The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

Set in Cambridge and Marblehead, Mass , this novel alternates between Connie Goodwin, a 20th century PhD candidate in history searching for an original primary source, and the story of a group of 17th-century outcast women who are accused of witchcraft (which may or may not be true). After moving into her grandmother's house to get it in shape for sale, Connie comes across a small key and piece of paper reading only Deliverance Dane. This discovery launches Connie on a quest—to find out who this woman was and to unearth a rare artifact: a physick book or “receipt book” which may really be a witch’s shadow book. The novel gives an interesting look at not only the Salem witch trials, but the process of research and discovery.. Similar to another book I read recently, Ghostwalk, this novel was much better written, well told, fast paced, engrossing, and interesting. A 4 out of 5 stars. ( )

Where I got the book: purchased on Amazon. A Sunday in the Park book club read.

The plot: Harvard grad student Connie is assigned by her mother to clear out her grandmother's house, and discovers her connection to the Salem Witches.

I was, on the whole, underwhelmed, which is what happens when you pick up a book that's touted as a Brilliant Bestseller! Spooky! Bedeviling! and find that the writing's that of a newbie writer, good on the important points of grammar and generally stringing words together but rather inconsistent in terms of hanging a plot together believably and generally not annoying the reader. THIS reader was thoroughly annoyed in quite a few places: the old, abandoned house that mysteriously had not had its mains water cut off and was well supplied with oil lamps whose oil had mysteriously not dried up over the last, what, thirty or forty years; the entire function of Sam-the-love-interest who, I swear, was just stuck in the book so he could be In Grave Danger; the slipping into the POV of the dog or even, at one point, a rat; and the absolute worst, the relentless use of New England dialect. Yes, I know that people out there talk funny. I don't need to be reminded of it ALL THE TIME, especially when it's mixed with Ye Olde English to give us the following:

"Anothah time," she began again, "I ha' sought physick from heh for a pained foot. She bade me entah heh house and did apply some liniment to my foot which she made by mashing hairbs and readin' in some book. I asked her what book war this and she said nowt but placed the book on a high shelf and asked me if my foot weh feeling bettah, which it was."

And it really wasn't all that spooky. Or bedeviling. But the stepback cover on this edition was COOL and almost made up for Connie's stupidity. For a Harvard doctoral student she was pretty darn slow on the uptake, missing all the totally obvious clues strewn in her path. ( )

I listened to this book on CD while sewing. I enjoyed listening to the narraitor and really enjoyed the way the author tied the present day to the past history of the witch trials. She kept me interested in the story right from the beginning. Listening to books is a new experience for me and I will try more so I can get more of my "to read" list down while doing my other passion, crafting! Baised on this book I would read more from Miss Howe. ( )

Just under 4 stars. I liked this a lot and had it pegged at 5 stars all the way up to the end. The climax started out great and then it seemed to fizzle. It was like the author was finished telling the story before the story was finished being told. I've been on the minority side of the discussion a couple times recently when a book has ended somewhat abruptly. The two that come to mind both had to do with a war and, as I understood the discussion, the lack of personal resolution for the main character, which I think never really happens and so doesn't have to in a book. In this case I thought there was a lot more to be told and I was disappointed at the story being chopped off.

As far as recommending the book, after giving myself a couple days to let this settle before writing a comment, I think a big part of my enjoyment of the book is my strong interest in what's referred to as witchcraft both historical and contemporary. Without that interest I think the story may drag. The connection with the characters and the pace of the story may be lacking for a lot of people.

There were a couple other little things that weren't quite right but I am very glad I read it and did enjoy the vast majority of the book. ( )

As books about witches and supernaturalism go, this was one of the better ones I've read. She didnt overreach plotwise like authors so often do, and I didn't think she overwrote either. There were no vampires or werewolves or vast, hidden witch societies. Just one woman discovering her connection to a magical family dating back to the Salem witch trials.

My only problem was that it didnt really go anywhere plotwise. It builds toward something that turns out to be kind of unremarkable. Still, not a bad read. I love anything that takes place where I live, and this book split its time between Cambridge and the North Shore--specifically Marblehead and Salem--two towns I totally want to move to! ( )