It's Suffolk in 1654 and Martha Hallybread, a midwife, healer and servant, has lived peacefully for more than 40 years in her beloved Cleftwater. Everyone in the village knows Martha but no one has heard her speak.

One morning, Martha witnesses a witch hunt, led by the sinister new arrival Silas Makepeace. As a trusted member of the community, Martha is enlisted to search the bodies of the accused women for evidence. But while she wants to help her friends, Martha also harbours a dark secret which could cost her own freedom.

Margaret Meyer was inspired to write 'The Witching Tide' when she chanced across a small exhibition in Aldeburgh's Moot Hall detailing the women involved in the witch hunts of the 17th century. Imagining the horrors of this time, of suspicion and persecution, Margaret wanted to use her novel to tell the stories of the women who had been written out of history, and to hold up a mirror to the world in which we live now.

This is a fabulous book, wonderfully atmospheric and sensitively told. Margaret is fascinating to hear speak about her characters and story development as well as how her varied careers have led her to this point, seeing her first novel attracting international attention and acclaim. 

It's not a subject I would normally choose to read about but this is sensitively and intelligently written, and I thought it brilliant!

A unique take on the witch trials in England, specifically East Anglia, and the ways in which jealousy, greed and hatred fed hysteria. Immersive and atmospheric.

A beautifully written, heartbreaking tale of the tragedy of women at the time of the witch trials.

This book made me terribly angry, sad and despair at the horror that befall women during the trials. A harrowingly woven tale, that perfectly depicted the mistrust, fear and way neighbours turned on neighbours at the time.

I couldnt put it down. I loved the way the story unfolded, and the characters of Martha and Jennet.

Set in 1645, the story follows Martha who lives in a coastal English village. Mute, she is the village healer and midwife, but she also harbours hidden secrets.

When a witch finder comes to their town Martha is called upon to search her friends and neighbours for witch markings, Martha eventually finds herself, her friend and mistress in the midst of the frenzied allegations.

So many hard hitting lines in this book that captured the true essence of this tragic time in our history. I honestly think a part of me broke inside for all our ancestors who were persecuted. A beautifully woven tale that will stay with me for a long time. A book I'll highly recomend.

'A bad day for Justice, when old women , aye, and sick ones and those with no kin to speak for them, are sent to their deaths.’

In this gripping and exciting historical novel, we meet Martha, a mute midwife, a pillar of her community, and a trusted person. But when she is tasked with aiding a zealous witchfinder - can she still be trustworthy? This is not just a story about witches, it's a book about women - mothers, whites, beggars, rich matrons, beautiful girls and ugly crones - women in positions given to them by society and men, who can take it all away from them.

Martha is such a great character - she's mute, so her otherness singles her out, but she's also respected in her community. She's a flawed person who tries to survive when her life and personhood is endangered. She's jealous and scared. Her friend Jennet was another favourite of mine, she's smart and able to achieve a bit of personal independence, but she's also scared of the unknown.

I enjoyed the grimy and fleshy descriptions of the village and people living there, creating a vivid backdrop to this story. The stormy weather creates extra tension, and the fear is made more tangible to characters and readers alike. The book is based on real 17th century witch trials in East Anglia, and I admire the author's ability to create something fresh and new from a subject that was used so many times before. I read this book a while ago, but I can still remember some of the more vivid descriptions, moments that will forever stay with me. It's not a pleasant book, but it's certainly memorable and worth reading.

This takes place in 17th century England where Martha is a midwife and healer who was also born mute. Martha’s quiet life is upended when the witch hunters descend and she is dragged in to going against her friends to keep herself safe. Martha also has a poppet which belonged to her mother and wonders about its powers
This book has a good sense of time and place as well as being descriptive and atmospheric in it’s writing
I found it an enjoyable read, I liked the characters, the story and am always interested in the witchcraft trials from different parts of the world

"The Witching Tide" by Margaret Meyer is a spellbinding and intoxicating historical novel set in East Anglia in 1645, inspired by true events. The story follows Martha Hallybread, a midwife, healer, and servant who has lived in the coastal village of Cleftwater for over four decades. Martha is known by everyone in the village, but she has never spoken a word. When a witch hunt rocks the peaceful atmosphere of Cleftwater, Martha becomes a silent witness and is enlisted to search the bodies of the accused women. However, Martha harbors a dark secret of her own that could jeopardize her freedom. Desperate, she turns to a wax witching doll inherited from her mother, hoping it will bring her protection. But as the true powers of the doll unfold, Martha realizes that time is running out, and the tide is turning.

Meyer's writing is captivating and immersive, transporting readers to a vividly depicted historical setting. Her attention to detail and atmospheric descriptions create a palpable sense of time and place, drawing readers into the world of 17th century East Anglia. The historical backdrop of the witch hunts and the fear and hysteria that gripped communities during that time period are vividly portrayed, shedding light on the impact of misogyny and the power dynamics of the era.

Martha is a compelling protagonist, with her silence serving as a metaphor for the oppression and marginalization of women during that time. Despite her inability to speak, Martha's inner thoughts and emotions are vividly conveyed, making her a relatable and sympathetic character. Her struggles with loyalty, betrayal, fear, and obsession are portrayed with authenticity, and her journey of self-discovery and resistance against societal norms is both empowering and poignant.

The supporting characters in the novel are equally well-drawn and add depth and complexity to the story. The relationships between Martha and the other characters, particularly the accused women and those involved in the witch hunt, are intricately woven and contribute to the tension and drama of the plot. The themes of female empowerment, sisterhood, and the resilience of the human spirit are woven throughout the narrative, making it a timely and thought-provoking read.

One of the strengths of "The Witching Tide" is its exploration of the unknown and unknowable aspects of magic and witchcraft. The wax witching doll, with its mysterious powers, serves as a catalyst for the events in the story, and its presence adds an element of mysticism and intrigue. The blending of historical realism and magical elements creates a unique and compelling reading experience.

Overall, "The Witching Tide" is a beautifully written and captivating debut novel from Margaret Meyer. It offers a fresh perspective on the history of witch hunts and the plight of women during that time period, while also delving into timeless themes of oppression, resistance, and the power of individual agency. Meyer's prose is evocative and enchanting, making this novel a must-read for fans of historical fiction, magical realism, and stories of female empowerment. Highly recommended!

Martha Hallybread is a healer and midwife living in a small village in 17th century East Anglia, no one has ever heard Martha speak but she lives and works for her master whom she has raised. When a fellow servant Prissy is taken to be questioned by the witchfinder Martha begins to realise the danger she is in. Based at a time when women were persecuted, tortured and murdered the Witching Tide is a literary novel with great depth, emotion and the realisation of what women faced during the witchcraft trials will stay with you.

A tragic, shocking story about the mass persecution of witches in the 17th century and the great strength of a community of women who managed to face torture and humiliation and find their own strength.

Martha Hallybread, a midwife, healer and servant, lives peacefully and quietly in Cleftwater. She never speaks and she also hides a dark secret. Will she be able to help women in need? Can she protect them?

The author depicts the misery of women's persecution in a gentle manner, simply because they were women and men were afraid of them.

Wonderful reading.