Helena Scheuberin should be doing what every other young wife is doing: keeping house, supporting her husband, bearing his children. But when her husband''s footman, Leopold, with whom she was having an affair, is found dead, Helena is accused of killing him. Worse, she is accused of being a witch. Imprisoned with six other women, Helena is plunged from her bejewelled life of comfort into a world of terror. When a cursed witch totem is smuggled into the prison, the prisoners attempt to use it to conjure escape. But the totem is the severed hand of a murdered woman, and Helena''s life is in danger both inside and outside the dungeon. Does Helena risk her life and the lives of others by standing up to a man determined to paint her as the most wicked of all? Or is the world beyond this one the real threat? Based on a real-life event, this historical horror offers a jewel-bright portrait of female power in a period of wide-spread female disempowerment, a thrilling addition to the canon of witcherature and silenced voices from the past.

Autorentext

C.J. Cooke is an acclaimed, award-winning poet, novelist and academic with numerous other publications as Carolyn Jess-Cooke. Her work has been published in twenty-three languages to date. Born in Belfast, C.J. has a PhD in Literature from Queen's University, Belfast, and is currently Reader in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow, where she researches creative writing interventions for mental health. C.J. Cooke lives in Glasgow with her husband and four children.

Klappentext

Exclusive limited edition first print run with a foiled board design and beautifully designed endpapers. Available while stocks last.'Chilling, atmospheric' Sunday Times

'Vivid and haunting' Emilia Hart

'Blisteringly brilliant' Anna Mazzola Will she be damned by flame... or cursed by magic? Innsbruck 1485

Helena should be doing what every other wealthy young wife is doing: keeping her husband's house, bearing his children. But when their footman is found dead, Helena is accused of killing him. Worse, she is accused of being a witch.

Imprisoned with six other women, Helena is plunged into a world of terror. When a cursed witch totem is smuggled into the prison, the prisoners attempt to use it to escape only to unleash a malevolent spirit which places all their lives in danger.

Does Helena risk her life and the lives of others by standing up to the terrifying witchfinder and risk death at the stake if found guilty? Or is the real threat the world beyond this one...?

Readers LOVE The Last Witch:

"A phenomenal read"

"A magical blend of horror, psychological thriller and historical fiction"

"Another spellbinding masterpiece from C.J. Cooke, it is as haunting as it is heartbreakingly beautiful"

"I must be in my witch phase, and this author has me hooked"

"Another cracker by C.J. Cooke. I loved this one from beginning to end, rarely putting it down"