If Birds Fly Low by Author Julia Bell presents a haunting tale that intertwines historical mystery, romance, and supernatural elements. The Author crafts a compelling narrative that will especially appeal to fans of Barbara Erskine, with its similar approach to connecting past and present through spectral encounters.
The story follows Charlotte Scott, raised by her Aunt Faith following her mother’s death, whose childhood has been marked by mysterious knockings on her bedroom door—a phenomenon she’s too frightened to investigate. After meeting Noel Chandler, a university tutor who is actually the Squire of Martlesham Manor, Charlotte’s life takes an unexpected turn. While visiting the Tudor house in Suffolk with her cousin Adele, Charlotte becomes enthralled by the tragic story of Prudence Chandler, a 17th-century woman executed as a witch after being denounced by her husband and mother-in-law.
The Author maintains an engaging pace throughout, gradually revealing the Manor’s secrets while building the tension between Charlotte and Noel. The narrative skilfully balances the developing romance with increasingly unsettling supernatural occurrences, creating a natural progression that keeps readers invested in both storylines.
Charlotte stands out as a particularly strong female protagonist—independent, intelligent, and unwilling to accept the gender prejudices of her time. Her initial friction with Noel, whom she perceives as biased against women, creates authentic tension that evolves believably into deeper feelings. The supporting characters, particularly Charlotte’s cousin Adele, contribute meaningfully to the narrative without overshadowing the central relationship.
The Author also creates compelling historical figures, particularly Prudence Chandler, whose tragic story resonates across centuries and connects profoundly with Charlotte in unexpected ways.
The novel explores several powerful themes: the persecution of women throughout history, particularly those labeled as witches; the enduring impact of historical injustices on present-day lives; and the nature of inherited trauma and psychic abilities. The title’s metaphor—birds flying low as a harbinger of impending storm—serves as an effective motif throughout the narrative, symbolising the constant sense of foreboding that permeates Martlesham Manor.
The Author creates an atmospheric prose that brings both the historical and contemporary settings vividly to life. The dialogue feels authentic to the characters and their period, while the descriptions of the Manor evoke a tangible sense of dread and mystery. Particularly effective is the Author’s handling of supernatural elements, which are presented with subtlety rather than sensationalism.
If Birds Fly Low is a richly textured novel that successfully combines historical fiction, romance, and supernatural elements. While the childhood knockings that plagued Charlotte could have been more fully explored and resolved, this minor oversight doesn’t significantly detract from the overall quality of the storytelling. The Author has created an immersive, atmospheric tale that lingers in the reader’s imagination long after the final page.
I award 5 stars