The Familiars
The Familiars by Stacey Halls, published by Harlequin Enterprises ULC in October 2019, is a historical fiction novel set in 1612 Lancaster, England. This edition spans 384 pages and is presented in English. The narrative unfolds during a time of intense witch hunts, where Fleetwood Shuttleworth, the mistress of Gawthorpe Hall, grapples with the perilous reality of being a woman in an era rife with suspicion and accusation. As she faces the threat of losing her life during childbirth, she encounters Alice Gray, a young woman who claims to be a midwife and offers her assistance.
Readers will find a gripping exploration of the witch trials, as Fleetwood’s desperation to save both herself and Alice intensifies. The story delves into themes of female agency and societal fears, set against the backdrop of the Pendle witch trials. As the narrative progresses, Fleetwood must navigate the treacherous waters of accusation and prove Alice’s innocence amidst a frenzy of superstition and paranoia. The Familiars presents a vivid portrayal of the lives of women in the seventeenth century, raising thought-provoking questions about the nature of witch hunting and its implications for women of the time.
Official synopsis Publisher
From the Author of the Sunday Times Bestseller, Mrs. England!
In 1612 Lancaster, England, the hunt for witches has reached a fever pitch…
But in a time of suspicion and accusation, to be a woman may be the greatest risk of all.
Fleetwood Shuttleworth, the mistress of Pendle Hill’s Gawthorpe Hall, is with child. Anxious to produce an heir, she is distraught to find a letter from her physician that warns her husband she will not survive this pregnancy.
Devastated, Fleetwood wanders the estate grounds, where she catches a young woman poaching. Alice Gray claims she is a local midwife and promises to help Fleetwood deliver a healthy baby. But a witch-obsessed frenzy sweeps the countryside. Even woodland creatures or “familiars” are thought to be dark companions of the unholy. And Alice soon stands accused of witchcraft.
Time is running out. The witch trials are about to begin. With both their lives at stake, Fleetwood must prove Alice’s innocence. Only they know the truth.
Set against the real Pendle witch trials, this compelling novel draws its characters from historical figures as it explores the lives of seventeenth-century women. Ultimately it raises the question: Was witch hunting really just women hunting?
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