Like her feelings for Rafe, Isabel’s ward, or the fact that she studies from Wulfric’s books at night. In one chapter, Mae finds her father sleeping and takes his book from him: Malleus Maleficarum no less, the infamous C15 century text, Hammer of the Witches. The relationship between Mae and her father was more difficult to read about though - his thoughts on women generally, including his daughter, were harsh and controlling. Our features are original articles from our print magazines (these will say where they were originally published) or original articles commissioned for this site. I’ll make a note of it, and if it keeps coming back to me, and I find myself mulling it over, fleshing it out over time, then I know it has potential.

Hebden Bridge Appearances | Eventbrite

At the same time, she studies with Isabel, the village midwife and "wise-woman" whose knowledge of herbs and natural remedies, has helped many women. I kept hoping and praying that Mae would finally be free of that dreadful home but I hadn’t quite imagined events to unfold as they did. The plot was beautifully placed and the the world building was phenomenal, there were numerous points I could easily envisage myself in Eyam during the midst of the deadly plague. Poisons played an interesting role, with diseases themselves often viewed as poisons within the body, involving putrefaction that needed to be drawn out or dried up using astringent or poisonous substances: the principle of curing ‘like with like’.

However, the story is mainly based around Mae and her pious but bullying village apothecary father, Wulfric.

Medicinal Use of Forest Trees and Shrubs by Indigenous People

A fantastic historical novel centred on the village of Eyam that found itself at the heart of a plague crisis.Thank you so much Millie at Little Brown for sending me a gorgeous finished copy of the book to review. She has tried to be the best daughter she can, running the home following the deaths of her mother and sister but he is never happy. Strong historical elements were infused into the plot which I usually do enjoy but I couldn't bring myself to even stand it. Petals and Stones is a book that gets off the blocks at 100 miles per hour – it’s a brilliant opening set-up that well and truly draws us into the story from the outset….

The Hemlock Cure by Joanne Burn | Waterstones

Once I began reading about the 17th century world of medicine and poisons, how could I resist taking the reader to this fascinating place? He is a pious man, and believes only sinners will get ill; but still becomes an influential figure to the village; the only one who can slow the plague.It was, astonishingly, the first time that the house had been on the open market (having previously been passed down through the family). Overall, I thought it was a little slow-paced, and I didn’t really connect with any of the characters but still found it an enjoyable, entertaining read. It was the woman of the house who oversaw the work of the stillroom, meaning that many gentlewomen worked with herbs too. Eyam rose to fame for their measures of self-isolation at that time- meaning the plague was less likely to pass on to other towns/villages surrounding it. Leah's character, despite not being able to directly interact with any of the other characters, is so well thought out.