Not going to lie, I'm a big fan of Chris Bohjalian. He's a fellow New Englander and I have enjoyed many of the books that he's written. I've also very much loved the Salem Witch trials, so this book was a no brainer for me.
In this novel, Bohjalian sets Mary Deerfield in Boston in the 1600's. Mary is the second wife of Thomas Deerfield, who has an adult daughter and a first wife that we learn has died under mysterious circumstances. Thomas, Mary's wife, is as cruel as he is powerful, which means that he is very, very cruel. When Thomas drives a fork into Mary's hand, breaking some of the bones, Mary realizes that she must divorce him for if she does not, she will likely die at his hands. Mary herself becomes an object of suspicion and rumor as she seeks to divorce herself from the abusive man that she married. Mary must fight to not only escape her marriage but escape accusations of witchcraft.
The book moved surprisingly fast. For me that was important because in my day job, I do a ton of reading, everyday all day, so quick reading is fantastic. Bohjalian doesn't sacrifice quality however. He has done his research. I felt that I was walking in Mary's shoes in Boston, on the neck and on Beacon Hill. It was fantastic. It moved quickly and I could consume the book in short spurts.
Loved this.Highly recommend.
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