Book: The Weaver's Loom by Jessi St. John
Reviewed by Michelles_Cosy_Booknook
Rating: 5/5
Victorian London, witches, murder investigations, dark secrets, and a twist that left me reeling? Yes, please.
1893 London. Edith Ashton is a witch and a murder investigator for the First Council. Gifted with the ability to witness a victim's final moments, she is called to investigate the murder of a fellow witch. What begins as a single case soon uncovers connections to a string of missing witches and whispers of a long-dormant organisation known as The Sparrows—a group believed to have vanished after hunting down the last remaining Death Witch.
As more witches disappear, Edith is forced to confront a dangerous truth about herself. A truth that could make her the very thing The Sparrows have been searching for.
The Weaver's Loom was an immersive and utterly compelling read. Jessi St. John brings Victorian London to life with rich atmosphere and vivid detail, creating a setting that feels authentic without ever becoming overwhelming. From the very first page, I found myself completely absorbed in the story.
The characters are wonderfully developed, each feeling distinct and believable. Edith is an especially engaging protagonist—intelligent, determined, and easy to root for—and I became deeply invested in her journey.
The novel balances gothic mystery, dark magic, political tension, and supernatural intrigue beautifully. There is an underlying sense of unease throughout, a feeling that danger is lurking just out of sight, which kept me eagerly turning the pages. The pacing is excellent, steadily building tension while layering in revelations that make the mystery increasingly difficult to put down.
At its heart, this is a story about fear—fear of power, fear of difference, and the consequences of persecution. The parallels between those who wield magic and those who fear it add an extra layer of depth to what is already a fascinating mystery.
And that ending...
I genuinely did not see that twist coming. It felt like having a bucket of ice water dumped over my head—in the very best way possible. I immediately needed the next book.
Fans of gothic fantasy, dark historical fiction, witchy mysteries, and authors such as Rachel Gillig, Keri Lake, and Kristen Ciccarelli, should absolutely have this on their radar. With The Weaver's Loom, Jessi St. John has crafted a captivating start to The Last Death Witch series, and I cannot wait to see where the story goes next.
My thanks to Jessi St. John for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.