Oh, this was such a good book! After the first 50 pages I couldn't put it down. The story is a fictionalized account of actual historical events surrounding the "Pendle Witches", and told through the eyes of Bess Southerns (Mother Demdike) and her granddaughter Alizon Device. It brought me much glee to read a fictional account of witchcraft that was not the least bit fluffy. The story is well-researched, and also brings in the Puritans vs. Catholics conflict that was going on at the time in Britain.

I looked forward to this book after reading Mary Sharratt's "Summit Avenue" and "The Vanishing Point", and I was not disappointed at all. The author has a real gift for making historical characters come to life, and I look forward to her next book. This one is well worth buying!

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This story is original and realistic. As it goes through the lives of best friends in Historic England. The story telling is great though at times it felt kind of long this actually took me a while to read.

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Fabulous historical fiction. Well written, complex charaters and a real feel for the time and events. Highly recommend. I also loved and highly recommend the Vanishing Point by the same author.

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This fascinating book is one of the most authentic historical fiction readings I've read. Primary characters were chosen from The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster by Thomas Pott who wrote about the 1612 trials in which seven Pendle Forest women and two men were condemned as witches were hanged. The author has lived in the region for seven years.

The story features a family whose love for each other fortifies them throughout their lives, witch hunts, the trials, and the results that took the lives of many of them. Two key characters recite events. First is Bess, a cunning woman who strives only to do good to others, and her grand daughter, Alizon, who denial of her talents leads sparks the witch hunt that leads to the trials.

It's a tenderly emotional tale that emphasizes how religious fanatics affect the lives of those different from them and sometimes, take away even their lives. The gentle Bess has extensive knowledge of herbs and plants which she uses along with persuasion through her belief in Tibbs to heal many ailments. Alizon refuses the black dog who crosses her path, while recognizing her grandmother's abilities, refuses to recognize that she may have her own. The author, who has lived in the Pendle region for seven years, does a most creditable job of telling the tale. It's a good one.

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This book wasn't one of those suck-you-in-til-the-end kind of reads. That said, it was well written and enjoyable to read. It took the side of the witches and not the witch hunters.

Once you have read the whole book make sure you read the Afterward at the end. It was very informative and explained what was historically true and what wasn't.

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I've read other books about witch trials, but mostly what happened in Salem. This book is just as heartbreaking of course. The author did a great job of bringing the characters to life and giving them personality. It's easy to see how a small community could easily turn on itself in the wake of superstition.

The book is written in the words of two characters. The first half by one and the last half by another. I thought I might not like the changeover, Sharratt was successful at making the transition very smoothly.

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