Charm

Well I've managed to decide on a book to read. I started The Resurrectionist by James Bradley. I'm still sticking to the dark historical theme, this time grave robbing and body snatching!

to the forum Tina! Hope you get well soon

Hi Susan! to the forum. Love your username!

I've read the first of these and have since added the rest to my wishlist! I agree, they're great reads I've also got a couple of Karen Rose's books on there too, must get my hands on some of them

I'm very rarely in our local library, I think I've been in it twice in the last 3 years. I'm trying to build up my own stack of books so like to buy my books to keep. If it's something that I'm not sure I'll like, I keep an eye out for it in the local charity shops, I'm in them pretty regularly. If it's something I've been wanting to read or a series, I'll buy them new.

Still can't decide what to read I think I may have to wait a day or two until The Heretic's Daughter leaves my head

thank you both! It was really good. I've started a bookring if you're interested, I'll post anywhere

I've just opened a bookring for it if you're interested Copied from my reading log: My thoughts: This story is set in 1692 during the hysteria of the Salem witch trials and told from a child's point of view. It is a raw glimpse into a time when a slipped comment or an act of help could be misconstrued into being something more sinister. I found it to be quite a harrowing read, stirring up a mix of emotions from anger about the way the family were treated to sadness when it seemed things couldn't get any worse for young Sarah. It is definately a book which will stay with me for some time. The relationship between mother and daughter was a strange one, not your typical love and hugs type, more cold than that, but still strong in that Martha Carrier knew her daughter extremely well and so hardened and prepared her as best she could to the hardships of life, while still developing an unspoken loving bond. As young Sarah learned in the end, she was definately 'her mother's daughter'. It never ceased to amaze me how independant and strong in spirit a child could be, she was resilient and adaptable to each and every situation she was placed in, right up until the point where she was imprisoned and even then, being protective of her family. I loved how the story was written, the author (a tenth-generation descendant of Martha Carrier) manages to create the atmosphere wonderfully, with a swift moving plot and an abundant blend of betrayal and secrets. If you are in any way interested in the Salem witch trials, I would definately recommend this. It's a well researched, facinating, historical read of the true horrors which were bestowed upon many innocent souls

Why thank you! Call me cynical, but this is just too convenient an excuse for me

Oh you haven't put me off, I'm actually considering reading it next I'll be looking out for you review!

The Heretic's Daughter ~by~ Kathleen Kent Synopsis Courtesy of Waterstone's: Martha Carrier was hanged on August 19th, 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts, unyielding in her refusal to admit to being a witch, going to her death rather than joining the ranks of men and women who confessed and were thereby spared execution. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and wilful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live. In this startling novel, she narrates the story of her early life in Andover, near Salem. Her father is a farmer, English in origin, quietly stoical but with a secret history. Her mother is a herbalist, tough but loving, and above all a good mother. Often at odds with each other, Sarah and her mother have a close but also cold relationship, yet it is clear that Martha understands her daughter like no other. When Martha is accused of witchcraft, and the whisperings in the community escalate, she makes her daughter promise not to stand up for her if the case is taken to court. As Sarah and her brothers are hauled into the prison themselves, the vicious cruelty of the trials is apparent, as the Carrier family, along with other innocents, are starved and deprived of any decency, battling their way through the hysteria with the sheer willpower their mother has taught them. My thoughts: This story is set in 1692 during the hysteria of the Salem witch trials and told from a child's point of view. It is a raw glimpse into a time when a slipped comment or an act of help could be misconstrued into being something more sinister. I found it to be quite a harrowing read, stirring up a mix of emotions from anger about the way the family were treated to sadness when it seemed things couldn't get any worse for young Sarah. It is definately a book which will stay with me for some time. The relationship between mother and daughter was a strange one, not your typical love and hugs type, more cold than that, but still strong in that Martha Carrier knew her daughter extremely well and so hardened and prepared her as best she could to the hardships of life, while still developing an unspoken loving bond. As young Sarah learned in the end, she was definately 'her mother's daughter'. It never ceased to amaze me how independant and strong in spirit a child could be, she was resilient and adaptable to each and every situation she was placed in, right up until the point where she was imprisoned and even then, being protective of her family. I loved how the story was written, the author (a tenth-generation descendant of Martha Carrier) manages to create the atmosphere wonderfully, with a swift moving plot and an abundant blend of betrayal and secrets. If you are in any way interested in the Salem witch trials, I would definately recommend this. It's a well researched, facinating, historical read of the true horrors which were bestowed upon many innocent souls. 9/10

Thanks Weave

Melisa I would start with The Rosary Girls, it's the beginning of a fantastic series. Deviant Way and Kiss Of Evil are a series of two books. For more info click here

I bought a copy of this in a charity shop yesterday for myself and another copy in another charity shop for a friend of mine! Hope we like it, it sounds good and the film doesn't look too bad either.

Hi Bev and to the forum

I've read them all and have to say the show is very losely based on them. Having said that, I enjoyed them both. The books are a lot more detailed and forensic based with not as much humour as the shows, very like the Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell. The show tends to be a lot lighter and more relationship based, still concentrating on the crimes, but with not as much thriller atmosphere as the books. There are quite a few books in the series with the earlier ones being the best, the latter ones kind of get a bit samey, but I definately recommend the first ones.

True! Skip the boring daytime stuff, get to the night when Eric's up! I hope it's the cross stitch and not the book that's draining your mojo, I bought The Lovely Bones in a charity shop yesterday I got this in a charity shop too before Christmas! In fact when I was trawling through the shops yesterday I saw loads of copies, hope that's not a bad sign Finished The Heretic's Daughter last night, not sure what to read next.

Excellent review of The Heretic's Daughter Weave I finished it last night and like you found it to be pretty hard hitting and like you say, from a child's point of view, brutal. It did always amaze me how resilient young Sarah was, she adapted quickly to every new situation she was in, right up until the point she was imprisoned. Those prison conditions were just obscene, they way those people were kept was awful, especially since they were innocent! Glad you enjoyed it hun

Oh I never noticed Thanks hun, I'll make sure I double check in future