Publishers Weekly
09/11/2023
With suspense, sympathy, and pathos, Morgan (A Secret History of Witches) illuminates the pain of abuse and the path toward healing. In 1977 Anne Iredale flees her abusive husband, James, a sadistic Boston judge who recently used his power to have Anne declared an unfit mother to their five-year-old son. A devout Catholic, Anne hopes to join Mother Maggie’s monastery on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest. Unable to accommodate her, Mother Maggie suggests she stay instead with Beatrice Bird, the island’s newest and most reclusive resident. A former San Francisco psychologist, Beatrice sees ghosts—or more accurately, the manifestations or imprints of personal demons that attach themselves to troubled souls. Hovering around Anne, Beatrice sees the dark ghost of James, the frightened ghost of their child, and a mysterious third specter that reeks of death. The story unfolds slowly and methodically, toggling between Anne’s and Beatrice’s perspectives, to reveal domestic trauma (including often graphic scenes of abuse), the generational subjugation of women, and the hopeful promise of female solidarity and the broader women’s liberation movement. Morgan’s fans will welcome these empathetic heroines fighting for independence. Agent: Peter Rubie, FinePrint Literary Management. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
"Superbly written...At once surprising, suspenseful, and thought-provoking, this may be Morgan’s most compelling book yet."—Booklist
"With suspense, sympathy, and pathos, Morgan illuminates the pain of abuse and the path toward healing."—Publishers Weekly
Praise for Louisa Morgan: “Morgan's magic is at full strength...Realistic historical detail, wisdom from Ursule’s predecessors, proud feminism, devoted families and friends, and subtle, believable magic all combine to create a full and gracious reading experience." —Booklist on The Great Witch of Brittany "Captivating...Glides dreamily from start to finish; readers will be transfixed." —Publishers Weekly on The Great Witch of Brittany "[A] robust tale of matriarchal magic in a lushly depicted Gilded Age New York....Readers will root for these powerful women as they struggle to overcome the social limitations of their time, whether through magic or force of personality." —Publishers Weekly on The Age of Witches "Morgan's beautifully conjured tale of three women, social mores, and the sanctity of self-determination is thoroughly enthralling." —Booklist (starred review) on The Age of Witches "I loved it. A beautiful generational tale, reminiscent of Practical Magic if it had been set in various time periods, but much more expansive in scope. Grounded and real, painful and hopeful at the same time." —Laure Eve, author of The Graces on A Secret History of Witches "A compelling tale of love and magic in historic America and England....This is a must-read for those who like magic, love, and a little bit of feel-good feminism." —Library Journal on The Age of Witches "At once sprawling and intimate, A Secret History of Witches deftly captures the greatest magic of all: the love between mothers and daughters." —Jordanna Max Brodsky, author of The Immortals on A Secret History of Witches "Morgan’s incantatory prose and independent-minded women will delight fans of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen with this tale of female self-realization and magical realism. A highly enjoyable read." —Historical Novel Society on The Age of Witches "Morgan's transportive words will sweep you away to a time of magic, love, and loss. Simply hold on and enjoy this mesmerizing ride." —Tish Thawer, award-winning author of The Witches of BlackBrook series, on A Secret History of Witches "A moving multigenerational saga about strong women who work behind the scenes to save the world from tyranny. A deeply satisfying and magical work of great craft." —Carol Goodman, author of The Lake of Dead Languages, on A Secret History of Witches
