The Witch of Hopedale

by Tom Deady

When Hannah Green’s dog comes out of the woods carrying a sneaker that contains a partially decomposed foot, she thinks it’s the worst thing that could ever happen to her.

She is wrong.

Hannah and her best friend, Ashley, decide to play detective but find themselves in the middle of a decades-old mystery.

What is the strange old woman Mama Bayole hiding in her decrepit farmhouse? Why is the local librarian so determined to prevent them from researching town history? Who is following them around Hopedale, New Hampshire?

The girls make a shocking discovery about what has been happening in the woods behind Hannah's house. As they get closer to the truth, things take a dangerous turn, and they play a deadly game of cat-and-mouse that may end up costing them their lives.

Genres: Horror, Mystery

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2025

About the author

Tom Deady's first novel, HAVEN, won the 2016 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel. He has since published several novels and novellas. He has a Master's Degree in English and Creative Writing and is a member of both the Horror Writers Association and the New England Horror Writers Association. He resides in Arizona where he is working on his next novel.
Be sure to follow Tom on BookBub for the latest on sales: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tom-d...

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Witch of Hopedale was a great read. The characters have character, depth, and feel real enough to reach in to the book and touch. In the acknowledgements, Tom Deady says writing is hard. Well, Tom, you make it look easy. I can still remember reading Haven and thinking, "what did I just read"? How is this a debut book? Tom Deady owns the suspense/horror genre with coming of age. This book is listed as meant for young readers, but I can say it is a great read for any age. I look forward to the next book in this series.

[Danielle Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I changed things up a bit and read a murder/mystery instead of dark romance this go round and this book was so good. After Hannah’s dog digs up a pink converse shoe with half a foot still attached, her and her friend enter into a mystery they are not ready for, leading them further and further into danger. This book was thrilling and exciting and had me guessing what was going to happen til the very end! Great writing—almost gives a Stephen King vibe but not as gory. If your into mystery’s/thriller/horror—Check out Tom Deady’s The Witch of Hopedale.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this.

It is a purposeful homage to vintage horror--especially the 70s and 80s. It includes some of those tropes I absolutely cheer for every time I see them: teenagers on bikes, characters in danger running through the woods, research scenes at the library. And--sorry for this spoiler, but people like me need it--Scout the pup is just fine.

[A.M. Symes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Had some old-school murder/mystery vibes, and was written in a way that the audience got to play along with "which characters are in on the murders."

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Hannah Green’s dog comes out of the woods carrying a sneaker that contains a partially decomposed foot, she thinks it’s the worst thing that could ever happen to her.
She is wrong.
Hannah and her best friend, Ashley, decide to play detective but find themselves in the middle of a decades-old mystery.
What a great book. I loved the characters and following them through their adventure. I will be looking for the next book in this series.