Deliverance From Evil

January 3, 2011
Hill (Out of Bounds) has written extensively as a historian on the Salem witch trials, and taps expertly into this knowledge for her third novel aiming "to reach the essential truths." Almost her entire cast of characters consists of the actual people who lived, worshipped, and suffered in 17th-century Salem during the witch hunts. In January 1692, the unordained Rev. George Burroughs and his closest friend, Capt. Peter White, are living in the remote settlement of Wells, in Maine, where Burroughs rescues young Mary Cheever after a local Indian massacre. Meanwhile, in Salem, Mass., Burroughs's former parish, two girls on a winter's night whip themselves into a frenzy that sends the whole of Salem into superstition and hysteria resulting in the witch examinations and trials. Burroughs, now married to Mary, is accused as the "leader of witches," arrested, and taken in irons to Salem. Mary and Peter travel to Salem, where their energetic efforts to prove his innocence fail, including Mary's meeting with the priggish, lecherous religious figure Cotton Mather. Hill's done a fine job with a subject that's inspired countless accounts, adding historical content that makes this treatment stand out from the rest.

March 1, 2011

Historian Hill (A Delusion of Satan: The Full Story of the Salem Witch Trials) delivers a fictional account of the infamous Salem Witch Trials. The novel begins in January 1692 as two girls play a fortune-telling game; soon the girls and their friends fall into hysterical fits. Accusations of witchcraft and possession by Satan are rapidly hurled against innocent women and men, and the town of Salem is consumed by show trials and brutal executions. Interspersed with the events in Salem is the story of George Burroughs, a nonconforming minister in Maine (and former Salem resident) who becomes caught up in the hysteria when he is arrested and charged with being the leader of the witches. Hill's broad knowledge of the historical facts behind the trials is amply demonstrated in this straightforward rendering. Unfortunately, the one-dimensional nature of the characters detracts from the power of the narrative. VERDICT Fans of plot-driven suspense may enjoy this novel, but those interested in a more nuanced and descriptive look at the Salem Witch Trials should try Kathleen Kent's The Heretic's Daughter.--Carly Thompson, Chicago Ridge P.L.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2011
Historian Hill utilizes her extensive research on the Salem Witch Trials to bone-chilling effect in this riveting tale of a town spiraling out of control. Hills four previous nonfiction books documented the infamous witch hunt and its aftermath, enabling her to lend a sense of immediacy and authenticity to the gripping narrative by stocking it with characters ripped directly out of the pages of history. She knows enough about the real-life perpetrators and victims to build a convincing fictional scenario around them. The tension ratchets up, and the hysteria mounts after what initially begins as an innocent game becomes something much more sinister. As the Salem community loses control of its collective senses, no one, not even innocent clergyman Reverend George Burroughs, is above suspicion. Astute readers will pick up on alarming parallels to be drawn between the past and the present day.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)