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A Devil Amidst
A sceptic. A healer. A church that would bury them both.
Bavaria, 1630. The Thirty Years' War has reduced Europe to ruin, and the witch trials are burning through Germany. Father Friedrich Spee is sent to investigate a mysterious death in the remote mountain village of Gramschatz. He expects to find nothing. He expects to be home by winter.
Instead, he discovers a woman the townsfolk have gone to great lengths to conceal, a healer who speaks of hidden worlds and the darkness that moves between them. Either she is the most dangerous woman he has ever met, or she is the only hope for a sick and dying land.
What he finds will cost him everything he believes.
Bavaria, 1630. The Thirty Years' War has reduced Europe to ruin, and the witch trials are burning through Germany. Father Friedrich Spee is sent to investigate a mysterious death in the remote mountain village of Gramschatz. He expects to find nothing. He expects to be home by winter.
Instead, he discovers a woman the townsfolk have gone to great lengths to conceal, a healer who speaks of hidden worlds and the darkness that moves between them. Either she is the most dangerous woman he has ever met, or she is the only hope for a sick and dying land.
What he finds will cost him everything he believes.
363 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2026
About the author
Terrence Hart
4 booksTerrence Hart is an Australian author and ARIA® nominated music producer whose work spans from space operas to historical fiction. A lifelong writer and passionate researcher, he combines his background in science and music to create uniquely immersive narratives. His award-winning novels include “My Blade is Me” (2025), “The Reentrant” (2024) and “Imes” (2020).
Currently writing from his home in Melbourne, Hart balances his creative work with exploring the Australian coastline, by land and sea, alongside his wife, Laura, and their adventurous dog, Dallas.
Currently writing from his home in Melbourne, Hart balances his creative work with exploring the Australian coastline, by land and sea, alongside his wife, Laura, and their adventurous dog, Dallas.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 1, 2026
Set against the backdrop of war, witch hunts, and plague — 1630's Bavaria.
Father Spee believes himself to be an open minded man. His quest to understand why the witch trials are so rampant in this part of Germany seems to prove it. His heart is always in the right place, that's never in doubt. But it isn't until he actually reaches the town of Gramschatz on an unplanned assignment by the Bishop that he starts to realize how wrong he was about his own self-awareness.
Two women in particular challenge his belief systems in a real way. One of them cuts right through his sense of purpose early on, essentially telling him he hasn't come to Gramschatz to learn anything at all. He's come to impose what he already believes onto people who don't share it, and to sit in judgment of them for that. It's a moment that reframes everything he thought he was doing there.
His time in the town, and with the healer in particular, is a genuinely interesting journey. It challenges his belief systems in a very real way, and by the end it isn't just his mind that's changed. It's his heart too. There's a twist toward the end I didn't see coming, and it was quite heartbreaking. I won't spoil it here, but it's the kind of turn that changes how you see everything that came before it.
What I appreciated most is that the book doesn't shy away from what the witch trials actually were. Hart makes it clear this wasn't really about a fear of witches as much as it was a hunt to condemn and wipe out anyone who questioned the authority of the church, and nobody was immune. Men, women, children, even clergymen were hanged in the town square for all to see. It's described as gruesome, and it should be. Alongside that is the hypocrisy of the Bishop, gorging himself inside his fortress while the rest of the town starved and their crops failed under plague.
I liked that this is a book that takes its history seriously and doesn't soften it for the reader, but still finds a profound way to shine a light on the beauty of humanity.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Father Spee believes himself to be an open minded man. His quest to understand why the witch trials are so rampant in this part of Germany seems to prove it. His heart is always in the right place, that's never in doubt. But it isn't until he actually reaches the town of Gramschatz on an unplanned assignment by the Bishop that he starts to realize how wrong he was about his own self-awareness.
Two women in particular challenge his belief systems in a real way. One of them cuts right through his sense of purpose early on, essentially telling him he hasn't come to Gramschatz to learn anything at all. He's come to impose what he already believes onto people who don't share it, and to sit in judgment of them for that. It's a moment that reframes everything he thought he was doing there.
His time in the town, and with the healer in particular, is a genuinely interesting journey. It challenges his belief systems in a very real way, and by the end it isn't just his mind that's changed. It's his heart too. There's a twist toward the end I didn't see coming, and it was quite heartbreaking. I won't spoil it here, but it's the kind of turn that changes how you see everything that came before it.
What I appreciated most is that the book doesn't shy away from what the witch trials actually were. Hart makes it clear this wasn't really about a fear of witches as much as it was a hunt to condemn and wipe out anyone who questioned the authority of the church, and nobody was immune. Men, women, children, even clergymen were hanged in the town square for all to see. It's described as gruesome, and it should be. Alongside that is the hypocrisy of the Bishop, gorging himself inside his fortress while the rest of the town starved and their crops failed under plague.
I liked that this is a book that takes its history seriously and doesn't soften it for the reader, but still finds a profound way to shine a light on the beauty of humanity.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 10, 2026
Ambitious, well-researched, and emotionally honest. The supernatural elements are handled with real originality (this isn't your standard historical fantasy), and the novel raises questions about medicine, religion, and knowledge that feel genuinely relevant.
What strikes me most about this novel is how angry it is, and how well it earns that anger. The witch trials aren't treated as a colourful historical backdrop, they're an atrocity, and Hart makes you feel them as such. But the book never becomes a lecture. It's too busy being a gripping, beautifully written story, with characters that absorb you.
What strikes me most about this novel is how angry it is, and how well it earns that anger. The witch trials aren't treated as a colourful historical backdrop, they're an atrocity, and Hart makes you feel them as such. But the book never becomes a lecture. It's too busy being a gripping, beautifully written story, with characters that absorb you.
June 26, 2026
A Devil Amidst is such a fantastic historical novel . It had me fascinated and turning pages right up until the end; the combination of faith, fear, and mystery makes it flow naturally and realistically from one situation to the next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A Devil Amidst is an incredibly immersive work of historical fiction blended with dark fantasy. Right from the book description, it captured the same gripping, dark atmosphere as The Bone Covenant by Kate Seger, which completely drew me in. Written in a style that evokes a classic horror tale, it drops you directly into a grim, war-torn landscape plagued by suspicion, religious fervor, and deep-seated terror. It is the kind of book that leaves your heart completely aching by the final pages, leaving you torn between wanting to run away from the tragedy of it all and immediately planning a reread to see what details you might have missed.
My Reactions & Emotions:
The Weight of a Slow-Burning Dread: Admittedly, the book didn’t grip me right away. The pacing at the beginning felt very deliberate, and the classic prose style required real focus to sink into. However, this slower buildup gradually layers a suffocating sense of isolation and paranoia as the village mystery deepens, making the sudden shift into breakneck speed even more impactful.
Visceral and Visually Shocking Horror: The atmosphere is dripping with a bleak, haunting dread. The author uses shockingly vivid, disturbing descriptions that completely assault the senses and force you directly into the characters' immediate panic. It perfectly captures the terror of a society entirely consumed by fear and superstition.
An Absolute Heartbreaking Climax: The emotional payoff in the latter half of the book absolutely wrecked me. Experiencing the sheer weight of a tragic sacrifice near the end left me in literal tears. The finale delivers a profound, bittersweet gut-punch that lingers long after you finish—it is an intensely heavy conclusion that is definitely not for the faint of heart.
A Mind-Blowing Historical Connection: What completely elevated this entire experience was the final revelation at the end. Discovering that the central figures, the brutal trials, and the protagonist’s deeply impassioned stand against institutional cruelty are deeply rooted in true history blew my mind. Realizing that the emotional fight for justice was based on a real person's life and actual historical documents added an entirely new, staggering layer of meaning to the text.
What I Loved:
A Flawlessly Executed, Earned Resolution: It is incredibly rare for a story with such a devastating, non-traditional ending to earn a perfect score from me. I usually crave a standard happily-ever-after to relieve the tension. However, the resolution here was so masterfully executed and true to the reality of the setting that I honestly cannot see a single way the author could have written it better. It felt profoundly necessary and earned.
Intelligent and Layered Character Dynamics: I loved watching a highly analytical, skeptical protagonist attempt to logically navigate a system completely blinded by fanaticism and manipulation. The formatting and regional dialogue choices took a moment to adapt to, but the emotional depth of the characters shone through brilliantly.
Constructive Criticism:
Initial Pacing Hurdles: For readers who prefer immediate hook-points or highly modernized, fast-paced fantasy, the first quarter of the book might feel like a barrier to entry. Tightening the early chapters during the initial journey could help lock in the reader's emotional investment a bit sooner.
Final Thoughts:
Terrence Hart has crafted a remarkably researched, haunting, and emotionally piercing masterpiece. It demands patience at the start, but the brilliant historical integration, terrifying stakes, and flawless execution make it a deeply impactful reading experience that stays with you long after the final page is turned. A very well-deserved 5 stars!
A Devil Amidst is an incredibly immersive work of historical fiction blended with dark fantasy. Right from the book description, it captured the same gripping, dark atmosphere as The Bone Covenant by Kate Seger, which completely drew me in. Written in a style that evokes a classic horror tale, it drops you directly into a grim, war-torn landscape plagued by suspicion, religious fervor, and deep-seated terror. It is the kind of book that leaves your heart completely aching by the final pages, leaving you torn between wanting to run away from the tragedy of it all and immediately planning a reread to see what details you might have missed.
My Reactions & Emotions:
The Weight of a Slow-Burning Dread: Admittedly, the book didn’t grip me right away. The pacing at the beginning felt very deliberate, and the classic prose style required real focus to sink into. However, this slower buildup gradually layers a suffocating sense of isolation and paranoia as the village mystery deepens, making the sudden shift into breakneck speed even more impactful.
Visceral and Visually Shocking Horror: The atmosphere is dripping with a bleak, haunting dread. The author uses shockingly vivid, disturbing descriptions that completely assault the senses and force you directly into the characters' immediate panic. It perfectly captures the terror of a society entirely consumed by fear and superstition.
An Absolute Heartbreaking Climax: The emotional payoff in the latter half of the book absolutely wrecked me. Experiencing the sheer weight of a tragic sacrifice near the end left me in literal tears. The finale delivers a profound, bittersweet gut-punch that lingers long after you finish—it is an intensely heavy conclusion that is definitely not for the faint of heart.
A Mind-Blowing Historical Connection: What completely elevated this entire experience was the final revelation at the end. Discovering that the central figures, the brutal trials, and the protagonist’s deeply impassioned stand against institutional cruelty are deeply rooted in true history blew my mind. Realizing that the emotional fight for justice was based on a real person's life and actual historical documents added an entirely new, staggering layer of meaning to the text.
What I Loved:
A Flawlessly Executed, Earned Resolution: It is incredibly rare for a story with such a devastating, non-traditional ending to earn a perfect score from me. I usually crave a standard happily-ever-after to relieve the tension. However, the resolution here was so masterfully executed and true to the reality of the setting that I honestly cannot see a single way the author could have written it better. It felt profoundly necessary and earned.
Intelligent and Layered Character Dynamics: I loved watching a highly analytical, skeptical protagonist attempt to logically navigate a system completely blinded by fanaticism and manipulation. The formatting and regional dialogue choices took a moment to adapt to, but the emotional depth of the characters shone through brilliantly.
Constructive Criticism:
Initial Pacing Hurdles: For readers who prefer immediate hook-points or highly modernized, fast-paced fantasy, the first quarter of the book might feel like a barrier to entry. Tightening the early chapters during the initial journey could help lock in the reader's emotional investment a bit sooner.
Final Thoughts:
Terrence Hart has crafted a remarkably researched, haunting, and emotionally piercing masterpiece. It demands patience at the start, but the brilliant historical integration, terrifying stakes, and flawless execution make it a deeply impactful reading experience that stays with you long after the final page is turned. A very well-deserved 5 stars!
May 30, 2026
The author's, Terrance Hart, purpose for writing "A Devil Amidst,"stemmed from his interest in exposing historical religious hypocricy. While exposing religous hypocricy, he explored in his story the psychology of fear and the clash between religious dogma and natural truth. He used the backdrop for this story the German witch trials of 1630. He examined why a society would turn on itself when fueled by fear and war. He employed Father Frederick Spee as his protagonist who was an opponent of the witch trials. The goal of the author was to delve into the destructive nature of systematic fear within a town. The result of this fear was how a society turned against the most vulnerable members of their town. This was a consequence of what happened to society when absolute power is unchecked. He employed the town and the witch trials as symbolizying of people turning against each other when fear takes over the mind.
Mr. Hart employed a literary genre known as speculative fiction. By using a the subgenre known as grounded speculative fiction, he was able to replace the ordinary with the extraordinary scenarios. He was now no longer constrained to strict realism, time,or setting. He was able to create a world which was only limited by his own imagination. This allowed to escape the standard creative boundaries of traditional story telling. He had the ability to blend fantasy with documented history, cultural psychology, and the irrational fears of the 17th century. He managed to have an equiliberium between the three. This was accomplished by utilizing three different techniques. The three different techniques were:
1. Anchoring Fantasy in Real Historical Figures
2. Weaponizing the "Real"Horrors of 1630
3. Low Fantasy Magic System
He had integrated the period folklore and myths into the story. The supernatural occurrences were what the townspeople believed were lurking about them i.e. the German forest, hidden spiritual worlds, and elemental entities.
The story line is one which is thought provoking and will challenge your world view. The book provides a refreshing realistic "low fantasy" experience. The author has weaved with great expertise historical events with cosmic horror. His introduction of supernatural elements allows the reader to believe he or she is experiencing first hand the 17th century terrifying extension of folklore. Because he has structured the narrative as a linear investigation, the story is fast paced from beginning to end. Like Father Spee,you too may have your rigid world view completely shattered when confronted with the supernatural world.
Mr. Hart employed a literary genre known as speculative fiction. By using a the subgenre known as grounded speculative fiction, he was able to replace the ordinary with the extraordinary scenarios. He was now no longer constrained to strict realism, time,or setting. He was able to create a world which was only limited by his own imagination. This allowed to escape the standard creative boundaries of traditional story telling. He had the ability to blend fantasy with documented history, cultural psychology, and the irrational fears of the 17th century. He managed to have an equiliberium between the three. This was accomplished by utilizing three different techniques. The three different techniques were:
1. Anchoring Fantasy in Real Historical Figures
2. Weaponizing the "Real"Horrors of 1630
3. Low Fantasy Magic System
He had integrated the period folklore and myths into the story. The supernatural occurrences were what the townspeople believed were lurking about them i.e. the German forest, hidden spiritual worlds, and elemental entities.
The story line is one which is thought provoking and will challenge your world view. The book provides a refreshing realistic "low fantasy" experience. The author has weaved with great expertise historical events with cosmic horror. His introduction of supernatural elements allows the reader to believe he or she is experiencing first hand the 17th century terrifying extension of folklore. Because he has structured the narrative as a linear investigation, the story is fast paced from beginning to end. Like Father Spee,you too may have your rigid world view completely shattered when confronted with the supernatural world.
July 6, 2026
A Devil Amidst is a work of historical fiction with strong fantasy elements set against the backdrop of the witch trials in 1600s Germany. In it we follow Father Spee who has been tasked with rooting out a witch in a nearby town by a corrupt and power-mad elite, very much against his will. During his mission he comes to form connections with the townsfolk and the alleged witch and goes on a journey of discovery, uncovering hidden truths, long ago shunned and pushed out by the church.
This novel has a lot to say about the fine line between magic and medicine, the value of generational folk knowledge and how the church demonised these practices. It also doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of the period and how the witch trial victims were brutalised, lending authenticity to the ending. The novel also serves as a scathing indictment of the church and its practices in the period, the corrupt officials who brandish church authority as a weapon to execute their nefarious desires and the ignorant everyday people who prop these institutions up.
I loved how Father Spee was written and found him to be so charming. Redmond was also well-written, serving as the useful idiot and very much a product of his upbringing and surroundings which lead to his manipulation. I would have liked to read more about where he ended up though in the end.
Other points I noted include how all the healing Sahar does is very much grounded in folk remedies, utilising plants and other natural ingredients. The fantastical elements were pretty much restricted to their travels in the other realms and the folkloric entities. There was a lot of information on these realms towards the middle which I found a bit overwhelming though. I also liked the nod to women on the margins of society, whether that be literally or socially (e.g., widows, older women) being most susceptible to witchcraft accusations with Sahar’s cottage being on the outskirts of town, in the woods.
Overall A Devil Amidst is a well-researched novel that weaves together historical fiction and fantasy, setting a dark tone that is in keeping with the events of the period and is well worth a read.
I received an eARC from BookSirens and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
This novel has a lot to say about the fine line between magic and medicine, the value of generational folk knowledge and how the church demonised these practices. It also doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of the period and how the witch trial victims were brutalised, lending authenticity to the ending. The novel also serves as a scathing indictment of the church and its practices in the period, the corrupt officials who brandish church authority as a weapon to execute their nefarious desires and the ignorant everyday people who prop these institutions up.
I loved how Father Spee was written and found him to be so charming. Redmond was also well-written, serving as the useful idiot and very much a product of his upbringing and surroundings which lead to his manipulation. I would have liked to read more about where he ended up though in the end.
Other points I noted include how all the healing Sahar does is very much grounded in folk remedies, utilising plants and other natural ingredients. The fantastical elements were pretty much restricted to their travels in the other realms and the folkloric entities. There was a lot of information on these realms towards the middle which I found a bit overwhelming though. I also liked the nod to women on the margins of society, whether that be literally or socially (e.g., widows, older women) being most susceptible to witchcraft accusations with Sahar’s cottage being on the outskirts of town, in the woods.
Overall A Devil Amidst is a well-researched novel that weaves together historical fiction and fantasy, setting a dark tone that is in keeping with the events of the period and is well worth a read.
I received an eARC from BookSirens and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
July 30, 2026
So how could an Australian author write about a historical figure in Germany? I was curious to read the book and am so glad I did it. The main character of the novel is based on a real person, which I found very fascinating as I never before heard of Friedrich Spee and the time he lived in - another piece of history well worth investigating.
The story blends historical fiction and a dose of fantasy in a way that makes you feel like you were there with them. I so felt with Helena and her lovely little daughter Alia, with Friedrich, who only believes in facts and science but has to change his perception once he reaches Gramschatz and its hidden mysteries, and of course Sahar, the healer living in the shadows and protecting the people of Gramschatz. It was interesting to see how Friedrich's believes were not shattered, but expanded with a knowledge that he never would have thought possible. In contrast, his young compagnon Redmond was easy to follow his learned believes without taking them into question or looking for proof. The world(s) the author built were fantastic, scary and well thought out, so just like Friedrich I had no problem to accept their existence as something natural and 'real' and not an illusion of the devil (or the assumed witch). I'm not sure I can forgive the author for creating such a heartbreaking ending, but I have to admit it fitted the course of the story all too well. This very original book so easily mixes common knowledge about the ancient times of the witch trials, plague and crusades with fantastical elements that is hard to say very fact ends and fiction begins. I am very impressed by this work and will definitely check out the author's other books.
The story blends historical fiction and a dose of fantasy in a way that makes you feel like you were there with them. I so felt with Helena and her lovely little daughter Alia, with Friedrich, who only believes in facts and science but has to change his perception once he reaches Gramschatz and its hidden mysteries, and of course Sahar, the healer living in the shadows and protecting the people of Gramschatz. It was interesting to see how Friedrich's believes were not shattered, but expanded with a knowledge that he never would have thought possible. In contrast, his young compagnon Redmond was easy to follow his learned believes without taking them into question or looking for proof. The world(s) the author built were fantastic, scary and well thought out, so just like Friedrich I had no problem to accept their existence as something natural and 'real' and not an illusion of the devil (or the assumed witch). I'm not sure I can forgive the author for creating such a heartbreaking ending, but I have to admit it fitted the course of the story all too well. This very original book so easily mixes common knowledge about the ancient times of the witch trials, plague and crusades with fantastical elements that is hard to say very fact ends and fiction begins. I am very impressed by this work and will definitely check out the author's other books.
June 20, 2026
I felt like stepping just a little outside my normal reading for this story. I enjoy historical fiction, but this also indicated a dark fantasy element, which I normally choose to stay away from. The prologue gave me a little concern about the direction of the story, but I continued, and was very happy that I did.
The main focus of the story is about an investigation during the Inquisition in 1630. Father Spee is assigned to uncover what acts of heresy caused the death of a previous priest sent to the Bavarian town of Gramschatz. Father Spee, scientifically well educated for the time, did not see witchcraft where others did. But the gifts of a healer within the community, while greatly appreciated and a source of community bonding for her protection, would be the cause of the heresy convictions sought by the government and Church. The political skill of Father Spee is put to the test as he attempts to balance the obvious benefit of the healer to her community with the frenzy of the Inquisition.
The character development was well done. The description of accepted scientific understanding of the day versus verbal knowledge shared through generations was covered well as a source for the hysteria of the Inquisition’s investigation of Gramschatz. The dark fantasy was used to move the narrative along, but did not overwhelm the story for me. I appreciated the author’s note at the ended adding historical information to the real Father Spee.
It took a little bit for the story to build, but the conclusion felt satisfying.
I received an advanced copy through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The main focus of the story is about an investigation during the Inquisition in 1630. Father Spee is assigned to uncover what acts of heresy caused the death of a previous priest sent to the Bavarian town of Gramschatz. Father Spee, scientifically well educated for the time, did not see witchcraft where others did. But the gifts of a healer within the community, while greatly appreciated and a source of community bonding for her protection, would be the cause of the heresy convictions sought by the government and Church. The political skill of Father Spee is put to the test as he attempts to balance the obvious benefit of the healer to her community with the frenzy of the Inquisition.
The character development was well done. The description of accepted scientific understanding of the day versus verbal knowledge shared through generations was covered well as a source for the hysteria of the Inquisition’s investigation of Gramschatz. The dark fantasy was used to move the narrative along, but did not overwhelm the story for me. I appreciated the author’s note at the ended adding historical information to the real Father Spee.
It took a little bit for the story to build, but the conclusion felt satisfying.
I received an advanced copy through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews