The Vanishing Witch: A dark historical tale of witchcraft and rebellion

(Paperback)

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Step back in time with Karen Maitland, author of the hugely popular Company of Liars. This dark tale is sure to thrill fans of The Witchfinder's Sister and C. J. Sansom with its chilling recreation of the Peasants' Revolt.

'A gem, crafted in the darkness ... Maitland has produced another gripping tale, from a darker age, which has surprising resonances with the present' Independent on Sunday

By the pricking of my thumbs ...

Lincoln, 1380. A raven-haired widow is newly arrived in John of Gaunt's city, with her two unnaturally beautiful children in tow.

The widow Catlin seems kind, helping wool merchant Robert of Bassingham care for his ill wife. Surely it makes sense for Catlin and her family to move into Robert's home

But when first Robert's wife - and then others - start dying unnatural deaths, the whispers turn to witchcraft. The reign of Richard II brings bloody revolution, but does it also give shelter to the black arts

And which is more deadly for the innocents of Lincoln

What readers are saying about The Vanishing Witch:

'Engrossing, enchanting and mysterious - this book kept my mind busy from start to finish'

'Compulsive reading. Thoroughly researched, highly informative and just a downright good story!'

'Magical and mysterious. Against this fascinating historical background, Maitland weaves a sinister tale of witchcraft, betrayal and terror'

Reviews

Rich and believable ... with extraordinary attention to detail and finely wrought prose; her huge, deftly drawn cast of characters spring vividly to life - Sunday Express on The Vanishing Witch

An intricate gothic tale ... I relished the colour, the meticulously researched detail and strong characters - Woman & Home on The Vanishing Witch

Glorious ... a thrillingly horrible vision of the Dark Ages - Metro on The Owl Killers

Bawdy and brutal - Simon Mayo on The Gallows Curse

Scarily good. Imagine The Wicker Man crossed with The Birds - Marie Claire on The Owl Killers

Combines the storytelling traditions of The Canterbury Tales with the supernatural suspense of Mosse's Sepulchre in this atmospheric tale of treachery and magic - Marie Claire on Company of Liars

Teeming, invigorating - Guardian on The Falcons of Fire and Ice

A richly evocative page-turner which brings to life a lost and terrible period of British history, with a disturbing final twist worthy of a master of the spine-tingler such as Henry James - Daily Express on Company of Liars

Author Bio

Karen Maitland is an historical novelist, lecturer and teacher of Creative Writing, with over twenty books to her name. She grew up in Malta, which inspired her passion for history, and travelled and worked all over the world before settling in the United Kingdom. She has a doctorate in psycholinguistics, and now lives on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon.