A  deserted shipwreck off the coast of Iceland holds terrors and dark secrets in this chilling horror novel from the author of The Lighthouse Witches.

The year is 1901, and Nicky is attacked, then wakes on board the Ormen, a whaling ship embarked on what could be its last voyage. With land still weeks away, it’s just her, the freezing ocean, and the crew – and they’re all owed something only she can give them…

Now, over one hundred years later, the wreck of the Ormen has washed up on the forbidding, remote coast of Iceland. It’s scheduled to be destroyed, but explorer Dominique feels an inexplicable pull to document its last days, even though those who have ventured onto the wreck before her have met uncanny ends.

  Onboard the boat, Dominique will uncover a dark past riddled with lies, cruelty, and murder—and her discovery will change everything. Because she’ll soon realize she’s not alone. Something has walked the floors of the Ormen for almost a century. Something that craves revenge.

In A Haunting in the Artic, C. J. Cooke has presented a dark and haunting story that will chill you to the bones as you read. Both Nicky and Dominique are incredibly compelling, their narratives rich and complex, with voices that will resonate with readers. I love how C.J. Cooke creates such a complex, suspenseful narrative that slowly peels apart the layers of each timeline as well as the characters. The mystery and suspense will keep you guessing until the very end.

I think one of the reasons the story is so dark and haunting is that C.J. Cooke doesn’t flinch from the terrible events Nicky experiences, the reality of her time. What makes it even more complex is that nothing is what she expects, not even the reason for her being on board the Ormen. With Dominique, what is intriguing is her background, the mysteries that surround her and those who join her on the ship. Those mysteries are well developed and masterfully crafted. 

If you like dark and suspenseful horror, then this chilling novel is right for you. If you’ve read anything else by C.J. Cooke, you will want to read this masterful story. The characters and narrative are dark and haunting. I loved every minute as I delved into the complex novel.

Rating: 5 out of 5 crew