NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2021 ACCORDING TO THE GUARDIAN. BASED ON ACTUAL EVENTS. To save or to be saved? England, 1643. The whole country is engulfed in Puritan fervor. In the small town of Manningtree, after the war, there are no men left at all, and in the hearts of women, left to their own devices, the horror of damnation burns. Rebecca West, living with only her mother, suffers from a dreary routine, which is only occasionally enlivened by her infatuation with a handsome young clerk, John Eads. But now a new piece appears on the Manningtree chessboard - none other than Matthew Hopkins. A mysterious, devout man dressed from head to toe in black, he becomes the owner of the Thorn Inn and begins to wonder what the women on the outskirts of this seedy community are doing. Dangerous rumors of covens, conspiracies and witchcraft now threaten women like Rebecca... And Manningtree's future, both frightening and exciting, lies in the hands of one man. Filled with modern energy and dynamism, this story brings to life a small mid-17th century English town with its people, customs and atmosphere. A dark, unusual and truly lively novel based on the book by the famous witch hunter Matthew Hopkins. “A.K. Blakemore is a true poet. Her wit and rich literary language endow the novel with undeniable merits." – The Guardian “If you also like to enjoy the author’s style, we strongly recommend that you read this novel.” – Literary Hub “In The Witches of Essex, the imagery perfectly captures the atmosphere, character, and details of the era. Well-written characters are more than just heroes and villains." – Booklist “Inventive! Clever! An ambitious and fresh look at the era will delight readers." – Publishers Weekly