What do you think?
Rate this book
Nicole Rayburn #1
The Hanging Tree
In 1640, Alys Bailey was accused of witchcraft and sentenced to hang. Today, Alys is said to haunt Lockwood Hall, the Tudor manor house where she died.
When Nicole Rayburn travels to Lockwood Hall and begins to research Alys’s story for a new book, she discovers startling irregularities in Alys’s case. Nicole’s suspicions mount as every answer leads to more questions. What really happened to Alys? And what became of her son, who disappeared the day she was hanged? Could it be that Alys’s death was the result of a well-planned conspiracy, or is there another, less obvious answer? And who is trying to sabotage Nicole's attempts to discover the truth?
As Nicole delves deeper into Alys’s life, with the help of a handsome crime writer and a history-obsessed vicar, she comes to realize that things are not quite as they appear, and people will sometimes do the unthinkable to protect their secrets.
Perfect for fans of Susanna Kearsley, Barbara Erskine, and Kate Morton
When Nicole Rayburn travels to Lockwood Hall and begins to research Alys’s story for a new book, she discovers startling irregularities in Alys’s case. Nicole’s suspicions mount as every answer leads to more questions. What really happened to Alys? And what became of her son, who disappeared the day she was hanged? Could it be that Alys’s death was the result of a well-planned conspiracy, or is there another, less obvious answer? And who is trying to sabotage Nicole's attempts to discover the truth?
As Nicole delves deeper into Alys’s life, with the help of a handsome crime writer and a history-obsessed vicar, she comes to realize that things are not quite as they appear, and people will sometimes do the unthinkable to protect their secrets.
Perfect for fans of Susanna Kearsley, Barbara Erskine, and Kate Morton
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2021
2120 people are currently reading
3949 people want to read
About the author
Irina Shapiro
83 books1,122 followersTo write a novel was a dream of mine since I was a child. Life, my practical nature, and self-doubt got in the way, so it was decades later that an opportunity to write finally presented itself. I honestly didn't think I had what it takes to write a full-length novel, but once I faced the blank screen and my fingers touched the keyboard, everything disappeared except my characters and their surroundings, and suddenly I knew that this was what I was born to do.
Since then, I've written many books and have enjoyed some positive reviews, but sometimes, when I stop to reflect, I'm still amazed that I'm living my dream.
Follow me on BookBub for discount deals and new release alerts.
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/irina...
Since then, I've written many books and have enjoyed some positive reviews, but sometimes, when I stop to reflect, I'm still amazed that I'm living my dream.
Follow me on BookBub for discount deals and new release alerts.
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/irina...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews
August 15, 2024
The Hanging Tree by Irina Shapiro
Synopsis /
In 1640, Alys Bailey was accused of witchcraft and sentenced to hang. Today, Alys is said to haunt Lockwood Hall, the Tudor manor house where she died.
When Nicole Rayburn travels to Lockwood Hall and begins to research Alys’s story for a new book, she discovers startling irregularities in Alys’s case. Nicole’s suspicions mount as every answer leads to more questions. What really happened to Alys? And what became of her son, who disappeared the day she was hanged? Could it be that Alys’s death was the result of a well-planned conspiracy, or is there another, less obvious answer? And who is trying to sabotage Nicole's attempts to discover the truth?
As Nicole delves deeper into Alys’s life, with the help of a handsome crime writer and a history-obsessed vicar, she comes to realize that things are not quite as they appear, and people will sometimes do the unthinkable to protect their secrets.
My Thoughts /
I became an instant fan of this author after reading her Tate and Bell Mystery series, and, if you enjoy the historical fiction\mystery genre and haven’t read them, I highly recommend you add them to your reading list.
Wanting to know whether Tate and Bell were a one hit wonder I decided to explore the author’s earlier publications. So it was fortuitous that, as part of this month’s reading challenge, I needed to read a book beginning with ‘H’.
Irina Shapiro is a prolific author, having written and published six major series. The Hanging Tree is the first of six books currently written in the Nicole Rayburn series and highlights the journey of our protagonist, author, Nicole Rayburn as she investigates the myth of the haunting of Lockwood Hall.
Told in a dual timeline of 1639/40 and the present day, the story opens with our protagonist, Nicole, arriving at Lockwood Hall to participate in a week long writer’s retreat. Lockwood Hall was a monolith, built towards the end of the fifteenth century, it was surrounded by extensive gardens on one side and woods on the other, and has remained steadfast and firm, undaunted by the ravages of time. It stands now as a fusion of old and new - a seamless blend of two eras. Here, medieval-looking tapestries, polished antique weapons, and paintings in gilt frames sat comfortably alongside modern cushioned sofas and flatscreen TVs which were hung above the stone fireplaces.
Whenever I read anything which has been set in the late middle ages or the early modern period I’m always struck by two main things. One, the gigantic gap between the upper and lower classes; and, two, how women were viewed as second class citizens, and their needs always were an afterthought.
As hard as life was for men, it had always been more difficult for women, who often fell into one of three categories: wife, servant, or whore. Having read many historical accounts of life in Tudor England, I was hard-pressed to decide which one was the most intolerable, since they were all forms of servitude, the level of misery most often determined by the disposition of the master or the kindness, or lack thereof, of one’s clients. In any case, few women lived to see old age, mowed down before their time by illness, childbirth, and sometimes utter despair.
Rayburn’s writing career had been stunted of late, and Nicole knew that she needed to come up with something soon to reignite her flagging career. That was the idea behind coming to this retreat - to leave her problems behind and concentrate on starting a new book, one that would hopefully revive her career. But first, she needed to come up with an idea that was new and fresh, and, most of all, marketable.
During the first evening’s communal dinner, the retreat attendees (all authors) introduced themselves and their preferred writing genre. The conversation organically made its way to Lockwood Hall and its history; and more importantly, to the story of the hanging tree. It was said that Miss Alys Bailey, a resident of nearby Ashcombe Village had been found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death by hanging. The tree where she was hanged was still on the estate’s grounds and was known colloquially as the hanging tree. The story further went on to say that her spirit was unable to cross over to the other side and has forever remained haunting Lockwood.
Shapiro writes with alternating POVs from Nicole and Alys and each story is as interesting as the other. But the mastery of Shapiro’s writing is how and why these two seemingly separate stories are interconnected and ultimately become one.
Bookish Yays:
🌟Location, Location, Location - small English village set during the early 1600’s.
🌟Plot threads - loved the “witchcraft” element. Did you know, that one test to prove an accused guilty or innocent of this crime was that the accused person had their left thumb tied to their right big toe; and their right thumb tied to their left big toe; they were then thrown into the water; if they floated they were guilty (so they were hanged); if they sank (and drown) they were innocent.
🌟Short punchy chapters with alternating POVs.
🌟A conclusion I did not see coming!
Will definitely be continuing with this series.
Synopsis /
In 1640, Alys Bailey was accused of witchcraft and sentenced to hang. Today, Alys is said to haunt Lockwood Hall, the Tudor manor house where she died.
When Nicole Rayburn travels to Lockwood Hall and begins to research Alys’s story for a new book, she discovers startling irregularities in Alys’s case. Nicole’s suspicions mount as every answer leads to more questions. What really happened to Alys? And what became of her son, who disappeared the day she was hanged? Could it be that Alys’s death was the result of a well-planned conspiracy, or is there another, less obvious answer? And who is trying to sabotage Nicole's attempts to discover the truth?
As Nicole delves deeper into Alys’s life, with the help of a handsome crime writer and a history-obsessed vicar, she comes to realize that things are not quite as they appear, and people will sometimes do the unthinkable to protect their secrets.
My Thoughts /
I became an instant fan of this author after reading her Tate and Bell Mystery series, and, if you enjoy the historical fiction\mystery genre and haven’t read them, I highly recommend you add them to your reading list.
Wanting to know whether Tate and Bell were a one hit wonder I decided to explore the author’s earlier publications. So it was fortuitous that, as part of this month’s reading challenge, I needed to read a book beginning with ‘H’.
Irina Shapiro is a prolific author, having written and published six major series. The Hanging Tree is the first of six books currently written in the Nicole Rayburn series and highlights the journey of our protagonist, author, Nicole Rayburn as she investigates the myth of the haunting of Lockwood Hall.
Told in a dual timeline of 1639/40 and the present day, the story opens with our protagonist, Nicole, arriving at Lockwood Hall to participate in a week long writer’s retreat. Lockwood Hall was a monolith, built towards the end of the fifteenth century, it was surrounded by extensive gardens on one side and woods on the other, and has remained steadfast and firm, undaunted by the ravages of time. It stands now as a fusion of old and new - a seamless blend of two eras. Here, medieval-looking tapestries, polished antique weapons, and paintings in gilt frames sat comfortably alongside modern cushioned sofas and flatscreen TVs which were hung above the stone fireplaces.
Whenever I read anything which has been set in the late middle ages or the early modern period I’m always struck by two main things. One, the gigantic gap between the upper and lower classes; and, two, how women were viewed as second class citizens, and their needs always were an afterthought.
As hard as life was for men, it had always been more difficult for women, who often fell into one of three categories: wife, servant, or whore. Having read many historical accounts of life in Tudor England, I was hard-pressed to decide which one was the most intolerable, since they were all forms of servitude, the level of misery most often determined by the disposition of the master or the kindness, or lack thereof, of one’s clients. In any case, few women lived to see old age, mowed down before their time by illness, childbirth, and sometimes utter despair.
Rayburn’s writing career had been stunted of late, and Nicole knew that she needed to come up with something soon to reignite her flagging career. That was the idea behind coming to this retreat - to leave her problems behind and concentrate on starting a new book, one that would hopefully revive her career. But first, she needed to come up with an idea that was new and fresh, and, most of all, marketable.
During the first evening’s communal dinner, the retreat attendees (all authors) introduced themselves and their preferred writing genre. The conversation organically made its way to Lockwood Hall and its history; and more importantly, to the story of the hanging tree. It was said that Miss Alys Bailey, a resident of nearby Ashcombe Village had been found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death by hanging. The tree where she was hanged was still on the estate’s grounds and was known colloquially as the hanging tree. The story further went on to say that her spirit was unable to cross over to the other side and has forever remained haunting Lockwood.
Shapiro writes with alternating POVs from Nicole and Alys and each story is as interesting as the other. But the mastery of Shapiro’s writing is how and why these two seemingly separate stories are interconnected and ultimately become one.
Bookish Yays:
🌟Location, Location, Location - small English village set during the early 1600’s.
🌟Plot threads - loved the “witchcraft” element. Did you know, that one test to prove an accused guilty or innocent of this crime was that the accused person had their left thumb tied to their right big toe; and their right thumb tied to their left big toe; they were then thrown into the water; if they floated they were guilty (so they were hanged); if they sank (and drown) they were innocent.
🌟Short punchy chapters with alternating POVs.
🌟A conclusion I did not see coming!
Will definitely be continuing with this series.
April 2, 2023
The Hanging Tree by Irina Shapiro is a well written story about a groyp of writers on a retreat in the English countryside. One becomes interested in the history of the supposed ghost in the house and add a bit of romance and the story proceeds. It is an enjoyable read but the ending seemed a bit rushed and unsatisfactory, but I was just anticipating something different.
February 28, 2021
Review for audible version
I absolutely loved this! The plot twist and story line left me reeling in the best way possible. Dual timeline and love story are my two favourites in a book! Alys's story gave me all the feels, happiness, sadness and love. If you know Irina Shapiro's work you will know that she doesn't dissapoint, if you are new to her this will have you backpeddling to read everything she has ever written before.
I absolutely loved this! The plot twist and story line left me reeling in the best way possible. Dual timeline and love story are my two favourites in a book! Alys's story gave me all the feels, happiness, sadness and love. If you know Irina Shapiro's work you will know that she doesn't dissapoint, if you are new to her this will have you backpeddling to read everything she has ever written before.
September 13, 2025
Audible audio
---
Guessed some of the twists but it didn't lessen my enjoyment, wished that the romance in the modern timeline wasn't as present but at least I liked both Kyle and Nicole as characters.
This did remind me of how Susanna Kearsley tells her stories but I wasn't able to sink into this one as much. I still did love the writing and enjoyed the story.
Not sure if I will continue, will have to think on it.. partly because the next book mentioned the pandemic and I'm very hesitant (didn't get it myself but my anxiety was so high during that time that I can't read it about for the meantime still) to read anything resembling a love triangle.
Would recommend if you’re looking for a suspenseful read with some twists and turns.
I will lookup the author's other series though :).
---
Guessed some of the twists but it didn't lessen my enjoyment, wished that the romance in the modern timeline wasn't as present but at least I liked both Kyle and Nicole as characters.
This did remind me of how Susanna Kearsley tells her stories but I wasn't able to sink into this one as much. I still did love the writing and enjoyed the story.
Not sure if I will continue, will have to think on it.. partly because the next book mentioned the pandemic and I'm very hesitant (didn't get it myself but my anxiety was so high during that time that I can't read it about for the meantime still) to read anything resembling a love triangle.
Would recommend if you’re looking for a suspenseful read with some twists and turns.
I will lookup the author's other series though :).
January 22, 2023
Lockwood Hall, Writers Retreat, England. Present day. Irina Shapiro’s The Hanging Tree (Nicole Rayburn #1) is a historical mystery with a dual timeline. The protagonist, Nicole, decides to attend this writers retreat in an attempt to create a fictional character for her next book - a difficult task for a non-fiction writer, but then Nicole is told about the ghost of Lockwood Hall. Alys Bailey executed in 1639 for witchcraft. The story is told with the dual timeline of 1639/40 and present day. I liked the basic idea of the story. Witchcraft was an abomination from James I of England who was also James the VI of Scotland. 1603-1625, his son, Charles, who became King Charles I in 1625-1949 when he was beheaded by Oliver Cromwell. Also the Puritanical religion followed by the Puritans was starting to appear all over England. The author has one Puritan character who is described perfectly. The writer characters are believable. The problem I had with this book are the modern terms used in the historical mystery and the implication that a character was driven from England to Ireland. Definitely not possible! I am surprised these affected me as much as they did, but I will read The Devil’s Den #2 in this trilogy. 3.75 stars.
August 24, 2021
Nicole comes to Lockwood Hall for a writing retreat, and she hears the story of Alys. Suffering from writer's block for awhile, this finally sparks Nicole's creative juices and she begins to research. Nicole's chapters are interspersed with Alys', and I found the story from the 1600's to be much more interesting than the present day one.
I thought there would be some ghost sightings or something a bit more sinister in the present day story, but the few times things were foreshadowed, it ultimately came to nothing. There really wasn't much "sabotage" as suggested in the blurb. Nicole isn't a very likable person, she's judgmental and quick to anger/defensiveness. I just kept wanting to get back to Alys.
In the prologue, Alys is living her final moments before her hanging, then it goes back in time to her brother's marriage and Alys being displaced as the lady of the house. Her only options in life are to get married or to live as a servant forever, and Alys doesn't want to marry some loser her brother picks for her. Alys' story kept my attention more than Nicole's and I would have been happy had the whole book been her story.
I thought there would be some ghost sightings or something a bit more sinister in the present day story, but the few times things were foreshadowed, it ultimately came to nothing. There really wasn't much "sabotage" as suggested in the blurb. Nicole isn't a very likable person, she's judgmental and quick to anger/defensiveness. I just kept wanting to get back to Alys.
In the prologue, Alys is living her final moments before her hanging, then it goes back in time to her brother's marriage and Alys being displaced as the lady of the house. Her only options in life are to get married or to live as a servant forever, and Alys doesn't want to marry some loser her brother picks for her. Alys' story kept my attention more than Nicole's and I would have been happy had the whole book been her story.
March 20, 2021
Thoroughly Enjoyable!
It has taken me a long time to accept that, yes I seem to enjoy “romance” novels. Many years ago I was a book seller and to me t the time the romantic equation was Barbara Cartland=Bodice Ripper= a “romantic” novel. I have discovered how wrong I was then (and I mean no discourtesy to Ms. Cartland who was always a good seller).
The Hanging Tree is, indeed, based on a love story (actually two love stories!), but it is also a well written story about a manor house, a haunting, and a writers retreat. I enjoyed every page of this book which which had enough twists and turns that I had to keep reading even later into the night than I usually do.
Now that I have turned the last page after a quirky, excellent, ending I am also a bit sad...I wanted to keep reading more of the story!
This may not be a ‘deep’ read, but it is a highly entertaining one!
It has taken me a long time to accept that, yes I seem to enjoy “romance” novels. Many years ago I was a book seller and to me t the time the romantic equation was Barbara Cartland=Bodice Ripper= a “romantic” novel. I have discovered how wrong I was then (and I mean no discourtesy to Ms. Cartland who was always a good seller).
The Hanging Tree is, indeed, based on a love story (actually two love stories!), but it is also a well written story about a manor house, a haunting, and a writers retreat. I enjoyed every page of this book which which had enough twists and turns that I had to keep reading even later into the night than I usually do.
Now that I have turned the last page after a quirky, excellent, ending I am also a bit sad...I wanted to keep reading more of the story!
This may not be a ‘deep’ read, but it is a highly entertaining one!
March 13, 2023
My first Irina Shapiro book and I'll be back for more! I'm not a fan of romance and while there is an aspect of that here, it's not overpowering.
Elements of witchcraft that I could see becoming a book club topic, discussing how class played a critical role to falsely accuse.
Great plot twists and a good solid read.
Elements of witchcraft that I could see becoming a book club topic, discussing how class played a critical role to falsely accuse.
Great plot twists and a good solid read.
February 8, 2022
Sigh. Historically inaccurate historical novels are tiring.
The first 2/3 of the book were pretty good - Rayburn is a compelling protagonist, and I'm a sucker for a well-written creepy old house. (Even if the house doesn't play nearly as central a role in the story as it seems like it should, given the setup.)
But given that the main character is supposed to be a historian, hitting a section that had a bunch of historical inaccuracies piled atop one another was deeply annoying, and it really pulled me out of the story.
If you're not someone who cares all that much about Anglican and Catholic attitudes towards birth control and abortion during the 1600s in England, it probably won't be quite as jarring to you. But as someone who knows a fair bit about all of this, it was frustrating in the extreme. (I basically had to decide that this was set in an alternate reality; if I held to our world's history, multiple characters' motivations became utterly nonsensical.)
And once I hit this point, it made a number of other characterizations ring hollow.
That's one example of many - the book is definitely readable, and I still finished it. But it left me with a need to come here and vent with an overlong review.
The first 2/3 of the book were pretty good - Rayburn is a compelling protagonist, and I'm a sucker for a well-written creepy old house. (Even if the house doesn't play nearly as central a role in the story as it seems like it should, given the setup.)
But given that the main character is supposed to be a historian, hitting a section that had a bunch of historical inaccuracies piled atop one another was deeply annoying, and it really pulled me out of the story.
If you're not someone who cares all that much about Anglican and Catholic attitudes towards birth control and abortion during the 1600s in England, it probably won't be quite as jarring to you. But as someone who knows a fair bit about all of this, it was frustrating in the extreme. (I basically had to decide that this was set in an alternate reality; if I held to our world's history, multiple characters' motivations became utterly nonsensical.)
And once I hit this point, it made a number of other characterizations ring hollow.
That's one example of many - the book is definitely readable, and I still finished it. But it left me with a need to come here and vent with an overlong review.
June 1, 2021
Alys's side of the story was wonderful, it would have been great if the whole book was that. I struggled with the side of the book set in present day mostly because of Nicole. Nicole's character was a woman in her thirties that acted and reacted to situations and arguments like an angsty teenager. It was so frustrating I wanted to throw my kindle across the room.
June 25, 2022
It had potential but the book became burdensome to read. It was somewhat interesting to see writers gathered in a large country house pursuing their ideas and/or passions with regard to differing approaches to research. However...much of it was over the top for me. I don't care for romance themes generally.
DNF at 43% (fair chance)
Kindle Unlimited
DNF at 43% (fair chance)
Kindle Unlimited
May 26, 2024
This was my first Irina Shapiro book and probably not my last. I really appreciated the character development and multiple POV’s in the book. The author wove a really full story and kept me engaged. The main character in present time was a little immature, in my opinion. Thankfully, her immaturity didn’t prevent me from my overall enjoyment of this book.
May 26, 2022
I loved everything about this book. It had mystery, historical elements and a little bit of romance. I also liked all the characters except awful Marjorie. The author did a great job making her completely detestable. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
![Profile Image for julia ☆ [owls reads].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1636739475i%2F5520447._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 19, 2024
... Not what I thought it was going to be.
I wasn't a big fan of the split narrative or the writing style. The mystery and investigation bits were intriguing, but some of the dialogue and "twists" were stiff and there was a lot of Nicole jumping to conclusions. She's supposed to be a historian! And then there was some backstory drama that didn't work for me. I won't be continuing the series.
I wasn't a big fan of the split narrative or the writing style. The mystery and investigation bits were intriguing, but some of the dialogue and "twists" were stiff and there was a lot of Nicole jumping to conclusions. She's supposed to be a historian! And then there was some backstory drama that didn't work for me. I won't be continuing the series.
September 10, 2025
ok I actually loved this one!! romance and spooky vibes and history! love. slightly on the nose and a little funky pacing at points but idc. best part of the day was finding out this was a series
February 29, 2024
I wish there was some spooky content in this book.
Honestly, from a glance, it seemed to me this was going to be a horror book. Why? A woman hanged for supposedly being a witch and in present time, an author staying at a home where this woman and many others in that time period lived. I would’ve thought there would be hauntings and the book cover and title itself makes it sound eerie.
Halfway through, I lost interest as a horror book but discovering it’s more of a historical fiction, I kept reading. Some scenes with spice was really cringy and often distasteful for my liking but I enjoyed the flashbacks to Alys’(the accused “Witch”) POV. I agree with other reviews that the present time story was not the best. I do think the characters were interesting but it lacked intention. There was too many open doors left open. What was the bell ringing? Are the current owners of the house malicious or misunderstood? Why is this book called the hanging tree if the actual event is barely talked about?
In conclusion, I give this a 3 stars. I don’t hate it compared to other books I’ve read but it’s far from a 5 star. I will not be reading more of this author’s books since I’m not a huge fan of this one.
Honestly, from a glance, it seemed to me this was going to be a horror book. Why? A woman hanged for supposedly being a witch and in present time, an author staying at a home where this woman and many others in that time period lived. I would’ve thought there would be hauntings and the book cover and title itself makes it sound eerie.
Halfway through, I lost interest as a horror book but discovering it’s more of a historical fiction, I kept reading. Some scenes with spice was really cringy and often distasteful for my liking but I enjoyed the flashbacks to Alys’(the accused “Witch”) POV. I agree with other reviews that the present time story was not the best. I do think the characters were interesting but it lacked intention. There was too many open doors left open. What was the bell ringing? Are the current owners of the house malicious or misunderstood? Why is this book called the hanging tree if the actual event is barely talked about?
In conclusion, I give this a 3 stars. I don’t hate it compared to other books I’ve read but it’s far from a 5 star. I will not be reading more of this author’s books since I’m not a huge fan of this one.
July 15, 2025
The Hanging Tree is the first book of several in the Nicole Rayburn series written by Irina Shapiro, the same author of the Tate-Bell book series I've previously read.
This was such a great book. It has intrigue, mystery, scandal, and romance. I love that it flashes back and forth between the 17th and 21st centuries. The storytelling was well written, and the characters were well developed; I definitely was not a fan of Lady Marjorie.
I enjoyed how the love story for Nicole and Kyle did not mirror that of Alys and Jeremy. Also, the ending did NOT go where I thought it would, which was enjoyable; I like a surprise when it comes to mystery stories.
Irina Shapiro definitely has a way of telling historical fiction stories. I am certainly looking forward to the next book in the series, The Devil's Den.
This was such a great book. It has intrigue, mystery, scandal, and romance. I love that it flashes back and forth between the 17th and 21st centuries. The storytelling was well written, and the characters were well developed; I definitely was not a fan of Lady Marjorie.
I enjoyed how the love story for Nicole and Kyle did not mirror that of Alys and Jeremy. Also, the ending did NOT go where I thought it would, which was enjoyable; I like a surprise when it comes to mystery stories.
Irina Shapiro definitely has a way of telling historical fiction stories. I am certainly looking forward to the next book in the series, The Devil's Den.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2025
I enjoyed this story! It was told across two timelines, one by the accused witch and the other told by an author researching a new book. The two perspectives complimented each other well. it took me until chapter 6 to really get into the story, but at that point I really didn't want to stop reading.
October 25, 2025
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did! I couldn’t wait to find out how it ended! I think I’ve found a new favorite author!
October 19, 2025
This book first came across my kindle unlimited a few years ago when I was reading only a few times a year. This time it popped up and it’s now a series of 6 books! I liked how the POV jumped from not only different characters but time periods as well. I thought I was getting into a ghost story but I enjoyed the mystery that presented itself. The mfc continues throughout the rest of the series as an author turned investigator to help bring her stories to life.
November 21, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love history, and how the story jumps from current to past. I’m thankful there was a happy ending to both.
November 15, 2021
A very interesting premise about a writer of non fiction who is researching a historical event to do with witchcraft. You get the idea that this is the book she authored at the end.
But I have to confess I skipped through the historical chapters and read only the modern day ones since it felt weird to know what happened in the past. I preferred to discover the past through the eyes of the narrator/protagonist Nicole Rayburn. But I think that was just me...
But I have to confess I skipped through the historical chapters and read only the modern day ones since it felt weird to know what happened in the past. I preferred to discover the past through the eyes of the narrator/protagonist Nicole Rayburn. But I think that was just me...
August 23, 2021
Meh. I thought it would be more of a mystery and more of a ghost story, but it was basically just a romance. Ultimately the main characters were rather weak, the men were just meh, and the plot was very predictable. But that is probably just because this isn’t my favorite genre.
The cover is so deceptive!
The cover is so deceptive!
October 10, 2022
This was an enjoyable read. It kept me interested the entire time. I liked that it went back and forth between the past in present. There was moment I thought oh boy this is a bit predictable but then it threw me a curveball which made it better. I love a twist in plot. Overall good mystery and romance.
August 6, 2022
Non-fiction writer Nicole Ray attends a writers retreat where she encounters the mystery of Alys Bailey, a young woman, hung for witchcraft. Told in dual timelines, the author presents multiple perspectives.
March 28, 2023
Such a great story!
April 9, 2023
Jesus that was fucking good.
December 15, 2025
This started off well but got boring quickly. The constant back and forth between the seventeenth century with Alys/Jeremy and current time with Nicole/Kyle grew tiresome. I would get into the story with one couple then it would switch to the other. It would take me a bit to get back into the rhythm of that couple and then switch again. It made everything drag. I also didn’t care for all the drama.
While I’m curious of what’s to come next for Nicole and Kyle, I’m unsure if I want to continue with the series. I picked this up because it was part of the free audible catalogue. Since I’m only using a trial membership, it’s doubtful I’ll continue with the audio portion. The writing was good. Perhaps I’d be less bored if the next story isn’t being split between two timelines and couples. EDITED: after looking into the other books in the series, I see that they’re ALL written in alternating timelines. Therefore I won’t continue.
The audiobook narrator did a good job with the female voices but the men’s all pretty much sounded the same and utterly ridiculous.
While I’m curious of what’s to come next for Nicole and Kyle, I’m unsure if I want to continue with the series. I picked this up because it was part of the free audible catalogue. Since I’m only using a trial membership, it’s doubtful I’ll continue with the audio portion. The writing was good. Perhaps I’d be less bored if the next story isn’t being split between two timelines and couples. EDITED: after looking into the other books in the series, I see that they’re ALL written in alternating timelines. Therefore I won’t continue.
The audiobook narrator did a good job with the female voices but the men’s all pretty much sounded the same and utterly ridiculous.
December 8, 2025
I feel like I got gaslit into thinking that this was a thriller..
1) it was under the “thriller” section on Audible, and the “horror” tag on goodreads
2) has a spooky cover
3) a creepy title
4) the book starts off by setting you up for something spooky.. the main character hears “mysterious sounds” heard in the castle at night, and finds out that the castle is said to be haunted by a witch from the 1600s (sounds scary right?!)
.. but no, sadly, this is not a thriller, it’s a ROMANCE. 💔Or a “historical mystery”.
Too bad for me to find this out at the end.. 😅 I kept waiting for something to happen and nothing ever really did. A bit disappointing, but maybe I’m the problem? I was expecting something more thrilling? I do feel like I got a bit set up here though..
The story was fine.. a bit damsel in detressy, but overall not bad.
2.5/5 ⭐️
1) it was under the “thriller” section on Audible, and the “horror” tag on goodreads
2) has a spooky cover
3) a creepy title
4) the book starts off by setting you up for something spooky.. the main character hears “mysterious sounds” heard in the castle at night, and finds out that the castle is said to be haunted by a witch from the 1600s (sounds scary right?!)
.. but no, sadly, this is not a thriller, it’s a ROMANCE. 💔Or a “historical mystery”.
Too bad for me to find this out at the end.. 😅 I kept waiting for something to happen and nothing ever really did. A bit disappointing, but maybe I’m the problem? I was expecting something more thrilling? I do feel like I got a bit set up here though..
The story was fine.. a bit damsel in detressy, but overall not bad.
2.5/5 ⭐️
February 1, 2022
I loved, loved, loved this story ... historical novels with TWO story lines are my favorites ... and this one did not disappoint ... but then again - with author Irina Shapiro, how can I ever be disappointed?!?!? The historical part of the story is set in England in the 1640s ... and the intertwining of the stories is fascinating! I am always amazed at how much I don't know of how women were treated "way back when" ... and it's heartbreaking at times to think about their suffering. I couldn't put the book down ... but then again, outside was dark, dreary, cold, wet and nasty, so what better way to spend the day but wrapped in a warm blanket and being transported to an adventure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews