The Witch of Willow Hall

Fox spins a satisfying debut yarn that includes witchcraft, tragedy, and love, set in 1821 New England. Ten years ago, Lydia Montrose unwittingly summoned a dark power from within herself to torment a neighborhood bully. Now 18, her family is forced to move from Boston to Willow Hall estate in New Oldbury, Mass., to escape scandalous rumors concerning her older sister, Catherine. While Catherine detests the countryside, Lydia and her younger sister, Emeline, relish the fresh air and the less constricting society; they also enjoy the acquaintance of their father’s new business partner, John Barrett. But as Lydia starts to fall for John, disturbing things begin to happen at Willow Hall. Lydia sees ghosts and hears voices who try to convince her to do bad things. Following a monumental tragedy, she will have to discover who she is in order to set things right. Despite the lack of character development for side characters, Fox effectively portrays Lydia as sympathetic, stuck between a sister with no regard for propriety and parents who can’t or won’t discipline her. The inclusion of gothic elements adds a visceral feel that fans of historical fiction with a dash of the supernatural will enjoy. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret (Oct.)

Correction: An earlier version of this review misstated the name of the character Catherine.