This historical horror novel is set in Innsbruck, Austria, in 1485. A time when witches were best kept hidden. Many characters appear in this book, but two are the most important based on actual history. Helena Scheuberin and the priest Heinrich Kramer, a notorious witchfinder and author of Malleus Maleficarum. Definitely a book I won’t read. The conflict those two are facing is evident, and Helena is strongly defending the female point of view. The real-life records only create the foundation of the plot, which paints a more colourful picture, and are suitable topics like the abuse of power, and how witch hunts were conducted, based on historical facts. What horrible trials those women had to endure, terrified by not knowing the outcome. The atmosphere in some parts is quite supernatural, but blends in nicely with the historical background.
