The Witchfinder's Sister: A haunting historical thriller perfect for fans of The Familiars and The Dutch House

Beth Underdown

Mar 2017 · Penguin UK

About this ebook

'The number of women my brother Matthew killed, so far as I can reckon it, is one hundred and six . . .'

THE PAGE-TURNING RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB BESTSELLER

'A compelling debut from a gifted storyteller' Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent
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When Alice Hopkins' husband dies in a tragic accident, she returns to the small Essex town of Manningtree, where her brother Matthew still lives.

But home is no longer a place of safety. Matthew has changed, and there are rumours spreading through the town: whispers of witchcraft, and of a great book, in which he is gathering women's names.

To what lengths will Matthew's obsession drive him?
And what choice will Alice make, when she finds herself at the very heart of his plan?

Winner of the HWA Debut Crown Award, this beautiful and haunting historical thriller is perfect for fans of The Familiars, Hamnet and Where the Crawdads Sing.
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'Vivid and terrifying' Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train

'A clever, pacey read that blends truth and fiction' The Times

'At once a feminist parable and an old-fashioned, check-twice-under-the-bed thriller' Patrick Gale

'A richly told and utterly compelling tale, with shades of Hilary Mantel' Kate Hamer, author of The Girl in the Red Coat

'Beth Underdown grips us from the outset and won't let go . . . at once a feminist parable and an old-fashioned, check-twice-under-the-bed thriller' Patrick Gale, author of Notes from an Exhibition

Ratings and reviews

A strong woman living in times when women were controlled through marriage and their behaviour scrutinised to allow mainly men to manipulate and kill to maintain fear and repression of the female population

What a frightening book. I realise how easy it is to be lead when I was wishing Matthew to be dead. A great ending to a very well written book.

Brilliant tale seen from another perspective, gives you a sense of menace that actually happened in history, good read

About the author

Beth Underdown lectures in creative writing at the University of Manchester. Her debut, The Witchfinder's Sister, was a Richard & Judy pick, a Sunday Times bestseller and winner of the HWA Debut Crown Award in 2017. The Key in the Lock is her second book and was a Sunday Times historical fiction pick and received wide acclaim.