Wicked of the Earth

English language

Published 2024 by Northodox Press.

ISBN:: 978-1-915179-43-2

(1 review)

October, 1650, traumatised Parliamentarian spy James Archer returns north seeking his sister Meg, missing in the aftermath of Newcastle’s recent witch trials.

Aloof, enigmatic Elizabeth Thompson draws him to investigate the ongoing killing of women who had worked to free the accused.

But when Elizabeth herself becomes hunted, the only chance of escape lies in Archer setting himself as bait.

Telling the true story of England’s largest witch trial, and the extraordinary all-female campaign to free the accused, The Wicked of the Earth is perfect for readers of Andrew Taylor, S G MacLean, S J Parris, or C J Sansom.

2 editions

matthewmincher reviewed Wicked of the Earth by A. D. Bergin

Decent debut

3 stars

I was hoping this would grab me and feel something like a Shardlake story or have a similar vibe to Pillars of the Earth. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t hit in the same way.

Impressive for a first novel, I’d probably try any others he writes. I didn’t really enjoy any of the characters, and I felt that while the plot was interesting (especially as it’s based on true events), it was lacking something either in scale or depth to keep the pages turning.

That said, it was an easy read, and I’d probably recommend it to fans of historical fiction looking for something new to try.

Subjects

English literature