The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

Flap Copy from ARC: "Connie Goodwin should be spending her summer doing research for her Ph.D. dissertation in American History. But when her mother asks her to handle the sale of Connie's grandmother's abandoned home near Salem, she's compelled to help. One day, while exploring the dusty bookshelves in the study, Connie discovers an ancient key, and within the key is a brittle slip of paper with two words written on it: Deliverance Dane.

Along with a handsome steeplejack named Sam, Connie begins to research Deliverance Dane. But even as the pieces fall into place, Connie is haunted by visions of long ago, and she fears that she is more tied to Salem's dark past than she could have ever imagined."

Howe's debut novel is truly wonderful, seamlessly blending the stories of a modern PhD student and the 17th century cunning woman she is researching. Rife with historical detail, romance, intrigue and ultimatley revelation, this novel was a quick and mesmerizing read. I've always been interested in stories (both fiction and non-) of the Salem witch trials, but this is the first in a long time to so thoroughly capture my attention.

Both well-written and meticulously crafted, this novel is a must-read. The women in this book are real - witches who might truly walk among us - and their stories, loves and fears reflect the actual struggles of women both past and present. I give Katherine Howe and her Deliverance Dane 5 stars and a huge thumbs up.