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The First Witch of Boston
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
17 days and 14:51:58
100 copies available
U.S. only
A gripping and intimate novel based on the true story of Margaret Jones, the first woman to be found guilty of witchcraft in seventeenth-century Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1646. Thomas and Margaret Jones arrive from England to build a life in the New World. Though of differing temperaments, cautious Thomas and fiery Margaret, a healer, are bound by a love that has lasted decades. With a child on the way, their new beginning promises only blessings.
But in this austere Puritan community, comely faces hide malicious intent. Wrong moves or words are met with suspicion, and Margaret’s bold and unguarded nature draws scorn. Soon, Margaret is mistrusted as more cunning woman than kind caregiver. And when personal tragedies, religious hysteria, and wariness of the unknown turn most against her, even the devotion Margaret and her husband share is at risk.
Inspired by actual diary entries and court records, The First Witch of Boston is at once the riveting story of a woman unjustly accused and a love story set amid the political and social turmoil of both Old and New England. Harrowing, and with a deep understanding of the human heart, history is brilliantly imagined.
Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1646. Thomas and Margaret Jones arrive from England to build a life in the New World. Though of differing temperaments, cautious Thomas and fiery Margaret, a healer, are bound by a love that has lasted decades. With a child on the way, their new beginning promises only blessings.
But in this austere Puritan community, comely faces hide malicious intent. Wrong moves or words are met with suspicion, and Margaret’s bold and unguarded nature draws scorn. Soon, Margaret is mistrusted as more cunning woman than kind caregiver. And when personal tragedies, religious hysteria, and wariness of the unknown turn most against her, even the devotion Margaret and her husband share is at risk.
Inspired by actual diary entries and court records, The First Witch of Boston is at once the riveting story of a woman unjustly accused and a love story set amid the political and social turmoil of both Old and New England. Harrowing, and with a deep understanding of the human heart, history is brilliantly imagined.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2025
13107 people are currently reading
14500 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Catalano
2 books79 followersAndrea Catalano is a historical novelist who holds a master of philosophy in historical studies degree from University of Cambridge, UK. Originally from the Boston area, she currently lives in Texas with her husband, children, two fluffy cats, and many, many books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 571 reviews
August 15, 2025
In general, I have not been writing book reviews actively for about 10 years. Life changed and got busy, as it tends to do, and I didn't have the capacity to prioritize sitting down and typing up my thoughts about the books I read anymore. I also started to question whether anyone would even want to hear my thoughts anymore - there are SO MANY reviewers out there. What makes me any different?
This book, though. This book reminded me of why I began reviewing books in the first place.
As a teenager, I turned to book reviewing because I was so tired of getting burned by books. And I don't mean just not enjoying a book I thought I would like, but rather unexpectedly being exposed to to the type of content I would not have chosen to read if I had known ahead of time. I started reviewing because I knew there were others like me - parents or other teen readers - who were also tired of feeling tricked into reading explicit content. With my perspective, I wanted to make it easier for readers to make informed decisions for themselves about what they wanted to read or skip.
You thought this sounded like a historic fiction novel about the first woman convicted of witchcraft in Boston? Sorry, but you've been tricked.
I lost count of the number of explicit sex scenes throughout this book. I get it - the husband and wife are SUPER into each other. I personally don't want to read multiple explicit sex scenes between the two of them getting it on in various ways. I also personally don't want to read three separate explicit rape scenes. Yes, you read that correctly - THREE explicit rape scenes. (I suppose you could argue that the last one may not count because the rapist fails to "perform," but the intent is certainly there.)
There's absolutely nothing in the description of the book that would give you even a hint of the content that will be in the book. People sometimes assume that because it's not a young adult or middle grade book that it's just a free for all when it comes to sexual encounters. But my preferences for content have not changed since my teen reviewing days. I still don't want to read book porn. And readers shouldn't be shuffled into it just because they dared to pick up a book written "for adults."
Anyway, I'm obviously still a bit worked up and feeling frustrated. I really wanted to enjoy this novel, and I thought the premise was extremely interesting. Even if it weren't for the sex scenes, though, the whole execution fell flat for me. The first half of the book is written in third person POV with a focus mainly on Thomas, Maggie's husband. Each chapter begins with an excerpt from Maggie's journal, which Thomas finds after her execution. However, the moment Maggie is arrested for witchcraft, the whole tone of the novel shifts drastically. Suddenly, it changes to first person - Maggie's first person. And the entire second half is only Maggie's trial.
It felt like two novels, two ideas, fighting against each other. Courtroom drama fighting against historical erotica. It wasn't cohesive. Following Maggie's execution, it turns back to third person from Thomas's perspective. I feel this issue could have been easily solved by leaving the second part of the novel in third person, just switching over to Maggie's perspective. I didn't feel what was so pressing about Maggie's narrative that warranted interrupting the whole flow of the novel.
Again, I wanted to like this book a lot. I don't enjoy sharing negative feelings about a book, especially when it's up and coming and I know there is a lot of emotion for a writer that goes into debuting a new release. However, when it comes to sneaking large swaths of explicit content into the narrative and giving your potential reader no indication of what it will contain - especially when it comes to sexual assault scenes - my allegiance lies with the reader.
If it's your cup of tea, that's great for you and I hope you really enjoy this book. However, if you're like me (and I know many followers of my reviews are), then save yourself some trouble and skip this one.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book for free via Amazon Prime First Reads.
This book, though. This book reminded me of why I began reviewing books in the first place.
As a teenager, I turned to book reviewing because I was so tired of getting burned by books. And I don't mean just not enjoying a book I thought I would like, but rather unexpectedly being exposed to to the type of content I would not have chosen to read if I had known ahead of time. I started reviewing because I knew there were others like me - parents or other teen readers - who were also tired of feeling tricked into reading explicit content. With my perspective, I wanted to make it easier for readers to make informed decisions for themselves about what they wanted to read or skip.
You thought this sounded like a historic fiction novel about the first woman convicted of witchcraft in Boston? Sorry, but you've been tricked.
I lost count of the number of explicit sex scenes throughout this book. I get it - the husband and wife are SUPER into each other. I personally don't want to read multiple explicit sex scenes between the two of them getting it on in various ways. I also personally don't want to read three separate explicit rape scenes. Yes, you read that correctly - THREE explicit rape scenes. (I suppose you could argue that the last one may not count because the rapist fails to "perform," but the intent is certainly there.)
There's absolutely nothing in the description of the book that would give you even a hint of the content that will be in the book. People sometimes assume that because it's not a young adult or middle grade book that it's just a free for all when it comes to sexual encounters. But my preferences for content have not changed since my teen reviewing days. I still don't want to read book porn. And readers shouldn't be shuffled into it just because they dared to pick up a book written "for adults."
Anyway, I'm obviously still a bit worked up and feeling frustrated. I really wanted to enjoy this novel, and I thought the premise was extremely interesting. Even if it weren't for the sex scenes, though, the whole execution fell flat for me. The first half of the book is written in third person POV with a focus mainly on Thomas, Maggie's husband. Each chapter begins with an excerpt from Maggie's journal, which Thomas finds after her execution. However, the moment Maggie is arrested for witchcraft, the whole tone of the novel shifts drastically. Suddenly, it changes to first person - Maggie's first person. And the entire second half is only Maggie's trial.
It felt like two novels, two ideas, fighting against each other. Courtroom drama fighting against historical erotica. It wasn't cohesive. Following Maggie's execution, it turns back to third person from Thomas's perspective. I feel this issue could have been easily solved by leaving the second part of the novel in third person, just switching over to Maggie's perspective. I didn't feel what was so pressing about Maggie's narrative that warranted interrupting the whole flow of the novel.
Again, I wanted to like this book a lot. I don't enjoy sharing negative feelings about a book, especially when it's up and coming and I know there is a lot of emotion for a writer that goes into debuting a new release. However, when it comes to sneaking large swaths of explicit content into the narrative and giving your potential reader no indication of what it will contain - especially when it comes to sexual assault scenes - my allegiance lies with the reader.
If it's your cup of tea, that's great for you and I hope you really enjoy this book. However, if you're like me (and I know many followers of my reviews are), then save yourself some trouble and skip this one.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book for free via Amazon Prime First Reads.
June 22, 2025
Gorgeously written and deeply researched, THE FIRST WITCH OF BOSTON is a compelling, intimate portrait of a marriage—and of an independent woman dangerously ahead of her time. The tragedy Catalano unfolds in this exceptional debut novel will break your heart, and remains all too relevant in a world where The Handmaid’s Tale has become uncomfortably predictive. Highly recommended.
August 3, 2025
Set in 1647 Boston, this is a good romantic/historical novel about a passionate, outspoken woman who challenges the controlling Puritan patriarchy and, in return, is charged with witchcraft. At times, it seemed to border on the melodramatic. Nevertheless, that heightened sense of drama often seemed appropriate to the time and subject matter being depicted. While there's a tragic ending, readers who do reach the end will find a welcome surprise.
Margaret and Thomas Jones have recently arrived from London. He’s a carpenter, much in demand as a furniture maker. She’s a talented midwife and apothecary. He’s strong, loving, steady, and reliable. She’s passionate, independent, very intuitive, quick-witted, and hot-tempered. She says what she thinks without regard for who might take offense or the consequences. Although they worship at a Puritan Church, neither are religious zealots. As the story unfolds, despite Thomas’s warnings and appeals, Maddy says and does too many ill-advised things in front of too many of the wrong people, resulting in their umbrage and jealousy, and her arrest, imprisonment, and trial.
Author Andrea Catalano has given us a novel that dwells more on the romantic than the historic. She has created two multi-layered, very engaging characters in Thomas and “Maggie,” and a rich relationship between them, including the secrets they keep from each other. Readers seeking romance and eroticism, not to mention information about 17th century medicine and the work of midwives and apothecaries, or about how one particular witch trial was conducted, should find much to enjoy.
However, readers hoping for an in-depth depiction of the sights, sounds, and smells of 1647 Boston, or the city’s layout, lore, development, or governance, may be somewhat disappointed. Catalano relies more on her characters’ dialogue, vocabulary, and speech patterns, than descriptions of day-to-day life in Boston, to impart to readers a sense of time and place.
Nevertheless, there’s a good story here for readers who enjoy the period or stories like Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” or Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlett Letter.”
Margaret and Thomas Jones have recently arrived from London. He’s a carpenter, much in demand as a furniture maker. She’s a talented midwife and apothecary. He’s strong, loving, steady, and reliable. She’s passionate, independent, very intuitive, quick-witted, and hot-tempered. She says what she thinks without regard for who might take offense or the consequences. Although they worship at a Puritan Church, neither are religious zealots. As the story unfolds, despite Thomas’s warnings and appeals, Maddy says and does too many ill-advised things in front of too many of the wrong people, resulting in their umbrage and jealousy, and her arrest, imprisonment, and trial.
Author Andrea Catalano has given us a novel that dwells more on the romantic than the historic. She has created two multi-layered, very engaging characters in Thomas and “Maggie,” and a rich relationship between them, including the secrets they keep from each other. Readers seeking romance and eroticism, not to mention information about 17th century medicine and the work of midwives and apothecaries, or about how one particular witch trial was conducted, should find much to enjoy.
However, readers hoping for an in-depth depiction of the sights, sounds, and smells of 1647 Boston, or the city’s layout, lore, development, or governance, may be somewhat disappointed. Catalano relies more on her characters’ dialogue, vocabulary, and speech patterns, than descriptions of day-to-day life in Boston, to impart to readers a sense of time and place.
Nevertheless, there’s a good story here for readers who enjoy the period or stories like Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” or Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlett Letter.”
August 4, 2025
Stunning, Terrifying, Maddening
The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano is a stunning novel built around the true life character, Maggie Jones, who was a healer and midwife in England and The Massachusetts Bay Colony. Puritanical Massachusetts was suspicious of any woman who did not know her station in life. She was always supposed to remain subservient to men, men of power and station, and her husband.
Thankfully, she married well to a kind, goodhearted man, Thomas, who adored the very things in her that led to her being accused of witchery and hanged as the first witch in Boston.
The book follows the intense romance between Maggie and Thomas as one of its more powerful aspects.
Massachusetts is strict in their religion, raining down punishments such as being placed in the stocks as well as thrown into jail. By far, the punishments and denouncements are handed down to women.
Maggie refuses to squeeze into a rigid mold. She is wild and free, speaks her mind, and heals intuitively, which leads to her demise.
Most of us know the story of the 17th century in New England. Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible, the true story of young girls stricken with the belief that women in their settlement were witches.
Ms. Catalano delves into the life of the Colony in that century, bringing insight into the food they ate, the ale and hard liquor they drank, the musings of their best friends about the stringent laws, rules and regulations, and obeying of God who is an angry crushing force, especially to women.
The characters are vivid and true, historical details accurate, and the story she builds around the facts she's found is mesmerizing. I began the book yesterday morning and read until 3:00 this morning.
My biggest takeaway is the continuing abuse of women from the beginning of time with Eve through to today and what Conservative Republican men are choosing to impose on women.
I heartily recommend this book.
The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano is a stunning novel built around the true life character, Maggie Jones, who was a healer and midwife in England and The Massachusetts Bay Colony. Puritanical Massachusetts was suspicious of any woman who did not know her station in life. She was always supposed to remain subservient to men, men of power and station, and her husband.
Thankfully, she married well to a kind, goodhearted man, Thomas, who adored the very things in her that led to her being accused of witchery and hanged as the first witch in Boston.
The book follows the intense romance between Maggie and Thomas as one of its more powerful aspects.
Massachusetts is strict in their religion, raining down punishments such as being placed in the stocks as well as thrown into jail. By far, the punishments and denouncements are handed down to women.
Maggie refuses to squeeze into a rigid mold. She is wild and free, speaks her mind, and heals intuitively, which leads to her demise.
Most of us know the story of the 17th century in New England. Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible, the true story of young girls stricken with the belief that women in their settlement were witches.
Ms. Catalano delves into the life of the Colony in that century, bringing insight into the food they ate, the ale and hard liquor they drank, the musings of their best friends about the stringent laws, rules and regulations, and obeying of God who is an angry crushing force, especially to women.
The characters are vivid and true, historical details accurate, and the story she builds around the facts she's found is mesmerizing. I began the book yesterday morning and read until 3:00 this morning.
My biggest takeaway is the continuing abuse of women from the beginning of time with Eve through to today and what Conservative Republican men are choosing to impose on women.
I heartily recommend this book.
August 13, 2025
Contrary to what anyone else thinks, there is not a lot of gratuitous sex or talk in this book. There is much love and dedication to which most readers will appreciate. The story is basically true with some liberties in characters and locations. It is a wonderful read, emotional, heart wrenching and heart warming all in one. Sit back and enjoy this book, you won't be able to put it down.
August 11, 2025
Quite an interesting read. If you are intrigued by this skeptical time in history, then you’ll not want to miss this one.
August 7, 2025
Historical Sex
While this novel does have some historical fiction aspects, the almost constant sex scenes do not move the story forward and get in the way of the plot. DNF
While this novel does have some historical fiction aspects, the almost constant sex scenes do not move the story forward and get in the way of the plot. DNF
September 5, 2025
Based on true events, and Inspired by actual diary entries and court records, this book is about Margaret Jones who was a healer in Massachusetts, 1646. She was the first woman to be found guilty of witchcraft. She and her husband Thomas moved to Massachusetts from England in search of a new life. Soon after arriving, the religious puritan community started looking at her with suspicion. The people turned against her, and her new life was threatened. This is a riveting historical fiction book. I always find the history of the Salem witch trials so interesting. The author does a great job of imagining the combination of politics and religion that was responsible for this unjust tragedy, and I loved learning about Margaret and Thomas's life. Seriously, a fantastic read. I loved it. I can tell the author definitely did her research and knows her stuff.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
August 29, 2025
The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano. Thanks to @suziebooktours for the gifted signed Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thomas and Margret Jones move to Massachusetts in 1646 for a new life. Margaret’s sharp tongue and knowledge of herbal remedies does not help her settle into the puritan community.
An entertaining and vividly done story of a woman who doesn’t play by the pious rules of her New England Puritan community in 1646. We all know what happened to women like Goody Jones at that time and place. I loved how it is based on a true story and includes diary excerpts and court records. I couldn’t put this one down. It is not only entertaining but tears at the heart strings. I loved the courtroom scenes and how the author even managed some humorous laugh out loud moments.
“I am too much for this world of yours, this Jerusalem on a hill. I am a force that makes you quake.”
The First Witch of Boston comes out 9/1.
Thomas and Margret Jones move to Massachusetts in 1646 for a new life. Margaret’s sharp tongue and knowledge of herbal remedies does not help her settle into the puritan community.
An entertaining and vividly done story of a woman who doesn’t play by the pious rules of her New England Puritan community in 1646. We all know what happened to women like Goody Jones at that time and place. I loved how it is based on a true story and includes diary excerpts and court records. I couldn’t put this one down. It is not only entertaining but tears at the heart strings. I loved the courtroom scenes and how the author even managed some humorous laugh out loud moments.
“I am too much for this world of yours, this Jerusalem on a hill. I am a force that makes you quake.”
The First Witch of Boston comes out 9/1.
August 16, 2025
I think it’s such a privilege to be able to read stories that give voice to women wronged in history and my heart literally broke for Maggie.
While this novel is loosely based on her true story, reading it alongside ‘Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine and Myth in a Man-Made World’ made it even more powerful. Elinor Cleghorn’s book is factual and explores how women healers were so often demonised and branded as witches, which helped to give me real historical context highlighting the injustices Maggie was facing.
I gave it 3 ⭐️ because the first half felt a little slow, I think because it’s told from her husband’s perspective. But once I got Maggie’s point of view in the second half, that’s where the novel’s real emotional weight lies.
I think this novel is very poignant and important and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone interested in history, women’s lived experiences and the injustices they endured.
While this novel is loosely based on her true story, reading it alongside ‘Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine and Myth in a Man-Made World’ made it even more powerful. Elinor Cleghorn’s book is factual and explores how women healers were so often demonised and branded as witches, which helped to give me real historical context highlighting the injustices Maggie was facing.
I gave it 3 ⭐️ because the first half felt a little slow, I think because it’s told from her husband’s perspective. But once I got Maggie’s point of view in the second half, that’s where the novel’s real emotional weight lies.
I think this novel is very poignant and important and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone interested in history, women’s lived experiences and the injustices they endured.
September 10, 2025
Since as far back as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the witch trials, most notably the Salem Witch Trials. I remember doing a research paper in elementary school about the witch trials (which seems dark, I wouldn't have wanted my kids at that age exposed to such brutality and injustice) and my interest never waned.
It was no surprise I was thrilled to get my hands on a copy of The First Witch of Boston.
The author did an extraordinary job bringing 400 year old voices to life. It was a captivating story with well developed characters and the emotions were palpable. As usual, I read the authors notes and acknowledgements, which were the icing on the cake.
Brava Andrea Caralano! What an impressive debut.
This book is available in Kindle Unlimited INCLUDING AUDIO and I highly recommend checking out the audio. The narration was absolutely superb.
It was no surprise I was thrilled to get my hands on a copy of The First Witch of Boston.
The author did an extraordinary job bringing 400 year old voices to life. It was a captivating story with well developed characters and the emotions were palpable. As usual, I read the authors notes and acknowledgements, which were the icing on the cake.
Brava Andrea Caralano! What an impressive debut.
This book is available in Kindle Unlimited INCLUDING AUDIO and I highly recommend checking out the audio. The narration was absolutely superb.
August 10, 2025
Here is another book that I have to be the spoiler for. To me, this is like reading a romance novel. With all the high ratings I thought it would be a more accurate telling, but, without all the sexy, heavy breathing sex scenes, this novel wouldn't amount to much. I can't endure any more doses of Spanish Fly and love potions and potions to ward off the devil, etc. There are lots of books to read about the witch trials without having to put up with this silliness between grown people, at a puritanistic time when messing around was serious business.
August 2, 2025
Looking for a new start it’s 1646, Thomas and Margaret Jones are leaving England and heading to Massachusetts Bay Colony which is the New World. Margaret, a healer, and Thomas and her have a child on the way. We watch as their lives are tuned upside down by religious hysteria and even lies. Once thought of as a healer Margaret is turned against. The First Witch of Boston is Inspired by actual diary entries and court records, Margaret is viewed as as a witch and even tried as a witch in Boston. What happens is jaw dropping and scary and truly heartbreaking.
September 6, 2025
The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano.
This is a compelling historical fiction novel that sheds light on the injustices faced by women throughout history.
This retelling is well written, engaging, and easy to read. The author skillfully brings this story to life, making it a thought provoking and impactful read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is a compelling historical fiction novel that sheds light on the injustices faced by women throughout history.
This retelling is well written, engaging, and easy to read. The author skillfully brings this story to life, making it a thought provoking and impactful read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 11, 2025
DNF. I am stubborn (ask my mom, Debbie), so I will always finish a book, even when it’s not keeping my interest. But my goodness, this book is so boring. I would not call this historical fiction, so much as awkward 1600s era sex, with breeches down. I couldn’t do it.
August 14, 2025
"The men in power could not abide by a woman speaking her mind and gaining the admiration of others."
3.5 stars! This was another solid Kindle First Read for August 2025.
While based on real people, this story is mostly fictional, and follows our main character Maggie, a strongheaded woman, which means in this time period, she must be a witch. This is a heartbreaking story -- I didn't see a trigger warning list, but would recommend one for the topics mentioned throughout.
I know I'm in a bit of a minority with my review, so per usual, take this one with a grain of salt. I do feel like there was a lot of repetition throughout the book, and you'd think Maggie would learn to shut up for 5 minutes to save her own life, but again, headstrong woman = witch. Like other reviews, I also had a weird response to the amount of "spicy" scenes -- I'm not one to shy away from spice in the slightest, but a number of the scenes in the book didn't add anything to the story and seemed oddly placed.
Overall, a good book -- Catalano is a great writer and I appreciate the research she put into this period of time when writing this book.
3.5 stars! This was another solid Kindle First Read for August 2025.
While based on real people, this story is mostly fictional, and follows our main character Maggie, a strongheaded woman, which means in this time period, she must be a witch. This is a heartbreaking story -- I didn't see a trigger warning list, but would recommend one for the topics mentioned throughout.
I know I'm in a bit of a minority with my review, so per usual, take this one with a grain of salt. I do feel like there was a lot of repetition throughout the book, and you'd think Maggie would learn to shut up for 5 minutes to save her own life, but again, headstrong woman = witch. Like other reviews, I also had a weird response to the amount of "spicy" scenes -- I'm not one to shy away from spice in the slightest, but a number of the scenes in the book didn't add anything to the story and seemed oddly placed.
Overall, a good book -- Catalano is a great writer and I appreciate the research she put into this period of time when writing this book.
August 25, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ i love historical fiction and i love how this was based on a real woman
August 15, 2025
The First Witch of Boston
Yes! This book kept my attention. I’m so thankful I chose this for my First Reads Pick for August. This book is perfect to add to your fall TBR!
Yes! This book kept my attention. I’m so thankful I chose this for my First Reads Pick for August. This book is perfect to add to your fall TBR!
August 24, 2025
Awful. Badly written, badly researched and just badly done
Don’t bother. Honestly, don’t bother. You will wish you had the time back. I’m just glad I didn’t pay for it.
The POV changes, the sex is more than gratuitous, the language is sporadically sprinkled with a few “olde worldy” type words (thee, sup etc) but the secret diary, written by a woman who would likely have been barely literate, is the Queen’s English. I think it was supposed to be a feminist extravaganza But Maggie just seemed stubborn or stupid and very literally a woman out of her time. There were strong minded and strong women at the time but none that would risk talking to their elders in this way without knowing it was dangerous.
I am all for giving women their voices but changing them into these blazing warriors is disrespectful to the real woman. She was a victim and was almost certainly terrified by her circumstances, even if she did maintain her innocence. I did not feel as though we heard her real voice.
Mostly, I felt irritated by this book and irritated by the author for taking the first woman murdered under this ridiculous movement in the New World and not only making out that she was, in fact, a witch, but not allowing us to feel her fear, her resentment, her anger and her pain. She deserves better.
Don’t bother. Honestly, don’t bother. You will wish you had the time back. I’m just glad I didn’t pay for it.
The POV changes, the sex is more than gratuitous, the language is sporadically sprinkled with a few “olde worldy” type words (thee, sup etc) but the secret diary, written by a woman who would likely have been barely literate, is the Queen’s English. I think it was supposed to be a feminist extravaganza But Maggie just seemed stubborn or stupid and very literally a woman out of her time. There were strong minded and strong women at the time but none that would risk talking to their elders in this way without knowing it was dangerous.
I am all for giving women their voices but changing them into these blazing warriors is disrespectful to the real woman. She was a victim and was almost certainly terrified by her circumstances, even if she did maintain her innocence. I did not feel as though we heard her real voice.
Mostly, I felt irritated by this book and irritated by the author for taking the first woman murdered under this ridiculous movement in the New World and not only making out that she was, in fact, a witch, but not allowing us to feel her fear, her resentment, her anger and her pain. She deserves better.
August 15, 2025
"In the end, it were always the powerless and innocent who suffered the most".
This was an insanely good book. It was so interesting and heartbreaking. Everyone should read this.
This was an insanely good book. It was so interesting and heartbreaking. Everyone should read this.
August 12, 2025
Can y’all stop spitting
September 1, 2025
Andrea Catalano, the Author of “The First Witch in Boston has written an intriguing, captivating and bewitching novel. The Genres for this novel are Historical Fiction, Women’s Historical Fiction, Occult Horror, Magical Realism and Fiction. The timeline for this story is set in 1646 in Massachusetts Bay Colony. Kudos to Andrea Catalano for this well researched and well-written novel. The author captures the mysterious essence and vividly describes the setting and the dark and dramatic characters. In Puritanical time, the ethics are set in stone, and men have their powerful rules. The protagonists of the story, Thomas and Margaret Jones have left England to build a new life. Margaret is outspoken, bold, and thoughtless at times. Margaret is a healer, caregiver and is familiar with herbs and plantings. She also has a feeling or sense things that will occur in the near distant future. Thomas and Margaret are in love, and Margaret’s nature often gives Thomas concern. In the community Margaret is viewed as cunning and as a witch. The author takes us on a spell bounding journey as Margaret is tried as a witch in Boston. I felt outrage at the description of the unfair trial and ruling. I literally wanted to shake some of the characters. I highly recommend this thought-provoking novel.
August 26, 2025
um…this is a sex book
August 6, 2025
This was a free kindle book and a speedy read about a woman accused of witchcraft. My appreciation for it escalated after I read the author’s note at the end that it was based on an actual woman! I felt angry that in Puritan New England this is what happened to smart outspoken women ahead of their time.
September 10, 2025
✨ Initial Vibes
From the first, we know how this ends: Maggie Jones will be executed for witchcraft. And yet, The First Witch of Boston manages to be deeply suspenseful and emotionally harrowing—not just because of the brutality of the systems it portrays, but because of the tenderness between its two main characters. This is a love story set in the shadow of colonial injustice, gender oppression, and communal fear.
📖 What It’s About
Based on a true story, the novel follows Thomas and Maggie Jones, settler-colonists who flee London after an unspecified scandal and arrive in New England in the early colonial period. Thomas is a carpenter; Maggie is a healer--passionate, sharp, and often too bold for her time. We learn from the outset that Maggie will be accused of witchcraft and executed. The novel unfolds through Thomas’s point of view, then shifts to Maggie’s as the tension builds, and then returns to Thomas’s voice in the aftermath of her death.
❤️ What I Loved
The relationship. The love between Thomas and Maggie is rendered with deep care. They are flawed, mismatched in temperament—he’s reserved, she’s fiery—but they adore each other. That devotion makes every injustice, every creeping threat, all the more devastating.
The alternating POVs. The structure is incredibly effective. Seeing Maggie’s world through Thomas’s eyes, then being granted access to her own thoughts and fears, creates a layered emotional experience.
The historical realism. The novel vividly captures the gender and class oppression of colonial New England without turning its characters into caricatures or moral mouthpieces.
The intimacy. Yes, there are love scenes and sex scenes. They’re never gratuitous or graphic. They serve to establish character, emotional stakes, and the intimacy that grounds the tragedy.
The emotional weight. The story is quietly devastating. It’s a slow unraveling of a life and a marriage under pressure from puritanical law, communal suspicion, and the violent constraints placed on women.
⚠️ Content Notes
This book deals respectfully but honestly with some very difficult topics. I strongly recommend checking for content warnings if you’re a sensitive reader. Themes include capital punishment, miscarriage, child death, accusations of witchcraft, historical misogyny, and sexual trauma. The author handles these topics with care, but they are undeniably heavy.
⚠️ On Colonization
The novel does not directly address the colonial violence or displacement inherent to its setting. While it centers class and gender-based oppression, it leaves questions of land, empire, and indigenous presence largely untouched—something to be aware of going in.
💭 Final Thoughts
The First Witch of Boston is not a story of magical revenge or triumphant reclamation. It’s a quietly tragic, beautifully told account of a woman whose life was taken because she didn't fit in. It’s a story of love, loss, and the horrifying consequences of stepping outside the roles allowed to you. If you're prepared for the emotional weight, this is a deeply affecting, skillfully rendered novel.
🧠 Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(5 stars for emotional depth, elegant prose, and a love story that makes history feel painfully intimate.)
From the first, we know how this ends: Maggie Jones will be executed for witchcraft. And yet, The First Witch of Boston manages to be deeply suspenseful and emotionally harrowing—not just because of the brutality of the systems it portrays, but because of the tenderness between its two main characters. This is a love story set in the shadow of colonial injustice, gender oppression, and communal fear.
📖 What It’s About
Based on a true story, the novel follows Thomas and Maggie Jones, settler-colonists who flee London after an unspecified scandal and arrive in New England in the early colonial period. Thomas is a carpenter; Maggie is a healer--passionate, sharp, and often too bold for her time. We learn from the outset that Maggie will be accused of witchcraft and executed. The novel unfolds through Thomas’s point of view, then shifts to Maggie’s as the tension builds, and then returns to Thomas’s voice in the aftermath of her death.
❤️ What I Loved
The relationship. The love between Thomas and Maggie is rendered with deep care. They are flawed, mismatched in temperament—he’s reserved, she’s fiery—but they adore each other. That devotion makes every injustice, every creeping threat, all the more devastating.
The alternating POVs. The structure is incredibly effective. Seeing Maggie’s world through Thomas’s eyes, then being granted access to her own thoughts and fears, creates a layered emotional experience.
The historical realism. The novel vividly captures the gender and class oppression of colonial New England without turning its characters into caricatures or moral mouthpieces.
The intimacy. Yes, there are love scenes and sex scenes. They’re never gratuitous or graphic. They serve to establish character, emotional stakes, and the intimacy that grounds the tragedy.
The emotional weight. The story is quietly devastating. It’s a slow unraveling of a life and a marriage under pressure from puritanical law, communal suspicion, and the violent constraints placed on women.
⚠️ Content Notes
This book deals respectfully but honestly with some very difficult topics. I strongly recommend checking for content warnings if you’re a sensitive reader. Themes include capital punishment, miscarriage, child death, accusations of witchcraft, historical misogyny, and sexual trauma. The author handles these topics with care, but they are undeniably heavy.
⚠️ On Colonization
The novel does not directly address the colonial violence or displacement inherent to its setting. While it centers class and gender-based oppression, it leaves questions of land, empire, and indigenous presence largely untouched—something to be aware of going in.
💭 Final Thoughts
The First Witch of Boston is not a story of magical revenge or triumphant reclamation. It’s a quietly tragic, beautifully told account of a woman whose life was taken because she didn't fit in. It’s a story of love, loss, and the horrifying consequences of stepping outside the roles allowed to you. If you're prepared for the emotional weight, this is a deeply affecting, skillfully rendered novel.
🧠 Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(5 stars for emotional depth, elegant prose, and a love story that makes history feel painfully intimate.)
September 5, 2025
WOW! What a debut! Expertly researched and grounded in true historical records and dairies, The First Witch of Boston is going to be the most talked about ‘witchy’ book of the season! Readers are transported back to 17th century Puritanical Boston following, Margaret, a young woman navigating a world where conformity is demanded and any deviation from the norm can lead to grave consequences. As a skilled herbalist and healer, Margaret’s gifts are both a blessing and a dangerous liability in a society gripped by superstition and fear of the devil’s influence.
Catalano brings to life the rigid social structures and the suffocating religious fervor of the era; the paranoia and claustrophobia were so palpable! I loved the characterization of Margaret as an intelligent and resilient heroine whose quiet rebellion against patriarchal oppression is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Her internal conflicts are well-explored, from her struggle to reconcile her herbal practices with her faith to her blossoming relationship with a sympathetic doctor.
The pace can be described as slow-burn, but with an excellent climax and conclusion, leaving me completely satisfied. Urgently timely, this book is a fantastic reminder of historical injustices faced by women and the timeless struggle between science and superstition.
Readers who enjoyed The Frozen River, historical fiction, and books about women need to pick this one up this season!
Catalano brings to life the rigid social structures and the suffocating religious fervor of the era; the paranoia and claustrophobia were so palpable! I loved the characterization of Margaret as an intelligent and resilient heroine whose quiet rebellion against patriarchal oppression is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Her internal conflicts are well-explored, from her struggle to reconcile her herbal practices with her faith to her blossoming relationship with a sympathetic doctor.
The pace can be described as slow-burn, but with an excellent climax and conclusion, leaving me completely satisfied. Urgently timely, this book is a fantastic reminder of historical injustices faced by women and the timeless struggle between science and superstition.
Readers who enjoyed The Frozen River, historical fiction, and books about women need to pick this one up this season!
August 7, 2025
This was a story about Margaret Drinkwater Jones, who was accused of witchcraft in 1648 Boston. She was too outspoken and too strong for a woman of that time. It is about her husband, Thomas. What type of man would stand beside such a woman. It's about childbirth, motherhood, fatherhoods, love, desire, loss, violence, rape and death. Puritan settlers in Massachusetts held control over the "unsavory settlers that also came - skilled laborers and craftsmen. The story is based on writings in wills, inventories, poetry sermons, court records, and letters from the time period. It shines a light on the persecution of women who are too bold and confident - a repeated theme. Be aware, there is sexual content in the story, so try not to "persecute" this bold woman writer for your Puritanical feelings.
September 6, 2025
Set in 1646, it's the story of Margaret Jones, the first woman to be found guilty of witchcraft in Boston, Massachusetts, told through the perspectives of both Margaret and her husband, Thomas. I liked the two viewpoints. Based on fact and research by the author the book covers the fear, suspicion, and rigid rules of Puritan society, you get a good sense of how quickly people could turn against someone who stood out or was an intelligent outspoken woman. The first quarter of the book I was wondering whether to continue but it picks up and becomes very interesting.... frustratingly sad and annoying.... but very interesting. I left the book feeling awful that these terrible times happened in America where women, without cause were branded witches and executed.
August 24, 2025
The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano totally pulled me into 1600s Boston. Maggie’s story is heartbreaking but so real, and I loved how the author made her feel like a full, complex person instead of just “the first witch.” The relationship between Maggie and Thomas was probably my favorite part—it gave the story a lot of heart.
There were a couple of slower parts where I found myself wanting things to move along a bit faster, but overall, the mix of history, atmosphere, and emotion kept me hooked.
If you like historical fiction that’s both thought-provoking and emotional—with just a touch of that eerie witch-trial vibe—this one’s definitely worth reading.
There were a couple of slower parts where I found myself wanting things to move along a bit faster, but overall, the mix of history, atmosphere, and emotion kept me hooked.
If you like historical fiction that’s both thought-provoking and emotional—with just a touch of that eerie witch-trial vibe—this one’s definitely worth reading.
September 3, 2025
I'm struggling with words to review this one. Historical fiction isn't my genre of choice, but I was into this one. As an outspoken woman I too would have been hung in 1647, and it's ridiculous. I felt all the feels while reading this one from sorrow to rage. I love the ending, even if it was heartbreaking.
Also I think everyone should start keeping a diary and do more things that would have had them on trial for witchcraft in the 1640s.
Also I think everyone should start keeping a diary and do more things that would have had them on trial for witchcraft in the 1640s.
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