by Ami McKay
Narrator: Julia Whelan
Length: 14 hours and 21 minutes
Genres: Historical Fiction, Paranormal
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4.5 cups
The beloved, bestselling author of The Birth House and The Virgin Cure is back with her most beguiling novel yet, luring us deep inside the lives of a trio of remarkable young women navigating the glitz and grotesqueries of Gilded-Age New York by any means possible, including witchcraft...
The year is 1880. Two hundred years after the trials in Salem, Adelaide Thom ('Moth' from The Virgin Cure) has left her life in the sideshow to open a tea shop with another young woman who feels it's finally safe enough to describe herself as a witch: a former medical student and "gardien de sorts" (keeper of spells), Eleanor St. Clair. Together they cater to Manhattan's high society ladies, specializing in cures, palmistry and potions--and in guarding the secrets of their clients.
All is well until one bright September afternoon, when an enchanting young woman named Beatrice Dunn arrives at their door seeking employment. Beatrice soon becomes indispensable as Eleanor's apprentice, but her new life with the witches is marred by strange occurrences. She sees things no one else can see. She hears voices no one else can hear. Objects appear out of thin air, as if gifts from the dead. Has she been touched by magic or is she simply losing her mind?
Eleanor wants to tread lightly and respect the magic manifest in the girl, but Adelaide sees a business opportunity. Working with Dr. Quinn Brody, a talented alienist, she submits Beatrice to a series of tests to see if she truly can talk to spirits. Amidst the witches' tug-of-war over what's best for her, Beatrice disappears, leaving them to wonder whether it was by choice or by force.
As Adelaide and Eleanor begin the desperate search for Beatrice, they're confronted by accusations and spectres from their own pasts. In a time when women were corseted, confined and committed for merely speaking their minds, were any of them safe?
The gilded era – 1880 New York and the promise of three young witches drew me in and had me listening to THE WITCHES OF NEW YORK written by Ami McKay and narrated by Julia Whelan. McKay offered up a dark and curious tale that I enjoyed despite its meandering pace.
“Respectable Lady Seeks Dependable Shop Girl. Those averse to magic need not apply.”
Caffeinated Aspects:
- In a nut shell, this is the story of two witches helping a new witch find her place in the world during a highly religious, dangerous time in America. Eleanor St. Clair and Adelaide Thom own a Tea shop and welcome Beatrice Dunn into their home. She is a powerful young untrained witch.
- The tea shop was delightful and catered to women’s needs. I loved that it was run by women for women. McKay used the store setting to highlight the climate for women during this period, and it felt natural and enlightening.
- Paranormal elements from ghosts to talking birds will delight listeners. McKay breathes life into these elements allowing readers to believe in magic, ghosts and more. The witches are aided by a talking Raven and a mischievous pair of Dearlies.
- Richly detailed with spells, lore, and witchcraft.
- McKay is to be commended for the research that is evident as the reader finds themselves amongst the good people of 1880 NY. Her depictions of the streets, townsfolk, climate, and dangers were outstanding. Atmospheric and beautifully crafted McKay pulls you into the tale and its characters.
- THE WITCHES OF NEW YORK weaves suspense, mystery, and magical realism into a believable tale. Steeped with religious overtones, we have a vigilante removing sinners and those practicing witchcraft or possessed of demons from this earth.
- The characters themselves are all unique, quirky and memorable. I enjoyed the banter amongst them and felt as if I were with them in the dark shop.
- Religion, oppression, prejudice and women’s rights are all woven into the tale and offer plenty of discussion for those looking for a book club read/listen.
- Julia Whelan narrated and does a splendid job of capturing the female narratives, ominous tones, and ghostly entities.
- The ending wrapped up nicely, but the door was left open with a little suspenseful thread. I would definitely revisit these characters and story.
Decaffeinated Aspects:
- While I loved all the gritty details surrounding life in 1880 and the attention to witchcraft and its history, at times it slowed the pace down making listening difficult. I think had I read this, setting it down and picking it back up wouldn’t have made it feel cumbersome at times.
- There were a few threads and characters I felt could have been eliminated from the tale. They did not further the plot and this would have made for better pacing.
- The audio lacks some of the rich details the print copy delivers. Newspaper clippings, drawings, and spells.
While I struggled at times with the pace of THE WITCHES OF NEW YORK, it is one that stayed with me. I find myself thinking about the characters, the setting, and magic. I enjoyed it more upon reflection making it a worthy read/listen.
The Witches of New York by Ami McKay was a richly detailed listen with strong characters. #audio Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Tyler H Jolley
Great review, Kimba. Always even and fair. Thanks for the sample.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks, Tyler. I try and despite some issues, I really enjoyed the overall thread.
Karen Blue
This looks like something I would like to read. It is nice of you to point out the print verses audio differences. I like the idea of the period and witches running a shop. Great review, as always.
kimbacaffeinate
I thought it was important. Of course, one can get the eBook and upgrade to include the audio then they could enjoy both.
Mystica
I just watched an Agatha Christie movie with a witches theme (the pale horse) and found it intriguing! This sounds good too.
kimbacaffeinate
Ah, I love the Agatha books and films
Lily B
aww sorry it felt a bit slow as often historical fiction pieces can be, but bah this is also paranormal was hoping it be a bit more fast paced. I love the concept tho! so intriguing
kimbacaffeinate
It has moments and towards the end, it moved at a healthy clip.
Evelina
Wow, sounds really good. Really too bad I didn’t get that ARC back then! This sounds definitely like something I’d love to read.
kimbacaffeinate
Bummer, maybe your local library?
Evelina
I wish! Not by a long shot 🙂 Lithuanian libraries won’t have anything so new, plus it’s probably not translated, and they barely stock English books, the ones they do will probably be mostly classics. Well, maybe one day I’ll find it on an Amazon sale or something 🙂
Mary Kirkland
That definitely sounds like a book that I could enjoy.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try it Mary 🙂
Fran
I’m not familiar with this author, but I love stories about witches and, most importantly, stories about 1800s witches so, thank you so much for putting this on my radar!
kimbacaffeinate
Happy to do so!
Ailyn Koay
sounds interesting although you struggled with it. but I would be interested to find out more
kimbacaffeinate
Try the book!
Ailyn Koay
my library has it !! yAY!!
Sunny Buzzy Books
Sounds good!
kimbacaffeinate
It was. Thank you 🙂
Geybie's Book Blog
Glad that you still enjoyed this book despite your issues, Kim. I hope the next book in the series is way better. Love your review and the way you organize it. ❤️
kimbacaffeinate
Me too, but I will switch to eBook.
RO
The history associated with witches back in this time sounds fascinating, and as always, love the way you write your review to draw us in. Hugs…RO
kimbacaffeinate
Oh, the things that were done in the name of religion or fear of the unknown.
lisa thomson
This sounds 10X better than the last witches book I read. I WANT this. Was it slow paced, is that what you didn’t like?
kimbacaffeinate
It was slow paced, and with the audio, I missed out on the newspaper clippings etc.
Vanessa
Ohh, I haven’t read witches story for a long time now and I guess I’ll remedy that sooner. Great review Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks, Vanessa. This was a solid listen.
Carole
I like the sound of this story. I think that maybe this is a story that I would enjoy more in print since the audio is missing some things. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes or at least get the Kindle version to follow along
Stormi Johnson
This does sound kind of interesting. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, but I would buy on Kindle and add audio 🙂
Melliane
It sounds good in a whole but maybe in paper if so!
kimbacaffeinate
I think so.
Anna
This has been on my TBR list for a while, but your review has convinced me to put it at the top spot! I love when authors include non-narrative text elements like newspaper clippings and the like.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Anna, I love the non-narrative items too. Do you remember when albums and CDs came with pamphlets? I wish the audios did too when this happens or even a link to see them online.
Rosie
I’ve seen stories about witches coming from New England, but this is different. And I must say the first time I’ve ever heard of “grotesqueries”!! Sound cool!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, that words suits the time period.
hillary
I want to read this one. I find that my attention wanders with audiobooks.
kimbacaffeinate
The more you listen the less that happens, but this was one I needed to listen to in small doses.
verushka
that cover is utterly mesmerising! As is the story — it felt a little like Practical Magic in the beginning of your review, but I like that it’s two witches helping a third to find herself instead. And best, love love the atmosphere!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, darker and more detailed than that. I think of PM as magical realism
Nadene
It is good that inspite of the struggles you had with the book, it still stayed with you. That shows that the story has some interesting aspects. Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
It really did! I loved the darker aspects, paranormal woo-woo and faster pace towards the end. Oh and the familiars.
Silvia
I love when a book stays with you like that, and I confess this one looks and sounds like something I might enjoy, so I’ll have to check the paperback!
kimbacaffeinate
I do too Silvia.
blodeuedd
This could be interesting 😀
I do like how you structure your reviews (same way you have for a while but still, I have not said 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks, Linda. I am glad I listened but want the physical book.