What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wicked of the Earth: A Historical Thriller
October, 1650
Traumatised Parliamentarian spy James Archer returns north seeking his sister Meg, missing in the aftermath of Newcastle’s recent witch trials.
Aloof, enigmatic Elizabeth Thompson draws him to investigate the ongoing killing of women who had worked to free the accused.
But when Elizabeth herself becomes hunted, the only chance of escape lies in Archer setting himself as bait.
Set against the backdrop of the greed and brutality of Interregnum England, The Wicked of the Earth is an historical thriller perfect for readers of Andrew Taylor, S J Parris, or C J Sansom.
Traumatised Parliamentarian spy James Archer returns north seeking his sister Meg, missing in the aftermath of Newcastle’s recent witch trials.
Aloof, enigmatic Elizabeth Thompson draws him to investigate the ongoing killing of women who had worked to free the accused.
But when Elizabeth herself becomes hunted, the only chance of escape lies in Archer setting himself as bait.
Set against the backdrop of the greed and brutality of Interregnum England, The Wicked of the Earth is an historical thriller perfect for readers of Andrew Taylor, S J Parris, or C J Sansom.
336 pages, Paperback
Published November 21, 2024
7 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 3, 2024
The Wicked of the Earth is a historical fiction based on fact.
Set 1650 James Archer, a Parliamentarian spy, returns North searching for his sister Meg, missing in the aftermath of Newcatle's witch trials.
I found this a little slow at the start, as there's a lot of information to take in, but when it gets going, it really gets going.
An immersive story of political intrigue that twists and turns.
The book is dedicated to the women who were murdered as "witches."
Thank you, A D Bergin, for the ARC
Set 1650 James Archer, a Parliamentarian spy, returns North searching for his sister Meg, missing in the aftermath of Newcatle's witch trials.
I found this a little slow at the start, as there's a lot of information to take in, but when it gets going, it really gets going.
An immersive story of political intrigue that twists and turns.
The book is dedicated to the women who were murdered as "witches."
Thank you, A D Bergin, for the ARC
January 21, 2025
Took me a while to read this book, it’s so densely packed with characters and action. I’d recommend anyone intending to read it to read about the English Civil War first, especially the murderous campaign in Ireland. If you’re from Newcastle or know it well, you’ll appreciate all the more how the layout of the city added to the sense of fear and foreboding. I’m looking forward to the author’s next book.
November 16, 2025
Just not the book for me. Too many characters. Too political etc Vicky’s November book group choice.
March 16, 2025
For the most part, this isn’t a good book. The writing was overly descriptive in places, lingering for too long over unnecessary details and with a gratuitous use of adverbs. At the same time, it was sparse on the details that mattered, running through a huge cast of characters with little effort made to introduce characters with sufficient detail. This made it a strangely confusing read for a novel in which the plot was so basic. Which brings me to my second critique, despite the potential of the storyline, the plot failed to be gripping or build any pace. Too much of time was spent with the protagonist marching round Newcastle, pushing thoughts of damsels in distress out of his mind as he endlessly went round asking for legal records.
The saving grace of this book is that it is based on the thorough research of a genuinely compelling historical event. It was these glimpses of the horror and intrigue of the real witch trial that kept me reading. Unfortunately, for the most part, the impact of the true story was lost amongst the coming, goings and deaths of the too many two dimensional characters and a frankly bland protagonist.
The saving grace of this book is that it is based on the thorough research of a genuinely compelling historical event. It was these glimpses of the horror and intrigue of the real witch trial that kept me reading. Unfortunately, for the most part, the impact of the true story was lost amongst the coming, goings and deaths of the too many two dimensional characters and a frankly bland protagonist.
January 22, 2026
One of the blurbs at the start of the book says, 'Very much for fans of S.G. MacLean and Andrew Taylor'. Woohoo! I'm in! Most def!
I took it they were referring to MacLean's early seventeenth century hit or miss 'Alexander Seaton', Banffshire set stories, the outstanding 'Damian Seeker', Interregnum period pieces, and Taylor's fantastic Restoration set ’Marwood & Lovett’ series of adventures. So, loving those novels, for the most part (there was one of the Seaton books that I found a bit boring, but overall, one out of sixteen ain't bad, haha!), I was very much looking forward to 'The Wicked of the Earth', given that it had been put on such a pedestal and in with such illustrious company.
But unfortunately, as is often the case with these things, the reality didn't quite live up to the hype. The book wasn't awful, by any stretch of the imagination, but it did start to become more of a chore to pick up and slog through, than give me any form of pleasure, and any enjoyment that I may have derived from the novel, was certainly limited. And particularly limited to the end of the book, when at last, the somewhat confusing, muddled tale, with far too many subsidiary characters, finally became a little clearer.
The story itself is fine, with the plot fundamentals actually reminding me of a seventeenth century 'Get Carter' haha! Where the main protagonist, Ensign James Archer, and his dubious past, returns home to Newcastle, to among other things, ostensibly find his sister (as opposed to his brother in the movie 'Get Carter'). Where on his return to the North East of England, is met with a wall of silence, duplicity, suspicion and treachery.
Unfortunately, the plot is dragged out over a complete age, with many tediously long and wholly unnecessary descriptions, overplayed back stories, which don't really make much sense till later on in the book, and there are some dreadful passages of Archer's nightmares and day hallucinations/visions, harking back to the soldier’s time in Drogheda, Ireland. Now, for as much as I love my historical fiction and Irish history, it's gotta be done properly, and not rely on tedious tropes and clichés, like it does here, when Archer is thinking on his sister, Meg and a 'blue eyed Ulster girl', whom is the culmination of all the victims of Cromwell's atrocities committed during his invasion of Ireland, nice idea, just do it....... better, please! Otherwise it quickly becomes a boring drag and very, very annoying.
However, James Archer's mission to find his sister, was personal. His main commission on his return to Newcastle, on behalf of his bosses at the Government Council in London, was to inquire and report back about the recent witch trials in the city, and their effect on the coal trade.
For as horrific and cruelly unjust, but yet curiously interesting as seventeenth century witch trials are, unless the unfortunate women's stories are told properly, like Naomi Kelsey's 'The Burnings', for the most part, it just becomes a grind, and a bit of a headache.
The plot here, just became far too convoluted and over populated with unnecessary characters. We had the names of over twenty female victims of the egregious Scottish witch 'pricker', Kincaid, not including further victims, murdered for their silence after the fact, or indeed, being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not to mention the other members of Newcastle high society, their servents, watchmen, soldiers and Archer's family, so many names, too many characters. It was really difficult at times keeping track of them all, and just where exactly did some characters, mentioned once or twice, but recurring again after a lengthy absence, fit into the story, quite often finding myself asking, ‘Who’s that again?‘
Also, given the era in which the story was playing out, there was a myriad of factions, sects and religious offshoots from the time. This was actually most welcome, and showed that the author can write a good story, as they fit real life events and groups into the tale. I quite often found myself ’Woohooing’ whenever certain historical figures, groups or events that I’d recently read and learned about in other publications were mentioned or appeared! And the author really threw a spanner in the works and complicated matters even more, when they decided to make Archer a Royalist spy! Ah! But, was he? Honestly, I wouldn't have been surprised if he turned out to be a double, or even a triple agent!
Far too much going on, and the muddled, complicated narrative and era, sometimes didn't clear till the conclusions at the tales tail end.
So, to sum up, not awful, by any means, but a bit over done in places, perhaps the author was trying just a bit too hard. They just needed to calm down a little bit, not get so carried away and should perhaps have just focused on a select few characters. Who knows? But, I'll leave the last words to 'Get Carter’ and Michael Caine’s ‘Jack Carter’, "To me, it's a way of life" **slaps Bryan Mosley's 'Cliff Brumby'** "Now behave yourself!"
I took it they were referring to MacLean's early seventeenth century hit or miss 'Alexander Seaton', Banffshire set stories, the outstanding 'Damian Seeker', Interregnum period pieces, and Taylor's fantastic Restoration set ’Marwood & Lovett’ series of adventures. So, loving those novels, for the most part (there was one of the Seaton books that I found a bit boring, but overall, one out of sixteen ain't bad, haha!), I was very much looking forward to 'The Wicked of the Earth', given that it had been put on such a pedestal and in with such illustrious company.
But unfortunately, as is often the case with these things, the reality didn't quite live up to the hype. The book wasn't awful, by any stretch of the imagination, but it did start to become more of a chore to pick up and slog through, than give me any form of pleasure, and any enjoyment that I may have derived from the novel, was certainly limited. And particularly limited to the end of the book, when at last, the somewhat confusing, muddled tale, with far too many subsidiary characters, finally became a little clearer.
The story itself is fine, with the plot fundamentals actually reminding me of a seventeenth century 'Get Carter' haha! Where the main protagonist, Ensign James Archer, and his dubious past, returns home to Newcastle, to among other things, ostensibly find his sister (as opposed to his brother in the movie 'Get Carter'). Where on his return to the North East of England, is met with a wall of silence, duplicity, suspicion and treachery.
Unfortunately, the plot is dragged out over a complete age, with many tediously long and wholly unnecessary descriptions, overplayed back stories, which don't really make much sense till later on in the book, and there are some dreadful passages of Archer's nightmares and day hallucinations/visions, harking back to the soldier’s time in Drogheda, Ireland. Now, for as much as I love my historical fiction and Irish history, it's gotta be done properly, and not rely on tedious tropes and clichés, like it does here, when Archer is thinking on his sister, Meg and a 'blue eyed Ulster girl', whom is the culmination of all the victims of Cromwell's atrocities committed during his invasion of Ireland, nice idea, just do it....... better, please! Otherwise it quickly becomes a boring drag and very, very annoying.
However, James Archer's mission to find his sister, was personal. His main commission on his return to Newcastle, on behalf of his bosses at the Government Council in London, was to inquire and report back about the recent witch trials in the city, and their effect on the coal trade.
For as horrific and cruelly unjust, but yet curiously interesting as seventeenth century witch trials are, unless the unfortunate women's stories are told properly, like Naomi Kelsey's 'The Burnings', for the most part, it just becomes a grind, and a bit of a headache.
The plot here, just became far too convoluted and over populated with unnecessary characters. We had the names of over twenty female victims of the egregious Scottish witch 'pricker', Kincaid, not including further victims, murdered for their silence after the fact, or indeed, being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not to mention the other members of Newcastle high society, their servents, watchmen, soldiers and Archer's family, so many names, too many characters. It was really difficult at times keeping track of them all, and just where exactly did some characters, mentioned once or twice, but recurring again after a lengthy absence, fit into the story, quite often finding myself asking, ‘Who’s that again?‘
Also, given the era in which the story was playing out, there was a myriad of factions, sects and religious offshoots from the time. This was actually most welcome, and showed that the author can write a good story, as they fit real life events and groups into the tale. I quite often found myself ’Woohooing’ whenever certain historical figures, groups or events that I’d recently read and learned about in other publications were mentioned or appeared! And the author really threw a spanner in the works and complicated matters even more, when they decided to make Archer a Royalist spy! Ah! But, was he? Honestly, I wouldn't have been surprised if he turned out to be a double, or even a triple agent!
Far too much going on, and the muddled, complicated narrative and era, sometimes didn't clear till the conclusions at the tales tail end.
So, to sum up, not awful, by any means, but a bit over done in places, perhaps the author was trying just a bit too hard. They just needed to calm down a little bit, not get so carried away and should perhaps have just focused on a select few characters. Who knows? But, I'll leave the last words to 'Get Carter’ and Michael Caine’s ‘Jack Carter’, "To me, it's a way of life" **slaps Bryan Mosley's 'Cliff Brumby'** "Now behave yourself!"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2024
The plot is essentially one of the hero’s quest. Our hero James Archer is a curious man, a flawed man with a chequered past. A man we want to get behind, but one whom there will be persistent doubts about his loyalty. Sent up to Newcastle, his native landscape, to report on problems of trade and a recent witch trial, he makes it his personal quest to track down his sister who has disappeared. She was caught up in the witch trial but is believed to be acquitted and has gone into hiding. Archer’s almost police procedural investigation into the trial will pit him against formidable enemies in his search for the truth and the whereabouts of his sister.
Setting the story after the witch trials and executions (records of them are scant so speculation has been avoided) allows for motivations to be examined in depth. There was a kind of public mass hysteria with many witch hunts at the time, but this one hints at darker forces at play, as a means to an end. At a time of switching loyalties this is played to perfection with Archer getting to the stage where he can barely trust or believe anyone. The research shows a striving for authenticity and the work of the Scottish ‘pricker’ Kincaid described, but without sensationalism creeping in. This is very much a respectful tribute to a group of brutally wronged women.
The author has done a brilliant job in creating a broad canvas of 1650 Newcastle with its grim, dirty narrow chares (streets) an un-sanitised view unlike period TV productions. This has been done by the skilful but sparing use of suitable words and phrases, some we are aware of but are not in common usage like night soil, which leaves little to the imagination, whilst others such as postern gate leave a legacy on our streets that is given little thought now. The reader gets a real flavour of the town, albeit a somewhat unpalatable one at times, with the castle keep and dungeons bringing out the macabre.
The pose can be a little bit dense it times, as characters scheme and hide their intent, but is always enjoyable and accessible. The vocabulary and speech patterns of the Seventeenth Century have eschewed, with local flavour provided by the occasional dialect word, which this works perfectly. This is a novel that will grab readers and they will race through it with keen anticipation.
These were brutal times, where life held little value for many and this is made clear in the story, with what little law provided by the city watch. Money and influence held sway, I guess little really changes. Brutal days are reflected by regular injections of violence in the storyline, nothing too visceral or gratuitous, merely reflecting the times and at times you do not see it coming. This is a much deeper novel than the standard action thriller, but the fight scenes are well written and quite gripping.
Setting the story after the witch trials and executions (records of them are scant so speculation has been avoided) allows for motivations to be examined in depth. There was a kind of public mass hysteria with many witch hunts at the time, but this one hints at darker forces at play, as a means to an end. At a time of switching loyalties this is played to perfection with Archer getting to the stage where he can barely trust or believe anyone. The research shows a striving for authenticity and the work of the Scottish ‘pricker’ Kincaid described, but without sensationalism creeping in. This is very much a respectful tribute to a group of brutally wronged women.
The author has done a brilliant job in creating a broad canvas of 1650 Newcastle with its grim, dirty narrow chares (streets) an un-sanitised view unlike period TV productions. This has been done by the skilful but sparing use of suitable words and phrases, some we are aware of but are not in common usage like night soil, which leaves little to the imagination, whilst others such as postern gate leave a legacy on our streets that is given little thought now. The reader gets a real flavour of the town, albeit a somewhat unpalatable one at times, with the castle keep and dungeons bringing out the macabre.
The pose can be a little bit dense it times, as characters scheme and hide their intent, but is always enjoyable and accessible. The vocabulary and speech patterns of the Seventeenth Century have eschewed, with local flavour provided by the occasional dialect word, which this works perfectly. This is a novel that will grab readers and they will race through it with keen anticipation.
These were brutal times, where life held little value for many and this is made clear in the story, with what little law provided by the city watch. Money and influence held sway, I guess little really changes. Brutal days are reflected by regular injections of violence in the storyline, nothing too visceral or gratuitous, merely reflecting the times and at times you do not see it coming. This is a much deeper novel than the standard action thriller, but the fight scenes are well written and quite gripping.
November 21, 2024
“The Wicked of the Earth” is set against the backdrop of the greed and brutality of Interregnum England, predominantly in Newcastle. Sixteen dead upon the scaffold. Five murdered in the streets. One damaged man to avenge them. The ultimate historical fiction novel revealing the deadly conspiracy behind the 1649-50 Newcastle witch trials and a story about the brave women who dared to fight back. This is the largest number of people executed for “witchcraft” on any one day in English history.
For a debut book, this was undeniably well written and has more than done the ‘accused’ justice and will hopefully highlight this lesser known tragedy and the women (and one man) who were murdered.
Several factors led to the witch trials - the civil wars, social fragmentation and religious unease amongst others. And with the use of a Scottish scam ‘witch finder’ who pricked women till they either bled or didn’t, numerous innocent women were sent to their brutal death. The largest and most corrupt ever recorded, this is the story of the few who escaped the noose and showed an intransigent strength to fight back.
The author A.D. Bergin, is well placed to write a novel of this capacity of historical data and research, living and breathing in the North East air. Having a passion for history running through his blood, which led to a Cambridge University first class degree in History and subsequently related jobs, enabled him to write a novel to rival some top notch authors. I’m also convinced the author is older than he appears - he must be at least 450 years old and lived through the mid 17th century! The comprehensive descriptions and the detailed ambience were so authentic and realistic, it was impossible not to place yourself in the atmospheric coal-trading quayside town, with its narrow lanes, four story wooden buildings and tall trading ships.
Reading as much as a history book as a thriller, this book was so much more for me, living locally to Newcastle. Even though I knew of these trials, I still felt the need to google the odd thing - the 1636 plague, Newgate Prison and the various family names mentioned who still mean something in the North East today. I’m now more determined than ever to visit the churchyard of St Andrew’s church where the victims are rumoured to be buried.
I would personally say you do need some history interest to read this book as it’s as much a history retelling, as a historical thriller but this suited me fine and I highly recommend this powerful and poignant book to fellow readers too.
#TheWickedOfTheEarth - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For a debut book, this was undeniably well written and has more than done the ‘accused’ justice and will hopefully highlight this lesser known tragedy and the women (and one man) who were murdered.
Several factors led to the witch trials - the civil wars, social fragmentation and religious unease amongst others. And with the use of a Scottish scam ‘witch finder’ who pricked women till they either bled or didn’t, numerous innocent women were sent to their brutal death. The largest and most corrupt ever recorded, this is the story of the few who escaped the noose and showed an intransigent strength to fight back.
The author A.D. Bergin, is well placed to write a novel of this capacity of historical data and research, living and breathing in the North East air. Having a passion for history running through his blood, which led to a Cambridge University first class degree in History and subsequently related jobs, enabled him to write a novel to rival some top notch authors. I’m also convinced the author is older than he appears - he must be at least 450 years old and lived through the mid 17th century! The comprehensive descriptions and the detailed ambience were so authentic and realistic, it was impossible not to place yourself in the atmospheric coal-trading quayside town, with its narrow lanes, four story wooden buildings and tall trading ships.
Reading as much as a history book as a thriller, this book was so much more for me, living locally to Newcastle. Even though I knew of these trials, I still felt the need to google the odd thing - the 1636 plague, Newgate Prison and the various family names mentioned who still mean something in the North East today. I’m now more determined than ever to visit the churchyard of St Andrew’s church where the victims are rumoured to be buried.
I would personally say you do need some history interest to read this book as it’s as much a history retelling, as a historical thriller but this suited me fine and I highly recommend this powerful and poignant book to fellow readers too.
#TheWickedOfTheEarth - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 3, 2024
I’ve read a few books about witch trials but mostly books looking at what happened in Scotland. The Wicked of the Earth piqued my interest as it is set around the time of the Newcastle Witch trials in the mid 17th century. I’m not really familiar with these particular witch trials and their aftermath so this book was enlightening. I was appalled as always at the inhumanity shown to the accused women. Bergin has taken the known facts of the witch trials and woven the stories of the women into this fictional account of what might have happened.
Ensign James Archer, the central character, was a deeply troubled soul. He was a government spy although had been forced into this against his will. At heart he was a good person and loving to his family. I admired his determination to get to the truth of what had happened not just so he could find his sister but also to get some kind of justice for the other accused women. What he uncovered was corruption, violence and wrong-doing on a grand scale.
The setting was incredibly detailed. I almost felt as though I was walking the streets and alleyways of Newcastle alongside Archer, experiencing the same dirt, darkness and stench. Bergin’s descriptions were so authentic and realistic, creating an atmospheric air of menace and danger.
The Wicked of the Earth is an impressive debut novel from A D Bergin whose extensive research has fed into his writing, resulting in this richly detailed read. Alongside the mystery of what happened to Archer’s sister, we read about so many courageous women. Although this is a much darker book than I normally read, I found it compelling and was gripped to the last pages. A must-read for fans of historic fiction, particularly those with an interest in the injustices carried out during the witch trials.
4.5* - rounded up
Ensign James Archer, the central character, was a deeply troubled soul. He was a government spy although had been forced into this against his will. At heart he was a good person and loving to his family. I admired his determination to get to the truth of what had happened not just so he could find his sister but also to get some kind of justice for the other accused women. What he uncovered was corruption, violence and wrong-doing on a grand scale.
The setting was incredibly detailed. I almost felt as though I was walking the streets and alleyways of Newcastle alongside Archer, experiencing the same dirt, darkness and stench. Bergin’s descriptions were so authentic and realistic, creating an atmospheric air of menace and danger.
The Wicked of the Earth is an impressive debut novel from A D Bergin whose extensive research has fed into his writing, resulting in this richly detailed read. Alongside the mystery of what happened to Archer’s sister, we read about so many courageous women. Although this is a much darker book than I normally read, I found it compelling and was gripped to the last pages. A must-read for fans of historic fiction, particularly those with an interest in the injustices carried out during the witch trials.
4.5* - rounded up
November 22, 2024
How do you encapsulate such a fantastic story? Not at all easily!
I’m a native of Newcastle so as well as the story, which I found I had to keep stopping so that I could take in the information the author had given, I was looking up streets and markets that I wasn’t aware of.
This story took me through so many emotions that it was hard to keep up and I will at some point read this again.
I was aware that there were Newcastle Witch Trials from books and interviews with Helen Steadman. Before this it was never mentioned, which I found shocking and shameful that this was buried alongside the poor souls it affected.
I found this an incredibly plausible explanation for the witch trials and would have solved a lot of problems for powerful men and those who wanted to keep hold of power in the area at the time.
I loved the character of James Archer. He was tenacious, intelligent, kind and determined whatever happened to get to the truth. The other thing that was perfect were the dialects of the Newcastle and the Scots, but also the people known as the Hill people. Brilliant.
There were many twists and turns in this book and it was so cleverly written. If you enjoy a historical fiction book that is exceptional and is based upon some real events, I highly recommend this amazing book. You will not be disappointed that you read it. This is going to be huge.
With thanks to Northodox Press and Andy Bergin for sending me an advanced reading copy of this very special book.
I’m a native of Newcastle so as well as the story, which I found I had to keep stopping so that I could take in the information the author had given, I was looking up streets and markets that I wasn’t aware of.
This story took me through so many emotions that it was hard to keep up and I will at some point read this again.
I was aware that there were Newcastle Witch Trials from books and interviews with Helen Steadman. Before this it was never mentioned, which I found shocking and shameful that this was buried alongside the poor souls it affected.
I found this an incredibly plausible explanation for the witch trials and would have solved a lot of problems for powerful men and those who wanted to keep hold of power in the area at the time.
I loved the character of James Archer. He was tenacious, intelligent, kind and determined whatever happened to get to the truth. The other thing that was perfect were the dialects of the Newcastle and the Scots, but also the people known as the Hill people. Brilliant.
There were many twists and turns in this book and it was so cleverly written. If you enjoy a historical fiction book that is exceptional and is based upon some real events, I highly recommend this amazing book. You will not be disappointed that you read it. This is going to be huge.
With thanks to Northodox Press and Andy Bergin for sending me an advanced reading copy of this very special book.
February 21, 2025
This novel wonderfully conjures an immersive sense of being inside seventeenth century Newcastle. It captures the traumas and complications of what living during Cromwell’s Protectorate must have been like. There is a strong sense of all the locations in which the action is set. Most of the story takes place in Newcastle where the details and descriptions build a claustrophobic sense of being dangerously trapped in a walled city, breathing in coal dust and commercial river pollution, and caught between the intrigue webs of the various powerful families.
The plot is complex, building expectations, action, mystery and quests. The characters are memorable, realistic and mostly sympathetic. The traumatic effects of the recent war and the current regime are evident in them all. Archer, the hero, is troubled and flawed, but with enough innate goodness to make him easy to root for as he unearths secrets, defends himself and others, and takes on an increasing number of challenges.
The seventeenth century is one of the most interesting periods of British history to me. It makes a great setting for a detective series. I’m looking forward to reading more of James Archer’s adventures.
The plot is complex, building expectations, action, mystery and quests. The characters are memorable, realistic and mostly sympathetic. The traumatic effects of the recent war and the current regime are evident in them all. Archer, the hero, is troubled and flawed, but with enough innate goodness to make him easy to root for as he unearths secrets, defends himself and others, and takes on an increasing number of challenges.
The seventeenth century is one of the most interesting periods of British history to me. It makes a great setting for a detective series. I’m looking forward to reading more of James Archer’s adventures.
March 23, 2025
The Wicked of the Earth is a gripping and dark novel that explores the true story of the Newcastle witch trials, the damage they inflict, and those who seek to benefit from them. Part "whodunnit" mystery, part "whydunnit" conspiracy thriller, we see the good and bad of Newcastle's 1650s society through the eyes of a veteran soldier with conflicted loyalties.
Historical detail seeps from the pages of this book, not just in the evocative details (the memories of atrocities committed in Drogheda are particularly haunting), but in the attitudes and words of the characters. Religion structures their world, and their social interactions are built on a system of trust that the book shows to be deeply uneasy and liable to abuse. There is a gritty realness to the story, with a satisfyingly powerful ending. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys authentic historical fiction, or dark mystery thrillers.
Historical detail seeps from the pages of this book, not just in the evocative details (the memories of atrocities committed in Drogheda are particularly haunting), but in the attitudes and words of the characters. Religion structures their world, and their social interactions are built on a system of trust that the book shows to be deeply uneasy and liable to abuse. There is a gritty realness to the story, with a satisfyingly powerful ending. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys authentic historical fiction, or dark mystery thrillers.
March 31, 2025
My friend Andrew has written a cracking novel. The English Civil Wars have left a fragile and changing world. The scarred and weary inhabitants of Newcastle Upon Tyne enlist a Scottish "Pricker" to rid themselves of the witches who shamelessly defy god.
Many are accused, and many hang despite their protestations. The town settles into an uneasy peace. And then, from London, rides a man determined to understand why his sister was accused and whether she yet lives.
Stories about the witch trials usually focus on the immediate horror - this is a superb look at the aftermath. Why do people turn on each other? What secrets will men murder for? How deep does guilt run?
It's a tangled tale, with a large dash of historial research to flesh it out. There's a lot of local slang to work through (another advantage of having an eReader with a comprehensive dictionary!) and some frenetic swordplay. It is bloody and gruesome without being excessive.
Many are accused, and many hang despite their protestations. The town settles into an uneasy peace. And then, from London, rides a man determined to understand why his sister was accused and whether she yet lives.
Stories about the witch trials usually focus on the immediate horror - this is a superb look at the aftermath. Why do people turn on each other? What secrets will men murder for? How deep does guilt run?
It's a tangled tale, with a large dash of historial research to flesh it out. There's a lot of local slang to work through (another advantage of having an eReader with a comprehensive dictionary!) and some frenetic swordplay. It is bloody and gruesome without being excessive.
May 4, 2025
A considerable achievement for a first novel, making good use of a very unpleasant interlude in English history, when a nasty combination of Puritanism and misogyny resulted in the deaths of 20 women in Berwick and a few less in Newcastle. We live in Berwick, and the towns and villages of Northumberland are familiar. So too are the dramatically steep and twisty mediaeval chares, wynds and vennels of Newcastle. The coal trade was of vital importance to London, and the ruthless dominance of a few families is well told. So too is the dislocation, divisiveness and chaos of civil war. I remember seeing Newcastle Quayside for the first time in the 1970s and it was scary then, in a way that it no longer is. The menace the author describes was easy to imagine but he has the usual thriller writer’s problem of making the many fights and assaults credible and interesting. I also found it difficult to keep track of all the characters; a dramatis personae would have helped.
November 21, 2025
I think this book is a case in that well-researched does not walk hand in hand with being a good story. There’s clearly a lot of care taken with the historical accuracy and the attention to detail in that regard is infinite. There’s a lot of sensory information alongside some familiar locations as well as common reactions to the events happening at the time.
However, the book is bogged down when it comes to both the plot and the characters with the plot becoming mired in every possible obstacle and the characters being plentiful and meaningless in their relevance. I couldn’t keep track of whose motivations were what and even who people were after a time.
It’s a debut so I’m hopeful for improvement in the future, but this didn’t land for me.
However, the book is bogged down when it comes to both the plot and the characters with the plot becoming mired in every possible obstacle and the characters being plentiful and meaningless in their relevance. I couldn’t keep track of whose motivations were what and even who people were after a time.
It’s a debut so I’m hopeful for improvement in the future, but this didn’t land for me.
November 26, 2024
From the very first page the author immerses readers into 17th-century life. I love this period of history and found the aftermath of the Newcastle witch trials (that Archer is sent to investigate) fascinating.
This book was a very atmospheric read and the book has clearly been meticulously researched and closely based on actual places and events. There is so much historical detail included!
I found the plot a little slow at first but I was keen to find out who was behind the witch trials and what had happened to Archer's sister Meg.
Overall this was a well written and immersive story that I'm sure fans of historical fiction will enjoy.
This book was a very atmospheric read and the book has clearly been meticulously researched and closely based on actual places and events. There is so much historical detail included!
I found the plot a little slow at first but I was keen to find out who was behind the witch trials and what had happened to Archer's sister Meg.
Overall this was a well written and immersive story that I'm sure fans of historical fiction will enjoy.
March 15, 2025
You can tell this book has been written by someone who knows their history, the details shine through each page.
Sadly my A-level English Civil War history is a bit rusty so I was dredging up names & organisations from the depths of my brain.
However, that's not the fault of A. D. Bergin who creates a believable, functioning version of historical Newcastle Upon Tyne complete with an overly-powerful church, greedy politicians and witch trials.
When you get towards the end of the book (no spoilers) and the pieces start to fall into place it's very rewarding.
Sadly my A-level English Civil War history is a bit rusty so I was dredging up names & organisations from the depths of my brain.
However, that's not the fault of A. D. Bergin who creates a believable, functioning version of historical Newcastle Upon Tyne complete with an overly-powerful church, greedy politicians and witch trials.
When you get towards the end of the book (no spoilers) and the pieces start to fall into place it's very rewarding.
July 21, 2025
I was hoping this would grab me and feel something like a Shardlake story or have a similar vibe to Pillars of the Earth. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t hit in the same way.
Impressive for a first novel, I’d probably try any others he writes. I didn’t really enjoy any of the characters, and I felt that while the plot was interesting (especially as it’s based on true events), it was lacking something either in scale or depth to keep the pages turning.
That said, it was an easy read, and I’d probably recommend it to fans of historical fiction looking for something new to try.
Impressive for a first novel, I’d probably try any others he writes. I didn’t really enjoy any of the characters, and I felt that while the plot was interesting (especially as it’s based on true events), it was lacking something either in scale or depth to keep the pages turning.
That said, it was an easy read, and I’d probably recommend it to fans of historical fiction looking for something new to try.
March 31, 2025
This deftly-plotted novel based on a historic 17th century witch-burning is a compelling read. The action keeps coming as the protagonist gradually uncovers the truth. The backdrop reminds us that the military-industrial complex started in this period, Newcastle coals feeling like one of the characters.
December 10, 2025
This historical thriller follows Parliamentary Spy James Arthur, who travels back home to search for his sister who's gone missing in the aftermath of the Witch Trials. Unfortunately, Arthur is caught up in the city's corruption and struggles to find the answers he needs. I was disappointed by this book as I felt it had so much potential but at times was very hard to follow and not engaging.
December 29, 2025
I really wanted to like this because I was really interested in the concept and was looking forward to reading a book set in the North East, but my GOD this was the most boring book I’ve read in ages. It was 335 pages of men going to each other’s houses and talking in circles. Yawn.
March 19, 2025
An atmospheric mystery set in the years after the English Civil War. As the various factions struggle for supremacy, innocent women pay the price. A compelling and moving story.
April 14, 2025
This wasn’t for me unfortunately.
August 10, 2025
A bit boring..
September 6, 2025
Slow burn, incredibly worth it.
November 23, 2025
Slow burn and quite dense at first, but beautifully written and definitely worth it - and that ending!
December 16, 2025
Fascinating, dense historical fiction, I loved the Drogheda detail and the haunted main character.
March 22, 2025
Wow! What a fantastic debut novel, amazing atmosphere and characters and what an ending! Loved it.
August 19, 2025
From the word go you are there in the dark winding streets and alleys of mid 17th C Newcastle, the chase is on. And this is the underlying pace of the book whether it is the quest of James Archer, appointed by the Commonwealth to root out opposition or his own personal quest to find out the truth about the trial of 30 women tried for witchcraft, one of whom was his sister, or the campaign of his enemies to neutralise the government man. Is Archer a pawn in this game of double dealing actors or can he exert some agency and keep his life and perhaps that of his sister?
Bergin’s Newcastle is alive and witness to the events which have torn the country apart and we see the consequences at close quarters. It feels the damage which has been made physically in war and watches how men continue to use brute force to reassert their monopolies. And women are victims of the fears, suspicions and rivalries which run rampant.
The whole question of the roots of accusations witchcraft is explored convincingly but with subtlety and female protagonists demonstrates that the women were far from powerless and they do not go quietly.
An exceptional read combining the real feel of the times with strong and compelling plot lines - and no simple resolutions.
Bergin’s Newcastle is alive and witness to the events which have torn the country apart and we see the consequences at close quarters. It feels the damage which has been made physically in war and watches how men continue to use brute force to reassert their monopolies. And women are victims of the fears, suspicions and rivalries which run rampant.
The whole question of the roots of accusations witchcraft is explored convincingly but with subtlety and female protagonists demonstrates that the women were far from powerless and they do not go quietly.
An exceptional read combining the real feel of the times with strong and compelling plot lines - and no simple resolutions.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews