What a book! I was wholly engaged in this novel from the beginning. The entire Puritan colonial Boston societal outlook was really informative and well researched by the author Mr. Bohjalian. The domestic abuse perpetrated upon the main character Mary by her husband Thomas that went ignored almost completely was shocking. Then the addition of possible witchcraft charges later on from the divorce prceeding which naturally under pressure from legal and political forces was denied leading to actual withcraft charges later in the novel was very exciting and fast paced writing. All in all without giving too much away it is a very exciting novel and a pleasure to have read. Thanks to Net Galley and Doubleday for allowing me to have such a wonderful and sad excursion into the past.

In 17th century Boston, an independent, free thinking woman is a dangerous creature. Mary Deerfield is a beautiful young woman, but she’s married to a monster. Thomas Deerfield is a drunken, abusive lout, and when he stabs Mary with a fork, she vows to divorce him. But in a time when people are looking around every corner for witches and the devil himself, Mary, with her ideas of independence and refusal to follow her neighbors’ blind hysteria, is dangerous. She is a woman who must be destroyed

Chris Bohjalian is a must-read author for me. I devoured this book in a weekend. Hour of the Witch begs the question: What are you able to endure to get away from an abusive relationship? To further complicate this, this book takes place in colonial times when new interpretation of laws were being founded, women had very few rights. If anyone were to tackle this topic, it's Chris. If you enjoy reading things in the vein of the Salem Witch Trials, colonial time period, this book is a MUST read.

This is stunning, thought provoking and intense! A book keeps you on your toes, fists are clenched, your heart rates are skyrocketing, tension is building higher, you get more agitated at each moment to know what’s gonna come next!

This is truly twisty, disturbing ride and not for everyone!

Let’s take a closer look to understand the intense, dark, claustrophobic premise of this story:
It takes place in Boston, 1662. Young, innocent, beautiful Mary, only 24, taking eyes of people with her porcelain skin, penetrating blue eyes. But this is not historical romance story. Nothing in this story is about love. With her beauty, she can have so many suitor candidates but in this new world order, she is forced to become second wife of a Thomas Deerfield, a powerful, dangerous man who is abusive scumbag. Yes, he doesn’t resist to use his violent tendencies against his new wife.

Mary needs to do something urgently to get rid of this marriage. But it’s not quiet simple because she already gave so much wrong impressions to the people in the community. The tainted objects are found buried in the garden already earned her more scrutinizing, prying eyes of people.

And the boy’s tragic fate she tried to heal with herbs and special blend, a frightened girl’s running away from her house verify the suspicions that she might be a dangerous witch! Is she really? Now she doesn’t only have to run away from her abusive monster at the home, she also needs to prove her innocence not to be burned at the stake!

The book starts a little slow to give detailed picture about the psychological background and realistic approach of the surroundings, community life, introducing characters. But second half, it turns into something
breathtakingly sinister that you cannot put it down! And that meaningful, satisfying ending sealed the deal! I’m sold!

I’m giving four witchy, dazzling, heart pounding, dark, bleak, twisty stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for sharing this digital copy of riveting book with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Gotta say, Bohjalian never disappoints! Hour of the Witch was creepy, engaging, frustrating, and emotional. I loved it!

I'm a huge fan of Chris Bohjalian's and jumped at the chance to grab an advance copy of his latest novel. I am fascinated by the fact that Bohjalian is able to write stunning novels, each one more different than the one before. The Flight Attendant was a gripping murder mystery. The Red Lotus was a medical mystery. And Hour of the Witch takes the reader all the way back to 1662, an era of Puritans and witch burning!

Hour of the Witch takes us into the life of a beautiful, young woman named Mary. Mary is only 24 and is in a loveless marriage with an older man named Thomas. The year is 1662 and the location is Boston. Thomas is a brute who frequently strikes Mary, but always in a way that won't be obvious to others and that he explains away as her clumsiness. Also living with Thomas and Mary is a young indentured servant named Catherine. Catherine is a little bit in love with Thomas and is blind to his cruelty.

After Thomas stabs Mary with a fork (aka the devil's tines), Mary can't take it anymore and resolves to divorce her husband. But divorce is not easily obtained in 1662, at least for a woman, and Mary ends up being more on trial for her "bad behavior" than Thomas is for his brutality.

The story is a slow-burn, fascinating look at the early days in America. Mary is a wonderful, sympathetic character, and you won't be able to resist rooting for her. Bohjalian is a brilliant author.

Thanks to Doubleday and NetGalley for providing me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley and Doubleday for an advance copy of Hour of the Witch in exchange for my honest review. I am a fan of Chris Bohjalian, so I was looking forward to this release. What a unique topic for Chris to take on. We forget how far we've come, until we look back. In this case, in the 1600s, a woman tries to divorce her abusive husband. The book sets the tone so eloquently that you are transported back to those times. It made me think about how easy it was, in days past, for others to accuse someone of witchcraft or other crimes, simply because they weren't following the path of least resistance, or they dare stand up for themselves. I can't pick a favorite book by this author, as I can't choose a favorite child, but Hour of the Witch will be in my thoughts for a long time. Don't miss this one.

Loved this story. Kept me wanting to turn the page. Just shows how much ridicule and hardship women had to endure during those times, sometimes even by their husbands. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

5 Stars
Fantastic novel about an intelligent, beautiful young woman named Mary, who during Puritan times (17th century) in Boston is abused by her husband and ultimately accused of being a witch. I've never read a book that took place during this period of time and found this story to be absolutely gripping. It's not a thriller in the usual sense, although there IS a wonderful twist. I must mention that the ending is just superb. So far Chris Bohjalian has not disappointed with his novels! I really love the way he writes and each book is very different from the one before. He will not be pigeon-holed! Anyway, this is a must read as it is quite thought provoking and obviously well researched. (I enjoyed the "acknowledgements" too!)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the opportunity to read this ARC. I also want to thank the author, [author:Chris Bohjalian|3509] for writing this special novel. You have piqued my interest in this time period and the injustices that women endured. Thank you!

Fantastic novel about an intelligent, beautiful young woman named Mary, who during Puritan times (17th century) in Boston is abused by her husband and ultimately accused of being a witch. I've never read a book that took place during this period of time and found this story to be absolutely gripping

Hour of the Witch takes place in Puritan Boston in the 1660's. Mary Deerfield is a young, very pious wife who has been unable to get pregnant by her physically and verbally abusive older husband. When he spears her hand with a fork, otherwise known as the Devil's tines, she decides she has had enough and with her parents help she tries to divorce her husband. The divorce is a very public display and it becomes more of an indictment of her than of her husband. The fact that she is barren becomes fodder for her possibly being a witch.

Chris Bohjatian does a wonderful job of bringing us into the mindset of the Puritan times and how one person can bring accusations against another. It's a very dark time for women and Mary makes it clear that men can do anything and are never questioned while she is accused of being a harlot, a potential murderess and a witch.

I really glad I read this book and would recommend it. More importantly, I'm definitely glad I didn't live during this time! Thanks to NetGalley for the advance read.

I am a big fan of Chris Bohjaliian and was very interested tor read his take on this dark and fascinating time in our history. This is Boston in the 1660's and historical fiction at it's finest as we delve into Puritan society and possible "witches"... fascinating characters (especially our lead Mary trapped in an abusive marriage), and the dialogue and settings all come together to make this novel a winner, as one would expect from this excellent writer! Highly recommend! Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and author for my ARC!

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Chris Bohjalian's novels. In fact, each new work is better than the next. The Hour of the Witch is a departure from his more recent thrillers, I loved this historical novel. The dialogue was on point and the research was extensive. So not only was the plot complicated and rich, the characters well developed, but the story was informative and so well written. The Hour of the Witch is one of my favorite novels of 2020. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review such a captivating story.

This is a delicious book, full of fantastic detail and beautiful writing. Set in Boston in 1662, we follow the life of Mary Deerfield, a formidable young woman who seeks a better life for herself, first through legal means and then through careful and meticulous plotting and planning. The author deftly creates the world of the Puritans in North America, their beliefs and everyday lives and language, and offers up complex characters with realistic internal conflicts and desires. The novel explores power and social hierarchies, gender and sexuality, and the relationship between religion and abuse. Highly recommended.

Mary Deerfield is a young wife living in Boston during the height of women being accused of witchcraft is cities like Salem and Hartford. While Mary seeks a divorce from her abusive husband, her neighbors and friends begin to think she a witch.

I couldn't get enough of this book! Bohjalian obviously did a great deal of research to make this historically accurate from the details of the trials to manor of speech. While I don't love reading Early Modern English, it made the story feel more authentic. The twists and turns in this book were on point. Just when I thought I knew the ending, Bohjalian threw in a curve ball I didn't see coming. I highly recommend this read!

I love Chris Bohjalian's books and this one was no exception.
Readers of historical fiction this book is for you!
It's the story of a woman who wants to divorce her abusive husband at a time when that just wasn't done.
She is of course accused of witchcraft and the story develops from there.
Bohjalians books never disappoint, I've read them all and will continue to read this amazing author. Always great character development and interesting plots.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for granting me this book.

Chris Bohjalian always surprises me. His books defy categorization. I read Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands, and I thought I knew what kind of book he wrote. Then I read The Flight Attendant, and that was completely different. Then I read The Red Lotus, and that was different again. Now, with The Hour of the Witch, I’m seeing a whole new Bohjalian. Each book has a compelling problem, complex characters, and solid writing. The stories and worlds are totally different. If you like books about strong women in oppressive times, you’ll like this book. If you have interest in witch trials, you’ll like this book. If you don’t care about those things, but you like good storytelling, you’ll like this book. I will always look for new Bohjalian books. The only thing I know for sure when I get them is that the hours invested in reading will be worthwhile.

Chris Bohjalian wrote one of my favorite books of all times, Midwives, so I was beyond excited to receive and advanced copy of his newest book to read. Hour of the Witch is everything I’ve come to know and love about his books.
Chris writes female characters so well and Mary Deerfield is no exception. The story takes place in Boston, 1662 at a time when witch hunting is constant and your neighbors are always looking for the sign of the devil in you. Mary is the second, young wife of Thomas Deerfield, an abusive and cruel husband. When she has finally had enough and fears for her life she makes the brave decision to try to divorce him. Of course she then becomes the one on trial for her life. She is strong and unconventional for the time and I just loved her. She is unwilling too give up on herself and her happiness.
The story has the mystery and suspense that keeps you flipping the pages to see what will happen next.
I honestly couldn’t put it down and stayed up way to late to finish it. I can’t recommend it enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday books for the opportunity to read this book.

Telling a tale of a woman wronged in a time when women had no rights and were controlled by the looming threat of witchcraft accusations, we see what happens when a woman tries to challenge that system. The research is evident, the setting is well built and historically accurate. The tale has just the right amount of twists and turns (you are not really ever surprised, but you sure do want to see what happens next) and the characters are well written and developed. In an era when poorly executed “men writing women” has reached impressive levels, Bohjalian manages to write a story of women that rings true. A great narrative that provides insight as to just how women were driven by a lack of autonomy to act in ways that consigned them to prison and death, both literal and figurative.

Fans of the author will not be disappointed in this new work. This book is best described as “comfortably captivating.” Anyone familiar with Bohjalian’s work will understand exactly what this means!

This novel takes place in Boston in the 1600's; Mary is in her 20's and in a marriage with an abusive man who is a prominent figure in their community. Because of his constant abusive behavior, Mary tries to divorce him (which was almost unheard of at the time). As her divorce proceedings begin, whispers of witch behavior begin to circulate about Mary. The more she tries to free herself from her husband, the more trouble she gets into and the more she fears facing a witch trial.
Chris Bohjalian is a master story teller. The old fashioned English that is used to tell the story seems like it might be difficult to follow at first, but you will quickly adapt and appreciate the authenticity it brings to the story. Even with the old fashioned English, this story will grab your attention immediately and keep you turning the pages. As a woman reading this in 2020, it infuriated me what Mary had to endure simply because of the fact that she was a woman. As difficult as some of the content was to read, trust me when I say that this is a must-read - this is another masterpiece by Chris Bohjalian and you should add this to your TBR list in April 2021. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance e-copy!

We often think of how subservient women were in older times, but this books a far darker and deeper view of things women had to put up with in Puritan times. Mary is married to an older man and he is cruel and abusive to her. The secrets that people keep behind closed doors when no one sees them are often dark.

When Mary has enough and seeks a divorce from her husband, a rare thing indeed during those times, she is pained as the harlot and later as a witch after being forced to return home to her husband. It matters not that she was nothing but a faithful wife and abided by the ruling to return to her marriage. How easily she was charged and convicted of being a witch, with so little evidence or fact. Such was the life of women during Puritan times, no matter how a minister or others spoke in their favor.

Perhaps women like Mary, Rebekkha and Peregrine are early examples of Nasty Puritan Women, because they take action and think with their own minds. But I know that I am grateful my ancestors came over during this period, if strong women were viewed this way, I would have been viewed as a witch and have hung on the gallows too.

While it started off slow, I’m glad I hung on because it took off like a rocket once the groundwork was set. I truly enjoyed this book and will be checking out more by this author. A true page turner.

I found this novel intriguing to say the least. This is the first Chris Bohjalian novel that I have read and I plan to read more.
Knowing that this novel was fiction, it still read as a part of history highlighting the cruelty and misconceptions of actions during that time period. Each character drew me in with the descriptive writing of thoughts and hardships that they ( women) endured.
Thank you.

This book transports the reader back to the 1600’s where life is hard and social norms are exacting for those who live there. Now place yourself there as a woman. Mary is a 24 yr old woman who becomes the second wife of a prominent older man. She endures physical and mental abuse from him until she reaches her tipping point. Then she does what society abhors – she stands up for herself. Chris has shown a meticulous eye for detail in this riveting story of early life in the colonies. You will be enlightened and outraged as you make your way through the pages. Twists and turns keep you reading. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Chris Bohjalian, Doubleday and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Bohjalian triumphs with his account of a woman trapped in an impossible marriage, plotting her escape. Astute readers will likely understand the culprit early on, but that makes it no less fun or enthralling a read. I was spellbound all the way through, tearing through this book in an uncharacteristically obsessive fashion!

The year is 1662 in Boston. Mary, a beautiful young woman is married to Thomas who is almost twice her age. He is cruel and abuses her both physically and emotionally when he is drunk - which is almost every day. When he sticks a three pronged fork into her hand, she decides that she needs to divorce him. But gossip is an ugly thing and greatly affects the way a person is viewed in a community. Mary soon finds that many people are suspicious that she is a witch working together with the devil. As she works on getting out of her marriage, she finds that she has to work just as hard to avoid being hung as a witch.


Once again Chris Bohjalian presents his readers with a totally different book than what he has written before. Yet, it's still a masterpiece and one that you will be engrossed in. The research that he did is apparent in every page - especially with the language used in this time period. He is also one of the best male writers of female characters writing today. His depiction of Mary - her actions and her thoughts are spot on. I will give you the same words that I give on every one of Chris Bohjalian's books - You Don't Want to Miss This Book!

I absolutely adored this book. and can't wait to share it with my feminist readers. It really made the truths of the patriarchy hit home and I found it to be historically sound, albeit fiction. Putting it down was difficult and I know my readers will feel the same.

I love historical fiction but somehow I haven't really read anything set in this time period. A very interesting look at what life was like for women at the time and the choices available to them. I'm not sure the ending was exactly what I wanted, but then maybe it's better that way.

I requested this one because I’ve loved a few past books by Chris Bohjalian - The Flight Attendant and The Guest Room. I also enjoyed The Red Lotus, but in a different way than the first two.

I was a little nervous about The Hour of the Witch, because I’m not typically a fan of historical fiction (this book is set in 1662). The language is a little old-timey, which took some getting used to, but once I got used to it I really enjoyed the style. This was the perfect book to step out of my comfort zone with.

The characters drew me in, and I couldn’t wait to see what happened to Mary. This book would be a perfect book club group, as I believe it would spark interesting discussions about how easily women were disregarded in this time period. If a woman wasn’t conforming to what the rest of society wanted, just accuse her of being a witch and no one will pay her any mind!

I really appreciate how well Chris Bohjalian can write over so many different styles and genres. His range is amazing!

Puritans vs Demons

I have read many of Bohjalian’s novels, but this story is a total turnaround from a conventional narrative. Delving into the demonic and frenzied era of our country in 1622, we are propelled into the life of Mary Deerfield. She is twenty-four years old and the narrator of this tale, until the story takes a more omnipotent point of view in third person. She lives in Boston, brought there by her wealthy parents from England.

It doesn’t take long for the reader to become accustomed to “thee,” “thou,” and “thy.” Usage of these pronouns convey more courtesy but civility is far from the truth. We are in the New World, where belief in saints vs the Dark One is prevalent.

Married to Thomas Deerfield, forty-five years old, a wife-beater, drunk (often), and a fairly successful businessman. He is rough with Mary in the bedroom and physically and emotionally abusive out of the bedroom. Married for five years, Mary is yet to become pregnant, she is considered barren. Mary harbors desires which do not include her cruel husband. Those desires move the plot along to expand her horizons.

It seems like everyone was looking for the devil, ready to accuse their neighbors, servants or best friends of the occult. There is an obvious demarcation between the decent characters vs evil ones. Mary tried to divorce Thomas in the “courts” but she is sent back home. She then tries to escape her marriage and believes she may prevail, until she is put on trial again for being a witch.

I read this with trepidation, not really sure how it was going to resolve. How was Mary to escape? The novel was a bit too long. However, it’s packed with suspense, and Bohjalian ties up the loose ends in this hypocritical part of our history.

My gratitude to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for providing me with a pre-published book for an honest review.

Chris Bohjalian has done it again. This historical novel of seventeenth century Boston, the witchcraft hysteria, and marital abuse can not be put down. As an avid fan of Chris Bohjalian's work, I sometimes have pre-ordered his novels, accessed them at midnight on release day, and read them straight through. This novel is a real thriller, and the reader walks in the shoes of Mary, feeling her physical and emotional pain. Bohjalian always promises a fully-researched piece of writing with clearly developed characters walking the historical period of which he writes. This novel fulfills that promise!

I received a temporary digital advanced copy of Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian from NetGalley, Doubleday Books, and the author in exchange for an honest review.

Mary, second-wife of Thomas Deerfield, decides after a brutal fork stabbing that it is time to divorce her husband--an action foreign in 1662 Boston. However, due to items being buried in her garden and the Deerfield's indentured servant's brother dying, who Mary tried to help, her extremely Puritan neighbors begin talking about her behaviors. Mary quickly realizes she has much more to worry about than her husband.

Bohjalian's Hour of the Witch was captivating. From the accuracy of the colonial speech to the socially sanctioned brutality, the author creates a well-written and though-out novel; however, there is a lot of physical violence which was difficult to consume. I gave the novel four stars instead of five because the beginning started off a little slow for me and the focus/fear of forks was wearing after a while.

Another extraordinary book by the wonderful authorChris Bohjalian. The heartbreak of a young woman abused by her husband then accused of being a witch.A time in history where women seemed to be owned by their husbands property ,I have read other books by this author each drew me in and kept me turning the pages Hour of The Witch is a book I will be highly recommending,#netgalley#doubledYbooks

What an incredible journey into the past drama of the witch hunts and trials. I was reading so fast I could hardly take it all in because I HAD to know what happened! SO good!

Chris Bohjalian is always terrific. I love the historical background provided. Look forward to his next title!

I rarely meet a book by Chris Bohjalian that I DON'T like, and this was no different! He is such a versatile author, and that trait once again shines through in this historical novel focused in witch-crazed New England. This is so much more than a novel about an accused witch, though - it delves into the struggles women of the time had asserting themselves, and having any credibility or agency in their own lives - separate from the men that ruled them. Another favorite!

This latest from Bohjalian will give you a little insight into the plight of women in early America, where indiscriminate men and jealous women easily isolate and endanger the lives of strong and knowledgeable women. The story follows Mary Deerfield through her volatile marriage, and accusations of devil worship, as she fights Puritan hypocrisy.

I don't think I have enough words to say how much I loved this book! I am endlessly fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials (as I have an ancestor who was hanged as a witch at the trials) and this book dealt with the witch hysteria in Boston about 30 years prior to the Salem Witch madness. We meet Mary Deerfield through both the beautifully written prose of Chris Bohjalian, and quotations from her two court cases. The first court case was a petition of divorce from her violent husband, where the specter of a witchcraft charged loomed largely, and the second where she was tried as a witch. Mary is a 24 year old woman who is the second wife of a man who has a daughter Mary's age. He has the terrible combination of a violent personality and a tendency to get "drink-drunk", as stated in the book. His cruelty spurs Mary to seek a divorce, which was not granted, then a means of escape from this terribly abusive man. Mary has befriend a woman, Constance, who is mostly ignored by the people of Boston, unless they are looking for a convenient woman to accuse of witchcraft. This association help convince the court that Mary is indeed in league with the Devil. A wonderful look into a rather dark period of the history of the colonies.

Chris Bohjalian has once again written a great historical novel in ‘Hour of the Witch’. has twists, turns and keeps the reader entirely engaged throughout. His use of the language of the 1600’s and his ability to portray the mind, words and actions of his female characters is exceptional.
Mary Deerfield is the second wife of Thomas, an often cruel and abusive drunk, twice her age. Mary makes a decision to end her marriage after Thomas stabs her in the hand with a three-pronged fork. This decision is not only fodder for gossip but has the puritanical community muttering with suspicion that Mary is a witch, filled with evil and possessed by the devil himself. Catherine, Thomas and Mary’s maid servant is in love with Thomas and blind to his violence and brutality.
Twist, turns and a engrossing narrative makes this a wonderful and highly recommended read.
My thanks to NetGalley, Doubleday Books and Chris Bohjalian for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoy stories of women surviving, then read this book!
Anyone who has read works by Chris Bohjalian knows he has the special gift of story telling. His skill not only lies in the ability to create interesting plots or write great intrigue, which he does, or his ability to write so many different types of books (mystery/thriller, love stories, historical pieces, and my favorite - the ones that leave you still thinking about them for days). His greatest skill is the ability to write a book that has more than one meaning. Hour of the Witch is such a book. It is an amazing story at its most basic level; moving, heart wrenching, a statement at its deepest. Now, I am not a professional in anything dealing with books. I just happen to love books and have been reading them in great quantity for many years. In a way, this has slanted how I rate or experience books. It takes hard work on the author's part to make me feel so deeply I sit in silence with my fast awash in tears once I've reached a conclusion; for me to talk about the book over supper days after I finish it. This book did this to me. Or for me to give it 5 stars?....Hour of the Witch will get 5 stars. I would give more if I could. It is not about witchcraft, directly, (for those who may be concerned) except it is set during a time when man was so blinded that anyone weaker or different - especially strong individuals who did not want to follow in the demented footsteps of ignorant townsfolk - could be labeled and condemned as a witch. Which is why this book is more than a story. It is a statement, of what was and what still is, in several ways. It is the story of strong women fighting for their lives against those who see them as weak, unnecessary beings, the always leader into Sin. It is truly well-written, and one of Mr. Bohjalian's best works. For those who want a great historical fiction read, please pick this up., though I imagine you will finish it getting more from it.

Thank you to NetGalley, DoubleDay, and of course, Chris Bohjalian for allowing me to read this advanced copy. The opinions I have stated, however, are definitely my own.

Chris Bohjalian has written a thought-provoking story about a young woman in puritanical Boston. Mary Deerfield, 24, has been married to an increasingly abusive Thomas for five years. When he stabs her hand with a three-pronged fork - the 'devil's tines' - that she dared bring into their home, she sues for divorce. In this time of accusations of witchcraft, Mary gets caught up in a world where women must stay in their place and assigned role in society.
Mary is a wonderfully complex character and not all innocent as many characters in a story like this could be. She is an active character who lusts, sins, and fights to the end. The author does a nice job illustrating what a woman's life might be like in this time, when the struggle to live a godly life conflicts mightily with human frailties and basic human emotions.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Hour of the Witch is a historical fiction for those who love being immersed in the past setting. One reason I enjoy historical fiction is learning little details about life back when. Hour of the Witch does an outstanding job building the Puritan Boston world from the ground up with clear, detailed imagery.

Because the story aims for historical accuracy, there are no fireworks to excite the reader. For the sake of believability, a lack of fireworks is acceptable. However, Mary could drone on for pages talking about something the reader can infer on their own or something already explicitly stated.

The story is somewhat familiar. A young woman, too independent for her time, is accused of witchcraft. How the HoftW differs from most witchcraft trial stories is that the witch trial is only half of the story. Mary is only accused after trying to divorce her abusive husband. I had no idea that divorce because of abuse was possible in Puritan America, so reading about that and the historical POVs was interesting.

Hour of the Witch is an interesting take on Puritan ideals and hypocrisy. It offers a look into how those who don't believe in abuse allow it to happen. Other Puritan witch stories often present everyone on the other side as blatantly evil. HoftW shows that most of the time, those allowing evil to happen weren't trying to be evil. That's where Hour of the Witch, combined with its detailed historical world building, shined. I'd recommend this to those who like serious historical fiction.

Thought provoking, very thought provoking.
1662 in Boston young Mary is 24 and beautiful! Back in the old world she would have had her choice of a suitor but in the new world she is forced to be the second wife to Thomas Deerfield. This is a major scumbag who is a dangerous and abusive man!
Now, Mary really wants to end this marriage but she had to do it in the right way because she is already suspected of being a witch so when she tries to divorce him she is put on trial for her life!
During this time divorcing someone just wasn't done so when she does this she is of course thought to have been a witch!
The first half of the book sets everything up but the second half of the book was AMAZING, like can't put down at 3 a.m. The one thing that is very thought provoking is how easily it was for her to be on trial for being a witch and how easily she was sentenced to death.I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely check out more by this author! Thank you Netgally and Doubleday Books for the opportunity to read and review this one!

A new Chris Bohjalian book is an automatic TBR for me. I love that his writing spans such a wide variety of genres and topics and I am always impressed by his ability to write the female perspective with such empathy and authenticity.

In Hour of the Witch, Mr. Bohjalian gives us one of his most compelling protagonists. Mary Deerfield is a woman both beautiful and strong of character who, unfortunately, lives in the wrong time and place, early 17th century Boston. It was very dangerous to be a woman in Puritanical New England, especially if one had an inclination to be outspoken or to challenge one's husband for "cruelty."

While Hour of the Witch is primarily historical fiction, and it is evident the author invested many hours of research to make it an accurate and often disturbing portrayal, this novel also at points reads like a compulsively absorbing thriller. In a word, this book was fantastic -- definitely one of Mr.Bohjalian's best. Five stars all the way.

Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved every Chris Bohjalian book I have ever read and Hour of the Witch is no exception. The writing is emotionally nuanced and thought-provoking. This is not a book you read and forget, but one that stays with you, entering your thoughts long after you've read the last line. The time period, with all its piety, suspicion and fear, is brought to vivid life through Mary's eyes. I felt like I was holding my breath until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for access to this arc!

The Hour of the Witch is an intense, nightmarish page-turner. And in my eyes, utter perfection. It’s the story of Mary, a fiery and intelligent Puritan from a wealthy family who has the misfortune of marrying a monster in the New World. Thomas’ acts of ingenious cruelty slowly escalate to the point where Mary can endure them no longer. So she does the unthinkable- she files for divorce.

17th century Massachusetts is a breeding ground for misogyny, salacious gossip and religious fervor. Mary’s fellow colonists are scandalized by her intention to separate from her respected husband Thomas. And thanks to her childless state, fondness for herbal remedies and an unfortunate incident involving cutlery, there are whispers that Mary might in fact be a witch.

The Hour of the Witch is a gripping, spell-binding, emotional rollercoaster ride. I frequently found myself outraged and incensed on Mary’s behalf. The way she was abused by her alcoholic husband and treated as less-than by her community (just for being a woman) was absolutely infuriating. I felt deeply sympathetic for her plight.

I have to hand it to Chris Bohjalian, every book I’ve read by him has been superb, but this one takes the cake. His impeccable research and passion for colonial life comes alive on the page. I was easily swept up in the dramatic whirlwind that was the Puritan witch hunt. Bojhalian expertly crafts a psychological backdrop percolating with paranoia, suspicion and outright hysteria.

I appreciated the use of the wild woman archetype embodied by Mary and Constance. Their intelligence and sharp tongues are seen as a palpable threat to the men in the colony. The only way to eliminate said threat? Accuse them of being the devil’s handmaidens. If those two strong and independent women with scintillating wit were labeled witches, then sign me up. I want to be one too.

It’s interesting to contemplate the overwhelming irony of the colonists’ behavior. They cling desperately to their religion, extreme and single-minded in their pursuit of the kingdom of heaven. And yet, they who studied the Bible and learned to love thy neighbor, were so quick to condemn someone to death (not to mention eternal damnation!) with little to no evidence. The hypocrisy is astounding.

I highly recommend The Hour of the Witch to readers who enjoy suspenseful and thrilling historical fiction that fearlessly explores the dark and intimate corners of the (Puritan) psyche.

A well written and very well researched novel about a wife accused of witchcraft in 1600s New England. Mary,mentally and physically abused by her husband, appeals to the court for a divorce. However, 1600s New England certainly has no sympathy for an abused woman and denies her petition. The court also seems eager to find her *and every woman) guilty of witchcraft. Mary then has to seek justice in her own way.
Especially interesting in this book was 1600s' Boston's fear of forks. I looked this up and it was absolutely true, that early New Englanders thought that forks were "the devil's tines".
Chris Bohjalian crafted an interesting and unique story that should take the place of The Crucible on many reading lists. This book deals with more than the witchcraft scare, but also with women's rights or lack thereof in early America, not even allowed to speak their mind without being accused of witchcraft. This should be required reading for young women of today for how very far we've come!

Special thanks to author Chris Bohjalian, for he is a tour de force, I have not had the pleasure of reading before, and of course NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the ARC of this great book.

Oh what to say without giving things away? Chris Bohjalian, also author as books such as The Flight Attendant and Midwives, and many more that I must also add to my TBR list, has made me an absolute fan with Hour of the Witch. Also a fan of how lovingly he speaks of his wife Victoria and daughter Grace Experience is touching,,but the studying he did for this book that takes place in the 1600's, is astounding, and hard work I imagine.

I dare to say I identify with the lead female character Mary Deerfield, married to the cruel Thomas Deerfield, but if not I wish I had her grace and temerity living in a town of gossips and blasphemers, and how she handles herself. Smart beyond her years, she tries to fights her way out of her marriage, fraught with cruelty and violence.. Is she a witch? That's for you to decide, but she does get her hour in Hour of the Witch, whether she succeeds or not I will not say, but I give this book a definite 4.5 stars, which I'll round up to a 5,

A popular author tries his hand at historical fiction, I think for the first time. The story is set in 1662 Boston, where the Puritans are arriving from England, and a fear of witches is everywhere. Mary is an independent thinker, at times outspoken, and barren, none of which is a positive for a woman in this world. Her older husband has been abusive, but she has been hiding the evidence. When he stabs her left hand with a fork and breaks the bones, she decides she needs to leave him, and asks for a divorce, an unheard-of decision for a Puritan woman. Thus begins a horrible chain of events for Mary and those who love and support her. It is horrible reading how anyone can say anything about someone and be believed! It was frustrating to read about this time in our history, when women had very little power and almost no respect from men. The story began slowly and was a bit redundant at the start, but my interest picked up as Mary's fate was debated. Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for providing an ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free ARC ebook of Hour of the Witch. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Chris Bohjalian's latest novel -- no surprise, since he is among my favorite authors. Hour of the Witch is set in seventeenth century Boston, and tells the story of a young wife, cruelly treated by her husband, as she seeks escape from this sadistic man. Bohjalian ably recreates the atmosphere of religiosity and self-righteousness of this early Pilgrim society, and the belief system that cast women as fragile, sinful, and in need of both protection and "correction" from men. His characters are all well-drawn and three-dimensional, and in most cases share aspects of both saints and sinners. Plot twists in the latter half of the novel sustained my interest and had me reading eagerly to see how this story would play out. I definitely recommend Hour of the Witch to those who enjoy historical fiction.

Mary Deerfield is a young woman with a kind family, but an unrelenting husband. The second wife of Thomas Deerfield, a man of some standing in the town, Mary has only her family to turn to when she is in need. Though women do not have much standing in their community, will Mary be able to use the connections she has to escape a dangerous situation?

Hour of the Witch was very unusual, as the main female character lived in Puritan times, but refused to bow to the will of her husband. The novel is historical fiction, but is actually based on a real life case regarding the first divorce in America. As the novel evolves from marital issues to wild accusations, the plot does take a turn to the familiar. This is the only aspect of the novel that I do not care for, as it would have been better had the plot stayed the course. That being said, author Chris Bohjalian does a great job of capturing the setting of 1660's America. I like how Mary Deerfield is represented in Hour of the Witch, as I do like a main character with a good spine and the ability to persevere. For these reasons, I would recommend Hour of the Witch to others.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy via NetGalley and the publisher, Doubleday. The choice to review this book was my own.