The Vanishing Witch: A dark historical tale of witchcraft and rebellion Karen Maitland 9781472215031

Step back in time with Karen Maitland, author of the hugely popular Company of Liars. This dark tale is sure to thrill fans of The Witchfinder's Sister and C. J. Sansom with its chilling recreation of the Peasants' Revolt.

'A gem, crafted in the darkness ... Maitland has produced another gripping tale, from a darker age, which has surprising resonances with the present' Independent on Sunday

By the pricking of my thumbs ...

Lincoln, 1380. A raven-haired widow is newly arrived in John of Gaunt's city, with her two unnaturally beautiful children in tow.

The widow Catlin seems kind, helping wool merchant Robert of Bassingham care for his ill wife. Surely it makes sense for Catlin and her family to move into Robert's home?

But when first Robert's wife - and then others - start dying unnatural deaths, the whispers turn to witchcraft. The reign of Richard II brings bloody revolution, but does it also give shelter to the black arts?

And which is more deadly for the innocents of Lincoln?

What readers are saying about The Vanishing Witch:

'Engrossing, enchanting and mysterious - this book kept my mind busy from start to finish'

'Compulsive reading. Thoroughly researched, highly informative and just a downright good story!'

'Magical and mysterious. Against this fascinating historical background, Maitland weaves a sinister tale of witchcraft, betrayal and terror'

The critically acclaimed Queen of the Dark Ages introduces a chilling novel set against the backdrop of the Peasants' Revolt.

About the Author
Karen Maitland is an historical novelist, lecturer and teacher of Creative Writing, with over twenty books to her name. She grew up in Malta, which inspired her passion for history, and travelled and worked all over the world before settling in the United Kingdom. She has a doctorate in psycholinguistics, and now lives on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon.

Reviews
A gem, crafted in the darkness ... Maitland has produced another gripping tale, from a darker age, which has surprising resonances with the present * Independent on Sunday *
Maitland has created a rich and believable medieval world with extraordinary attention to detail and finely wrought prose; her huge, deftly drawn cast of characters spring vividly to life * Sunday Express *
Karen Maitland truly is the Doyenne of medieval fiction ... A tempting, beguiling and truly bewitching read * beadyjansbooks.blogspot.co.uk *
An immensely powerful tale ... This is masterly storytelling, generous to the reader from start to finish * forwinternights.wordpress.com *
A riveting, page-turning whopper of a book that had me captivated - in fact, positively bewitched - from the start. Blending history, superstition, folklore, murder, mystery and witchcraft sublimely, this ... is an absolute must-read * thelittlereaderlibrary.blogspot.co.uk *
Beautifully written with an uncanny eye for detail * jaffareadstoo.blogspot.co.uk *
Just put it on your list to read. You won't regret it at all * thislifeofliterature.wordpress.com *
A wonderfully Gothic atmosphere... Maitland has produced another gripping tale, from a darker age, which has surprising resonances with the present * Independent *
I relished the colour, the meticulously researched detail and strong characters -- Fanny Blake * Woman and Home *
Glorious stuff, intriguing and thrilling... a great story well told * Lovereading.co.uk *



Book Information
ISBN 9781472215031
Author Karen Maitland
Format Paperback
Page Count 608
Imprint Headline Review
Publisher Headline Publishing Group
Weight(grams) 413g
Dimensions(mm) 199mm * 124mm * 38mm