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Children of Salem
INTRIGUE, SUSPENSE, AND ROMANCE IN THE TIME OF THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS A spy working for religious organizations, Jere Wakely is summoned to Salem Village Parish, where it has become obvious to church authorities that there is serious trouble. He is reluctant to return to his hometown for many reasons, not the least being that his heart is broken and he's worried about running into his former lover, Serena Nurse. During his investigation, he has no expectation that their love will be rekindled. But their renewed passion parallels a greater fire--one of terror amid the infamous Salem Witch Trials. A witch hunt in this important election year of 1692 is backdrop to a romance filled with intrigue and mystery; the history is accurate, and the truth is disturbing yet fascinating. About the Author Robert W. Walker is the author of more than eighty thriller and horror novels, including 16 books in the acclaimed INSTINCT series featuring FBI medical examiner Jessica Coran. Praise for Robert W. Walker "Masterful." -- Clive Cussler "Ingenious." -- San Francisco Examiner "Gruesome." -- The Sunday Oklahoman "Frightening." -- Midwest Book Review." "Bone-chilling." -- Publisher's Weekly "Perfect for Patricia Cornwell fans." -- Mystery Scene "Walker is a master at the top of his game." -- Jack Kilborn
441 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2009
31 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Robert W. Walker
184 books75 followersAka Geoffrey Caine, Glenn Hale, Evan Kingsbury, Stephen Robertson
Master of suspense and bone-chilling terror, Robert W. Walker, BS and MS in English Education, Northwestern University, has penned 44 novels and has taught language and writing for over 25 years. Showing no signs of slowing down, he is currently juggling not one but three new series ideas, and has completed a film script and a TV treatment. Having grown up in Chicago and having been born in the shadow of the Shiloh battlefield, near Corinth, Mississippi, Walker has two writing traditions to uphold--the Windy City one and the Southern one--all of which makes him uniquely suited to write City for Ransom and its sequels, Shadows in White City and City of the Absent. His Dead On will be published in July 2009. Walker is currently working on a new romantic-suspense-historical-mainstream novel, titled Children of Salem. In 2003 and 2004 Walker saw an unprecedented seven novels released on the "unsuspecting public," as he puts it. Final Edge, Grave Instinct, and Absolute Instinct were published in 2004. City of the Absent debuted in 2008 from Avon. Walker lives in Charleston, West Virginia.
Master of suspense and bone-chilling terror, Robert W. Walker, BS and MS in English Education, Northwestern University, has penned 44 novels and has taught language and writing for over 25 years. Showing no signs of slowing down, he is currently juggling not one but three new series ideas, and has completed a film script and a TV treatment. Having grown up in Chicago and having been born in the shadow of the Shiloh battlefield, near Corinth, Mississippi, Walker has two writing traditions to uphold--the Windy City one and the Southern one--all of which makes him uniquely suited to write City for Ransom and its sequels, Shadows in White City and City of the Absent. His Dead On will be published in July 2009. Walker is currently working on a new romantic-suspense-historical-mainstream novel, titled Children of Salem. In 2003 and 2004 Walker saw an unprecedented seven novels released on the "unsuspecting public," as he puts it. Final Edge, Grave Instinct, and Absolute Instinct were published in 2004. City of the Absent debuted in 2008 from Avon. Walker lives in Charleston, West Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 9, 2011
Wonderfully written story of love and death during the Salem witch trials. Robert Walker has a real winner in this book. Many theories have been spouted by people over the years on the reasons for the witch trials. Robert Walker gives a very real and easy to understand how greed, politics, corruption and fear could and in one readers opinion probably was the reason behind the death of so many. I learned much about this subject that here to for had not known. Loved this book.
July 7, 2012
Not too bad of a story , but I had to stop reading when the minister was accused of robbing the church's coiffures instead of coffers! What ever happened to PROOF READING ? If you aren't sure of a word....look it up PLEASE! and that wasn't the first stupidly substituted similar word....it makes me sad for the future of the English language honestly.
November 21, 2017
The more I read and the more I travel, the clearer it becomes to me. The most dangerous thing that a person can do, is to be different. Historical fiction is my favorite genre when it's properly researched as this book is. With good character development history becomes personal when we start to relate. This book really works in that way.
At one time we persecuted "witches"... now we cluck our tongues at how misguided, ignorant, and opportunistic society could be. We see similar patterns with other religions, race, class etc, but we never seem to recognize it in the moment. We always have some group of “untouchables” waiting for exile, torment or the noose, either figurative or literal.
I love books about the witch trials just because they really call attention to that point. I highly recommend this one.
Aside from some editing issues... basic spell checking, it’s a solid read.
At one time we persecuted "witches"... now we cluck our tongues at how misguided, ignorant, and opportunistic society could be. We see similar patterns with other religions, race, class etc, but we never seem to recognize it in the moment. We always have some group of “untouchables” waiting for exile, torment or the noose, either figurative or literal.
I love books about the witch trials just because they really call attention to that point. I highly recommend this one.
Aside from some editing issues... basic spell checking, it’s a solid read.
April 22, 2011
I have just finished reading Robert Walker's "Children of Salem". It is late night and I am tired, but I would like to present my impressions while they are fresh. As with every book of Mr. Walker's, that I have read, this one positively reeks of in-depth research brought to life in a compelling story. Mr. Walker has the ability to create three dimensional characters that breathe life into history. Throughout this book, the reader is drawn into a world where the separation between church and state is nearly non-existent and superstition and religion as motivators are a way of life.
This book is an excellent historical novel tinged heavily with an everyday horror, not of monsters or things that go bump in the night, but of greed instigated, mindless cruelty of society against individuals.
This book is an excellent historical novel tinged heavily with an everyday horror, not of monsters or things that go bump in the night, but of greed instigated, mindless cruelty of society against individuals.
December 28, 2012
This is another book I found by accident via Kindle. It was ok. I expected more excitement as it was about the Salem Witch Trials, but it would start to build up and then ... fizzle. Plus, there were many instances where the actions of the characters were not at ALL in keeping with the time period -- historical accuracy wasn't just glossed over, but completely stepped on and dragged over the cliff. And my final pet peeve -- typos and huge over usage of randomly italicized words and phrases.
Like I said -- ok, but not a keeper.
Lori Anderson
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Like I said -- ok, but not a keeper.
Lori Anderson
Web Site
Blog
February 13, 2011
Excellent - a stark look at the injustice and torment of victimisation. Great characters, and a story well told.
Great stuff.
Martin :)
Great stuff.
Martin :)
January 30, 2011
I keep thinking it would get good, but it didn't. Not a total waste, but not great either
Want to read
April 20, 2012Free today on Kindle 4.20.12
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May 5, 2012Awful book. Couldn't even finish..
November 20, 2022
A familiar story with new approach
I am very familiar with the Salem Witch Trials. This story was well developed using facts from the history yet making it about two young lovers to bring it together. Enjoyed it. Cried as I always do when thinking of the history of it. And sadly seeing the familiarity of the neighbor against neighbor happening in today's society as it did then. Scary.
I am very familiar with the Salem Witch Trials. This story was well developed using facts from the history yet making it about two young lovers to bring it together. Enjoyed it. Cried as I always do when thinking of the history of it. And sadly seeing the familiarity of the neighbor against neighbor happening in today's society as it did then. Scary.
April 6, 2018
It was an interesting book to say the least. I really thought the characters were a bit over the top.
I'm not much into this, but more on romance. I appreciate the author sending me the book to read and review.
I'm not much into this, but more on romance. I appreciate the author sending me the book to read and review.
November 15, 2012
I had high hopes for this novel. Given the subject matter and the fact that I'm a fan of historical fiction (Follett, Kalogridis) I tore into Children of Salem shortly after downloading it.
I was disappointed.
I won't to into too much detail about the plot. Jeremy Wakely is sent from Boston to look into the questionable practices of a puritan minister in Salem, Mass. Jeremy has a history in Salem and is reluctant to go back but he does so out of honor...and because of a girl. Jeremy is thrust neck deep into the mystery and lunacy that was the Salem Witch Trials of the late 17th century.
The Salem Witch Trials was one of the darkest and most interesting periods in American history. With that as a backdrop, I was very much looking forward to tearing my way through this book.
It's not that Walker's a bad writer. The historical aspects are well covered and he does give the reader a good sense of how it was for people living in that area of the country at that time in history.
No, the main problem with this book is the pacing. It's S-L-O-W. It says it's a little over 400 pages but it certainly feels longer than that. The book is filled with frequent drawn out conversations where the participants seem to be reiterating the same things over and over again. Frankly, it spoiled my enjoyment of the book.
I'm not an instant gratification type of reader. I don't mind a nice build up to a big reveal or a good ending but sometimes I felt it was a chore to get through the conversations to see what the next development in the story was.
The love angle between Jeremy and Serena didn't seem to 'pop', that's the best way I can think to describe it. I think it's partially because many of the characters just seemed to read the same way. With a few standouts, most of the characters seemed to speak the same exact way and had the same type of personalities.
I don't mean to bash it. I'm sure this novel couldn't have been easy to write, especially considering the historical aspect of it. It just left me feeling a little let down.
I didn't think it was bad, I didn't think it was great either. I give it a solid 'okay'.
I was disappointed.
I won't to into too much detail about the plot. Jeremy Wakely is sent from Boston to look into the questionable practices of a puritan minister in Salem, Mass. Jeremy has a history in Salem and is reluctant to go back but he does so out of honor...and because of a girl. Jeremy is thrust neck deep into the mystery and lunacy that was the Salem Witch Trials of the late 17th century.
The Salem Witch Trials was one of the darkest and most interesting periods in American history. With that as a backdrop, I was very much looking forward to tearing my way through this book.
It's not that Walker's a bad writer. The historical aspects are well covered and he does give the reader a good sense of how it was for people living in that area of the country at that time in history.
No, the main problem with this book is the pacing. It's S-L-O-W. It says it's a little over 400 pages but it certainly feels longer than that. The book is filled with frequent drawn out conversations where the participants seem to be reiterating the same things over and over again. Frankly, it spoiled my enjoyment of the book.
I'm not an instant gratification type of reader. I don't mind a nice build up to a big reveal or a good ending but sometimes I felt it was a chore to get through the conversations to see what the next development in the story was.
The love angle between Jeremy and Serena didn't seem to 'pop', that's the best way I can think to describe it. I think it's partially because many of the characters just seemed to read the same way. With a few standouts, most of the characters seemed to speak the same exact way and had the same type of personalities.
I don't mean to bash it. I'm sure this novel couldn't have been easy to write, especially considering the historical aspect of it. It just left me feeling a little let down.
I didn't think it was bad, I didn't think it was great either. I give it a solid 'okay'.
July 23, 2011
I was first introduced to Robert W. Walker’s writing through his novel “Titanic 2012 (The Curse of the RMS Titanic), a story I thoroughly enjoyed. It was because of this, I picked up “Children of Salem“, a novel of romance and suspense set during the Salem witch trials.
In “Children of Salem“, the author introduces us to Jeremiah Wakely. Wakely returns to Salem Village Parish, at the bequest of certain authorities from the Church of Boston. There is discontent in the village, a split in the congregation over the appointment of the villages current minister. Wakely is asked to infiltrate the congregation and collect information on the reverend.
Returning to the parish he grew up in, Jeremiah not only has to fulfill his mission, but is confronted by the woman he left behind, Serenity Nurse. As they rekindle their love, a storm is brewing inside the parish. A storm that is slowly and methodically being fed by the parish’s minister for his own personal gain. Whispers and allegations of witchcraft pit neighbor against neighbor, family against family, as mass hysteria is fueled by the allegations of local girls and increasingly encouraged by the parish’s church authority. Wakely finds himself racing against time in an attempt to stop the madness and, in the process, save the woman he loves.
I found the novel to be a very good read. I’ll admit that the author’s use of various names for Jeremiah (Jeremiah, Jeremy, Jere) and Serenity (Serena) was at first a little distracting. Still it wasn’t enough of a distraction to keep me from enjoying the story.
In “Children of Salem“, the author introduces us to Jeremiah Wakely. Wakely returns to Salem Village Parish, at the bequest of certain authorities from the Church of Boston. There is discontent in the village, a split in the congregation over the appointment of the villages current minister. Wakely is asked to infiltrate the congregation and collect information on the reverend.
Returning to the parish he grew up in, Jeremiah not only has to fulfill his mission, but is confronted by the woman he left behind, Serenity Nurse. As they rekindle their love, a storm is brewing inside the parish. A storm that is slowly and methodically being fed by the parish’s minister for his own personal gain. Whispers and allegations of witchcraft pit neighbor against neighbor, family against family, as mass hysteria is fueled by the allegations of local girls and increasingly encouraged by the parish’s church authority. Wakely finds himself racing against time in an attempt to stop the madness and, in the process, save the woman he loves.
I found the novel to be a very good read. I’ll admit that the author’s use of various names for Jeremiah (Jeremiah, Jeremy, Jere) and Serenity (Serena) was at first a little distracting. Still it wasn’t enough of a distraction to keep me from enjoying the story.
June 29, 2011
Rob Walker Writes Outside the Lines of Genre
Reading Salem’s Children I sometimes thought I was reading young adult history fiction, a romance, a mystery, a political thriller and both a paranormal and a sex scandal story. But just when I would settle in, he would go off in another direction.
There is no question that Walker knows his stuff. His riffs on colonial names (both people and places) and their meanings were both fun and edifying. I hadn’t known or had forgotten that Salem was so called as a reference to the New Jerusalem. He also does a fine job of mapping out the geography of the colony and the underlying land issues that were at stake as factions jockeyed for power using the “witchcraft” card. His biblical references evoke the times and the underlying religious imperatives of the different colonies and the role of the clergy.
Less successful for me was the romance, a little too on-the-nose for my taste with characters talking to themselves and each other in soap opera speeches. Would have appreciated a bit more sub-text.
However, the lead character – a young barrister in training enlisted as a spy by Cotton Mather is compelling and if his beloved is a little bit to "feisty" - horse-riding, gun-shooting, it gets the point across. Lots of strong female characters here from the aforementioned love interest to the governor's wife and of course the chill-inspiring children who bring a whole town to disaster.
This is a fine stew of history, mystery, politics and psychology.
Reading Salem’s Children I sometimes thought I was reading young adult history fiction, a romance, a mystery, a political thriller and both a paranormal and a sex scandal story. But just when I would settle in, he would go off in another direction.
There is no question that Walker knows his stuff. His riffs on colonial names (both people and places) and their meanings were both fun and edifying. I hadn’t known or had forgotten that Salem was so called as a reference to the New Jerusalem. He also does a fine job of mapping out the geography of the colony and the underlying land issues that were at stake as factions jockeyed for power using the “witchcraft” card. His biblical references evoke the times and the underlying religious imperatives of the different colonies and the role of the clergy.
Less successful for me was the romance, a little too on-the-nose for my taste with characters talking to themselves and each other in soap opera speeches. Would have appreciated a bit more sub-text.
However, the lead character – a young barrister in training enlisted as a spy by Cotton Mather is compelling and if his beloved is a little bit to "feisty" - horse-riding, gun-shooting, it gets the point across. Lots of strong female characters here from the aforementioned love interest to the governor's wife and of course the chill-inspiring children who bring a whole town to disaster.
This is a fine stew of history, mystery, politics and psychology.
February 1, 2014
One of the darkest episodes in the Massachusetts Bay Colony was the general hysteria, persecution and execution of innocent women in the 1692-93 Salem witch trials A small group of girls accused a number of women and a few men as witches/warlocks--people they didn't like for petty reasons. Salem was a Puritan community and in the 17th century there was a widely held belief in the 'invisible world' of witches, ghosts, fiends, and Satan and his minions. Death, crop failures, failed business ventures, a broken tool, and bad weather could be blamed on this invisible world.
The book includes many names known from colonial history and literature. Rebecca Nurse and family are central to the story, in fact she and two of her sisters were accused as witches. The trials included magistrates and court officials; well known ministers: Samuel Parris (a central character), Cotton Mather, Increase Mather. Plus Governor William Phips (whose wife was accused but not arrested).
It would have been very helpful if the author had included a list of historical people in the beginning or at the end of the book -- some names I recognized others I didn't. I knew Rebecca Nurse had many children but I had to look it up to see if she had a daughter, Serena who is a main character but fictional.
Well written and researched.
Sex: several very brief scenes, mainly non graphic
Violence: non graphic accounts of hangings
The book includes many names known from colonial history and literature. Rebecca Nurse and family are central to the story, in fact she and two of her sisters were accused as witches. The trials included magistrates and court officials; well known ministers: Samuel Parris (a central character), Cotton Mather, Increase Mather. Plus Governor William Phips (whose wife was accused but not arrested).
It would have been very helpful if the author had included a list of historical people in the beginning or at the end of the book -- some names I recognized others I didn't. I knew Rebecca Nurse had many children but I had to look it up to see if she had a daughter, Serena who is a main character but fictional.
Well written and researched.
Sex: several very brief scenes, mainly non graphic
Violence: non graphic accounts of hangings
May 7, 2012
This was a fresh take on the Salem Witch Trials. introduicng new characters and a fresh perspective. A fictional take on the political and social forces at work in the area at the time as the basis fo rthe witch accusations. As well as how the judges and ministers defied the legal system of the time with their focus on spectal evidence etc..
The focus is on Samuel Parrish the man and his motivations and greed.
I really enjoyed this read
The focus is on Samuel Parrish the man and his motivations and greed.
I really enjoyed this read
December 6, 2012
A historical fiction about the Salen witch scare. If you want to see how ignorance, greed, and superstition can lead "chritians" to kill their neighbors, read this book. Anyone who was brave enough to speak up against the accusations was branded as a witch and thrown in jail, excommunicated, tried, and hanged, with their property grabbed by the court. The basic plotline is known history, but the theory presented is one of many.
August 22, 2016
This is one of the worst books I have ever tried to read. I finally gave up, it was actually giving me a headache!! Talk about long and drawn out and just plain boring and you have this book. I cannot believ it was actually published! I dontbelieve thatt the person incharge of reading this bookactually ever read it because it never would ha e made the cut!! Awful. Now I need to find a better book, which shouldnt be difficult and 4 Advil!!
August 31, 2014
I've tried reading this book numerous times but for some reason, I can't get into it. After reading a few other reviews I see I'm not alone in my thinking. Normally, I have to finish a book once I start it this book has made me change that personal policy. I got stuck at 40% and couldn't go on.
As a fan of this time period and the Salem story in general, I find their beliefs interesting and amazing. Sorry to say, this book just didn't do anything for me.
As a fan of this time period and the Salem story in general, I find their beliefs interesting and amazing. Sorry to say, this book just didn't do anything for me.
June 24, 2012
I accidentally paid for and downloaded this book as I was learning to use my Kindle, so because I paid for it,forced myself to read it. Not a bad book at all, but not a book that I would read again. It took a long time for me to get interested in this book , it was a very slow read.
August 27, 2012
So slow and drawn out. I got 64% through with it and then gave up. It could have been a few hundred kindle pages shorter.
August 9, 2014
Did not finish. Too slow paced. I would think it was finally getting to the point and it would shift and drag on...
July 22, 2014
I couldn't finish this book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews