The Witching Tide

by Margaret Meyer

For readers of Margaret Atwood and Hilary Mantel, an immersive literary debut inspired by historical events—a deadly witch hunt in 17th-century England—that claimed many innocent lives.

East Anglia, 1645. Martha Hallybread, a midwife, healer, and servant, has lived peacefully for more than four decades in her beloved coastal village of Cleftwater. Rendered voiceless as a child, Martha has not spoken a word in years.

One autumn morning, a sinister newcomer appears. The witchfinder, Silas Makepeace, has been blazing a trail of destruction along the coast, and now has Cleftwater in his sights. His arrival strikes fear into the heart of the community. Within a day, local women are being captured and detained, and Martha finds herself a silent witness to the hunt.

Powerless to protest, Martha is enlisted to search the accused women for “devil’s marks.” Now she is caught between suspicion and betrayal, having to choose between protecting herself or condemning the women of the village. In desperation, she revives a wax witching doll that belonged to her mother, in the hope that it will bring protection. But the doll’s true powers are unknowable, Martha harbors a terrible secret that could cost her own freedom, and the gallows are looming...

Set over the course of just a few weeks that forever change the people of this village, The Witching Tide offers powerful and psychologically astute insights about the exigencies of friendship and the nature of loyalty, and heralds the arrival of a striking new voice in fiction.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Witches, Fantasy, Historical, Feminism, Adult

336 pages, Hardcover

First published July 6, 2023

About the author

Margaret Meyer was born in Canada, grew up in New Zealand and now lives in Norwich, England. She was a publisher and literature developer before retraining as a mental health therapist, working in schools, prisons and addiction recovery centres as well as in private practice. Her writing includes essays, flash fiction and short stories, and in 2020 she completed an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. The Witching Tide, her first novel, was inspired by the events of the East Anglian witch hunt of 1645-7 and is dedicated to the more than 100 innocent women who lost their lives.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Witching Tide, a story about witch hunting in the 17th Century, is what I want historical fiction to be. Not just well written, but also enlightening. It’s a reminder that men held all the power and when things go wrong, it’s women that bear the pain. Even the drunkards’ words held more sway than a sober woman. Being rich provided no safety net. Even a careless remark by a priest could land him in hot water.
Martha is a mute servant woman, who also acts as the village’s midwife. The rumors begin flying just as the witchfinder comes to Cleftwater. Soon, everything is being laid at various women’s feet - dead babies, bad winter weather, illnesses, sunken ships, dead animals. No one stops to think how such a small village could hold so many witches. Guards from other towns are brought in and the gaol runs out of space. And then, Martha is corralled into helping examine the women for marks of the devil.
The book is well written and the characters were fleshed out. It’s not an easy book to read, especially the ability to quickly turn on a neighbor, the walking torture of the supposed witches. But it was a gripping story. Martha’s torment and guilt were so real.
My thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an advance copy of this book.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this started of interesting then went into a lull it was very descriptive & I felt for the women but let’s just say it was disappointing.


1645
East Anglia England Martha Hallybread was a midwife, healer & servant to Christopher ( AKA Kit ) she was born mute & has lived in her home town of Clearwater a coastal town, where everyone knew Martha but never heard her.
Martha looks into the reasons why women were having babies that were deformed only lived a few days there were three in her town but she found out that in the neighbouring town of Holleswyck 7 babies were deformed why is this happening?

There were rumours around town that women were killing their husbands with imps was it an old wives tale or was the witches involved?

This was an okay read as I said earlier this started well but waned a bit I thought it was going to be better than it was.

[Dona's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy (belated) PUB DAY!🥳🎉 September 4 2023

Full review on my blog!

Thank you to the author Margaret Meyer, publishers Scribner, and as always NetGalley, for an advance audio copy of THE WITCHING TIDE.



...

I read this book twice, as the first time through, I didn't keep up well with all the narrative turns. It's definitely a twisty, suspenseful tale, and the second time through, I was hooked. This time, I was more prepared for the wild plot, so I had no trouble following the many threads. ...Here are my trigger warnings for extreme violence against women and children, religious persecution, extreme gender and disability persecution, scenes of torture, death of a fetus, infanticide, SA, and more; I don't think the author or publisher provided trigger warnings, but these barely scrape the surface.

... In the time this book is set, disability can be a death sentence for one of a hundred reasons, and Meyer really shows ... the importance and value of compassion and social responsibility. ... This was my favorite aspect of the book and the primary reason I recommend the read. Such well drawn characters!

Rating: 🫢🫢🫢🫢 / 5 nonspeaking protagonists
Recommend? Yes!
Finished May 12 & 21 2023
Format: Advance Digital, NetGalley
Read this if you like:
🫢 Disability rep
🧙 Witch stories
🗿17th century stories
⏳️ Historical fiction
👩‍🦳 Women's fiction

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 2 out of 5]

If it wasn’t for the audio narration, I would have DNF this book. I love books about the Salem witch trials but this one just didn’t do it for me. Repetitive writing. A mute main character, but she was understood by everyone?? somehow??? It got old. The story wasn’t climatic and the middle dragged. I think there was potential here but it needed a heavy edit and a better plot.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that confirms my absolute gratitude to all the Higher Powers who put me in the world at this time, rather than in an English village in the 1600's. I wouldn't have made it through one day. Not one.

The story that had me dry-mouthed, wide-eyed and tight under my quilts was Martha's. She is a servant, who loves her people warily, and suffers from some condition that keeps her mute. No talking, no sounds beyond an occasion growl. She is past middle age, so work is even harder, her family faded long ago into her past, but she's got a specialty with herbs and medicinal helps for her community that works to her advantage. Until the shadow falls.

That shadow is a tall lanky man who is more than proud to be called the WitchHunter. The entire village, previously engaged in regular give and take life, now is on notice to keep eyes and ears open and to report all dark shadows, all demonic ways, potential familiars and of course, witches. Specifically, those who use spells, plants and potions. In the blink of an eye (watch out for that, too!) Martha's gift with plants becomes an indictment. She also has the one thing her mother left her. . .a straw dolly that has powers. Will it protect her? or seal her fate? There are unimaginable situations that are hard to consider, that really happened in the lives of our ancestors. . . .

Dark and ominous years fall on Martha and her community. . .it was a compelling and spooky read. I started it grateful for 2024 and slapped it shut even more grateful to be keystroking a review for your eyeballs instead of being dunked in the stream at the end of the road. . . .

*A sincere thank you to Margaret Meyer, Scribner, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the middle of the 17th century in England, where Martha Hallybread resides in a small town called Cleftwater. Born mute, Martha has lived her life communicating with hand signs, quietly working as a healer and midwife. Her loyalty lies with her master Christopher, also known as as Kit, and his pregnant wife Agnes, and her life seems nondescript until the arrival of the witch hunt that's sweeping the country. Against her will, Martha is pulled to aide the efforts of Silas Makepeace, the leader of the movement, and soon she's forced to turn against her own friends and acquaintances in town in order to save herself and her family. Yet, Martha's own mother gifted her a poppet, a small wax doll, with words to use her gift carefully...

At first glance, the premise of "The Witching Tide" was intriguing for me as most novels I've read on the topic of witch hunts were focused on Salem, Massachusetts and not any of the earlier movements that happened in other countries. The novel is told from the Martha's perspective, giving readers a chance to see into her thoughts and memories. While I did find eye-opening the sheer ridiculousness of "evidence" that was presented that led to the death of so many women, I had difficulty getting immersed into the story. The writing style felt stark and rigid at times, and Martha as a character was hard to pin down. The storyline as well wasn't terribly unique as the ending is fairly well known and predictable.

I may have just read too many novels this year that are based on similar topics, but "The Witching Tide" didn't stand out particularly for me. For those that are curious about a lesser-known period of witch hunts in history this may be worth the read.

Thank you Scribner Publishing for the advance copy of this novel!

[Maureen Grigsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books about the hunt for witches are always terrifying. So many women died because of the widespread belief in witches and their powers. This debut novel was outstanding.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here’s the thing; This story has been told plenty of times already.

Granted, the author did a fine job painting a 17th century atmosphere while building tension through a ludicrous (but authentically felt) witch hunt and the growing rage and fear within mob mentality. It’s just that she is not the first to accomplish this.

Margaret Meyer tried to put an original spin on The Witching Tide with her mute main character, but that did so little to alter or improve the tale. The execution of this device, which seemed more like a gimmick, was not well done. While we are told that Martha, who uses hand gestures to communicate, is often misunderstood, we are also told every single thing Martha aims to convey, as if she is actually saying it. There is no room for the imagination here. Martha may as well have had a voice since the telling was significantly stronger than the showing in this novel.

Overall, I was not fond of the writing style. There are several choppy sentences, as well as a lot of repetitiveness. While I do find these things to be effective in poetry, I rarely find they hold the same weight in fictional prose. I do feel the writing quality had some commendable points, but it failed to reach the heights of its literary ambition.

Of course, we do know this history bears repeating, lest we forget what was shamefully done to innocent women. There are benefits to exploring the unfair accusations and the horrific results of an unjust witch hunt. But if it’s going to be redone, it needs to actually be interesting and take on something new beyond a mute character who never truly feels mute.

Despite what the synopsis claims, there are no hints of Margaret Atwood here. Yes, the story is devastating, but how could it not be? This does not mean it does anything beyond the superficial. For a historical lesson, this could be a win, but as a novel, it will not be memorable for me.

I am immensely grateful to Scribner Books and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

[Kirstie Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw and haunting - and very powerful.

Thanks to Hachette/Moa Press for a copy for review!

This book is a great example of what I love so much about historical fiction: the ability to connect the reader emotionally to events long past that otherwise remain so removed from us.

Based off the witch hunt trials that happened around 1645-7, this is a lovely literary piece of historical fiction that captures the agony and unfairness of being a woman during this time. The utterly unbearable constant state of danger.

Martha was a fascinating protagonist - mute and both empowered and entrapped by her silence - she was a character equal parts odd and comforting.

This isn't really a book to dip in and out of - it's one that you need a good half hour at least to totally lose yourself in. And then, you'll rush your way to the end to see what happens (all the while praying for a happy ending you have about 2% faith will happen).

It's stressful, immersive and well written. The Witching Tide has given me a harrowing new perspective on this historical event and another pang in my heart for the historical suffering of women.

[Darcia Helle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Witching Tide started strong, but lost steam for me by midway.

I loved the realism in regards to the way women were persecuted during the witch scares. The author did a fantastic job of showing how religious fear and petty arguments among neighbors turned to wild accusations of witchcraft. We were given a vivid portrait of how helpless the accused were throughout the process.

But pacing was slow, sometimes feeling stagnant.

Martha, our one POV character, is mute, which forced her—and by extension, us readers—to bear silent witness to the atrocities around her. Her outrage and fear had no outlet.

The problem with being trapped in her silence was that we were also trapped within her repetitive thoughts and worries. I think the story would have benefited from a second POV character.

The plot moved along a predictable path. While I enjoyed the story, I needed more from the second half.

*I received a free copy from Scribner Books.*

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

She was fractured, she was many; all of her was tacitly incensed, all of her was pricking the poppet. Savagely needling; wounding for those already wounded and those yet to be—for all the wronged women, named and unnamed, from this county and the next.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's been a fair amount of books centered around the East Anglia witchtrails of the 17th century and Margaret Meyers debut is just as atmospheric and gripping.

This story follows Martha Hallybread, a midwife in the small costal village of Cleftwater.
The fact that this character is mute an interesting dynamic to the tale.

The writing is vividly descriptive that allows the reader to be transported to the time period.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm fascinated and sad for the women in this novel. The horrors of having to watch your step is frightening indeed at least in that time period. ( Makes me glad I wasn't born then).
All it takes is one bad apple to spread his evil and poof the whole village is frightened and in an uproar.
This book will definitely make you think about the events that took place in it. I'm still thinking about those poor women. Especially Prissy.
She reminds me of Tituba.
I could feel their emotions as I read this book. Some of them weren't pleasant but mostly scary and fearful.
Emotions are the most powerful thing a human can have. Fear is the number one culprit.
I took my time to read this because I wanted to savor it it was so good.
I just finished it yesterday. This novel will definitely floor you.
5 stars for a job well done! In my opinion, all the characters got their fair share of voices and the plot was very interesting!
I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Benny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giving this a good rating despite not liking it very much because it is an objectively good book. I've just read enough about the misery and injustice of the witch trials already and was not in the mood to read another 300 pages of it. The writing was excellent and the characters were lovely. Love you Jennet. my wife. Wanted to give it a good chance because it's a debut and I received it as an ARC, and I think it is a very vivid, honest, valuable book. Just not my cup of tea .

[Lilibet Bombshell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“...And women like hunting witches, too/
Doing your dirtiest work for you…”

From the first page until the last, this book is a deep well of sorrow and mourning. It’s an elegy turned into a novel, a lament for all women lost to witch hunts (especially the specific one this novel is centered around). These pages are flooded with slow, creeping sadness; an ever-hovering sense of inevitability telling us readers things will only get worse. Things will only get uglier. Things will only get sicker.

We know how the witch hunts went. We know why they happened. We know how they spread. As much as we’d like to wholly point our fingers at the men in these stories, books like these remind us that we also need to check ourselves and remember we pointed our fingers at one another as well, ready to sacrifice even our sisters if it meant saving our own skins.

I applaud Margaret Meyer for choosing to write a main protagonist whose disability serves as both a physical and metaphorical plot device. Martha’s mutism (caused by a childhood illness) takes away her physical ability to speak up for herself or for any other woman and leaves her vulnerable to both ignorant and willful misinterpretation to those who would only see what they wish to see. In tandem, her mutism also metaphorically symbolizes the ways in which all women were not listened to, how their pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears, how no matter what they said their words were turned against them, and how in the end they fell silent on the noose. This aspect of the novel was both the saddest and most touching part, because no matter what Martha did, she knew there was precious little she could do to help when she had no voice. And that only made her feel guiltier.

Meyer composed a deeply moving novel that may be set against witch trials, but the themes of misogyny, internalized misogyny, male privilege, religious zealotry, bigotry, ableism, and more are all interwoven in an even, seamless pattern that starts off as simply ominous until all common sense, human compassion, or even a sense of human decency has been bled out of Martha’s village of Cleftwater. Then, and only then, when the village has hit its lowest low, can the tide begin to change. By this time, Cleftwater is left with a collective trauma.

Even though this book is full of despair and shows the deep, dark ugliness that can lie inside the human heart, it’s so impeccably crafted and beautifully written that I couldn’t stop reading it. I was glued to the page because I needed to see how these women would survive. I needed to know who would make it and how. I needed to see if any of them would make it, frankly. I needed to see if there would be vengeance. I needed to see what would be left at the end of the madness. I was engaged, I was invested, and I felt like I needed to witness this.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Folk Horror/Historical Fiction/Literary Fiction/Women’s Fiction

[Kayleigh | Welsh Book Fairy · Rating 3 out of 5]

— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Witching Tide
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Margaret Meyer
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Historical Fiction
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 6th July 2023
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 10th June 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3.25/5

”Do not think we are nothing. Do not forget. Do not forsake our little powers: our ministry with bodies, our ministry with herbs.”

The Witching Tide is one of now many books depicting witch hunts and trials, and yet I always find something that individualizes the story and makes it different to the rest. As usual with this type of historical novel, fact and fiction are blended, and for every witch hunt novel I read, I discover new methods of torture and new prejudices against women.

I thought that the writing in this story was stunning. It also felt descriptively true to the time period of 1600s, the setting was cultivated with care and attention on the authors part.

The story itself was immersive and harrowing, the sheer brutality that people can conduct continues to astound me in stories such as these.

One thing that makes this novel stand out from the rest is the mute main character who is also a skilled midwife. She was definitely intriguing and I wish I’d gotten to know more of her past rather than glimpses of it. Additionally, she wasn’t the character I was most drawn to in the story. I loved the supporting character of Jennet, who was a bit rough around the edges and gobby and a little bit self serving. She was who I was interested in the most.

Overall, this story captures the injustice and savagery of witch trials in a compelling prose and the creation of interesting characters.

—Kayleigh🤍
@ Welsh Book Fairy🧚‍♀️✨

♡Booksta
♡Twitter

[Ciara · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you have ever wondered how people went to the bathroom in ye olden tymes before indoor plumbing, or even before every household had an outhouse to call its own, boy oh boy, have I got the book for you! Had I taken a shot every time someone in this book publicly relieved themselves, I could have gotten good & drunk. It was a strange hewing to the basest realism in a book about a mute character who speaks in her own made-up sign language that somehow everyone in her village understands to some degree, no matter how tediously inchoate & philosophical she becomes.

I really enjoy a good witch trial book, but this one was kind of a mess. My instinct is to say that it was confusing, but that's not quite right. The plot moves along & nothing happens that is particularly mysterious or unexplainable (save for certain commutations that are breezed over in a single sentence, leaving me sitting there saying, "Whaaaa...?"). Maybe the issue is that there's no one to root for? I don't usually mind moral ambiguity, but these characters are less morally ambiguous than just either clearly villainous, or useless & pathetic.

Even the primary character, Martha. The entire plot hinges on her muteness, her inability to protest the injustice of the witch trials, & to tell the truth about her own misdeeds. In this, she is supposed to be a sympathetic & complex figure. But she obviously has no real problem communicating. If she honestly wished to unburden herself & see "justice" done, she could tell what she knows via her sign language. The fact that she doesn't, but the narrative continues to use her muteness as the scrim on which her choices are projected, is disingenuous at best, & a fatal misunderstanding of the characters & story itself, at worst.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the 17th century, The Witching Tide set in a sleepy coastal village in East Anglia, follows Martha the village midwife and herbal healer who is also mute, and the upheaval of the village when a witchfinder arrives on the hunt for witches leaving very few of the local women safe from his hunting. Having read a few books within this genre, I felt the Witching Tide bought a compelling story that will certainly draw on your heartstrings, invoke anger and sadness in equal parts, and is historically accurate in the persecution methods of 17th century witchfinders. As well as highlighting how the patriarchy played a big part in the historical persecution of women as witches. I recommend if this genre of books is your kind of thing.

Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for the ARC so I could review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I always find books based on the witch hunts of the 1600s so fascinating and heartbreaking and this book was no exception. This is one of the most unflinching novels I’ve read, it doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of what happened to women up and down the country. Meyer even writes about a male character
condemned to the same fate for daring to voice his support for the women. Martha was such a good characters, I was rooting for her all throughout the novel, all she wanted to do was go about her business and look after her master’s household. This was clearly well researched. If you like historical fiction mixed with a sprinkle of the truth, this is the book for you!

[Melanie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for a witch hunt book. I think it’s because I know for a fact that if I lived in 1645 I would have been burning at the stake for sure!
This is so stressful and beyond frustrating. You bleed? You’re witch. You don’t bleed? You’re a witch.
You deny you’re a witch? You’re a witch. You admit you’re a witch? You burn. But at least God will forgive you for telling the truth. Ahhhh.
Very well written. So immersive and the main character being a mute? Genius.

[Bailey Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging enough and an interesting peek into the misogynist history of the witch trials. Nonetheless the ending is like. Convoluted and not very well worked out? That or I'm just dense.
Nonetheless some very notable parallels to the need for camaraderie among women in trying times and unfortunately many of the "lessons" of the era seem to have gone unlearned and affect us today.

[Zoë · Rating 2 out of 5]

the pacing was kind of strange but maybe there because it was all chaos and it was the wild wild west of witch hunting but i still have a lot of questions and felt there were a lot of loose threads

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

To think I wasn’t going to read this book based on the reviews here on Goodreads. A tragedy! I loved this story so much and the characters will stick with me for a little while at least.

[Joanne Eglon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

Based on the Witch Hunting which took place in the 17th Century.

Started off well but felt it dragged a little in the middle.

Captures the injustice of the Witch Trials well.

[A. Hadessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am very torn with this... The start was so promissing but I constantly wanted to slap Marthas face. Why have those thoughts and NOT live them?!
The writing was very nice and kept me going.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer
Pub date: September 5, 2023

Ah, I loved this book so much. There’s something about the events of this time that both fascinate and repulse me. I love to read about the day-to-day life of this time; it appeals to me and is one of things I love most about historical fiction. The addition of the East Anglian witch hunt gives a haunting look at the murders that occurred puts a tarnish on the time and reflects the fault in human nature for what it was. The ignorance and fear that could be evoked in the simplest of things – a birth mark, a misspoken word, or a bitter vendetta – each leading to something horrific, that of being labeled a witch. A death sentence in these times.

Martha Hallybread is a healer, specializing in midwifery. She is also mute and values her role as servant for the man she raised and his new wife. She is often called upon to assist in births but the folks in her village are a superstitious lot and it doesn’t take much to turn their minds. When a witch-finder comes to their village, Martha is forced to take on a role that will betray other women she cares about. Loyalty, friendship, love – it’s all here and how it plays out is a harrowing, heart-wrenching story.

Martha’s story, while wholly unique, is one that I imagine many women of this time faced in one way or another. Turning neighbor against neighbor, friend against friend, this story really shows the chaos and soul-crushing reality of this time.

There’s so much more to this story and I urge any fan of historical fiction to give this a read or listen!

I can’t recommend this one enough!

[Margaret Galbraith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hauntingly beautiful and a great debut for this author. Beautiful in the detail and writing but haunting in the context of this book. Based on the witch hunts in East Anglian of 1645 -7 and the brutality of this for over 100 women in the village. The research of this book is shown in the acknowledgments of the many resources Meyer consulted and the many others she had helping her during the writing time. It’s an horrific time in history but one that has to be told of the injustices of women and I thank goodness we have come this far.

Martha is the main character. She’s a midwife and a healer which is two of the things which can be construed as a witch! Babies are born which disfigurement and dying so this adds to the belief of those who are quick to name them witches. Martha is mute so she is unable to get her message across to these witch hunters. You are gripped by the terror of what these women endure right to the end of the book and it kept me reading into the wee small hours.
Thank you to our daughter Kylie for gifting me this book last Christmas. One of many I love receiving at each special occasion.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am fascinated with witch trials and I read fiction and nonfiction on this subject. This book (while fiction) reads like nonfiction and captures the story of these helpless women and the powerful, deluded church elders and politicians who persecuted and murdered over 100 "witches" in East Anglia England. It is inspired by true events in 1645 and is meticulously researched and detailed. This (to me) is historical fiction at its best.
4.5 stars

[Taylor Burkhead · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Tedious Journey through The Witching Tide

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer turned out to be a literary disappointment, with a myriad of issues that made the reading (or in my case, listening) experience more of a chore than an enjoyable escape.

One of the most glaring problems was the glacial pacing that permeated the entire narrative. The story dragged on to the point where I found myself resorting to speeding up the audiobook to 1.5 on Audible, a measure I rarely take. Despite this, the tale remained a tedious slog, leaving me with a persistent sense of impatience.

The characters, especially the supposed protagonist Martha Hallybread, failed to capture my interest or empathy. Martha, in particular, came off as shady and utterly unlikeable. The attempt to create complexity by making her mute, while initially intriguing, proved to be a narrative hindrance. It made it challenging to connect with her perspective and understand the nuances of her character, leading to a frustrating disconnect.

The choice of a strained whisper as Martha's "voice" in the audiobook only added to the overall annoyance. It was a distracting element that detracted from the immersion in the story, making it even more difficult to stay engaged.

The unrelenting bleakness of the narrative was another significant drawback. The story seemed to revel in a perpetual downward spiral, with things getting worse and worse for the characters. Prolonged descriptions of the women in jail reached a level of depression and discomfort that made me contemplate abandoning the audiobook altogether.

To add to the frustration, the story's resolution left me perplexed. The unclear explanation of how Martha escaped the gallows may have been a casualty of my waning interest, but it also highlights the narrative's failure to maintain engagement.

In conclusion, The Witching Tide was an arduous experience, with a combination of slow pacing, unlikable characters, and an overall depressing atmosphere. I would caution potential readers, especially audiobook enthusiasts, to approach this novel with tempered expectations and a strong tolerance for narrative tedium.

[Devyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads.

I'm going to be honest; I did not enjoy The Witching Tide, and that does not in any way reflect Margaret Meyer ability to write a good book and has everything to do with how infuriated I become when reading about witch hunts.

I had to pace myself and take breaks between chapters with constant remainders to stop grinding my teeth.

And maybe that was the whole point of the book, to remind people of the horrors of misinformation, ostracism, religious fanaticism... and invoke empathy and righteous indignation in the reader- if that's the case the author entirely succeeded.

So, if the subject matter intrigues you more than it infuriates, and you're looking for a personal point of view I'd say you'd probably enjoy this.