In 1688 in the town of Falmouth, Resolve lives with her mother. Her father is in Europe managing the family business. Her mother is a healer/midwife and is tending to a woman who is ill. Another healer had been helping but when circumstances worsened, Mistress Hammond was requested. The patient dies leaving a young daughter and husband behind. The young daughter exhibits peculiar behavior but no one seems to notice the girl. The threat of savages (Indians) is a constant fear and a neighboring town has had an invasion with most citizens being killed. The terror of the Indian attack upsets the town. Resolve notices that the townspeople are looking at them in a suspicious way. Will they be banned from town? How could people be afraid of them?

Lucretia Grindle has researched this historic time in depth. She describes life in that time in detail. Her characters are appropriate to the time period but too much time is spent on the backstories of each character. The story is compelling but doesn't give insight into the supposed witchcraft of the time.

Puritan life was rigid. Because they lived outside of town, Resolve and her mother were able to bend some of the rules. How much did their outsider status contribute to the town being suspicious of them? This is an interesting view of life before the hysteria of Salem and the witchcraft trials.

I received this eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.

I liked the descriptions of the environment that were integral to the characters of Resolve and Deliverance, the evolution of Resolve, the story built on history, and whether to fear what you don't understand and act on fear, or to have an open mind.

I really enjoyed this story.

Mmm, things I loved about the story..the cover is gorgeous and the writing was beautiful. But the story itself was boring and it may come down to it just not being my genre. Thanks for the approval and chance to read this book.

I have been looking for a historical fiction to get stuck into, which doesn't revolve around the Tudor Court, Henry VIII or any of his wives - so I thought I'd give this a go... I was not disappointed.

This is not a time period I'm particularly familiar with but Grindle sets down the necessary groundwork with the background story of the time
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I found the characters well developed & likeable, I certainly rooted for the MC Resolve - her character was fleshed out enough to be able to carry the story forward In the first person POV.

Abigail's character was intriguing, when ever her name appeared I'd feel a mixture of emotions.

There was just enough superstition & 'magic' without passing the boundaries into fantasy and becoming a bit silly - I would of lost interest & not read on.

The relationship between Resolve & Abigail is haunting, let's put it that way - I love how said relationship developed from one of disdain & fear to one of sisterly love.

Some beautifully vivid descriptions were weaved consistently throughout, making it easy & pleasant to read, getting lost in this world.

I felt there was a great build up spanning through out most of the book enticing me to read on, hoping something was going to happen in the next Chapter - but there wasn't much in the way of action or drama; I was also expecting more focus on the witchcraft aspect, but again little came of it.

I found the ending abrupt but am invested enough to want to read the next book of the series - I'm hoping there will be less back story & build up and more action.

Overall an enjoyable read, I would just of liked a few more plot twists & events thrown in, it was a bit too much plain sailing.

Wow what an immersive story. I loved this story so much. Resolve is one of the best characters I have ever read about and her mother Rachel what an extraordinary woman she is.

This story took me on so many tours through a different time and place yet made me feel as if I was there running to the Ordinary, the beach, the birch trees. I could sleep and feel as if the rain was falling on me.

This was a read I could not put down. Now I want more on Resolve’s life. I want to read more! I hope there is more books to come!

"Northern New England, summer, 1688.
Salem started here.

A suspicious death. A rumor of war. Whispers of witchcraft.

Perched on the brink of disaster, Resolve Hammond and her mother, Deliverance, struggle to survive in their isolated coastal village. They're known as healers taught by the local tribes - and suspected of witchcraft by the local villagers.

Their precarious existence becomes even more chaotic when summoned to tend to a poisoned woman. As they uncover a web of dark secrets, rumors of war engulf the village, forcing the Hammonds to choose between loyalty to their native friends or the increasingly terrified settler community.

As Resolve is plagued by strange dreams, she questions everything she thought she knew - about her family, her closest friend, and even herself. If the truth comes to light, the repercussions will be felt far beyond the confines of this small settlement.

Based on meticulous research and inspired by the true story of the fear and suspicion that led to the Salem Witchcraft Trials, The Devil's Glove is a tale of betrayal, loyalty, and the power of secrets. Will Resolve be able to uncover the truth before the town tears itself apart, or will she become the next victim of the village's dark and mysterious past?"

Always here for Salem. ALWAYS!

In Falmouth Maine, fear of Indians was foremost in the minds of its 1688 settlers. Attacks from a war twelve years ago fanned the flames of their views towards the local Natives who had given them land and offered peace in return. Suspicion and prejudice towards anyone who healed or did anything different was the norm.

For three years during the last war Resolve and her mother sheltered peacefully with a local tribe. There her mother learned to heal and Resolve gamboled freely with other children. Once they returned to life outside of the tribe’s village a world filled with jealousy and fear awaited them. Villagers knew they had lived with the Native Americans, so everything they said or did was looked upon with great suspicion. It was whispered that they were witches, tools of the devil.

Readers will be mesmerized by 1688 scenarios of Native American and village life, as well as the increasing belief in witches which, ultimately, led to the witch trials in Salem.

I found the storyline to be fascinating and was upset to discover after I finished reading that it’s part of a series. As regular readers of my blog know, I am loathe to read books in a series unless I have them all in front of me so I can read them one after the other. Since this series caught me unawares, I will now have to read the other books to come and HOPE I remember what happened without having to reread them. Ms. Grindle, you caught me in your series web. I look forward to reading more about the characters you introduced so well in “The devil’s glove.”

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. This is my first historical fiction/Literary fiction that I have read and oh boy it was really interesting! I loved our MC Resolve/Susannah. I was excited to read something inspired by the Salem Witch Trials but there wasn't too much similarity to me at least. I would recommend this to people who enjoy historical fiction, this setting was 1688 in New England. I really overall enjoyed this book but there wasn't much "witchy" things happening that I hoped would happen but still, I loved this. more than I thought I would.

The Devil’s Glove by Lucretia Grindle tells the story of Resolve/Susannah in 1688 Massachusetts pre Salem Witch trials. This book was well researched. I got a feel for the politics, the environment, community, religion and insight into the local Indian culture. The characters were real. Some characters got their own chapter to explain their background and thoughts. The writing was beautiful and very descriptive. I recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me review this book.

Lucretia Grindle's writing is a wonder. After reading only a few paragraphs, I knew The Devil's Glove would be a novel I loved. Grindle's descriptive narration is entrancing - stirring yet delicate, never heavy-handed. Her dialogue and characterization are skillful and immersive. Lucretia Grindle is truly a master storyteller.
The Devil's Glove takes place in the late 1600s in a small settlement on the coast of what is now the state of Maine. It is slightly before the Salem Witch Trials, and some characters are based on real people. Grindle's research is extensive.
Resolve and her mother, Deliverance, are healers taught by indigenous tribes. While the villagers use their healing skills, they are looked on with suspicion and quietly accused of witchcraft. Their closeness with the indigenous people also draws negative attention from the villagers, as there is increasing tension between the two factions. As Resolve's prescience strengthens, she begins to question many parts of her life.
The Devil's Glove is a fascinating book with many interesting historical details. I plan to read more of Ms. Grindle's work as I found her writing exceptional.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Casa Croce Press for the ARC of this book and for introducing me to this author.

The Devil’s Glove had me GRIPPED. I read it in less than 24 hours, unable to put it down. It is set in the late 1680’s, right before the Salem witch trials. The Devil’s Glove tells the story of a mother, Deliverance, and daughter, Resolve who have always seemed to be more in tune with the world’s natural surroundings. The community is becoming unhinged by murder, “savages”, and the threat of witches; turning friends and neighbors against each other. At the start of the book the writing seemed to bounce around a lot and I found myself having a hard time staying focused. The writing seemed to go too far off topic in an attempt to explain side stories that didn’t seem necessary to the main story. But by about 15% in, I was hooked. The book really started to pick up speed and hold my attention, keeping the details focused on the story. The ending has left me desperate for the rest of the series where it seems the time period will be directly in the heat of the witch trials. Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Whisperer, Casa Croce Press for allowing me to review this book. All opinions are my own.

I wanted to love this so much. The description sounded amazing! Unfortunately it fell flat in lots of places. Not much really happens in this story. It just feels like a description of pre witch trial life. It’s really just an observation about life in those times and not a story.

The Devil’s Glove by Lucretia Grindle

In 1688 Resolve, a seventeen-year-old girl, lives in a small village in Northern New England. Tensions are high as there is talk that there are Witches in a nearby village, in Salem, and if you are in anyway different you could easily be branded a Witch, a crime punishable by death. There is also a danger that they can be attacked by Native Indians at any time. The villages are very racist and hateful towards the Native Indians and think that they are savages

Resolve’s mother, Deliverance has lived with the Native Indians in the past and has been taught by them how to heal different ailments using herbs and plants, she can also communicate with native Indians and has been called many times to translate. I would also like to point out that everyone in the village may look at Deliverance in a suspicious way for knowing how to heal ailments but if they are sick, she is the first person they would go to for help.

I loved this book, I could not put it down as I wanted to know what will happen next in the lives of Resolve, Deliverance and the intriguing Abigail. It felt like the book ended on a cliff hanger and there should be a second book to continue the story.

I would like to thank Net Galley and The Book Whisperer for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The prose is absolutely beautiful, but there were times where it was just too much. I found myself skimming section several times throughout the novel and never felt like I had missed anything crucial to the story. That being said, I’m a sucker for historical fiction and anything set in New England and/or witch trial, so in the end, I enjoyed the book.

the prose is absolutely gorgeous, let’s get that straight. unfortunately this novel is all illustration of pre-witch trial life. everything is painstakingly described in detail, yet there is a lack of substance. i feel that this novel could be condensed into a prologue, or rather a companion novel to the true story. this “book one” does not grip me enough to read the second. not many things actually happen. this feels like more of a study on life in this time period, not a comprehensive novel.

I was graciously given an ARC copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Just a quick summary The Devil’s Glove takes place during the period before the Salem Witch Trials. I enjoyed reading about how people were seen as suspicious for very ridiculous reasons. But, the book didn’t grab my attention as I wish it would have. The writing is overly descriptive, and the plot was underdeveloped. I feel like it could have been an amazing book and the idea for this book was there. Just the writing was a lacking.

Loved reading the engaging & engrossing story. include Resolve, a seventeen year old young woman, and her mother, a healer, discovering the cause of a pregnant woman's death, rumors being said about Resolve's mother, attacking the savages, and a mysterious 10 year old girl. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written storyline filled with intrigue, and a riveting must read story.

I really wanted to love this book, but the writing made it so hard. I had to skim so much just to get to the parts that actually mattered or seemed interesting to me. The premise of the book itself is very interesting, but I feel like the execution was lacking and it didn't grip me in a way I wish it would have.

This was a great story about the pre-Salem Witch Trial period and the atmosphere that lead to so much persecution. The interaction between the settlers/whites and the Native Americans was always strained at best. The settlers felt entitled to take anything they saw including land, people and knowledge. Those that learned the native language and interacted with the native people were suspected of all sorts of misdeeds such as treason, sympathizing and witchcraft. Crazily, people sought out native healing when needed, but anyone who had knowledge of natural remedies was suspected of witchcraft. Terrible time period, but you can probably say that about almost any time period in the past. Even so, the story has rich characters and honest depictions of what occurred in that time period. I like that the author was able to instill so many layers into Abigail - a character that I mistrusted and disliked at first but really came to appreciate. The storyline flows smoothly while the emotions escalate - Loved it!

“The Devil’s Glove” is a historical fiction book by Lucretia Grindle. This book takes place just before the Salem Witch Trials were anyone different was regarded with suspicion; doubly so if that person was friendly with the local natives. Ms. Grindle’s writing is very descriptive - at times too descriptive for my taste. There seemed to be a lot of backstory that didn’t seem to always add to the main story, causing me to skim those sections. I liked the bits about plants (healing and harmful) and how being knowledgeable about that was both revered and feared. This book was an interesting, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I also would have liked knowing what sources (if any) were consulted to write the book - I think that might’ve brought a bit more depth to the overall book.