This was a page-turner and thoroughly entertaining book (am I allowed to say that about books that describe hanging witches?) I love how each novel from Chris Bohjalian is in such a different style and on such different and unique topics. This one didn't disappoint. In this story you are pulled into the life of Mary Deerfield, an intelligent and independent young woman living in 1662 Boston. She is judged for her conduct, but really for her gender. While I was enraged at her treatment, I suspect Bohjalian did his research and it is entirely accurate. It was a suspenseful novel where you THINK you know how it's going to end... but does it? I recommend!

A masterwork with a surprise happy ending. I tend to loathe books written with thee, thy, thou, but this author’s use of those words is so facile and perfect that they seemed but normal conversation rather than affectation. The juxtaposition of the trials’ transcripts with the chapters was a brilliantly affecting touch, showing that such words can mask a hundred other things. This is the most affecting portrait of that period of time that I have read, demonstrating mindsets so foreign to our way of thoughts and beliefs while making them as normal as they would have been at the time. I cannot recommend this book highly enough except to say it will sit with me for a long time.

My thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for an advanced copy of this novel.

Chris Bohjalian past books have been mysteries, family dramas, medical mysteries and and others, with fascinating characters in sometimes horrendous situations. Hour of the Witch is a historical thriller set in the time of or Puritans in Boston, Massachusetts.

Mary, at only 24, is trapped in a abusive, both physically and emotionally marriage with Thomas a much older previously married man. After an act of violence, Mary decides that she has had enough. Though being 1662 a woman has few options in marriage, except for subservience.

Added to her woes objects that could be considered tainted by the Devil are found in her garden, and a person that Mary had been trying to help with herbs goes drastically wrong. Being different at this time in anyway, standing out from the norm could lead to more than gossip or even ostracism. It could lead to death.

Mr. Bohjalian has crafted a well researched tale, with intriguing characters and a great sense of place and tone. Sure to be another bestseller, but even better a very good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hour of the Witch is the atmospheric and captivating story of Mary Deerfield, a 24 year old Puritan woman who must deal with the following: an abusive, alcoholic husband, a servant with MAJOR Abigail Williams vibes, and community members who are both sexist and nosy as hell.

Someone is trying to frame Mary for witchcraft. Or are they? Y'all, the central dilemma of this book hinges on, you'll never guess...

Forks. Forks!!! The "devil's tines," as the characters frequently call them. It is funny until you realize people felt this way and women died because of it. Forks.

Overall, this book is a wonderful and pretty quick read. By like, 60% of the way through the book, I was ready for things to wrap up toward their conclusion. I sped through some of that (and you honestly can, too). It could've been about 40-50 pages shorter, in my opinion. There are a few red herrings and twists that someone who has read more mysteries than me may catch! Otherwise, I created a witchy Spotify playlist because I love reading and existing in the witchy/Salem/1660s reading atmosphere. If you like The Crucible, you'll like this one, too.

What happens when a Puritan woman in New England wants to leave her abusive husband? Chris Bohjalian's historical fiction novel Hour of the Witch deftly answers this unique question in the heart-pounding first part but then fizzles a bit after that.

In 1662, Mary Deerfield is living with her husband, Thomas, and their servant girl, Catherine. Thomas is terribly violent toward Mary and rather than tolerating it, she decides to take matters into her own hands and file for divorce. Back then, one needed to get government approval to divorce. Not only that, but Mary soon finds herself the target of suspicion of witchcraft.

This book is divided into a few parts. The part leading up to Mary's divorce hearing is absolutely compelling. After that, Hour of the Witch loses a little luster and becomes predictable. But I admire Bohjalian for taking the topic of divorce on at a time period when it was almost unheard of.

MY RATING - 3.5

Whether you are a long time fan of Chris Bohjalian, or this is your first time reading him, you will not be disappointed. The story of Mary Deerfield is a riveting page turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As per his style, Bohjalian keeps the reader engaged with wonderfully drawn characters and a fast moving narrative. Just when you think you know where everyone is headed, the book changes course and brings you on a new and exciting path.
The actual excerpts from the court documents of both trials of Mary Deerfield add to drama and suspense. On the surface this is a story of an abusive husband and a woman accused of witchcraft. In reality though this book is all about strong women.. Women who are marginalized and treated as property, but who use their intelligence and courage in ways that the men never dream of. This is a book about using your voice, standing up for your beliefs and disrupting the status quo.

Mary Deerfield is a young woman married to an abusive husband in 17th century Boston. She’s determined to get a divorce during a time when women could rarely do such things, so she finds herself facing the wrath of her community.

It’s obvious Bohjalian has done an enormous amount of research, but he’s an artful writer, so he doesn’t show his hand. The setting and culture feel lived in and just flow so that you feel, for better or worse, fully immersed in 17th century Boston. And as a reader, you may find yourself - much like Mary Deerfield - clawing to get out.

It’s shocking to experience the unfettered power the church has, in coordination with the legal system, to use shame and intimidation as a means of control. You experience the subjugation through all of the characters but none so much as Mary, who must grapple with her impulse to be an independent woman in a society that is terrified of such a thing.

The court proceedings are fascinating: they shed light on the law and the legal processes of our country’s history while embodying all the intrigue of a Grisham-type legal thriller.

This has similarities with The Handmaid’s Tale. And just like that novel, it’s a cautionary tale of what our society could slide back into if we aren’t vigilant in protecting and furthering our rights.

This was actually the first book of Bohjalian’s that I've read, and I look forward to reading more!

It comes out May 4!

Thank you Doubleday for the ARC!

Thank you, NetGalley, Chris Bohjalian, and Double Day Books for the opportunity to read this book!

Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian takes readers back to the year 1662 in Boston. Yes, we are in the time of the Puritans. The Salem Witch trials are still 30 years away, but the Salem Witch Trials were not the only witch trials that occurred in America. Seriously, check out the Connecticut Witch Trials. In this book, Mary Deerfield is 24 years old and married to Thomas Deerfield, a miller. Mary is Thomas’s second wife and he is a lot older than her. Thomas’s daughter from his first marriage is near Mary’s same age. That isn’t the issue. Thomas is cruel. He takes great care in where he hits her and always has an excuse for every injury that occurs. One day, Mary finds some forks buried in the yard. But is Puritan Society forks are also known as The Devil’s Tines. Mary’s indentured servant Catherine believes that Mary planted them. This leads to an increase in Thomas’s abuse. Mary can’t take it anymore and files for divorce. Every aspect of Mary’s life is under scrutiny and proceeding with this divorce could end up in an entirely different trial altogether.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: ABUSE and RAPE

This book begins with an abusive relationship, but the majority of the book is the details of the trials. That sounds pretty boring, right? NOT AT ALL. I was glued to the page all the way until the very end. However, I was pissed off like 90% of the time. But that is the point. The author really makes readers worry about the characters. Mary experiences torture just because she is a woman. I loved Mary’s fierceness in the presence of danger. She is clever and tries to stay one step ahead.

One thing that the author absolutely excels at is really bringing in the religious and psychological aspects of the Puritan community. In a sense, no one is safe. Those who hold the power, claim to be “Men of God” but are actually those who are scared when a woman manages to move out from under their thumb.

Then there is the underlying mystery that keeps the story moving. Who placed the forks and why? Could it be the indentured servant who has designs on Thomas Deerfield or Thomas himself? Could it be some jealous woman from town or a man bearing some sort of grudge? The possibilities are endless and the mystery had some magnificent twists and turns. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars! This book releases on May 4th and you will not want to miss out!

I will read anything this author writes, but I admit I was a bit nervous when I found out that it involved two things I'm not much of a fan of. It takes place in 1662 (not a preferred time period)and it's about witches (not a preferred subject). Because I trust Mr. Bohjalian I soldiered on, and was of course rewarded with a fantastic story! This one has a bit of everything to entertain the reader. There is the fact that the main protagonist is trying to obtain a divorce from her husband for cruelty, not something looked favorably upon in those times (the divorce that is, cruelty while not outwardly tolerated happens more often than not without punishment). There is a great trial that the reader gets a first hand seat for. Then there is the witchcraft claims against Mary, who knows she is being set up, but by who, and for what reason? All of this is wrapped up inside a story about a small coastal village outside Boston, with many interesting inhabitants who are only too willing to gossip about the goings on around them. The only downside for me was all the religion that I had to slog through, but I understand that it was of paramount importance during those times, and these were Puritans who had come over from London looking for religious freedom. The characters were so well formed, and the story flowed without a single slow spot. There were characters to love, as well as characters to loathe, and lots of places where I was holding my breath to see where the story would take me next.

Mr. Bohjalian has once again written a riveting, readable, and memorable novel. I don't know how he manages to bring a new subject to every book he writes, without the usual formulaic style that lots of prolific writers fall into. My favorite of his titles still remain Midwives and Close Your Eyes, but considering my trepidation when I read this synopsis, this one will be up there as a favorite as well.

This was an epic story about one girls life. I felt so much for the main character that I felt like crying and hoping into the book to save her on more than one occasion. These types of books being Pagan are so hard to get through sometimes but this one I turned the pages and just fell so in love.

Set in Boston, 1662, Hour of the Witch is a look at Puritanical men and the women they are allowed to basically own. Mary Deerfield petitions the court for a divorce from her husband who has become both physically and mentally abusive. Because there have been no witnesses to his cruelty, it is his word against hers and the magistrates send her back home to him. The relationship deteriorates further until Mary is accused of being a witch, at which point she is fighting for her life instead of simply her freedom.

Stop what your doing and read this book - it is one of the best books I've read in a while! I'm not a fan of the Salem witch hunt era, but I read this because I really like Author Chris Bohjalian. I was instantly transported to Massachuetts where the main character, Mary Deerfield and her husband Thomas were brought to life by Bohjalian's vivid writing. We follow Mary through her ordeals with her abusive husband and through her being tried as a witch, all the while becoming totally immersed in the story and rooting for a happy outcome for Mary. I'll leave it there and urge you to pick up this book. It is a great read from start to finish and you won't want to put it down! 5 stars for another great read from Mr. Bohjalian!

Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian is described as a historical thriller. I only found it to be moderately thrilling, especially during the first half. But still, it is an enjoyable story that gives a deep insight into the mindset of the Puritans who founded Boston as a holy commonwealth. These religious leaders had exclusive control over all aspects of colonial life. Their world was full of hellfire and brimstone sermons which caused a deep and constant fear of the devil. With no separation of church and state, religion was used as a weapon to keep people in line. Women who showed independence and intelligence were often called witches. Quakers were publicly whipped for their beliefs and people were excommunicated if they spoke out against the church leaders.

The protagonist of Hour of the Witch is Mary Deerfield, a 24-year-old woman married to the much older, Thomas. Mary came to Boston with her wealthy parents when she was 16 and married when she was 19. Thomas, a widower, is a respected merchant. They do not have children, which causes Mary great sadness. Mary’s father imports luxury items from Europe and the Caribbean, including three-tined forks, which many Puritans call the “devil’s tines”. They believe the forks to be instruments of evil.

Mary and Thomas live together with an indentured servant, Catherine. Catherine has a great fondness for Thomas, but none for her mistress. When Mary finds some of the forks buried in the front yard, along with a pestle, Catherine believes Mary is trying to cast a spell on Thomas. When Catherine’s brother dies after Mary tried to ease his pain with simples, Catherine thinks Mary killed him. Later, a mark of the devil is carved into the wood of the house and a coin with the same mark is found in an unusual place. Mary is obsessed with finding out who is trying to curse her household.

Thomas abuses Mary, both mentally and physically, but only when Catherine is not around or is asleep. He accuses her of having “white meat” for a brain, when in fact, she is very clever and enterprising. Thomas’s first wife supposedly died after being struck in the head by a horse, but there were no witnesses. The final straw comes for Mary when Thomas stabs her left hand with one of the Devil’s Tines. Mary files for divorce, which is practically unheard of in the Puritan community. She is willing to do anything, perhaps even murder, to get out from under Thomas’s cruelties. Mary must not only fight Thomas but the extreme prejudices and shocking beliefs of the community. During all this tribulation, she falls in love with another man. It is her hope for a future with him that propels her to get out of the marriage.

There are two trials in the novel. The first is for the divorce hearing. The second is when Mary is accused of being a witch due to those dang forks which have reemerged. Both times the servant, Catherine, testifies against Mary. The legal system is a farce. Magistrates asks outrageous questions that have nothing to do with the issue before the panel. Witnesses are encouraged to speculate as to motives and to give religious opinions. Mary often speaks up during testimony to interrupt a witness. I had to laugh at this jab “When someone disputed a magistrate, it tended to be a lawyer, whose unpopular profession was known for its tendency to bark and bray.” Mary’s outspokenness does her no favors in either trial.

4-stars. Book club recommended because there will be great discussions about domestic abuse, Puritans, the justice system, and prejudices. Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for my advanced reader copy. This novel is expected to be published on May 4, 2021.

Hour of the Witch paints a dark, twisty, complicated picture of Puritan Boston in the mid-17th century. Mary Deerfield is the young, second wife of an abusive husband. She applies for a divorce with all the attending accusations of witchcraft that go with it. Mary’s husband Thomas is truly horrible, but it’s hard to figure out which other characters the reader can trust. The story is grim but engrossing and clever. I was born and raised in Boston, we spent all our school field trips visiting the early settlement sites, but I was still surprised by how completely unlikeable and irrational these particular Puritans were. It all made for a great, unusual, suspenseful narrative.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Chris Bohjalian - one of my favorites! 4.5 stars for a great historical fiction look into early views about women and witches!

Mary left London with her parents who settled in Boston in the mid-1600s. Mary is a very devout Puritan woman who marries an older man, Thomas Deerfield, and becomes his second wife. Thomas turns out to be a very angry, violent man especially when he drinks and Mary is on the receiving end of that violence. When he stabs a three-pronged fork through her hand, Mary decides she must divorce him. However, she then finds herself defending against allegations of witchcraft.

While a bit of a slower read, this is a very powerful look into how women were treated centuries ago. Men were allowed to discipline their wives and the wives were forced to live with that violence. Hmm, well, maybe we haven't come as far as we should have on that matter. Barren women were judged to be suspect because they didn't fulfill what they were created to do - be bearers of children. This book took place in Massachusetts before the Salem witch trials and people were looking everywhere for the signs of the Devil - even in forks! The trials that Mary underwent were quite eyeopening and led to a tense reading of this book - loved the ending!

Chris Bohjalian has done it again, with another immersive spell-binding (no pun intended) story. This time the setting is 1662-63 in Boston, which is under Puritan rule. Bohjalian uses archaic, formal dialog to set the tone of his story, and it only took me a short while to get used to it all (“dost”, “thou”, “prithee” and so forth). The main character, Mary Deerfield, is a complex person, dealing with an abusive older husband (especially when he’s “drink-drunk”) and struggling to keep her faith, despite her remaining childless. I found the colonial legal proceedings very interesting, and grew very frustrated with the magistrates (all of whom, of course, were men), even while realizing that they were people of their times. Truly this was not a good time or place to be a woman! (Or a man, unless you were inclined to follow the Puritan way of life absolutely and completely.) At its heart, the divorce proceedings were a colonial era example of “he said, she said” since there were no witnesses to the husband’s cruelty.

Bohjalian paints a wonderful picture of the everyday lives of the early colonists in Boston, the food they ate and the clothing they wore, the prevalence of indentured servants, and the social structures (and strictures), without taking away from the very absorbing narrative. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Mary decides to file for divorce from Thomas after a vicious attack. Though he has abused her all five years of their marriage, there is no proof. They both provided stories of Mary's clumsiness.
Fearing for her safety, Mary moves in with her parents while her scribe prepares her case.
Whispers of Mary practicing witchcraft surface. They steal the attention away from the years Mary suffered domestic violence.
Mary fights hard for her independence- refusing to bow to her community's ongoing insistence Mary attempt mediation rather than divorce - their value on the sanctity of marriage than a wife's right to safety.
Women have endured abuse from the beginning of time. Yet again a terrifying question - what has changed in 500 years? Women are still not valued as a people, suffer abuse at the hands of men, rulings made by men. I could go on.
Slow build, great ending.

Mary is trying to escape her abusive husband via divorce, but when things take a dark turn, the story turns into one of survival and women's rights in puritan America. I would give this book a strong 4/5.
I'm a sucker for a colonial witch plot, and the feminist undertones of this story made it more appealing. Even though the author is a man, I thought Bohjalian did a great job subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) reminding the reader how women were viewed and treated during this time (ex. when Mary pointed out the difference in how the judges responded to a male witness and a female witness.).
Each character seemed to have plenty of depth. Mary definitely had the most depth as a woman who wanted to please God, but also wanted to live a fulfilling life - an impossible position for a woman of the time. Bohjalian blurred the good/bad lines between the rest of the characters, leaving me conflicted about some characters that I made my mind up about in the beginning. Except for Thomas... I definitely still hate him.
Overall, I liked the plot and the pacing. If I hit a particular spot that was a bit slow or dull, Bohjalian would make up for it by providing an intense chapter right after. And the ending - woah! The plot twist was great and super satisfying after such a dark read. This is a good read!

Mary doesn't really fit into 1660s Massachusetts Bay Colony, but she tries and works hard to be a good member of the community. However, her abusive husband (who is far older than herself), her inability to get pregnant, and the general climate of religious violence all contribute to Mary ending up in front of the magistrates. Twice. The book is a thriller in the sense that it keeps you on the edge of anxiety the entire time. Bohjalian does an excellent job of making you both frustrated with Mary and empathetic towards her situation while the climate of the book keeps you on edge, wondering whether or not Mary is going to fall victim to fear, jealousy, and hysteria or escape with her life. Overall I enjoyed the book, though I found myself getting annoyed with Mary creating some of her own problems and not always seeing - or taking - the sensible way forward for her time and situation. She is a flawed character, which makes her feel more real even if she is not always that sympathetic to the reader. There were a few points that felt a little anachronistic for a 17th century Puritan setting and characters, but otherwise it was well written.
Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Hour of the Witch early in exchange for an honest review!

I requested the ARC of this novel solely because of its author. I have read several other books by Bohjalian and rated them all highly save one (one which I could not finish, something I rarely do). Little did I know what I was getting into. The story is set in 1662 in Boston. Mary Deerfield came to America with her parents in search of a more pious lifestyle (aka Puritanical). At 19, she was married to Thomas Deerfield, a man twice her age. The marriage was doomed, not the least because Mary could not bear a child as well as what we call today spousal abuse. So she decides to do something most unusual in those times - seek a divorce. Each chapter has quotes from testimony offered at the divorce hearing, an interesting literary ploy given that you don’t know until halfway through the book the judgment of the magistrates. The second half of the book deals with Mary’s response to the ruling of the court (no spoilers here - you will need to read). The tension rises and the story twists back and forth until the surprise ending. Bohjalian certainly does not stick to one genre (other than fiction) in his writing, and he clearly did some research before putting pen to paper (or should I say finger to keyboard). He is a talented writer, willing to take risks. My thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the ARC of this book.