Purge
Set in England in 1645, Purge is a story of fear and superstition that grips a town into madness. Sarah Wenham’s wealthy husband died fighting for the king in a war in which Parliament will soon be the victor. When a witch hunter arrives and accuses her of witchcraft, Sir Richard Easeby is called upon to defend her. He has only days to prepare her defense within a town gripped by religious fever and poised to lay all their troubles on one woman’s shoulders.
The story in this debut novel is well layered, promoting a sense of established characters instead of people with whom everything starts from scratch. Wootton introduces characters within his large cast very well so it doesn’t get confusing as to who’s who. Personalities spring forth from the pages as their suspicions interconnect and weave together in chilling ways. It’s not hard to imagine the terror or persuasiveness a witch finder could hold over a town’s inhabitants, summed up well by Easeby’s observation of an acquaintance: “Swords he has never feared, but words terrify him.”
The author is able to keep readers hooked throughout the arrest, trial, and ensuing events with a quick pace and high tension. As new truths emerge, more questions and suspicions twist the plot. Chapters are short but left me wanting more. Overall, a captivating story built upon solid research and very well-crafted prose. I’ll be keeping an eye out for what’s to come next for these characters.
