Familiars

The most spellbinding debut novel of 2019

In a time of suspicion and accusation, to be a woman is the greatest risk of all . . .

Fleetwood Shuttleworth is 17 years old, married, and pregnant for the fourth time. But as the mistress at Gawthorpe Hall, she still has no living child, and her husband Richard is anxious for an heir. When Fleetwood finds a letter she isn't supposed to read from the doctor who delivered her third stillbirth, she is dealt the crushing blow that she will not survive another pregnancy.

Then she crosses paths by chance with Alice Gray, a young midwife. Alice promises to help her give birth to a healthy baby, and to prove the physician wrong.

As Alice is drawn into the witchcraft accusations that are sweeping the north-west, Fleetwood risks everything by trying to help her. But is there more to Alice than meets the eye?

Soon the two women's lives will become inextricably bound together as the legendary trial at Lancaster approaches, and Fleetwood's stomach continues to grow. Time is running out, and both their lives are at stake.

Only they know the truth. Only they can save each other.

'Assured and alluring, this beautiful tale of women and witchcraft and the fight against power was a delight from start to finishJessie Burton, author of THE MINIATURIST

'The Familiars&is an intricate and sensitive portrayal of a brave, tenacious young girl carving her place in the world. A must-read novelHeather Morris, bestselling author of THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ

'I read this in just over a day - I was completely hooked! An intriguing story about a fascinating period of history and brilliant female charactersLibby Page, author of THE LIDO

'A wonderful novel, enthralling, spellbinding, terrifying, full of twists and turns, written with heart and style - and the final chapters will have you racing to the endKate Williams, author of THE STORMS OF WAR