Kayleigh's Spot: Release Day Review - The Burning of Isobel Key

Title: The Burning of Isobel Key

Author: Jen McConnel

Released: Oct. 1, 2012

Print Length: 284 pages

File Size: 1817 KB

Goodreads info here, visit the book's website and author's website

Disclaimer: I did receive a free ARC copy of the book to review. However this did not influence my review in any way.

Here's the official trailer for the book:

Now for the review:

Wonderfully Written.

There's Something for Everyone!

In her debut novel, The Burning of Isobel Key, Jen McConnel transports readers to the beautiful land of Scotland where she shows us the lives of two different women with so much in common, yet separated by centuries. Louisa begins to feel like a complete failure when she quits her dead-end job right before the holidays. She has no idea what she wants to do with the rest of her life, and as her mother keeps reminding her, at 27 she isn’t getting any younger. To make matters worse, her best friend Tammy seems to have her life completely together, to include an amazing job that even sends her to Scotland on business. When Lou tags along she begins a spiritual and emotional journey that will change her life forever. Isobel Key was a healer who was accused of witchcraft in the 1600s and was burned at the stake for her crimes. Can Lou solve the mystery of what really happened all those years ago and allow Isobel’s soul to finally rest in peace?

This book has a little bit of everything all rolled into one. There is mystery, romance, a touch of paranormal/occult, as well as a bit of history thrown in for good measure. I loved that it was set in Scotland because it was an angle on witch trials that I hadn’t viewed before. I love doing research on the Salem trials (as wells as other American witch hunts) and never thought to check out any of the trials in Europe, so it was a nice change for me. The folklore and stories peppered throughout the novel were a great touch as well.

I found I also related to Louisa very well. A lot of her insecurities are the same ones I’ve faced for decades. The spiritual questions she faced are those I’ve often asked myself. But above all I can definitely relate to being close to 30 and still having no idea where you are headed or what you really want for yourself. And who hasn’t had a close friend that seemed to have it all figured out, the one we held a touch of envy because they seemed so perfect? The characters are very well written and have multiple layers to them.

Overall I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read, no matter the genre preference.