The Once & Future Witch Hunt: A Descendant’s Reckoning from Salem to the Present
Alice Markham-Cantor, Rebecca Traister (Forward)
Author Alice Markham-Cantor’s ancestor was Martha Carrier. Martha was accused of being a witch in 1692 she was executed by hanging. Alice wanted to know more about her ancestor and the history behind the witch trials.
This is a very interesting book. The atrocities that were committed in the search for a witch were terrifying. Author Alice Markham-Cantor not only looks back on the past, but she breathes life into it. I was surprised to discover the search for witches has not ended.
Thank you NetGalley for suppling me with a review copy of this book.

This story has been confusing for some reason. They alternate fiction and non-fiction chapters. Though it has some interesting stories but I decided to not finish it. I am so sorry.

Thank you NetGallet and Tantor Audio for an advanced copy of the book.

As I teach Shakespeare, witch hunting is a topic I have some knowledge about. I did not, however, have a good insight into one of the most famous witch hunts in history: Salem. We all have heard of the trials; be it through conversation or the hundreds of references in popular culture. This book offers something completely different: an accurate portrayal and demystifying of the inherently human experience of those involved in such a dark in American history.

Trying to connect with her past and the events that led to the tragedy, Alice Markham-Cantor sets off in search of Martha Carrier, an ancestor executed during the Salem witch trials. The story delves into the historical significance of the witch trials, seamlessly weaving past and present through a meticulous gathering and recollection of historical records and data. Through this, she aims to recreate the stories of those involved in the trials, both victims and executors, seamlessly mixing fiction and non-fiction.

Apart from being entertained, I have learnt some interesting facts about how witch hunts are still prevalent in some parts of the world, as well as the socioeconomic background behind them, connecting the end of feudalism with the marginalisation of women from landownership to exclusion from certain professions.

A great read!

Absolutely fascinating! I know very little about the Salem Witch Trials, just the basics everyone else knows. Alice Markham-Cantor has presented her research in an easy to follow account, alternating between what feels like a historical fiction novel and her thoughts while working on her dissertation. I learned so much while feeling immersed into the time, seeing things through the eyes of her several times removed great-grandmother, and really understanding the travesty that was carried out for these women. I found the comparison to other countries interesting and this added a nice touch to the overall story. Highly recommended for a deeper dive into witch trials all over.

Anytime I see a book about Salem or the Witch Trials I have to pick it up. This was an interesting listen and very informative for anyone who is interested in the subject matter.

I really enjoyed this book! The subject matter has always fascinated me and I enjoyed the side by side journey of the writer and her ancestor. The writing was very smart and the narrator in the audiobook did an excellent job. I’d definitely recommend this book for anyone who is interested in learning about witchcraft history, both fact and fiction, from the days of Salem to today.

I would have preferred a younger narrator for the audiobook. I kept picturing Markham-Cantor's college days as being pre-internet, based on the middle-aged voice, only to find out that it was much more recent. I understand the choice to dramatize the story of Martha based off of court transcripts, but feel like it made the book less scholarly and more "here is a retelling of history as I imagined it".

A Fast-paced adventure about the author's ancestor during the infamous Salem witch trials. I found myself transported to the past during an unbelievably scary time for women. The narrator did a good job bringing the characters to life. I found this to be an interesting audio book, and very thought provoking.

To say something can be both haunting, illuminating, and enthralling is an exciting combination. That is precisely how I describe The Once & Future Witch Hunts by Alice Markham-Cantor. I equally loved the research and archival information rationales and the emotive story-telling in the historical fiction context of this dual point-of-view narrative. Even though I knew the inevitable was happening to Martha, given the historical record and knowledge of the Salem Witch Hunts, I could not escape how the story took hold of my subconscious. I understand the author's search for answers and to give voice to those whom the patriarchy has silenced.

This audiobook inspired me to do more profound research of my own, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about Martha's tale and Alice's journey to uncover it. Thank you to Alice Markham-Cantor, NetGalley, and Blackstone Publishing, Inc. This narrative was an incredible journey to witness.

I was excited to receive the arc copy of this audiobook. The Salem Witch Trials have always been an interest of mine, and I enjoy learning more. . I’ve read one or two nonfiction and lots of historical fiction about them, and still learned new things in this book. I really actually enjoyed the book and the way it combined the nonfiction with the historical fiction part. It was interesting to have the author's POV as a descendant and a researcher, both of which added a really great voice from the author, I enjoyed immensely her insight and sharing of the things that she learned while researching, I found some of the current witch trials that she shared fascinating and the fact that still so many connections as to why women are accused of being witches hasn't changed in hundreds of years. I had been discussing the Crucible recently with students and the times and the reasons that some of these things happen and then reading the book I wished I had read before the discussion as it would have been a wonderful book to help expand the knowledge of the students and provided real life examples. Given how often women are demonized in all societies to this day, this will likely never not be a timely read. I am excited to share it with students and teachers at our school.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, and Alice Markham-Carter for the advance release of this audiobook, I really enjoyed it and learned a lot!

I didn't get very fair into this book before I decided it was not for me. When there are so many books out there on the subject of the history of witchcraft, I feel I could find one better suited to me. I am sure there are plenty of other people out there who will really enjoy this.

I am like the author, because I also have dead people (relatives and people in town) who I believe want me to research and tell their stories. I lack the talent needed to write a book like this one, but I do have a facebook page belonging to the local historic society and I maintain it with my stories. Martha Carrier is also one of my 9th great grandmas and her name pops into my head regularly. I am also drawn to books about her, however, I did not look to see who this book was about when I picked it. I wanted to learn about witch hunts in general. We all think they stopped after Salem but I have found newspapers articles showing them happening in the late 1800s.
I love how this books reminds us that women had careers for a time way back when. They were doctors, bookkeepers, nd innkeepers, and then the men were like "nah."
And our historian just went along with it!
Everytime women have gained nay power there has been retaliation. Now we have a presidential candidate who wants to monitor the periods of girls and women to ensure no one in red states gets an abortion. We are days away from being jailed for miscarriage. It never stops. It is all variations of the same thing. Women are blamed for everything.
I loved the history in this book, the research, and I loved that she made Thomas into the heartthrob he probably was.
The narration was perfect.

Exploring the dark history of the Salem witch trials, the descendant of an accused witch alternates chapters of fact and fiction as she reveals the truth behind her ancestor’s fate. Through detailed research, a haunting revelation emerges: witch hunts are not just a relic of the past. This unique work presents Salem not as a cautionary tale, but as a guide to prevent future atrocities.

This incredibly immersive and engaging book brings to life the world of Salem in the 1600s. As a scholarly work, it also offers the personal and professional perspective of a woman telling her family’s story. This book does a good job of explaining how the Salem witch trials happened, and the socioeconomic factors that contributed. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The Salem Witch Trials have always been a subject I love to study. When I was given the ARC from NetGalley for the audiobook I was very excited.
What I really enjoyed about this book is that we get the historic portion as well as the authors perspective as well. It was a unique view from a decedents point of view. I could not put this book down. I also love how they give some really nice examples of how witch hunts are still in existence today.


#NetGalley #ARC #advanced reader copy #audiobook

I had trouble getting into this audiobook. The narrator was slow even when the speed was increased. While the forward was quite interesting, the book that followed did not live up to the same expectations. The author appears to have tried to create a memoir, historical non fiction, and historical fiction all in one book. It simply is too much. While the memoir pieces were charming, they became lost in the historical parts of the book. Furthermore the historical non fiction accounts of witches and Salem, etc. did nothing to add to the exhaustive amounts of literature already on the market on the subject.
Review posted on Goodreads

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the Salem Witch Trials are many women’s Roman Empire, including my own. I’ve read one or two nonfiction and lots of historical fiction about them and still learned new things in this book. It is very well-researched and focuses on Martha Carrier, the author’s ancestor, and the so-called “Queen of Hell,” who was put to death in 1692. The author alternates between historical fiction and non-fiction chapters, and both were well-written.

One of the most notable parts of the book was the author realizing in her research that this is still happening to people, primarily women, as recently as 2023. Most recently in African countries, but it seems that humans just can’t stop doing this to people - as in the Salem cases, primarily to women, people with differences, and people who might have property or other resources that others might be able to claim when they are found guilty. Given how often women are demonized in all societies to this day, this will likely never not be a timely read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, and Alice Markham-Carter for the advance release of this audiobook, I really enjoyed it and learned a lot!