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The Hemlock Cure

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The Hemlock Cure

By: Joanne Burn
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
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Summary

It is 1665 and the women of Eyam keep many secrets.

Isabel Frith, the village midwife, walks a dangerous line with her herbs and remedies. There are men in the village who speak of witchcraft, and Isabel has a past to hide. So she tells nobody her fears about Wulfric, the pious, reclusive apothecary.

Mae, Wulfric's youngest daughter, dreads her father's rage if he discovers what she keeps from him. Like her feelings for Rafe, Isabel's ward, or that she studies from Wulfric's forbidden books at night.

But others have secrets too. Secrets darker than any of them could have imagined.

When Mae makes a horrifying discovery, Isabel is the only person she can turn to. But helping Mae will place them both in unspeakable peril.

And meanwhile another danger is on its way from London. One that threatens to engulf them all . . .

Based on the real history of an English village during the Great Plague, The Hemlock Cure is an utterly beguiling tale of fear and ambition, betrayal, self-sacrifice and the unbreakable bond between two women.

©2021 Joanne Burn (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK Fiction Historical Fiction Village
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Critic reviews

"Vivid and poetic." (Jennifer Saint)

"Exquisitely written." (Sonia Velton)

"Heart-wrenching." (Rebecca F. John)
All stars
Most relevant
One of the best books I have ever read/listened to. Rich in imagery and characters and cleverly narrated by an onlooker which adds a greater magic to the overall plot. The author has obviously done a lot of research into the subject matter. Superb narration. Mesmerising and hauntingly memorable. I highly recommend it.

Mesmerising

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It starts off quite promising, but I was disappointed by this book, especially as I neared the end of it. It felt like there were bits of the story missing, and when I'd finished the last chapter it felt like there was a whole chunk of the story missing from between the last couple of chapters. It was, however, very well narrated.

The Hemlock Cure

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I had expected a story about the village of Eyam and the plague, but the village and villagers hardly got a look in; neither did the plague. The story focussed on two families, and their oft-repeated problems; slow moving, and did not deliver on the promises of the summary.

Disappointing

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Loved the links to historical botany and medicine. The language and the story telling took me away. A good book for escaping the modern world for a bit.

Descriptive narrative

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A beautiful story of the worst of times. Told in the voices of women that struggle to be heard in a world of men.

A great story

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