Interesting, from an historical point of view, but I struggled with it a bit
The cover of this book is stunning - lots of vibrant colour and hidden details all entwined around the hangman's noose.
The story inside is, historically, quite rich too - being centred around the Pendle Witch Trials.
It feels like a different world, one in which herbalists are accused of witchcraft and a drunken man's accusation is enough to see a person hang.
Meanwhile 17 year old Fleetwood is pregnant again. The lady of the manor has previously miscarried and is desperate to carry her latest child to term. When she meets the mysterious Alice in the woods she feels she has found her perfect midwife. The one woman who can make sure that both she and her child survive.
But Alice has a past and the local magistrate is determined to see her tried as a witch - and Fleetwood's opinion doesn't hold much sway (being married and under her husband's control and all that).
Fleetwood faces a race against time to save Alice (and by extension herself) but she has to overcome a lot of hurdles along the way.
I love that this story is based on real people but did struggle to get through more than a couple of chapters at a time. A fascinating tale but not necessarily a gripping one.
The story inside is, historically, quite rich too - being centred around the Pendle Witch Trials.
It feels like a different world, one in which herbalists are accused of witchcraft and a drunken man's accusation is enough to see a person hang.
Meanwhile 17 year old Fleetwood is pregnant again. The lady of the manor has previously miscarried and is desperate to carry her latest child to term. When she meets the mysterious Alice in the woods she feels she has found her perfect midwife. The one woman who can make sure that both she and her child survive.
But Alice has a past and the local magistrate is determined to see her tried as a witch - and Fleetwood's opinion doesn't hold much sway (being married and under her husband's control and all that).
Fleetwood faces a race against time to save Alice (and by extension herself) but she has to overcome a lot of hurdles along the way.
I love that this story is based on real people but did struggle to get through more than a couple of chapters at a time. A fascinating tale but not necessarily a gripping one.