The Carpenter

Salem Village #1

by Pegg Thomas

Whispers of Witchcraft in Salem A Tale of Fear and Love

Caleb Buffum, a Quaker, never expected to take in a young Puritan girl as his own. But he and his wife felt led to give the orphan girl a stable home. However, as the word "witch" spreads through Salem Village, Caleb's past experiences with Puritans leave him fearing for his family's safety. He knows all too well the rage they can unleash on Quakers with even the slightest provocation. What if the girl he has grown to care for could bring disaster upon them all?

A retired Puritan physician, Dr. William Griggs had hoped to spend his remaining years in peaceful seclusion in Salem Village. But when he and his family arrive, they are immediately thrown into the midst of a baffling and disturbing situation. As he struggles to understand the strange fits plaguing the Puritan young women, the Quakers living on the outskirts of the village are unaffected, and he wonders how that can be.

As the Quakers struggle to distance themselves from the madness, questions remain. Will they be able to escape the fate of the accused? Will their distance be enough to protect them if the village erupts into a frenzy of witch-hunting? Or will they fall victim to the Puritan's unfounded fears?

This gripping tale is set against the backdrop of one of the most infamous periods in American history.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

Pegg Thomas lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with Michael, her husband of *mumble* years. She creates American stories with real history and fictional characters inspired by her ancestors who immigrated here in the early 1600s.

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

1692 Salem Village, Massachusetts

I love a good historical novel! The Carpenter is told from two points of view: Quaker (Friend) Caleb Buffum and Doctor William Griggs. Through both of their eyes readers get a sense of what it was like to live during the time when girls and women began to be bewitched. The novel also provides some fascinating details about the time period, such as how early pawn shops began.

The cast of characters is wonderful and heart pulling. Caleb simply wants his family to survive, thrive and depend on the Lord for guidance. Doctor Griggs is in his late 70s and just wants to enjoy a peaceful retirement. Caleb's wife Hannah wants no harm to come to her family.

Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction.

My gratitude to the author for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions are my own.

[Sunnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real attention grabbing story. It takes place in Salem, Massachucetts in the 1600's where we have history of the Salem Witch Trials, a very tragic historical time and place. At this time the Quakers and the Puritans were having serious strife and as Caleb and his wife, who are Quakers, adopt a Puritan child, the stress becomes extremely worrisome for them and their safety.
I love history and this book really held my attention. The story line is well developed and the characters were also believable and the historical aspect was very fascinating and the story was exciting and tragic to read about. Although fiction, it was clearly a good depiction of life and times then.

I recommend this book and look forward to the next in the series. I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jeanne Alfveby Crea · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
The Carpenter is a fascinating read! I highly recommend to lovers of historical fiction. The author, Pegg Thomas takes the reader to Salem Village in Massachusetts in the 1600's at the start of the Salem Witch Trials. She expertly captures the various theories regarding the causes of the girls afflictions, as well as the strife between the Friends (Quakers), and the Puritans at that time.

Caleb Buffum and his wife Hannah are Quakers. Having previously taken in a Puritan orphan, when the disturbing activities begin, they become fearful of losing her and fearful for their safety because of past experiences with Puritans. I found it interesting that Quakers (through a type of religious persecution) were not allowed to live in the city proper, and were considered heretics by the Puritans.

Puritan Dr. William Griggs, his wife Rachel, and his niece Elizabeth recently moved to Salem where he hopes to spend his remaining years in peaceful retirement. He is asked for his medical opinion of the pastor's daughters disturbing behavior. Is it demonic possession? Or could it be due to an overly strict upbringing, or group hysteria? Whatever the perplexing situation, he knows it is not from a physical ailment.

I love the developing friendship between the Quaker carpenter Caleb and the newly arrived Puritan Doctor Griggs. It begins as a business transaction and grows into an exercise of trust, faith, and friendship.

Friends on both sides of the religious divide have to try to overcome their own fears, and rely on God and each other, as they try to understand the hysteria that is going on in town.

Thank you to the author for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own. I highly recommend The Carpenter to lovers of historical fiction. Be sure to read the Author's Historical Notes section at the end for more information.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Salem, Massachusetts, during the "witch hysteria". Families from both Quaker and Puritan faiths have trouble coexisting.
"Caleb Buffum, a Quaker, never expected to take in a young Puritan girl as his own. But he and his wife felt led to give the orphan girl a stable home. However, as the word "witch" spreads through Salem Village, Caleb's past experiences with Puritans leave him fearing for his family's safety. He knows all too well the rage they can unleash on Quakers with even the slightest provocation. What if the girl he has grown to care for could bring disaster upon them all?
A retired Puritan physician, Dr. William Griggs had hoped to spend his remaining years in peaceful seclusion in Salem Village. But when he and his family arrive, they are immediately thrown into the midst of a baffling and disturbing situation. As he struggles to understand the strange fits plaguing the Puritan young women, the Quakers living on the outskirts of the village are unaffected, and he wonders how that can be." synopsis copied

[Cathy Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I entered a contest for a homemade shawl by the author, she makes one for each of her books, and I won! I wore the shawl often as I read the book (which I bought, not a gift from the author). And now I need to get a shawl pin(read the book to find out more about that connection).
The book fully engaged my mind in both the story line and the historical facts that are intertwined within the story. I ended the book with a better understanding of the differences, and thus the struggles, between the Quakers and the Puritans. The author also made the hysteria and ramifications of the witch trials very real through her characters, especially Elizabeth and her family.
The faith connection is central in the daily lives of the carpenter and his family as they navigate very troubling times. I loved the way his family and members of the community find the common ground of all worshipping the same God and belief in prayer.
Highly recommended it.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Story

The Friends and Puritans were easily identifiable based on the history shared at the beginning and the trials of everyday life of both allowed the characters to discover they weren't so different after all. I always love her epilogue of what is fact vs fiction. Her research is always amazing. I believe I have read everything Left has written and loved each book. Thank you!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

To anyone who loves Christian historical fiction, you have to read this book! Pegg Thomas's writing style and excellent research makes her novels both entertaining and interesting. I learn so much from her books and find myself looking deeper into events she writes about. The historical notes at the end are great, too. Highly recommend!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the way the author incorporated history and fiction in this book set in Salem during the time of the witch hysteria. The story centers on a Quaker family, the Buffums, and a newly arrived Puritan doctor who wants to retire but can't leave a community in need. I liked the themes of the book, which included loving our neighbor and trusting God in all circumstances. I will be interested in reading more books in this series.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book very much. It was interesting to learn about this time period and how the Salem Witch Trials began. I also never knew that Maine was originally part of the Massachusetts Colony. One thing that I did find ironic though, is that the Puritans immigrated to America because of religious persecution, but they weren't exactly tolerant of other people's religions. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

[David Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

A very balanced look at the Salem witch hysteria and those involved. The author pulls the reader into a difficult time in the history of our country. She highlights the differences between the Friends and the Puritans in a very insightful way. At the same time she shows God's love expressed in families in each group and how they can come together as true neighbors.

[Jan Silvera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

This was excellent! It really kept your attention and was a great read! I love history and the story, even though it fiction, was based upon historical events. Such a wonderful story. Looking forward to the next event! Thank you Pegg for sharing your gift of storytelling! 📖📖

[Carolyn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read The Ragpicker, the heart-grabbing prequel novella for the Salem Village series, I had significant expectations for The Carpenter, the first full-length novel in the series. I was not disappointed! It is a definite page-turner and a masterful blend of history and imaginative storytelling that kept me fully invested in the outcome. There are two main storylines that feature Quakers Caleb and Hannah Buffum and their family, who were introduced in the prequel, and the Puritan newcomers William and Rachel Griggs and niece Elizabeth Hubbard. Their stories intertwine and mesh seamlessly to create a plausible, engaging tale. All the characters, the majority of which are real-life historical figures, are beautifully developed and memorable. Rich historical details--notably the theories about the Salem witch accusations/trials and the conflicting theology between Quakers and Puritans--give an authentic feel for the late 1600s in Salem. I totally enjoyed this satisfying Christian historical fiction read and highly recommend it. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Note: Although this book can be read easily as a standalone, I recommend that The Ragpicker be read first.
I read an early copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sharon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Lots of history in this story. I learned quite a bit I didn't know before. It was a scary time in our history.

[Kimberly Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Book 1 of the Salem Village Series, we pick up the saga of Caleb and Hannah Buffum in the late 1600s whom we met in the prequel, The Ragpicker. (It’s highly recommended that it be read prior to The Carpenter.)

The Buffums are a devout Quaker family living in the volatile Puritan area where the Salem witch trials took place.

Their strong faith and values often put them in the crosshairs of their legalistic neighbors—especially after they adopt a Puritan orphan child.

When a strange sickness emerges amongst the young girls of the village, the Buffums fear attention could be drawn to them, followed by accusations of witchcraft.

Thank God for a few good friends.

Some of the Puritans see the Quakers as nothing but the kindhearted people they are and refuse to give into the fear-mongering and hysteria, instead choosing to remain loyal to the truth over rumors without facts.

I look forward to the next in the series with fascinating characters, twists and turns, and as always from this author, plenty of surprises.

Loved it.

[Pegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read The Ragpicker, you should read that prequel novella first. The Carpenter picks up right where it leaves off. Each book is a story within itself, but also builds on the series.

Caleb Buffum is a Quaker man living just outside of Salem Village. He's also my 9th great-grandfather. Yes! For real. I wish I knew a lot more about him, but I was able to build off what I found to create this series. In fact, learning about his story was what started my journey to write Salem Village.

William Griggs was the new doctor in Salem Village, but he'd come there to retire, not to become embroiled in a baffling situation he couldn't cure.

As the witch trials begin, fear builds within the Quaker community, and those fears aren't without cause. But the daily struggle to survive couldn't be ignored because of fear. In this murky era of history, it was hard to know who one could trust... and who one couldn't.

[Cindy Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore the way Pegg Thomas creates her settings. Her extensive research comes to life on the page. She takes the reader back to the 1600s and touches on the Salem Witch Trials from the viewpoint of those not involved directly. She added a few historical characters who make the drama feel realistic. The Friends (Quakers) viewed everyone as equal and often found themselves in the crosshairs of hatred from the Puritans.
Fear becomes the central focus of the story for the Friends as they strive to stay out of the purview of the Puritans while the witch trials are taking place. Yet, there are some Puritans who consider the Quakers as friends and good neighbors. And willing to come to their aid when needed.
Pegg adds just the right twists to the plot, forcing her characters to face their fears and choose to be brave. Her story has a clever, satisfying ending and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salem Village is home to two distinct groups of people who have a symbiotic relationship and yet really do not understand each other. Caleb Buffum is a Quaker and a carpenter. If anyone needs furniture, etc., he is the one you would seek out. William Griggs is Puritan and a doctor, something the whole town has needed. There is upheaval in the village. Could these two men - a Puritan and a Quaker praying to the same God change the outcome in the village?

This historical novel takes us back to a time when many were living in fear of anything that was out of the ordinary. Labels were quickly given and misunderstandings abounded. An early copy of Salem Village, Book One was received through Spinner of Yarns Publishing. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story. It follows Caleb Buffum and his family in the time leading up to the Salem witch trials. It also follows Dr. William Griggs and his family as they move to the village just as allegations were starting. I appreciate the author’s take on the story and how she showed the fear and confusion as tales of witchcraft spread throughout the village. There are other things I like about this book but do not want to give anything away. I also liked learning more about this tragic time in our nation’s history.
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a positive review.

[Mary Mccauley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book. I was blessed to read it early and loved.the story. If you like early American history this story will be perfect. The author does a great job developing it and I look forward to.more of her books.

[Beverly Duell-Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book to read. I can’t imagine the trials they went through.

[Maryellen Seabolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read books 1 and 2 and waiting for book 3, The Midwives, on Jan. 6. I really enjoyed reading from this author.

[Lana Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what I would define as a real historical fiction book, as its roots are soaked in truth. There is only a bit of embellishment for the sake of the flow of the story. Anyone who has ever wondered about the Salem witch trials will definitely want to read this extremely informative and well researched book. The family of Quakers-Caleb and Hannah, and their 5 children, are the main characters, but there is also the O’Sullivan family and the latest Doctor and his wife, William and Winnie Griggs, who moved to Salem Village to retire. He certainly worked harder there for his first few weeks than he’d ever had to before. Caring for the frail preacher’s wife, and their two daughters, Betty and Abigail, who were the first to be apparently bewitched, was quite the ordeal for the elderly couple, especially when their great-niece fell into the witchcraft craze and hysteria. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a clean, exciting, adventurous story during the time of the beginning of the witch trials. What a terrible time in our history it was! I received an early copy of this book, and this is my own personal opinion of the same. 📕 ♥️