The Ghost Woods by C J Cooke

Synopsis

In the midst of the woods stands a house called Lichen Hall.

This place is shrouded in folklore – old stories of ghosts, of witches, of a child who is not quite a child.

Now the woods are creeping closer, and something has been unleashed.

Pearl Gorham arrives in 1965, one of a string of young women sent to Lichen Hall to give birth. And she soon suspects the proprietors are hiding something.

Then she meets the mysterious mother and young boy who live in the grounds – and together they begin to unpick the secrets of this place.

As the truth comes to the surface and the darkness moves in, Pearl must rethink everything she knew – and risk what she holds most dear.

My Review

I have read C J Cooke’s previous books and loved them so needed no encouragement to read her new book The Ghost Woods. Like her previous offerings this is a dark and eerie read with a touch of the gothic. The Ghost Woods has a split timeline, with the plot taking place in 1959 and 1965, linked by two unmarried women arriving at Lichen Hall to give birth. Mable is only seventeen when she arrives at Lichen Hall, a large house owned by the Whitlock’s who open the doors to unmarried mothers. Six years later, Pearl, twenty two goes for the same reason, and like Mable feels all is not as it should be. With the strange behaviour of Mrs Whitlock, visions in the woods and tales of ghosts and witches both women find themselves in danger as their stories merge in 1965.

If you love a gothic, spinetingling, and creepy read then The Ghost Woods is for you. C J Cooke creates the perfect environment for this book. What is more disturbing than a large house in a woods, with eccentric owners, and a folklore tale of a Nicnevin, a fairy Queen from Scottish mythology. There is also the inside of the house with wings closed to fungus. There are fairy rings, supernatural sightings and strange goings on to add to the sense of menace and fear.

The split time line focuses on the stories of Mable and Pearl. Mable is only seventeen and is shocked to be told she was pregnant insisting she has never had sex. She is vulnerable and alone, finding her time at Lichen Hall difficult until she befriends Aretta and Rhami, both there for the same reason as her, a bond they share. In 1964 Pearl arrives at Lichen Hall, more mature than other residents at twenty two, she also becomes to realise that all is not right. She is more confident than Mable was, she had a life before, a job as a nurse that unfortunately fell apart once she became pregnant. Pearl’s story shows how it was still such a taboo to be an unmarried mother, even in you twenties. Even after the birth and adoption she can’t return to her job as a nurse.

Aretta and Rhami tie the two timelines together. Pregnant in 1959 with Mable and they stayed on to be maids at the Hall, and are there when Pearl arrived. They have a respect for the woods, a place that seems alive at night with the supernatural, lights and visions that frighten Mable and Pearl as well. This sinister theme underpins the whole book and I found myself on the edge of my seat as the book headed towards its conclusion, my heartbeat raised with a sense of dread.

I am becoming a huge fan of C J Cooke, with her ability to keep me in suspense with a touch of fear for her characters. Her stories are always brilliantly written, full of tension and creepiness and keep you guessing until the very last page. The Ghost Woods is another super supernatural tale from C J Cooke, and one I highly recommend.