Tidelands

Philippa Gregory

Simon & Schuster

Philippa Gregory needs very little introduction and if, like me, you are a fan of historical fiction, you won’t be disappointed with this new novel, the first in a series.

The year is 1648 and England is in the grip of a civil war between King Charles I and his parliament. No part of the country is untouched by the conflict, not even a small settlement on the south coast of England known as the Tidelands. A young woman, Alinor, lives there with her two children. Her abusive husband is missing and life isn’t easy for her. She is seen as different by her neighbours as she is knowledgeable about herbs and medicine, acts as a midwife and is suspected of knowing dark secrets. People are superstitious and it’s not long before there is talk of her being a witch. When Alinor meets James, a man of many secrets, her life changes for the better which does not endear her to the already suspicious neighbours.

As usual the research into this period is amazing and I look forward to the second book in this series.