What do you think?
Rate this book
Natalie Lockhart #3
The Witching Tree
Welcome to Burning Lake, a small, isolated town with a dark history of witches and false accusations. Now, a modern-day witch has been murdered, and Detective Natalie Lockhart is reluctantly drawn deep into the case, in this atmospheric mystery from Alice Blanchard, The Witching Tree.
As legend has it, if you carve your deepest desire into the bark of a Witch Tree, then over time as the tree grows, it will swallow the carvings until only a witch can read them.
Until now.
Detective Natalie Lockhart gained unwanted notoriety when she and her family became front and center of not one, but two sensational murder cases. Now she's lost her way. Burned out and always looking over her shoulder, Natalie desperately thinks that quitting the police force is her only option left.
All that changes when a beloved resident--a practicing Wiccan and founder of the town's oldest coven--is killed in a fashion more twisted and shocking than Natalie has ever seen before, leaving the town reeling. Natalie has no choice but to help solve the case along with Detective Luke Pittman, her boss and the old childhood friend she cannot admit she loves, even to herself. There is a silent, malignant presence in Burning Lake that will not rest. And what happens next will shock the whole town, and Natalie, to the core.
As legend has it, if you carve your deepest desire into the bark of a Witch Tree, then over time as the tree grows, it will swallow the carvings until only a witch can read them.
Until now.
Detective Natalie Lockhart gained unwanted notoriety when she and her family became front and center of not one, but two sensational murder cases. Now she's lost her way. Burned out and always looking over her shoulder, Natalie desperately thinks that quitting the police force is her only option left.
All that changes when a beloved resident--a practicing Wiccan and founder of the town's oldest coven--is killed in a fashion more twisted and shocking than Natalie has ever seen before, leaving the town reeling. Natalie has no choice but to help solve the case along with Detective Luke Pittman, her boss and the old childhood friend she cannot admit she loves, even to herself. There is a silent, malignant presence in Burning Lake that will not rest. And what happens next will shock the whole town, and Natalie, to the core.
324 pages, Hardcover
First published December 7, 2021
38 people are currently reading
5168 people want to read
About the author
Alice Blanchard
11 books752 followersAlice Blanchard is an award-winning author of psychological thrillers, mysteries, crime thrillers and dark fantasy.
Her bestselling thriller, “The Breathtaker,” was an official selection of NBC’s Today Show Book Club, and her debut mystery, “Darkness Peering,” was a New York Times’ Notable Book. "Trace of Evil” was selected as an Amazon Best Mystery and an Indie Next Pick.
Her story collection won the Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Short Fiction, and she has received a PEN Fiction Award, a Centrum Artists award and a New Letters Literary Award, among other honors for her writing. Her books have been published in 16 countries.
Alice's Amazon Page: amazon.com/author/alice-blanchard
Website: www.aliceblanchard.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/aliceblanchard.author/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alicebooks33...
Twitter: twitter.com/AliceBooks333
Her bestselling thriller, “The Breathtaker,” was an official selection of NBC’s Today Show Book Club, and her debut mystery, “Darkness Peering,” was a New York Times’ Notable Book. "Trace of Evil” was selected as an Amazon Best Mystery and an Indie Next Pick.
Her story collection won the Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Short Fiction, and she has received a PEN Fiction Award, a Centrum Artists award and a New Letters Literary Award, among other honors for her writing. Her books have been published in 16 countries.
Alice's Amazon Page: amazon.com/author/alice-blanchard
Website: www.aliceblanchard.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/aliceblanchard.author/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alicebooks33...
Twitter: twitter.com/AliceBooks333
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
December 17, 2021
Wow! I wish I read the previous two books of the series! I liked the intense, dark, depressive, haunting tone of the author! I always keen on reading about broken but tough characters’ traumatic stories and I quickly caught up the back story of Natalie Lockhart: her sister Willow’s ritualistic murder by her own witch-curious friends and the way they pinned the murder on Willow’s boyfriend Justin who has gone to prison for 20 years for the crime he hasn’t committed!
She also solved the biggest serial killer case in the American northeast! But the attention of media, her past demons threaten her peace! Thankfully her new boyfriend,33 years old, Rose Security Software founder Hunter saves her from the threats, providing her a secluded, quality life style in his mansion.
Now Natalie is ready to resign from her job at police force even though she feels a little agitated to leave her childhood friend/ confidante/ boss Luke Pittman behind.
But the book opens with blood freezing scene: Veronica Manes, the town’s best known practicing witch, wakes up staring at the blank white sky, finding herself in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by woods and snow, shackled to the railroad tracks on the edge of the town, wearing a Halloween dress: a caricature of witch : a long black costume and a tall wide-brimmed hat straight out of the Wizard of Oz and she hears the approaching the train sound… You may guess the end of her story and who will investigate her murder!
Yes, Luke needs Natalie’s expertise: ultra religious groups who are fighting against the coven of the witches may be related with this murder scheme.
Burning Lake, New York is already a haunted place with shameful secret: in 1712, three innocent women were executed as witches: Abigail Stuart, Victoria Forsyth, Sarah Hutchins. So does history repeat itself?
I love the pacing, the intriguing love triangle between characters, the gory-dark- haunted depictions, jaw dropping moments fasten your heartbeat and the cliffhanger at the end broke my heart so bad!
I don’t only have to read the previous books, I also have to read probably not written yet next book ASAP! Im hooked! I want more!
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy and putting this marvelous author on my radar in exchange my honest thoughts.
She also solved the biggest serial killer case in the American northeast! But the attention of media, her past demons threaten her peace! Thankfully her new boyfriend,33 years old, Rose Security Software founder Hunter saves her from the threats, providing her a secluded, quality life style in his mansion.
Now Natalie is ready to resign from her job at police force even though she feels a little agitated to leave her childhood friend/ confidante/ boss Luke Pittman behind.
But the book opens with blood freezing scene: Veronica Manes, the town’s best known practicing witch, wakes up staring at the blank white sky, finding herself in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by woods and snow, shackled to the railroad tracks on the edge of the town, wearing a Halloween dress: a caricature of witch : a long black costume and a tall wide-brimmed hat straight out of the Wizard of Oz and she hears the approaching the train sound… You may guess the end of her story and who will investigate her murder!
Yes, Luke needs Natalie’s expertise: ultra religious groups who are fighting against the coven of the witches may be related with this murder scheme.
Burning Lake, New York is already a haunted place with shameful secret: in 1712, three innocent women were executed as witches: Abigail Stuart, Victoria Forsyth, Sarah Hutchins. So does history repeat itself?
I love the pacing, the intriguing love triangle between characters, the gory-dark- haunted depictions, jaw dropping moments fasten your heartbeat and the cliffhanger at the end broke my heart so bad!
I don’t only have to read the previous books, I also have to read probably not written yet next book ASAP! Im hooked! I want more!
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy and putting this marvelous author on my radar in exchange my honest thoughts.
November 27, 2021
The Witching Tree
by Alice Blanchard is an excellent atmospheric police procedural with some romance, and it’s the third book in the Natalie Lockhart series. Natalie is a detective in the Burning Lake, New York police department. This is a town that makes the most of its history with witchcraft and has a large tourist trade around it that culminates with the Halloween celebration. It’s March, so the town is quieter until a modern-day witch is murdered.
Natalie is a protagonist that solved two high profile murder cases as a rookie and is questioning her career and her love life. She is strong when she is pursuing leads and has insights that others miss, but she is also burned out. However when the leader of the town’s oldest coven is killed, Natalie pursues justice for her. Her character felt real with clear goals for solving the case and believable motivations for why she is questioning her lifestyle. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story.
A dramatic and heartbreaking opening is memorable and immediately hooks readers. The stakes were high throughout the novel and kept me turning the pages. A fast-paced story line kept me turning the pages. The world-building enhanced the setting and gave me a clear sense of place. I felt transported to Burning Lake as though living through the events with Natalie. There were plenty of red herrings, twists and turns along with the action that kept me guessing who was responsible for the murder. A suspenseful, but sometimes disturbing, narrative from beginning to end kept this reader fully engaged. Themes include violent death, grief, family relationships, friendship, drugs, secrets, romance, Wicca, and much more. My biggest criticism with the book is the major cliff-hanger ending. I don’t mind a few threads being open to explore in the next novel, but this was more significant. Despite this, the novel captivated me from the beginning to its shocking finish. Wow!
Overall, the plot was complex, absorbing and well-paced. Complex characters, the town’s cultural history and traditions, a twisty story line, and fantastic writing keep me coming back to this series for more. While this can be read as a standalone novel, to get the most enjoyment from it, the first two books in the series should be read before starting this one. That will give readers a better understanding of Natalie’s situation. I can’t wait to read book four.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Alice Blanchard for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently scheduled for December 07, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
----------------
My 4 star review will be posted 3-4 days after it is published in Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Natalie is a protagonist that solved two high profile murder cases as a rookie and is questioning her career and her love life. She is strong when she is pursuing leads and has insights that others miss, but she is also burned out. However when the leader of the town’s oldest coven is killed, Natalie pursues justice for her. Her character felt real with clear goals for solving the case and believable motivations for why she is questioning her lifestyle. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story.
A dramatic and heartbreaking opening is memorable and immediately hooks readers. The stakes were high throughout the novel and kept me turning the pages. A fast-paced story line kept me turning the pages. The world-building enhanced the setting and gave me a clear sense of place. I felt transported to Burning Lake as though living through the events with Natalie. There were plenty of red herrings, twists and turns along with the action that kept me guessing who was responsible for the murder. A suspenseful, but sometimes disturbing, narrative from beginning to end kept this reader fully engaged. Themes include violent death, grief, family relationships, friendship, drugs, secrets, romance, Wicca, and much more. My biggest criticism with the book is the major cliff-hanger ending. I don’t mind a few threads being open to explore in the next novel, but this was more significant. Despite this, the novel captivated me from the beginning to its shocking finish. Wow!
Overall, the plot was complex, absorbing and well-paced. Complex characters, the town’s cultural history and traditions, a twisty story line, and fantastic writing keep me coming back to this series for more. While this can be read as a standalone novel, to get the most enjoyment from it, the first two books in the series should be read before starting this one. That will give readers a better understanding of Natalie’s situation. I can’t wait to read book four.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Alice Blanchard for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently scheduled for December 07, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
----------------
My 4 star review will be posted 3-4 days after it is published in Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
October 29, 2021
"The Moon has awoken, with the sleep of the Sun, the Light has been broken, the Spell has begun." (Midgard Morningstar)
The Witching Tree stands solemnly in the dark. Names have been carved in the bark of those thirteen trees that surround it. But woe to those who allow fingertips to graze the Witching Tree itself.
Detective Natalie Lockhart has lived on the edge for the past few years. The town of Burning Lake, New York has filtered through her nightmares......and her waking hours as well. Natalie has lost family members and friends to murders lined with a bit of witchery in this community known for its ongoing celebrations of the Harvest and of Halloween itself. Its history speaks of those in the long ago past accused of fire, brimstone, and boiling cauldrons spilling over onto the innocent.
But a call comes into the Burning Lake Police Station informing them of a gruesome situation along the town's railroad tracks. A body has been found in a horrific manner.......not hardly suicide.....more likely murder.
Veronica Manes was a Wiccan priestess who owned a small shop in town. She practiced white magic that honored nature and peaceful interactions with others. She was beloved by those who knew her as a kindly soul always willing to help. Who would have wanted this benevolent woman dead and in such a horrifying way?
We find Natalie at a crossroads in her police career. Her spirit has taken quite the toll during her last few cases. It's been Natalie who had come across victims that she knew personally. She's typed out her letter of resignation folded up in her back pocket. But now that this current case has come up, Natalie can't walk away.
Alice Blanchard knows her way around a taunting mystery as we've experienced in the first two books in this series. The Witching Tree can be read as a standalone as Blanchard fills in background information along the way. We're centered on Natalie as she's been beaten down by life and her unsettling choice of romantic interests. And it's Blanchard who had us crouched under that creepy tree only to leave us whistling in the dark at the end. Better be shuffling out #4 pretty quick then.
I received a copy of this novel through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Minotaur Books (St. Martin's Press) and to Alice Blanchard for the opportunity.
The Witching Tree stands solemnly in the dark. Names have been carved in the bark of those thirteen trees that surround it. But woe to those who allow fingertips to graze the Witching Tree itself.
Detective Natalie Lockhart has lived on the edge for the past few years. The town of Burning Lake, New York has filtered through her nightmares......and her waking hours as well. Natalie has lost family members and friends to murders lined with a bit of witchery in this community known for its ongoing celebrations of the Harvest and of Halloween itself. Its history speaks of those in the long ago past accused of fire, brimstone, and boiling cauldrons spilling over onto the innocent.
But a call comes into the Burning Lake Police Station informing them of a gruesome situation along the town's railroad tracks. A body has been found in a horrific manner.......not hardly suicide.....more likely murder.
Veronica Manes was a Wiccan priestess who owned a small shop in town. She practiced white magic that honored nature and peaceful interactions with others. She was beloved by those who knew her as a kindly soul always willing to help. Who would have wanted this benevolent woman dead and in such a horrifying way?
We find Natalie at a crossroads in her police career. Her spirit has taken quite the toll during her last few cases. It's been Natalie who had come across victims that she knew personally. She's typed out her letter of resignation folded up in her back pocket. But now that this current case has come up, Natalie can't walk away.
Alice Blanchard knows her way around a taunting mystery as we've experienced in the first two books in this series. The Witching Tree can be read as a standalone as Blanchard fills in background information along the way. We're centered on Natalie as she's been beaten down by life and her unsettling choice of romantic interests. And it's Blanchard who had us crouched under that creepy tree only to leave us whistling in the dark at the end. Better be shuffling out #4 pretty quick then.
I received a copy of this novel through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Minotaur Books (St. Martin's Press) and to Alice Blanchard for the opportunity.
December 15, 2021
Natalie Lockhart is a detective in the small town of Burning Lake, New York which is famous for it's incomparable and special Halloween celebrations in the U.S. and people come from all over to see and take part in all the festivities that Burning Lake has to offer with all of the uniquely charming and whimsical shops that are run and owned by real modern day witches. The town has many covens of witches who practice and deal in white magic magic with their healing herbs and potions etc. Natalie has gained unwanted notoriety with the last two cases she solved that has left her with a lot of emotional and psychological baggage and she has been seriously thinking of leaving the police department. Then, one day in March on a snowy and blustery cold day, a body has been found murdered in the most heinous way and the victim happens to be one of the most respected and gentle people in this town and Natalie knows she must stay on as a detective to get justice for this beloved and special person. Little does Natalie know that this case may be the one to break her if she lives long enough to find the vile killer.
I found this to be a wonderful detective and police procedural story. The characters were interesting and well developed which made the book very enjoyable and entertaining. Natalie lives with her boyfriend but still has unresolved feelings for another man which I thought the author did a great job incorporating the romance into the story without it becoming a romantic novel and keeping the story focused on the mystery and suspense of the murder. This book does involve violence, blood and some very gory scenes that kept the story realistic in the descriptions of many crimes and killings. The only problem I had with book was the (Ugh) cliff hangar ending! I hate cliff hangars especially when I have no idea when the next book will come out and I want and need to know what happens now! I felt so frustrated and disappointed and just wished the blurb had stated that fact so I would have been more prepared for the ending. All that said I Can't Wait to read the next book in the series! This book can be read as a stand-alone since Alice Blanchard did a fantastic job of filling in any blanks needed from the previous books which now I can't wait to go back and read the first two books that shows how much I loved this story and the world of Detective Natalie Lockhart. I highly recommend this terrific detective story to all dark mystery readers!
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books" and Netgalley for the complimentary digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this creative and captivating book a rating of 4 1/2 BEWITCHING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
I found this to be a wonderful detective and police procedural story. The characters were interesting and well developed which made the book very enjoyable and entertaining. Natalie lives with her boyfriend but still has unresolved feelings for another man which I thought the author did a great job incorporating the romance into the story without it becoming a romantic novel and keeping the story focused on the mystery and suspense of the murder. This book does involve violence, blood and some very gory scenes that kept the story realistic in the descriptions of many crimes and killings. The only problem I had with book was the (Ugh) cliff hangar ending! I hate cliff hangars especially when I have no idea when the next book will come out and I want and need to know what happens now! I felt so frustrated and disappointed and just wished the blurb had stated that fact so I would have been more prepared for the ending. All that said I Can't Wait to read the next book in the series! This book can be read as a stand-alone since Alice Blanchard did a fantastic job of filling in any blanks needed from the previous books which now I can't wait to go back and read the first two books that shows how much I loved this story and the world of Detective Natalie Lockhart. I highly recommend this terrific detective story to all dark mystery readers!
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books" and Netgalley for the complimentary digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this creative and captivating book a rating of 4 1/2 BEWITCHING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
September 17, 2021
I love this series about Detective Natalie Lockhart. It has some really good characters and I like Natalie and her struggles both as a detective and in her personal life. This is the third book in the series and I really need the fourth right away - it's going to be a challenge just waiting for it! So far this is my favorite book in the series - it just gets better and better. The ending kind of floored me because it really didn't wind things up. You know how tv ends a series with a cliffhanger? Well, there you are.
In this book a modern day witch is murdered in the town of Burning Lake. The murder is just an unthinkably grisly one and, of course, Natalie is drawn into the case. Unfortunately she is really burnt out due to a couple of previous sensational murder cases. Several of the characters from the previous books are back in this one. The witching tree in the town plays a prominent part in this 'As legend has it, if you carve your deepest desire into the bark of a Witch Tree, then over time as the tree grows, it will swallow the carvings until only a witch can read them.'
You could read this as a standalone and then wait for the next one, but I recommend you start at the beginning of this series to enjoy it more. Thanks very much to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on December 7, 2021.
In this book a modern day witch is murdered in the town of Burning Lake. The murder is just an unthinkably grisly one and, of course, Natalie is drawn into the case. Unfortunately she is really burnt out due to a couple of previous sensational murder cases. Several of the characters from the previous books are back in this one. The witching tree in the town plays a prominent part in this 'As legend has it, if you carve your deepest desire into the bark of a Witch Tree, then over time as the tree grows, it will swallow the carvings until only a witch can read them.'
You could read this as a standalone and then wait for the next one, but I recommend you start at the beginning of this series to enjoy it more. Thanks very much to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on December 7, 2021.
December 21, 2021
The Witching Tree, the 3rd book in the series was so good that I had a hard time putting it down. It starts from the beginning of the chapter with the death of Veronica Manes, a well loved and known witch in the town of Burning Lake, NY. The main character, Natalie Lockhart is a police detective who is notified and called to the scene of her death. She , along with the other officers in her department try to find out who would do such a terrible thing. She is staying with her boyfriend, Hunter Rose to get away from the reporters because of the events of the death of her two sisters a year earlier. She is torn between Hunter and her boss and childhood friend, Luke Pittman. There are two covens of witches in the town, the Carrington Coven and the Pendleton Coven which Veronica was the head of. One of her relatives, Thomas Bell was a judge who put the witches to death on the stake. Veronica is also a author of books pertaining to witchcraft. She is researching the town for her new book. She discovers something that could change things for her coven. The other characters in the story add to the suspense that seems to mount with each introduction of them. The reader is introduced to the witches who are upstanding citizens. This is where the story takes off with different events that make the reader keep guessing who had killed Veronica and why.
The Witching Tree is a tree that grew on the spot where Nettie Goodson died in a fire.. She was deemed a witch in the colonial days. The tree was protected by a fence, It was rumored that if anyone tried to damage the tree something bad happened to them. There is such suspense towards the end and such a surprise that leaves the reader hanging.
I liked the series so much I plan to read the first two books. The reader will have to wait with anticipation for book 4 to find out who killed Veronica etc. Also who put Luke in a coma now in the hospital with Natalie sitting in his room. vowing she will protect him no matter what because what is going on in Burning Lake is bigger than she realizes.
The Witching Tree is a tree that grew on the spot where Nettie Goodson died in a fire.. She was deemed a witch in the colonial days. The tree was protected by a fence, It was rumored that if anyone tried to damage the tree something bad happened to them. There is such suspense towards the end and such a surprise that leaves the reader hanging.
I liked the series so much I plan to read the first two books. The reader will have to wait with anticipation for book 4 to find out who killed Veronica etc. Also who put Luke in a coma now in the hospital with Natalie sitting in his room. vowing she will protect him no matter what because what is going on in Burning Lake is bigger than she realizes.
July 31, 2023
That ending 😱 Love this series, poor Natalie, nothing ever goes right for her. Now onto the next book
November 27, 2021
Ahhh I freaking LOVE this series!!!! I was SO happy to be back in Burning Lake with Detective Natalie Lockhart!
Book 3 starts off with the gruesome death of one of Burning Lakes much loved residents. A practicing Wiccan and founder of the town's oldest coven.
Witch stories? Yes please! This was such an enthralling storyline. The characters are well written and the small town discoveries made throughout the book are damn good!
That ending though! Ahhhh!
If you haven't read these books my advice is to start right at the beginning. There's so much to unpack, a ton of character building, and some extreme cases are solved. Plus, Detective Natalie Lockhart is awesome!!
Thank you so much to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy! I already can't wait to get my hands on book 4!!
Book 3 starts off with the gruesome death of one of Burning Lakes much loved residents. A practicing Wiccan and founder of the town's oldest coven.
Witch stories? Yes please! This was such an enthralling storyline. The characters are well written and the small town discoveries made throughout the book are damn good!
That ending though! Ahhhh!
If you haven't read these books my advice is to start right at the beginning. There's so much to unpack, a ton of character building, and some extreme cases are solved. Plus, Detective Natalie Lockhart is awesome!!
Thank you so much to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy! I already can't wait to get my hands on book 4!!
October 20, 2023
This is the third book in the Natalie Lockhart series and even though it’s better to start from the first, I think you can read it as a standalone as there were lots of recaps at the beginning. I wanted to read it for October and I’m glad I did. I’m now dying to know what’s going to happen next as there is a cliffhanger and lots of loose threads. Honestly I am feeling bummed because the murder is not solved and there are more questions than answers and I am feeling angry. I took longer than usual to read this book and I am feeling very discombobulated right now.
August 28, 2021
My favorite Natalie Lockhart book so far! The characters are so well developed and the storyline is very intriguing. I still can’t believe the cliffhanger! Hopefully book #4 follows soon.
December 18, 2021
The Witching Tree by Alice Blanchard caught my attention with the magnificent cover and the description. I may have overlooked the fact that it is the third book in the Natalie Lockhart series. And let me tell you, there is a lot I need to catch up on and I fully plan on it. Natalie Lockhart has been through a whirlwind of trauma and is considering leaving the police force. She has been a detective and led the case that put away a serial killer but now she is burnt out. However, when a local coven leader is found dead in one of the most gruesome ways, she can’t back out yet. The town needs her before it pulls itself apart.
Trigger Warnings: Gruesome Death, Assault, Abuse, Rape, Suicide
The book’s beginning reminds me very much of a Karin Slaughter book. It is just BOOM. Horrific murder scene. Then it goes into a multi-layered police procedural. Burning Lake has been through Hell and there are whispers of a curse. I love how the story goes back to the Witch Trials and follows the ancestry of a few of the main characters, including the victim. I did enjoy Natalie Lockhart’s character, but to be honest I didn’t really care for the love triangle. It seemed to slow the story down and I felt it inhibited her ability to focus on the investigation. BUT, once I read the first books in the series, I may change my mind on that.
The author really dives into Wiccan beliefs and how misunderstood it is, but also how it is possible for those of other religious beliefs to be more accepting of them. There are a few characters who really can say they are a true Christian in this novel because they know how to love.
HOWEVER, we can’t forget that massive cliffhanger!! I mean come on, at least wrap up some of the main plot points! Nope, it just ended!! I kept clicking my kindle thinking it had to be a mistake–there had to be at least a few more pages! I do plan to read the next book but I don’t like cliffhangers like that. Overall, this book is suspenseful and addicting. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Alice Blanchard for the opportunity to read this book!
Trigger Warnings: Gruesome Death, Assault, Abuse, Rape, Suicide
The book’s beginning reminds me very much of a Karin Slaughter book. It is just BOOM. Horrific murder scene. Then it goes into a multi-layered police procedural. Burning Lake has been through Hell and there are whispers of a curse. I love how the story goes back to the Witch Trials and follows the ancestry of a few of the main characters, including the victim. I did enjoy Natalie Lockhart’s character, but to be honest I didn’t really care for the love triangle. It seemed to slow the story down and I felt it inhibited her ability to focus on the investigation. BUT, once I read the first books in the series, I may change my mind on that.
The author really dives into Wiccan beliefs and how misunderstood it is, but also how it is possible for those of other religious beliefs to be more accepting of them. There are a few characters who really can say they are a true Christian in this novel because they know how to love.
HOWEVER, we can’t forget that massive cliffhanger!! I mean come on, at least wrap up some of the main plot points! Nope, it just ended!! I kept clicking my kindle thinking it had to be a mistake–there had to be at least a few more pages! I do plan to read the next book but I don’t like cliffhangers like that. Overall, this book is suspenseful and addicting. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Alice Blanchard for the opportunity to read this book!
October 18, 2021
Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for my e-arc copy of The Witching Tree by Alice Blanchard in exchange for an honest review! This one publishes December 7! This one gets 4.5 stars from me!
I loved being back in Burning Lake with Detective Natalie Lockhart. I really enjoy detective novels, and now with the aded bonus of witchy vibes? Yes please! This is the third book in the series, and starts off with a gruesome murder on the train tracks. Natalie is still dealing with the grief of her sister and everything that was revealed in that case, as well as the most recent cases she has solved: The Crow Killer and The Violinist. All of which have been high profile and in the media. She has been put through the wringer, and is starting to feel burnt out. Should she quit the police force? That is an internal debate she has throughout the book, while solving the current case of who murdered a beloved member of the Wiccan community.
I loved this one! More so for the struggles that Natalie is evidently going through. The author doesn't hide these factors, making the characters more relatable. While I enjoyed the murder/detective/crime solving elements of this book for keeping me turning the pages, the evident struggles Natalie deals with, really stood out to me.
Also, I really hope there is a fourth book, because the way this one ended, I NEED to know what happens next and to make sure a certain character is ok!
I loved being back in Burning Lake with Detective Natalie Lockhart. I really enjoy detective novels, and now with the aded bonus of witchy vibes? Yes please! This is the third book in the series, and starts off with a gruesome murder on the train tracks. Natalie is still dealing with the grief of her sister and everything that was revealed in that case, as well as the most recent cases she has solved: The Crow Killer and The Violinist. All of which have been high profile and in the media. She has been put through the wringer, and is starting to feel burnt out. Should she quit the police force? That is an internal debate she has throughout the book, while solving the current case of who murdered a beloved member of the Wiccan community.
I loved this one! More so for the struggles that Natalie is evidently going through. The author doesn't hide these factors, making the characters more relatable. While I enjoyed the murder/detective/crime solving elements of this book for keeping me turning the pages, the evident struggles Natalie deals with, really stood out to me.
Also, I really hope there is a fourth book, because the way this one ended, I NEED to know what happens next and to make sure a certain character is ok!
August 10, 2021
Blanchard at her best. A local pagan witch is found murdered on the local train tracks as the book opens. Detective Lockhart makes shocking small town discovies throughout this exciting and thrilling novel. I loved it. Kept me wanting to read until the shocking end!
November 14, 2021
The Natalie Lockhart series is one of my favorite series of all time. It's not just another police procedural. It's so much more. It's edgy, a bit dark and always has these creepy undertones. I absolutely adore Natalie and Luke and all the characters of Burning Lake.
It should come to no surprise when I say that The Witching Tree is absolutely fantastic. I should have made a bingo board with all the potential twists and turns because Alice Blanchard wrote an an absolute rollercoaster. There is never a dull moment in this series and I am here for it.
The Witching Tree can be read as a standalone; however, I fully recommend starting with Trace of Evil and then reading The Wicked Hour first. It sets up the events of The Witching Tree better. Each book does end with a cliff hanger but I don't mind. The cliff hangers fuel anticipation for the next and Alice always delivers. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book!
It should come to no surprise when I say that The Witching Tree is absolutely fantastic. I should have made a bingo board with all the potential twists and turns because Alice Blanchard wrote an an absolute rollercoaster. There is never a dull moment in this series and I am here for it.
The Witching Tree can be read as a standalone; however, I fully recommend starting with Trace of Evil and then reading The Wicked Hour first. It sets up the events of The Witching Tree better. Each book does end with a cliff hanger but I don't mind. The cliff hangers fuel anticipation for the next and Alice always delivers. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book!
October 1, 2021
A story that seems to be part of a series but can be read on its own (if you want to commit to reading the next book too)
This is a story about a lady cop who has gone through some tragic cases (in books I am now inclined to read) and is now being babied by most of the men in her life. Natalie lives in a little town known for its historic witch hunts and Wiccan covens. (All the men she’s interested in are either drop dead gorgeous, millionaires, or both, which is kinda annoying )
The story begins with a member of one of those covens being murdered in a brutal way, leading to a tale of horror which seeps through the town. As Natalie searches for clues and follows leads, she finds strange evidence that leads her to the town’s legendary Witching Tree, and even darker mysteries.
There are so many delicious red herrings dangled in this tale.
I just don’t like ending on a cliff-hanger, because I read so many books that by the time the next one will come out, I won't remember a thing.
This is a story about a lady cop who has gone through some tragic cases (in books I am now inclined to read) and is now being babied by most of the men in her life. Natalie lives in a little town known for its historic witch hunts and Wiccan covens. (All the men she’s interested in are either drop dead gorgeous, millionaires, or both, which is kinda annoying )
The story begins with a member of one of those covens being murdered in a brutal way, leading to a tale of horror which seeps through the town. As Natalie searches for clues and follows leads, she finds strange evidence that leads her to the town’s legendary Witching Tree, and even darker mysteries.
There are so many delicious red herrings dangled in this tale.
I just don’t like ending on a cliff-hanger, because I read so many books that by the time the next one will come out, I won't remember a thing.
August 31, 2021
I'm a sucker for a good detective series, and I've loved Natalie Lockhart and the small town of Burning Lake since I read Trace of Evil. I was so excited to receive the next installment and quickly dove in.
Following the events of the previous book (no spoilers, but The Wicked Hour is also compulsively readable and I highly recommend) Natalie is unsure where she stands--in love, in life, in her career. And as she's about to make the biggest decision--one that will inevitably change everything--Burning Lake is struck by another murder. A popular witch from a local coven suffers a gruesome death, and the responsibility falls on Natalie to investigate.
I loved this book.
Blanchard's writing is swift and eloquent which makes it almost impossible not to get lost in the story. From broad-stroke descriptions that perfectly set up each chapter to the well-paced dialogue and plot reveals, The Witching Tree serves as a masterclass in mystery. Once again, Natalie is a spectacular narrator, both logical and endearing, and you'll find yourself rooting for her from the first page. What's great about this series is while it helps to start at Book 1, you don't need to. Blanchard gives us snippets of the past without overwhelming her reader with info dumps, so if you're on the fence about starting mid-series, trust me and take the leap.
The murder this time is probably the most vivid in terms of exposition, and I could see this translating well into a series. Cinematic and atmospheric, this is going to be the perfect fall/winter read.
Big thanks to Minotaur and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.
Following the events of the previous book (no spoilers, but The Wicked Hour is also compulsively readable and I highly recommend) Natalie is unsure where she stands--in love, in life, in her career. And as she's about to make the biggest decision--one that will inevitably change everything--Burning Lake is struck by another murder. A popular witch from a local coven suffers a gruesome death, and the responsibility falls on Natalie to investigate.
I loved this book.
Blanchard's writing is swift and eloquent which makes it almost impossible not to get lost in the story. From broad-stroke descriptions that perfectly set up each chapter to the well-paced dialogue and plot reveals, The Witching Tree serves as a masterclass in mystery. Once again, Natalie is a spectacular narrator, both logical and endearing, and you'll find yourself rooting for her from the first page. What's great about this series is while it helps to start at Book 1, you don't need to. Blanchard gives us snippets of the past without overwhelming her reader with info dumps, so if you're on the fence about starting mid-series, trust me and take the leap.
The murder this time is probably the most vivid in terms of exposition, and I could see this translating well into a series. Cinematic and atmospheric, this is going to be the perfect fall/winter read.
Big thanks to Minotaur and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.
December 26, 2021
Alice Blanchard has flown under the radar for years, but her writing has always appealed to me as a fan of the mystery, thriller and horror genres.
THE WITCHING TREE is the third entry in her series starring Detective Natalie Lockhart, which is set in the upstate New York town of Burning Lake. It opens with what appears to be a brutal crime; the victim is the extremely popular Veronica Manes, who just so happened to be an openly practicing Wiccan priestess. Burning Lake not only turns a blind eye to witchcraft, they embrace it as their own legend has shown.
Blanchard’s writing and characters are deeper and more complex than you typically would find in a standard mystery, and her style is always cerebral. For example, at one point Natalie recounts, “My father once said that evil was an anagram for 'vile.' It’s also an anagram for ‘live’ and ‘veil.’ He said, 'Evil lives behind a vile veil of lies.'” That is very deep thinking!
THE WITCHING TREE is also steeped in occult history: “Don’t stare too long at the Witching Tree. Defile it not or cursed you will be.” Veronica was quite familiar with this saying. However, all her power could not save her from the person who wanted her dead. She found herself dressed up in a stereotypical witch’s outfit, chained to the railroad tracks. Unfortunately, she was unable to free herself when the train came her way, which also made for very messy work on the forensics side of the murder investigation.
Natalie might not be the right person for this case, but her boss, Detective Luke Pittman, feels differently. Beyond simple PTSD from her prior cases, she is completely broken and spends the length of the novel deciding whether or not to resign. She just wants to see this case through to the end as it’s personal for her and Burning Lake. We learn that the town’s history rivals that of Salem, Massachusetts, and has become a hot spot for tourists and fans of the supernatural, especially during the Halloween season. In 1712, three innocent women were executed as witches. Perhaps this is why the presence of practicing witches in the town is so intentionally ironic.
At one point, as Natalie is checking the woods near the railroad tracks, she comes upon a grisly scene: 13 bottles hung from the branches of a tree, each holding what turns out to be human urine, as well as other odd things such as dead animals. Of course, the Wiccan coven and all its members are questioned, but Natalie comes to believe that the killer hates them and is not one of them.
What follows is an outstanding, creepy mystery that will dig to the very core of Burning Lake and uncover some secrets that just cannot stay dead. THE WITCHING TREE is perfect for those who enjoy their mysteries with a flavor of the supernatural, and the snowy, claustrophobic upstate New York setting is ideal for a case like this one.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
THE WITCHING TREE is the third entry in her series starring Detective Natalie Lockhart, which is set in the upstate New York town of Burning Lake. It opens with what appears to be a brutal crime; the victim is the extremely popular Veronica Manes, who just so happened to be an openly practicing Wiccan priestess. Burning Lake not only turns a blind eye to witchcraft, they embrace it as their own legend has shown.
Blanchard’s writing and characters are deeper and more complex than you typically would find in a standard mystery, and her style is always cerebral. For example, at one point Natalie recounts, “My father once said that evil was an anagram for 'vile.' It’s also an anagram for ‘live’ and ‘veil.’ He said, 'Evil lives behind a vile veil of lies.'” That is very deep thinking!
THE WITCHING TREE is also steeped in occult history: “Don’t stare too long at the Witching Tree. Defile it not or cursed you will be.” Veronica was quite familiar with this saying. However, all her power could not save her from the person who wanted her dead. She found herself dressed up in a stereotypical witch’s outfit, chained to the railroad tracks. Unfortunately, she was unable to free herself when the train came her way, which also made for very messy work on the forensics side of the murder investigation.
Natalie might not be the right person for this case, but her boss, Detective Luke Pittman, feels differently. Beyond simple PTSD from her prior cases, she is completely broken and spends the length of the novel deciding whether or not to resign. She just wants to see this case through to the end as it’s personal for her and Burning Lake. We learn that the town’s history rivals that of Salem, Massachusetts, and has become a hot spot for tourists and fans of the supernatural, especially during the Halloween season. In 1712, three innocent women were executed as witches. Perhaps this is why the presence of practicing witches in the town is so intentionally ironic.
At one point, as Natalie is checking the woods near the railroad tracks, she comes upon a grisly scene: 13 bottles hung from the branches of a tree, each holding what turns out to be human urine, as well as other odd things such as dead animals. Of course, the Wiccan coven and all its members are questioned, but Natalie comes to believe that the killer hates them and is not one of them.
What follows is an outstanding, creepy mystery that will dig to the very core of Burning Lake and uncover some secrets that just cannot stay dead. THE WITCHING TREE is perfect for those who enjoy their mysteries with a flavor of the supernatural, and the snowy, claustrophobic upstate New York setting is ideal for a case like this one.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
October 20, 2021
Wow, I already had huge expectations for this book and it did not disappoint. The Witching Tree is AMAZING. It is a grip the edge of your seat and don't put down because your going for a ride type of book. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.
The Witching Tree is set in Burning Lake, New York and follows Detective Natalie Lockhart only several months after she caught The Violinist. She is contemplating whether or not she should continue being a detective because of the all the recent high profile murder cases she has been point person on. Her next case is no different except for her team is trying to protect her by not putting her as the Detective in charge.
The Witching Tree sets the tone immediately by a gruesome murder, which is no stranger to this series. The way that Alice Blanchard sets the tone and unfolds each scene before you makes you feel like you are there in Burning Lake following Detective Lockhart. The level of description is so transporting.
I loved the story behind The Witching Tree, the history that is woven into the book around witches, and the historic wiccan covens.
Rating: Definitely a high 5 stars. The ride that Alice Blanchard put me through was great. I went through so many emotions and the cliff hanger at the end just made me go "what, you cannot do that to me." I now have to wait for the next book and I don't know that I have the patience. I need to know what is going to happen next now.
This book could be considered a standalone but I would highly recommend that you read all of the books because they are well worth your time.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the early review copy. This is my honest opinion.
The Witching Tree is set in Burning Lake, New York and follows Detective Natalie Lockhart only several months after she caught The Violinist. She is contemplating whether or not she should continue being a detective because of the all the recent high profile murder cases she has been point person on. Her next case is no different except for her team is trying to protect her by not putting her as the Detective in charge.
The Witching Tree sets the tone immediately by a gruesome murder, which is no stranger to this series. The way that Alice Blanchard sets the tone and unfolds each scene before you makes you feel like you are there in Burning Lake following Detective Lockhart. The level of description is so transporting.
I loved the story behind The Witching Tree, the history that is woven into the book around witches, and the historic wiccan covens.
Rating: Definitely a high 5 stars. The ride that Alice Blanchard put me through was great. I went through so many emotions and the cliff hanger at the end just made me go "what, you cannot do that to me." I now have to wait for the next book and I don't know that I have the patience. I need to know what is going to happen next now.
This book could be considered a standalone but I would highly recommend that you read all of the books because they are well worth your time.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the early review copy. This is my honest opinion.
October 9, 2021
Red herrings, murder, sensitive cop, protective men, wiccans and witches. I cannot resist tales of the paranormal sort and I wasn't disappointed. Well written, information given out in bits instead of just dumped. I love the writing and the story line, it's perfect for a chilly October day!
Thank you NetGalley for providing this copy in exchange for an unpaid, honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for providing this copy in exchange for an unpaid, honest review.
September 22, 2021
I definitely recommend reading this first two books in this series first! I have thoroughly enjoyed all of them, but with this third one, you definitely need the background info to fully understand why Natalie Lockhart is on the edge of quitting the police force but still willing to do anything to solve this latest twisted case in Burning Lake. I always like reading this series right around Halloween because there is always something witchy going on with the the murder and crimes that Natalie dives into. I like the little historical bits mentioned about the town and the burning of the three witches.
This book gets darker and darker and pushes Natalie to the edge with all the unanswered questions about Veronica's death and the other mysteries that are popping up some going back years and years. It also ends on a bit of a very dark cliff hanger but I know that Natalie will be able to get to the bottom of it and I can't wait to find out how. Bring on the next book, stat!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ecopy of the book in exchange for a review!
This book gets darker and darker and pushes Natalie to the edge with all the unanswered questions about Veronica's death and the other mysteries that are popping up some going back years and years. It also ends on a bit of a very dark cliff hanger but I know that Natalie will be able to get to the bottom of it and I can't wait to find out how. Bring on the next book, stat!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ecopy of the book in exchange for a review!
September 13, 2021
The Witching Tree
(Natalie Lockhart #3
Alice Blanchard
The setting is a small, remote town called Burning Lake New York. This is the third book in the Natalie Lockhart series.
Burning Lake has a grim past of witches and untrue indictments. In 1712 three innocent women were put to death as witches. That was all in the past moving forward to modern-day…a witch has been murdered. Detective Natalie Lockhart is grudgingly dragged deep into the investigation. Natalie achieved notoriety during two pervious homicide cases. She is burned out and tired. She is contemplating resigning from the police force. When a practicing Wiccan is killed in a manner perverted and appalling Natalie takes the case along with Detective Luke Pittman (her boss). She and Luke were childhood friends.
I highly recommend reading the first two books in this series in order. While this book stands alone there is much background information. Such as: Natalie’s sister Willow was murdered, and the crime was pinned on Willow’s boyfriend Justin.
The Witching Tree opens with a terrifying scene. Veronica Manes a practicing witch wakes up in the middle of nowhere, chained to the railroad tracks. She is dressed in a Halloween witch’s costume. She hears the train. Luke and Natalie work together to solve the murder. There are religious groups battling in opposition to the coven of witches.
This is the perfect book to read in October. There are parts that are dark and haunting. The love triangle is intriguing and lend just enough romance to soften this tale. The ending is heart wrenching. Author Alice Blanchard is a fluent writer. She has mastered the art of dialogue, writes in a well-paced manner, and knows the power of plot reveals. The story is told from Natalie’s point of view. This book is a forceful, passionate, mystery that will stay with you long after you close the cover.
(Natalie Lockhart #3
Alice Blanchard
The setting is a small, remote town called Burning Lake New York. This is the third book in the Natalie Lockhart series.
Burning Lake has a grim past of witches and untrue indictments. In 1712 three innocent women were put to death as witches. That was all in the past moving forward to modern-day…a witch has been murdered. Detective Natalie Lockhart is grudgingly dragged deep into the investigation. Natalie achieved notoriety during two pervious homicide cases. She is burned out and tired. She is contemplating resigning from the police force. When a practicing Wiccan is killed in a manner perverted and appalling Natalie takes the case along with Detective Luke Pittman (her boss). She and Luke were childhood friends.
I highly recommend reading the first two books in this series in order. While this book stands alone there is much background information. Such as: Natalie’s sister Willow was murdered, and the crime was pinned on Willow’s boyfriend Justin.
The Witching Tree opens with a terrifying scene. Veronica Manes a practicing witch wakes up in the middle of nowhere, chained to the railroad tracks. She is dressed in a Halloween witch’s costume. She hears the train. Luke and Natalie work together to solve the murder. There are religious groups battling in opposition to the coven of witches.
This is the perfect book to read in October. There are parts that are dark and haunting. The love triangle is intriguing and lend just enough romance to soften this tale. The ending is heart wrenching. Author Alice Blanchard is a fluent writer. She has mastered the art of dialogue, writes in a well-paced manner, and knows the power of plot reveals. The story is told from Natalie’s point of view. This book is a forceful, passionate, mystery that will stay with you long after you close the cover.
January 3, 2022
I missed the memo when requesting this book and didn't realize it was the third book in the series. I didn't read the first two books, Trace of Evil and The Wicked Hour. I wish I had so that I could fully appreciate this book! I loved the small town of Burning Lake. Natalie Lockhart is a very likable character and loved her drive -- that she would do anything to solve this dark and twisted case. Hate it when a book ends and leaves me hanging!! Excellent writing by Alice Blanchard. This was the first book I've read of hers and won't be my last. I will now go back and read the first two in this dark series. Can't wait for a 4th!
October 19, 2021
This book is so flipping good, I’m not even sure what to say. It’s the third, and hands down best, book of the series. There are multiple murders (always with enough graphic detail to make me cringe), never-ending guilt and trauma for Natalie, a seemingly unsolved case, and a CLIFFHANGER!!! Not cool, Alice Blanchard. Not cool. And also brilliant.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
August 10, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book following the further adventures of Natalie Lockhart and the rest of the Burning Lake police department. The series always has plenty of plot twists and turns and captures my interest. I am looking forward to book 4 to see what happens next.
September 6, 2021
The Witching Tree is an intense, twisty, mystery, that will leave you flying through the pages. Your nails will be chewed down to the quick, your eyes will be heavy, but your mind will be spinning. This is a cliff hanger that will leave you wanting more. Masterfully written and the amazing attention to details will transport you to the center of the action in Burning Lake, NY. This book is the third in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Let me just say that as soon as I finished The Witching Tree, I bought the first two books!
Alice Blanchard quickly draws you in from page one, with her incredible descriptions. You can feel the icy wind blowing against your skin, vividly see every horrific aspect of the crime scene, and take in the mood of the characters. Natalie Lockhart has had a few intense, emotionally trying years. She has hunted down a serial killer and had to come to terms with some serious truths about her sister. All of this has led to a crossroads that she is struggling with, should she leave the force, and allow her new love interest to take care of her? Natalie is grappling with this decision when the body of local wiccan, Veronica Manes, is discovered chained to the train tracks. From this point on Natalie is at a dead run trying to discover who committed this horrific murder. What I love most about this book is that it keeps you guessing. You will be sitting at the edge of your seat filled with nerves. There are so many questionable characters that need to be interviewed. Each bringing with them their own story and baggage. You will be thrust into the life of the local wiccans, whom everyone loves. Following close on their heels are the individuals who take it a step to far, conducting eerie satanic rituals, that will leave you chilled to your core.
The Witching Tree is a must read for anyone who loves a good detective story with mysterious, mystical undertones coursing through it. Blanchard is a master of descriptive writing; I love when a book can transport me and this book does that! Her deeply layered characters add depth and makes the writing extremely rich. You swear you know these characters from your own town. They are all perfectly developed and leaves you wanting more from each one. The question that I have is when is the fourth book coming out? Thank you to Alice Blanchard, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this fantastic book. I am off to see when the first two books in this series will be delivered!
Alice Blanchard quickly draws you in from page one, with her incredible descriptions. You can feel the icy wind blowing against your skin, vividly see every horrific aspect of the crime scene, and take in the mood of the characters. Natalie Lockhart has had a few intense, emotionally trying years. She has hunted down a serial killer and had to come to terms with some serious truths about her sister. All of this has led to a crossroads that she is struggling with, should she leave the force, and allow her new love interest to take care of her? Natalie is grappling with this decision when the body of local wiccan, Veronica Manes, is discovered chained to the train tracks. From this point on Natalie is at a dead run trying to discover who committed this horrific murder. What I love most about this book is that it keeps you guessing. You will be sitting at the edge of your seat filled with nerves. There are so many questionable characters that need to be interviewed. Each bringing with them their own story and baggage. You will be thrust into the life of the local wiccans, whom everyone loves. Following close on their heels are the individuals who take it a step to far, conducting eerie satanic rituals, that will leave you chilled to your core.
The Witching Tree is a must read for anyone who loves a good detective story with mysterious, mystical undertones coursing through it. Blanchard is a master of descriptive writing; I love when a book can transport me and this book does that! Her deeply layered characters add depth and makes the writing extremely rich. You swear you know these characters from your own town. They are all perfectly developed and leaves you wanting more from each one. The question that I have is when is the fourth book coming out? Thank you to Alice Blanchard, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this fantastic book. I am off to see when the first two books in this series will be delivered!
August 23, 2021
This is the third book in a series featuring Detective Natalie Lockhart. It is set in a fictional town called Burning Lake NY, which appears to be an amalgamation of towns with a witch history. Detective Lockhart must unravel the story behind a vicious, premeditated murder of a local respected witch in the town, while navigating a tricky relationship with her former love interest and current boss, Luke.
I appreciated the fact that I did not need to read the first two novels in order to grasp what was happening in this one, although obviously it would add to your understanding. The characters are skillfully drawn and even though there are quite a few to keep track of, I was not confused by it. The depiction of witchcraft is nuanced and respectful, and also touches on the misunderstanding and prejudice regarding witchcraft.
My only frustration with this novel is that I reached the end with no resolution of any aspects of the murder. I do appreciate that it is part of a series and that major aspects of the plot will continue into the next installment, however it would have been satisfying to have some conclusion to the events in this novel. As my daughter put it aptly, you need a win. That being said, I am now a Natalie Lockhart fan and I will be reading the first two books in the series. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.
I appreciated the fact that I did not need to read the first two novels in order to grasp what was happening in this one, although obviously it would add to your understanding. The characters are skillfully drawn and even though there are quite a few to keep track of, I was not confused by it. The depiction of witchcraft is nuanced and respectful, and also touches on the misunderstanding and prejudice regarding witchcraft.
My only frustration with this novel is that I reached the end with no resolution of any aspects of the murder. I do appreciate that it is part of a series and that major aspects of the plot will continue into the next installment, however it would have been satisfying to have some conclusion to the events in this novel. As my daughter put it aptly, you need a win. That being said, I am now a Natalie Lockhart fan and I will be reading the first two books in the series. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.
April 2, 2022
I don't know what's happened to Blanchard and especially this series. What started out as a tough, dark storyline with substantive characters has become a trite, mundane, run-of-the-mill slog with laughable characters and dialogue. The relationship between Natalie and Hunter is so painful to read I literally cringed every time they got together. He's like a character out of a Harlequin romance novel. The plot, about the murder of a popular Wiccan witch, starts out ok but then quickly goes nowhere fast. Every character is more annoying than the last and the police procedural aspect gets lost to over-the-top melodrama. The ending is...well, there really is no ending, with an inexplicable change in direction that feels really false and leaves the reader suddenly aware they will have to buy her next one to finish the story. Can't wait. Hard to believe this is the same author of Darkness Peering and the first one in this series, Trace of Evil. Seems like Blanchard is more concerned now about mass appeal than quality of story and writing. Real shame.
July 4, 2022
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I absolutely howled at the end of this one. Alice Blanchard how can you leave me on a cliffhanger like that?!
Truth be told, I picked this up because it had witch in the title. I didn't know it was part of a series and as I'm a commitment-phobe I almost set this aside. And once I did decide to just go for it, the first few pages were very "cozy mystery" and I wondered if this wasn't for me. But then we got to the murder. And it was so gruesome, so gory that I was 100% committed. In fact, I had a hard time putting this book down. And now it looks like the next book isn't coming until July 2023?! How will I make it until then????? But in all seriousness, I really enjoyed this one and feel like it you wanted to jump into the series at book 3 like I did you'll have absolutely no issue.
Truth be told, I picked this up because it had witch in the title. I didn't know it was part of a series and as I'm a commitment-phobe I almost set this aside. And once I did decide to just go for it, the first few pages were very "cozy mystery" and I wondered if this wasn't for me. But then we got to the murder. And it was so gruesome, so gory that I was 100% committed. In fact, I had a hard time putting this book down. And now it looks like the next book isn't coming until July 2023?! How will I make it until then????? But in all seriousness, I really enjoyed this one and feel like it you wanted to jump into the series at book 3 like I did you'll have absolutely no issue.
December 16, 2021
4.5 stars.
The Witching Tree by Alice Blanchard is a riveting mystery that is incredibly fast-paced.
Detective Natalie Lockhart is unofficially living with her wealthy boyfriend Hunter Rose. After being the center of intense media coverage during her previous cases, she is considering her future as a police officer. With a looming deadline approaching for her decision, Natalie puts her career choice on the backburner when well-liked Wiccan Veronica Manes is murdered in a particularly horrific manner. Her boss, Lieutenant Detective Luke Pittman, puts her in a secondary role during the investigation. Natalie works long hours as she follows the evidence she hopes will lead to Veronica’s killer.
Burning Lake, NY has a long history steeped in witchcraft so Natalie begins with the two predominant covens in town. The members are helpful but no one is aware of anyone who would want to harm Veronica. Natalie turns her attention to the town lore about the infamous Witching Tree and she finds a puzzling detail. But does this discovery have anything to do with Veronica’s murder?
Another possible lead involves a pair of drifters who recently skipped out on paying the local minister their back rent. Natalie is very uneasy about what she uncovers at the abandoned home. Searching for information about the couple, she unearths a startling link that takes the case in a possibly new direction.
The Witching Tree is an absolutely engrossing mystery with a well-executed storyline. Natalie is at a crossroads in both her professional and personal lives but she is unable to make a decision about either of them. Veronica’s murder investigation consumes her as she follows each piece of evidence no matter where it takes her. With stunning plot twists and clever red herrings, Alice Blanchard brings this suspense-laden mystery to a shocking conclusion. The cliff-hanger ending and unanswered questions will leave readers very impatiently awaiting the next installment in the Natalie Lockhart series.
The Witching Tree by Alice Blanchard is a riveting mystery that is incredibly fast-paced.
Detective Natalie Lockhart is unofficially living with her wealthy boyfriend Hunter Rose. After being the center of intense media coverage during her previous cases, she is considering her future as a police officer. With a looming deadline approaching for her decision, Natalie puts her career choice on the backburner when well-liked Wiccan Veronica Manes is murdered in a particularly horrific manner. Her boss, Lieutenant Detective Luke Pittman, puts her in a secondary role during the investigation. Natalie works long hours as she follows the evidence she hopes will lead to Veronica’s killer.
Burning Lake, NY has a long history steeped in witchcraft so Natalie begins with the two predominant covens in town. The members are helpful but no one is aware of anyone who would want to harm Veronica. Natalie turns her attention to the town lore about the infamous Witching Tree and she finds a puzzling detail. But does this discovery have anything to do with Veronica’s murder?
Another possible lead involves a pair of drifters who recently skipped out on paying the local minister their back rent. Natalie is very uneasy about what she uncovers at the abandoned home. Searching for information about the couple, she unearths a startling link that takes the case in a possibly new direction.
The Witching Tree is an absolutely engrossing mystery with a well-executed storyline. Natalie is at a crossroads in both her professional and personal lives but she is unable to make a decision about either of them. Veronica’s murder investigation consumes her as she follows each piece of evidence no matter where it takes her. With stunning plot twists and clever red herrings, Alice Blanchard brings this suspense-laden mystery to a shocking conclusion. The cliff-hanger ending and unanswered questions will leave readers very impatiently awaiting the next installment in the Natalie Lockhart series.
July 24, 2023
✨ Book Review ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 The Witching Tree by Alice Blanchard
A local woman is murdered leading detective Natalie Lockhart on a wild goose chase.
What to expect:
🔎 Mystery
👀 Suspense
🚨 Police Procedural
🌱 Growth
Quick thoughts:
✨ Lots of red herrings.
✨ Dark and foreboding atmosphere.
✨ Loving the character growth.
✨ Cliffhanger ending.
Overall thoughts:
A modern day witch has been murdered and detective Natalie Lockhart is on the case, this time in a secondary capacity. After enduring the media spotlight of her previous cases, Natalie has been assigned tasks to keep her out of the limelight.
All the while, Natalie is at a crossroads. Does she want to remain a detective or resign before the emotional toll is too much to bear?
I really love the slow burn character growth happening with Natalie throughout each book. She’s really come so far but still has so far to go while working on figuring out who she really is.
There were a lot of twists and turns in this one. It was filled with red herrings and false leads. I loved not knowing who to believe or trust. The whodunnit remained elusive throughout the story and was actually left as a cliffhanger.
I’m a sucker for romantic subplots so Natalie’s relationship with her boyfriend Hunter was really interesting. The love triangle between Natalie, Hunter and Luke was full of tension. I’m still rooting for Luke though!
And that ending! Heartbreaking. 💔
This is the third book in the Natalie Lockhart Series. I recommend reading them in order to have the most well rounded experience with the characters. If you like police procedurals with a balanced mix of action and character growth give this series a try!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 The Witching Tree by Alice Blanchard
A local woman is murdered leading detective Natalie Lockhart on a wild goose chase.
What to expect:
🔎 Mystery
👀 Suspense
🚨 Police Procedural
🌱 Growth
Quick thoughts:
✨ Lots of red herrings.
✨ Dark and foreboding atmosphere.
✨ Loving the character growth.
✨ Cliffhanger ending.
Overall thoughts:
A modern day witch has been murdered and detective Natalie Lockhart is on the case, this time in a secondary capacity. After enduring the media spotlight of her previous cases, Natalie has been assigned tasks to keep her out of the limelight.
All the while, Natalie is at a crossroads. Does she want to remain a detective or resign before the emotional toll is too much to bear?
I really love the slow burn character growth happening with Natalie throughout each book. She’s really come so far but still has so far to go while working on figuring out who she really is.
There were a lot of twists and turns in this one. It was filled with red herrings and false leads. I loved not knowing who to believe or trust. The whodunnit remained elusive throughout the story and was actually left as a cliffhanger.
I’m a sucker for romantic subplots so Natalie’s relationship with her boyfriend Hunter was really interesting. The love triangle between Natalie, Hunter and Luke was full of tension. I’m still rooting for Luke though!
And that ending! Heartbreaking. 💔
This is the third book in the Natalie Lockhart Series. I recommend reading them in order to have the most well rounded experience with the characters. If you like police procedurals with a balanced mix of action and character growth give this series a try!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews