Martha Hallybread is a long-time, loyal hand-servant in Cleftwater, a small, seaside town in 17th century East Anglia, England. Unable to speak, Martha relies on a self-taught sign language to communicate and is well thought of in her community. When the witchfinder arrives and begins arresting local women, Martha’s hand gestures make her stand out to him as strange, but her skills as a midwife are needed to help the witchfinder search for marks of the devil. Forced to collude against her own friends and neighbors, Martha is afraid to help them and more afraid that she herself will be accused – or worse, that her secret history – and the wax poppet witching doll she keeps by her side – will be discovered and cause her to hang.
The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer is a well-researched, atmospheric, and haunting debut that will appeal to readers of Hilary Mantel and the historical fiction of Minette Walters and Margaret Atwood. Martha’s unique way of communicating, along with her frustrations, fears, and complicated feelings about her lot in life are quietly yet intensely palpable. Think you’ve read enough books about witch trials? Pick up a copy of this unforgettably rendered read that will immerse you in 17th century and keep you guessing Martha’s fate, and prepare to be surprised.
-Carol
Read it or Weep 