3/5 stars
Cackle, by Rachel Harrison (2021)
Manhattan-living grade school teacher Annie has recently been dumped by her boyfriend of 10 years, Sam. Devastated and feeling like she needs a change, she moves to a small, idyllic village in the Catskills (or, as New Yorkers like to say, "upstate"). There, she befriends a glamorous woman named Sophie, who takes Annie under her wing, inviting her for weekends at her enormous, picturesque mansion where they eat delicious food and drink too much wine. Sophie is single and childless and proud of it, but Annie just wants Sam back. While Annie pines (and whines), Sophie tries to convince her that she doesn't need a man to be happy.
Meanwhile, the entire town seems to revere Sophie, never allowing her to pay for anything and always saying a respectful, "hello, how are you today Sophie," when they see her. But is "revere" really the right word, or is it fear that keeps the townspeople in check? Annie begins to notice that Sophie is a little odd, and that her mansion is just plain haunted - literally, she sees a ghost in the mirror behind her in the bathroom, and is later attacked by the same ghost while swimming in the mansion's pool. Sophie seems to have power over people, animals, and the weather that can't be explained away... because Sophie is a witch (though she doesn't like the term), and the more time Annie spends with her, the more she feels a power building in herself as well.
What I liked - It's weird and quirky, the writing is good, and there's a pet spider named Ralph who is the cutest little friend you could ever ask for.
What I found annoying - Annie's constant "I can't live without a boyfriend" obsessive, intrusive thoughts. Sam's smarmy, condescending way of talking to her, that Annie thinks is charming. And Sophie's manipulative behavior which may come from a good place - supporting Annie in her transformation to believe in herself and her own worth - but was downright toxic at times.
In the end, I enjoyed it, but wouldn't be interested in reading anything else about these characters. They can go off and live their weird little lives without me.
UP NEXT: The Golden Spoon, by Jessa Maxwell
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