Hour of the Witch

What a book! I was wholly engaged in this novel from the beginning. The entire Puritan colonial Boston societal outlook was really informative and well researched by the author Mr. Bohjalian. The domestic abuse perpetrated upon the main character Mary by her husband Thomas that went ignored almost completely was shocking. Then the addition of possible witchcraft charges later on from the divorce prceeding which naturally under pressure from legal and political forces was denied leading to actual withcraft charges later in the novel was very exciting and fast paced writing. All in all without giving too much away it is a very exciting novel and a pleasure to have read. Thanks to Net Galley and Doubleday for allowing me to have such a wonderful and sad excursion into the past.

In 17th century Boston, an independent, free thinking woman is a dangerous creature. Mary Deerfield is a beautiful young woman, but she’s married to a monster. Thomas Deerfield is a drunken, abusive lout, and when he stabs Mary with a fork, she vows to divorce him. But in a time when people are looking around every corner for witches and the devil himself, Mary, with her ideas of independence and refusal to follow her neighbors’ blind hysteria, is dangerous. She is a woman who must be destroyed

Chris Bohjalian is a must-read author for me. I devoured this book in a weekend. Hour of the Witch begs the question: What are you able to endure to get away from an abusive relationship? To further complicate this, this book takes place in colonial times when new interpretation of laws were being founded, women had very few rights. If anyone were to tackle this topic, it's Chris. If you enjoy reading things in the vein of the Salem Witch Trials, colonial time period, this book is a MUST read.

This is stunning, thought provoking and intense! A book keeps you on your toes, fists are clenched, your heart rates are skyrocketing, tension is building higher, you get more agitated at each moment to know what’s gonna come next!

This is truly twisty, disturbing ride and not for everyone!

Let’s take a closer look to understand the intense, dark, claustrophobic premise of this story:
It takes place in Boston, 1662. Young, innocent, beautiful Mary, only 24, taking eyes of people with her porcelain skin, penetrating blue eyes. But this is not historical romance story. Nothing in this story is about love. With her beauty, she can have so many suitor candidates but in this new world order, she is forced to become second wife of a Thomas Deerfield, a powerful, dangerous man who is abusive scumbag. Yes, he doesn’t resist to use his violent tendencies against his new wife.

Mary needs to do something urgently to get rid of this marriage. But it’s not quiet simple because she already gave so much wrong impressions to the people in the community. The tainted objects are found buried in the garden already earned her more scrutinizing, prying eyes of people.

And the boy’s tragic fate she tried to heal with herbs and special blend, a frightened girl’s running away from her house verify the suspicions that she might be a dangerous witch! Is she really? Now she doesn’t only have to run away from her abusive monster at the home, she also needs to prove her innocence not to be burned at the stake!

The book starts a little slow to give detailed picture about the psychological background and realistic approach of the surroundings, community life, introducing characters. But second half, it turns into something
breathtakingly sinister that you cannot put it down! And that meaningful, satisfying ending sealed the deal! I’m sold!

I’m giving four witchy, dazzling, heart pounding, dark, bleak, twisty stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for sharing this digital copy of riveting book with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Gotta say, Bohjalian never disappoints! Hour of the Witch was creepy, engaging, frustrating, and emotional. I loved it!

I'm a huge fan of Chris Bohjalian's and jumped at the chance to grab an advance copy of his latest novel. I am fascinated by the fact that Bohjalian is able to write stunning novels, each one more different than the one before. The Flight Attendant was a gripping murder mystery. The Red Lotus was a medical mystery. And Hour of the Witch takes the reader all the way back to 1662, an era of Puritans and witch burning!

Hour of the Witch takes us into the life of a beautiful, young woman named Mary. Mary is only 24 and is in a loveless marriage with an older man named Thomas. The year is 1662 and the location is Boston. Thomas is a brute who frequently strikes Mary, but always in a way that won't be obvious to others and that he explains away as her clumsiness. Also living with Thomas and Mary is a young indentured servant named Catherine. Catherine is a little bit in love with Thomas and is blind to his cruelty.

After Thomas stabs Mary with a fork (aka the devil's tines), Mary can't take it anymore and resolves to divorce her husband. But divorce is not easily obtained in 1662, at least for a woman, and Mary ends up being more on trial for her "bad behavior" than Thomas is for his brutality.

The story is a slow-burn, fascinating look at the early days in America. Mary is a wonderful, sympathetic character, and you won't be able to resist rooting for her. Bohjalian is a brilliant author.

Thanks to Doubleday and NetGalley for providing me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley and Doubleday for an advance copy of Hour of the Witch in exchange for my honest review. I am a fan of Chris Bohjalian, so I was looking forward to this release. What a unique topic for Chris to take on. We forget how far we've come, until we look back. In this case, in the 1600s, a woman tries to divorce her abusive husband. The book sets the tone so eloquently that you are transported back to those times. It made me think about how easy it was, in days past, for others to accuse someone of witchcraft or other crimes, simply because they weren't following the path of least resistance, or they dare stand up for themselves. I can't pick a favorite book by this author, as I can't choose a favorite child, but Hour of the Witch will be in my thoughts for a long time. Don't miss this one.

Chris Bohjalian has again amazed me with his ability to write knowledgeably about just about ant topic. I loved the characters and plot in this book. I especially enjoy how I feel the urge to research the backgrounds of his books. This novel is a winner and is sure to be a book group favorite.

Loved this story. Kept me wanting to turn the page. Just shows how much ridicule and hardship women had to endure during those times, sometimes even by their husbands. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

5 Stars
Fantastic novel about an intelligent, beautiful young woman named Mary, who during Puritan times (17th century) in Boston is abused by her husband and ultimately accused of being a witch. I've never read a book that took place during this period of time and found this story to be absolutely gripping. It's not a thriller in the usual sense, although there IS a wonderful twist. I must mention that the ending is just superb. So far Chris Bohjalian has not disappointed with his novels! I really love the way he writes and each book is very different from the one before. He will not be pigeon-holed! Anyway, this is a must read as it is quite thought provoking and obviously well researched. (I enjoyed the "acknowledgements" too!)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the opportunity to read this ARC. I also want to thank the author, [author:Chris Bohjalian|3509] for writing this special novel. You have piqued my interest in this time period and the injustices that women endured. Thank you!

Fantastic novel about an intelligent, beautiful young woman named Mary, who during Puritan times (17th century) in Boston is abused by her husband and ultimately accused of being a witch. I've never read a book that took place during this period of time and found this story to be absolutely gripping

Hour of the Witch takes place in Puritan Boston in the 1660's. Mary Deerfield is a young, very pious wife who has been unable to get pregnant by her physically and verbally abusive older husband. When he spears her hand with a fork, otherwise known as the Devil's tines, she decides she has had enough and with her parents help she tries to divorce her husband. The divorce is a very public display and it becomes more of an indictment of her than of her husband. The fact that she is barren becomes fodder for her possibly being a witch.

Chris Bohjatian does a wonderful job of bringing us into the mindset of the Puritan times and how one person can bring accusations against another. It's a very dark time for women and Mary makes it clear that men can do anything and are never questioned while she is accused of being a harlot, a potential murderess and a witch.

I really glad I read this book and would recommend it. More importantly, I'm definitely glad I didn't live during this time! Thanks to NetGalley for the advance read.

I am a big fan of Chris Bohjaliian and was very interested tor read his take on this dark and fascinating time in our history. This is Boston in the 1660's and historical fiction at it's finest as we delve into Puritan society and possible "witches"... fascinating characters (especially our lead Mary trapped in an abusive marriage), and the dialogue and settings all come together to make this novel a winner, as one would expect from this excellent writer! Highly recommend! Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and author for my ARC!

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Chris Bohjalian's novels. In fact, each new work is better than the next. The Hour of the Witch is a departure from his more recent thrillers, I loved this historical novel. The dialogue was on point and the research was extensive. So not only was the plot complicated and rich, the characters well developed, but the story was informative and so well written. The Hour of the Witch is one of my favorite novels of 2020. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review such a captivating story.

This is a delicious book, full of fantastic detail and beautiful writing. Set in Boston in 1662, we follow the life of Mary Deerfield, a formidable young woman who seeks a better life for herself, first through legal means and then through careful and meticulous plotting and planning. The author deftly creates the world of the Puritans in North America, their beliefs and everyday lives and language, and offers up complex characters with realistic internal conflicts and desires. The novel explores power and social hierarchies, gender and sexuality, and the relationship between religion and abuse. Highly recommended.

Mary Deerfield is a young wife living in Boston during the height of women being accused of witchcraft is cities like Salem and Hartford. While Mary seeks a divorce from her abusive husband, her neighbors and friends begin to think she a witch.

I couldn't get enough of this book! Bohjalian obviously did a great deal of research to make this historically accurate from the details of the trials to manor of speech. While I don't love reading Early Modern English, it made the story feel more authentic. The twists and turns in this book were on point. Just when I thought I knew the ending, Bohjalian threw in a curve ball I didn't see coming. I highly recommend this read!

I love Chris Bohjalian's books and this one was no exception.
Readers of historical fiction this book is for you!
It's the story of a woman who wants to divorce her abusive husband at a time when that just wasn't done.
She is of course accused of witchcraft and the story develops from there.
Bohjalians books never disappoint, I've read them all and will continue to read this amazing author. Always great character development and interesting plots.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for granting me this book.

Chris Bohjalian always surprises me. His books defy categorization. I read Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands, and I thought I knew what kind of book he wrote. Then I read The Flight Attendant, and that was completely different. Then I read The Red Lotus, and that was different again. Now, with The Hour of the Witch, I’m seeing a whole new Bohjalian. Each book has a compelling problem, complex characters, and solid writing. The stories and worlds are totally different. If you like books about strong women in oppressive times, you’ll like this book. If you have interest in witch trials, you’ll like this book. If you don’t care about those things, but you like good storytelling, you’ll like this book. I will always look for new Bohjalian books. The only thing I know for sure when I get them is that the hours invested in reading will be worthwhile.

Chris Bohjalian never disappoints. Though there's some tough reading, the story is written so well and is so well researched, I read it in one sitting.

Chris Bohjalian wrote one of my favorite books of all times, Midwives, so I was beyond excited to receive and advanced copy of his newest book to read. Hour of the Witch is everything I’ve come to know and love about his books.
Chris writes female characters so well and Mary Deerfield is no exception. The story takes place in Boston, 1662 at a time when witch hunting is constant and your neighbors are always looking for the sign of the devil in you. Mary is the second, young wife of Thomas Deerfield, an abusive and cruel husband. When she has finally had enough and fears for her life she makes the brave decision to try to divorce him. Of course she then becomes the one on trial for her life. She is strong and unconventional for the time and I just loved her. She is unwilling too give up on herself and her happiness.
The story has the mystery and suspense that keeps you flipping the pages to see what will happen next.
I honestly couldn’t put it down and stayed up way to late to finish it. I can’t recommend it enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday books for the opportunity to read this book.

Telling a tale of a woman wronged in a time when women had no rights and were controlled by the looming threat of witchcraft accusations, we see what happens when a woman tries to challenge that system. The research is evident, the setting is well built and historically accurate. The tale has just the right amount of twists and turns (you are not really ever surprised, but you sure do want to see what happens next) and the characters are well written and developed. In an era when poorly executed “men writing women” has reached impressive levels, Bohjalian manages to write a story of women that rings true. A great narrative that provides insight as to just how women were driven by a lack of autonomy to act in ways that consigned them to prison and death, both literal and figurative.

Fans of the author will not be disappointed in this new work. This book is best described as “comfortably captivating.” Anyone familiar with Bohjalian’s work will understand exactly what this means!

This novel takes place in Boston in the 1600's; Mary is in her 20's and in a marriage with an abusive man who is a prominent figure in their community. Because of his constant abusive behavior, Mary tries to divorce him (which was almost unheard of at the time). As her divorce proceedings begin, whispers of witch behavior begin to circulate about Mary. The more she tries to free herself from her husband, the more trouble she gets into and the more she fears facing a witch trial.
Chris Bohjalian is a master story teller. The old fashioned English that is used to tell the story seems like it might be difficult to follow at first, but you will quickly adapt and appreciate the authenticity it brings to the story. Even with the old fashioned English, this story will grab your attention immediately and keep you turning the pages. As a woman reading this in 2020, it infuriated me what Mary had to endure simply because of the fact that she was a woman. As difficult as some of the content was to read, trust me when I say that this is a must-read - this is another masterpiece by Chris Bohjalian and you should add this to your TBR list in April 2021. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance e-copy!

We often think of how subservient women were in older times, but this books a far darker and deeper view of things women had to put up with in Puritan times. Mary is married to an older man and he is cruel and abusive to her. The secrets that people keep behind closed doors when no one sees them are often dark.

When Mary has enough and seeks a divorce from her husband, a rare thing indeed during those times, she is pained as the harlot and later as a witch after being forced to return home to her husband. It matters not that she was nothing but a faithful wife and abided by the ruling to return to her marriage. How easily she was charged and convicted of being a witch, with so little evidence or fact. Such was the life of women during Puritan times, no matter how a minister or others spoke in their favor.

Perhaps women like Mary, Rebekkha and Peregrine are early examples of Nasty Puritan Women, because they take action and think with their own minds. But I know that I am grateful my ancestors came over during this period, if strong women were viewed this way, I would have been viewed as a witch and have hung on the gallows too.

While it started off slow, I’m glad I hung on because it took off like a rocket once the groundwork was set. I truly enjoyed this book and will be checking out more by this author. A true page turner.

I found this novel intriguing to say the least. This is the first Chris Bohjalian novel that I have read and I plan to read more.
Knowing that this novel was fiction, it still read as a part of history highlighting the cruelty and misconceptions of actions during that time period. Each character drew me in with the descriptive writing of thoughts and hardships that they ( women) endured.
Thank you.

This book transports the reader back to the 1600’s where life is hard and social norms are exacting for those who live there. Now place yourself there as a woman. Mary is a 24 yr old woman who becomes the second wife of a prominent older man. She endures physical and mental abuse from him until she reaches her tipping point. Then she does what society abhors – she stands up for herself. Chris has shown a meticulous eye for detail in this riveting story of early life in the colonies. You will be enlightened and outraged as you make your way through the pages. Twists and turns keep you reading. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Chris Bohjalian, Doubleday and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Bohjalian triumphs with his account of a woman trapped in an impossible marriage, plotting her escape. Astute readers will likely understand the culprit early on, but that makes it no less fun or enthralling a read. I was spellbound all the way through, tearing through this book in an uncharacteristically obsessive fashion!

The year is 1662 in Boston. Mary, a beautiful young woman is married to Thomas who is almost twice her age. He is cruel and abuses her both physically and emotionally when he is drunk - which is almost every day. When he sticks a three pronged fork into her hand, she decides that she needs to divorce him. But gossip is an ugly thing and greatly affects the way a person is viewed in a community. Mary soon finds that many people are suspicious that she is a witch working together with the devil. As she works on getting out of her marriage, she finds that she has to work just as hard to avoid being hung as a witch.


Once again Chris Bohjalian presents his readers with a totally different book than what he has written before. Yet, it's still a masterpiece and one that you will be engrossed in. The research that he did is apparent in every page - especially with the language used in this time period. He is also one of the best male writers of female characters writing today. His depiction of Mary - her actions and her thoughts are spot on. I will give you the same words that I give on every one of Chris Bohjalian's books - You Don't Want to Miss This Book!

I absolutely adored this book. and can't wait to share it with my feminist readers. It really made the truths of the patriarchy hit home and I found it to be historically sound, albeit fiction. Putting it down was difficult and I know my readers will feel the same.

I love historical fiction but somehow I haven't really read anything set in this time period. A very interesting look at what life was like for women at the time and the choices available to them. I'm not sure the ending was exactly what I wanted, but then maybe it's better that way.

I requested this one because I’ve loved a few past books by Chris Bohjalian - The Flight Attendant and The Guest Room. I also enjoyed The Red Lotus, but in a different way than the first two.

I was a little nervous about The Hour of the Witch, because I’m not typically a fan of historical fiction (this book is set in 1662). The language is a little old-timey, which took some getting used to, but once I got used to it I really enjoyed the style. This was the perfect book to step out of my comfort zone with.

The characters drew me in, and I couldn’t wait to see what happened to Mary. This book would be a perfect book club group, as I believe it would spark interesting discussions about how easily women were disregarded in this time period. If a woman wasn’t conforming to what the rest of society wanted, just accuse her of being a witch and no one will pay her any mind!

I really appreciate how well Chris Bohjalian can write over so many different styles and genres. His range is amazing!

Puritans vs Demons

I have read many of Bohjalian’s novels, but this story is a total turnaround from a conventional narrative. Delving into the demonic and frenzied era of our country in 1622, we are propelled into the life of Mary Deerfield. She is twenty-four years old and the narrator of this tale, until the story takes a more omnipotent point of view in third person. She lives in Boston, brought there by her wealthy parents from England.

It doesn’t take long for the reader to become accustomed to “thee,” “thou,” and “thy.” Usage of these pronouns convey more courtesy but civility is far from the truth. We are in the New World, where belief in saints vs the Dark One is prevalent.

Married to Thomas Deerfield, forty-five years old, a wife-beater, drunk (often), and a fairly successful businessman. He is rough with Mary in the bedroom and physically and emotionally abusive out of the bedroom. Married for five years, Mary is yet to become pregnant, she is considered barren. Mary harbors desires which do not include her cruel husband. Those desires move the plot along to expand her horizons.

It seems like everyone was looking for the devil, ready to accuse their neighbors, servants or best friends of the occult. There is an obvious demarcation between the decent characters vs evil ones. Mary tried to divorce Thomas in the “courts” but she is sent back home. She then tries to escape her marriage and believes she may prevail, until she is put on trial again for being a witch.

I read this with trepidation, not really sure how it was going to resolve. How was Mary to escape? The novel was a bit too long. However, it’s packed with suspense, and Bohjalian ties up the loose ends in this hypocritical part of our history.

My gratitude to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for providing me with a pre-published book for an honest review.

Chris Bohjalian has done it again. This historical novel of seventeenth century Boston, the witchcraft hysteria, and marital abuse can not be put down. As an avid fan of Chris Bohjalian's work, I sometimes have pre-ordered his novels, accessed them at midnight on release day, and read them straight through. This novel is a real thriller, and the reader walks in the shoes of Mary, feeling her physical and emotional pain. Bohjalian always promises a fully-researched piece of writing with clearly developed characters walking the historical period of which he writes. This novel fulfills that promise!

I received a temporary digital advanced copy of Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian from NetGalley, Doubleday Books, and the author in exchange for an honest review.

Mary, second-wife of Thomas Deerfield, decides after a brutal fork stabbing that it is time to divorce her husband--an action foreign in 1662 Boston. However, due to items being buried in her garden and the Deerfield's indentured servant's brother dying, who Mary tried to help, her extremely Puritan neighbors begin talking about her behaviors. Mary quickly realizes she has much more to worry about than her husband.

Bohjalian's Hour of the Witch was captivating. From the accuracy of the colonial speech to the socially sanctioned brutality, the author creates a well-written and though-out novel; however, there is a lot of physical violence which was difficult to consume. I gave the novel four stars instead of five because the beginning started off a little slow for me and the focus/fear of forks was wearing after a while.

Another extraordinary book by the wonderful authorChris Bohjalian. The heartbreak of a young woman abused by her husband then accused of being a witch.A time in history where women seemed to be owned by their husbands property ,I have read other books by this author each drew me in and kept me turning the pages Hour of The Witch is a book I will be highly recommending,#netgalley#doubledYbooks

What an incredible journey into the past drama of the witch hunts and trials. I was reading so fast I could hardly take it all in because I HAD to know what happened! SO good!

Chris Bohjalian is always terrific. I love the historical background provided. Look forward to his next title!

I rarely meet a book by Chris Bohjalian that I DON'T like, and this was no different! He is such a versatile author, and that trait once again shines through in this historical novel focused in witch-crazed New England. This is so much more than a novel about an accused witch, though - it delves into the struggles women of the time had asserting themselves, and having any credibility or agency in their own lives - separate from the men that ruled them. Another favorite!

This latest from Bohjalian will give you a little insight into the plight of women in early America, where indiscriminate men and jealous women easily isolate and endanger the lives of strong and knowledgeable women. The story follows Mary Deerfield through her volatile marriage, and accusations of devil worship, as she fights Puritan hypocrisy.

I don't think I have enough words to say how much I loved this book! I am endlessly fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials (as I have an ancestor who was hanged as a witch at the trials) and this book dealt with the witch hysteria in Boston about 30 years prior to the Salem Witch madness. We meet Mary Deerfield through both the beautifully written prose of Chris Bohjalian, and quotations from her two court cases. The first court case was a petition of divorce from her violent husband, where the specter of a witchcraft charged loomed largely, and the second where she was tried as a witch. Mary is a 24 year old woman who is the second wife of a man who has a daughter Mary's age. He has the terrible combination of a violent personality and a tendency to get "drink-drunk", as stated in the book. His cruelty spurs Mary to seek a divorce, which was not granted, then a means of escape from this terribly abusive man. Mary has befriend a woman, Constance, who is mostly ignored by the people of Boston, unless they are looking for a convenient woman to accuse of witchcraft. This association help convince the court that Mary is indeed in league with the Devil. A wonderful look into a rather dark period of the history of the colonies.

Chris Bohjalian has once again written a great historical novel in ‘Hour of the Witch’. has twists, turns and keeps the reader entirely engaged throughout. His use of the language of the 1600’s and his ability to portray the mind, words and actions of his female characters is exceptional.
Mary Deerfield is the second wife of Thomas, an often cruel and abusive drunk, twice her age. Mary makes a decision to end her marriage after Thomas stabs her in the hand with a three-pronged fork. This decision is not only fodder for gossip but has the puritanical community muttering with suspicion that Mary is a witch, filled with evil and possessed by the devil himself. Catherine, Thomas and Mary’s maid servant is in love with Thomas and blind to his violence and brutality.
Twist, turns and a engrossing narrative makes this a wonderful and highly recommended read.
My thanks to NetGalley, Doubleday Books and Chris Bohjalian for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoy stories of women surviving, then read this book!
Anyone who has read works by Chris Bohjalian knows he has the special gift of story telling. His skill not only lies in the ability to create interesting plots or write great intrigue, which he does, or his ability to write so many different types of books (mystery/thriller, love stories, historical pieces, and my favorite - the ones that leave you still thinking about them for days). His greatest skill is the ability to write a book that has more than one meaning. Hour of the Witch is such a book. It is an amazing story at its most basic level; moving, heart wrenching, a statement at its deepest. Now, I am not a professional in anything dealing with books. I just happen to love books and have been reading them in great quantity for many years. In a way, this has slanted how I rate or experience books. It takes hard work on the author's part to make me feel so deeply I sit in silence with my fast awash in tears once I've reached a conclusion; for me to talk about the book over supper days after I finish it. This book did this to me. Or for me to give it 5 stars?....Hour of the Witch will get 5 stars. I would give more if I could. It is not about witchcraft, directly, (for those who may be concerned) except it is set during a time when man was so blinded that anyone weaker or different - especially strong individuals who did not want to follow in the demented footsteps of ignorant townsfolk - could be labeled and condemned as a witch. Which is why this book is more than a story. It is a statement, of what was and what still is, in several ways. It is the story of strong women fighting for their lives against those who see them as weak, unnecessary beings, the always leader into Sin. It is truly well-written, and one of Mr. Bohjalian's best works. For those who want a great historical fiction read, please pick this up., though I imagine you will finish it getting more from it.

Thank you to NetGalley, DoubleDay, and of course, Chris Bohjalian for allowing me to read this advanced copy. The opinions I have stated, however, are definitely my own.

Chris Bohjalian has written a thought-provoking story about a young woman in puritanical Boston. Mary Deerfield, 24, has been married to an increasingly abusive Thomas for five years. When he stabs her hand with a three-pronged fork - the 'devil's tines' - that she dared bring into their home, she sues for divorce. In this time of accusations of witchcraft, Mary gets caught up in a world where women must stay in their place and assigned role in society.
Mary is a wonderfully complex character and not all innocent as many characters in a story like this could be. She is an active character who lusts, sins, and fights to the end. The author does a nice job illustrating what a woman's life might be like in this time, when the struggle to live a godly life conflicts mightily with human frailties and basic human emotions.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Hour of the Witch is a historical fiction for those who love being immersed in the past setting. One reason I enjoy historical fiction is learning little details about life back when. Hour of the Witch does an outstanding job building the Puritan Boston world from the ground up with clear, detailed imagery.

Because the story aims for historical accuracy, there are no fireworks to excite the reader. For the sake of believability, a lack of fireworks is acceptable. However, Mary could drone on for pages talking about something the reader can infer on their own or something already explicitly stated.

The story is somewhat familiar. A young woman, too independent for her time, is accused of witchcraft. How the HoftW differs from most witchcraft trial stories is that the witch trial is only half of the story. Mary is only accused after trying to divorce her abusive husband. I had no idea that divorce because of abuse was possible in Puritan America, so reading about that and the historical POVs was interesting.

Hour of the Witch is an interesting take on Puritan ideals and hypocrisy. It offers a look into how those who don't believe in abuse allow it to happen. Other Puritan witch stories often present everyone on the other side as blatantly evil. HoftW shows that most of the time, those allowing evil to happen weren't trying to be evil. That's where Hour of the Witch, combined with its detailed historical world building, shined. I'd recommend this to those who like serious historical fiction.

Thought provoking, very thought provoking.
1662 in Boston young Mary is 24 and beautiful! Back in the old world she would have had her choice of a suitor but in the new world she is forced to be the second wife to Thomas Deerfield. This is a major scumbag who is a dangerous and abusive man!
Now, Mary really wants to end this marriage but she had to do it in the right way because she is already suspected of being a witch so when she tries to divorce him she is put on trial for her life!
During this time divorcing someone just wasn't done so when she does this she is of course thought to have been a witch!
The first half of the book sets everything up but the second half of the book was AMAZING, like can't put down at 3 a.m. The one thing that is very thought provoking is how easily it was for her to be on trial for being a witch and how easily she was sentenced to death.I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely check out more by this author! Thank you Netgally and Doubleday Books for the opportunity to read and review this one!

A new Chris Bohjalian book is an automatic TBR for me. I love that his writing spans such a wide variety of genres and topics and I am always impressed by his ability to write the female perspective with such empathy and authenticity.

In Hour of the Witch, Mr. Bohjalian gives us one of his most compelling protagonists. Mary Deerfield is a woman both beautiful and strong of character who, unfortunately, lives in the wrong time and place, early 17th century Boston. It was very dangerous to be a woman in Puritanical New England, especially if one had an inclination to be outspoken or to challenge one's husband for "cruelty."

While Hour of the Witch is primarily historical fiction, and it is evident the author invested many hours of research to make it an accurate and often disturbing portrayal, this novel also at points reads like a compulsively absorbing thriller. In a word, this book was fantastic -- definitely one of Mr.Bohjalian's best. Five stars all the way.

Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved every Chris Bohjalian book I have ever read and Hour of the Witch is no exception. The writing is emotionally nuanced and thought-provoking. This is not a book you read and forget, but one that stays with you, entering your thoughts long after you've read the last line. The time period, with all its piety, suspicion and fear, is brought to vivid life through Mary's eyes. I felt like I was holding my breath until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for access to this arc!

The Hour of the Witch is an intense, nightmarish page-turner. And in my eyes, utter perfection. It’s the story of Mary, a fiery and intelligent Puritan from a wealthy family who has the misfortune of marrying a monster in the New World. Thomas’ acts of ingenious cruelty slowly escalate to the point where Mary can endure them no longer. So she does the unthinkable- she files for divorce.

17th century Massachusetts is a breeding ground for misogyny, salacious gossip and religious fervor. Mary’s fellow colonists are scandalized by her intention to separate from her respected husband Thomas. And thanks to her childless state, fondness for herbal remedies and an unfortunate incident involving cutlery, there are whispers that Mary might in fact be a witch.

The Hour of the Witch is a gripping, spell-binding, emotional rollercoaster ride. I frequently found myself outraged and incensed on Mary’s behalf. The way she was abused by her alcoholic husband and treated as less-than by her community (just for being a woman) was absolutely infuriating. I felt deeply sympathetic for her plight.

I have to hand it to Chris Bohjalian, every book I’ve read by him has been superb, but this one takes the cake. His impeccable research and passion for colonial life comes alive on the page. I was easily swept up in the dramatic whirlwind that was the Puritan witch hunt. Bojhalian expertly crafts a psychological backdrop percolating with paranoia, suspicion and outright hysteria.

I appreciated the use of the wild woman archetype embodied by Mary and Constance. Their intelligence and sharp tongues are seen as a palpable threat to the men in the colony. The only way to eliminate said threat? Accuse them of being the devil’s handmaidens. If those two strong and independent women with scintillating wit were labeled witches, then sign me up. I want to be one too.

It’s interesting to contemplate the overwhelming irony of the colonists’ behavior. They cling desperately to their religion, extreme and single-minded in their pursuit of the kingdom of heaven. And yet, they who studied the Bible and learned to love thy neighbor, were so quick to condemn someone to death (not to mention eternal damnation!) with little to no evidence. The hypocrisy is astounding.

I highly recommend The Hour of the Witch to readers who enjoy suspenseful and thrilling historical fiction that fearlessly explores the dark and intimate corners of the (Puritan) psyche.

A well written and very well researched novel about a wife accused of witchcraft in 1600s New England. Mary,mentally and physically abused by her husband, appeals to the court for a divorce. However, 1600s New England certainly has no sympathy for an abused woman and denies her petition. The court also seems eager to find her *and every woman) guilty of witchcraft. Mary then has to seek justice in her own way.
Especially interesting in this book was 1600s' Boston's fear of forks. I looked this up and it was absolutely true, that early New Englanders thought that forks were "the devil's tines".
Chris Bohjalian crafted an interesting and unique story that should take the place of The Crucible on many reading lists. This book deals with more than the witchcraft scare, but also with women's rights or lack thereof in early America, not even allowed to speak their mind without being accused of witchcraft. This should be required reading for young women of today for how very far we've come!

Special thanks to author Chris Bohjalian, for he is a tour de force, I have not had the pleasure of reading before, and of course NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the ARC of this great book.

Oh what to say without giving things away? Chris Bohjalian, also author as books such as The Flight Attendant and Midwives, and many more that I must also add to my TBR list, has made me an absolute fan with Hour of the Witch. Also a fan of how lovingly he speaks of his wife Victoria and daughter Grace Experience is touching,,but the studying he did for this book that takes place in the 1600's, is astounding, and hard work I imagine.

I dare to say I identify with the lead female character Mary Deerfield, married to the cruel Thomas Deerfield, but if not I wish I had her grace and temerity living in a town of gossips and blasphemers, and how she handles herself. Smart beyond her years, she tries to fights her way out of her marriage, fraught with cruelty and violence.. Is she a witch? That's for you to decide, but she does get her hour in Hour of the Witch, whether she succeeds or not I will not say, but I give this book a definite 4.5 stars, which I'll round up to a 5,

Chris Bohjalian is an auto-read for me. He never disappoints but I must say this is his most compelling novel to date. This is a historical fiction about Mary Deerfield, a 24 year old Puritan woman in 1662. Mary is an intelligent and somewhat feminist young woman who after being abused by her husband multiple times decides to seek a divorce from the Boston court system. The system is geared toward men and she gets smeared as everything from murderess to harlot to witch. It is a fierce indictment of what being s woman was like in the time and how in many ways change is still coming too slowly. He gifts you with a great look at the times and the rich dialect made you feel like you were right there. I live in Massachusetts and had no idea three tined forks were such a frightening issue of the time. I loved this one. Thanks to the author, Doubleday Books, and NetGalley for allowing me an early look at this one in exchange for an honest review.

A popular author tries his hand at historical fiction, I think for the first time. The story is set in 1662 Boston, where the Puritans are arriving from England, and a fear of witches is everywhere. Mary is an independent thinker, at times outspoken, and barren, none of which is a positive for a woman in this world. Her older husband has been abusive, but she has been hiding the evidence. When he stabs her left hand with a fork and breaks the bones, she decides she needs to leave him, and asks for a divorce, an unheard-of decision for a Puritan woman. Thus begins a horrible chain of events for Mary and those who love and support her. It is horrible reading how anyone can say anything about someone and be believed! It was frustrating to read about this time in our history, when women had very little power and almost no respect from men. The story began slowly and was a bit redundant at the start, but my interest picked up as Mary's fate was debated. Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for providing an ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free ARC ebook of Hour of the Witch. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Chris Bohjalian's latest novel -- no surprise, since he is among my favorite authors. Hour of the Witch is set in seventeenth century Boston, and tells the story of a young wife, cruelly treated by her husband, as she seeks escape from this sadistic man. Bohjalian ably recreates the atmosphere of religiosity and self-righteousness of this early Pilgrim society, and the belief system that cast women as fragile, sinful, and in need of both protection and "correction" from men. His characters are all well-drawn and three-dimensional, and in most cases share aspects of both saints and sinners. Plot twists in the latter half of the novel sustained my interest and had me reading eagerly to see how this story would play out. I definitely recommend Hour of the Witch to those who enjoy historical fiction.

Mary Deerfield is a young woman with a kind family, but an unrelenting husband. The second wife of Thomas Deerfield, a man of some standing in the town, Mary has only her family to turn to when she is in need. Though women do not have much standing in their community, will Mary be able to use the connections she has to escape a dangerous situation?

Hour of the Witch was very unusual, as the main female character lived in Puritan times, but refused to bow to the will of her husband. The novel is historical fiction, but is actually based on a real life case regarding the first divorce in America. As the novel evolves from marital issues to wild accusations, the plot does take a turn to the familiar. This is the only aspect of the novel that I do not care for, as it would have been better had the plot stayed the course. That being said, author Chris Bohjalian does a great job of capturing the setting of 1660's America. I like how Mary Deerfield is represented in Hour of the Witch, as I do like a main character with a good spine and the ability to persevere. For these reasons, I would recommend Hour of the Witch to others.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy via NetGalley and the publisher, Doubleday. The choice to review this book was my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for an advanced copy of this page turner of a new novel by Chris Bohjalian. Set in 1662 Boston, Hour of the Witch is definitely a page turner, but do not go into it expecting it to be a thriller like The Flight Attendant. Instead we have a novel that follows a wife named Mary Deerfield who struggles to figure out what actions to take to rid herself of her abusive marriage.

Leaving a dangerous husband is hard enough in present time, and in 1662 Mary faces even more obstacles in Puritan Boston. Mary's character develops in a believable fashion, that had me cheering her on as she came to new revelations about what she deserved and how society had done her wrong. Mary desperately and carefully needs to rid herself of Thomas Deerfield in a society where women who have an intelligent mind can so easily be accused of witchcraft. The whole novel had me at the edge of my seat. There are a few mysteries that aren't solved until the end, but the main driver of this novel is Mary's growth as a strong and independent woman. I became so invested in Mary's fight that I couldn't put the book down. I highly recommend this book.

This story takes place in 1662 Boston. Our Protagonist is a very pretty 24 year old Puritan, Mary Deerfield. Mary and her parents had relocated from England as a teenager. Her older siblings had remained in England. She married a well off mill owner, a 45 year old widower. Thomas was frequently verbally and physically abusive, but never in the presence of their teen age indentured servant, Catherine. Mary kept the abuse private, most often attributing it to his frequent “drink-drunk” state. The violence had escalated and, as the novel starts, she is contemplating divorce. Mysterious events suggesting demonic intervention have led to suspicious gossip regarding Mary’s involvement in witchcraft. For me, the dark setting and mood were the highlight of this novel, even more than the plot or the characters. While reading, I felt the same aura as when watching a well-staged production of The Crucible. If you sit down with this book on a cold dreary winter day, it’s a good bet you’ll be eating dinner with a spoon and skipping the fork! I’ve often heard that Chris Bohjalian is spot on in the way he writes female characters, and this book is no exception. I wonder if his wife and daughter find it good or bad that he knows female minds so well! Four hundred years later and we still haven’t made the ERA a part of our Constitution. But at least we no longer have the gallows!
#HouroftheWitch #NetGalley

4.5 stars, rounded up

Books with a historical bent can be difficult to pull off because people will compare their own knowledge with the information presented in the prose; and if it doesn't measure up, that can have a negative effect on the reading experience. I picked up Hour of the Witch with that in the back of my mind.

Mary Deerfield endures years of abuse from her husband before she decides she wants to petition for divorce. In 1660s Boston--thirty years before the Salem witch trials--however, this is practically unheard of, an event to be witnessed, and Mary finds herself navigating the courts and her household against accusations of adultery, lying, and witchcraft.

First, let me say: I love when I read a book that demonstrates genre writing can be both entertaining and wrought with literary merit at the same time. As someone who spent *many* semesters painstakingly teaching The Crucible (and gritting through the sweating like a stallion cringe-line), I'm always on the lookout for alternatives to use as comparative texts. And even though this is set decades before, Hour of the Witch covered many of the same themes while putting a psychological twist on the story that made for an eerie yet grounded read. importance of reputation, maintaining social norms, religion vs secularism, persecution, morality--through Mary's ordeal with her husband, we're given a pretty realistic look into a woman's life in 1660s Boston. The dialogue and atmosphere were spot on.

In terms of the story, I'd call this the middle road between slow burn and action packed. There are some graphic depictions of domestic abuse interspersed with introspection and intrigue. Mary is definitely the focal point, and I appreciated Bohjalian's writing of her character. Much like the burgeoning accusations of the time, everyone is suspect, giving the second half of the book an injection of tension and underlying eerie subplot. I did think the ending felt a bit rushed compared to some of the other drawn-out scenes, but I still enjoyed the resolutions.

Overall, Hour of the Witch is a gripping, taut, psychological suspense with classic themes and plenty of twists. For fans of atmospheric suspense in the vein of The VVitch, anyone who loves character-driven suspense, or female-centric protagonists. The Crucible meets J Lo's Enough. Out in April, add it to your TBRs now.

Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.

Brings me back to reading A Scarlet Letter. Mary is in an abusive marriage and looking for a divorce. When the town believes she is a witch, her husband agrees to stay married to her. But Mary refuses to give up. This book is historical, murder mystery, love triangle, and about revenge. Couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend.

I have nominated this book for my library’s book club to read, which is the highest honor I can give a book. Set in America where people were just beginning to accuse women of being witches. Hour of the Witch will make you angry, frustrated, but ultimately relieved.
Great book that kept me riveted until the end!

Thanks to NetGalley for sending me this free copy to read!

First off, I'm going to be transparent when I say this is the first thriller, historical fiction book I've read. I have a niche that I tend to stick to, but when I first saw this title I was excited and intrigued. And, let me tell you, I was so happy I dove out of my comfort reads to fall deep into Chris Bohjalian's "Hour of the Witch".

From the first page, I was captivated by this gritty, dark world that was being set up. From the beginning, this world felt carefully researched and crafted, making me believe that I was stepping foot into old century Boston, which was definitely terrifying within itself without yet adding the fear of witchcraft and such a cruel, dark time for women. Mary's plight felt so palpable, that I felt the tension, heartache, raging pain, and everything else weave itself around not only the pages, but my imagination as I kept reading further. I definitely found myself constantly at the edge of my seat or gritting my teeth for what came next.

His books for me, are always marvelous, and the chance to read one, is always a day to rejoice. What I find so impressive, is that each book is original, and so readable, so well-researched, and above all, captivating and entertaining. Thx as always.

As someone who has studied her family that settled in Salem, Massachusetts mid 1600's, Bohjalian's newest book weaves history and story together exquisitely. Though this story takes place hundreds of years ago, women of today can, unfortunately, relate to Mary Deerfield's predicament. Today's readers will also realize that though we don't jail or burn witches anymore, we all still have our demons and can easily relate to these characters of long past. Another good read by Chris Bohjalian!

What does Law & Order look like for a woman in Boston in the 17th century that first seeks a divorce from her abusive husband and is then accused of being a Witch? In a place obsessed with finding evidence of Satan in every sign, every failed crop, barren womb, or three-tined fork, a.k.a. The Devil's Tines, how do you craft a defense? You'd think you either succumb to the fear and admit to a sin you didn't commit or you die a martyr, but there may be another option for salvation at the end of the witching hour.

Hour of the Witch by @chrisbohjalian #eighthbookof2021 #arc Thank you to #NetGalley and #Doubleday for the advance reader copy. I have been looking forward to this book for a long time. I was so excited to read it, and it did not disappoint! This is a story of divorce, domestic violence, desire, and witchcraft. The time period is a departure for this author, who I have read extensively, and I loved his take on the story. It felt familiar, although I don’t think I’ve read anything with this particular perspective before, and it was a fast read, as I was dying to know how it would turn out. As difficult as the subject matter can be, I truly enjoyed this story. (Pub date 4/20/21) #hourofthewitch

Boston, 1662: Mary Deerfield has been blessed by the Lord with her station in life, which is why few believe her when she tries to divorce her husband for cruelty. As the divorce trial proceeds, witnesses begin to wonder if Mary is involved with the devil and witchcraft.

I’ve read a few witch trial books and this may be my favorite. There’s a lot that leads up to it, so it’s not simply a witch trial book. I loved the writing. The author gives the reader such a great sense for the time period. I found myself googling pictures to go with the story (picture of cutlery, clothing, etc). I can tell that a lot of research was done to have the time period accurately portrayed. I learned a lot about Puritanism and boy am I glad I didn’t live in that time period. The protagonist was incredible; well beyond her time, but smart enough to play humble and meek when necessary. The ending was very unexpected and blew my mind.. in a good way.

“If, in the end, anyone was going to feel the pain of Hell, it was him. Unless, of course, she made sure that he felt it here first.”

Hour of the Witch comes out 4/20.

. 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.

I have to start by saying I’ll read anything Chris Bohjalian writes. He is a true storyteller, and everything he writes is worth reading. He is able to get into the mind of a young woman who is trapped in a marriage that has not turned out the way she had hoped. She bravely tries to get a divorce during a time that people are talking about the hanging of “witches” in nearby Hartford. I do. It want to spoil how things go from here, but it’s not exactly what you expect.

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

I admit it: I have been a big fan of Chris Bohjalian, ever since I read Midwives several years ago. I have given positive reviews to The Guest Room, The Sleepwalker, The Flight Attendant, and The Red Lotus. I consider Mr. Bohjalian one of the most reliable authors I read regularly, and I always look forward to his books...but I admit, my reaction to the description of his latest, The Hour of The Witch, was hesitation -- set in the 1600s in Massachusetts, I expected a well-written but probably routine story of a woman wrongly accused of witchcraft, blah blah blah...but I’m happy to say I was pleasantly surprised (and delighted) by this book.

Mary Deerfield’s family came to Massachusetts from England, and her father established a successful business, importing a wide variety of goods needed by the settlers. As the daughter of a successful businessman, Mary was set up to marry Thomas Deerfield, a widower twice her age. He was definitely happy to have someone to take over running his household, and although he was twice Mary’s age, their marriage appeared to the outside world as a successful one. Appearances can be deceiving: Thomas was an abusive drunk and, in a classic abusive situation, Mary lied repeatedly about her bruises (clumsiness and accidents, she claimed).

Mary’s father begins importing the latest tool becoming popular in Europe: the fork. I'm not sure why forks are considered the Devil’s instrument, but they can also be weapons, as Mary learns when Thomas stabs Mary’s hand, causing serious damage. She decides that she will escape the abuse and files for divorce. Unfortunately, women could be accused of participating in witchcraft based on they word of one person and appallingly, when the court hears the case, Mary’s possible witchcraft (evidenced by owning a fork) is more serious than Thomas’s abusive behavior.

Despite the appalling attitudes of the patriarchy that ruled society, I enjoyed the look at 17th century New England and the fantastic character development. are appalling. I was surprised by the ending (no spoilers!) but not turned off by it. What can I say? I’m a sucker for Chris B!! Thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for providing a copy of The Hour of the Witch in exchange for this honest review. 5 stars. Looking forward to recommending this to my book club.

A historical thriller with a unique time, place, and voice, THE HOUR OF THE WITCH will keep you in suspense, and remind you that structural misogyny and rape culture has been around for centuries. Mary Deerfield is a protagonist to root for as she tries to save herself from her husband, and from unfounded accusations of witchcraft.

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!

The Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian
Source: NetGalley and Doubleday Books
Rating: 5 stars

**SLIGHTLY SPOILERISH**

This is my first five star read in a very long time and WOWZA does this book deserve it.

The Hour of the Witch revolves around the sad life of Mary Deerfield, a young, beautiful woman so far in over her head she can’t possibly survive in the situation she finds herself in.

Mary Deerfield, at the ripe old age of 24 finds herself married to a monster. What’s worse, the monster knows exactly how to present himself in public, so his ugly nature is never revealed to anyone but Mary. With too much alcohol, the monster shows itself and Mary often pays the price in the form of beatings and forced sexual encounters. Her time and place, 17th century Boston, dictate that Mary never speak against her husband nor report any of the abuse she suffers. Even if she reported the abuse, the likelihood of being believed is very small.

Until one night . . . .

Mary understands her place in the world is tenuous, at best, but every human has limits and the night her beast of a husband stabs her hand with a fork, she reaches her limit. Fleeing to parent’s house, Mary decides on a risky move that will, if successful free her from the hell she lives in. Divorce in 17th century Boston wasn’t common and rarely ever was a case brought by a mere woman. With legal help and her parents beside her, Mary submits herself to a trial in which her life with the beast is scrutinized, judged, and ultimately deemed satisfactory.

As if her life weren’t hard enough before the trial, Mary’s life has worsened tenfold. Not only is her husband more violent and abusive than ever, but many in the town now look on Mary with nothing less than a suspicious eye. A suspicious eye in Mary’s time and place means she is being watched for any signs of possession of congress with the Devil. In short order, Mary realizes how precarious her situation really is and she begins to devise a plan to save her own life.

Saving her own life will come at a great and terrible cost, but Mary is more than willing to pay the price. With allies she did not know she had and some that will surely see her accused of witchcraft, Mary works quietly and quickly to enact her plan. Time is always of the essence and just as Mary feels she’s safe her whole world comes crashing down once again. This time, even a deal with the Devil may not save her.

The Bottom Line: I can’t say I devoured this book as it took me a bit of time to read, but I did find it utterly engrossing. I greatly dislike books written in the vernacular, so I found myself spending a bit of extra time translating the dialogue in my head to my more modern dialect. Outside of that single irritant, I absorbed this book like a sponge. Every aspect of this book feels incredibly authentic and that makes Mary’s story even more compelling and tragic. As a woman, I found it difficult to read Mary’s reality, but admired her strength and determination. Above all else, I admired the courage it took for Mary to speak her truth in the face of insurmountable odds. I was also quite glad to discover that I can still be surprised by a book and its ending. I was thoroughly surprised by this book’s ending and found it ridiculously satisfying. Finally, the writing of this book is exquisite and outside of the personal irritant of the vernacular, I loved the crafting of this book.

Mary Deerfield is a 24 year old Puritan woman and extremely attractive. When her parents choose to leave England and establish a trading business in the New World, Mary goes with them though she would have preferred to stay behind like her brothers. She soon becomes the second wife to a powerful man named Thomas Deerfield who is cruel and verbally and physically abusive behind closed doors. After he comes home one evening “ drink drunk” yet again he drive a fork through Mary’s’ hand and she becomes determined to divorce him. Mary takes refuge in her parents home but she is the object of scrutiny, gossip and plots by those who have their own reasons for want to see her downfall. When her servant girl whispers in the ear of those who wish her ill, Mary will find herself not only trying to escape her marriage but to save herself from the noose.
This author always has descriptions characters that are so striking and scenery that is do detailed and descriptive that you feel as though you can hear the horses hooves or smell the sea when she costs the docks. I felt loathing for Thomas Deerfield and disdain for the so called “ Saints” who were there to dispense justice. These books are an mesmeric experience and the reader is reluctant to turn the last page, wanting to see what is around the next corner. While you can sense the amount of research that has gone into the story it never feels bogged down or heavy.
So much more than just a story of a witch trial. Read this book, you don’t regret it.
Thank you to # netgalley and #Doubleday for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. This is due for publication on March 1, 2021.

Fans of early American history will not be disappointed by the latest read from Chris Bohjalian. The novel, Hour of the Witch, begins as a slow burn detailing the horrors of Ms. Mary Deerfield’s marriage. (Trigger warning: this novel does describe domestic violence episodes throughout it’s entirety). Set in the 17th century, the book changes pace midway through the novel, when it becomes frighteningly clear that the reader is watching a potential witch hunt unfold.

The realistic nature in which the plot develops makes the novel that much more engaging and disturbing. As always, I adore the way Mr. Bohjalian built these characters, and I appreciated his fresh take on a well-known piece of American history. His female and male characters were built in such a way that the reader was easily reminded of the juxtaposed roles of women and men in the 1600’s. This constant reminder makes the protagonist’s strength in the face of antagonistic male characters that much more shocking and triumphant. I rated this one 4 stars versus my normal 5 for Bohjalian, because it did move at a slower clip. That said, as a lover of American history and Chris Bohjalian novels, I was not surprised with how much I appreciated this storyline. Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Chris Bohjalian is probably the most versatile author working today. He writes so well in so many different genres.

His latest, Hour of the Witch, is a blend of history and fiction as he tells the story of Mary Deerfield, a woman seeking divorce in 1660's Boston who ends up accused of witchcraft.

I loved this story and couldn't put it down! I was rooting for Mary's character and the twists and events kept me on the edge of my seat. I really liked how this novel gives one much to think about (or talk about in book group) regarding the role of women and the perception of strong women in colonial times.

Highly recommended! Thank you for my galley!

Full review coming closer to pub day at Beth's Book-Nook Blog www.drbethnolan.com

3.5 Stars

Mary Deerfield, along with her parents, left England and travelled across the sea for a life in America, in hopes for a new land and new life which held much promise. For her father, he felt the religious call of the New World, and the chance for him to further build his established trade company. At the age of 24 Mary became the second wife of Thomas Deerfield, whose verbal, and physical, attacks have made her cautious, but not meek. Thomas is prone to drinking in excess, and taking out his foul moods on Mary, repeatedly belittling her by saying she has ‘white meat’ for a brain, as well as taunting her for her inability to conceive a child. His daughter, Peregrine, married shortly before Mary and Thomas, was close to Mary’s age, and already has children of her own, making Mary a grandmother.

Mary’s father imports items from abroad, objects not readily available in this new land. The finest lace, and the newest items making their way across the sea, along with other items not found in the colonies. Among the latest are three tined forks, which has recently become popular in England, but these puritans consider them to be the Devil’s tines, and Mary’s father has gifted her with a set of six of these forks, which doesn’t sit well with Thomas.

Suspicions and rumours abound after two of these evil forks are spotted in Mary and Thomas’ yard. One night, in a fit of drunken anger, one will become used to impale her hand and breaking bones. Although it’s no surprise by whom, Mary will have a difficult time proving it, or finding a way to prevent further abuse. Instead, her declarations of the truth cause her to be shunned, ridiculed and desperately seeking her freedom from this ungodly marriage. She is a woman, and therefore assumed to be prone to hysteria, lying and labelled a witch if she is unhappy with the physical abuse she has been forced to endure in her marriage .

While not quite what I would consider to be a ‘thriller,’ there is an ever-mounting tension in this story, with a completely unexpected ending that I didn’t see coming.


Pub Date: 04 May 2021

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Doubleday Books / Doubleday

#HouroftheWitch #NetGalley

As a lover of historical fiction and all things witchcraft, I was excited by the premise of this novel. I enjoyed the perspective of Mary, a non-conformist within a Puritanical society. It was refreshing to read a piece in which she stood up for her beliefs and triumphed. Bohjalian did a fantastic job of creating suspense regarding the outcome. I would have enjoyed more content in regards to her relationship with Henry, but overall, was very satisfied.

I have read a lot of other books by Chris Bohjalian. Some I loved some I liked and one I could not finish. My top three are The Light in the Ruins, The Double Bind and Hour of the Witch. I continue to be so impressed by his ability to write from the female perspective. Each of the above books were so well crafted that you become immediately absorbed in the characters and the need to find out what happens to them. It is possible that some people will overlook this book because it sounds like another story about the Salem Witch Trials. But those people would be making a huge mistake, huge. First of all, the setting is Boston just as the witch-hunt begins in Connecticut and before the Salem trials began. Mary Deerfield is conceived as a smart, strong willed woman who tries to conform to the expectation of women at that time, but still cannot understand why men are allowed so much leniency while women are held to such a high standard. The story begins quickly and sets the tone for Mary’s life with Thomas, and you can immediately see how this mirrors the life of those women stuck in an abusive relationship today. As she moves forward, she begins to realize that her world is shifting; in the way Thomas treats her, her relationship with her indentured girl Catherine and the attitude of the women like Goody Howland who believe they are godlier than Mary. And while Mary tries to follow all of the rules and be a faithful Christian, she also has more human feelings such as lust and desire – and she struggles to understand if this is normal or if she in fact is being tempted by the devil. It is refreshing to read a book that is about the witch hysteria and see that these women were not only victims, but they had “normal” urges and feelings and had only the view of the men to define what was “of God” and what was not. While it is almost impossible to imagine that any woman would have pursued a divorce at that time, it is a compelling story and highlights how women were treated then, and through the years, when they decided to stand up for themselves especially against abuse. Even her mother and father want her to fall in line before her behavior results in charges of witchcraft. Of all the women in the story, Constance stands out because she lives alone and maintains a comfortable life without a man, even though she too is persecuted and looked down on by the community. Constance understands that these men do not have her best interest in mind and charts her own path, while somehow managing to not be hanged as a witch. I read this book in one day because I simply had to find out if Mary died or if she found happiness with Henry Simmons. I encourage you to read this so you too can be transported back to a time in which women had little voice and little chance of happiness (or at least how we define happiness today) and were casually persecuted for being a nonconformist or merely standing up for themselves. I feel so very lucky to have been approved to read an ARC of this book by the publisher, Doubleday Books in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of Chris Bohjalian so I was excited to get my hands on an ARC edition of his latest novel. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free electronic ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The story takes place in 1662 in Puritan New England at a time when witchcraft pervaded everyone’s thoughts. Mary Deerfield is the 24 year old second wife of Thomas Deerfield, who is a powerful man but an abusive husband. After an extremely violent act of abuse by Thomas toward Mary, she decides that she must divorce him in order to survive. The ensuing hearing in a male dominated courtroom highlights the injustices that women faced during this time period and how their rights were viewed as inconsequential. The divorce is denied by the court and the hearing actually discusses the possibility of Mary being a witch. This plants the seed in many of the townspeople’s minds that Mary is a witch and every movement she makes here on out is scrutinized and found to be related to witchcraft. It is only a matter of time before she is arrested and put on trial for being a witch. The ensuing trial and subsequent verdict is fascinating and a real page turner!
The author did an incredible job of researching this time period and topic. The manner in which the characters spoke and acted seemed authentic as did the setting of the story. While both of the trials seemed credible, there were times that the author seemed to get too wrapped up in the judicial proceedings and those parts of the story really dragged on for me. I found myself skipping pages in order to get to the interesting parts again. That being said, overall I did enjoy the book as well as the storyline and was happy with the ending the author chose.

A very compelling story taking place in Boston during the 1660s. Truly a witch hunt from several perspectives. Having recently read Alice Hoffman’s newest on the same topic, I was concerned this wouldn’t interest me. However the writing encouraged me to want to know how it ends. So I read as fast as I could to find out. I really enjoyed the format, at the beginning of each chapter is a quote from the court case. I also enjoyed the language, such as “prithee”. Not the fault of the author, but I did not like the situation and most of the characters were not really likeable either. Overall, worth the read. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

In 1662 Boston divorce is almost unheard of. But under the strain of abuse, does the impossible become the plausible? Even if under the threat of death by hanging?

Mary Deerfield notices a pattern with her husband Thomas. He drinks, he hits her, and then goes away and drinks more. When he is busy at the mill that usually puts him in good spirits. Thus, drinking “only as much cider and beer as he needed to quench his thirst.” But one day, he stabs a fork into her hand flatly placed on the table to discipline her. And he isn’t even drink-drunk. According to the law, a husband has a write to discipline his wife. He doesn’t seem to see his brutality, but Mary does, and she’s reached the breaking point. She has heard of the word before. And it’s divorce.

There are some who envy her because of her parents’ wealth and privilege “in ways that few others were in Boston.” Her father, a renowned merchant, knows the governor and the magistrates, and he would know what to do to begin this process of divorce.

Per magistrate, her parents are reputable people, but her husband is also considered a man of good standing and reputation, owner of the largest gristmill in the North End.

But there is more to the story, which may have further complications. Mary finds two forks in the ground in the walkway to her house, then a pestle. Her servant girl thinks it’s some sort of spell. Certain things could get misconstrued and be perceived as Satan’s work. It’s a time when even the most nonsensical accusations could cause grievous injury.

Mary is a very likeable character. One readers sympathize with and want to see happy and out of harm’s way. She sees other women getting pregnant and that’s what she constantly prays for. Her situation is chilling, and yet she is willing to take another risky path to get out of the current one.

Thomas turns out to be not only a brute, but also a liar. At first his abrupt behavior keeps you on edge, but then his lies put you over the edge. His temerity leaves you speechless.

The time period is intriguingly depicted, from customs through novelty of a three-tined fork to the use of old language in dialogue (thy, thou, thee).

It is a gripping page-turner, written with beautiful prose and enthrallingly developed characters.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

I could not put this book down! I was sent a copy through NetGalley for an honest review and was so glad to be reading on a Kindle so I could look up words. Chris Bohjalian’s use of the English language is so poetic. There were sentences I reread, not for understanding, but for the pure joy of reading them!
A novel about a very dark time in our history, (not unlike recent events). The mystery and “courtroom” drama are captivating. The realism is frightening. This story will stay with me for a very long time.

WOW! This is the book I’ve been waiting for! Such an engrossing part of American History but so many books fall short. Likeable heroine and outstanding character development! Kept me guessing right up to the end!!!

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of HOUR OF THE WITCH by Chris Bohjalian in exchange for my honest review.***

Set in New England during the puritanical days of the mid 1660s, Mary Deerfield has the audacity to object to her husband’s physical and emotional abuse. She wants to divorce him, but must has just cause according to men in her community. Women, in those times, were property of their parents first and then their husband, expected to endure what society considered justified discipline. Abuse was considered justified punishment.

I spent most of my time reading HOUR OF THE WITCH feeling angry for Mary and for all women. Imagining myself in her situation would have been a foregone conclusion. I wouldn’t have fit in. Fortunately, Mary’s parents believed her and supported her desire not to be mistreated, which to me is a low bar for decent parenting, but those were different times.

Faulting townspeople would be overly simplistic, as they were raised to believe in good vs evil and Satan as a real source of evil with a capital E, not merely synonymous with bad. Part of their beliefs stemmed from predetermination, that humans were destined to be good or evil, very few shades of gray existed. Speaking out against injustice could result in public flogging, excommunication from the church and polite society, shunning from family, even being hanged as a witch. Bravery could be deadly.

Chris Bohjalian is one of the most brilliant storytellers of our time. His impeccable research and attention to detail reminds me of Jodi Picoult’s approach to writing. I’ve been a fan of both since their earlier careers and they are the only writers whose literary fiction I enjoy. They make me think and reconsider my beliefs. Salem and the witch trials, the groupthink and gang-like mentality have parallels in today’s society and social media. I’ve been on the wrong side of a misinterpreted comment meant to be supportive and couldn’t believe the vitriol.

Though marketed as a literary thriller, I wouldn’t use thriller because though the pace is steady and tension high, it’s more a study of character and era and a brilliant one at that.

HOUR OF THE WITCH is a must read for historical and literary fiction lovers, particularly those interested in feminism and equality.

The last time author Chris Bohjalian was in St. Louis, I was lucky enough to be first in line at his book signing. St. Louis was the first stop, if I remember correctly, of his book tour for “The Flight Attendant.” I was eager to start reading after his wonderful presentation, but since I had a chance, I chatted with him for a minute before he had to get to work. I had one important, burning question: “What’s next?”

He told me that he was researching a book about Puritans in the 17th century and the witch trials that rocked Massachusetts. He had become fascinated with that time period when he was in college. I was disappointed when it wasn’t the next book he released (which was “The Red Lotus,” another great read!). Maybe next year, I thought.

Not long ago, I began to see blurbs and advertisements for his latest adventure, “Hour of the Witch.” Here it was! I lucky enough get my hands on an Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC). I was shocked it was even available because during the time of covid-19, as publishers cut way back on print copies. A writer of his stature doesn’t need ARCs to gain momentum. He writes and people, including me, buy his book. I don’t even have to know what it’s about. If Chris Bohjalian wrote, I’m probably gonna love it.

I am not a big fan of stories set in the 17th century; they don’t grab me. But, boy, this one sure did. From its first sentence (“It was always possible that the Devil was present.”) to its last, I was enthralled with Mary Deerfield’s story.

The place is Boston; the year is 1662. Women have been hung after accusations they were practicing witchcraft. Young Mary Deerfield is a newlywed. Her husband, Thomas, is a powerful man, physically and politically. In public, Thomas was ever the attentive husband, but once the front door was closed, Thomas turned into her worse nightmare. He criticized her, he brutalized her in the marriage bed, and he tossed her around their cottage like she was fallen leaf. He was an expert at making up the lies he told whenever someone noticed her bruises. It was painful to read about Thomas’ cruelty and how he would laugh at Mary’s pain and fear.

Mary’s father was an importer. He recently received a shipment of three-tined forks, which were considered the Devil’s utensils. When she finds two of them planted near the cottage gate, she knows someone is trying to frame her as a witch. She is afraid it’s Thomas, or their servant firld. There isn’t much Mary can do legally to fight him.

Thomas’ drinking grows steady worse. When he stabs her in the hand, Mary knows it is time to divorce him. Divorce is scandalous. It goes against all things God-like. It isn’t right.

The book is broken into two parts. The first is The Book of the Wife. This is where readers see their marriage and experience Mary’s fears and Thomas’s cruelties. The second is The Book of the Witch. Here is where Mary tries to gain a divorce and defend herself against the horrific accusations that are thrown at her.

I need to stop now, or I’m going to spill the beans about an ending that was as shocking as it was redeeming. And perfect. It was perfect!

I loved this story and could hardly put it down. I do have one question for Mr. Bohjalian: “As hard as it was to get used to reading the thee’s and thou’s that was the Puritans way of speaking, how hard was it to write in that style?” Maybe next time he’s in St. Louis, I’ll snag that first spot in line and have a chance to ask him.

What a great read! Hour of the Witch receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

This was an excellent, twisted, dark tale, and is not for everyone. I was reeling after finishing the book and thought it was cleverly written.
Many thanks to Doubleday Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this book! The story was enticing and very different than other books I have read. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Absolutely riveting historical fiction that carries the thick, atmospheric suspense used in most thrillers. This slow built drama is led by its compelling heroine Mary Deerfield, a young wife who finds the physical and moral courage to stand up for herself in a time when women could be hung as witches... Hour of the Witch is a woman’s story, a romance, a history lesson, and a legal thriller, while also illustrating
how rough justice can get when religion and institutional sexism meet and become bitterly entwined.

This is a book I will absolutely recommend.

This is another amazing display of talent by a fabulous story teller who excels when writing from the perspective of a woman.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Chris Bohjalian, and Doubleday Books for sharing this ARC with me in exchange my honest opinions.

A full review will be posted on my blog as well as retail entities when this not to miss novel is released May 4, 2021. I recommend pre-ordering your copy NOW!

Fantastic book!! It's full of twists and turns. It's a well written book that builds from page one and ends in an unexpected twist that I never saw coming.
The book was well researched and seems completely genuine. I wouldn't call this a thriller but evokes many of the same emotions that thrillers do

Mary Deerfield is a clever and beautiful young woman in Boston in 1662, but she's married to a monster. Her husband, Thomas, physically and emotionally abuses her. She doesn't love him and convinced she is barren after five years of marriage without any children. The abuse continued quietly for years before one night a drunken Thomas impales Mary in the hand with a three-tined fork, pushing her to finally leave her husband before he grows even more dangerous.
But, by chance, their servant catches Mary in a compromising position and accuses her of being a witch. Mary must face her divorce trial and prove she was abused by Thomas without any physical evidence while also weighed down with accusations of witchcraft.
The story focuses heavily on the treatment of women during the 1600s and circles loosely around the witchcraft hysteria associated with the time. As a result, "Hour of the Witch" is a bit of a depressing read, but realistic. It's clear author Chris Bohjalian did his research. It's a dark domestic period piece that moves along quickly. My only gripe is that some of the trial scenes drag along a bit.
Overall, a great read.

Hour of the Witch follows a young Puritan wife, Mary, living in Boston in an abusive and barren relationship with her terrible husband and a housemaid who lusts after said terrible husband. She happens to be an educated, free-thinking woman who's also terrified of witchcraft, the colony's growing fear of witchcraft, and the devil--and they see the devil EVERYWHERE. One night her husband stabs her in the hand with a fork and she vows to get divorced.

I really loved this book, but I can't write this review without also mentioning that the tldr of this novel is definitely "forks are agents of Satan." I could have finished this a lot faster if I'd spent less time googling how Puritans felt about forks. However, with that said, this was a very, very well done historical fiction novel (I would not call it a thriller) that handles the topics at hand very gracefully. I have never read a fiction book where it was so easy to sympathize with why there was such a huge witch hysteria but Mr. Bohjalian made it so easy to put yourself in Mary's shoes that I was looking at forks with suspicion before I even realized it!

Overall very well written and engaging and I'm very glad to have read it!
Thank you to the publisher & Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A historical novel looks into domestic violence, rights of women, and the witch hunts. Mary is a young wife in Boston in the mid 1600s. Married off to a widowed man double her age, all she was hoping for was a child of her own one day. Instead, her husband is violent and cruel to her when no one is looking, particularly their indentured servant who seems to have a crush on him. When her husband Thomas finally drives a newly imported fork into her hand, Mary decides she has had enough and goes back to her parents and wants to divorce him. But it is hard for a woman to divorce a husband, even for cruelty at this time, and when the servant girl starts up witch talk, Mary may need to avoid both abuse from her husband's hand and/or the gallows of the witch trials. But when Mary's back is against the wall, how far will she go to escape?

This is a really well done novel that looks at domestic violence and women's rights, and at the same time, produces a thriller of a story that comes with a satisfying conclusion.

‘ We separated and came here to this wilderness, and so far we have shown only that we are as flawed and mortal here as we were across the ocean. There is no act of horror or violence of which man is not capable.’

Bohjalian’s historical fiction novels have become a favorite of mine and he has created another well written novel with The Hour of the Witch. The dialogue took a bit of time to get used to, but once I found its rhythm I was hooked. Mary was such an easy character to sympathize with. She trapped in a time when women had very few options and were considered a ‘witch’ if they defied what the community considered appropriate behavior. Our country may not be perfect but we have come a long way from our beginnings. Wonder what Mary’s thoughts would be on where we, as women, are today. 4 stars.

Hour of the Witch
By Chris Bohjalian
On Sale May 4, 2021
Published by Doubleday

Who knew a fork could be such an instrument of evil? Evil appears in many forms just as cruelty takes even more forms. I was pleasantly surprised by this books take on the Boston’s patriarchal society in 1662. The story is not just another falsely accused woman unable to overcome evil. Mary Deerfield is a strong, smart woman. Her family owns a successful importing business. Mary marries Thomas Deerfield, a widower twice her age. He’s evil and his methods of inflicting pain range from well hidden physical abuse, mental abuse and sexual abuse. To escape she files for divorce. But her conniving maid and a few nosy neighbors make matters worse. The trial focuses more on Mary’s not becoming pregnant than on Thomas’s physical marks he left on Mary. She has her allies though. Mary evaluates all strategies to no longer endure Thomas. The story was so well played that the twist ending had me rethinking all of my preconceived notions about several of the main characters. This story is a great new spell for the age old witch trials.

“Boston, 1662. Mary Deerfield is twenty-four-years-old. Her skin is porcelain, her eyes delft blue, and in England she might have had many suitors. But here in the New World, amid this community of saints, Mary is the second wife of Thomas Deerfield, a man as cruel as he is powerful. When Thomas, prone to drunken rage, drives a three-tined fork into the back of Mary's hand, she resolves that she must divorce him to save her life. But in a world where every neighbor is watching for signs of the devil, a woman like Mary--a woman who harbors secret desires and finds it difficult to tolerate the brazen hypocrisy of so many men in the colony--soon finds herself the object of suspicion and rumor. When tainted objects are discovered buried in Mary's garden, when a boy she has treated with herbs and simples dies, and when their servant girl runs screaming in fright from her home, Mary must fight to not only escape her marriage, but also the gallows. A twisting, tightly plotted thriller from one of our greatest storytellers, Hour of the Witch is a timely and terrifying novel of socially sanctioned brutality and the original American witch hunt.”

I first read Chris Bohjalian’s The Flight Attendant a few years ago, and love the the twist and turns. Even thought I don’t typically read historical fiction, I knew I HAD to read this one. While this is a story set in the 1600’s, the premise of a woman fighting for justice and to be free of her abuser, while her status as a woman is undermined is a story that resonates today. Mary fights to protect herself and to be believed against those determined to prove she is a witch sends her on a fight for her life.
Hour of the Witch releases May 4, 2021. I highly recommend you check it out!

Chris Bojhalian is one of my favorite authors.
I wrote about him for Thrive Global
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/escape-into-fiction-this-fall/

Thank you for sharing this book with me!
Lisa

4.5 bewitching stars
“Thou believest too much in thine intellect as a woman.”
Throughout time, one of the most dangerous of creatures has been a woman able to think freely and intelligently. Bohjalian has delivered a spell-binding, often maddening look at the turmoil caused by gossip and fear in 17th century Puritan Boston.

Mary’s circumstances matter not in her Puritan community. She is married to a dangerous man, prone to drink and ready with a fist. But because he is a needed and profitable businessman, she is expected to lie about the bruises upon her cheek. When at last, she can no longer continue with the ruse, she seeks divorce. But logic and reason are overtaken by town gossip, harsh scrutinization, and ludicrous accusations.

Bohjalian has masterfully created a slow burn mixture of historical fiction and mystery that I couldn’t put down. The time period and Puritan lifestyle are skillfully portrayed, as is the intricate development of the characters. This adept execution creates mounting tension in anticipation of Mary’s fate.

The message of this book is timeless, thought provoking, and important. It also reminded me, from history until today, that fear has often overwhelmed reason.

Thank you Chris Bohjalian, Doubleday Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book

This started off slow for me, but picked up nicely and ended excellently. As a fan of witchy reads and historical fiction, I sometimes find Witch Trial books to be a little too text book and factual, but Chris Bohjalian created an fast-paced, relatable, and accurate novel in Hour of the Witch that I’d certainly recommend to readers hoping to dip their feet into the witchy waters and avid witch readers alike. The dialogue is easy to understand and Mary, the main character, is so likeable with her youthful innocence and (potentially troublesome) curiosity that I couldn’t wait to find out her fate. A witchy, soon-to-be classic and a must read by fall!

Impeccably researched, Hour of the Witch is an illuminating look at the difficulties women endured in 17th century America, centering around the real attempt of a woman to divorce her husband. Chris Bohjalian takes history and weaves a rich, supernatural tinged story that ends in a way that I didn't find surprising, but definitely, absolutely made the book! Recommended for the author's many fans as well as historical and women's fiction readers.

The fate of a woman living before her time is at the center of this gripping drama set during a point in our history where a woman's voice did not count. Hour of the Witch is a fascinating inside look at one of our country's most shameful periods where the prosecution of innocents was rampant.

In 1662 Boston, Mary Deerfield tries to escape her physically abusive husband by filing for divorce after he stabs her hand with a fork. Divorce is not unheard of, but Mary is soon fighting against the accusation of witchcraft. Someone buried the "devil's tines," forks imported by Mary's merchant father, in her yard and Mary is determined to find out who did it. Is it someone looking to frame her for witchcraft or someone casting their own evil spell. Was it her husband? Could it have been their servant girl? Every move she makes brings her closer to the truth and the noose. It is a dangerous world wherein a strong outspoken woman in trying to escape domestic abuse may find herself hung as a witch. The historical details and setting ratchet up the suspense until the very end. Highly recommended!

The review will appear on IG 6 April.. Currently live on Goodreads.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction, pick up Hour of the Witch! It’s 1662 and Mary Deerfield is an English colonist living in Boston. Her parents immigrated to the New World when she was a child, and even though she’s older now, the quality and quantity of husband material is slim. Divorce is almost unheard of at the time, yet Mary seeks one to escape the verbal and physical abuses of her powerful husband. Through the process, she finds how similar Boston really is to her homeland; it’s not the saintly, fresh start everyone claims it to be. When questions arise around Mary’s behaviors, friendships, and claims suspicions and rumors about her possession by the devil also arise. All Mary knows is that she has to escape, one way or another.

The mystery and suspense are strong in this story! In a city full of “saints” everyone seems to be lying and harboring secrets to save face. Women were truly second-class citizens at the time, not formally owned by their husbands, but they might as well have been for all the control they were under. It was a harsh reminder of how a woman could be slapped with a label of hysteria, possession, or witch - and even killed - just by having a voice, speaking up for herself and others, or behaving even the slightest bit different than social norms.

"A young Puritan woman--faithful, resourceful, but afraid of the demons that dog her soul--plots her escape from a violent marriage in this riveting and propulsive historical thriller."

The tag line says it all. Massachusetts in 1662 was a dangerous place to be for a woman. Mary is an outsider who is married to an abusive alcoholic. When she seeks to divorce her husband, she attracts the wrong kind of attention. Hour of the Witch is hard to put down and will hold you until the very end.

Hour of the Witch is another amazingly well-written book by Chris Bohjalian, who is one of my favorite authors. When I saw that Bohjalian had written a book about a woman seeking a divorce and touching on witchcraft in 1600's America, I couldn't wait to read it. I was once again impressed with his writing, character development and research.

Mary Deerfield is the second wife of a horrible and much older husband who treats her with disdain. When he goes too far one night, she actually seeks a divorce, which I was surprised to learn was even an option in 1662 Boston. This "trial" eventually leads to Mary being tried for witchcraft, which, apparently, was a common way to deal with strong women who pushed the boundaries of society's rules for them.

The characters in the book were very well developed and I found myself empathizing with Mary as I hoped for a good outcome for her. The women (and men, too) who supported her were great examples of how human beings can pull one another up even when all seems to be against them.

The suspense was intense; I was nearly gasping at some plot points. The story was so well researched and well told that is now ranks as ​my second favorite Bohjalian book, behind only Midwives.

I will recommend this book to readers who enjoy suspenseful historical fiction featuring strong women.

Many thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

In 1662, people living in Boston had come for a better life and the ability to practice their religion. Sounds good, but for for our twenty-four year old, educated heroine, Mary, who is in a loveless marriage as the second wife of an abusive drunkard twice her age. Mary longs for a child even though her husband’s “lovemaking “ feels more like rape. They have an indentured servant who pines for her master and is not privy to his abuse.

This is the time of Puritans and of witch trials happening in New Haven. Neighbors and her servant keep looking for signs that Mary is bewitched. Mary has suffered at her husband’s hand once too often and after a disturbing incident she flees to her parents home and petitions for divorce and then, this is following by a witch trial.

Bohjalian does an excellent job of writing women’s voices and writing them with an internal source of power that will not be silenced. He shows the inner struggle for good versus evil, the ability to be heard. His writing is universal and the issues he grapples, feminism, domestic abuse, male chauvinism, progressive thinking and women’s independence are crafted with care. We root for Mary, yet feel her pain and doubts. This book will stay with you for a long while.

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for and advance copy of the book. The opinions depressed are my own.

Boston, 17th century. Mary is young, beautiful, smart, free thinking and headstrong. She's also married to Thomas, a brute of a man, who abuses her both physically and mentally. She's desperate to get away. But this is no time for a woman , let alone a strong willed one, to exert her independence, especially with the hysteria of the witch trials occurring in Massachusetts. It seems like she's down to two choices: to die at the hands of her husband or at the end of a hangman's noose.

WOW! What an excellent read! I could not put this down!! I was riveted by Mary's character. You can not help but root for her and fear for her at the same time. I wanted more even as the story came to an end. I loved it!

This was slow moving and somewhat predictable but well-researched and interesting. The author makes the reader feel as if they are in 17th century Massachusetts and living with the rules and regulations of the town. So many times I wanted to scream how unfair it all was! And it made me thankful to live when and where I do. 3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

We know that early English settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony were very religious and thought a lot about the state of their souls and the devil. The historical record tells us so. According to Chris Bohjalian, they were concerned about the devil a lot. A good chunk of the first third or so of the book has them thinking about little else.

Things start to get more interesting when Mary Deerfield sues her husband for divorce on the grounds of cruelty. Even here, though, the question soon becomes more about whether she's been consorting with the devil (much of the evidence has to do with a three-tined fork, which is, as we all know, the devil's own instrument) as much as it does about whether her husband abuses her.

And there is intrigue as well. It is clear that someone is trying to cast a spell on someone in the Deerfield house, or trying to frame Mary for doing so. But who? And why? Though Mary's ruminations on whether she is unknowingly the devil's tool quickly become tiresome, Bohjalian is quite deft at drawing the reader into this mystery and in making the reader care about Mary's fate, both in life and after.

Of course, the reason that Mary faces such troubles from her community is, of course, that she's a smart woman who occasionally speaks her mind. That truth is lurking behind almost every word in the book, but Bohjalian is subtle in reinforcing it. So don't read this expecting a great deal of outrage about the subservient state of women in 17th century Boston. Do read it for an immersive look into one woman's life and attempt to be more than just a Goodwife to a cruel man.

What a great read! This book is about Mary who lives in Massachusetts in the 1600s. She is married to a violent man who is smart enough to hide this from those around them. This historical fiction touches on the oppression of the time as Mary seeks to divorce her husband. Witchcraft is involved in the story as well, and I truly enjoyed the suspense. Would definitely recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy.

This was a solid 4-star historical novel. It is obvious that a lot of research was done for authenticity. The language used had me looking up a few words or terms I'd not heard before, but it also kept me in the world of mid-1600s Boston, which was great.

I felt like the reader got to know Mary's character very well, right down to her internal dialogue when trying to figure out if motivation was from the devil or from God. I wish there had been a little more depth to the other characters, but that probably would have made for a much longer book.

Mary and her parents left England for Massachusetts and the restrictive rules of Puritan Boston. She is married to a widower (who is old enough to be her father) who is physically and emotionally abusive to her. She files for divorce and is denied, all the while hints at witchcraft are made due to people she has associated with. Her servant found her burying forks and a pestle outside the house at night. And there’s her strong attraction to another man in town, and a witness to their kiss. Mary really is dealing with a lot.

I have read non-fiction and fiction about this time and this novel really brought it all to life.

My thanks to Doubleday and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed every book that I've read by Chris Bohjalian, and "Hour of the Witch" was no exception. Set against the backdrop of Puritan New England, Mary Deerfield is married to a man who abuses her terribly. She plots to leave him, as the mysoginstic men and gossipy women defend him and accuse her of witchcraft. There are some brilliant parallels to today's world with the Me Too movement, and over focus of social media, as happened in Mary's small community when she didn't fit the mold of model wife and rumors ran rampant.

I enjoyed reading about a strong woman, community, and life during the Puritan Era. tend not to enjoy historical fiction but this was a must.
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked Bohjalian's take on historical fiction with "Hour of the Witch." There were parts of the story that did not read as very realistic to me at times and due to that, I was happy to give this 5 stars, but not name it a favorite. A favorite to me is a book I will happily read over and over again. And even though I enjoyed my first read through, I don't see me reading this over the years.

"Hour of the Witch" follows 24 year old Puritan, Mary Deerfield. Mary is married to an older man named Thomas, and has to deal silently with his rages and taunts. When Thomas ends up stabbing Mary in her hand, she is determined to petition for a divorce. The book follows the ins and outs of the testimony of friends and neighbors.

The book takes place in Boston, Massachusetts in 1662. Of course your first thought is going to be the Salem Witch Trials. This book takes place before the Salem Witch Trials which started in 1692. So Mary's story is in essence of things to come to the state of Massachusetts with many women in communities accusing each other of being witches either for nefarious means, or just because they were forced to do so in order to prevent anyone accusing them.

Mary's different than the other women in her community. Probably because her family used to live in England (the Old World) and they are used to finer things than most in the community have. Mary is clever and seeks out an older woman who is considered a "witch" by some. When Mary can finally not take Thomas's beatings and cruelty anymore, she starts to realize that some in the community have been whispering her name as a witch. Mary you realize is not aware of the damage that is being done quietly to her and deals with her parents, even her terrible husband, and others trying to come in and save her from being hanged.

I liked the other characters that get introduced in this one. Mary's family (father and mother) are supportive and are focused on keeping her safe. Mary has a stepdaughter (Thomas was married before her) who is torn between doing what a good Puritan woman should do (support her father and husband) and not wanting to call Mary a liar about being abused by her husband.

I also liked the overall mystery of who set up Mary to make it appear that she was a witch.

The dialogue was great and Bohjalian writes in the dialect of the times. I found it easy to understand and follow along. But some readers may have an issue with that.

There were a couple of false notes I thought in this one. I can't say much without spoiling, but I think it would have been a stronger ending if Bohjalian had the story go to what I think was not only a foregone conclusion, but also the truer one.

Thank you to @netgalley and @doubledaybooksfor the early gifted copy of Hour of the Witch by @chrisbohjalian. It publishes on May 4, 2021!
In Massachusetts, in the year 1662, divorce is essentially unheard of. Women are seen, but not heard. A young Puritan woman named Mary Deerfield is a woman wise beyond her years. A victim of abuse at the hands of her husband, she secretly plots her escape from a violent home. Unwittingly, she becomes the center of attention of the magistrates, under the suspicion of practicing witchcraft. Mary must figure out not only how to escape her husband, but also the gallows.
I only needed two words to sell me on this book: Massachusetts and witchcraft. Born and raised in Massachusetts, the Salem witch trials are a deep part of our history, and so close to home. Stunning and intense, this book checks all of the boxes we have come to expect from the master storyteller, Chris Bohjalian. Definitely add this to your TBR!

Even though this book started off a little slow (to me) it was still a great book!
Who does enjoy a book about witches? This book will have you feeling all sorts of things!
I lived the historical fiction part to this! And amazing quick read!

Mary tries to make the best of her marriage to Thomas Deerfield, and is as good a wife as she can possibly be considering that he treats her poorly when he is sober and violently when he is not. An act of increasing brutality is the final straw, and she attempts to escape this marriage.

In a time where a man's word is law and a woman's word carries very little weight in her own defense but is thought highly of should she accuse another of witchcraft or even adultery, Mary tries to navigate her way to freedom. Divorce is rare in these days, not for lack of wanting one but for the difficulty in obtaining one when a husband chooses not to allow it.

The author seems to have put in a lot of research hours to make the language of the day and the pervasive superstition and bigotry that blanketed that time period feel authentic.

I'm not sure I would consider this a thriller, but it is a compelling work of historical fiction with realistic characters and a thought provoking plot.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Hour of the Witch is Chris Bohjalian’s latest book about a young Puritan woman in 1662 Boston. Mary has married an older widower, Thomas Deerfield, who hides his cruelty and conniving ways from the community. After much abuse, she cannot suffer anymore after he drives the tines of a fork into her hand. Her petition for divorce creates scandal in a time fraught with the mass hysteria and panic of witchcraft accusations.

Bohjalian has taken this dark and fascinating period in colonial Massachusetts and created a great story while showing deference the fact that these times were real and terrible. In telling Mary’s story, the horror and ease with which a woman could become its victim, how frustrating and fearful it was for her to be accused, and how inane the trial was comes across to perfection.

Imperfect characters that make me think “no don’t be weak like that or do that” can add to the mix, but the “no no no” moments don’t. In this case, the need to include Mary sexually satisfying herself was unfortunate. It wasn’t necessary for the storyline, and it really didn’t fit. Otherwise this would’ve been in perfect harmony for the times as the story crafted here is brilliant, emotional, and immortal. 4.5 stars

Mary is married to an older man who is verbally and physically abusive and she is unable to get pregnant. She is not allowed to make any choices for herself or seek anything that might bring her happiness. Even worse- she's in 1662 Boston. So now she also has to worry about being accused of being a witch also.
I knew some of the history of this setting and time period but this book really portrayed the extreme Puritan beliefs of their society and how incredibly tricky it was to be a woman then. I thought this would be a little more of a thriller than it was but it was definitely tense and surprising timely. Mary has to use her cunning to try to escape her situation but her community and it's beliefs just have no place for a woman to have a voice at all and when she tries, she is labeled a witch.
I enjoyed this book as a historical fiction thriller. Can we please have more books in this niche category?? I have read and enjoyed a few other books by Bohjalian and now need to add his entire backlist to my TBR.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian is a classic tale of the witch hysteria that took over the American colonies in the 17th century. The main character/witch on trial is Mary. She is a devoted Christian and wife. As with all of the 17th century witch trials none of these things were taken into consideration at her trial.

Mary is from a wealthy family in the British colonies in America. She travelled from London to the colonies with her mother and father to begin a new, more devout life in the new world. She is married off young, to a widower that is old enough to be her father and becomes step-mother to a daughter that is her own age. Unfortunately for Mary, her husband becomes abusive when he has too much drink, which leads in an off handed way to her witch trial.

I enjoyed this tale. It reads a lot like other books on the same subject with one poor soul being accused of witchcraft with no real proof or a way to prove their innocence. Witch hysteria was truly a sad time in our budding country and really illustrates how the mob mentality can take over any situation and matters can turn deadly very quickly. A reader cannot help but love and sympathize for Mary. She speaks her mind in a world that was ruled by men. She knows that they aren't really going to listen to her so she just goes ahead and says what's on her mind, which provides some good comic relief in the story to help breakup the seriousness of the subject. Hour of the Witch is a good book to help readers appreciate how far America has come in four hundred years.

I have always been obsessed with researching and reading about The Salem Witch Trails so I was beyond excited to see one of my favorite authors write a book around witch’s I was like yes!!! Chris Bohjalian tells the tale of a woman Mary Deerfield. She was stuck in a bad marriage and when she tried to leave an investigation of witchcraft began!
Everytime I begin a book by Chris Bohjalian I always tell myself slowwwwww down! But his writing is amazing, the stories are always unique and I am instantly immersed into the book!

4.75 stars rounded up. This was a really good read. If you're at all interested in the Salem Witch Trials, you'll for sure want to pick this book up. It follows a young woman who gets swept up in the accusations. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley! I loved it!

I have always been fascinated by the early New England settlers fascination with witchcraft. In Bohjalian's newest novel, he brings to life the story of Mary Deerfield, a young woman with a mind that Puritan Boston was not ready for. Mary's relationship with her much older husband was difficult and abusive and Mary's attempt to obtain a divorce led to an investigation of witchcraft. The descriptions were rich, the plot moved fast and I found myself racing to finish this book. I definitely recommend it!

I have to admit, I'm slightly obsessed with the history of witches in America, and this book did not disappoint. It is historical fiction, but I could see it being a story that happened over and over again during the 1600s in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Compelling while also remaining historically logical, I couldn't put this one down.

Mary Deerfield is the second wife of Thomas Deerfield, and often falls to his very violent and cruel hand. She attempts to divorce him, which is almost unheard of at this time, but accusations of witchcraft and their furtive and possibly vengeful servant girl create a much more complicated scenario for Mary.

A page turner in every way, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction.

Really interesting fictional account of a life as a woman during the Puritan times. Mary is a young woman with a mean husband who is not afraid to use physical reminders of his power over her. Mary is brave and more out-spoken than most women during that time, and files for divorce - a nearly unheard of activity in that time. Three-tine forks are found buried by Mary's door - are they just forks or are they the devil's sign? Mary works through the divorce proceedings and eventually finds herself accused of witchcraft - an accusation that often leads to a death sentence.
The book is very well researched and enlightening about life during this time.

Fascinating historical fiction set in 1600s Boston, focusing on the plight of a woman trapped in an abusive marriage and just what she risks by speaking out and demanding justice.

What a great novel.
I have read most of Bohjalian's novels and next to Midwives, this is the best.
It was written about a fascinating time in 17th century America that was dominated by strict religious beliefs. If women did not behave or honor their husbands, they were accused of witchcraft.
There were great characters and twists and the ending was so perfect.
It will be released the first week in May. Loved every page!

Count this as another successful notch in Chris Bohjalian's belt. This novel of historical suspense was so interesting, filled with details about 1662 New England, and went places that I never expected it to. As a Massachusetts native, I've always held a fascination for the Puritans, as well as Salem and the witch trials, and I learned so much from this. The details and the claustrophobic atmosphere added to the tension that kept increasing with each chapter, and the culmination was completely unexpected. I have great admiration for Mary and the other strong-willed women that we read about here. Thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for the advance digital copy!

Another great book from Chris Bohjalian. Dark and suspensful and full of history from an awful time. I loved reading about the witch trials.

Chilling and propulsive, this historical thriller throws you into 1662 Boston, where accusations fly and “it was always possible that the Devil was present.” Desperate to escape her abusive husband, Mary Deerfield seeks divorce—but it’s a precarious time to be an independent woman. As mysterious events swirl around Mary, she realizes she’ll need to fight for more than a separation from her spouse. She needs to fight for her life. I didn’t think I cared about the Puritans, but this was atmospheric and riveting, all the way through the exceptional ending. Despite their religious reputation, the Puritans were brutal; this requires a few content warnings.

4.5 stars

I love reading about the witch trials that took place in Puritan times and thought this was a great historical fiction that incorporated just that.

Mary Deerfield is a devout woman, both to her husband and her faith, but one can only take so much abuse. Her husband, Thomas, is a cruel man and uses his words and hands to hurt his second wife, but when he stabs her hand with a three-tined fork, Mary finally decides enough is enough and petitions for divorce. The only problem is there are no witnesses to the abuse, and rumors have spread that she may be dabbling in witchcraft.

This story was definitely a suspenseful thriller, and I couldn’t wait to finish it. Though the dialogue was accurate for the time period, it didn’t slow me down, and by the end of the story I was very happy with how everything turned out.

If you enjoy reading historical fiction and anything/everything involving witches, then this is definitely the book for you!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3561862995

Claustrophobic, atmospheric, suffocating. Chris Bohjalian has written a knockout historical fiction story with Hour of the Witch. This is...Salem-ish. It's more about being an outsider in a small community. About being a woman, not just a wife. About believing in yourself, not just in God or the Devil.

This book is...a perfect look at being a woman in the 1600's....and frankly...being a woman now.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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.

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3766253143

Picture this. You’re a young women in an unfamiliar home. Your family sailed to the United States from England to better their lives both financially and spiritually. Your husband is chosen for you as he is a member of your church and an important business man. You are 24 and have been married to this much older man for 5 years. Your husband has been physically and mentally abusing you for most of your marriage. Every night you sit quietly at the dinner table hoping he isn’t “drink, drunk “. Later in the evening you hope he passes out quickly. Eventually enough is enough and Mary our protagonist decides to file for divorce. The irony is that the year is the 1662 and the only way you divorce your spouse is to prove “cruelty”. Cruelty is defined as “ violence without provocation and discipline that is excessive .” Basically a husband can discipline his wife if she provokes him. Excessive is determined by the court , the court is governed by men. Mary can’t prove Thomas is cruel because no one witnesses the abuses. Some of bruises are visible but Thomas says that Mary is clumsy. Of course it can’t be anything else.

The Puritan life is one of suspicion. Mary is judged by her husband , their servant Catherine and other townspeople. Mary walks alone, she is “barren “, she feels sympathy for the Quaker man who was publicly whipped, she visits an herbalist, she tried to divorce the important and justly Thomas, she has devil tines in her home. She must be a witch. She must be tried.

The Hour Of The Witch is powerful historical fiction with a side of courtroom drama . It reads like non fiction and it will make you think. It’s a tense and difficult read at times. The story for me was easy to visualize as it is so descriptive.


Thank you Doubleday and NetGalley for the ARC ebook for read and review for an honest opinion.

Thank you Chris Bohjalian for sharing the story of the very brave Mary Deerfield in 1662 to us in the year 2021.

It is out on May 4, 2021.

Prithee read this book.

I can’t wait for the audiobook , I’ve preordered it from Audible and it’s narrated by the author’s daughter.

An upgraded crucible tale. I thought even though this obviously takes place in a time when people are burned as witches, the main character was fearless, feminist, and breath-taking. She proves that women can take their power back in such powerless times. This was a great book. This author continues to impress me. I also loved The Flight Attendant


Thank you to #netgalley #arc for an honest review.

I could not put this book down. It was so fast paced and intense and I just couldn't wait to see what would happen. I really enjoy books about "witches" and this one did not disappoint. Chris Bohjalian is a great writer and I'm so glad I was able to read this DRC. Thank you Netgalley and Doubleday Books for this DRC but all of the opinions are my own!

Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian is set in Massachusetts during the Puritan era of the 1600s. Mary Deerfield is married to an abusive man who holds complete control over her. After one particularly violent episode, Mary leaves her home, moves in with her parents, and begins unheard of divorce proceedings. Her husband and his family threaten her when she won't stop the process and threaten her with a possible accusation of being a witch. The author has done a great deal of research in order to fill this novel with a mountain of info about life in this time period. Really well done. Read and enjoy!

This is historical fiction at its best. Set in 1662, and Mary, a 24-year-old woman living in the world of the Boston Puritans, is barren. She has not given birth and is therefore not doing her duty. When she meets a young man, she dreams of a life with him rather than her aged, abusive husband. Not only does she dream of a satisfactory sex life, but she also decides to divorce her husband after he stabs her with “the devils tines”, what we now call forks. She is not successful in her divorce attempt and rather finds herself the subject of gossip about her being a witch and then fighting for her life in a trial accusing her of witchcraft. Bohjalian’s research has helped him form the world of a woman who fails to see life as the Puritans wished. She is determined, independent and able to think for herself, all attributes not wanted by the men who run the Puritan world. At times, I felt history is repeating itself. Not in the witchcraft trials, but by the way conservative thinkers are suspicious of anything that challenges them or introduces new idea that threaten their leadership and power.

How far will a woman go to escape an abusive husband? In Puritan Boston in 1662, divorces are rarely granted, but Mary Deerfield, a beautiful 24-year-old goodwife, sees no alternative. Barren after five years of marriage to Thomas, a prosperous miller in his mid-forties, Mary conceals bruises beneath her coif and brushes off concerns from her adult stepdaughter. Thomas has a pattern of returning “drink-drunk” from the tavern, taking his anger out on Mary, and apologizing the next morning. Their indentured servant, who admires Thomas, never sees any violence, only a husband properly correcting his wife. Then comes the evening when Thomas attacks Mary’s left hand with a fork. Mary has allies, most notably her caring, wealthy parents. But in a culture that views women as subservient helpmeets, and with no witnesses to Thomas’s cruelty, Mary’s petition has slim chances. She must also tread carefully: the Hartford witch-hunts weigh on people’s minds, some of her behavior appears suspicious, and Satan’s temptations lurk everywhere.

Themes of women’s agency in a patriarchal society are common in historical novels, but this fast-moving, darkly suspenseful novel stands out with Bohjalian’s extraordinary world-building skills. From speech patterns to the detailed re-creation of colonial households to the religious mindset, the historical setting is very credible. The rich have finer options—Mary’s mother wears vivid colors, for instance—but her father struggles to get across that the three-pronged forks he imports from abroad are just utensils, not the “Devil’s tines.” Mary isn’t an outspoken iconoclast but a product of her era, and readers will worry for her—for many reasons, which become clear as the story progresses. The quotes opening each chapter, taken from court proceedings occurring later on, diminish some of the novel’s surprises. Nonetheless, the plot moves with increasing urgency that will have readers racing toward the ending.

(from the Historical Novels Review, May 2021)

Chris Bohjalian created another winner! I've loved every book of his that I've read so far and this one was no exception. His characters are fascinating and the story is still playing in my head long after I finished it. Mary Deerfield, a young Puritan woman, second wife to a man twice her age, is victim to his alcoholic rages. She seeks a divorce, but due to circumstances surrounding his most violent attack, the court focuses more on the accusations of witchcraft. In a male- dominated society, and with no witnesses to his cruelty, is there any chance to escape him without landing her in the noose?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks so much to Doubleday for the ARC!

What a wild ride of a book! I am a huge fan of Chris’s work so I was thrilled to read Hour of the Witch before it’s officially published.

CW: Abuse

The year is 1662. In Boston, MA, 24 year old Mary Deerfield is married to Thomas Deerfield, a cruel and abusive man who puts on the air of a gentleman. After dealing with enough torture, Mary decides to go to court for a divorce. When Mary begins to discover signs of witchcraft in her home though, her trial becomes more about the signs of witchcraft than her husband. Mary decided she must take her fate into her own hands.

I liked Mary immediately so it was easy to be on her side and root for her. I felt such empathy for her- especially when she was constantly condemned by her neighbors. I think the author successfully discussed class, mob mentality, and abuse. I really felt for Mary and had strong emotions about what was happening to her. I loved reading about her perseverance and that she would not settle for an unhappy life. It reminded me to always keep fighting- whether it be 1662 or the present. I am always impressed with Bohjalian’s ability to write female characters. I appreciate his feminist lens.

Chris Bohjalian's new novel is a work of historical fiction with a liberal dose of dramatic tension. The story is set in Boston in 1662 and its protagonist is a 24-year-old woman named Mary Deerfield whose husband abuses her both mentally and physically, so badly in fact that she sues for divorce. But the trial leaves her vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft. Which is worse?

Mary is a strong, determined woman who is going up against the cultural patrimony with her suit against her husband. If the law won't protect her, what's a desperate woman to do? Bohjalian draws the reader into this tense drama, describing well the setting and the forces that Mary is up against. His characterizations are excellent. I wanted to boo and hiss whenever the villain entered the room.

I have read several of Bohjalian's books and I have to say this will rank as one of my favorites. The ending is especially fitting. Well done!

I received an arc of this new novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks!

*4.25 stars*

TW: Intense Domestic Abuse, Ostracization, Excessive Alcohol Use, Puritan Religion

Hour of the Witch is the second novel I have read from this author, the first being over 10 years ago and his novel, Midwives. I didn’t even know that it was the same author when I requested this ARC. However, I am very glad I did request this!

This novel was an intense and thrilling historical fiction following Mary Deerfield. Mary is a 24-year-old woman living in 17th-Century New England, with an abusive husband and no children (which is important to the storyline). Mary is forced to come to terms with her abusive marriage and seek other options, but thus invoking the Puritan public eye.

I really felt the tension, and I wanted to know what was going to transpire, chapter after chapter. I even loved the court proceedings, which I usually don’t enjoy in novels. But they were tantalizing! This book was a little more dark and twisty than I was expecting, and I very much enjoyed it.

This was well-written, researched and concocted. If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced historical fiction during the American witch trials, I would most definitely recommend.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest review**

Mary Deerfield is a 24 year old Puritan woman in Boston in the 1660s. Her family emigrated to the New World and she became the second wife of Thomas Deerfield. He's a successful and prominent man in the community, but he's also prone to cruelty toward Mary, particularly when he's been drinking. When he stabs her in the hand with a fork one night, she has reached her limit. She decides that her only choice is to divorce him to save her life. In filing for divorce, she shines a spotlight upon herself in a community that is already suspiciously watching for any sign of the devil or witchcraft. As a woman with secret desires and her own mind and voice, she finds herself the object of brazen and dangerous rumors. In her attempt to save herself from Thomas's abuse, she finds she has placed herself at even greater risk from the scrutiny of the community.

I'm fascinated with the history of the Salem witch trials and this book did not disappoint. It's clear that a considerable amount of research went into this book. The history, the rhythm of daily life, the setting and the conversations between the characters felt very authentic and I felt really immersed in that moment of history. This story focused on the treatment of women in the 17th century, which is a maddening to read about. Women were expected to be obedient and subservient. They were patronized, infantilized, repressed and discriminated against unfairly. None of this is probably news to any of us. Mary put herself in the crosshairs of her community's patriarchy by displeasing her husband, upsetting the status quo and daring to speak up for herself. I was infuriated by what happened to Mary but I really enjoyed the masterful telling of her story and seeing it all unfold. There were some good twists and turns along the way that kept me guessing. I think any historical fiction fan will love this book. Trigger warnings for domestic abuse and sexual assault.

Boston 1662

Mary Deerfield is a twenty-four-year-old woman married to Thomas Deerfield. Mary is Thomas' second wife. His first wife died after being kicked by a horse. Mary should feel lucky to be married to such a powerful man, but she lives in fear of his anger, his drinking, and his violence.

Mary knows she is talked about. She and Thomas have been married for five years and she is barren. She hides her bruises or explains them away when others see them. But the final straw comes after tainted objects are found buried in her garden. Her servant girl, already uneasy after Mary attempts to save her dying brother with herbs and simples, runs away from Mary's home, accusing Mary of being a witch. To make matters worse, when Thomas learns that their servant accused Mary of being a witch, he stabs a three-tined fork into the back of Mary's hand.

Mary decides enough is enough and decides to divorce her husband.

But Mary lives in a time where neighbors are spying on neighbors. If you are pointing the finger at someone else, no one is pointing their finger at you, right!?! Women are not allowed to speak their minds, stand up for themselves or have sexual feelings. Anything and everything can be used against you. Talk to a stranger - you are branded a whore! Try to use a natural remedy to cure an illness - you are branded a witch! Be different in any way shape or form, you are in league with the devil! Your husband can beat you citing bible verses and telling you it is for your own good. How did women back then even dare to leave the house? Books like these make me happy I was not born back them. Whew!

Slow to start, but it gains ground quickly. I love books set during this time frame and am fascinated by the accusation of witchcraft. Throughout history, people (especially women) have been maligned for being different. People have been persecuted for living or behaving outside of the norm. Was this the case for Mary? Judged for not bearing children, for being nice to strangers, for being intelligent, and for sticking up for herself.

I found this to be both thought provoking and captivating. I could not help but feel or Mary and her plight. There are even a few twists and turns which keep things moving and interesting. I even loved the language used in the book. It made this tale feel more authentic while also setting the mood. The mood is also set with the sense of tension that permeates throughout the book. This book is also atmospheric. I had an uneasy feeling throughout and kept thinking "nothing good can come of this." AT times I wanted to take Mary aside and tell her "people are watching you, be smart, be cautious" etc.

Beautifully written and plotted. Hour of the Witch is tense, atmospheric, and thought provoking.

Thank you to Doubleday books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mary married a man who should thought would take care of her and she would start a family, as her puritan upbringing taught her. Little did she know she would suffer terrible abuse at this hand and never become pregnant. She tried to divorce him but, but instead of the powers that be listening to her they start to question her being in to witchcraft. She tries to defend herself but is not allowed a divorce so she goes back to the abusive relationship and tries to figure out another way to get out of the terrible situation that she is in. In 1662 women are being hung because they believe they are witches. When the finger starts pointing to Mary she finds herself in a wicked situation.

Hour of the Witch
By Chris Bohjalian

This latest Bohjalian book deals with the Puritans in Boston – their beliefs, the mores, their dealings with the indigenous peoples – and most importantly, the relationships between men and women.

Mary Deerfield is a young woman married to an older man who is verbally and physically abusive. He is, in fact, a sadistic monster. Mary is his 2nd wife and the object of all his anger and infliction of pain. When she can stand no more, Mary decides to appeal for a divorce – a shocking request in that day and time. Unfortunately, the fate of her petition is in the hands of all male magistrates, who are not prepared to believe anything she says about her husband. She is forced to return as his wife.

As horrifying as the situation is, it only grows worse as the idea of someone dabbling in witchcraft, in league with the devil, begins to spread. It is not long before Mary finds herself on trial as a witch.

The story is one that in modern times would be deemed a thriller. I admit that, as I got closer and closer to the end, I was afraid that Mr. Bohjalian would not be able to wrap this book up as he has so many times before. Suffice it to say, that he does come through with a satisfying ending in typical Bohjalian style.

I’ve been a fan of any stories about accused witches since I read The Witch of Blackbird Pond back in the early 70s. The Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian far surpassed my idea of a perfect novel. Lots of history, and a timely thriller. Twists and turns, and perfectly written. Full 5 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

4.5 STARS

This is both a terrific thriller and a wonderful piece of historical fiction. I have not read very much about 17th century America so this story of our early Colonial days riveted me.

Mary Deerfield is from a well-regarded family but is married to a much older husband named Thomas who beats her regularly. The Puritans required everyone to attend church, yet husbands were allowed to “discipline” unruly wives. But when Mary cannot take it any longer and begins to fear for her life, she flees to her parents’ house and requests a divorce.

Mary must walk a fine line in her community as rumor and gossip can literally lead to the death of a woman. Hangings based on accusations and hearsay are the norm. In addition to her husband’s abuse, Mary has not yet had children, which also subjects her to suspicion and mistrust.

The description of everyday life and the blind adherence to religion were fascinating and the author’s meticulous research once again shines though. Much of the central conflict of the book arises out of Mary’s use of a three-pronged fork, which is viewed by the community as “the Devil’s tines” because of their resemblance to a pitchfork. Impossible to believe now but the Puritans viewed those who used them as in league with the Devil.

Each chapter cleverly begins with quotes from two separate trials. The different way in which men and women were treated by the Colonies’ new legal system was frightening and eye-opening. Mary’s word against Thomas was simply not enough, and when Mary’s indentured servant Catherine also testifies as to her belief that Mary was in league with the Devil, the outcome of the divorce petition is all but guaranteed.

‘Hour of the Witch’ paints an enthralling picture of everyday Puritan life. The ending was both surprising and completely satisfying, although I expect nothing less from Chris Bohjalian. Mary Deerfield is a spirited, lively and intelligent protagonist and I enjoyed the way her mind worked.

"I do not know what thou art planning," he said. "I do not know what thou hast in mind. But thou art contemplating something sinister. I know not what, but — "
"Either I have white meat for a brain or I am plotting evil," she snapped at him. "Cheese is not known for its perniciousness. Which is it: am I a dullard or a witch?"

This is the third book I have read by Chris Bohjalian, and once again, I devoured it! He has a knack for creating strong, resourceful female protagonists and now we can add Mary Deerfield to that list.

Although faithful, Mary Deerfield is also intelligent and independent, not to mention beautiful. Had her family stayed in England, she would have had her choice of men to wed, but in Boston of 1662, few have the social standing to marry a woman of her social position. Thus, Mary agrees to a union with Thomas Deerfield, a much older widower. Often drunk and always cruel, Mary endures Thomas’s beatings as she tries to be a proper wife, even at times thinking she deserves such punishment for her impure desires or because she’s been unable to get pregnant. But when Thomas stabs her in the hand with a three-tined “devil’s fork,” she resolves to divorce him.

Mary endures a hearing before a panel of the colony’s most powerful men, arguing that her life is in danger under Thomas’s roof. Very few stand beside Mary as she challenges the very social fabric of the community. A devil’s fork and pestle are found in her garden, and then a sick boy she treated with herbs died. Rather than given a divorce, Mary found herself accused of witchcraft and she found herself fighting to save herself from the gallows.

Of all periods of American history, I am least familiar with this one, which is exciting because I have the most to learn. Once I fell into the rhythm of the cadence of speech of the characters, I was so fascinated with (and horrified by) the details of daily life. (Forks were associated with the devil, and according to the Smithsonian Magazine, Americans didn’t use forks regularly until the 1850s! I went down a rabbit hole looking at pictures of trenchers since I didn’t know what they were before.)

Even worse were the conditions of women—husbands were not only allowed but expected to discipline their wives. (The book happened to read right before this was set in late 1800s and revealed it was almost as hard for women to get divorces then as it was for Mary.) Women who at all deviated from social norms could be accused of witchcraft and executed. Mary was well aware of the dangers, and she was savvy in the ways she tried to use the little power she had to gain favor with the judges.

That Mary has been unable to get pregnant weighs heavily on her and affects her relationships and sense of self, and I think that it is interesting to see how struggles with infertility compare and contrast over time.

For me, though, the best part of the book is the denouement. Perfection!

TW: domestic abuse, rape, infertility

Bohjalian is a master at his craft. I have never met a Bohjalian novel that I have not enjoyed. and this one was no exception. I think if I was given a book that was written by him with no title and no author I'd be able to identify it. He has that unique of a voice. I felt HOUR OF THE WITCH was an amazing story. It takes place in 1662 during the times when people are under suspicion for being a witch. I've always been interested in that portion of history and I was fascinated with this novel.

I'd highly recommend this to any historical fiction fan.

One of my favorite books (I’m looking at you Sandcastle Girls) was an earlier novel by Bohjalian, and I’ve really enjoyed the books I’ve read of his since then. When I saw that his new book was on NetGalley, I knew I had to request it ASAP.

I went into this book largely blind, and it hooked me almost immediately! Hour of the Witch is told in two parts, and follows the story of Mary Deerfield - a 24-year-old woman in Boston in the 1660s who wants a divorce from her abusive husband. Set in the time period before the Salem Witch Trials, but just towards the end of the Hartford Witch Trials, the fear of witches is prevalent in society and Mary’s actions begin to arouse suspicion from those around her. Bohjalian perfectly crafts this story with a blend of historical truth and fictional thriller, and I read the whole thing in about 24 hours because I couldn’t put it down!

Considered a part of the historical thriller genre, it was less of an edge-of-your-seat thriller and more of a courtroom drama, with a little mystery mixed in. While I didn’t wholly guess the ending, I did see the twist coming and so the end wasn’t a huge surprise to me. I absolutely loved the setting though, and am always here for books set in Boston - or near it - in the 1600s. Hour of the Witch was heavily researched and the language so intentional - really setting the scene for the story as it unfolded. Overall, this was an excellent read that I recommend to anyone who loves history or courtroom dramas - you won’t be disappointed with this one!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the free electronic ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

In this book you are hooked into the life of Mary Deerfield, an intelligent and well- educated, privileged young Puritan woman living in 1662 Boston. She is the second wife to a bully of a husband and wants to escape her fate through a divorce proceeding only to discover that even though she bears marks of physical abuse she is judged for her conduct in the relationship as well as for seeking divorce but really she is also judged for her gender. Her word does not count for much against a man’s word.
The courtroom scenes in the first and second trial (the trial to determine whether she is a witch) are the high points of the book for me, the questions, the phrasing and the witness testimony. It seems like Bohjalian did his research extremely well and the way these proceedings are conducted feels entirely accurate.
The quotes, sources and 17th-century vocabulary ("drink-drunk", “pillowbere, “mouser” or "linsey-woolsey") make the novel feel rooted in history. I loved this glimpse into life in the 17th century in the growing port city of Boston - the strict and set Puritan ways and the new products being brought in through the port. While the puritans warily eye new things as potential temptations by the devil, the merchants live of an active trade. I took my own deep dive (facilitated by google) into the history of cutlery since the three-tined fork as a devil’s tool has a special significance in the story and it is fascinating.

While Hour of the Witch is quieter than last year’s „Red Lotus“ by the same author, it's thrilling nonetheless. It was a very suspenseful work of historical fiction.

"Hour of the Witch” by Chris Bohjalian, Doubleday, 416 pages, May 4, 2021.

Boston, 1662. Mary Deerfield, 24, is the second wife of Thomas Deerfield, a violent man almost twice her age. She is childless after five years of marriage. Thomas says her mind is like white meat.

Thomas, a widower who has an adult daughter, owns a mill. Thomas usually only hits Mary when he is drunk. But when he is sober and drives a three-tined fork into the back of Mary’s hand, she knows that she must divorce him.

Mary is smart, but she lives in a world where neighbors suspect smart women of witchcraft. She gives people herbal remedies for illnesses. Mary’s father, a wealthy merchant, imported the forks that Puritans consider to be “Devil’s tines.”

Luckily, her parents, James and Priscilla Burden, agree that she should get a divorce. Mary has to go before an all-male panel which includes the governor. The hearing is more of an indictment of her than of Thomas.

Her servant, Catherine Stileman, testifies against Mary. Mary had treated Catherine’s brother, William, when he was ill, but he died. The divorce is denied and Mary must return to Thomas.

This is well-researched and well-written. Chris Bohjalian writes strong women characters and all of his books are different than the book that he wrote before it. Each novel has a compelling problem, complex characters and solid writing.

The plot of “Hour of the Witch” is intense, while at times distressing because of the way Mary is treated, even by people she thought of as friends. But it is a fascinating story of early America. The ending is outstanding.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Things have sure changed in the world since 1662 or have they? Small town gossip and speaking behind the backs of people is still the same but women are allowed to speak their mind and are there witches??? It amazes me that Chris Bohjalian can write in the mind of a woman and be right on point! This book kept me turning the pages even though it was making me very anxious. I was rooting for Mary Deerfield to safely escape her drunken husband who is so cruel. He should be the devil after stabbing her with a three pronged fork in the hand, not her. I think her husband Tom was cruel because she could not give him a child, so instead of being compassionate he was a monster. The tension builds in this book with an unexpected ending I never saw coming. I would definitely recommend this wonderful book.
Thanks to #doubledaybooks, #netgalley and @chrisbohjalian for an ARC of this book

Thank you to Doubleday Books, Chris Bohjalian and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In 1662 Boston Mary Deerfield is married to a brute of a man. When he gets drink-drunk, he is cruel and violent to her. After he stabs her hand with a fork one evening, Mary resolves that it’s finally time to leave Thomas Deerfield and begins to petition for a divorce. But in this Puritan society, women are meant to be helpmeets to their husbands, not leave them. And as the hearing for Mary’s divorce petition begins, so do rumors that Mary is actually a witch. And thou shalt not suffer a witch to live...

Let’s just say I am so incredibly grateful that I do not live in 1662 Boston. The Puritan society that founded our country was so cruel and unjust to those who were the least bit different, smart or you know… not a white guy. My heart broke when I thought of all the amazing things that Mary Deerfield could have accomplished if she’d been born a few centuries later.

If you’re looking for a thriller like The Flight Attendant, you won’t find that with Hour of the Witch. Instead we have a period legal drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat but also cursing the men in power and their shortsightedness. Bohjalian did a ton of research into the life and justice system of 1660s Boston and while the details slowed the story a bit, they also really made the reader understand what an uphill battle Mary faced.

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While the setting is 17th century colonial New England, the narrative has a slightly modern twist. Mary Deerfield is married to a verbally, physically abusive older man. Restrictive laws, public opinion and the suggestion of witchcraft prevent her from getting a divorce and the freedom she desperately seeks. While most of her peers would have buckled under the pressure to conform, you have to admire her grasp of the situation and attempts to deal with it.
Well written, historically researched, the author a “master of atmosphere” details the problems in this age old dilemma.

What a story! This book could easily be described as a historical fiction thriller. We meet Mary Deerfield 5 years into her troubled marriage with Thomas Deerfield. He is harsh, abusive, and unloving towards his second wife. After a particularly vicious encounter, Mary has decided she has had enough and submits a petition for divorce. In the historical time frame, 1662 Boston, divorce is a scandalous idea, and Mary risks tarnishing her reputation. Mary is a fiercely independent woman whose worldview is ahead of its time. She is a critical thinker, but is admonished for being such by her tyrant husband.

The thriller part of the story come after the proceedings for the divorce petition. Mary's life seems to spiral out of control at points, but she generally rescues herself and plans meticulously for her future. Mary battles her feeling for another man, rumors of witchcraft, and her own inner demons.

This was a great read!

Mary Deerfield is married to an abusive monster. Unfortunately this is 1662 in Salem. When Mary tries to divorce her husband she ends up being accused of witchcraft!

Hour of the Witch is a riveting piece of historical fiction. This was my first book by Chris Bohjalian but it won't be my last. It held my attention from page 1 to the end. I highly recommend Hour of the Witch to historical fiction fans.

Chris Bohjalian is a local Vermont author and I have had the pleasure of reading his work from the very beginning. I used to love his weekly “Idyll Banter” newspaper column and one of the very first books I ever read "outside of school" was his Oprah Book Club pick, The Midwives. 
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One of his writing gifts is being able to write books that totally immerse you in an entirely new concept or experience, one you were probably not even expecting when you opened to the first page. 
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Chris Bohjalian is known for his character-driven novels that are also completely propulsive. His 2020 novel, The Red Lotus, was a page-turner and while it was a topic I would never have predicted I would be into, I had a hard time putting it down. What I have learned from his books, is that it isn't always the topic matter that draws you in, but the storytelling itself. 
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This novel was wholly engaging and totally thought-provoking. I loved how although it was set in the mid-1600s, there were so many connections to issues that still arise today.  This would make an amazing book club discussion and I highly recommend adding it to your spring 2021 reading list.

Thank you to @doubledaybooks for my gifted copy. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mary is the second wife to Thomas. Thomas is not an easy husband nor is their marriage based on love. Thomas is an abuser. After Thomas breaks her hand with a fork, Mary decides to divorce him. In the 1600s…this is not easy.

Well! Chris Bohjalian has done it again. This is probably his best one yet! The time period, the setting, the history and OMG …the characters are just amazing!

There is so much captured in this novel. The cruelty is one that stands out. Not only between Mary and her husband, Thomas, but also between Mary and the church. The hypocrisy is another…How times have changed…and how they remain the same.

This is a story you will not soon forget! I am still thinking about it!

Need a book you can’t put down…THIS IS IT!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.