Overview

In The Lighthouse Witches, C. J. Cooke takes us to Lon Haven, a remote Scottish island shaped by wind, sea, and long memory. The story follows Liv, a single mother grieving the loss of her husband, who moves to the island with her two daughters, Sapphire and Luna. Liv has been commissioned to paint a mural inside the island’s old lighthouse, but from the moment they arrive, things feel unsettled. Locals speak in half truths, the girls begin to change, and stories of past witch trials refuse to stay buried. As Liv tries to understand what is happening to her children, the novel moves between the present day and the seventeenth century, where women once accused of witchcraft faced brutal punishment.

Writing & Atmosphere

We found the atmosphere one of the book’s strongest elements. Cooke writes the island with care and detail, from crashing waves to empty paths and cold stone buildings. The sense of isolation is constant, and the lighthouse itself feels heavy with history. The writing is clear and controlled, letting unease build slowly rather than relying on shock. Even when the story turns unsettling, the emotional focus keeps everything grounded.

The shifting timelines are handled with confidence. Scenes from the witch trials echo the present day, adding weight and context to what Liv and her daughters are facing. The structure deepens the story and sharpens the sense that the past is never truly gone.

Characters

Liv is a believable and sympathetic lead, worn down by grief and determined to protect her children. Sapphire and Luna are written with real tenderness, their bond both loving and strained as strange changes take hold. The island’s residents are wary and guarded, shaped by a shared history they would rather not discuss. We appreciated how each character feels rooted in place, influenced by the island as much as by their own choices.

Themes

This is a novel about motherhood and fear, especially the fear of not being believed. It explores how women and children who do not fit expectations are labelled and mistrusted. Folklore plays a key role, with the idea of changelings used to examine difference, trauma, and loss. The book also looks at how communities protect themselves by hiding uncomfortable truths, even when that silence causes harm.

What Worked

• Strong sense of place: the island setting is vivid and unsettling.
• Emotional focus: the story of a mother and her children sits at the centre.
• Effective folklore: myth and history are woven naturally into the plot.
• Clear structure: past and present speak to one another with purpose.

Minor Quibbles

• The ending resolves quickly after a long build.
• Readers looking for a straightforward crime thriller may find the supernatural elements dominant.

Final Thoughts

We found The Lighthouse Witches gripping, unsettling, and emotionally rich. It balances folklore and family drama with confidence, and it stays with you long after finishing.

Rating: ★★★★½☆ (4.5/5)