The Ghost Woods by C J Cooke

I love a gothic novel and also enjoy horror. The Ghost Woods brings a mix of both as we explore Lichen Hall and the mysterious creature lurking in the woods.

This is a dark tale set in a crumbling house owned by the Whitlocks. It is a remote and lonely place. A place where some things are thriving, and others are decaying. A place where unmarried pregnant women are sent to have their babies away from the scrutiny and judgement of the local communities in which they live. And a place where strange events keep happening.

The story is a duel timeline, and we follow the paths of Mabel in the 1950s and Pearl in the mid-60s as they turn up at the house to not only give birth but also to hand their babies over to a new family for adoption. The timelines eventually merge as the two main characters are thrown together to solve the mystery of what's happening at Lichen Hall. 

The folklore horror aspect of this book is well done, as is the gothic setting and atmosphere of the hall and its unusual occupants. However, the real horror lies in the tale of the women forced into such places and with no options other than to give up their babies for adoption. Some moments moved me to tears; such was the cruelty of these times.

There are some twists and turns along the way, and the ending was entirely unexpected, playing up the folklore element in a way I enjoyed.

I've read both The Nesting and The Lighthouse Witches by C J Cooke and enjoy her perspective and approach to the gothic. However, this one is my favourite of the three.