading a this tingling tale? Actually that probably applies to any season, especially with Catherine Cavendish at the helm and a short tale of long dead witches to make the hair stand on end? Don't be fooled by the short. There's plenty here in terms of story to make these feel more like a novel. The Cornish setting, nicely idyllic but also wildly remote, the woman trying to escape recent loss, strange locals, at times friendly, but mostly not, and poppets. Read sort of voodoo dolls for those. Oh, and crows. Ones that seem particularly attracted to the cottage--once home to two witches--sisters--burned centuries previously. At least, that's what everyone says... I say no more, except that as the dots all connect don't expect a smooth ride.
December 29, 2021
A creepy and compelling novella. Catherine Cavendish has a delicate touch. There's something a little old-fashioned about this book, but in the best possible way. I was put in mind of Joan Aiken or even Daphne du Maurier's spookier outings. A great read for those dark winter evenings.
September 28, 2020
Fairly conventional modern witchcraft novel. No better or no worse than many others of its kind.
Jeff McIntosh
Jeff McIntosh
September 11, 2021
Ahhhh this was so fun!!!!!
August 11, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novella. Cavendish is an expert at creating dark imagery that taps into some of our deepest fears. Even if you are not a believer in the supernatural, you will find yourself beginning to question what could be hiding in the dark corners of your home after reading one of her stories. Between the descriptions of the hauntings, and the disturbing backstory of the Malan witch, I often found myself covered in goosebumps and afraid to turn out the lights. The character of Robyn was believable and very likeable, which kept me invested until the end. I also enjoyed how Cavendish had me questioning some of the secondary characters' motives, maintaining an element of suspense and mystery throughout the narrative.
September 30, 2020
I’ve always loved dark witchy tales filled with legends, curses, and sinister familiars such as crows, and I especially enjoy it when the witch is unapologetically evil. These stories bring back memories of the frightening time I first saw the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. What made her such a standout character to me was the contrast between her and Glinda the Good Witch. Without the balance of these two polarising forces, neither would have had as much impact.
Similarly, in The Malan Witch, a novella by Catherine Cavendish, there’s a wonderfully balanced representation of the conflict between good and evil throughout the story, heightening the tension and stakes for the characters. Beyond a simple good witch versus evil witch, Cavendish also infuses a sort of yin and yang dualism expressed through two sets of sisters, our world and a realm beyond, and several other opposing powers.
The book begins with Robyn moving into her sister’s newly renovated cottage, near the quaint town of St. Oswell. Processing her grief after the loss of her husband, she’s searching for a way to move forward in her life, but as soon as she arrives strange occurrences begin. Odd stones appear from nowhere, a solitary menacing crow taunts and attacks Robyn whenever she goes outside, and she finds a small poppet, a twin to one her sister burned during the renovation.
While visiting town for supplies, Robyn meets the local tea shop owner, Hedra, who has a family history stretching back centuries in the St. Oswell area. She tells Robyn about the legend of the Malan cottage, where witches were burned, and their souls bound. Hedra’s convinced one of the witches has been released and wants to help banish the entity, but her motivations may be less innocent than they appear.
Cavendish doesn’t waste anytime diving into this story and it’s a thrill ride from start to finish. Filled with dark imagery and intense moments between Robyn and the sinister forces of the cottage, this was a hard book to put down. I really enjoyed the incorporation of rituals and magical items, such as washing windows with salt water and using hag stones for protection.
As much as I found myself absorbed in this novella, I was left feeling that the characters were not as developed as they could have been. Don’t get me wrong, Robyn is likeable, and I was cheering her on through the story, but I wanted to know her better. We’re told about the passing of her husband, but I wanted to feel her grief, which would have added a layer of poignancy.
Likewise, the other characters play important roles in the plot, however they did feel a bit one-dimensional at times. I found myself wishing the story had been expanded to provide a deeper connection to the other characters, particularly Robyn’s sister and her family, who don’t spend much time on the page despite being critical to the plot.
However, those criticisms aside, I was fully engaged in the story and was happy to have found a haunting tale that brought me back to the time where witches were to be feared.
*This review first appeared on Kendall Reviews*
Similarly, in The Malan Witch, a novella by Catherine Cavendish, there’s a wonderfully balanced representation of the conflict between good and evil throughout the story, heightening the tension and stakes for the characters. Beyond a simple good witch versus evil witch, Cavendish also infuses a sort of yin and yang dualism expressed through two sets of sisters, our world and a realm beyond, and several other opposing powers.
The book begins with Robyn moving into her sister’s newly renovated cottage, near the quaint town of St. Oswell. Processing her grief after the loss of her husband, she’s searching for a way to move forward in her life, but as soon as she arrives strange occurrences begin. Odd stones appear from nowhere, a solitary menacing crow taunts and attacks Robyn whenever she goes outside, and she finds a small poppet, a twin to one her sister burned during the renovation.
While visiting town for supplies, Robyn meets the local tea shop owner, Hedra, who has a family history stretching back centuries in the St. Oswell area. She tells Robyn about the legend of the Malan cottage, where witches were burned, and their souls bound. Hedra’s convinced one of the witches has been released and wants to help banish the entity, but her motivations may be less innocent than they appear.
Cavendish doesn’t waste anytime diving into this story and it’s a thrill ride from start to finish. Filled with dark imagery and intense moments between Robyn and the sinister forces of the cottage, this was a hard book to put down. I really enjoyed the incorporation of rituals and magical items, such as washing windows with salt water and using hag stones for protection.
As much as I found myself absorbed in this novella, I was left feeling that the characters were not as developed as they could have been. Don’t get me wrong, Robyn is likeable, and I was cheering her on through the story, but I wanted to know her better. We’re told about the passing of her husband, but I wanted to feel her grief, which would have added a layer of poignancy.
Likewise, the other characters play important roles in the plot, however they did feel a bit one-dimensional at times. I found myself wishing the story had been expanded to provide a deeper connection to the other characters, particularly Robyn’s sister and her family, who don’t spend much time on the page despite being critical to the plot.
However, those criticisms aside, I was fully engaged in the story and was happy to have found a haunting tale that brought me back to the time where witches were to be feared.
*This review first appeared on Kendall Reviews*
November 22, 2020
A classic witch story in a small coastal town with a dark legend.
Robyn is still recovering from losing her boyfriend and decides to spend some time away at her sister's new cottage. Cut off from the world she looks for peace and time to grieve and move on. However what she will find is an old legend and a witch that is coming for her.
A fast paced witch story with all the classic elements for a good ghost/witch story. Perfect for a quick spooky read. However the story and characters are really typical and there is nothing really new added to the stories we all have heard of many times before.
Robyn is still recovering from losing her boyfriend and decides to spend some time away at her sister's new cottage. Cut off from the world she looks for peace and time to grieve and move on. However what she will find is an old legend and a witch that is coming for her.
A fast paced witch story with all the classic elements for a good ghost/witch story. Perfect for a quick spooky read. However the story and characters are really typical and there is nothing really new added to the stories we all have heard of many times before.
August 25, 2020
Great atmosphere, fab setting and a witchy tale read over two sessions. What's not to like? Most enjoyable!
September 23, 2020
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 for Goodreads.
This is my second experience reading Catherine Cavendish, the first being The Garden of Bewitchment from Flame Tree Press which I enjoyed. I am a big fan of stories revolving around witches and witchcraft. Wickedly heinous beings imbued with evil arcane abilities is just something that I have an affinity for. Combine that with the fact that I could possibly be related to John Proctor, who was hanged during the Salem Witch Trials after being accused and convicted of witchcraft and suffice it to say that there is something about witches that just speaks to me. Maybe it runs in my blood, just kidding, maybe.
In The Malan Witch we follow Robyn Crowe who is dealing with her grief after the loss of her husband. Robyn borrows her sister's newly renovated and secluded coastal cottage to get away and process her emotions. Not everything is as idyllic as it seems on the surface though. Weird happenings around the cottage begin to occur and a malevolent crow seems to have taken a keen interest in Robyn.
Upon speaking with the inhabitants of the nearby village Robyn discovers the legend of Malan Cottage, where two vile sisters practiced the dark arts and witchcraft centuries earlier. Burned at the stake for their evil deeds their spirits became trapped. With the help of a few locals Robyn hopes to banish the witches once and for all before it is too late.
I really liked the setting of the Malan Witch. A small out of the way cottage nestled close to the cliffs and the crashing waves of the ocean below. You can hear the sounds of the water and taste the salty spray. Cavendish does a great job of building a dark foreboding atmosphere within the cottage that has you anticipating what may be lurking in the shadowy corners or beneath the bed.
All that said unfortunately I didn't connect with this story or the characters as much as I was hoping to and that's okay. Cavendish does provide us with some intense scenes boiling with witchcraft and magic but at the end I was left with a feeling of wanting more. Everything sort of felt as if it was moving too fast. The Malan Witch is a novella coming in at 111 pages but I wished the story would have had more time to simmer and build. Robyn seems to buy into believing into the existence of witches all too easily which sort of pulled me out of the story. One other issue that really stood out to me was that at one point in the story some characters are told to stay away from someone as she is evil. The very next scene they encounter this woman and go along with her after being warned against her. Again it comes back to the story feeling a bit rushed. Finally the build up to this final confrontation with the witch didn't have a grand payoff and felt a bit anticlimactic in my opinion.
With my issues aside I still thought some moments in the book were really well done while others were just okay for me. Cavendish's writing is solid, building up a tension filled atmosphere but at the end of the day the story just didn't completely work for me.
Atmospheric and bubbling with witchcraft. The Malan Witch by Catherine Cavendish is an isolated, fast paced tale of witches and the occult. After looking at other reviews I seem to be in the minority with not liking this one as much as others have. If you are into witches and witchcraft you may really enjoy this one so check the book out and give it a read for yourself.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher for review consideration.
Video review: https://youtu.be/ZRhcZgqEOa8
This is my second experience reading Catherine Cavendish, the first being The Garden of Bewitchment from Flame Tree Press which I enjoyed. I am a big fan of stories revolving around witches and witchcraft. Wickedly heinous beings imbued with evil arcane abilities is just something that I have an affinity for. Combine that with the fact that I could possibly be related to John Proctor, who was hanged during the Salem Witch Trials after being accused and convicted of witchcraft and suffice it to say that there is something about witches that just speaks to me. Maybe it runs in my blood, just kidding, maybe.
In The Malan Witch we follow Robyn Crowe who is dealing with her grief after the loss of her husband. Robyn borrows her sister's newly renovated and secluded coastal cottage to get away and process her emotions. Not everything is as idyllic as it seems on the surface though. Weird happenings around the cottage begin to occur and a malevolent crow seems to have taken a keen interest in Robyn.
Upon speaking with the inhabitants of the nearby village Robyn discovers the legend of Malan Cottage, where two vile sisters practiced the dark arts and witchcraft centuries earlier. Burned at the stake for their evil deeds their spirits became trapped. With the help of a few locals Robyn hopes to banish the witches once and for all before it is too late.
I really liked the setting of the Malan Witch. A small out of the way cottage nestled close to the cliffs and the crashing waves of the ocean below. You can hear the sounds of the water and taste the salty spray. Cavendish does a great job of building a dark foreboding atmosphere within the cottage that has you anticipating what may be lurking in the shadowy corners or beneath the bed.
All that said unfortunately I didn't connect with this story or the characters as much as I was hoping to and that's okay. Cavendish does provide us with some intense scenes boiling with witchcraft and magic but at the end I was left with a feeling of wanting more. Everything sort of felt as if it was moving too fast. The Malan Witch is a novella coming in at 111 pages but I wished the story would have had more time to simmer and build. Robyn seems to buy into believing into the existence of witches all too easily which sort of pulled me out of the story. One other issue that really stood out to me was that at one point in the story some characters are told to stay away from someone as she is evil. The very next scene they encounter this woman and go along with her after being warned against her. Again it comes back to the story feeling a bit rushed. Finally the build up to this final confrontation with the witch didn't have a grand payoff and felt a bit anticlimactic in my opinion.
With my issues aside I still thought some moments in the book were really well done while others were just okay for me. Cavendish's writing is solid, building up a tension filled atmosphere but at the end of the day the story just didn't completely work for me.
Atmospheric and bubbling with witchcraft. The Malan Witch by Catherine Cavendish is an isolated, fast paced tale of witches and the occult. After looking at other reviews I seem to be in the minority with not liking this one as much as others have. If you are into witches and witchcraft you may really enjoy this one so check the book out and give it a read for yourself.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher for review consideration.
Video review: https://youtu.be/ZRhcZgqEOa8
December 17, 2021
Originally published on the book blog Creature From the Book Lagoon.
Witches are not may favorite horror theme. No offence to them, it’s just not my fave. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way…. this was a really fun, quick read! I enjoyed this so much. 🙂
With an excellent, strong start, we get weirdness right off the bat. Just a hint of it at first, but then it was just getting stranger and stranger. Not too long after we started the book, we have full blown witch attack! And boy was she a nasty witch. Loved how she looked and acted. Very creepy and unhinged feeling.
The setting was just perfect. A picturesque (and remote) little cottage near a coast, a small quirky rural town, and stormy weather. All of the above made the witch feel even scarier. The spooky atmosphere helped set the stage for the confronting the witch. Or trying to confront her. She is a slippery little trickster! The descriptions felt alive, and it felt like I was there in that storm with the main characters…. although I would be hiding under the blankets and not facing the scary witch. D:
I love the cover of this book. Amazing colors and a dynamic design the really draws your eyes in. It does a great job of conveying a magical feel… but… unless I missed something, where was the lighthouse in the story? 😮 No lighthouse, but that’s ok. It’s still a beautiful cover!
The Malan Witch moves fast. I loved the pacing. Very quick and there felt like there was never a wasted moment. Very quick read. Before I knew it, we were already at the end fighting the witch! It did feel like the ending happened a little abruptly, and I was a tiny bit confused by the the outcome. I wish we had had a little bit more info about the white witch, a little more of her fight with the (dark?) witch, and what had happened to the white witch after the confrontation. It didn’t feel like the dealings between the witches was fully resolved? I’m not sure.
I knew the name of this author but I’ve never read her before. I have heard her name mentioned often in all the horror book forums and groups I visit. I had a delightful time reading this book and I’m looking forward to picking up more work from Catherine Cavendish.
Witches are not may favorite horror theme. No offence to them, it’s just not my fave. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way…. this was a really fun, quick read! I enjoyed this so much. 🙂
With an excellent, strong start, we get weirdness right off the bat. Just a hint of it at first, but then it was just getting stranger and stranger. Not too long after we started the book, we have full blown witch attack! And boy was she a nasty witch. Loved how she looked and acted. Very creepy and unhinged feeling.
The setting was just perfect. A picturesque (and remote) little cottage near a coast, a small quirky rural town, and stormy weather. All of the above made the witch feel even scarier. The spooky atmosphere helped set the stage for the confronting the witch. Or trying to confront her. She is a slippery little trickster! The descriptions felt alive, and it felt like I was there in that storm with the main characters…. although I would be hiding under the blankets and not facing the scary witch. D:
I love the cover of this book. Amazing colors and a dynamic design the really draws your eyes in. It does a great job of conveying a magical feel… but… unless I missed something, where was the lighthouse in the story? 😮 No lighthouse, but that’s ok. It’s still a beautiful cover!
The Malan Witch moves fast. I loved the pacing. Very quick and there felt like there was never a wasted moment. Very quick read. Before I knew it, we were already at the end fighting the witch! It did feel like the ending happened a little abruptly, and I was a tiny bit confused by the the outcome. I wish we had had a little bit more info about the white witch, a little more of her fight with the (dark?) witch, and what had happened to the white witch after the confrontation. It didn’t feel like the dealings between the witches was fully resolved? I’m not sure.
I knew the name of this author but I’ve never read her before. I have heard her name mentioned often in all the horror book forums and groups I visit. I had a delightful time reading this book and I’m looking forward to picking up more work from Catherine Cavendish.
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