Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this book.

I have always been fascinated/horrified by the subject of witch trials, so this book definitely piqued my interest.

At first I wasn't sure what to think about the story. The start was slow and the characters felt shallow. Fortunately, that changed with every page I turned.

Further down the line, the characters definitely develop more depth and go from mostly one-dimensional individuals to full-fledged individuals. I wanted to learn more about them, and there have been a lot of changes in them throughout story. The characters were endearing and I really enjoyed getting to know them. The juxtaposition between the church's strict teachings and forced acceptance of all its rules and the few people within these small and rather isolated communities who dare to ask questions was clearly highlighted.

I liked the way the characters didn't just sit back passively, they were independent thinkers and more importantly had their eyes open to bigger questions

The plot wasn't overly suspenseful, but I loved seeing how things unfolded. Although I think it would have been much more interesting if the fate of three main characters had not been included in the summary. I would have preferred to read it for myself and leave a little suspense.

#herecame acomtagion, #DougIngold, "netgalley, #witchtrials

DNF at 30%. The character, setting, and plot so far were engaging and held my interest, but unfortunately I couldn’t get into the narration. With a book covering extremely sensitive and dark topics, it was jarring to hear dramatic character voices and sometimes playful pitches from the narrator. The older and younger characters were especially grating to me, even though I enjoyed seeing the bonds between them grow and change. To be fair to the narrator, some of the writing in this book was folksy (characters clapping their hands and jumping into the air) However, given the time period, this felt fitting. For a book with a lighter topic matter or a children’s book, I think her style would be great. However, for this novel, I wish she would have let the writing express each point itself rather than putting so much emphasis in every sentence. I am interested to find out what happens to these characters, so I hope to pick up an eBook or physical copy.

3.5⭐️ rounded up.

There Came A Contagion tells the story of the Helgen family, residing in a small German village when the witch hunts occur. One character notes the phenomenon that the overwhelming frenzy to find and kill “witches” it is like a “contagion”- a madness that grows unchecked among the madness to turn against one another in order to protect oneself. Aside from this character, few have much if any courage to speak of this perspective, instead valuing self-protection over any critique of the trials.

I was eager to read this fictional tale of a real time in history, but I came away with mixed feelings about the story. I had a difficult time getting into it, and wasn’t feeling terribly engaged by the narrative until well past the halfway point- but it did get more interesting from there.

I had some difficulties with the narrators of the audiobook as well- they spoke clearly but some of the voices they put on- again, especially earlier on in the narration- reminded me somewhat of how a parent might narrate a story to a young child, in that slightly exaggerated and cartoonish way. This too did improve as the story progressed- either that or I became accustomed and stopped noticing it.

Still a worthwhile listen, if not one I can give a rave review.

* I received an arc of this audiobook from NetGalley and Wolfenden in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for access to this audiobook

Inspired by events that took place near Trier, Germany late in the sixteenth century, this novel tells the story of the Helgen family, three brothers respected in their village as skilled and resourceful farmers. With their widowed mother, their wives and children, they build a stable if difficult life together raising rye, barley and swine. But when the weather turns erratic and harvests begin to fail, a scapegoat is sought. Jews are banished from the territory as are the followers of Luther and Calvin. The Archbishop then discovers a pestilence of witches: people believed to have forsaken God and sworn allegiance to the Devil. Elsebett Helgen, a midwife and herbal healer, is twenty when the Archbishop’s men arrive in the village.

I think I would have preferred a different narrator and might have enjoyed this book more as it is an interesting part of history, but it took me a while to settle into.

*Many thanks to Doug Ingold, Wolfengen, and NetGalley for a free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
Well-researched historical fiction covering life in the 16th century Germany. The writing and plot were not that engaging, however, I appreciated detailed descriptions of a small community life, their rituals and problems and the subject of witch paranoia that prevailed in that period. Good panorama of the roles of women in society and dangers they encountered.

Not my favorite.

Thus is what happens when I have my husband choose my audiobook and all he looks at is the cover.

audiobook
Interesting period in history. The characters and situation are well developed. The author created atmosphere very effectively. I could sense anxiety, dread, horror along with the characters. There is quite a bit of content in this story that is difficult to read. This is a novel about a time of plague during which paranoid, terrified people burned women at the stake as witches. It's not a pleasant, feel-good story, but I did not expect it to be. It felt like a realistic representation of this time period and circumstances. You have to be in the right frame of mind to read about a topic this serious. However, if you are interested in reading/listening to a good historical fiction set in this time period, this one is well-written and well-narrated. The plot develops slowly and builds.
Readers of medieval historical fiction with appreciate this novel.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think the archBishops men said it all when Seth said they had no witches in their village and the men said oh but we’ll find them before we leave. This book is about way more than just the witch trials in Germany but about a family and their daughter who becomes an apprentice to the local midwife and when they do come looking for witches initially it isn’t them who they get but a local cottager name Frowe Hin even this is a simplified summary of this great book. TFrow Molar is the midwife and we learn how she came to be one it was Beth is her apprentice and we learned about her birth the lock between her mom and dad for her mom‘s early death in childbirth we get to know her grandma her cousins her aunts we learned about farming in Germany religion and even their superstitions this is really a great book and one I thoroughly enjoyed and although the narrator read the text plainly I think Lee Rush had a pleasant voice and although I do think the text or hardcover of the sport could very well be a classic I feel bad saying that they could’ve had a better narrator although she did have a pleasant voice as I said. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it if you love historical fiction especially thing to do with the witch trials and how bogus they were you absolutely love There Came a Contagion. I thought this book was intelligently written with not only great research but great common sense and I believe the author had a great grace on the error which is always important in a historical book it’s so kudos to him for a great job! I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I listened to this novel and though I found the storyline fluid and interesting, the narrator was not pleasant to hear. I always had the feeling she was reading the book aloud, with no engaging tone. Reading the book is probably much better and enjoyable than to listening to the auditive version.
I received a complimentary an audio copy from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

This is a detailed and multi layered story set in 16th century Germany. There’s a wealth of detail about the farming habits and rural society at that time and it really brings the period to life. I knew nothing about this period and the German witchcraft trials, so it’s an interesting slice of social history too. The essence of the take centres in religious bigotry; the root source of so many of the troubles in the world and that resonates through the centuries.

The characters are vibrant and easy to picture and although it’s a slow burn take, the author explores the themes with compassion and honesty. I struggled with the narration to begin with. I found the single delivery a little monotone and flat, but putting that to one side, the story is engaging throughout.

What drew me to this book was both the write up and the topic. I have always been fascinated by the witch trials, The setting is in Germany in the sixteenth century when many religious purges were going on. The Reformation as ongoing bu in this area of the story, the area is Catholic.

The Helgen Family are some of the residents, and they are farmers. A child is born to one of the sons Basil and his wife Arved who perishes afte the birth of Elsebett, placing her and the rest of the children under the tutelage of their grandmother and later Elsebett, is sent to learn the crafts of midwifery and usage of herbs.

As times turn grim, crops fail and the area needs a scapegoat and they turn their eyes to the Jew, later taking on the belief there is a group of witches dedicated to the devil. Seeing the danger and the turmoil caused within families, the contagion of the lack of knowledge turns the area into an area where no one trusts anyone and rumor and innuendo determines the mins set of many.

Before this purge is done, more than three hundred people are burned for being witches.
It so reminded me of the happenings we have lived through the past three years where many families were thrown into turmoil, neighbors avoided neighbors, and many felt death and destruction waited around every corner. The mind can often be bent to the sway of talk, gossip, and elaborated supposed facts.

Thank you to Doug Ingold, who wrote a long and extensive story that contained topics that may disturb a few, child abuse, torture, relifgious intolerance, and of course death. Thanks to the narrator, Narrated by Lee Rush, and NetGalley for the ability to listen to this tale.

I really enjoyed the writing in this book, as well as appreciating the historical accuracy. All of my history buffs will love this one, I found it an engaging and original take on the witch trials.

One thing I loved about this book was its characters. They were complex, well-rounded, and I felt connected to them, making me more interested in the plot as well. The plot was good, although we didn’t see a lot of action or intrigue until late in the story which did affect my engagement, but as the story went on I enjoyed it more and more.

The vibes of this one were great, and I really liked Ingold’s descriptions and insights into herbal medicine. I feel it was a little long, as looking back not enough happened to really fill the time and I sometimes wished the story would carry on a bit quicker.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and recommend it to any historical-fiction lover. Make sure to check TW, I gave this one 3.5/5 stars.

I will first of all be completely honest, I have not finished the audio book due to various reasons. One being I found it frustrating being just one narrator voice, rather than multiple.

I have however really enjoyed it so far, and have decided I will instead opt to purchase a paperback copy of “There came a contagion.” so I can picture the story in my own way with voices that I perceive to be more to the characters.

It really is interesting and a very original take on the 16th century in Germany.

I thought at thought contagion would be based upon something like a plague, however it seemed to be based more on witchcraft and churches and focuses on the first chapters on a young girl learning to be a midwife and a doctor.

I really want to do this book some justice, and as I am struggling to focus with the audio side of things. I have decided that I will treat myself to a copy of the book to read instead.

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this audio book, and I can’t wait to read the book now.