The Witch In the Well

August 15, 2022
Set in a town referred to only as F—, this disappointing paranormal thriller from Bruce (In the Garden of Spite) is told from the perspectives of three characters—two childhood friends who later become rivals and one ghost. In 1862, suspected witch Ilsbeth Clark died when a fearful mob threw her into the town well, where her spirit remains, yearning to be free. In more recent times, Cathy Evans shares her secret of how to see Ilsbeth’s ghost with her friend Elena Clover, who ends up running away and abandoning Cathy. Years later, Cathy, now the town lunatic, believes that Ilsbeth belongs only to her and becomes unhinged when Elena, now an author and social media influencer, returns to F— and willingly becomes the human vessel for Ilsbeth’s seemingly benevolent spirit. Unbeknownst to Cathy and Elena, Ilsbeth also serves the Beast, an evil entity associated with the well. Tragedy ensues. Convincing characters and vivid prose make up only in part for the excessive time Cathy, Elena, and Ilsbeth spend lamenting their respective fates. Even the lesser characters are miserable, and the ending fizzles. Bruce has done better.