There was nothing romantic about Elizabethan England, as readers of Herriman’s book will learn. Life was ugly, people were dirty and underfed and women were considered either good Christians, harlots, or worse, witches. In the village of Wiltshire, a traveling musician has been murdered the same night a woman covered in blood passes out in front of herbalist Bess Ellyott’s home. Bess attempts to find answers about the murder as rumors of witchcraft begin to travel through the village, with children sickening and livestock dying. A dark and gritty read