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Thursday, February 07, 2019

Ann Cleeves New Series; The Dead Witch on the Bridge and The Familiars

I've enjoyed Ann Cleeves' Shetland series with Jimmy Perez (which she recently concluded) and her Vera Stanhope series (long may it continue), but she also has a new series in the works!  

I've recently finished two witchy books.

Gretchen Galway's Dead Witch on a Bridge is the first in a series (Sonoma Witches #1), a kind of cozy witch mystery.  Alma Bellrose failed as a demon hunter for the Protectorate and now lives in the quiet and isolated community of Silverpool in the redwood forest.  

When her former boyfriend is murdered, Alma finds herself in an awkward situation that could (and does) turn dangerous.  Various characters are introduced that will no doubt be further developed in future books, but my favorite is Random, the dog that appears on the morning after the murder and becomes quite attached to and protective of Alma.

The first in this series was fun and has interesting possibilities. :)

NetGalley/ Kobo books
Paranormal/Mystery.  Jan. 15, 2019.  Print length:  340 pages.


The Familiars by Stacey Halls is a much more serious book that takes a fictional look at the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612.  

Most of the characters were real people, and Stacey Halls creates a rich and frightening narrative with the character of Fleetwood Shuttleworth.  Fleetwood, a genuine historical figure (as imagined by Halls) is a fascinating young woman whose character grows and develops throughout the novel.

Having suffered three miscarriages, seventeen-year-old Fleetwood is suffering through her fourth pregnancy, ill and frightened that she will once again loses the baby.  After finding a letter written to her husband by a doctor who examined her, Fleetwood realizes that she may not survive this pregnancy, and her fear and distress is heightened.

 When Fleetwood meets Alice Grey, she discovers that the young woman is a midwife.  In her desperation, she insists on hiring Alice to care for her and to deliver her child, bucking the advice of others who believe a more experienced midwife should be engaged.  

In the meantime, Alizon Device is arrested and accused of murder by witchcraft.  Much like in the Salem witch trials, the frenzy of accusations increased and spread.  

As she loses trust in almost everyone else, Fleetwood comes to trust Alice Grey,  and when Alice is also caught up in the accusations and imprisoned, Fleetwood is determined to save her.

What resonates so strongly in the book is the role of women--obedient wives, powerless over their own wealth; the importance of producing an heir and the dangers of childbirth; women whose opinions are ignored, and who are easily blamed for things that have natural causes.   

Initially, I was distressed and worried by Fleetwood's vulnerability, but the book moved
 into a compelling story as Fleetwood and Alice work together to insure Fleetwood's health and a successful childbirth.   Then Fleetwood does her best to prevent Alice from facing the gallows after her arrest. 

There is also an understated, but intriguing element of the supernatural that gives some ambiguity to the story.  I liked the way this was hinted at, rather than emphasized.

Interesting tidbit:  Sharon Bolton's The Craftsman is a suspenseful modern take on Pendle Hill and the witches.

NetGalley 
Historical Fiction.  Feb. 19, 2019.  Print length:  352 pages.







16 comments:

  1. First of all, I'm delighted that Ann Cleeves will have a new series and I do like the sound of it. Secondly, thanks for linking. I used to read Eurocrime and somehow I quit. I can't think why or how, but I'm again following that blog. The two witchy books sound good, but I'm especially interested in the second one. So, she's 17 and it's her 4 pregnancy. Wow. And also thanks for the tidbit about THE CRAFTSMAN. I've got that book here, but haven't read it yet.

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    1. I'm excited about Cleeves' new series! The Pendle witches have interested me for a while--and infuriated me at the same time. I liked The Craftsman and its modern take on Pendle Hill.

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  2. I'd read Dead Witch on a Bridge just for the dog! Random; what a great name for a dog. :D

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    1. Dead Witch was fun and Random really was my favorite character. :)

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  3. Both of these books sound good to me. And I still haven't read Sharon Bolton's The Craftsman.

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    1. I enjoyed both books, but the second one was certainly more intense!

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  4. Hmmm interesting titbit on The craftsman. I am reading it right now and am finding it hard to get into, so your comment has convinced me to keep going :)

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    1. I liked The Craftsman, especially when Avril and Daphne reveal some of the background. I also liked the idea of Florence in the past and present. I'm hoping Bolton will take Florence into another adventure. I also enjoy books that I can connect with other versions of the same events. Hope the book improves for you!

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  5. Both of these books appeal to me (not a surprise given my interest in witches, both historically and fantastical). Familiars has been on my wish list since I first heard about it. The cozy mystery is new to me. I'll have to check it out.

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    1. :) Maybe there is a little "witch" in all of us.

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  6. Oh the Familiars sounds wonderful. I also have the Sharon Bolton book on my list as I really enjoy her books. And, a new Cleeves book - yay! So many books and not enough time :)

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    1. The Familiars fascinates and disturbs. I'm pleased the Ann Cleeves has a new series!

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  7. I read the first 3 of the Jimmy Perez series. They were interesting to me because I don't read many books set in that part of the U.K. The bleakness reminds me of the similar setting of the Peter May series that I started.

    I've read several by S. Bolton, some good, some okay, but The Craftsman I had to DNF because it creeped me out too much, lol. I googled Pendle witches after you mentioned them, above. How fascinating! I'd like to learn more about them. I spent one day a long time ago in Salem, MA and we took the kids to the kitschy tourist spots there. Recently my youngest brought it up and said she'd like to go on the cemetery tour around Halloween.

    Thanks for your choices in books that are usually new to me and give me more to add to the TBR.

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    1. I agree about Bolton. I've read some of her books that I've really liked, but others were just okay. How easy it was to accuse and how difficult to refute the charge of witchcraft! Arthur Miller's The Crucible about Giles Corey still has an effect on me.

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  8. I've been a long-time Cleeves and Bolton fan, and I'm thrilled that Cleeves is starting a new series. I also have a feeling that I'll be adding THE CRAFTSMAN to my eBook stockpile soon!

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    1. Both authors are fun to read, and I look forward to each new book by either one. :)

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