Witches of the Mount 1730 by Tom Schneider

An intrepid young writer is sent by Ben Franklin to chase down a wild and deadly story in Witches of the Mount 1730 by Tom Schneider, a dark and enchanted historical thrill.

Blending historical fact and fiction, the protagonist takes one wrong turn after another in his quixotic search for either madness or magic in the mysterious village of Mount Holly. Tapping into some classic tropes of witch trial fiction, Schneider creates a vividly envisioned world, in a spiraling story that moves quickly, blurring the line of reality, fear, expectation, and legend.

The novel certainly has a spooky and sinister tone, but there are also many moments that pull a reader out of this fictional world. The dialogue is a main critique, as there are far too many modern idiomatic phrases, as well as casual syntax that would feel more fitting in 2021 than 1730. There are suspenseful moments, but they often feel rushed, and major bursts of action or climactic scenes aren’t given the weight they deserve. The editing is also lacking, with small errors peppered throughout – missing letters, incorrect punctuation, fragmented sentences, and choppy syntax.

Despite being rough around the edges, Schneider weaves a compelling web of historical drama that makes for an exciting and entertaining read.

Book Links