A Time of Witches: A Novel | Madeline Martin

In A Time of Witches, New York Times bestselling author Madeline Martin weaves a dual-timeline historical fantasy tracking two women bound across centuries by blood and betrayal. In present-day Savannah, Georgia, Lilith Legare experiences strange occurrences—plants turning toward her touch and recurring nightmares of burning at the stake—leading her to Brackenmere Manor in England. Her journey mirrors that of Sybil Brantham, an educated 1645 Suffolk widow targeted during the brutal English witch trials led by Matthew Hopkins, as both women race to reclaim their power before historical horrors repeat.

Martin grounds the 1645 timeline in meticulous research surrounding the English Civil War era and the rise of the Witchfinder General. The novel examines how independent, wealthy, or herbal-knowledgeable women were targeted, systematically silenced, and accused of witchcraft. By interweaving subtle magical realism, ancestral memory, and historical fiction, the narrative highlights the social pressures and institutional fear used to strip women of autonomy across generations.

Known for her acclaimed historical fiction bestsellers—such as The Last Bookshop in London, The Keeper of Hidden Books, and The Book Collector of Shanghai—A Time of Witches marks a compelling expansion of Martin's scope. It fuses her signature immersive historical setting with elements of time travel, dual-lineage mystery, and ancestral magic while maintaining her core focus on female resilience and hidden history.

The book has earned strong praise from readers who enjoy atmospheric dual-timeline stories and historical fantasy. Reviewers highlight Martin's rich period details, authentic portrayal of 17th-century witch trials, fast-paced dual perspectives, and emotional depth, frequently drawing comparisons to works by Paula Brackston, Deborah Harkness, and Alice Hoffman.

Madeline Martin is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance. Passionate about history, she conducts extensive archival research and location visits to ensure authentic period details in her writing. Her novels have been translated into over twenty languages worldwide, earning accolades for highlighting unsung women throughout pivotal moments in history.

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