Death has come to town.

New England, 1821-Hester Stokely, an orphan with unusual abilities, struggles to find her place in the pious town of Wickstead. A house-servant in the employ of her uncle's upright family, Hester is treated as little more than a pariah by the judgmental townsfolk.

When a deadly plague comes to town, Hester becomes indispensable as a healer. Yet as Hester watches the town's residents rapidly fall ill, she realizes that something more dangerous than disease has come to Wickstead.

Soon the buried dead are exhumed on rumor of superstition, and occult fires burn fiercely into the night. As the townspeople turn on each other, a mysterious traveler arrives, furthering the paranoia.

Hester must confront the dark forces which have invaded Wickstead, or all who live there may be lost...their souls included.

Praise

"McGregor did an excellent job appealing to his audience with this slow burn, historical, coming-of-age horror story. It's endearing, emotional, heartwarming, and terrifying."-from the Introduction by Sadie Hartmann aka Mother Horror

"A marvelous work of historical horror with unexpected turns that are executed exceptionally-what a journey!" -Sara Tatlinger, Bram Stoker Award-winning author The Devil's Dreamland

"McGregor's gorgeously crafted historical horror makes for perfect reading on a winter's night." -Kenzie Jennings, author Reception and Red Station