Solstice

By: Helen Steadman

Narrated by: Christine Mackie

The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy: Book 3

England, 1673. Still a world of witches, witch trials and witchfinders. When a new vicar arrives to take over the parish of Mutton Clog, the village finds itself in the grip of puritan fever, and suspicious eyes are turned on Rose Driver. Rose’s mother, brother and grandmother were all put to death by the fanatical witchfinder, John Sharpe. Almost quarter of a century after the Newcastle witch trials, Sharpe is no longer a threat. Rose should be safe in her quiet village, but is history about to repeat itself?

Find out in Solstice, the powerful conclusion to the trilogy, which tells the story of one woman’s struggle for survival in a hostile and superstitious world. The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy was inspired by the little-known 1650 witch hunt where fifteen women and one man were hanged for witchcraft on a single day.

©2023 Helen Steadman (P)2024 Helen Steadman

The Trials Continued

Book 3 of "The Widdershins Trilogy" was as troubling as the first two books. Once the audiobook started, I had to listen to the whole audiobook in one sitting as I was captivated by the story and the characters. A new vicar moved into the village where Rose Driver has become a young woman. The author brought the people and the times to life with her prose. Her character descriptions made the characters seem real. Some of the trials that Rose faced were hard to bear as I was so caught up in the story. Christine Mackie's narration was entertaining. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

Good listen

I was given this book for free,

This is a good listen and narration is fine as well.

Excellent Historical Fiction!

I was lucky enough to read the two predecessors of Solstice, Widdershins and Sunwise by Helen Steadman. Solstice wraps up this trilogy of the Newcastle Witch Trials perfectly. It has been twenty five years since the last witchfinder John Sharpe disappeared. His puritanical legacy was incredibly wicked and violent toward women, especially medicinal healers. Unfortunately even though he has been long gone some of the 'Christian' values he embraced and touted have remained. Rose is a beautiful young country girl whose grandmother and stepmother have passed down their knowledge of herbal medicine to her. When a new minister and his rabidly puritanical daughter arrive in the small dale of Mutton Clog they set out to squash all hints of paganism. Patience, the daughter sees Rose as a threat as her brother, Earnest is instantly attracted to her. He has created trouble in the past with other women which ended up banishing their family to Mutton Clog, Patience takes matters in to her own hands and vows to rid their new home of any type of witchcraft, real or not. This is a tale of good versus evil where the evil is cloaked by Christianity. It's not necessary to read the other novels before reading Solstice but I would recommend doing so. I thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy and recommend all three of the novels. 5 solid stars.