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Hatfield 1677
Benjamin Waite, devoted husband and father, is the volunteer military scout for the colonial Massachusetts town of Hatfield during King Philip’s War. He protests a planned attack against a Native American camp, but reluctantly guides the army on their ill-advised mission.
The Algonquian sachem Ashpelon and his tribe retaliate, laying waste to Hatfield and taking seventeen colonists captive, including Benjamin’s wife Martha and their three young daughters. Then Ashpelon heads north to Canada with his hostages in a desperate bid for freedom.
While Martha courageously strives to endure captivity and protect her children, Ben and his friend Stephen Jennings defy bureaucracy and brave the wilderness to find and rescue their loved ones.
Based on the lives of the author’s 9th great-grandparents, this riveting novel of love and war in colonial America, told through three different perspectives, is one you will not forget.
The Algonquian sachem Ashpelon and his tribe retaliate, laying waste to Hatfield and taking seventeen colonists captive, including Benjamin’s wife Martha and their three young daughters. Then Ashpelon heads north to Canada with his hostages in a desperate bid for freedom.
While Martha courageously strives to endure captivity and protect her children, Ben and his friend Stephen Jennings defy bureaucracy and brave the wilderness to find and rescue their loved ones.
Based on the lives of the author’s 9th great-grandparents, this riveting novel of love and war in colonial America, told through three different perspectives, is one you will not forget.
394 pages, Paperback
Published May 21, 2024
14 people are currently reading
5109 people want to read
About the author
Laura C. Rader
1 book58 followersLaura C. Rader's debut historical novel, Hatfield 1677, is inspired by the true story of her ninth great-grandparents, Benjamin and Martha Waite, and their colonial Massachusetts town. It is the 2024 First Place Winner of CIBA's Chaucer Award for pre-1750 Historical Fiction and Feathered Quill's Second Place Debut Author Award.
Laura is a full-time historical fiction author, and also enjoys studying genealogy, attending book club meetings, taking forest walks with her Rough Collie, and spending time with family and friends.
Originally from California, Laura lives about twenty miles north of Raleigh, North Carolina.
Laura is a full-time historical fiction author, and also enjoys studying genealogy, attending book club meetings, taking forest walks with her Rough Collie, and spending time with family and friends.
Originally from California, Laura lives about twenty miles north of Raleigh, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 1, 2024
Captivating story, made more so by the fact that it is based on the true story of the authors ancestors! Easy to read and I didn't mind the story being told from three perspectives, it added a nice flavor to have first hand accounts.
September 5, 2024
***This review is from an ARC provided by Reedsy Discovery. To participate, visit https://reedsy.com/discovery/reviewer... ***
Hatfield 1677 by Laura C. Rader relish the story of an assault on a Massachusetts Bay Colony town at the end of what is known as Prince Philip’s war. The narrative is told in three perspectives. One is the husband who is trying to find his abducted wife, his friend’s wife, and the sachem of the tribe who conducted the raid.
The book is very well researched and is based on an event in the lifer of one of her ancestors. Algonquin words are sprinkled throughout the book, showing the level of realism Rader wanted to impart. Native American survival skills and the harshness of northern New York winters going into Canada are well-described. Rader so delves into the politics of British Colonial America from the local town to the regional governors. This is shown in the many stops the husband must make to legally find and negotiate for his wife.
Faith and hope are major themes throughout the book. This is reflected in the viewpoints of all three narrators. There is hope of rescue and tender treatment, hope of survival, and hope of reunion. There is faith in the abilities of all to do the right thing and to arrive in time. Religious faith is depicted as practiced in Massachusetts at the time, though the faith in God is tested for the settlers and the faith in tribal gods is tested for the Algonquins.
This book was fascinating. I scheduled time to read a certain number of pages daily so I could do other tasks and read other books as I usually have several going at once. I could not easily put this book down, though, and it ended up taking other daily reading slots until I finished it. This rarely happens. I read many good books, but rarely cannot hold to my schedule. For the research involved, the realness of the story, and the depth of the writing, I give this book five stars.
Hatfield 1677 by Laura C. Rader relish the story of an assault on a Massachusetts Bay Colony town at the end of what is known as Prince Philip’s war. The narrative is told in three perspectives. One is the husband who is trying to find his abducted wife, his friend’s wife, and the sachem of the tribe who conducted the raid.
The book is very well researched and is based on an event in the lifer of one of her ancestors. Algonquin words are sprinkled throughout the book, showing the level of realism Rader wanted to impart. Native American survival skills and the harshness of northern New York winters going into Canada are well-described. Rader so delves into the politics of British Colonial America from the local town to the regional governors. This is shown in the many stops the husband must make to legally find and negotiate for his wife.
Faith and hope are major themes throughout the book. This is reflected in the viewpoints of all three narrators. There is hope of rescue and tender treatment, hope of survival, and hope of reunion. There is faith in the abilities of all to do the right thing and to arrive in time. Religious faith is depicted as practiced in Massachusetts at the time, though the faith in God is tested for the settlers and the faith in tribal gods is tested for the Algonquins.
This book was fascinating. I scheduled time to read a certain number of pages daily so I could do other tasks and read other books as I usually have several going at once. I could not easily put this book down, though, and it ended up taking other daily reading slots until I finished it. This rarely happens. I read many good books, but rarely cannot hold to my schedule. For the research involved, the realness of the story, and the depth of the writing, I give this book five stars.
June 8, 2024
Riveting story, based on real events from the author's ancestors' life. Laura Rader has crafted a page-turner that takes the reader back to the 1670's. Her meticulous research shows on almost every page, in that good way that doesn't hinder the story, but instead immerses the reader in the time. When I finally had to turn off the light and go to sleep (because my wife insisted - one o'clock in the morning is too late!) I had to reorient myself. I know that sounds cliche, but it's true.
Bottom line, this is a well-written story of heroism, true-love, and adventure, all wrapped into one package. I highly recommend it!
Bottom line, this is a well-written story of heroism, true-love, and adventure, all wrapped into one package. I highly recommend it!
August 31, 2024
Hatfield 1677, at its core, is a simple love story. However, on its thinner outer layers, this new piece of historical fiction, written by Laura C. Rader, is a novel about a series of events that happened after what is known as (among other monikers) “King Phillip’s War,” a three-year skirmish that has been proven to be one of the bloodiest conflicts in Colonialist American history. Using real-life people as protagonists and antagonists as well as a hefty amount of dramatic license, Rader produces a romantic epic story reminiscent of, but not exclusive to, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie, in that readers tangentially experience the perils and hardships of a time when Netflix, Smart Phones, and Tik Tok, our contemporary creature comforts, did not exist.
Much of this colonial tale of survival and sojourners is narrated by three reliable but stressed storytellers who are inextricably linked together by gory battles, immense suffering at the hands of others, and a boundless need to forage for life-saving resources to assist them on their travels, forced upon them or otherwise. Benjamin Waite is an English settler who witnesses the meaningless slaughter of innocent and friendly Native American men, women, and children, and feels guilty he did nothing to stop the massacre from happening. Martha Waite is Benjamin’s wife, and mother to his three children (with one on the way), who is resourceful, caring, and protective of her family, but also fell victim to a kidnapping at the hands of those Native Americans who lost family and friends in the carnage that was King Phillip’s War. Finally, Ashpelon is an ardent and proud Native American who is the kidnappers’ leader, and exhibits a great deal of compassion and sympathy for those whom he abducted. Throughout the novel, readers follow all three characters as they try to manage and, essentially, save their own lives and the lives of their loved ones, after being involved with the murderous events that took place against the River Indians, a tribe willing to peacefully barter and bargain with White settlers.
Hatfield 1677 is Rader’s debut historical novel, and to her credit, it is a strong piece of writing, most especially in plot structure. Although not a historian by trade--she has a BA in psychology and she minored in history while taking creative writing and literature classes at San Diego State University--it is clear Rader has a significant amount of knowledge about American colonialism and how the English language was spoken during that timeframe in American history. The storyline itself also flows nicely; the work is told using first-person point of views and is linear in its construction, so it makes it easier to follow while also getting immersed in the complicated lives of 1600s European colonial settlers and oppressed Native American populations. Rader, because of her ability to perform pain-staking research and to tell a comprehensive tale, fully understands the cultural mores, struggles, and confrontations that shaped the United States of America, no matter how gruesome or unethical the historical events were. The most compelling storyteller in Hatfield 1677 is Ashpelon, who is avenging the deaths of his peoples by taking European community members hostage. With a keen ear for dialogue and an understanding of the mind and how it works, Rader fleshes out what it was (and is) like to be Native American: what it must have been like to be living peacefully on your own lands for them to be suddenly taken away by opportunistic poachers and devious charlatans who come from across the ocean and claim to be friendly but end up being murderous thieves. With Rader’s work being introduced into a genre filled with other fantastic works about this stained period in American history, the idea that history is always told by the winners continues to be debunked, and audiences are now hearing the more interesting stories of those who lost everything, which in many cases included their lives.
Admittedly, it is clear Rader is not generally a writer of novels. Although an effective work, Hatfield 1677 does heavily depend on the dialogue to tell the story, which means exposition and details about the historical context sometimes get lost. Readers may want to learn more about King Philip’s War, for example; or, they may want to get a better sense of the setting and the timeline as to when events were happening. Even if readers know where the actions are taking place based on what the characters tell us (the book primarily takes place in Massachusetts and New York), ultimately, because of the substantial use of dialogue, it is hard to visualize everything that is taking place within the story. With that said, however, Hatfield 1677 is still successful at keeping the audience engaged and connected with the main characters and their respective sometimes dramatic, sometimes tragic, sometimes thrilling, journeys through the primitive American wilderness.
Quill says: Rader’s debut novel is an engaging, solid, well-researched piece of writing that could benefit from additional historical details.
Much of this colonial tale of survival and sojourners is narrated by three reliable but stressed storytellers who are inextricably linked together by gory battles, immense suffering at the hands of others, and a boundless need to forage for life-saving resources to assist them on their travels, forced upon them or otherwise. Benjamin Waite is an English settler who witnesses the meaningless slaughter of innocent and friendly Native American men, women, and children, and feels guilty he did nothing to stop the massacre from happening. Martha Waite is Benjamin’s wife, and mother to his three children (with one on the way), who is resourceful, caring, and protective of her family, but also fell victim to a kidnapping at the hands of those Native Americans who lost family and friends in the carnage that was King Phillip’s War. Finally, Ashpelon is an ardent and proud Native American who is the kidnappers’ leader, and exhibits a great deal of compassion and sympathy for those whom he abducted. Throughout the novel, readers follow all three characters as they try to manage and, essentially, save their own lives and the lives of their loved ones, after being involved with the murderous events that took place against the River Indians, a tribe willing to peacefully barter and bargain with White settlers.
Hatfield 1677 is Rader’s debut historical novel, and to her credit, it is a strong piece of writing, most especially in plot structure. Although not a historian by trade--she has a BA in psychology and she minored in history while taking creative writing and literature classes at San Diego State University--it is clear Rader has a significant amount of knowledge about American colonialism and how the English language was spoken during that timeframe in American history. The storyline itself also flows nicely; the work is told using first-person point of views and is linear in its construction, so it makes it easier to follow while also getting immersed in the complicated lives of 1600s European colonial settlers and oppressed Native American populations. Rader, because of her ability to perform pain-staking research and to tell a comprehensive tale, fully understands the cultural mores, struggles, and confrontations that shaped the United States of America, no matter how gruesome or unethical the historical events were. The most compelling storyteller in Hatfield 1677 is Ashpelon, who is avenging the deaths of his peoples by taking European community members hostage. With a keen ear for dialogue and an understanding of the mind and how it works, Rader fleshes out what it was (and is) like to be Native American: what it must have been like to be living peacefully on your own lands for them to be suddenly taken away by opportunistic poachers and devious charlatans who come from across the ocean and claim to be friendly but end up being murderous thieves. With Rader’s work being introduced into a genre filled with other fantastic works about this stained period in American history, the idea that history is always told by the winners continues to be debunked, and audiences are now hearing the more interesting stories of those who lost everything, which in many cases included their lives.
Admittedly, it is clear Rader is not generally a writer of novels. Although an effective work, Hatfield 1677 does heavily depend on the dialogue to tell the story, which means exposition and details about the historical context sometimes get lost. Readers may want to learn more about King Philip’s War, for example; or, they may want to get a better sense of the setting and the timeline as to when events were happening. Even if readers know where the actions are taking place based on what the characters tell us (the book primarily takes place in Massachusetts and New York), ultimately, because of the substantial use of dialogue, it is hard to visualize everything that is taking place within the story. With that said, however, Hatfield 1677 is still successful at keeping the audience engaged and connected with the main characters and their respective sometimes dramatic, sometimes tragic, sometimes thrilling, journeys through the primitive American wilderness.
Quill says: Rader’s debut novel is an engaging, solid, well-researched piece of writing that could benefit from additional historical details.
December 21, 2024
What can a historical novel set during the tumultuous times of colonial America teach us about humanity, resilience, and the unintended consequences of history? Laura C. Rader’s Hatfield 1677 isn’t merely a recounting of Puritan life during King Philip’s War—it’s a meticulously crafted lens through which the reader is invited to ponder the cyclical nature of conflict, the fragility of human relationships, and the moral ambiguity that defines survival.
A History of Forgotten Wars
King Philip’s War (1675–1678), the historical backdrop of this novel, is a brutal yet overlooked conflict that incurred the highest casualty rate, per capita, of any war in U.S. history. How did this war—characterized by starvation, displacement, and brutality on both sides—shape the modern psyche of New England? Hatfield 1677 subtly answers this question by looking into the lives of individuals who bore the brunt of these large-scale societal shifts.
Benjamin Waite: The Reluctant Hero
Benjamin Waite is not your archetypal soldier; he is a man torn between duty, morality, and the deep love he holds for his family. His internal struggles with the legitimacy of war echo sentiments of modern veterans questioning the ethics of their missions. When he reflects on the slaughter of women and children, Rader invites the reader to ponder: Can morality survive in the chaos of war?
The Parallel Stories of Oppression
The book doesn’t shy away from presenting the indigenous perspective, with the sachem Ashpelon narrating a poignant tale that mirrors the devastation inflicted upon his people. His allegory of the Chief of the Squirrel Tribe and the Frog and Woodchuck is more than a moral story—it’s a historical commentary on resource theft, survival, and the loss of sovereignty. Are the settlers heroes or villains? The book wisely refuses to provide a simple answer.
Emotional Landscapes in Stark Contrast
The Puritan settlers’ pragmatic yet deeply emotional existence is depicted with cinematic clarity. The stark juxtaposition of the settlers' rigid faith with their raw vulnerability—seen in moments like Benjamin’s tender farewells to his wife or his struggle to reconcile his actions during battle—raises questions about how faith can both sustain and blind.
Women’s Silent Wars
Martha Waite’s resilience shines as a counterpoint to the physical battles waged by her husband. Her moments of quiet strength, such as managing the household amid constant fear and consoling grieving neighbors, highlight the oft-overlooked emotional labor borne by women in historical narratives. A poignant modern parallel: a 2020 study found that women disproportionately shoulder emotional labor in times of crisis—a pattern unchanged since colonial times.
Numbers Behind the Drama
King Philip’s War resulted in the destruction of 12 towns and a 60% reduction in New England’s Native population. These figures underscore the human cost woven into Hatfield 1677. When Benjamin struggles to justify his participation in what is essentially the massacre of a peaceful village, the novel forces readers to confront the cold statistics that accompany moral collapse.
Is Survival a Sin?
Throughout the book, Benjamin grapples with the guilt of surviving when so many others did not. His actions at the Great Falls—an assault that targeted women and children—linger in his mind as he returns to the relative peace of Hatfield. Can there be redemption in a world where survival often comes at the expense of others? The novel asks this haunting question, leaving readers to wrestle with the answer.
Nature as Witness
The Connecticut River Valley, vividly described in the novel, becomes more than a setting—it is a silent witness to the atrocities and acts of love that unfold. Rader’s lush depictions of the land are both poetic and unsettling, reminding us that while human lives are fleeting, the scars of history endure in the landscapes we inhabit.
A Final Reflection
Hatfield 1677 is a masterful blend of meticulous research, evocative storytelling, and deep empathy for its characters. It is not just a story of survival but an exploration of the moral and emotional costs of conflict. As readers close the final chapter, they are left pondering the enduring question: What does it truly mean to be human in the face of inhumanity?
A History of Forgotten Wars
King Philip’s War (1675–1678), the historical backdrop of this novel, is a brutal yet overlooked conflict that incurred the highest casualty rate, per capita, of any war in U.S. history. How did this war—characterized by starvation, displacement, and brutality on both sides—shape the modern psyche of New England? Hatfield 1677 subtly answers this question by looking into the lives of individuals who bore the brunt of these large-scale societal shifts.
Benjamin Waite: The Reluctant Hero
Benjamin Waite is not your archetypal soldier; he is a man torn between duty, morality, and the deep love he holds for his family. His internal struggles with the legitimacy of war echo sentiments of modern veterans questioning the ethics of their missions. When he reflects on the slaughter of women and children, Rader invites the reader to ponder: Can morality survive in the chaos of war?
The Parallel Stories of Oppression
The book doesn’t shy away from presenting the indigenous perspective, with the sachem Ashpelon narrating a poignant tale that mirrors the devastation inflicted upon his people. His allegory of the Chief of the Squirrel Tribe and the Frog and Woodchuck is more than a moral story—it’s a historical commentary on resource theft, survival, and the loss of sovereignty. Are the settlers heroes or villains? The book wisely refuses to provide a simple answer.
Emotional Landscapes in Stark Contrast
The Puritan settlers’ pragmatic yet deeply emotional existence is depicted with cinematic clarity. The stark juxtaposition of the settlers' rigid faith with their raw vulnerability—seen in moments like Benjamin’s tender farewells to his wife or his struggle to reconcile his actions during battle—raises questions about how faith can both sustain and blind.
Women’s Silent Wars
Martha Waite’s resilience shines as a counterpoint to the physical battles waged by her husband. Her moments of quiet strength, such as managing the household amid constant fear and consoling grieving neighbors, highlight the oft-overlooked emotional labor borne by women in historical narratives. A poignant modern parallel: a 2020 study found that women disproportionately shoulder emotional labor in times of crisis—a pattern unchanged since colonial times.
Numbers Behind the Drama
King Philip’s War resulted in the destruction of 12 towns and a 60% reduction in New England’s Native population. These figures underscore the human cost woven into Hatfield 1677. When Benjamin struggles to justify his participation in what is essentially the massacre of a peaceful village, the novel forces readers to confront the cold statistics that accompany moral collapse.
Is Survival a Sin?
Throughout the book, Benjamin grapples with the guilt of surviving when so many others did not. His actions at the Great Falls—an assault that targeted women and children—linger in his mind as he returns to the relative peace of Hatfield. Can there be redemption in a world where survival often comes at the expense of others? The novel asks this haunting question, leaving readers to wrestle with the answer.
Nature as Witness
The Connecticut River Valley, vividly described in the novel, becomes more than a setting—it is a silent witness to the atrocities and acts of love that unfold. Rader’s lush depictions of the land are both poetic and unsettling, reminding us that while human lives are fleeting, the scars of history endure in the landscapes we inhabit.
A Final Reflection
Hatfield 1677 is a masterful blend of meticulous research, evocative storytelling, and deep empathy for its characters. It is not just a story of survival but an exploration of the moral and emotional costs of conflict. As readers close the final chapter, they are left pondering the enduring question: What does it truly mean to be human in the face of inhumanity?
July 2, 2024
Nuanced and Authentic: Exploring Ancestral Stories in Puritan Massachusetts
In her debut novel, Laura C. Rader ventures into Puritan Massachusetts, weaving stories about her ancestors into an enthralling narrative. While a work of fiction, Rader’s extensive research ensures historical accuracy. while crafting an enthralling narrative. The story is told from three perspectives, Martha and Ben (husband and wife) and Ashpelon, an Algonquian sachem, offering diverse perspectives on the challenges faced by indigenous communities and English men and women. The novel intricately incorporates important historical events and developments, including King Philip’s War, the Halfway Covenant, Mary Rowlandson’s captivity, making this a true work of historical fiction rather than fiction inspired by history. Spanning the vast region of New England and Canada, the story delves into the complexities of indigenous alliances, religious conflict, English vs. French settlements, and bureaucratic procedures. Overall, Rader transcends stereotypical portrayals of the period, providing nuance and respect for humanity, while maintaining historical authenticity.
I am grateful to Laura C. Rader and Acorn Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Hatfield 1677.
In her debut novel, Laura C. Rader ventures into Puritan Massachusetts, weaving stories about her ancestors into an enthralling narrative. While a work of fiction, Rader’s extensive research ensures historical accuracy. while crafting an enthralling narrative. The story is told from three perspectives, Martha and Ben (husband and wife) and Ashpelon, an Algonquian sachem, offering diverse perspectives on the challenges faced by indigenous communities and English men and women. The novel intricately incorporates important historical events and developments, including King Philip’s War, the Halfway Covenant, Mary Rowlandson’s captivity, making this a true work of historical fiction rather than fiction inspired by history. Spanning the vast region of New England and Canada, the story delves into the complexities of indigenous alliances, religious conflict, English vs. French settlements, and bureaucratic procedures. Overall, Rader transcends stereotypical portrayals of the period, providing nuance and respect for humanity, while maintaining historical authenticity.
I am grateful to Laura C. Rader and Acorn Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Hatfield 1677.
June 13, 2024
I didn't find the book gripping; I could put it down and come back it a day or so later. But it was very interesting and thought provoking. I sympathized with all the narrators even during their conflicts. It was hard to read about the disregard for others' lives during this time. Much of my ancestry lived in New England at this time and I was interested in what the lives of the people were like and how and what they thought. The author has done a good job of researching how the people thought and what their biases were - religious, political, cultural, gender role, and economic. I wonder what my own ancestors were doing during the King Philip's War and afterwards. Were they there at Hatfield in 1677?
My only wish is that more narrative were from the native leader. Most of the story is narrated by Benjamin and his wife.
My only wish is that more narrative were from the native leader. Most of the story is narrated by Benjamin and his wife.
July 7, 2024
Hatfield 1677 is a gripping saga, based on the true story of Puritan pioneer Ben Waite's relentless search for his family after they were kidnapped by Native Americans in a retaliatory raid. In his determination to save them, he encounters obstacles both natural and manmade. Trammeled by bureaucracy, challenged by untamed wilderness, and fighting against time, Ben perseveres through all hardships. So does his pregnant wife Martha, who is forced to endure a grueling winter trek with her captors. This novel is a grand testament to the astounding determination and resilience of the human spirit when fueled by a deep and abiding love. A must-read for fans of historical fiction.
June 18, 2024
Love love love! I don't usually read historical fiction but this book is so special it transcends its genre. Hatfield 1677 is extremely jam-packed with action, historical accuracy, and romance. It's set from multiple perspectives in a way that helps propel the story and allows the reader to become close with the main characters. It’s a story of empathy, resilience, strength, and romance; every reader will find something to love and remember.
Even if you don't think you're into this genre, give Hatfield a try. ♥️
Even if you don't think you're into this genre, give Hatfield a try. ♥️
August 21, 2024
Engaging story. You won't want to put it down.
Read
October 26, 2025I know the author, therefore I cannot review.
Impressively researched though.
Impressively researched though.
June 8, 2024
Epic historical fiction. Beautifully written, made me understand the characters, how they felt and how they lived. Even though some parts were hard the love stories are evident not only with the couples but the understanding the children.
First book in a long time that I didn’t want to end. I’m recommending to all my peeps. Thank you Laura!!!!
First book in a long time that I didn’t want to end. I’m recommending to all my peeps. Thank you Laura!!!!
June 12, 2024
This story tells a part of American history that is not told in history books. The author tells a harrowing story about her family in the year 1677 and their conflicts with Native Americans. It was an engaging and beautifully told story.
January 1, 2025
This historical fiction novel was written by a local author. It deals with the Native Americans' struggle with the colonists of Hatfield, Massachusetts (and vice versa). It described events we weren't typically taught in school, so it was an interesting and engaging read.
December 5, 2024
Cannot say enough good things about this book. It was well paced, informative (for those of us who like history) and an all around good story.
October 15, 2024
Often, we see quotes about how books transport us to another place and time. Rarely has this been as true for me as it was while reading Hatfield 1677, a captivity story set in Hatfield, an outpost community in Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1676-77.
The novel is based on the author’s ancestors Benjamin and Martha Waite who were English Separatists (Pilgrims). In an attack by a River Indian tribe, Martha and her three children were taken and held for nearly a year. The novel is a fictionalized account of her captivity and Benjamin’s documented attempts to rescue her and his children. The novel is told in alternating points of view between Martha and Benjamin and takes place during what has been called King Philip’s War (1675-1678).
In her author’s notes, Rader states her goal was to write an authentic and unbiased novel that presented Benjamin and Martha’s story alongside that of the indigenous people in the area. To accomplish this she added a third point of view to the novel, that of Ashpelon, a tribal leader. Ashpelon rounds out the historical narrative by giving voice to America’s First Nation peoples, in this case the River Indians of Massachusetts. River Indians in the Connecticut River Valley at the time included the Nipmucs, Pocumtucks, Norwottucks, and other Algonquian tribes.
As the story opens, Benjamin is an army scout. It is May 1676. The settler army in charge of protecting Hatfield seeks to deliver retribution to an Algonquian River band, whom they believe stole livestock from them.
As a reader, you sense from the start that the settlers’ mission to hold the First Nation people accountable is doomed. Benjamin doesn’t agree that the targeted tribe was responsible. He also has no faith in the army leaders, whom he thinks are incompetent as well as ill-advised. But as a military scout, he must follow orders and guide the army to their target. The attack takes place, and the settlers’ actions set off a string of events that lead to a return attack by the River band on Hatfield while Benjamin is away on another mission. During the attack, Martha and her children are taken captive along with over a dozen other settlers. What follows is a year of journeys that take the novel’s three narrators on paths that challenge them, make each of them defiant, yet draw them closer as human beings occupying the same landscape.
What stood out to me in the novel besides the gripping plot is the level of historical detail included in the story without it being intrusive. Rader incorporated just enough to prompt a reader to want to know more. I was constantly looking things up as I read, something I enjoy doing when reading historical fiction. Another exceptional aspect of this novel is the precision with which the author describes life in the 17th century. Rader did her research, and it shows. Her ability to blend intricate aspects of daily life yet keep the story flowing in a seamless way demonstrates true storytelling skill. In less able hands, the details would seem mundane or superfluous. In addition, her descriptions of the natural world and her portrayal of the characters being in the cold, of traversing Lake Champlain, of feeling powerless—no matter which character was speaking—were also remarkably vivid.
I recommend this novel to anyone drawn to captivity or survival stories, who enjoys delving into colonial America, or who likes reading about America’s First Nations people. To me, it is a first-rate novel.
The novel is based on the author’s ancestors Benjamin and Martha Waite who were English Separatists (Pilgrims). In an attack by a River Indian tribe, Martha and her three children were taken and held for nearly a year. The novel is a fictionalized account of her captivity and Benjamin’s documented attempts to rescue her and his children. The novel is told in alternating points of view between Martha and Benjamin and takes place during what has been called King Philip’s War (1675-1678).
In her author’s notes, Rader states her goal was to write an authentic and unbiased novel that presented Benjamin and Martha’s story alongside that of the indigenous people in the area. To accomplish this she added a third point of view to the novel, that of Ashpelon, a tribal leader. Ashpelon rounds out the historical narrative by giving voice to America’s First Nation peoples, in this case the River Indians of Massachusetts. River Indians in the Connecticut River Valley at the time included the Nipmucs, Pocumtucks, Norwottucks, and other Algonquian tribes.
As the story opens, Benjamin is an army scout. It is May 1676. The settler army in charge of protecting Hatfield seeks to deliver retribution to an Algonquian River band, whom they believe stole livestock from them.
As a reader, you sense from the start that the settlers’ mission to hold the First Nation people accountable is doomed. Benjamin doesn’t agree that the targeted tribe was responsible. He also has no faith in the army leaders, whom he thinks are incompetent as well as ill-advised. But as a military scout, he must follow orders and guide the army to their target. The attack takes place, and the settlers’ actions set off a string of events that lead to a return attack by the River band on Hatfield while Benjamin is away on another mission. During the attack, Martha and her children are taken captive along with over a dozen other settlers. What follows is a year of journeys that take the novel’s three narrators on paths that challenge them, make each of them defiant, yet draw them closer as human beings occupying the same landscape.
What stood out to me in the novel besides the gripping plot is the level of historical detail included in the story without it being intrusive. Rader incorporated just enough to prompt a reader to want to know more. I was constantly looking things up as I read, something I enjoy doing when reading historical fiction. Another exceptional aspect of this novel is the precision with which the author describes life in the 17th century. Rader did her research, and it shows. Her ability to blend intricate aspects of daily life yet keep the story flowing in a seamless way demonstrates true storytelling skill. In less able hands, the details would seem mundane or superfluous. In addition, her descriptions of the natural world and her portrayal of the characters being in the cold, of traversing Lake Champlain, of feeling powerless—no matter which character was speaking—were also remarkably vivid.
I recommend this novel to anyone drawn to captivity or survival stories, who enjoys delving into colonial America, or who likes reading about America’s First Nations people. To me, it is a first-rate novel.
April 24, 2025
Hatfield 1677 is a vivid historical novel rooted in the real-life events of King Philip’s War. The story centers on Ben and Martha Waite, a Puritan couple whose lives are ripped apart by conflict between English settlers and Native tribes in colonial Massachusetts. When Martha and her children are captured by Native warriors, Ben sets out on a perilous mission to bring them home. Through alternating perspectives, including that of a Nipmuc sachem, the novel explores survival, love, loss, and the brutal toll of war.
From the first chapter, where Ben says goodbye to his wife and children before riding off to war, the writing has this warm, steady heartbeat. It's historical fiction, but it never feels dry or overly formal. Rader’s prose strikes a compelling balance between lyrical and grounded. She captures intimate, sensory moments with remarkable clarity, Martha rinsing her hair in lavender water, Ben riding through the ruins of Deerfield, the tense stillness before a storm. The detail is immersive without becoming excessive. Even in the opening chapter, as Ben says a quiet, emotional goodbye to his daughters, the writing evokes a tenderness and fear that is both deeply human and hauntingly real.
What really struck me, though, was the moral weight Rader builds into the action. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything. The chapter on the Falls Fight was gutting. When Ben storms a Native camp and ends up sparing a young mother and child, it’s not some triumphant moment; it’s raw and messy. He throws up afterward. His pistol shakes in his hand. He can’t even speak about it when he gets home. It’s that emotional honesty that makes the violence and grief in this book hit so hard. And then you get Ashpelon’s chapter, a Native leader telling a parable about greedy squirrels, and suddenly, the whole war feels even more tragic. It’s layered and thoughtful without being preachy.
One thing I didn’t expect and ended up loving was Martha’s voice. She’s not just “the wife back home.” She’s smart, she’s tough, and she’s trying to survive just like everyone else. Her scene with Hannah, when they talk about love, abuse, and the impossible choices women face, felt painfully modern. There’s one line, when Martha’s holding her daughter and watching her husband ride off, where she says, “Your fair beard will need a trim when you return.” That crushed me. Because it’s not really about his beard, it’s hope, and fear, and trying not to fall apart.
Hatfield 1677 is a love story wrapped in a war story, with sharp writing and real emotional stakes. If you’re into historical fiction with heart and teeth or if you just want a book that’ll leave you thinking about it long after the last page, this one’s for you. Fans of Cold Mountain, The Last of the Mohicans, or even Outlander (minus the time travel) would feel right at home. I highly recommend this book to readers who like stories that are as much about people as they are about history.
From the first chapter, where Ben says goodbye to his wife and children before riding off to war, the writing has this warm, steady heartbeat. It's historical fiction, but it never feels dry or overly formal. Rader’s prose strikes a compelling balance between lyrical and grounded. She captures intimate, sensory moments with remarkable clarity, Martha rinsing her hair in lavender water, Ben riding through the ruins of Deerfield, the tense stillness before a storm. The detail is immersive without becoming excessive. Even in the opening chapter, as Ben says a quiet, emotional goodbye to his daughters, the writing evokes a tenderness and fear that is both deeply human and hauntingly real.
What really struck me, though, was the moral weight Rader builds into the action. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything. The chapter on the Falls Fight was gutting. When Ben storms a Native camp and ends up sparing a young mother and child, it’s not some triumphant moment; it’s raw and messy. He throws up afterward. His pistol shakes in his hand. He can’t even speak about it when he gets home. It’s that emotional honesty that makes the violence and grief in this book hit so hard. And then you get Ashpelon’s chapter, a Native leader telling a parable about greedy squirrels, and suddenly, the whole war feels even more tragic. It’s layered and thoughtful without being preachy.
One thing I didn’t expect and ended up loving was Martha’s voice. She’s not just “the wife back home.” She’s smart, she’s tough, and she’s trying to survive just like everyone else. Her scene with Hannah, when they talk about love, abuse, and the impossible choices women face, felt painfully modern. There’s one line, when Martha’s holding her daughter and watching her husband ride off, where she says, “Your fair beard will need a trim when you return.” That crushed me. Because it’s not really about his beard, it’s hope, and fear, and trying not to fall apart.
Hatfield 1677 is a love story wrapped in a war story, with sharp writing and real emotional stakes. If you’re into historical fiction with heart and teeth or if you just want a book that’ll leave you thinking about it long after the last page, this one’s for you. Fans of Cold Mountain, The Last of the Mohicans, or even Outlander (minus the time travel) would feel right at home. I highly recommend this book to readers who like stories that are as much about people as they are about history.
November 14, 2025
Hatfield 1677 is a gripping and deeply human story that completely exceeded my expectations. From the very first chapters, the author pulls you into the harsh, uncertain world of colonial Massachusetts during King Philip’s War, yet the heart of the book is not war itself it’s family, love, sacrifice, and the impossible choices people must make in desperate times.
What makes this novel so compelling is the dual (and sometimes triple) perspective. Benjamin’s journey is full of urgency and raw determination as he risks everything to find his wife and children. His grief, guilt, and relentless hope feel so real that you can’t help but root for him with every mile he travels. Martha’s chapters are equally powerful her strength while caring for her three young daughters in captivity is both heartbreaking and inspiring. She never stops fighting for their safety, physically or emotionally, despite the terror surrounding them.
Another standout aspect is the portrayal of Ashpelon and his people. The author doesn’t reduce anyone to simple labels. Instead, they give the Native characters depth, motives, and humanity, showing the complexities of a conflict where both sides experienced unimaginable loss. This balance alone makes the story feel richer and more meaningful than many historical novels.
The pacing is perfect tense when it needs to be, emotional when the moment calls for it, and always grounded in the reality of the era. The descriptions of wilderness travel, colonial towns, and the brutal conditions of war are vivid without ever feeling overwhelming. You can tell a massive amount of research went into every detail, especially knowing the story is based on the author’s own 9th great-grandparents. That personal connection comes through in the writing; it feels like the author is honoring their family’s legacy with honesty and heart.
By the time I finished, I felt like I’d lived through this journey alongside the characters. It’s rare for a historical novel to be this immersive and this emotionally resonant. Hatfield 1677 is a story of courage, resilience, and unbreakable family bonds the kind of book that stays with you long after you turn the last page. I absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves history brought to life through unforgettable characters and powerful storytelling.
What makes this novel so compelling is the dual (and sometimes triple) perspective. Benjamin’s journey is full of urgency and raw determination as he risks everything to find his wife and children. His grief, guilt, and relentless hope feel so real that you can’t help but root for him with every mile he travels. Martha’s chapters are equally powerful her strength while caring for her three young daughters in captivity is both heartbreaking and inspiring. She never stops fighting for their safety, physically or emotionally, despite the terror surrounding them.
Another standout aspect is the portrayal of Ashpelon and his people. The author doesn’t reduce anyone to simple labels. Instead, they give the Native characters depth, motives, and humanity, showing the complexities of a conflict where both sides experienced unimaginable loss. This balance alone makes the story feel richer and more meaningful than many historical novels.
The pacing is perfect tense when it needs to be, emotional when the moment calls for it, and always grounded in the reality of the era. The descriptions of wilderness travel, colonial towns, and the brutal conditions of war are vivid without ever feeling overwhelming. You can tell a massive amount of research went into every detail, especially knowing the story is based on the author’s own 9th great-grandparents. That personal connection comes through in the writing; it feels like the author is honoring their family’s legacy with honesty and heart.
By the time I finished, I felt like I’d lived through this journey alongside the characters. It’s rare for a historical novel to be this immersive and this emotionally resonant. Hatfield 1677 is a story of courage, resilience, and unbreakable family bonds the kind of book that stays with you long after you turn the last page. I absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves history brought to life through unforgettable characters and powerful storytelling.
September 16, 2025
The principal characters in this book, Benjamin and Martha Waite and a Native Sachem, Ashpelon, were real actors during King Philip’s War. Starting from a strong historical foundation, and using a novel as the vehicle, Laura Rader takes the reader on a harrowing journey to seventeenth century America. King Philip’s War was one of the bloodiest conflicts in early colonial America when European immigrant and Native American cultures collided. The perspectives of both sides are described in the words of the characters. As a result of the war, antagonism between Natives and colonists became sharper and the war had impact beyond the seventeenth century. For example, a play called “Metamora” based on the war and opposing the Indian removal on the trail of tears was popular in the early 1830s. With a fine eye for detail, Rader writes vivid descriptions of people, places and events that a reader’s mind’s eye and senses can easily see and experience. She creates characters who evolve during the story, their realism makes the reader care about them and what happens to them. The care for family which drives the story is universal and easily understood. From the language spoken, to the procedure for loading a musket to making corn husk dolls, caring for the sick, facing starvation and cooking meals, these seventeenth century people and their world are brought to life. I highly recommend this award-winning book!
June 10, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of English and Native conflict, set largely in Massachusetts and New York. The interactions between the English and the Natives are a large part of the story, as each group grows in their understanding of the language and customs of the other culture. However, they are not on even footing, and endure harsh conditions.
The author, Laura Rader, skillfully set us back in 1677 through the use of language, religion, landscape, and geography. While the story is mostly told from the perspectives of two English colonists, there are also chapters written from the perspective of the leader of the Native group. Rader did a nice job of balancing the perspectives in this book even though it is mostly told by English people.
King Philip’s War has become a neglected piece of history, even for those of us raised in Massachusetts, and this book allows us to peek in at one piece of it, enriching our understanding of the time period. It can be difficult to confront the sad truth of the English-Native conflict in colonial America, but it is worth doing so to gain a greater understanding of the foundation of America and all who were a part of it.
I received a free advance copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
The author, Laura Rader, skillfully set us back in 1677 through the use of language, religion, landscape, and geography. While the story is mostly told from the perspectives of two English colonists, there are also chapters written from the perspective of the leader of the Native group. Rader did a nice job of balancing the perspectives in this book even though it is mostly told by English people.
King Philip’s War has become a neglected piece of history, even for those of us raised in Massachusetts, and this book allows us to peek in at one piece of it, enriching our understanding of the time period. It can be difficult to confront the sad truth of the English-Native conflict in colonial America, but it is worth doing so to gain a greater understanding of the foundation of America and all who were a part of it.
I received a free advance copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
August 23, 2024
Hatfield 1677 is a page turner about people who lived in colonial America, including the native people who were here first and the English colonists who came later. The story is narrated by three of the main characters: Ben, a Puritan colonist and military scout, his wife Martha, and Ashpelon, an Algonquian sachem and Martha’s captor. To me, the story itself was suspenseful and often frightening as the Native Americans killed some and captured other people from the Hatfield settlement and forced them to walk all the way to Canada, more than 400 miles. Along the way, the author explored the relationships and tensions between the native Americans and the English. Although the English were captives who were often mistreated, the author offered a sympathetic portrait of the native Americans who were being pushed off their lands and deprived of their way of life. Readers who search deeper may see how the actions and reactions of both sides led to patterns that were repeated over and over again. I was so engaged in reading the story that I didn’t want it to end. For me, that’s an indication that it was an engaging, well-written book.
June 26, 2025
A haunting glimpse into a forgotten corner of American history.
In Hatfield 1677, Nancy Stancill transports readers to colonial Massachusetts with vivid storytelling and immersive historical detail. Set against the backdrop of the real-life raid on the town of Hatfield, the novel follows a young girl’s harrowing journey through captivity, survival, and resilience.
Laura brings the 17th century to life with rich prose and carefully researched facts, weaving fiction and history into a gripping tale of family, loss, and strength. The emotional depth of the characters and the stark reality of frontier life make this more than just a historical novel it’s a powerful story of the human spirit.
This is a must-read for fans of early American history, strong female protagonists, and survival stories that resonate long after the final page.
In Hatfield 1677, Nancy Stancill transports readers to colonial Massachusetts with vivid storytelling and immersive historical detail. Set against the backdrop of the real-life raid on the town of Hatfield, the novel follows a young girl’s harrowing journey through captivity, survival, and resilience.
Laura brings the 17th century to life with rich prose and carefully researched facts, weaving fiction and history into a gripping tale of family, loss, and strength. The emotional depth of the characters and the stark reality of frontier life make this more than just a historical novel it’s a powerful story of the human spirit.
This is a must-read for fans of early American history, strong female protagonists, and survival stories that resonate long after the final page.
March 3, 2024
Have you ever read a novel based on true events and been so blown away by the storytelling, that you had to look up the historical account to learn more?
That is exactly what Laura Rader's "Hatfield" did for me! If only all our history texts were written in the same captivating way, no one would ever accuse the past of being "boring"! Having grown up in Massachusetts, I super appreciated this novel because I feel like I learned so much about an event I knew so little about.
Laura writes with vivid details, and brings to life an immersive setting. "Hatfield" is a story you'll remember long after you reach "the end."
April 2, 2025
Well researched and culturally nuanced saga of a wife's abduction, her husband traveling hundreds of miles to find her, and the Native American man who abducted her. What's even more compelling is that it's inspired by the author's ancestors.
The three POVs work well to create tension between whether the English or the Native Americans are in the wrong. Neither side is outright vilified or glorified. Instead, the focus is on what an incredible journey is made as they battle winter and hunger to travel from Massachusetts to Quebec.
It's action, adventure, romance, and the politics of clashing cultures and nations.
The three POVs work well to create tension between whether the English or the Native Americans are in the wrong. Neither side is outright vilified or glorified. Instead, the focus is on what an incredible journey is made as they battle winter and hunger to travel from Massachusetts to Quebec.
It's action, adventure, romance, and the politics of clashing cultures and nations.
April 3, 2024
A meticulously researched story of one family's experience in Hatfield, Massachusetts colony during the time of the King Phillip's War, told from the perspectives of 3 central characters. Written in a style very accessible to the modern reader, Ms. Rader carefully blends historical fact with narrative fiction, creating a vivid tale of love and war, faith, family and duty, not forsaking the native perspective. Overall, a very enjoyable read!
May 20, 2024
I found this a riveting read. Laura C. Rader has shown her passion for her ancestors and sharing their experiences.
The story is so well told, I was compelled by the characters and their actions and thoughts.
Beautiful book, incredibly well-written. Laura C. Rader is a most talented author and I highly recommend this book.
The story is so well told, I was compelled by the characters and their actions and thoughts.
Beautiful book, incredibly well-written. Laura C. Rader is a most talented author and I highly recommend this book.
June 26, 2024
What a fascinating historical story. There is courage enough to be passed around.
Being strong and courageous is not always easy. How the characters in this book handle the trials and tribulations is inspiring. I loved that we had many characters to follow and they all had their own storylines.
I enjoyed this so much. Once you start, you can't put the book down.
Being strong and courageous is not always easy. How the characters in this book handle the trials and tribulations is inspiring. I loved that we had many characters to follow and they all had their own storylines.
I enjoyed this so much. Once you start, you can't put the book down.
July 17, 2024
Hatfield 1677 is an amazing story because it manages to be a little bit of everything.
The novel buzzes with the energy of numerous adventures, follows multiple characters, and stays true to the history/
Rader's attention to detail is laudable and she brings the story and setting to life. It proceeds at a leisurely pace and historical fiction lovers will find it a worthy read.
The novel buzzes with the energy of numerous adventures, follows multiple characters, and stays true to the history/
Rader's attention to detail is laudable and she brings the story and setting to life. It proceeds at a leisurely pace and historical fiction lovers will find it a worthy read.
July 25, 2024
This story is completely unique and the author's descriptions are beautiful as the author is able to transport us to a different place and time effectively.
Great character development plus excellent dialogue made this a fast read.
Powerful and well done.
Great character development plus excellent dialogue made this a fast read.
Powerful and well done.
December 29, 2024
This book is a winner of the Spotlyts Story Award. (Reference link that will go live on or after 15 January 2025: https://spotlyts.com/2025/01/15/spotl...)
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