Winter of the Wolf

by Amanda Willimott

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Pub Date Aug 13 2024 | Archive Date Sep 13 2024

Penguin Random House Australia | Penguin eBooks (AU Adult)

General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Romance

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Description

Eastern France. Winter. 1572.

When Sidonie's guardian dies, she flees Paris rather than submit to a forced marriage, seeking sanctuary in the home of her estranged aunt in Dole.

A town consumed by fear and superstition.

Apolline left behind a violent and troubled past, hoping for a new life with her husband, where she can sell her herbs and assist women from the privacy of her forest home. But it is dangerous to be different, and as Sidonie and Apolline's lives become intertwined, they are soon both being hunted.

The hunt for a werewolf.

Aspiring witch hunter Pierre is drawn to Dole amid rumours of a werewolf hunting children. Desperate for respect and power, he allies himself with a priest who is fanning the flames of fear and hatred.

Set in a time when women's lives were not their own, and to be different was to be suspect, Winter of the Wolf is a sweeping tale of family secrets, betrayal and the abuse of power, the redeeming power of friendship, and finding your true home.

Advance Praise

Impeccably researched and beautifully written, Winter of the Wolf is a captivating story of murder, love and found families inspired by the true story of the werewolf and witch trials of 16th century France. At its heart is the story of the unbreakable bond formed by two young women, each facing heartbreak and horror as they seek to solve the mystery of who - or what - is killing children in the forest. Amanda Willimott is a talent to watch! - Kate Forsyth

Amanda Willimott expertly captures a sense of time and place in this atmospheric fable that reframes the witch and werewolf hysteria of late medieval France. - Paula Weston

The fact that Winter of the Wolf is based on the real life story of Gilles, who was accused of the brutal murder of four children in 1572, and subsequently tortured into confession and executed, is a fascinating foundation for this excellent and captivating tale. It is a perfect blend of historical fiction, witches and werewolves, yet it is so much more. Willimott explores the social impact of class, the pernicious influence of the Church and the Inquisition, and the social structure that elevates men, no matter what their talents, or lack thereof, and forces women and children to submit to the patriarchy or suffer the consequences. Throw in the elements of a whodunnit and Winter of the Wolf is intriguing to the very end . . . this is a story about family, love and understanding our place in the world. If you love the novels of Lauren Chater, Kell Woods or Kate Forsyth, then Winter of the Wolf is your next read. - Meredith Jaffe, New Voices Down Under

Through the relationship between Apolline and Sidonie, and a range of other interconnected narratives, Willimott’s novel illustrates a historical France gripped by superstition and the Inquisition, focusing the narrative on the lives of queer women. Historical accuracy has been balanced with a contemporary voice and the writing is clear and engaging. It is a relatively brisk novel, but Willimott has taken care to capture a complex era and subject, demonstrating a depth of research. Winter of the Wolf is recommended for fans of historical fiction and readers of Madeline Miller and Sarah Waters. - Abe Theobald, Bookseller + Publisher