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The Witching Tide

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About this listen

 A SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BEST HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF 2023

'A superb writer' EMMA STONEX

'Stylish and raw' ANNE ENRIGHT

'Mesmerising and beautiful' DAILY EXPRESS

'Gripping and visceral ' IRISH EXAMINER

'A powerful, riveting read ' ELIZABETH MACNEAL

'Astonishingly absorbing' i PAPER

'That's a good thing about you, Martha. You keep secrets . . .'

East Anglia, 1645. Martha Hallybread, a midwife, healer and servant , is a trusted figure in her beloved coastal village of Cleftwater - even though no one has ever heard her speak.

One day, the peaceful atmosphere is disrupted by the arrival of a witch-hunter, and suspicion threatens to tear the community apart. When Martha is drawn into the search, she finds herself torn between protecting herself or her friends. As the tide of suspicion builds and events hurtle towards a terrible reckoning, Martha's silence is a choice that could cost her everything.©2023 Margaret Meyer (P)2023 Orion Publishing Group Limited Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Small Town & Rural Witchcraft Magic Users

Featured article: Witches in fiction: 12 historical fiction books to listen to this Halloween


Throughout history, women have been branded as witches by people scared of their power, confidence and independence. In days past, accusations of being a witch – thrown at women for everything from being talented at working with herbs to being in the vicinity of a death – could result in banishment or even death. These 12 audiobooks, perfect for the longer nights, colder weather and the Halloween season, tell the stories of women through history, from goddesses to regular women, through a mix of horror, fantasy and historical fiction.

Featured article Witches in fiction: 12 historical fiction books to listen to this Halloween
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You understand how little the nature of people has changed when you read/listen to a book with such well defined characters and historic depth.

Loved this book, there is a depth that many others don't capture.

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The more they stay the same constantly came to mind as I listened to this beautifully crafted historical novel, one of the finest I've read addressing witch trials. Meyers prose was magnificent, We can retell these harrowing tales with the hopes of learning from them. but the human psyche has not changed much since the 1600s. They may no longer be able legally kill women who won't comply but they'll burn us as witches one way or the other. Dont believe me? Now they'll brandish their pitchforks if women, even with all this history of our persecution roaring behind us, refuse to say men are women. This witch won't burn though.

The More Things Change...

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disturbing and upsetting tale of women accused of witchcraft, where neighbour turns on neighbour, touching and tender.

disturbing story

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This was one I started ekeing out and listening to less, just because I didn’t want it to end. The narration was perfect for a range of tricky accents and a mute protagonist.
Beautiful writing for fans of Maggie O’Farrell and Hilary Mantel.

Brilliant

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. It vividly brought to life how horrid and torturous the witch trials must of been for the accused.

Excellent read

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