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The Salem Witch Society
Salem, New England, many dark nights ago.It is a time of spells and shadows, of black magic and blood.And the most famous witch hunt in history is about to begin...Years later, a young woman is found savagely murdered, a pitchfork thrust through her neck, her body arranged in the shape of a the death pose of a witch. Someone - or something - is reviving the terror of the notorious Salem Witch hunts. And only one man - a brilliant, eccentric loner with a dazzling mind and a fascination with witchcraft - can keep the evils of the past at bay.Rich in history, mystery, and witchcraft, The Salem Witch Society is a twisting, terrifying thriller - a dark fairy tale for readers who loved A Discovery of Witches and The Interpretation of Murder.
497 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2012
43 people are currently reading
1016 people want to read
About the author
K.N. Shields
2 books19 followersKieran Shields grew up in Portland, Maine. He graduated from Dartmouth College and the University of Maine School of Law. He continues to reside along the coast of Maine with his wife and two children. The Salem Witch Society is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
December 30, 2015
Before starting this book, I had the idea in my head that this story would have the theme of a horror. However, as I read on, it became more of a crime novel. Since I wasn't expecting this, I wasn't as enthusiastic about the story as I originally started. Many parts of the book did manage to catch my attention and keep me reading for a long time, as the plotline was often intriguing and I wanted to know where the story would lead.
The history side of the story was interesting and highly detailed. I was impressed by how thorough the hieypry of witchcraft was explored, and used to be woven into the plot.
I found that the book seemed a lot longer than it needed to be. Some descriptions were unnecessary and made a few of the chapters almost tiresome to get through. It was difficult to connect to the characters, as their personalities weren't explored much, and you only read about the work side of their lives.
Overall, I had a few problems with the book, which made me less enthusiastic to read it. The plotline was intriguing for the most part, and the amount of history that was woven in was cleverly done and made the idea more realistic.
Rated 3/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐
January 15, 2013
This is an absolutely fantastic read. I have a particular interest in the events surrounding the Salem Witch Trials and the Native American Indians, but never expected this to be as thoroughly enjoyable as it was.
I thought Perceval Grey, Archie Lean and Helen Prescott were wonderful characters and I cannot wait to begin the sequel.
The twists and turns in the story are utterly spellbinding and I never knew what was going to happen next or, indeed, who the murderer was. I also liked the fact that it is set in the late 1800's and this adds an element of atmosphere to the whole proceedings.
The investigations that the author must have put into his research have been painstaking, especially the actual transcripts from the witch trials.
I haven't been able to put my kindle down and am now going to devour the sequel to this amazing book.
5/5 and highly recommended.
I thought Perceval Grey, Archie Lean and Helen Prescott were wonderful characters and I cannot wait to begin the sequel.
The twists and turns in the story are utterly spellbinding and I never knew what was going to happen next or, indeed, who the murderer was. I also liked the fact that it is set in the late 1800's and this adds an element of atmosphere to the whole proceedings.
The investigations that the author must have put into his research have been painstaking, especially the actual transcripts from the witch trials.
I haven't been able to put my kindle down and am now going to devour the sequel to this amazing book.
5/5 and highly recommended.
April 27, 2013
I really struggled finishing this book, so much so I did something I never do and skipped pages and scan read the last part of the book!
The story I just read did not read match the blurb on the back of the book. This reminded me of a Sherlock Homes book where the witchcraft was just part of the case. I didn't want a detective book I wanted one on witchcraft and I don’t know why I’m having such a hard time finding one.
The story it's self was quiet good but it rambled on so much I was bored to tears! At one point I skipped 100 pages (something I never do) and when I started reading again I knew what was going on because the plot is constantly repeated and gone over!
So I’m only giving it this many stars because the story could have been good if it had been about 200 pages long instead of almost 500!
The story I just read did not read match the blurb on the back of the book. This reminded me of a Sherlock Homes book where the witchcraft was just part of the case. I didn't want a detective book I wanted one on witchcraft and I don’t know why I’m having such a hard time finding one.
The story it's self was quiet good but it rambled on so much I was bored to tears! At one point I skipped 100 pages (something I never do) and when I started reading again I knew what was going on because the plot is constantly repeated and gone over!
So I’m only giving it this many stars because the story could have been good if it had been about 200 pages long instead of almost 500!
March 10, 2013
Certainly not what I was expecting. And the minimalist blurb on the back of the ARC didn't do much to dispel my incorrect expectations nor did it actually tell me what I should be expecting. But I kept reading nonetheless. This is actually a crime(ish) book. Set in the 1800s all I could initially think of for the first 100 or so pages (which were admittedly quite dull) was that this was some kind of thinly veiled Sherlock Holmes fanfic, if Sherlock was half Indian and went to Portland. Even after struggling through the first bit and then getting mildly interested in the murders of these women who seem to have some sort of vague possible connection to witchcraft, Perceval Grey continued to do his best SH impression right down to the big revealing speech at the end about how it all happened.
The language didn't particularly flow and the author was quite heavy handed with information such as names and dates and at times I really just felt a bit overwhelmed and struggled to keep up with the latest revelations about the crimes/murderer. I'll admit it though, once I did get my head around it, it was quite a good plot twist/reveal.
Not being a reader of crime books I can say that this was an alright read if not totally captivating, but I don't think I'll keep up with Grey and Lean's detecting adventures.
The language didn't particularly flow and the author was quite heavy handed with information such as names and dates and at times I really just felt a bit overwhelmed and struggled to keep up with the latest revelations about the crimes/murderer. I'll admit it though, once I did get my head around it, it was quite a good plot twist/reveal.
Not being a reader of crime books I can say that this was an alright read if not totally captivating, but I don't think I'll keep up with Grey and Lean's detecting adventures.
February 5, 2022
Felt like the book equivalent of walking through a dream and never actually going anywhere
February 5, 2022
I went into this with the wrong premise really anticipating a fantasy crime novel. In fact it was literally just a crime novel but set in late 18th century. It follows two detectives, accompanied by various supporting characters, as they try to solve ritualistic murders based upon the famous Salem Witch trials.
The Author's descriptions are great though it did take me a few chapters to differentiate between a couple of the non main characters. But the further I got into the book, the less this was an issue.
The Author also has a great sense of dry humour and the main characters are wise cracking and witty, in places of which it suits the story.
I highly recommend this book to those that want a historical crime fiction read or a Sherlock Holmes-esque type story who like some gory scenes.
While I love the book cover, in my opinion, the book cover doesn't really match the story. It is an ode to the whole adage of 'don't judge a book by its cover' when the story itself turns out to be really good either way.
The Author's descriptions are great though it did take me a few chapters to differentiate between a couple of the non main characters. But the further I got into the book, the less this was an issue.
The Author also has a great sense of dry humour and the main characters are wise cracking and witty, in places of which it suits the story.
I highly recommend this book to those that want a historical crime fiction read or a Sherlock Holmes-esque type story who like some gory scenes.
While I love the book cover, in my opinion, the book cover doesn't really match the story. It is an ode to the whole adage of 'don't judge a book by its cover' when the story itself turns out to be really good either way.
November 1, 2018
Boring. This was really not the creepy, spooky tale that I was expecting.
Despite the blurb on the back that makes it sound like a book filled with magic and fairy tales, The Salem Witch Society is, in reality, a bog standard thriller. A serial killer is murdering women in Salem in the late 1800's and the police investigate. Throw into this a Sherlock Holmes wannabe detective that doesn't do much clever detecting at all and it falls flat on all levels.
I couldn't follow the plot very well. I wasn't that interested in it anyway but I think maybe it doesn't make much sense. The investigators jumped to different ideas, deciding things are important with very little evidence at all.
The scenes are very short and skip about all over the place. Rarely we see the same place twice. It had all the potential to be an atmospheric, claustrophobic story but the locations weren't brought to life at all.
Most disappointing, because I am fond of a good serial killer story and I love Sherlock Holmes, the investigators did very little work themselves, the mystery was solved by random coincidences dropping in front of them.
Overall I was just bored by it and disappointed by how different it was from the blurb.
Despite the blurb on the back that makes it sound like a book filled with magic and fairy tales, The Salem Witch Society is, in reality, a bog standard thriller. A serial killer is murdering women in Salem in the late 1800's and the police investigate. Throw into this a Sherlock Holmes wannabe detective that doesn't do much clever detecting at all and it falls flat on all levels.
I couldn't follow the plot very well. I wasn't that interested in it anyway but I think maybe it doesn't make much sense. The investigators jumped to different ideas, deciding things are important with very little evidence at all.
The scenes are very short and skip about all over the place. Rarely we see the same place twice. It had all the potential to be an atmospheric, claustrophobic story but the locations weren't brought to life at all.
Most disappointing, because I am fond of a good serial killer story and I love Sherlock Holmes, the investigators did very little work themselves, the mystery was solved by random coincidences dropping in front of them.
Overall I was just bored by it and disappointed by how different it was from the blurb.
February 11, 2013
Review originally published at www.thebookworldofanne.blogspot.co.uk
This book wasn't what I expected it to be, although, looking back at the blurb, it does cover everything that it said it would. However it definitely wasn't any sort of fairy tale. At its heart, this is a crime novel where the main characters try to solve a string of murders that seem to have links to witchcraft prosecution.
The main characters were well developed, and I really like the relationship between Perceval Grey and Archie Lean, their conversations sometimes made me chuckle out loud. However the other characters that they came across were not always very clearly defined, which made it difficult to keep track of who they all were.
The investigation aspect of the book was good but again sometimes became confusing, with all of the threads they were following, referring to people that I had forgotten about, and strange references that didn't make any sense to me. I thought the author had over complicated it all really. I appreciate that they wanted to throw in red herrings and false trails, but this bordered on ridiculous at times. The motives behind the murderer also seemed realyl flawed to me and I don't know if that was a deliberate technique to make them look crazy or if the author him/herself got confused confused as to why they were doing it.
I also thought that the witchcraft in the book would be used in different ways, however it is portrayed in such a negative, clinical way that I just didn't really like. Considering how much the Salem Witch Trials are talked about in the book, the author just didn't make them seem real to me, which is ridiculous because that is pretty much the only thing in the book based on reality.
It's a shame really that it wasn't better written overall because the last quarter or so of the book was really good, the author built up the tension really well and it became much more thrilling. I think that this book needed a lot more editing done to it to smooth over the cracks in the story and to make it as fantastic as it could have been, because the idea behind the story was really interesting.
I am going to give it 5 out of 10 because there were moments when it was really good but it needed a lot more detail in places and less detail in others. I probably won't be reading this again.
This book wasn't what I expected it to be, although, looking back at the blurb, it does cover everything that it said it would. However it definitely wasn't any sort of fairy tale. At its heart, this is a crime novel where the main characters try to solve a string of murders that seem to have links to witchcraft prosecution.
The main characters were well developed, and I really like the relationship between Perceval Grey and Archie Lean, their conversations sometimes made me chuckle out loud. However the other characters that they came across were not always very clearly defined, which made it difficult to keep track of who they all were.
The investigation aspect of the book was good but again sometimes became confusing, with all of the threads they were following, referring to people that I had forgotten about, and strange references that didn't make any sense to me. I thought the author had over complicated it all really. I appreciate that they wanted to throw in red herrings and false trails, but this bordered on ridiculous at times. The motives behind the murderer also seemed realyl flawed to me and I don't know if that was a deliberate technique to make them look crazy or if the author him/herself got confused confused as to why they were doing it.
I also thought that the witchcraft in the book would be used in different ways, however it is portrayed in such a negative, clinical way that I just didn't really like. Considering how much the Salem Witch Trials are talked about in the book, the author just didn't make them seem real to me, which is ridiculous because that is pretty much the only thing in the book based on reality.
It's a shame really that it wasn't better written overall because the last quarter or so of the book was really good, the author built up the tension really well and it became much more thrilling. I think that this book needed a lot more editing done to it to smooth over the cracks in the story and to make it as fantastic as it could have been, because the idea behind the story was really interesting.
I am going to give it 5 out of 10 because there were moments when it was really good but it needed a lot more detail in places and less detail in others. I probably won't be reading this again.
March 26, 2013
I wasn't too sure when I first started reading it. I though the style was a little clunky and for a novel published by such a prestigious publisher, I thought that the editing had not done the author's story justice - however I persevered and I'm really pleased that I did. The storytelling and the characterisation in the novel are really good and I particularly enjoyed the refreshing and complex character of Percival Grey.
The links to Salem (which as suggested by the title is meant to be the main underpinning of the book) didn't quite fit as well as they might and if I'm really honest, I skipped over some of the faithful reproductions of the original trial notes as they got in the way of the story; it was a bit like the author really wanted to demonstrate the detailed research they had done and was afraid that we might miss it, even though it was artfully woven into other parts of the story.
I shall definitely be buying the second book as the character of Percival Grey really captured my imagination and I want to read more. This is a recommended read although it didn't blow me away.
The links to Salem (which as suggested by the title is meant to be the main underpinning of the book) didn't quite fit as well as they might and if I'm really honest, I skipped over some of the faithful reproductions of the original trial notes as they got in the way of the story; it was a bit like the author really wanted to demonstrate the detailed research they had done and was afraid that we might miss it, even though it was artfully woven into other parts of the story.
I shall definitely be buying the second book as the character of Percival Grey really captured my imagination and I want to read more. This is a recommended read although it didn't blow me away.
October 17, 2025
Took longer than expected to finish but it was great all through. Just the kind of book I would love to read over and over again. He’s a great author, wonder why he stopped writing.
December 19, 2015
Published: 01/09/2012
Author: K.N Shields
Recommended for: fans of thrillers
I thought that this book was an amazing read! It was one that very easily hooked me on it, the writing style of K.N Shields really draws you into the book, when you put the book down and walk away from it you end up finding yourself thinking about the book and what might happen next. I have a big interest in the Salem Witch Trials so when I was this book I just knew that I had to read it!
The characters of Perceval Grey, Archie Lean and Helen Prescott were so great, they were really well described which made them realistic and gave the book depth too it. There is many twist and turns in the book that make the reader keep on turning the pages and keeps the mind racing to try and think what could possibly happen next. I have definately found myself a new favourite author and I have also purchased another book by K.N Shields. I highly recommend this book.
Author: K.N Shields
Recommended for: fans of thrillers
I thought that this book was an amazing read! It was one that very easily hooked me on it, the writing style of K.N Shields really draws you into the book, when you put the book down and walk away from it you end up finding yourself thinking about the book and what might happen next. I have a big interest in the Salem Witch Trials so when I was this book I just knew that I had to read it!
The characters of Perceval Grey, Archie Lean and Helen Prescott were so great, they were really well described which made them realistic and gave the book depth too it. There is many twist and turns in the book that make the reader keep on turning the pages and keeps the mind racing to try and think what could possibly happen next. I have definately found myself a new favourite author and I have also purchased another book by K.N Shields. I highly recommend this book.
February 19, 2013
Not the book I thought it was going to be - but fantastic nonetheless. I was expecting witchcraft and some bonkers stuff, but this turned out to be a standard, historical detective fiction.
For some reason I rarely read a) books by men b) historicals c) detective fiction d) books where the main protagonist is male and this book was all of those things. So the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed it should tell you a lot about the book. There were shades of sub-Holmesian character-building and some traces of 'this will make a fantastic film, so I'll write the scenes filmically to make it easier', but none of this really detracted from a cracking good read. I'll look out for the next in the series.
For some reason I rarely read a) books by men b) historicals c) detective fiction d) books where the main protagonist is male and this book was all of those things. So the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed it should tell you a lot about the book. There were shades of sub-Holmesian character-building and some traces of 'this will make a fantastic film, so I'll write the scenes filmically to make it easier', but none of this really detracted from a cracking good read. I'll look out for the next in the series.
February 7, 2013
Simply brilliant - and I can't wait to see more of Perceval Grey. He put me in mind of an American Poirot!
Yes, it took a while to get fully absorbed into, but it was well worth the little bit of extra effort.
The only thing stopping me from giving it a full five stars is that I found there were just a few too many peripheral characters, I found myself having to keep scanning have to remember who was who, and that the 'riddle' was a little too cryptic.
All in all one of the best crime / detective novels I have read in years.
Yes, it took a while to get fully absorbed into, but it was well worth the little bit of extra effort.
The only thing stopping me from giving it a full five stars is that I found there were just a few too many peripheral characters, I found myself having to keep scanning have to remember who was who, and that the 'riddle' was a little too cryptic.
All in all one of the best crime / detective novels I have read in years.
February 4, 2015
Took too long to get into and the blurb was really misleading, certainly didn't get what I thought I was. I would have enjoyed it anyway but apart from being slow it couldn't hold my attention and by the end didn't really care who did it! Not sure I'll be reading any more books in the series if there are more to come.
February 23, 2013
My best read so far this year
Read
June 9, 2015Main character tries to be Sherlock Holmes and doesn't succeed. Interesting premise, but I found the execution a little dull.
February 12, 2025
Salem, New England, many dark nights ago.
It is a time of spells and shadows, of black magic and blood.
And the most famous witch hunt in history is about to begin...
Years later, a young woman is found savagely murdered, a pitchfork thrust through her neck, her body arranged in the shape of a star: the death pose of a witch. Someone - or something - is reviving the terror of the notorious Salem Witch hunts. And only one man - a brilliant, eccentric loner with a dazzling mind and a fascination with witchcraft - can keep the evils of the past at bay.
My Thoughts:
Well some books are not what they seem. I really had high expectations for this book and was really disappointed. I thought the book was going to delve into the Salem Witch trails and have the story mixed somehow into a modern day setting. In way it did but not how I expected.
The main characters are Grey, a half red Indian, Archie Lean the policeman and Helen who form the Salem Witch Society to solve the murder. If felt these characters were like Sherlock, Watson and Nancy Drew running around solving a crime. The story started well then just went stale with not really much happening and there is a big chunk in the middle that actually becomes quite boring.
I find if I am enjoying a book I will fly through it and with this one I have been reading it for a week and still haven’t finished a four hundred page paperback. This tells me something, I am not enjoying it and I am just reading the reads and not taking the story in because I just don’t care anymore.
There are good reviews out there for this book so reader don’t be put off by my thoughts. For now I have given up on this book and it is another that will remain unfinished.
It is a time of spells and shadows, of black magic and blood.
And the most famous witch hunt in history is about to begin...
Years later, a young woman is found savagely murdered, a pitchfork thrust through her neck, her body arranged in the shape of a star: the death pose of a witch. Someone - or something - is reviving the terror of the notorious Salem Witch hunts. And only one man - a brilliant, eccentric loner with a dazzling mind and a fascination with witchcraft - can keep the evils of the past at bay.
My Thoughts:
Well some books are not what they seem. I really had high expectations for this book and was really disappointed. I thought the book was going to delve into the Salem Witch trails and have the story mixed somehow into a modern day setting. In way it did but not how I expected.
The main characters are Grey, a half red Indian, Archie Lean the policeman and Helen who form the Salem Witch Society to solve the murder. If felt these characters were like Sherlock, Watson and Nancy Drew running around solving a crime. The story started well then just went stale with not really much happening and there is a big chunk in the middle that actually becomes quite boring.
I find if I am enjoying a book I will fly through it and with this one I have been reading it for a week and still haven’t finished a four hundred page paperback. This tells me something, I am not enjoying it and I am just reading the reads and not taking the story in because I just don’t care anymore.
There are good reviews out there for this book so reader don’t be put off by my thoughts. For now I have given up on this book and it is another that will remain unfinished.
October 28, 2017
K. N. Shields lures us into the murky gas-lit streets of Portland, Maine, New England, in the late nineteenth century. We discover a young woman has been murdered in a most gruesome manner. Startling and unique in its execution, the crime seems to hint at something deeper, mysterious, and hidden. As the admirably patient Deputy Marshal Archie Lean investigates, he painstakingly unearths clues and uncovers layers to reveal glimpses into an obscure world of the occult, such as we'd never imagine in the comforting light of day. Now we're hooked, and we must know what's at the heart of it all.
"Apart from the fact that the reconstitution of the crime for oneself is the only effective method, it is the only interesting one, the only one that stimulates the enquirer and keeps him awake at his work." Dr Hans Gross, Criminal Investigation.
Precisely this. By means of microscopic detail, sensitively drawn characters and superbly crafted language, The Salem Witch Society masterfully inches us forwards to know exactly why the young woman died in the way she did, and the writer sustains this tension across 500-odd pages. I'm looking forward to reading another work by K. N. Shields.
(Crown Publishers, 2012. This edition Sphere)
"Apart from the fact that the reconstitution of the crime for oneself is the only effective method, it is the only interesting one, the only one that stimulates the enquirer and keeps him awake at his work." Dr Hans Gross, Criminal Investigation.
Precisely this. By means of microscopic detail, sensitively drawn characters and superbly crafted language, The Salem Witch Society masterfully inches us forwards to know exactly why the young woman died in the way she did, and the writer sustains this tension across 500-odd pages. I'm looking forward to reading another work by K. N. Shields.
(Crown Publishers, 2012. This edition Sphere)
January 4, 2023
The title of the book initially grabbed my attention, having an interest in Salem and the Occult and not actually having read all that many books of the topic I thought this would be a good start.
It started off really intriguing and I was immediately hooked and intrigued. It became clear that it wasn’t going to be magic and witchcraft or a historical tale set in such times as I’d assumed. However I was even more excited that it was based around crime in early times in-line with the Salem witch trials so I was excited and happy to indulge.
The first half of the book I couldn’t escape from and really enjoyed it but for the latter half, each time I picked the book up I really struggled to get engrossed. Even reading a handful of chapters at a time which isn’t me. I just couldn’t stick with it.
Towards the end it got worse and the last 100 pages I really struggled so found myself scanning and fast reading just to get to the end.
Too much going on and too many characters involved in the penultimate twist, I couldn’t keep up who was who and who was supposed to be imitating who. Maybe because I wasn’t 100% there in the story by then.
Overall I enjoyed the book, happy with my first fictional witchcraft/Salem/magical/spellbinding read.
✨🔮✨
It started off really intriguing and I was immediately hooked and intrigued. It became clear that it wasn’t going to be magic and witchcraft or a historical tale set in such times as I’d assumed. However I was even more excited that it was based around crime in early times in-line with the Salem witch trials so I was excited and happy to indulge.
The first half of the book I couldn’t escape from and really enjoyed it but for the latter half, each time I picked the book up I really struggled to get engrossed. Even reading a handful of chapters at a time which isn’t me. I just couldn’t stick with it.
Towards the end it got worse and the last 100 pages I really struggled so found myself scanning and fast reading just to get to the end.
Too much going on and too many characters involved in the penultimate twist, I couldn’t keep up who was who and who was supposed to be imitating who. Maybe because I wasn’t 100% there in the story by then.
Overall I enjoyed the book, happy with my first fictional witchcraft/Salem/magical/spellbinding read.
✨🔮✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2021
This was exciting from the very start.
It's 1892 and a copycat murderer is recreating, staged killings of the Salem witches.
Every one has a connection to that time and those events.
Enter an intrepid duo of detectives, ably helped by an historical researcher.
Time is running out and the killer WILL strike again, the clues are laid for the next gruesome skating and the victim has limited time can Archie Lean, Perceval Grey and Helen Prescott stop the killer before he strikes again?
Rich in historical detail and cleverly woven from the late 1600s to the 1890s
this was a fascinating and clever story in the vein the movie "Se7en" with a whodunnit twist and a Jack the Ripper style shadowy figure of a murderer at large.
A highly enjoyable read, although I hated the bird bit very early on, any animal cruelty scene with always be marked down.
It's 1892 and a copycat murderer is recreating, staged killings of the Salem witches.
Every one has a connection to that time and those events.
Enter an intrepid duo of detectives, ably helped by an historical researcher.
Time is running out and the killer WILL strike again, the clues are laid for the next gruesome skating and the victim has limited time can Archie Lean, Perceval Grey and Helen Prescott stop the killer before he strikes again?
Rich in historical detail and cleverly woven from the late 1600s to the 1890s
this was a fascinating and clever story in the vein the movie "Se7en" with a whodunnit twist and a Jack the Ripper style shadowy figure of a murderer at large.
A highly enjoyable read, although I hated the bird bit very early on, any animal cruelty scene with always be marked down.
May 14, 2017
Really disappointing.
I borrowed this title from the Crime Thriller section of my library based on the blurb on the back which advised those who loved A Discovery of Witches would enjoy this novel.
Apart from the references to witchcraft and the Knights Templar, there are no real comparisons to be made. The writing styles of K.N. Shields and Deborah Harkness are completely different.
For a novel of almost 500 pages, the most descriptive passages are those where fighting or a struggle take place. Not enough on the witchcraft or atmospheric building for my tastes. I didn't empathise with any of the characters and the character of Mrs Prescott was poorly formed.
I agree with many of the other reviews here that this novel has been packaged and marketed completely wrong.
I borrowed this title from the Crime Thriller section of my library based on the blurb on the back which advised those who loved A Discovery of Witches would enjoy this novel.
Apart from the references to witchcraft and the Knights Templar, there are no real comparisons to be made. The writing styles of K.N. Shields and Deborah Harkness are completely different.
For a novel of almost 500 pages, the most descriptive passages are those where fighting or a struggle take place. Not enough on the witchcraft or atmospheric building for my tastes. I didn't empathise with any of the characters and the character of Mrs Prescott was poorly formed.
I agree with many of the other reviews here that this novel has been packaged and marketed completely wrong.
October 8, 2023
I struggled with this one. The story itself was pretty good but it wasn’t 3-dimensional enough to be gripping throughout the book. It could have been a very cool short story.
I did think the book was going to be about witchcraft and magic so I was pretty disappointed when I realised it was more a side story.
I didn’t feel like I was in the late 1800’s - the language felt forced and it didn’t feel authentic and the descriptions went on for ages!! There was a lot of rambling and I didn’t really characters were well introduced so by the end I was confused about who everyone was and what part they played.
There were a few parts I liked and a few times I smiled and wanted to keep reading but on the whole, I struggled to finish it.
I did think the book was going to be about witchcraft and magic so I was pretty disappointed when I realised it was more a side story.
I didn’t feel like I was in the late 1800’s - the language felt forced and it didn’t feel authentic and the descriptions went on for ages!! There was a lot of rambling and I didn’t really characters were well introduced so by the end I was confused about who everyone was and what part they played.
There were a few parts I liked and a few times I smiled and wanted to keep reading but on the whole, I struggled to finish it.
December 16, 2018
The Salem Witch Trials meet nineteenth century New England in this historical mystery. Perceval Grey (a Native American Sherlock Holmes type), policeman Archie Lean and researcher Helen Prescott join forces when young women are murdered in ways reminiscent of the witch trials.
I thought it was a fairly interesting plot although it could have done with a bit of trimming as it went on a bit too long. The romance bit came out of nowhere - absolutely no chemistry between the characters for the entire book and then, bam. Please don't do that. Can't we have a book where men and women can work together without romance? Rating: 3.5 stars
I thought it was a fairly interesting plot although it could have done with a bit of trimming as it went on a bit too long. The romance bit came out of nowhere - absolutely no chemistry between the characters for the entire book and then, bam. Please don't do that. Can't we have a book where men and women can work together without romance? Rating: 3.5 stars
May 27, 2019
The banter between the leads - ace. Helen Prescott - ace. The characters in general - ace. Alas I just felt the mystery wasn’t dark enough or even clear enough at times. I was so disappointed at one point when they had a “realisation” that I had had CHAPTERS before - like, is this the greatest detective mind they could find, it’s taken him this long!!?? - but then there was a twist so hurrah. But there were some loose ends which annoyed me a little. Hence the 4* rating. But it was so very nearly a 5. So very very nearly.
I would also like to note that the blurb? Not a good one. I got a completely different book that what the blurb sold me. Not accurate at all.
I would also like to note that the blurb? Not a good one. I got a completely different book that what the blurb sold me. Not accurate at all.
November 25, 2025
I bought this novel many moons ago because of its title and the subject matter. I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to pick it up to read, but now that I have, I could have left it on the shelf.
It was too descriptive, to the point I had no clue what the author was trying to say. I found the pace slow and the deduction of whodunnit a bit of a mystery.
The swaths of quotes, which I presume are from actual texts, were too much and added nothing to the story. It would have been better to summarise these through dialogue between the characters.
I did like the characters of Perceval Grey and Archie Lean. They were well crafted and bounced off each other well.
It was too descriptive, to the point I had no clue what the author was trying to say. I found the pace slow and the deduction of whodunnit a bit of a mystery.
The swaths of quotes, which I presume are from actual texts, were too much and added nothing to the story. It would have been better to summarise these through dialogue between the characters.
I did like the characters of Perceval Grey and Archie Lean. They were well crafted and bounced off each other well.
December 30, 2018
Not what I expected. I bought this book for 1£ thinking it was a witch story, instead it turned out to be a very Sherlock Holmes style investigative novel. Still witch-hunt but not the magic witch novel the cover suggested. From the beginning the author (that I later discovered is a guy) put much effort into researching every detail of Salem, the witches trials and the period in which the story takes place. I have to admit though there was nothing really 'new'.
March 3, 2018
I can't help but feel extremely mislead by the blurb on this one. It certainly wasn't the contemporary, Salem based book that I was so looking forward to!
In fact it was much to Shelock Holmes like for my tastes, It even read almost like fan fiction in certain parts. Very dull, and plodding with very little to keep me invested in the story. I'll be giving the sequel a miss.
In fact it was much to Shelock Holmes like for my tastes, It even read almost like fan fiction in certain parts. Very dull, and plodding with very little to keep me invested in the story. I'll be giving the sequel a miss.
April 17, 2019
This book kind of echoes Sherlock Holmes a bit. I wasn’t a fan of Lean, but Grey certainly held my attention. I’m actually gutted there wasn’t more about the original Salem Witch Trials, but this is still a passable story.
A solid three star read in my opinion. If it wasn’t for Grey it would probably be a two.
A solid three star read in my opinion. If it wasn’t for Grey it would probably be a two.
November 28, 2019
Not a bad read at all... A witch craft tinged mystery novel featuring A mildly Holmes-esque investigator and a lawman companion.. A good buddy pairing. Its a good mystery, a tad overlong and so convoluted that near the end I had ceased to really care whodunit, but I in the main enjoyed the ride... Shows promise.. The intriguing central character, Grey, could be made so much more of.
October 24, 2021
I really wanted to like this book but it was so difficult to get into. There's lots of pages where not alot happens and doesn't really bring anything to the story; and then there are parts which are really engaging so you wrong think the story is getting better. There were too many characters to keep up with and I think the title is quite misleading.
2.5 stars.
2.5 stars.
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