The Witch Hunter's Tale

Midwife Mysteries #3

by Sam Thomas

Sam Thomas takes readers back to Puritan England with midwife Bridget Hodgson, hailed by the Cleveland Plain Dealer as "one of the most fascinating detectives in contemporary mystery fiction."

Winter has come to the city of York, and with it the threat of witchcraft. As women and children sicken and die, midwife Bridget Hodgson is pulled against her will into a full-scale witch-hunt that threatens to devour all in its path, guilty and innocent alike.

Bridget—accompanied once again by her deputy Martha Hawkins and her nephew Will Hodgson—finds herself playing a lethal game of cat and mouse against the most dangerous men in York, as well as her sworn enemy Rebecca Hooke. As the trials begin, and the noose begins to tighten around her neck, Bridget must answer the question: How far will she go to protect the people she loves?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Crime, Mystery Thriller

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 6, 2015

Reviews

[Erin (Historical Fiction Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....

Sam Thomas taunted me. Not intentionally, I don't really know him and I don't think he has particular issue with me, but he mentioned The Witch Hunter's Tale in a January 2014 interview, more than a year before the novel's release, and I about lost my mind waiting for it to become available. Week after interminable week, there I was cooling my heels and twiddling my thumbs, but relief finally came and I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed.

Thomas has a remarkable understanding of seventeenth century life. He fills his stories with a wealth of social and historic detail, but I'm always amazed by his chosen point of view as each of his novels is written from the perspective of a midwife. I don't mean to split hairs or get into some sexist debate, I'm simply awed and amused that I owe such excellent exposition to someone who wouldn't have been welcome in the birthing room.

Bridget Hodgson is a wonderful character, but I think this my favorite of her stories. She grows in unexpected ways as she wrestles with the idea of justice and man's manipulation of the law. She is forced to make sacrifices, change her view of the world and even act in ways she wouldn't normally consider appropriate. She becomes a more dynamic and complex individual in this installment of the Midwife Mysteries and that transformation really appealed to me.

My favorite element of the story, however, was Bridget's nemesis, Rebecca Hooke. There is a cold brilliance to the woman, a deviousness I absolutely adore. If you haven't done so, I highly recommend reading The Maidservant and the Murderer as the novella offers wonderful insight to her personality. Bridget is fun, Martha is clever and Helen is wickedly alluring, but Rebecca is shrewd, conniving, and duplicitous. She is the perfect foil, an adversary who is as fascinating as she is egoistic.

I don't mean downplay the earlier novels, but I think The Witch Hunter's Tale the best of the series thus far. Thomas has a way of keeping his readers on their toes, of holding a twist until the last possible moment and catching his audience off-guard with a curve ball they never saw coming, but the themes he explored here and the depth he illustrated in his players were beyond anything I expected and came together in a memorable and thoroughly entertaining fiction.

[Priscilla Herrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the Midwife Mysteries series, The Witch Hunter's Tale holds up to its predecessor.

As usual, author Sam Thomas makes full use of historical detail to provide a convincing setting for midwife Bridget Hodgson's latest - and arguably most dangerous - adventure. Ably assisted by her assistant Martha, Bridget confronts her worst enemies as York, like much of 17th century England, finds itself in the grip of a witch hunt.

Without giving away the ending of this one, I can only say that I am eagerly awaiting Book #4!

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lekárske historické kriminálky mám naozaj veľmi rada. Aj keď som sa omylom dostala vlastne k 3. dielu série, ale nevadí dvojku dočítam inokedy, veď príbeh nadväzuje pomerne plynule.
V domácnosti lady Bridget sa stretávame s novými členmi rodiny (osirelé deti). Samotná Marta je už učnicou pôrodnej baby a získava nové poznatky. Samotné vyšetrovanie a honba za čarodejnicami je v podstate politicky motivovaná a záver ma riadne prekvapil (dokonca som aj ľutovala ako skončila jedna z hlavných postáv). Zaujímavosťou je tentoraz to, ako sa odsúdenkyne priznávali k vine a boli presvedčené, že očarovali/prekliali niekoho. A krásne tu bolo ukázané ovládnutie davu (presvedčenie mestskej rady, kázne, letáky a pamflety plné vymyslených a prekrútených faktov a klasické ohováranie a ústne podanie klebiet).
Bridget má na rukách krv (opäť), ale tak bola to tvrdá doba. Vyšetrovanie vraždy priateľa je prepletené aj s členmi jej rodiny a mieri do vyšších kruhov. Podozrivých je aj tu viac. No Bridget a jej blízkym tentoraz ide vážne o život.
Nutne však potrebujem aj tie zvyšné časti!

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the 3rd in Sam Thomas's 'Midwife Mysteries' series, with Lady Bridget Hodgson as the sleuth. This is his absolute best yet. He has totally outdone himself with The Witch Hunter's Tale.

Set in 17th century Puritan England, the Midwife Mystery series feature gentlewoman Lady Bridget Hodgson, who is a midwife and well known in the entire city of York Minster. Everyone respects her and she carries with her an air of authority and respect.

In this offering, everyone in the city is up in arms that witches may be afoot, and Lady Bridget's newphew, Joseph, is arresting women left and right. No one is safe, not even Lady Bridget herself or her deputy, Martha.

Then a murder of someone close to Lady Bridget happens and her world turns upside down. Everyone she loves seems to be in danger now. What move should Lady Bridget make next? If she's not careful, she herself will be named as witch.

Enter Rebecca Hooke, arch enemy of Lady Bridget, and who lives to take revenge on her. Rebecca Hooke's anger and vengenance know no bounds when it comes to Lady Bridget.

Things progressively grow from worse to worse until it seems that the only way out is to leave the city. But Lady Bridget can't do that because all she holds dear is in York.

Sam Thomas is an incredible writer. His attention to detail is beyond compare. His historical research is impeccable. I found myself many times going to the dictionary to look up the meaning of words used in the 17th century.

His writing, in the way I feel best to describe it, is clean, crisp and to the point. There are no wasted words here. Every word is important to the story and he writes in a fascinating manner, drawing the reader in to the tale immediately and not letting go until the last word is read. Something that I hated, by the way. I did not want it to end.

This is his best book yet! He has totally outdone himself. Circumstances changed so often and so dramatically, I wondered if I'd ever guess the culprit. I didn't, by the way. There was such adventure and excitement in this book. I felt as if I were on a roller coaster hurtling toward the ground in several instances. There is no way a reader could ever be bored reading a Sam Thomas novel!

This was the third novel in the series, with a short novella featuring the evil Rebecca Hooke. I am eagerly anticipating the next in the series. At least, I certainly hope there will be more.

*I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review, which I have given. *

[Shomeret · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the context of the witchhunt which impacts the entire city, the murder of a prominent alderman at the beginning of the book, seems to recede into the background. There is very little investigation of the murder. Events overtake Bridget, and she can only take defensive action against them. The truth about the murder does eventually surface and it is an important plot development, but neither Bridget nor her resourceful servant Martha can be said to be responsible for uncovering the truth.

There are few surprises in this novel. I have read numerous books about Puritan witchcraft hysterias. They are very similar in their progression and the motives of those who instigate them. As usual, politics and class antagonism played prominent roles in this witchcraft hysteria.

The strengths of The Witch Hunter's Tale are its dramatic intensity and Bridget's continuing character growth. If there is a next novel in this series, it will be absolutely astonishing because there is no single predictable path for Bridget Hodgson in the aftermath of this book. That's really rather marvelous because she has the freedom to shape her own life for the first time. I was glad to see a proper resolution that is still open ended.

I received this book from Net Galley in return for this honest review.

For my complete review see http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2015/...

[Indie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was torn between 3.5 or 4 as my rating ...and decided to round it off to the latter. And I am a 100% behind that rating .

Immersed in the witch hunting days of England in the 1600s , this book is good balance of being a plot and character driven tale. Since it is set in a time that we, as the readers of today, cannot relate to : there were certainly some elements in the book & some things the protagonist (lady Bridget) did , that truly bothered me. But those were immediately remedied/understood/ forgotten, when I reminded myself of the book’s setting & the times in which it unfolds in. And so I liked the fact that the characters remained true to the story and did and say exactly what would realistically be expected of them...without really caring about the readers reaction ...or rather worrying about how they would come across.
I liked the author’s writing style as well. And I liked how the book ended ..which is probably all I can say without spoiling it ! :)

Good YA historical fiction!

[Trishell Arquero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a hard time getting into books. This series of books I loved and wanted to read more and more if them. I a now done with the three there are and am sad there are no others to pick up and read. I loved the story, the history, the mystery, and the characters. A fast read and one I have a hard time putting down. A must read!!!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read!

[Vontel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the 4th book in the series (Midwife & the Assassin) in June, and decided I would go back and read previous volumes.

A good read and historical mystery novel, set in York perhaps in the 1640's, with much political manoevering which leads midwife Lady Bridget Hodgson and her assorted family into great danger from her nephew by marriage, Joseph. He returned from the army and wars, took over his family's affairs and position, espoused the Puritan cause and has now imported and instituted a witch hunt, which was happening elsewhere. Lady Hodgson is pulled into the politics of the witch hunt, while continuing her midwifery, and discovers how shifting times can necessitate shifting alliances.

By the end of the book, Lady Hodson and most of her family are forced into leaving York for her estates in Hereford, but there was a suggestion earlier in the book that she might go to London. I thought I would read the next volume, but in checking realized I read it earlier in the year, which I had forgotten. I hope that there will soon be a 5th book in the series, which is set during an era of political upheaval in England.

[Erin Al-Mehairi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the midwife historical mysteries by Sam Thomas! He had me hooked from the first one, which was called A Midwife’s Tale and introduced us to the kind, hard-working, no nonsense midwife Bridget. I am not overly into midwifery by any means, but Sam takes his historical research experience of the 17th midwife life and couples it with period details and societal, religious, and political intrigue to plot out fabulous murder mysteries, which of course, Bridget inadvertently becomes involved in solving. He does also highlight the profession of delivering babies as well, which I’ve found has become quite interesting in its technique and manner. As a mom, it makes me cringe thinking what women went through back then in regards to childbirth.

Based on the idea that a midwife with a good name and some wealth can move just about anywhere in the street without the need of a man or husband, Sam can put his lead character Bridget in a good place to really search out clues that might not be an option for many other women in that era. Plus, she’s privy to all kinds of information that would be hard for anyone else to collect as she listens to her female clients’ gossips and understands the nature of all families in the area, whether wealthy or poor. The times are quite heated between people due to the English Civil War, which creates an air of fear and violence.

I have to say that this third mystery, A Witch Hunter’s Tale, has been my favorite of all so far. It could be because I am really interested in the history of witch hunts as well as witches, magic, and alchemy in history. The fact that the book’s mystery delved around the frantic time of the witch hunts being performed in South England, and religious fanaticism taking its hold northward where the series is set, truly had my attention the entire time. I do believe, however, that it’s also Sam’s finest novel to date due to his underlying tones of the persecution of women, and the double standards the laws created against women, as well as his portrayal of the religious fanaticism of the time and how it effected the country’s people and political structures.

I had just recently mentioned to another 17th century British mystery novelist, after reading a post on this site from Cat Cavendish about the infamous 17th century witch hunter Matthew Hopkins, that he’d be great to include in a mystery novel! Then I opened Sam’s book and saw his name mentioned! He wasn’t a character in Sam’s book, but there was some threatening of bringing him in to the area to pull out all the witches. However, the political leaders of the area, including Bridget’s uptight nephew, Joseph, and her nemesis, Rebecca, a former midwife, want all the power for themselves. They start hunting for witches and collecting them in the “gaols,” which Sam writes about with utterly horrid details that allow you, unfortunately, to smell and visualize the surroundings in a way that makes you never want to be transported to that time and place. However, his vivid descriptions are one of the amazing things about this book and they truly allow the reader to feel the plight of these suspected women.

So how does a midwife become involved in witch hunting? Since a midwife is concerned in birthing, she also serves to care for a woman’s body, therefore, she would be able to verify if a woman were a witch by finding a teat or witch’s mark on the body. Due to this, Bridget is quietly worried they will ask her to perform this exam, for if they are determined to hang someone as a witch, and have other proof, but as a midwife she finds the examination clear, she could be called a witch herself! Luckily, she has enough family prestige to not have a finger pointed at her, but some people will go to any means (even lying or killing) as a Searcher to torture and hang women, putting the fear of God into all the area.

Once the murder has occurred in the novel, Bridget becomes wholly invested in finding the truth, as her other nephew Will, of whom she treats like a son, is accused and thrown into jail by his own brother. Martha, Bridget’s trusty deputy midwife (and deputy amateur detective alongside her), are on the case to redeem Will’s name and save his life.

Other themes explored within this novel are Bridget’s inner emotions over losing her two children when they were young, as well as her husband. This happened in her life before even the first novel, and as a midwife she finds joy in delivering babies and had seemed to put it mostly out of her mind. But in this third novel, the author really examines her feelings of their deaths and how it effects her spirituality, her take on life and God’s role in it, her connections with those she has now come to love, and with the addition of little Elizabeth (an orphan) coming to live with Bridget, I saw more of her nurturing side in a way that really endeared me more towards the midwife. His character development of Bridget, as well as the other supporting characters in this novel, became more dimensional and deep. Plus, I just love how this sleuth and sidekick (Bridget and Martha) are female leads, with the men in supporting roles!

In The Witch Hunter’s Tale, Sam writes with great historical details, sensational description, deep and heartfelt emotion, and a formidable plot that kept me guessing and turning the pages. I’d highly recommend this book, both in the series and as a stand alone, to anyone who loves mysteries or 17th century English life. He truly connects the reader to this era in northern England, which is ripe with strife, confusion, religiosity, and fear, and shows us how one woman can care for an entire town, and her hodgepodge of a family, just by opening her heart.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which I've given.

[Tady je Lubošovo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Čekal jsem něco jako Kladivo na čarodějnice, ale hon na čarodějnice byl vlastně jen kulisa. Hlavní postava porodní bába Bridget musí vyřešit vraždu jednoho z měšťanů, aby zachránila život sobě i svým blízkým. Kniha je psána velmi jednoduše, takže u ní nemusíte moc přemýšlet. Bohužel mě děj nedokázal nijak zvlášť zaujmout. Chvílemi čtěte velmi detailní, ale pak přijde akce a ta je odbyta několika řádky. Přesto, že se příběh odehrává v 17. století, vše je líčeno dnešním jazykem. V knize je spousta zvratů, ale velmi průhledných. Vraha nelze odhalit, protože čtenář nedostává žádné indicie. Bohužel nevidím důvod, proč dávat šanci ostatním dílům ze série.

[Read-n-Bloom · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first picked this book up from the library, I thought it wasn't part of a series, but once getting it home, realized it was. It's the 3rd book in. It was a good mystery & I like the historical read of it as well. Now I'm going to have to go back to library and get the other books in series, because it has piqued my interest. And there's thirteen books in the series. 😬😩 Oh well, I read it fairly fast, because it was so interesting, so hopefully I will get through them quickly.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was a little lost from not reading this series in order. This mystery takes place during Englands civil war era in York. I enjoyed the superstitions while the witch hunts and hanging begins. While this is mainly a historical mystery it has the intensity of a thriller. The main character is a midwife and lady which is interesting, she is pretty much forced into a situation of how far will you go for your loved ones? A keeper that leaves you wanting more.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today I learned that one man brought about the accusation & execution of 300 or so alleged “witches” in England. And no wonder - you could be charged for just having malicious thoughts toward someone if something bad happened to them. Your daughter could be killed in public if a neighbor reported hearing her sing to her kitty. Even for a woman like Lady Bridget, 17th century England was a horror story.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 3rd book in the series surprised me a bit. I didn't see Lady Bridget as being a believer in witches, for some reason. Up until this book, I felt she was more progressive for her time. And then what she did to save Will also suprised me. I'm curious to see how Will handles the future, and what happens to his relationship with Martha. It took me a bit to warm up to this series, but now I'm invested!

[Damn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was absolutely fantastic. The first line of the book hooked me immediately and it seems it never stopped. With the intense emotions and relatable characters, I found myself on the edge of the seat wanting to read more. I recommend this book to nearly anyone who loves the idea of witches and a thriller all mixed into one.

[Kerry]

A noble, educated, good-hearted midwife finds herself embroiled in a witch hunt in York. Author Sam Thomas invested years in research to give this book a properly English 1600's vibe. It illustrates the tentative relationship between belief and fanaticism. Throw in a murder mystery, a double-dealing nephew, progeny in peril, and a truly wicked Rachel, and you have The Witch Hunter's Tale.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good installment in the Midwife Mysteries. We've all heard of the Salem Witch Trials, but there were also witch hunts in England. Don't like your neighbor? Accuse her of being a witch and your problem is solved.

[Richella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - I just didn't get into this one as much as the first 2 in the series. I am also not a big fan of how it ended, but will not add spoilers. I read these 3 back to back. Maybe I'll take a little break and read something else before continuing on in the series.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it very much. Stayed up till 3am and had to fore myself to put it down to get some sleep. But I am nervous about the ending and the next book. I'm not so sure I like the direction this is heading.

[Phyllis Fredericksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd in the series and I think it’s the best on yet. Witches and murder and various plot twists keep the action going. The characters are very well developed and I like the way the author applies 17th century language.

[Lisa Westerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

READING DIARY

I LIKED IT. In the end the midwife and her urban family have to flee because of her perjury insured her evil nephew was hung and her good nephew hates her. Rebecca’s son was the one who killed the midwife’s friend. Helenthe local madam and the midwife become friends.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story set in York England in the 1600's.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little disappointed in the ending of this one...hopefully the authour redeems himself in the next one

[Janifowose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bridget and Martha try to save the Town of York from her fanatical nephew ,and his posse of witch hunters.

[Silvia Creed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very strong book. I think it is awesome how the author tells the story, it feels real and it got me to think about why people act the way they do.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really did try but it felt slightly true to the time with a crazed power hungry zealot so I’ll try again later...

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good mystery mixed with history of the witch hunting and persecution.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing, highly enjoyable read. Sad to reach the end.

[Ann De Luca · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome