For those who've read any amount of historical fiction set in the 16th century, it will be a familiar (no pun intended) story: an independent-minded, young woman educated beyond what might be expected with a knowledge of herbal remedies suspected of witchcraft by those who seek answers for events they cannot comprehend.

In this case, the seemingly incomprehensible event is a geological one, a landslip that destroys the village chapel. What clearer message can there be, some villagers wonder, that the Devil is in their midst? They are encouraged in this belief by the charismatic but sinister Father Paul who is bent on rooting out Catholics priests and prepared to use any pretext to gain favour and satisfy how own puritanical urges. As is often the case, there's a misogynistic, not to mention rather un-priestlike, element to his fervour.

It has to be said that Martha doesn't help herself initially, making light of the whispered rumours about her and continuing to roam the countryside alone at night, relying on the continued support of the daughter of the Lord of the Manor to protect her. The fact that Martha's father is a drunkard prone to profane outbursts doesn't help. Nor, unknown to Martha, do the circumstances of her mother's death. As a friend warns her, "They are afraid...all these goings-on. Who's to know what's behind it all? It's easier for them to decide it must be you."

Along with a generous cast of secondary characters, there is some lovely detail about village life in the period, such as seasonal celebrations. The book's conclusion invites the reader to use their own imagination to decide Martha's future or, perhaps, to wait patiently for a possible sequel.

The Wheelwright's Daughter is a skilfully crafted story of love, betrayal, superstition and fear in 16th century England.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for a digital review copy of this book - my thoughts are my own. Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to join the Blog Tour.

This is the second book I've read recently set in Elizabethan England - the era when the Church of England had replaced Catholicism and the majority of people were unable to read. Many were willing to 'snitch' on neighbours to earn extra money to feed their families.

Martha, the main character is a headstrong intelligent young woman in an era when women were expected to be quiet and to stay at home. Her mother died when she was young, followed by her grandmother. Her father was a well respected Wheelwright who has turned to drink to help him forget the loss of his wife.

Martha has to deal with the village gossips, whilst trying to find enough food and fuel to survive. As the story evolves, she has a number of encounters with the villagers, some positive and others not. She has to use her inner strength to stay alive on a number of occasions.

The level of detail in the story is excellent, you really get to understand how hard life was. The saddest thing is seeing how a young woman with some basic knowledge of herbs and nursing skills can be suspected of being a witch. An interesting read and an impressive debut novel.

Fascinating storyline but took me a moment to get into the writing style. As much as I liked this book I very much disliked that it ended in a cliffhanger. Thank you very much to the publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review..

This is a wonderful historical fiction story that is set in the latter half of the 1500s during Queen Elizabeth’s reign. This is an era of history that is rife with witchcraft accusations and the deaths of people who are seen to be practising the devil’s work.

The author has created a tale around Martha, the daughter of a village wheelwright in Herefordshire. Her mother is dead and there are rumours around surrounding her and also of her death. Martha is a young woman who is a Christian and she also makes up poultices and uses plants for their natural healing properties. While things are good then she is of use, but when things start happening suddenly the tables turn and fingers point leaving Martha to become the villager's scapegoat.

The finger of blame is supported by a hellfire and brimstone vicar, he is supposedly a man of faith but he really is an odious character. While he preaches the word of God he is also using faith as a game of politics to curry favour for those higher up the ladder than himself.

This is a wonderfully written story and I loved the way the author worked it. The contrasts of opinions and how they are formed without being based on facts are good, essentially if a person takes offence at a comment or a look then accusations can be made.

This has some good research behind it and it has all the right feels to it. The only problem… there is a bit of a cliffhanger…arrgghhhh I want need to know what happens next, so I will be keeping my beady out for the next book.

This is a good read and it has a slower pace that fits the time, there is a good amount of drama and I love the dynamics between the characters and the over-riding fear that comes out in their blaming and suspicions. A book I would recommend to readers who like historical fiction novels.

I would consider this a sad and haunting tale. It's sad because of the way the people acted back then towards anyone who was different or not liked for some reason or another.
I think the author has done an awesome job with telling this story and even though I had trouble with some of the words I soon from figured them out.
I think it's fascinating that the word Goody was used as Mrs. for example.
I did not like Father Paul. He's a liar, jerk and I could call him a few other things but I won't.
I also didn't like the things he did! Just terrible!
I really didn't care for the ending. I hope there's more to come. It's not fair to leave the reader assuming the worst!
It's amazing what fear can do. It can rob you of your common sense that's for sure!
I will say this, I love history and historical events but this took top notch. A wonderful debut for a new to me author. She has done a beautiful job in bringing these characters to life. Even the bad ones.
There's some places in the book that I did want to cry because of what was going on with Martha.
A fabulous read that will take your mind off more pressing things from this world for a little while until you have to come back.
The events in this book makes me glad I didn't live back then!
My thanks goes to Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

It’s 1570, 12 years into the rain of Queen Elisabeth 1. It is an era where superstition still reigns very strong as well in the cities but even more so in the countryside where priests are often the only people able to read and write. Even the better-educated people are not immune to those old unchristian beliefs. Protestantism is widely accepted and young people don’t know or remember ‘the old faith’. Those hanging on to the catholic faith are seen as papist traitors who are conspiring against the queen.
16-year-old Martha is the only daughter of a wheelwright in the small English village Marcle Ridge. Her dad taught her to read and write and her grandmother taught her everything about herbal remedies and plant wisdom she knew herself. On top of that, they have the favour of the hall and live in a ‘nice’ and a rather spacious cottage (compared to that of other neighbours) much to the envy of some villagers who say that it’s too big for just 1 man and his daughter.
Miss Elisabeth, the squire’s daughter is a very religious person and beliefs that no soul should remain without salvation and that people should be able to read the Bible. She asks Martha to be a teacher to the village boys and teach them how to read. Lessons are attended when their fathers can spare them not to work on the land. Some people still think that letters are magic and can be used as a curse when written down.
It’s a very bad autumn and winter with rain almost every day. When a small earthquake causes a hole in the road, the villagers think it’s made by a devil. The priest tells them it’s a sign of Gods dissatisfaction with the sinning in the village. The hill near the village starts making strange noises as well. But as it goes, people get used to it and ignore this phenomenon. Or they say that there’s a dragon sleeping in the hill and that its stomach makes those rumbling noises. And it keeps raining. You know there’s a disaster in the making.
As gossip and jealousy grow in the village combined with natural disasters and accidents, you feel everything is building up to the point where Martha is publicly accused of being a witch. Despite having done nothing wrong, with her unusual learning and herbal remedies she’s an outsider in the village. And in a time of fear, it’s always easiest to look for scapegoats in those not conforming to the standards.

I loved this story, set in an age and environment about which I knew very little. The writer does very well in recreating the feel of this period. Even her language is adapted to the time. Of course, if this would be written in Elizabethan English we would have a very hard time reading the prose, but she does a great job. If you’re not a native English speaker, you might have to look up certain words but usually, the context explains the meaning.
There are very beautiful evocative descriptions of the countryside, village, the great hall, and the festivities on certain occasions. It’s very interesting to read about the customs and habitual traditions of our forebears that now are most often forgotten. I.e. the pre-Victorian Christmas traditions or plough-day, a feast I’ve never heard of albeit several spring celebrations live on today in rural communities.
The relations between the various families in the village and their behaviour towards each other and towards the girl are very skilfully painted. You really feel the danger creeping up on the girl, who naively is long time unaware of the tension around her. Certainly, the lecherous father Paul and the widow Spicer and her sister come to life before your eyes.
Unfortunately, the book ends in a cliff hanger. Things seem to look a bit better for the heroine, but there’s no conclusion or real ending. I do hope this is the first book in a larger series because Martha’s story is far from over. So, Mrs Porter, if you read this: please give us a sequel!
I thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for their free copy of this book. This is my honest, unbiased review of it.

A great historical novel I loved.
It's well researched, the author is great at recreating the hysteria of the witch hunt and developing a cast of well thought characters.
The plot flows and keeps you hooked till the end.
It was an excellent read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This was an assured debut that captured all the hysteria of a period in History where spirited women were accused and convicted. Chock full of historical detail and atmosphere.

In this story we have a young damsel being declared as a witch. She does use plants and herbs to help heal, but that is the extent of her craft. People she has grown up with that have known her as a small toddler are against her.
Her father has recently died, her mother years before that she is one her own.
This is a story of courage, trust, betrayal and love.
Well written!

I enjoyed this thoughtful and well-written story by Eleanor Porter. Atmospheric and evocative are words that describe this story. However, the best word to showcase this book is “Martha”. Martha is a teenaged girl and the daughter of the village wheelwright. The book is about her, and her slender frame is strong enough to carry the story arc and her emerging thoughts and awareness of the world are all this book needs to create an alluring read.

We meet Martha and her village during the Elizabethan age in England, a time of advancing knowledge and a time of lingering fears. The word pictures that describe the village and surroundings are quite beguiling. Martha’s best friend is Owen, an eight year old boy who, like Martha, is smart and can read and write. Martha lives with her father, a man of many facets, overcome by past tragedies.

When the village experiences a natural disaster that traumatizes the townsfolk, Martha’s safety becomes precarious. Is she a witch? Can she overcome the attacks of the villagers and the priest? The author presents the viewpoints of the villagers, and of the overall times, in a balanced and understanding manner. Her writing is a gentle blend of “olde English”, just enough to add to the feeling of the times.

This book is highly recommended to those who love historical fiction. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.

I can't decide if that was the best ending ever or among the worst. Not satisfying, at any rate.
This story was a bit slow-going at the beginning, but a page-turner once it got going. Worth a read...at least until that ending!