Review: The Witchcraft Delusion in Colonial Connecticut, 1647-1697 by John M. Taylor

The first few chapters are more of an overview of witch trials and how witchcraft was viewed in Europe and the colonies during the early modern period, but the majority of the book focuses on the details of some of the more notorious witch trials of Connecticut. The author is very condemning of the trials as acts of delusion (hence the title) and ignorance, but at the same time suggests that Elizabeth Seager deserved what she got because she was also convicted of adultery. As if adultery is a crime worthy of execution. Seager wasn't executed but could have been - after her conviction, she was only released on a legal technicality. Of course, the reader does need to keep in mind that this book was written in 1908, and is available for free in the public domain.

It is rather dry, but if you have an interest in the subject, it's well worth the read. I am descended from a couple of people who were involved in the trials as witness/juror so I wanted to find as many details about those cases as possible, and this certainly provided that. The majority of the info in my blog post about it here came from this book.

Review: The Bloodletter's Daughter by Linda Lafferty

Royal murder, Bohemian politics, and 17th century medicine come together to form this novel based on a true story. In 1607, the mentally ill natural son of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II, Julius D'Austria, is banished to a castle in the Bohemian town of Český Krumlov. Meanwhile, plucky yet shy bathmaid Markéta Pichlerová wants nothing more than to escape her fate as a prostitute by following in her father's footsteps to become a barber-surgeon or "bloodletter", a profession she is barred from due to her gender. Their paths come together with disastrous results.

Rich with historical detail, the narrative of this flows beautifully, yet the dialogue was occasionally a little stiff. But the characters are well developed in spite of this and there's so many historical elements that are pulled together to form this story, like the inclusion of the Voynich Manuscript, details about 17th century medicine, and the town of Český Krumlov itself. All of which make it well worth reading.

The first half is a little slow paced so it may not appeal to everyone, but it really picks up in the second half and it's not too long which means it never drags. It is told in third person from multiple points of view, including the bloodletter's daughter but also the bloodletter himself, Rudolf II, his son Julius, a court physician, and other brief, minor roles like Rudolf's brother Matthias. This makes it a more multidimensional and interesting story, giving you an understanding of Bohemia at the time, politically, medically, culturally, etc. It really explores how people at the time approached medicine and mental illness.

Even if you already know the historical events this is based on, it is a thrilling and interesting read. I was a little worried that since I knew what it was based on, it might make the novel a little boring but it definitely wasn't.

Review: The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch

In a small town in 17th century Germany, orphaned children are being murdered and an innocent woman is being blamed as a witch. With few allies and the hysteria rising, the town's executioner and physician team up to find the real killer.

An oddly titled novel, since although the hangman's daughter does play a role in this, she is not the central character. It's told in third-person from mostly the points of view of the hangman himself, the town's young physician, and a few other characters. The title misnomer didn't bother me very much though, what bothered me was the lack of cultural details, and the occasionally stilted dialogue and narration, which I assume was due to the translation. With this being set in a small 17th century German town, I was hoping to see more of the culture come through, but it really could have been set anywhere during the 17th century. I did find the information about executioners and physicians during this time period interesting, but I felt like that would have been true for any European small town, not just Germany. The book is apparently based on the author's own ancestors, who were executioners, so I felt like the author did a great job researching and portraying the culture of the executioners' society, but not much else.

It also had a little bit of a slow start but picked up the pace eventually. All in all, a fairly average murder mystery, which are a dime a dozen. Good for a "light read" if that's what you're looking for but don't expect it to live up to its hype. It's unlikely I'll be motivated to read the rest of the series.

Deborah Swift’s Book Blast (& Amazon Gift Card Giveaway)

HF Virtual Book Tours is delighted to introduce you to historical novelist Deborah Swift! Deborah’s acclaimed novels are set in turbulent seventeenth century England and have been described as “brilliant” and “a must for all readers looking for something out of the ordinary but grippingly alive”. Her previous life as a scenographer and costume designer shine through as the settings are beautifully evoked, immersing the reader in the sights and smells of the time.

Deborah’s multi-layered and engrossing historical adventures will make perfect picks for reading groups. Reading Group Guides can be conveniently found in the back of each book and on her website.

Find more information on Deborah's novels below and enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card (£15 UK)!

The Lady's Slipper

Publication Date: June 3, 2011
Pan MacMillan
Formats: Ebook, Paperback

England, 1660.

The King is back, but memories of the English Civil War still rankle. In rural Westmorland, artist Alice Ibbetson has become captivated by the rare Lady’s Slipper orchid. She is determined to capture it’s unique beauty for posterity, even if it means stealing the flower from the land of the recently converted Quaker, Richard Wheeler. Fired by his newfound faith, the former soldier Wheeler feels bound to track down the missing orchid. Meanwhile, others are eager to lay hands on the flower, and have their own powerful motives.

Margaret Poulter, a local medicine woman, is seduced by the orchid’s mysterious herbal powers, while Geoffrey Fisk, Alice’s patron and former comrade-in-arms of Wheeler, sees the valuable plant as a way to repair his ailing fortunes and cure his own agonizing illness. Fearing that Wheeler and his friends are planning revolution, Fisk sends his son Stephen to spy on the Quakers, only for the young man to find his loyalties divided as he befriends the group he has been sent to investigate.

Then, when Alice Ibbetson is implicated in a brutal murder, she is imprisoned along with the suspected anti-royalist Wheeler. As Fisk’s sanity grows ever more precarious, and Wheeler and Alice plot their escape, a storm begins to brew, from which no party will escape unscathed. Vivid, gripping and intensely atmospheric, The Lady’s Slipper is a novel about beauty, faith and loyalty.

Praise for The Lady's Slipper

"The novel grips from the opening lines and carries the interest throughout. The several plot-lines are seamlessly blended and come together in a wholly satisfying conclusion. Her characters are so real that they linger in the mind long after the book is back on the shelf. Highly recommended." - Historical Novels Review Magazine

"Recommended for fans of Philippa Gregory and Rose Tremain, as well as students of the English Civil War." - Library Journal

“The intertwined stories of the orchid’s fate, the mounting problems between the Quakers and the King’s men, and Alice’s murder trial and its aftermath make for a riveting narrative.” - For the Love of Books Blog

The Gilded Lily

Publication Date: September 13, 2012
Pan MacMillan
Formats: Ebook, Paperback

Westmorland, 1660.

Sadie Appleby has lived all her life in her small village. One night she is rudely awoken by her older and bolder sister, Ella, who has robbed her employer and is on the run. The girls flee their rural home of Westmorland to head for London, hoping to lose themselves in the teeming city. But the dead man’s relatives are in hot pursuit, and soon a game of cat and mouse begins.

Ella becomes obsessed with the glitter and glamour of city life and sets her sights on the flamboyant man-about-town, Jay Whitgift. But nothing is what it seems – even Jay Whitgift.

Can Sadie survive a fugitive’s life in the big city? But even more pressing, can she survive life with her older sister Ella?

Set in London’s atmospheric coffee houses, the rich mansions of Whitehall, and the pawnshops, slums and rookeries hidden from rich men’s view, The Gilded Lily is about beauty and desire, about the stories we tell ourselves, and about how sisterhood can be both a burden and a saving grace.

Praise for The Gilded Lily

"There is no greater compliment than ‘Give me more!’ A delight." - Susanna Gregory

"The Gilded Lily is impeccably written historical fiction. The detail is superb and life in London is so vividly depicted that the city seems to take on its own persona and become a lurking character in the story." - Let Them Read Books

"A heart-rending story of two sisters on the run, searching for a better life. Beautifully written and meticulously researched, the novel drew me straight into the teeming streets of Restoration London. An addictive, page-turning read." - Mary Sharratt


"Superb dialogue, steeped in contemporary language, adds credibility and atmosphere to this compelling tale which examines the ties that bind together siblings, the consequences of greed and ambition, the fickleness of fate and women’s constant battle to survive in a man’s world. The Gilded Lily is also a fast-paced adventure peopled with ruthless villains and feisty heroines whose exploits grab the imagination and add suspense and excitement to a historical gem." - Lancashire Evening Post

The Gilded Lily Book Trailer

A Divided Inheritance

UK Publication Date: October 24, 2013
Pan MacMillan
Formats: Ebook, Paperback

London, 1609.

Elspet Leviston’s greatest ambition is to continue the success of her father Nathaniel’s lace business. But her simple dreams are thrown into turmoil with the arrival of her mysterious cousin Zachary Deane – who has his own designs on Leviston’s Lace. Zachary is a dedicated swordsman with a secret past that seems to invite trouble. So Nathaniel sends him on a Grand Tour, away from the distractions of Jacobean London. Elspet believes herself to be free of her hot-headed relation but when Nathaniel dies her fortunes change dramatically. She is forced to leave her beloved home and go in search of Zachary – determined to claim the inheritance that is rightfully hers.

In the searing heat of Seville, Elspet and Zachary become locked in a battle of wills. But these are dangerous times and they are soon embroiled in the roar and sweep of something far more threatening, sending them both on an unexpected journey of discovery and finally unlocking the true meaning of family.

Praise for A Divided Inheritance

"a true gem. It has a pacy storyline, the characters are complex, intriguing and often unexpected – and it is packed with fascinating historical fact" - Gabrielle Kimm, author of His Last Duchess

"Elegantly written, A Divided Inheritance brings the uncertainty of the seventeenth century gloriously to life in an engaging tale of determination, tenacity and family loyalty." - Flashlight Commentary Blog

"a multifaceted tale about the consequences of religious intolerance, the expiation of guilt, the importance of family, and the appearance of unexpected love. And swordplay! The action sequences are as sharp and dazzling as Zachary’s hand-forged blade." - Sarah Johnson, Reading the Past

Buy the Books

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About the Author

Deborah Swift used to work in the theatre and at the BBC as a set and costume designer, before studying for an MA in Creative Writing in 2007. She lives in a beautiful area of Lancashire near the Lake District National Park. She is the author of The Lady’s Slipper and is a member of the Historical Writers Association, the Historical Novel Society, and the Romantic Novelists Association.

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Lily Pond Reads
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Mari Reads
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Historical Fiction Connection
History from a Woman's Perspective

Tuesday, March 18
Just One More Chapter
Susan Heim on Writing
Caroline Wilson Writes
Historical Fiction Obsession
Historical Readings & Reviews

Wednesday, March 19
Book Nerd
Broken Teepee
Literary Chanteuse
Historical Tapestry

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Book Drunkard
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Curling Up By the Fire
To Read or Not to Read
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Friday, March 21
Closed the Cover
CelticLady's Reviews
The Little Reader Library
Books by the Willow Tree

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Review: The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

Perhaps it’s just because I recently read Germs, Genes, and Civilization but I was a little disappointed to see the author get her plagues mixed up. The book opens in 1690 with the onset of an illness of the main character’s brother. It’s named as smallpox but the author then goes on to describe what sounds more like the Bubonic plague (black death) than smallpox. The main character talks of how entire families would wake up healthy in the morning and all be dead by nightfall; this is a completely inaccurate description of smallpox. By 1690, smallpox was not that fatal - the mortality rate was only about 30% so the likelihood of an entire family perishing from it was small. Furthermore, smallpox does not kill this quickly, death usually occurs after about two weeks from onset. All of this IS an accurate description of the bubonic plague though. The only thing that didn’t sound like the black death was the mention of the pustules on the face. Sounds like the author either didn’t do her research well enough or got mixed up in the process of her research.

Granted, I did consider that it was being told from the point of view of a small child and perhaps the author intended it as the child who got confused with the stories of the bubonic plague and smallpox. But you’d think if that were the case, the narration would mention that later in life the girl realize her mix up so that readers don’t get confused.

(Btw, I’m not considering this a spoiler since it occurs in the opening chapter and is mentioned in the very first paragraph).

I was also a little perplexed to find a randomly thrown in passage written in present tense near the end when the rest of the book was in past tense. I’m guessing the author was trying to distinguish the moment but it felt more jarring and out of place to me.

So why am I giving it 4 stars? Because the book is otherwise very well written with excellent, complex characters and a great plot. Though it is slow paced and there’s a lot of internal dialogue, it’s not boring - it's very emotionally powerful.