Published March 2nd 2017 by Viking
ISBN 0241978033 (ISBN13: 9780241978030)
Blurb:
"The number of women my brother Matthew killed, so far as I can reckon it, is one hundred and six...
1645. When Alice Hopkins' husband dies in a tragic accident, she returns to the small Essex town of Manningtree, where her brother Matthew still lives.
But home is no longer a place of safety. Matthew has changed, and there are rumours spreading through the town: whispers of witchcraft, and of a great book, in which he is gathering women's names.
To what lengths will Matthew's obsession drive him?
And what choice will Alice make, when she finds herself at the very heart of his plan?"
My Review:
I was very excited to receive this book through the post with an invitation to take part in the blog tour. The book was sent wrapped in string with a letter and an envelope filled with herbs which smelt amazing. Instantly I was curious about the story, particularly as I have always been fascinated by the history of witchcraft. So much so, that I studied it in a module while at university, albeit for an earlier period.
The author created a tense atmosphere where Alice has stepped back into a town where suspicions are rising and neighbours are turning on one another. I liked the sense of history and the small details which really built the setting. The details about the witchcraft trials were accurate and horrifying when you think of the things real people went through.
Unfortunately I found the characters a little bland and this was something that I struggled to move past. The story was slow, however, if you can push past this then the ending is satisfying.
Sadly this book gets 2 out of 5 from me.
The Author:
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