The Drop of the Hammer
The novel is about the witchcraft trials in Europe which took place in the in the latter part of the 16th century. It is a work of fiction however it is based on well documented facts. It centers around two families accused of witch craft and murder.
My favorite character of the story was the widow Francoise who was accused of witchcraft and attempted murder.
I found the book very well researched and fast paced easy to read and a real page turner it was very well written and I could imagine the realistically portrayed hardships that the widow endured. I was anxious to know what happened next? I was not disappointed, the story line twisted and turned with the ending not easy to work out.
The character which made my blood run cold was a man called Remacle who was a hateful man who wanted the widow who was young and pretty for his own self.
I would rate this book as 10 out of ten
It was well writen, well researched and the characters very realistic indeed. It was scary in parts as I was transformed into the lives of the characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who had an interest in history in the middle ages and indeed anyone who studied the witchcraft trials in Europe.
I’m certainly looking forward to the next book this talented lady produces.
C.H. St. Paul’s Bay
The Drop of the Hammer
The novel is set in Belgium amongst farming people in around 1600. It is about the struggle for justice for innocent poorer people, particularly women.
Francoise is a likeable young character. The subject matter of the book for me is hard and therefore I did not read much beyond halfway.
The harshness and cruelty of life in those times for me is difficult reading though I can see there would be an interest for it.
I did not finish the book because I found the subject matter is difficult. It is written in a very readable style and has been very well researched.
As I did not complete the book – I would give a 7.
N.T. Malta
The Joys of Writing 