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The Unnamed: From the author of This Fearful Thing
IMPRISONED - UNHEARD - UNNAMED
Aldeburgh, Suffolk, 1645. Mary Howldine, innkeeper, Puritan, follower of rules. Joan Wade, widow, long despised, seized for witchcraft.
As their two worlds collide, the terror grows. By Christmas, during the hardest winter in living memory, a further six women are imprisoned, awaiting trial, and Mary’s beliefs begin to waver.
The records identify the many men involved and how much they were paid, but only two of the accused were named. History treated these women as if they had never existed. This is their story…
Inspired by true events, this compelling historical thriller is set at the height of the witchcraft persecutions in East Anglia. Matthew Hopkins, Witchfinder General, is invited to Aldeburgh to seek out witches. The town employs Mary Howldine to provide bed and board for him and his helper and feed the accused women in the gaol. Mary sees her chance to make her fortune, but as more women are rounded up, she begins to question the godliness of this persecution and her part in it.
As Joan Wade watches events unfold from the gaol, Mary makes her way in a world fraught with danger, where every step could end in tragedy. When men hold all the power, can the voices of the women be heard?
Aldeburgh, Suffolk, 1645. Mary Howldine, innkeeper, Puritan, follower of rules. Joan Wade, widow, long despised, seized for witchcraft.
As their two worlds collide, the terror grows. By Christmas, during the hardest winter in living memory, a further six women are imprisoned, awaiting trial, and Mary’s beliefs begin to waver.
The records identify the many men involved and how much they were paid, but only two of the accused were named. History treated these women as if they had never existed. This is their story…
Inspired by true events, this compelling historical thriller is set at the height of the witchcraft persecutions in East Anglia. Matthew Hopkins, Witchfinder General, is invited to Aldeburgh to seek out witches. The town employs Mary Howldine to provide bed and board for him and his helper and feed the accused women in the gaol. Mary sees her chance to make her fortune, but as more women are rounded up, she begins to question the godliness of this persecution and her part in it.
As Joan Wade watches events unfold from the gaol, Mary makes her way in a world fraught with danger, where every step could end in tragedy. When men hold all the power, can the voices of the women be heard?
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2022
18 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 3, 2022
This is a powerful and immersive story, based on true events that took place in the town of Aldeburgh, Suffolk, in 1645. The author has done meticulous research and most of the characters are historical, including the two narrators, innkeeper Mary Howldine and accused witch Joan Wade.
The chapters alternate between Mary's first-person narrative and Joan's third-person story, as self-styled 'Witchfinder General' Matthew Hopkins orders the arrest of no less than seven local women for witchcraft on transparently trumped-up evidence supplied by a spiteful farmer, an abusive father and a callous employer. The fanaticism of Hopkins is chillingly portrayed, as it the cruelty of his female assistant Goody Phillips whose job it is to 'search' the women for marks of witchcraft - parts of the body that do not bleed when pricked. The heart breaking dilemma faced by Mary Howldine, who is given the task of providing food for the imprisoned women during their three-month confinement in the town's gaol, is vividly and compassionately depicted as the story unfolds. Mary is a Godfearing woman, terrified of being tainted by association with the poor, abused women and girls she visits daily, but unable to deny her growing inner conviction that they are innocent, accused and condemned by spiteful, lustful, power-drunk men.
West states in her Acknowledgements that she was motivated to write 'The Unnamed' by "a sense of injustice and anger. Anger at how these women were just a footnote to a process run by men, and the injustice of how, when details of the rope-maker, the carpenter, the hangman and the judge and jury are all recorded [in the accounts still available to see in the Suffolk Archives], only two of the seven women executed were felt worthy of having their names noted."
It is an injustice she has powerfully and eloquently righted in this compelling, well-written book. Five stars from me!
The chapters alternate between Mary's first-person narrative and Joan's third-person story, as self-styled 'Witchfinder General' Matthew Hopkins orders the arrest of no less than seven local women for witchcraft on transparently trumped-up evidence supplied by a spiteful farmer, an abusive father and a callous employer. The fanaticism of Hopkins is chillingly portrayed, as it the cruelty of his female assistant Goody Phillips whose job it is to 'search' the women for marks of witchcraft - parts of the body that do not bleed when pricked. The heart breaking dilemma faced by Mary Howldine, who is given the task of providing food for the imprisoned women during their three-month confinement in the town's gaol, is vividly and compassionately depicted as the story unfolds. Mary is a Godfearing woman, terrified of being tainted by association with the poor, abused women and girls she visits daily, but unable to deny her growing inner conviction that they are innocent, accused and condemned by spiteful, lustful, power-drunk men.
West states in her Acknowledgements that she was motivated to write 'The Unnamed' by "a sense of injustice and anger. Anger at how these women were just a footnote to a process run by men, and the injustice of how, when details of the rope-maker, the carpenter, the hangman and the judge and jury are all recorded [in the accounts still available to see in the Suffolk Archives], only two of the seven women executed were felt worthy of having their names noted."
It is an injustice she has powerfully and eloquently righted in this compelling, well-written book. Five stars from me!
April 1, 2022
Wow. This book was amazing. I could not put it down. I loved LM West’s first book, The Fearful Thing, and this is even better. West has such an amazing storytelling skill. You are there with each of the characters, feeling all their emotions. Having been the Aldeburgh many times, I could imagine the places and the lives they lived through her descriptions. The historical knowledge and research into who was who is amazing too. Can’t wait for her third book, We Three. Thank you LM West.
October 10, 2022
One of the best books I have read in a long time. It doesn't sensationalise the trials of witches, it reads from the points of views of those having to tend them, as well as those charged as witches. Innocent women that were treated barbaric. Often by men who needed to feel powerful over them.
I hoped, I cried, I went through every emotion going.
I will be watching for more books from this author
I hoped, I cried, I went through every emotion going.
I will be watching for more books from this author
January 7, 2023
Based on a true story
I grabbed this book to read because I'm interested in the past and of course, witch trials. I really enjoyed the author's writing in the point of view of the 'witch's' and innkeeper. It was a very well written read and helps bring light to the forgotten women charged of such crimes and their lives. We must always remember these strong women who were tortured because they were different.
I grabbed this book to read because I'm interested in the past and of course, witch trials. I really enjoyed the author's writing in the point of view of the 'witch's' and innkeeper. It was a very well written read and helps bring light to the forgotten women charged of such crimes and their lives. We must always remember these strong women who were tortured because they were different.
March 14, 2022
I read this book over the weekend and I feel as if I have spent that time with the women accused of witchcraft in their cell. I felt their fear and how powerless women were in this period. Accusations made out of spite and no way for the truth to be heard. The book is based in Suffolk not far from where I live and I know these events did happen. A great read from a talented author.
April 30, 2022
sobering story and well written
A sobering story of the witch trials of 1645, the torture and injustice of the women seen to be witches by fanatical men with their own agendas. Laina West writes very readable stories and I’ve enjoyed this as well as her debut book, “This Fearful Thing”.
A sobering story of the witch trials of 1645, the torture and injustice of the women seen to be witches by fanatical men with their own agendas. Laina West writes very readable stories and I’ve enjoyed this as well as her debut book, “This Fearful Thing”.
January 31, 2023
Such a well written book, I loved her first and like this one equally. The historical parts are very well researched and the book honours those involved in a sensitive and beautiful way. Very thought provoking.
January 5, 2023
Amazing loved this book
April 23, 2023
I found this a very well researched witchfinder novel, a page turner.
July 16, 2024
Initially I was irritated by this book and its typos - my mental red pen was kept busy! But the fact that it was set in Aldeburgh, where I was reading the book, kept me hooked and by the end I thought the author had developed the characters well - which was all the more impressive when, reading the historical notes at the end, its clear that there were very few facts available about the “witches” - hence the book’s title, The Unnamed.
Thus my rating of this book moved from a tepid 2 to a 3.5 stars.
Thus my rating of this book moved from a tepid 2 to a 3.5 stars.
January 27, 2023
LM West books are wonderfully captivating. Whilst a piece of fiction the fact she has based them on historical research and evidence that such things took place makes them all the more chilling. This latest book the Unnamed had me moved to tears at times as she documents the trial of the witches and those tasked to look after them. I did not want it to end. Can’t wait for her next book to come out.
April 6, 2024
good read
Not one for reading about the unfortunate women tried as witches, makes me angry and sad. I started this thinking I probably wouldn’t finish it but I did, it’s well written so before I realised I was well into it. Initially angry at Mary but that changed as I read on, she had no say in the matter and it all came back to self preservation, which I could understand, must have been terrifying for all the women involved.
Not one for reading about the unfortunate women tried as witches, makes me angry and sad. I started this thinking I probably wouldn’t finish it but I did, it’s well written so before I realised I was well into it. Initially angry at Mary but that changed as I read on, she had no say in the matter and it all came back to self preservation, which I could understand, must have been terrifying for all the women involved.
July 2, 2025
I cannot forget this superb book, the fates of the characters haunts me. I grieved for them.
Most, but not all, the people in this book are real and their lives are partially or wholly documented as is what became of them. The fact that I started the book knowing what was going to happen did not in anyway diminish the thrill and fear I had reading it. As with the other of this author's books, I was compelled to keep reading yet at the same time had to give myself a break: the tension was that great.
Again West brings these people to life with a startling clarity. And her ability to create a crystal clear world around them is absolutely tremendous. And again it's so hard to deal with the fact that these events actually happened to real people; that they were so horrifically treated and that their fates were decided for them from the start. Chilling excellence that you just know it could happen, IS happening, even now.
Most, but not all, the people in this book are real and their lives are partially or wholly documented as is what became of them. The fact that I started the book knowing what was going to happen did not in anyway diminish the thrill and fear I had reading it. As with the other of this author's books, I was compelled to keep reading yet at the same time had to give myself a break: the tension was that great.
Again West brings these people to life with a startling clarity. And her ability to create a crystal clear world around them is absolutely tremendous. And again it's so hard to deal with the fact that these events actually happened to real people; that they were so horrifically treated and that their fates were decided for them from the start. Chilling excellence that you just know it could happen, IS happening, even now.
December 10, 2023
This was a new find for me while ebook shopping and I'm glad I discovered the author. It was well written and showed the human side of the women being persecuted for witchcraft, including some of the ambivalence of those assisting Hopkins. The historical references at the end were interesting too, especially for those not familiar with either the area or real figures involved.
October 9, 2024
'The Unnamed' tells the story of a group of women that were accused of witchcraft in the mid-seventeenth century in Suffolk. Based on true events, this is the story of how innocent women were accused of ridiculous crimes. Beautifully written and very moving. 5 stars.
July 15, 2023
Superb and moving
August 4, 2023
A sad story of religious persecution.....a gripping historical novel....5 stars 🌟 and highly recommended.
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November 28, 2023Gave up half way through
November 12, 2024
Really enjoyed this book a gripping and quick read.
October 5, 2022
This is a sequel to author's 2021 debut novel " This Fearful Thing ". The story continues with different characters as witch hunts & trials intensified, more women under the suspicion of " witchcraft " were wrongly accused/imprisoned/persecuted. Mary Howldine was a " profiteer " in the tragedy who later wavered in her conscious.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews