BookTalk
The definition of a Witch Hunt is to persecute those who practice witch craft and/or to search out and deliberately harass those who differ from the majority.
Jack St. Bride is no stranger to the witch hunt. Roughly a year ago he was accused by a student of crimes that tanked his career as a private school professor and sent him to jail. Now a newly free man, he’s simply trying to figure out his role in this new world. One where from the beginning of every relationship he’s suspect.
Addie Peabody is a woman haunted by her own ghost. One that she feeds a burger and fries to on a daily basis. The owner of the local diner, Addie has no idea of the change she invites into her life – the test she is about to take on – when she hires a vastly overqualified Jack St. Bride as a dishwasher.
Gilly Duncan is a motherless child, a beautiful girl, and head of her coven. Gilly is a witch. In a religion based in heady power, Gilly won’t treat it with the respect it deserves.
Like hysteria in the Salem of 1692 this modern day witch hunt will be started by a teenage girl with too many issues and more power than she deserves. A he said – she said battle will rage in the courtroom…leaving the reader guessing till almost the last minute where the true blame should fall…
Review
If you’re looking for a Picoult novel minus the emotional tears you’ve found a contender. Like most of her plots this one comes with it’s own twists and turns. You know that until the final page there’s always room for a plot point you never saw coming. Picoult plays the reader by revealing critical information so slowly you’re dying to have the whole picture. Right. Now.
I’ll admit this book starts a little slower than I expected. It definitly took about 50 to 70 pages (till the first twist happens) to really get hooked. What keeps you glued to the story is the need to find out if Jack really did it. I swear there were several points where I wanted to throw the book against a wall…
“He couldn’t have done it!!! Could he??? Ahh!”
Mind you, my frustration was exacerbated by the fact that my assistant had just read the book…She knew the ending! You have no idea how badly I wanted to get the ending from her; how many times I begged for her to tell me if Jack did it! She’s a woman of strength though, and managed to restrain herself from spilling the beans.
I have a special place in my heart for the Salem Witch Trials. They were the focus of my minor in Women’s Studies. Some really cray cray stuff. I loved the way Picoult picked and chose which parts of the historical situation she pulled out exact and which she remixed in a new way. The choice to include an actual Wiccian Coven in the book was very cool. The part they played; remixed and interesting.
As much as I enjoyed the book a few parts didn’t do it for me. It was actually the fact that she was a little grandiose in her characterization and motivations that the plot fell a bit flat. Some of the conversations were so dramatic as to feel forced. Like it was trying too hard; stressing too much. Plus the real bad guy never gets his due.
3.5/5 Worth the addictive read…even if it doesn’t work perfectly.
Sara O
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