While the subject of Hour of the Witch seems to be a departure for Chris Bohjalian, it still hits many of the marks of his previous novels - New England, alleged witchcraft, strong female character, twists and unforeseeable outcomes. In 1662 Boston, 24 year old Mary Deerfield is married to an older, abusive man. A heavy drinker, miller Thomas Deerfield punishes Mary for her barrenness and intellect as well as the wealth and higher standing of her parents. When her father's import business brings three-tined forks to Boston, people are put on edge: who would use the Devil's tines? For what purpose? (There were admittedly times early in the story when the people's horror and fear of forks came across as a bit comical, but as the story progresses, you learn that some characters would also laugh at their fellow townsfolk if they could have.) Thomas Deerfield decides to use the Devil's tines to stab the back of his wife's hand. Mary moves out of their home the next day and petitions for divorce; a petition that she will ultimately lose. When Mary must move back into the house with her husband, she begins to conceive of an idea to be rid of him for good. In between each chapter is a small piece of testimony from a witchcraft trial, and so readers know that it's coming - the interesting part is getting there.

From start to finish this book gets ahold of you and doesn’t let go. Boston, 1662 and witchcraft is on the minds of many. Mary Deerfield is accused of being a witch after she tries unsuccessfully to divorce her older, widowed husband. He is mean, conniving and often drinks too much but because he’s a man he’s allowed to treat her poorly. His treatment of her at times had me holding my breath. Bohjalian’s writing is so descriptive, his characters so well developed.
This is historical fiction with a who done it element. It will definitely be on my favorites of the year list.

If you're into the sad history of witchcraft in New England, and trust this author to squeeze every bit of sympathy out of the willing reader, as usual, this is the book for you . An unhappily married woman, a stern and punishing husband, gossipy neighbors, unfilled erotic yearnings, and a spirit that even the sourest circumstances can't quell, Mary Deerfield's tortuous journey from her comfortable, affluent family"s home to her conviction of witchcraft in a Massachusetts courtroom will engage you to the last page

Imagine being 24 years old and having people think you’re a witch because you can’t get pregnant. Crazy right? But probably not, I mean, it was the 1600s. Mary, our protagonist is married to Thomas, a well-to-do widow with a daughter right about the same age as Mary. Clearly, his young bride was supposed to produce more children. But it’s just not happening. And more than anything, Mary wants a child.

She’s good friends with Thomas’s daughter, who has a child and is on her way to producing a second one. What a time it must have been to live in. That if you are barren, you are clearly a witch, or interested in tempting men whose wives have had children and have lost their figure. Nevermind that all of these men are insufferable assholes.

But Mary tries to appear as the good wife, slogging through life, dealing with her emotionally abusive husband. Until one day, when he stabs her through the hand with a fork and it’s clear she needs to get out of her marriage. But what’s worse that being barren? Oh, that’s right. It’s worse to want to divorce your husband.

Hour of the Witch is a fascinating work of historical fiction that seriously made me feel trapped just reading it. A good writer can always make the reader deeply related to his characters. And while I appreciate that, I was seriously feeling for Mary throughout this book! It’s so crazy to think that there was a time that if you didn’t someone, you could just make up a crazy tale about them and it was handled.

I highly recommend Hour of the Witch to fans of Bohjahlian and lovers of historical fiction. Special thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for an advanced e-galley in exchange for my honest review. This one is out May 4!

Talk about a genuine witchhunt. Puritan Boston 1662 is not the place to seek a divorce from your abusive husband. When Thomas Deerfield rams a fork ( the devil's instrument ) into his wife's hand, Mary, twenty-four years old and wretched in her marriage, seeks a divorce. But within the closed and close society, everyone's moves are watched and criticized. And when more forks appear in the Deerfield yard and Mary's behavior (talking to a man on the street) is deemed scandalous, she is accused of witchcraft.
I am a huge fan of Chris Bohjalian. The writing is excellent, as always. However, just because it's set in 17th century Boston, I knew what to expect.

Mary is an unhappy wife, and when her husband abuses her again leaving her severely wounded she decides to take action. Unfortunately in 17th century Boston, women have a very difficult time getting a divorce....and sometimes end up being accused of terrible crimes.

In this fictional look at an era of witch trials and flogging, Bohjalian has attempted to focus a light on the unfair treatment of women in the early days of our country. From what I have read in the past, this is an accurate account of how women were viewed both by the government and the church in those days. The story is sometimes brutal and shocking, but sometimes it's just tedious. The use of trial quotes at the beginning of each chapter is (I suppose) intended to be foreshadowing of what is to come. Instead they actually give away plot twists and spoil some of the suspense for the reader. I found several characters and situations overly predictable and frustrating. WHY are they doing something that is clearly going to create even more trouble for themselves? Mary is clearly the protagonist in the story, but sometimes she is her own worst enemy. Her actions are obviously going to get her into great trouble. One thing I found very annoying -- in the first few chapters there are numerous references and descriptive passages about Mary masturbating in response to her frustration with her husband's lovemaking. Although a realistic response on her part and not overly graphic, the repeated references became tiresome and distracting.

All that being said, I did find the story compelling and informative. This story has been done better in other books, but Bohjalian again proves himself to be an author that can create engagins stories that keep the reader turning pages. This is not his best work, but definitely worthwhile. I just wish it had been better.

I was really looking forward to this book as I am a fan of Chris Bohjalian. The writing was wonderful as was the attention to detail which were the only things keeping me invested in the book. The plot seemed pretty predictable. The only thing in the book that surprised me was the ending and even that I felt was too neatly wrapped.

The most talented Chris Bohjalian has turned a three-line reference from 1662 in the records of Boston’s Court of Assistants regarding a petition for divorce for cruelty into a powerful novel of historical fiction, Hour of the Witch.

Puritan Mary Deerfield seeks a dissolution of her marriage to Thomas Deerfield for what would be called domestic abuse today. He has cursed her, called her names, hit her, pushed her, and stabbed her with a dinner fork.

The three-tined dinner fork has come to Boston by way of Mary’s merchant father who says they are being used throughout Europe to accompany a knife and spoon. When two of these forks are found planted in Mary’s flowered dooryard, her servant Catherine accuses Mary of casting a spell with the “Devil’s tines.”

When the petition comes up for judgement in a magistrates’ court in Boston, Mary finds herself pitted between the ending of her marriage but possible condemnation as a witch, a crime punishable by hanging in this period three decades before the Salem witch trials. As a woman, Mary has very little power to fight for her freedom from her loathsome husband.

After the divorce petition has been decided, Mary ends up back in court condemned as a witch with the evidence stacking up against her. Only a Bohjalian plot twist might possibly save her as this fast-paced story races to the finish line.

Bohjalian is the best-selling author of 21 books, three of which have been made into movies. His books have been chosen as Best Books of the Year by the Washington Post, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Hartford Courant, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, BookPage, and Salon. He adapted his novel Midwives for a play which opened in January 2020. He has also written for magazines and newspapers. His daughter Grace Experience has narrated several of his books in audio form. He lives in Vermont with his wife, photographer Victoria Blewer.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting February 11, 2021.

I would like to thank Doubleday Books for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

If you’ve read or recently watched the TV adaptation of Bohjalian’s THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT, you’ll be amazed by this polar opposite story. In The Flight Attendant, the main character is hard drinking and foul-mouthed, and in HOUR OF THE WITCH the main character is a Puritan woman in 1663 Boston!

Mary Deerfield is the daughter of a wealthy merchant, now married to a wealthy mill owner. But Thomas is abusive, both physically and mentally. After one particularly violent incident, which made me almost writhe in pain, Mary decides she’s had enough. When her petition for divorce is denied, she decides it is time for drastic action. In a patriarchal society, almost everything Mary does gets misconstrued and used against her by the men in control of her fate

Bohjalian is an extremely versatile writer, who always creates a strong sense of place, no matter the historical period. Mary is a sympathetic protagonist, and you really root for her happy ending. The villains are truly vile, but completely realistic. I did tire of the “dost”s and “thou”s, authentic as they are. But in Bohjalian’s capable hands, even lives of the Puritans are suspenseful and exciting.

Wow. This book packed quite the emotional punch. At first I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get into the historically accurate way the characters spoke, but it was easy to get past and enjoy the book. I felt Mary’s struggles, pain, and dreams right there with her, and just couldn’t believe some of the things Thomas got away with doing and saying. I always love Chris Bohjalian’s books and this one was no exception!

I've read many books on this theme, both historical novels and non-fiction. Women have often been suspected of being witches or bound to the devil because of their intimate experience with reproduction and childbirth. But this well-researched novel by Chris Bohjalian will grab you by the throat and not let you go until the last page.

Mary Deerfield is a 24 year old wife in the Boston Colony, married to an abusive husband whom she attempts to divorce. This ill-advised move puts her under suspicion of witchcraft. Rarely has the experience of an intelligent, articulate and strong woman in an untenable position felt so personal. Her story is interspersed with excerpts from the hearings for her divorce. Her fear and pain does not prevent her from planning an escape.

This novel is gripping, filled with suspense and apprehension that will have you praying for a young woman's life and safety. In Hour of the Witch, Bohjalian illustrates why is is such a widely read writer.

Thank you to Dubleday for a chance to read and review this pre-publication copy.

Who knew forks were so controversial????? This is a solid work of historical fiction set in 17th century Boston. The book illuminates the oppression of women; mistrust of the unknown and different; and misuse of religion as a means of control that were prevalent at that time and place. I enjoyed the trial transcripts that preceded each section and the element of mystery that prevailed until the final chapters. The love at first sight and ensuing romance aspects seemed a bit far fetched for that time and place. Thank you to Net Galley and Doubleday books for the ARC.

The story begins in 1662 Boston. A young Puritan wife wants to divorce her older husband for physical and mental abuse. Mary (wife) covers up any bruising he causes her, until he stabs her hand with a fork, breaking bones. She takes refuge with her parents and files for divorce.

The Puritans see the forks as the devil's tines, not cutlery. Objects that her neighbors deem "witch-like" (pestle, a pentagram on her doorway) seem to suggest Mary may be a witch. Her divorce is denied, and she goes back to her husband. She is watched closely, and soon more charges are brought against her.

A riveting tale about the way women were treated in the Puritan settlement, when men only have the power.

It is 1662 in Boston. Mary Deerfield a devoted christian young woman is cooking dinner for her husband, Thomas.
No one knows of the abuse is showered upon her head by her husband. He is extremely abusive. Now she is determined to divorce him. His last abuse, stabbing her hand through with a fork. He calls it the devil's tines.
Divorce is not looked upon kindly. Mary is determined to get away from the malicious man who is her husband.
Mary loses, she has to move back in with her abuser. She was told if she was not careful she could possibly be hanged as a witch. After all she does own a pair of the devil's tines.
An interesting story of witchcraft and guilt and innocence in Boston. Damned if you do, damned if you don't!
A definite must read!!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. I have read only one other book by Bohjalian (The Flight Attendant) and had enjoyed it. This book really sparked my interest as I have always found books about colonial life and witchcraft fascinating. I gave this book a solid 3.5 stars (rounded down). I definitely wanted to keep reading it as the plot was very interesting, but often felt as though the writing itself was a bit choppy. If the premise of the book is one you find interesting, I think you will overall enjoy the story.

Bestselling author, Chris Bohjalian, has outdone himself with his novel Hour of the Witch. Mary Deerfield is just 24 years old and in the year 1662 is subject to the laws and superstitions of the time, including the possibility of being accused of witchcraft. Mary is the second wife of Thomas Deerfield, a powerful man in their community. Thomas often gets into drunken rages where he exhibits cruel, evil behavior, such as poking a three-pronged fork through Mary’s hand. Mary seeks a divorce, and is shut down by the judges who are on her husband’s side; sort of a kangaroo court. Then Mary is accused of witchcraft by a servant girl, and is sentenced to die.

As is his usual approach to writing, Bohjalian has done tons of research, and by incorporating facts into this fictitious novel, makes the readers feel they are actually there and living what Mary Deerfield is experiencing. Bohjalian’s storytelling skills are excellent, and this novel is difficult to put down. In addition, Bohjalian develops his characters so that they are not only believable, but seem like real people. Hour of the Witch could easily be a biography of one of our forbears, since it rings so true. Mary is likeable, and the servant girl, who is scared and a victim of the times, causes undue problems due to the fact that she idolizes Thomas Deerfield and refuses to believe his cruelty is real.

Anyone who hasn’t read Chris Bohjalian’s novels is really missing out. Hour of the Witch is spellbinding, and will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

This book tells the story of Mary Deerfield and a number of other characters living in Puritan Boston in the late 1600s. As one can imagine, it is not exactly the free-spirited world we live in today. Mary has found herself in a loveless and violent marriage to a man who is not only a drunk, but a powerful one at that. When at last she has had enough of his drunken violence, she petitions for divorce. What she does not know is that that petition will send her and all those around her down a path which has Mary fighting for her life, literally.

This book is historical fiction quite unlike anything I have read. This is a particularly dark and not well taught (at least to me) part of American history that I know little of. This book gave me certainly more information than I had previously, but I will say it was a bit hard to follow for a large portion of the book because I didn't understand what was going on. I struggled a fair bit with the language of the bit. I appreciate the author's commitment to sticking with the style of speaking that was prevalent in that time, but again it was a bit hard to get into. I did really love the way the author evoked some very strong emotions in me while reading. I felt extremely mad most of the book and wanted to yell at the book more than once. I appreciate that in a book so I enjoyed that.

All in all, the story was good. Not as good as some of the other books by this author that I have read, but good. I don't think I would call it a thriller or suspense. I anticipated pretty much everything coming except for a few details at the end.

Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian is a riveting historical fiction book which features the tragedies of a young abused wife in Puritan New England in 1662. It is well researched and brings you into the lack of options and the horrors of living in this time. It highlights the biased court system which is all to eager to falsely convict. Those who love Bohjalian will be enthralled yet again by his amazing storytelling.

I loved every minute of it, and did not want it to end. The heroine of the book is Mary Deerfield. The last part of the book is especially harrowing and full of courageous exploits by Mary as she finds herself with little choices in this patriarchal society.

We are transported into life on the outskirts of Boston in 1662, The story is told in first person and you immediately realize Bohjalian is spot on in his characterization of Mary as a young Puritan woman, The cadence of her speech, daily activities, and inner thoughts are perfectly believable for this time period. The author is masterful at weaving this passage of time and location to a satisfying conclusion. You will be drawn in and kept guessing all the way to the end.

These characters will become real to you, too. You will learn much, but more importantly be inspired by the strength and will to survive. The many who were unjustly accused in this time period deserve to be honored, and this book is a wonderful tribute to their legacy. Their strength and determination should not be forgotten.

I was provided a free advance reader copy from Doubleday Books in exchange for my honest review from Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

. In this historical fiction novel, Mary Deerfield, a young wife in Boston in 1662, attempts to divorce her physically abusive husband. Mary is intelligent, cunning and harboring secrets. A potentially dead combination in a society where women are expected to be obedient and an accusation of witchcraft can conveniently put to death a woman with a mind of her own in this rigid Puritan community.

To say I loved this book would be an understatement. It is fantastic. I have had a fascination with Puritan New England for many years, so this was right up my alley. Bohjalian’s writing is superb as always. He takes his time to let his characters develop and they are so well drawn that they feel like people you could know. He must have done a phenomenal amount of research for this book. I was fascinated with the manor in which divorce proceedings and trials were handled in this primitive form of a legal system. The lack of power women had over any aspect of their lives was heartbreaking to read about, but also compelling when compared with the Me Too movement of the last few years. It makes you wonder why it has taken so long for women’s voices to really be heard.

This book is many different things at once- historical fiction, social commentary and mystery. I think it will appeal to many different types of readers. And the ending...INCREDIBLE. Pre-order your copy now! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Net Galley for the free ARC. Interesting take on the treatment of women in an overly religious Puritan society where even forks can be the sign of the devil. Mary Deerfield tries to divorce a brutal husband but has to be careful not to end up being accused of witchcraft.