
Widdershins
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Narrated by:
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Christine Mackie
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By:
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Helen Steadman
Bear witness to the quiet courage of the women who endured one of English history’s darkest chapters.
Step into the shadowy world of seventeenth-century England with Widdershins, a haunting historical novel that lays bare the terror of the 1650 Newcastle witch trials.
Jane Chandler is a natural healer whose knowledge of herbal remedies leaves her vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft in a society consumed by superstition.
In pursuit of her is John Sharpe, a witchfinder whose relentless crusade against witches is forged by religious zealotry.
In this compelling work of historical witch fiction, Widdershins blends meticulous research with evocative storytelling that immerses listeners in a turbulent and fear-stricken past.
©2017 Bell Jar Books (P)2025 Bell Jar BooksListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
“Impeccably written, full of herbal lore and the clash of ignorance and prejudice against common sense, as well as the abounding beauty of nature, it made for a great read. There are plenty of books, both fact and fiction, available about the witch-trial era, but not only did I not know about such trials in Newcastle, I have not read a novel that so painstakingly and vividly evokes both the fear and joy of living at that time.” Sally Zigmond, Historical Novel Society
“Widdershins is a dark and wonderful novel, rich in historical details, herbal lore, traditions and superstitions. Steadman’s clear eyed storytelling and colourful period voice give life to a vibrant cast of characters drawn against the backdrop of tragic historical events. A compelling and memorable tale!” Louisa Morgan, A Secret History of Witches
“A compelling and nuanced account of the clash of cultures that claimed so many lives. Steadman’s carefully interwoven narrative conjures a world of herbal lore, folk practice and belief and convincingly portrays the psychological and ideological forces that form a perpetrator, and the social structures that sustain him.” Helen Lynch, The Elephand and the Polish Question
Listener received this title free
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Recommend
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It was well told, I didn’t have any trouble following along. It doesn’t sugarcoat anything. While this is a fictionalized retelling, these events actually happened and the author didn’t hold back at all.
The narration is well done, well-spoken, clean, and clear.
Note: I received this audiobook for free as a complimentary listen to go along with my review copy of the second book. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
Baskerville Book Reviews
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I was transported in place and time while listening- a mark of a great book!
Perfect witchy read for October!
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We see how John, the witchfinder, became so passionate about the work he does through the death of his mother, his wife and child as well as the influence of his abusive father and reverend uncle. We hear the stories of his progression into the career and the women accused along the way. Like with many other stories of this ilk, there is terrible aggression towards Eve's cursed daughters where women who have any knowledge or influence or cross the wrong man are deleted from society in the most horrific way. John is probably the most unlikable character I’ve ever read. I know history is full of these men but oof I just wanted to punch him more and more with every word and action.
Jane is a midwife's daughter whose life seems unfairly cursed from the start. Circumstance after circumstance leads her to her ultimate fate. It nearly seemed inescapable that she would end up where she did. As a woman with a brain and an opinion and a desire to make choices that followed her heart and not a sense of duty she set herself apart in a dangerous way. I was so empathetic towards her and found myself really wishing there was a way out for her. My favorite part of her story was the discussions of the herbs and treatments used at that time point. Oh and the END!
It’s definitely a slow moving story with the trials occurring quite near the end but the details of the time help build the tension to a crescendo. Lots of scenes are quite graphic and the description of the women’s “crimes” will make your blood boil but it is accurate to the trials of the times. Check this one out if you liked Phillippa Gregory’s Tidelands. After finishing this, I went right out and purchased the sequel.
Thanks to Love Book Tours for a gifted audio copy. All opinions above are my own.
Widdershins
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WOW! I was not ready for this! Stunning!
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Poignant Historical Fiction
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loved it
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historical fiction
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I am looking forward to book 2 and 3 of the series.
Great listen!
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Widdershins
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