This Work of Darkness: A Gripping Tale of Witchcraft, Betrayal, and Survival in 1692 Salem

by Lucretia Grindle

SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, 1692
Accused once. Condemned again. This time, she must find her strength—or face the gallows.

Four years ago, Resolve Hammond lost everything when whispers of witchcraft tore her life apart. Her family. Her home. Her future. Now, living quietly in Salem’s prosperous harbor town, she thought she’d escaped the past.

She was wrong.

As fear tightens its grip on Salem, the whispers begin again. Girls scream and point fingers. Neighbors turn on neighbors. Friends become enemies. Resolve must summon a strength she didn’t know she possessed to protect those she loves. But survival comes at a cost—and the courage to fight may destroy her.

Richly atmospheric and inspired by true events, This Work of Darkness is a haunting tale of resilience, betrayal, and the enduring power of a woman’s will to survive.

Praise for Lucretia
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Masterfully crafted and deeply moving—Grindle’s storytelling grips you from the first line.” –Goodreads Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A brilliantly written tale of courage, fear, and human connection. Truly unforgettable.” –Netgalley Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “If you loved The Crucible, this book will captivate you. Vivid, emotional, and utterly gripping.” –Netgalley Review

Perfect for readers of literary historical fiction and fans of strong, unforgettable heroines, This Work of Darknessbrings the harrowing days of the Salem Witch Trials to life with vivid detail and emotional depth.

Genres: Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction

410 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2025

About the author

Lucretia Grindle was born in Boston Massachusetts and grew up spending half her time in the United States and half her time in the UK. Continuing as she started out, she still splits her time, but now calls the coast of Maine home.

Reviews

[Destiny Imperati · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ✨️

☆Unforgettable story♡

I was able to read this book in one sitting. I was so happy that you're able to read this as a standalone because I haven't read the first book yet. I'm planning on reading it asap! I've always loved Salem and learning about the Witch Trials, so this was a very special book to me. The author has some terrific writing🙌

The main character was superb. The challenges she faced were purely unimaginable. I wish I could give this story infinite stars. It definitely deserves them!

Thanks so much to the author and Book Whisperer for the ARC!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great sequel. The complexity of the characters made all the events worth reading about.

There were a lot of typos in the kindle version I downloaded through Kindle Unlimited. A surprising amount of typos.
Although I really like the ending- it feels like a good place to end things- I feel like there are still quite a few question I have and loose ends that could have been tied up.

[Dana K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Book Whisperer and Casa Croce Press for gifted access via NetGalley. All opinions below are my own.

I love historical fiction set in colonial America. The Salem witch trials always make for compelling reading. This story takes place in a small suburb of Salem where Resolve is living with a wealthy merchant family. There is a first book of this series which I did not read, but I don't think you need to, we get pieces of her backstory as this novel progresses. The accusations of others scares Resolve but they are all mostly peripherally related to her until she crosses the wrong person. The fervor grows closer and closer and she is forced to face the realities of a trial.

Resolve was a bit of a modern woman set in this antiquated time. She did not closely follow religion, had lived with the natives and certainly had opinions. Several times she makes dangerous choices to help others at the risk of her own safety. This story is more about the ripples on the pond of the trials and the accusations than being in the actual trials themselves but it definitely gives you an emotional view of what it was like to live in the time.

Read this one if you liked Hour of the Witch.

[Debbie Viscosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Salem witchcraft trials are not the usual type of historical fiction. Lucretia Grindle breathes life into a topic that seems cut and dried. Resolve Hammond is living in Salem. Her family co-owned a store with Phillip and Mary English. Resolve is a Puritan name, taken to fit in with society. Her mother is deceased and her father is busy with the business of supplying the store. Resolve works in the store and lives with the English family. In her twenty years of life she has lived with an Indian community and now with Puritans. Life in the colonies is ever-changing.

Ann Carr Putnam is a customer at the store. A dispute will put the Putnams against the English and Hammond families. Young girls are claiming to be bewitched. Before this can spread, the elders of the community must determine the cause. Resolve wants to see what the girls are doing to be declared bewitched. Her interest could be viewed as satanic. The witch fascination spreads. A request for help is sent to Cotton Mather. He can recognize witches and will help discern those who have lost their souls to the devil. Resolve is well-known by shop customers. Can she maintain her innocence given the fever gripping the town?

This coverage is very well written and researched. While facts are known about the trials, Grindle gives the reader more than dates and names. Her descriptions of the store, clothing, food, and people make this era come to life. The dialogue explains how and why people became so wrapped up in the madness of the time. Resolve is intelligent and walks a fine line in the Puritan community. As a character, she is someone you understand and want to succeed. Lucretia Grindle shows how group hysteria can overwhelm and envelop a community. This is an excellent historical, psychological thriller that history buffs and horror fans alike will enjoy.

[Eunice R · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart was in my throat the whole way through this book. It is not for the faint-hearted reader! I wanted to tell my mind that this is only fiction. However, much of the narrative was based on true, historical events. That is, the witch hunts in Salem Village, and Salem, Massechusetts (1692-1693), with many of the trials held in Boston.

Superstitious Puritans lost reason and hunted down supposed witches on the say-so of very young girls they termed, 'the afflicted'. Afflicted, that is, by 'witches'. The story centers around Resolve Hammond, the Englishes, Ned Morrill, Abigail Hobbs, Mercy Lewis, the Putnams and others.

I found the author of This Work of Darkness to be very masterful, as despite it taking me time to read through the story, it strongly held my attention when I was reading. I'd definitely say it's a page turner that could keep a reader up all night in suspense of what would happen next. Those happenings with twists, turns and plots that galvanize the reader to the next page.

Truly a very worthwhile read in my opinion. I give this author a 5 Star rating and thumbs up! I hope to read more of her work in the future.

~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

January 2025

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by Net Galley and the publisher.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second novel in her Salem Witch Trials trilogy, Lucretia Grindle brings readers back to Salem in 1692 where Resolve Hammond is trying to rebuild her life after she was accused of witchcraft four years ago, but the dramatic events in Salem and the possession of local girls might just cost her her life. With her sanctuary at the Englishs’ home in Salem Harbor not enough to protect her, Resolve and her friends must survive this hysteria and these new accusations before they too end up arrested, questioned, and killed. With incredible historical detail and visceral emotional and psychological stakes, Grindle’s sequel is as powerful and moving as the first book in the trilogy. Resolve’s individual development and reactions to the trials is particularly fascinating to follow because so much is happening and the events in Salem are so infamous. With a host of new characters and familiar historical figures featured in this brilliant, compelling, and immersive novel, readers will be drawn into this novel and the high stakes that Resolve faces. Intense, emotional, and gripping, readers will struggle to look away from this book and the events of the Salem Witch Trials as experienced by Resolve and her friends.

Thanks to NetGalley, Book Whisperer, and Casa Croce Press for the advance copy.

[PJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was transfixed by this novel from the first page to the last. I didn't want the story to end! Told in the first person by Resolve, a young woman in 1600s New England, I felt she was relatable even today. Strong, level headed, thoughtful and kind, she had suffered a hard past which was explained briefly in this second book. I had not read the first one, which I most certainly will do now, but I didn't feel like I missed anything, because her story from this point on is a cracking good one.

As Resolve and the other characters navigate the strange and horrible mine field that we know as the Salem witch hunts and trials, it hardly seems real that this period of time existed in history. The latter part of the book is gripping and tense. I appreciate the author offering enough detail to make you feel as though you are present in the time period, yet not so much detail as to bog it down. Highly recommended.

I am grateful to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a well written historical fiction and this one hits the spot. Set at the end of the 17th century in Salem at the time of the witch trials, this is a captivating novel that really brings to life the events that unfolded at the time. As the protagonist, Resolve brings a very interesting lens given her history and status in society. The characters are multidimensional, the prose is beautiful and evocative and there is the right amount of suspense and mystery. The degree of research is clearly evident in the writing which I believe is such an important part of writing a good historical fiction novel.

I read this without having read the first book in the series and didn't find many issues with broadly catching up with what had happened with Resolve's flashbacks. However not that I know there is a first book, I'll be putting that on my to read list.

***

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea this was part of a trilogy, but I’m hooked and definitely want to explore more of the series! That said, the novel can be read as a standalone, so you won’t feel lost if you jump in here first.

Set during the Salem Witch Trials, this book is gripping, atmospheric, and meticulously researched. Resolve Hammond is a character you can’t help but root for.

The historical detail is incredible, capturing the paranoia, desperation, and cold realities of the time while weaving in a supernatural thread that adds even more tension. The story balances the fictional and historical elements beautifully, making it immersive and thought-provoking.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader copy. If you’re a fan of historical fiction with strong female leads, dark settings, and a touch of mysticism, this book is worth your time.

[Maria-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Work of Darkness by Lucretia Grindle second book in the series
I had a challenging time getting into this book because I could not understand the connection between Resolve and the native population. This became clearer as I continued reading. I did not realize it was the second book in the series which would have been a tremendous help if I read the first book prior to the second one. Once I cleared the cobwebs, I enjoyed the story and was fascinated by what was happening. It is terrifying how paranoia can reduce humans to turn in their neighbors to be jailed and executed. How religion was used to condemn these poor souls. I am determined to read the first book in the series and hope to get the third one when it becomes published

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second installment in Grindel's Salem Witch series delivers a faster-paced, more intense dive into the Salem Witch Trials. While the first book laid the groundwork, this sequel wastes no time ramping up the tension and stakes.

Our protagonist Resolve shows marked growth, facing increasingly difficult choices as hysteria grips colonial Massachusetts. The author skillfully balances historical detail with rapid plotting, creating an engaging thriller that's hard to put down.

The mounting paranoia of the period comes alive through sharp writing and authentic period details. This makes for a quick yet satisfying read that surpasses its predecessor in both pacing and intensity.

*Recommended for fans of historical thrillers and witch trials*

[Christine Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, I would like to thank Lucretia Grindle for providing me with an ARC of This Work of Darkness. Being immersed in 17th-century Salem Massachusetts was just what I needed to escape the insanity of the holiday season.
A key highlight of This Work of Darkness lies in Grindle’s masterful weaving of historical figures and events with her compelling fictional characters. This is historical fiction at its finest.
While the complete truth of the Salem Witch Trials may forever remain shrouded in mystery, Grindle’s exploration of the social and psychological factors that fueled the accusations was particularly insightful and entertaining.
Find my complete review at HauntedMTL
https://hauntedmtl.com/horror-in-prin...

[Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Work of Darkness by Lucretia Grindle
3.5/5 stars

FYI:
Salem Witches
Historical fiction
First Person PoV
2nd book

Overall: Ok opinions. I read book 1 and thoroughly enjoyed it, literally devoured it within a matter of days. Now, given the first book was so brilliant did that then pave the way and make me think book 2 was equally as good? I’m gonna say yes, and I set myself up for a fantastic book, and don’t get me wrong this book was good, but it wasn’t quite book 1. There is terrific writing and the author really is amazing with these stories, and I highly recommend both books but the differences were clear differences and I should not have gone in expecting them to be identical. I would definitely recommend this book, but go in with a clear head.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping and suspenseful

Much like the first book in the series, this one is a slow burn, but once the fuse is lit, you cannot put it down. The amount of attention paid to details of time and place is incredible and pulls you fully into the setting. The characters have become friends and you become deeply invested in them. The historical details of the Salem witch trials are skillfully woven in with the author’s original characters and material, and for the last half of the book I stayed up super late to finish because I had to see what would happen. Highly recommend.

There are a few occasional proofreading and editing mistakes, but they did not take away from my enjoyment of this series.

[Victoria Baldin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Work of Darkness by Lucretia Grindle

The Works of Darkness is Book Two in The Salem Serious. This book starts in December 1691 in Salem Massachusetts, just before hysteria of the Salem Witch trials.

Here we learn more about Resolve Hammond, she is now twenty years old and runs the shop for Mary English, a distant relative.

If you enjoyed reading The Crucible by Arthur Miller at school, you are going to love this book. All the characters in the play are in this book as they were real people that lived in that time.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Book Whisperer for a copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review.

[Terri Minton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this book as well as the first. It picks up where the other left off and covers the period of the witch hunts and trials.Resolve makes too many dumb and careless decisions in it though. I do like how it uses actual people from the time period. I'll have to read more about them. It definitely needs more editorial work though as there were multiple occasions where words were left out of sentences or extra words were put in. It happened enough to be distracting. It needs a 3rd book to tie up the multiple loose ends but I'm disappointed that all I'm seeing says there isn't a 3rd book planned at this point. I hope I'm wrong about that.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good!!! I loved the atmospheric ambience of the whole novel, thanks to the excellent characterisation and writing!! Once I started reading it was difficult to put the book down! I have not read (yet) the first book, however this novel can be read as a standalone book. The story is poignant (based on real people and events) pointing out the ignorance of people as well as the outrage of colonisation and much more still... Highly recommended!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Salem series. It’s set in Salem in 1692, and is based on true events. This is a haunting and atmospheric book set against the backdrop of a brutally cold winter. The writing is sharp and captures the tension of a community trapped not only by the brutal weather but its own escalating paranoia. Resolve once escaped a past full of brutality and fear; now, she must face the present filled with condemnation, bitterness, and spite. A great read! Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author, for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't realise that this was part of a trilogy but now I will investigate more.
This wasn't an easy read and I really hard to concentrate on the people involved and their backstories, I did have a little note next to me to make notes. This book was incredibly well researched. I decided to take a chance on this book as this genre is not my usual but it worked and I think I might investigate more.
Normally I can read a book in one sitting but because of the complexity of the book I had to take time to read it and think about the characters and how it all fitted together.

[Denise Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the most riveting historical fiction titles I’ve read in a long time. The book is set at the time of the Hysteria and Salem witch trials. From the first page, a sense of dread begins to build. Through the eyes of the main character, Resolve Hammond, the reader knows something terrible is going to happen. The author is such an excellent storyteller and her use of language totally engages the reader. The author’s research of the history of the period enhances the story. Resolve is a wonderful character, very real and believable. I highly recommend this book.

[Shaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lucretia Grindle for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for This Work of Darkness coming out January 16, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I’m obsessed with the Salem Witch Trials. I love the time period and visiting Salem was a dream. I liked this book, but I don’t think I really enjoyed it as much as I did the first book. I think it felt similar, but was missing something for me. I would check out more books by this author.

[Paula Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect blend of history and to fiction

I loved both books and could barely put them down. The characters were so well written and fleshed out as were the locales and the feel of how life was in the late 1600's.

Having grown up on the North Shore of Boston and for a time in Salem and now in Southern Maine and also with ancestors who were early settlers of Maine in Scarborough, fighting and fleeing during King Phi!lips war, I felt that it could very well be their story too. Great reads for anyone that loves history, an exciting tale and lyrical writing.

[Debbie Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading the captivating and amazing story. After Resolve lost her mother and her home, she lives with and works for Mary English, and now things are getting dangerous for Resolve and the family she lives with because the children in Salem are accusing people of witchcraft. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and engaging storyline. Can't wait to read the next story in the series!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love loved this book.
If you like historical fiction & fiction that explores witchcraft / witch trials- Lucretia Grindle’s Salem series is definitely something you should pick up.

I adore Resolve & I am now once again eagerly waiting to read the next one.

My only gripe - the Kindle version had A LOT of spelling errors, missing words, missing spaces, and a few misspellings. Not sure who missed that but I will GLADLY proofread the next one before it goes out ;)

[Terry M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this. It is well written and I felt the emotions running high with fear as I too was there, amongst those who were unjustly accused and suffered at the hands of children. I couldn't read it fast enough. Highly recommend. I received an ARC copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. Read about 25% of it. Even though I did not like the book, I will say I like stories about witchcraft and I liked the way the author wrote about the people during the era of 1692 in Salem. Thank you #netgalley for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa Lister · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing. Enjoyed the first book with these characters, The Devil‘s Glove, this one did not seem to have as much depth, there were tons of editing errors, and the ending felt rushed and unresolved.

[Kyana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you for the e-arc. However, I could not get into this story. It was not one of the genres that I enjoy. I DNF'D at 33%.

[BookTrib.com]

True historical fiction about witches? We're here for it!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second book better than the first. I was surprised to learn that what she wrote about was actual history from the witch trials. It was very hard to read that fear cost so many people.