Editorial Content for The Witch

I had to smile when Freida McFadden wrote in her Acknowledgements at the end of her latest novel, “As many of you know, I am a prolific writer.” She noted that THE WITCH is her fourth release this year, and she talked about her two grandmothers as this essentially is a story about grandmas.

Featuring a dual narrative, the book takes us from an unjust witch hunt in 1692 and the home where “the witch” of the title once lived to the modern-day abode of Julia Barlow’s family. Her grandmother and great-aunt live there with a longtime employee on Pemberton. This sprawling 17th-century estate is where the unemployed Julia is sent by her father to oversee her ailing Gram and function as the middle person with the local museum that has made an offer to purchase the property in order to preserve its ancient Massachusetts history.

"[A] final act...features a handful of surprises and twists in both timelines that will completely stun readers. Freida McFadden is a force to be reckoned with..."

Meanwhile, the cause of all of this interest in Pemberton is Caroline Eldridge, who always knew she would die young and would be unjustly accused of being a witch and inevitably sentenced to death by hanging. What made things worse for Caroline was that her own housemaid, Molly, was the primary witness to testify against her with a stream of lies that sealed the deal in the judge’s eyes. Molly would later go on to marry Caroline’s husband once she was gone. An oil painting featuring Molly and Caroline’s ex still hangs at Pemberton, and these dark dealings could be the reason why Julia believes the place to be haunted.

Julia must tread lightly with her true objective on her father’s behest. Her Gram is severely forgetful, while Mick, the live-in help, keeps to himself. Her Aunt Ethel, though, is a staunch task master who refuses to let her use the kitchen to cook and will not allow her to explore the locked attic. Julia has been made aware that something happened in the past that cut Ethel from the will, leaving her with no claim to Pemberton. Once Julia gains access to the mysterious attic, she realizes that there are more than a few family secrets to be uncovered.

Two events led to Caroline’s downfall and false conviction as a witch. First, there was her association with Hitty Atkins, who sold potions and other organic items at the town fair and often gave her helpful remedies. Hitty was accused of being a witch and later was hung in the town square. The second instance involved Caroline’s neighbor, who was terribly ill with a fever. While Caroline attempted to help through natural means, Molly summoned the shady local doctor who accused the woman of being possessed and believed that Caroline may have hexed her. Caroline was the only one intelligent enough to recognize that her neighbor was shivering from fever chills. Molly used these incidents, as well as a couple of completely fictional tales, to ensure that Caroline received a death sentence.

Julia begins to date Henry Ziegler, who is representing the museum in the potential sale of her family property. Henry is a great source of history for Julia as she shares some of the ghostly experiences she has had there. He also is helpful when her Gram turns up with a human hip bone in her hand from their backyard. Henry has it carbon dated to over 300 years earlier, and it may lend credence to the long-circulated rumor that Caroline was buried there.

There is so much more behind THE WITCH, including a final act that features a handful of surprises and twists in both timelines that will completely stun readers. Freida McFadden is a force to be reckoned with, and this novel is perfectly timed for the spooky season.