The Witching Hour: A haunting gothic thriller that you won’t be able to put down for 2024

I was looking forward to reading this as I really enjoyed  Witch Hunt  when that came out last year. I love a good ghost story and this story really fit the bill. It had everything, ghosts, adventure and teachers! Being a teacher myself, I could really connect with the main characters.The story is set in Essex and concerns a young widow called Sarah who looks after her young son Alfie. She is being haunted by a woman of the same name, a notorious 'sea witch' who lived in early Victorian times. We are then taken on the journey to finding out what happened to Sarah as well as the modern Sarah's journey back to life from the death of her husband.This was a real page-turner for me. I couldn't put it down until the end. Moore's writing has a good pace and the adventure unfurls at a steady rate that keeps you wanting more. I felt that the characters were down to earth and real and the history well researched but entertaining. If you like a ghost story, then this novel is for you. I can't wait to read Syd Moore's next story, I'll be downloading it as soon as it is released.

Sarah and her friends are out for a few drinks and find themselves at the castle, sharing spooky stories and local lore/myths. Shortly after this, Sarah finds herself experiencing visions and paranormal activity. Blocking out the visions doesn't help as her son Alfie is then used to try to get ‘messages’ to Sarah.Sarah, already tired from re-building her life also has a Head who is making work life miserable. A health scare adds to her problems.The Drowning Pool is narrated as a reflective account by Sarah. I identified with Sarah and her life in Leigh-on-Sea from the very beginning and that connection quickly hooked in my emotions. I could feel her fear and found myself as drained as she was. I didn’t realise I was quite that tense!The uncertainty of whether the visions were real or part of something else is a subtle backdrop to what is happening. The doubt too about the trustworthiness of Andrew also added to the suspense for me.The visions and paranormal activity gave me goosebumps. Alongside this, there is a character that ties up the present with the past … a scene relating to this was terrifying! I was sitting on the edge of my seat hoping with all my heart that someone would turn up before it was too late.I love finding information from archives (and family history) and this aspect to the story is grounding and gives the story purpose.The Drowning Pool is not all darkness and fear - romance is part of not only the present but also the past.A fabulous read for Samhain ... or for those long, dark nights.I bought a copy of The Drowning Pool after buying and enjoying Witch Hunt. -See more at: http://jerasjamboree.weebly.com/blog#sthash.uOL5qIkY.dpuf

Syd Moore is rapidly becoming one of my favourite writers. I read this and Witch Hunt on holiday and loved them so much I immediately downloaded the first two of the Essex Witch Museum Mysteries. Love her sassy writing style, her deep love for all things Essex, her beautifully descriptive writing and the scary bits. The ending to this is a little out there but I didn’t care. Loved it.

I first bought 'Witch Hunt' Syd Moore's second book because I was drawn to the subject of Mathew Hopkin's the infamous Witch Finder General. The story unfolds as Sadie follows his trail 400 years after he persecuted, tortured and committed to death of hundreds of innocent women in Essex. The facts are morbidly fascinating and I found myself wanting to visit the Inn he stayed at and the cells of Colchester castle whre the unfortunate women were held. The writing is thrilling as the reader is carried along; Syd skillfully avoids ghost story cliches, with the heroine scolding herself for allowing her imagination to run away; 'it wasn't the man from early, the car was similar but why would it be him.' -also telling me the reader not to predict the unpredictable. I loved the modern twists using messaging and webcam technology, both caught me off guard. Brilliant. I had to order 'Drowing Pool' having read the synopsis ' a teacher begins to be plagued by horrific visions after a drunken seance with friends. Convinced that the ghost is that of an 19th century witch and her own namesake'. Scarey, fascinating, gripping, intriguing and a great read. Can't wait for book three.

As I grew up in the area where the story is set, this book really sparked my interest. The story and historical facts through which it is woven made the book impossible to put down!

Fantastic read about places I know. but things I didn't know. Syd Moore is now my favorite author. Keep on writing .