Malumdon Cottage by L C Williams is the second book in the Black Harvest Trilogy. World War II is looming. Kathleen has lost half her family and despairs of what life will bring until her mother takes in a lodger. Carl Thorne charms everyone, but when Kathleen agrees to marry him and move to Malumdon Cottage, things change. Carl is violent and cruel when they are alone, but one sickening act proves to be the last straw for Kathleen. In 2016, Edith moved into Malumdon and set about renovating the derelict cottage. All she wants is peace, but when she stumbles across a suitcase full of photos, she is drawn into a story she can’t let go of – Kathleen’s. What really happened at Malumdon Cottage all those years ago? Edith knows one thing – she won’t rest until she finds out.

Malumdon Cottage continues L C Williams’ trilogy based on a true story, and it’s every bit as good as the first book. The story starts with a little personal background and then dives straight into Kathleen's and Edith’s stories. The book alternates between the two women, two stories intertwined despite the years that separate them. It’s another beautifully told story that transports you to Malumdon in the 1940s and current times, telling a tale that will captivate you. It’s chilling and full of emotion, and the descriptions will transport you right into the plot, living it as it happens. It’s the perfect follow-on from the first book, and although you could read this as a standalone, I’d recommend reading the whole trilogy. Malumdon itself is perhaps the biggest character in the books and deserves to have its full story read and understood. Looking forward to reading the third book.

Malumdon Cottage is the second installment of the Black Harvest Trilogy by L.C. Williams. While rummaging through the old attic at Malumdon Cottage, Edith stumbles upon a collection of photographs belonging to a young woman named Kathleen. In the 1930s, Kathleen, along with her sister and mother, moved into the cottage, hoping for a fresh start after they had lost several family members. Kathleen was just a teenager when she met the charming Carl Thorne. It doesn't take long for Kathleen to be swept off her feet by Carl, and she ends up marrying him. However, her seemingly blissful life soon turns upside down as she comes to realize that the man she married isn't who she thought he was. Her tragic story reverberates throughout the old house for the coming decades.

Malumdon Cottage is full of heartbreak and tragedy. The narrative covers two separate timelines, following the lives of two women whose stories intertwine in unexpected ways through their shared home. Kathleen and Edith live very different lives. Kathleen struggles to live day by day because of the cruel treatment she receives from her abusive husband. On the other hand, Edith has a loving family. Author L.C. Williams has crafted some truly realistic characters with lots of depth and personality. Carl's gradual transformation into the monster that he becomes feels alarmingly real. I also enjoyed the characterizations of Marion and Betty. It's a short read, but a very captivating one at that. The more you read, the more you wish for Kathleen to get out of her terrible marriage. Overall, another great book in the Black Harvest Trilogy. Highly recommended.

Malumdon Cottage by L. C. Williams continues the stories of the residents of Malumdon Farm in rural England. It is the 1940s, and Kathleen is still haunted by her two sisters' deaths from meningitis and her father's sudden death at sea. She moves to Malumdon Farm with her mother, her remaining sister, Betty, and her husband, Carl Thorne. Carl is secretive and older than her, and claims to love her. However, what was supposed to be a blissful union turns toxic and abusive, and Kathleen wants freedom from all the pain. Faced with the threats posed by World War II and the pressure to remain married, it seems impossible for Kathleen to leave. Decades later, Edith, who has just moved to Malumdon Farm with her family after leaving London, starts to feel sick. She roams the house, finding remnants of families that lived in the home before her. She researches the history of the farm and discovers Kathleen’s tragic story. Edith realizes the intersection of their lives.

Malumdon Cottage is the second book in the Black Harvest Trilogy by L. C. Williams. I was really impressed with this installment because it was not just more of the same — it felt fresh. I read the first book, Where the Crow’s Watch, which mainly took place from 1866 up through World War II. So, jumping ahead to the late 1930s and early ’40s was interesting. Malumdon Farm is packed with secrets, and Edith keeps finding new ones. The whole mystery pulls you in and keeps you wanting to know what happens next. This story delves into dark issues like sudden deaths of loved ones, diseases, mental health, toxic relationships, and suicide. I was attached to Edith’s family story, and I cared for their well-being at Malumdon Farm. It seems the ghosts of the past really want to communicate, and not in the best ways. Despite this, the story still has uplifting themes of hope, renewal, and fresh starts, which kept me coming back for more. Overall, this is a great read that beautifully combines the past and present. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories that highlight significant places and show the importance of human connections even through time.