Dog Mountain Witch: An Historical Tale of 19th Century Southwest Harbor, Maine

by Winter Fox

If you have found this booklet, I am hopefully already dead, buried next to my father and mother, within spitting distance of Thomas, Elsie, and Sally Somers. And, though it is called the Gilley Burying Ground, my father would be irked (when was he not?) to lie for eternity next to the neighbors he so despised. Though I wanted to understand his feelings, I wanted even more to understand the Somers, whose exploits in Southwest Harbor were the subject of so much scrutiny and conjecture, but whose daily lives were full of earnest hard work. They gave generously to the community in times of need, and strove, like the rest of us, to coax a good life from these rocky shores.
And, if you have the inkling to read through to the end, I hope you will be slow to judge myself and everyone else herein, for as our savior once said, “Let he who has never sinned cast the first stone.” I think you will find that no one involved was perfect, least of all me.

Dog Mountain Witch is both a novel and a remarkable piece of Maine History. Sally Somers was executed for witchcraft near her home in Southwest Harbor, Maine, in 1832, on hundred and forty years after the executions at Salem.

Sally's story is told by her neighbor, Prudence Gilley, daughter of the town physician. All of the events in the novel are based on the locally produced history books found in the Southwest Harbor Public Library.

169 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2025

Reviews

[Kat McEachern-Murphy]

An interesting and quick reader for a local of MDI

[Maren]

Reading Dog Mountain Witch by Winter Fox felt like stepping quietly into the past and listening to a long, buried story finally being told. The voice of Prudence Gilley is thoughtful and reflective, and through her perspective the life of Sally Somers becomes both tragic and deeply human. I was struck by how the book blends history with storytelling so naturally that you almost forget you’re reading fiction at times.
What stayed with me the most was the atmosphere of 19th century Southwest Harbor. The rocky Maine landscape, the close knit but judgmental community, and the slow buildup of suspicion all create a haunting feeling that lingers long after you finish reading. Knowing that Sally Somers was executed for witchcraft long after the Salem trials made the story even more chilling and emotional.
This is not just a story about accusations of witchcraft it’s about misunderstanding, community pressure, and the way ordinary lives can become tangled in fear and rumor. Dog Mountain Witch is a thoughtful and moving historical tale that quietly reminds us how easily people can judge what they do not fully understand.

[Daniel Collins]

I honestly had never even heard of Dog Mountain Witch until Eleanor Jeffery mentioned it in our book club last week, and now I cannot stop thinking about it. The excerpt alone completely pulled me in. The writing feels old fashioned in the best possible way, like you’re uncovering someone’s forgotten life hidden in the woods of Maine. Prudence already feels so real to me, especially the painful relationship with her father. That scene where he finally apologizes genuinely hurt my heart. Huge thanks to Eleanor Jeffery for bringing this book into our club because this feels like one of those quiet hidden gems people accidentally overlook.

[Lauren Mitchell]

Currently reading Dog Mountain Witch after Eleanor Jeffery recommended it in our book club, and I’m honestly so glad she did. This book has such a quiet emotional power to it. Nothing feels forced or overly dramatic, which somehow makes the sad moments hit even harder. The atmosphere of Southwest Harbor feels so vivid that I can practically hear the waves and feel the cold air coming off the water. Prudence is becoming one of those characters that slowly sneaks into your heart without you realizing it. This genuinely feels like a book discovered by word of mouth rather than hype, and those are usually the best kinds of reads.

[Holly]

I picked this up not knowing anything about Maine history, and I ended up sitting with it long after I finished the last page. Prudence's voice felt so real to me, like she was an old woman sitting across from me, unburdening herself of something she'd carried for decades. The way she asked us not to judge before we even began reading, that hit me. I thought about how quickly we dismiss people we don't understand. Sally Somers deserved better, and this little book made me grieve for her as if she were someone I actually knew. Quietly devastating in the best way.

[Wright Benjamin]

There’s something hauntingly beautiful about Dog Mountain Witch. Even from the first pages, you can feel the salt air, the grief, the loneliness, and the quiet strength of Prudence woven into every scene. The relationship between father and daughter honestly broke my heart a little. It feels deeply human, raw, and painfully real in a way many historical novels fail to capture. I already know this is going to stay with me long after I finish it. The atmosphere of 19th century Maine feels alive, almost like another character in the story. I cannot wait to sink deeper into this world.

[Vale Dane]

What got me was knowing this actually happened. 1832. One hundred and forty years after Salem, and people were still doing this. Still fearing what they couldn't explain. Still punishing women who were different. I found myself reading slowly on purpose because I didn't want it to end, and also because every sentence felt like it deserved time. The Somers family worked hard, gave to their neighbors, lived honestly, and it still wasn't enough. That truth sat heavy with me for days.

[Maurice Sam]

This was a fascinating read from beginning to end. I came away with a much deeper appreciation for the challenges faced by people who lived outside the expectations of their communities.

The historical elements drew me in, but it was the story itself that kept me turning pages. By the time I reached the final chapters, I found myself wishing more people knew about Sally Somers and the history that inspired this novel. I'm grateful this book was introduced in our club discussions.

[Maris Everleigh]

This sounds completely different from most historical fiction I've been reading lately. The focus on a person whose story has largely been forgotten makes it even more intriguing. I've heard good things about the research behind it, so it's definitely on my list now. Thanks to Eleanor Jeffery for introducing it to our book club otherwise I probably would never have come across it.

[Alex Morris]

The premise grabbed me right away. I'm especially interested in stories that examine how communities treat outsiders and how rumors can take on a life of their own. Looking forward to seeing how the author handles such a fascinating historical mystery. This was another great discovery from our book club, much love Eleanor

[Micheal Dolnard]

About a third of the way through and really enjoying it so far. What stands out to me is how much attention is given to daily life during the period. The farming, gardening, and settlement details add a lot to the story without slowing it down. I'm glad this was selected for discussion in our reading group.

[Taylor Solomon]

I've always been drawn to stories based on forgotten pieces of history, and this one immediately caught my attention. I had never heard of Sally Somers before, but after reading the synopsis, I spent twenty minutes looking up the historical background. Looking forward to starting this one soon.

[David Cephas]

The Maine setting is what sold me. I love historical fiction that explores local legends and hidden stories that never made it into most history books. This sounds like the kind of book that will send me searching for more information once I finish it.

[Brassfield Jones]

Added this after seeing it recommended in a historical fiction group. The combination of folklore, early American history, and a woman accused of witchcraft long after Salem is too interesting to pass up. Hoping to get to it later this month. Discovered by Mrs. Jeffery