The Witch of Flickerwood

By E.C. Watts (Indie author, 2025)

Genre: Fiction – Urban Folklore/Mystery Fiction/Christian Fiction/Suspense/Mystery & Detective/Women Sleuths

Pages (print): 438)

Via: Author Request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kimber: Dontcha hate it when you’re late to an appointment cuz you were so absorbed in a good book, you lost track of time? (Hi, Mom.) That’s what happened when Mom started reading E.C. Watt’s debut novel, The Witch of Flickerwood. It grabbed us in chapter one. Reeled us in hook, line, and kibble. Short version:

Addy Warner once dreamed of being a detective. But the 20-year-old sophomore is pursuing a degree in Ecology at a small college in Pennsylvania. The school has a past. A haunting, creepy past. Because there’s clearly more to the town of Flickerwood than meets the eye. In fact, a double murder may be just the tip of the iceberg…

I’ll let Her Royal Momness fill ya in on the longer version (before she’s late to the next appointment!):

The 4-1-1

Addy Warner returns from winter break to begin her spring semester at Wynhurst College in rural Pennsylvania. But something doesn’t add up when a prominent professor dies under suspicious circumstances.

Myths and mysteries about Flickerwood begin to emerge from the mists of yesteryear. Did a forest-dwelling witch’s “incantation” have something to do with Dr. Morrell’s death? Or is something else going on? Addy starts nosing around. But information can be dangerous. Especially when a fellow student turns up dead.

Meanwhile, what’s up with the new Botany prof, Bryn Leighton? And Dr. Morrell’s widow, “Dr. Edith”? Or Mayor Sayer? How come fellow student Micah is acting so weird? Oh yeah. Addy’s also a type 1 diabetic. So, who saw Addy drinking a juice box, and…? (To find that out, you’ll have to read the book.)

This is a recurring pattern in Wynhurst’s history. Any time expansions into the forest are considered, tragedy strikes.

Accompanied by her friends, Addy embarks on a quest to learn the truth of what happened to Dr. Morrell: a quest that will lead her down a trail of murder, poison, kidnappings, corruption, a plot running right through the heart of Flickerwood, and… aliens?

Kimber: Wait. Is that E.T.?

Brimming

Clocking in at a cool 438 pages (print), The Witch of Flickerwood is a heavy lift. But it doesn’t feel like it. Brimming with mayhem, peril, suspense, and murder, the intricate plot skims along briskly. Pitch-perfect pacing, top-notch writing and impressive world-building skills draw you into the shadowy world and dark doing’s that shroud Flickerwood in a cloak of secrecy, suspense, and mystery.

You can’t live in fear of everyone you know and every place you visit. All of life is a calculated risk.

Characters are complex. Multi-layered and multi-textured. So is the setting. For example, the author ably captures the feel of a small-town college campus – roommates, dorms, dining hall and so on. (Kimber: The Dinosaur attests to same. Don’t tell Mom I said that, okay? Also, for the record, Michael Sayer is a Grade A Jerk. Just sayin’, Angel Cakes. You’ll get that if you read the book.)

I know some questions aren’t a bad thing, but it seems some questions are more acceptable than others.

And Flickerwood raises some doozies. Check out pp. 218-220. Loved!

More

That’s not all. One thing we really appreciated about The Witch of Flickerwood is that while the story, told in the first person by Addy, is a rich and robust coming-of-age tale ribboned with mystery and intrigue, it’s about more than mystery and intrigue. A lot more. Addy struggles with doubts about her faith. She has questions that are as fresh and relevant as this morning’s headlines.

But how do you forgive someone who has shown no remorse?

Relatable, Refreshing

Indeed, Abby Warner is no caped crusader super hero type. Nopers. Addy Warner struggles with faith questions. Has doubts. Especially when God doesn’t make sense. She doesn’t have canned answers that fit into a nice, neat cellophane wrapper. Nope. Addy gets frustrated. Scared. Lonely. She feels out of it and isolated sometimes. Is socially awkward. Like feeling awkward and uncomfortable as a newbie in a church service. Not knowing what to say or how to dress per same. She also makes mistakes. In other words, Addy’s human. And relatable. So is the story. It’s Real. Honest. The authenticity is refreshing. Like ice-cold lemonade on a hot August afternoon. (Kimber: No idea what that means. But Mom smiles when she says it. So, it must be good! Can I eat it?)

Is that what mercy feels like? Over and over again…

Indeed, there’s so much heart in this book. It also has more U-turns than San Francisco’s Lombard Street. Just about the time we think we know where the plot’s gong it like, whoa! Didn’t see that coming’! Just shows you what we know. Because there’s clearly a lot more to Flickerwood – and this book – than meets the eye.

People come and go, but He remains.

A caveat: Multiple misspellings of the word “judgment.” (Unless you’re in the U.K., there’s no “e” after the g.) It kinda drove us nuts. We’re also not crazy about the cover art. But let’s not get picky here, okay?

Love-ified. Totally.

That being said, we can’t quite put into words how much we like, Totally Love-ified The Witch of Flickerwood. Think T-bone steak with a Filet Mignon chaser and extra bacon on the side.

But someone knelt down and saved me with his own blood, so this is the least I can do for you.

Top 10

Yea, verily. We’ve read 350+ books thus far this year. The Witch of Flickerwood is one of our Top 10. And for anyone who’s ever doubted, struggled, or wondered why some questions are more acceptable than others, this one’s for you.

Listen Up!

So, Buttercup. I’d listen up ‘fize you. Cuz we don’t say this very often. But we’re saying it now, Sunshine:

If you read only one book this year, read The Witch of Flickerwood.

It’s a towering achievement, especially for a debut novel. It’s also unlike anything we’ve ever read. Kimber: And that’s really sayin’ something, Toots.

Highly readable, thoroughly enjoyable and eminently insightful, Flickerwood is a riveting read. As compelling as a bowlful of Cookies ‘N Cream ice cream. Or your next appointment. (Hi again, Mom.)

Kimber: I’d grab a spoon ‘fize you. Maybe two! It’s that good.

Our Rating: 4.75

The Witch of Flickerwood launches on October 15.

It is the debut novel of writer E.C. Watts, who has loved storytelling for as long as she can remember. Outside of writing, she has a degree in social work and holds a day job trying to make the world a better place.

She lives in South Central PA with her wonderful husband, Teague, with whom she shares a website. You can also find her on Instagram @theoneminded.

Find out more about E.C. Watts at her website, Pumpkin Tea.