Solstice
(The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 3)
By Helen Steadman
Publisher: Bell Jar Books
Page Length: 336
Genre: Historical Fiction / Horror
England, 1673. 
Still a world of witches, witch trials and witchfinders.
When a new vicar arrives to take over the parish of Mutton Clog, the village finds itself in the grip of puritan fever, and suspicious eyes are turned on Rose Driver.
Rose’s mother, brother and grandmother were all put to death by the Scottish witchfinder, John Sharpe.
Almost quarter of a century after the Newcastle witch trials, Sharpe is no longer a threat. Rose should be safe in her quiet village, but is history about to repeat itself?
Find out in Solstice, the powerful conclusion to the trilogy, which tells the story of one woman’s struggle for survival in a hostile and superstitious world.
The Newcastle Witch Trials trilogy was inspired by the little-known 1650 witch trials, where fifteen women and one man were hanged for witchcraft on a single day.
The witch finder is no more. John Sharpe may have got to Rose’s grandmother, mother, and younger brother, but she escaped. The sole survivor of John Sharpe’s tyranny, Rose Driver, is free to live out her life in relative safety, without the looming threat of the witch finder searching for her.
But then a new vicar arrives in Mutton Clog, unsettling the village, which had grown used to the kind ways of the previous vicar. This newcomer, accompanied by his two grown children, is a stranger. His puritan views unsettle Mutton Clog, especially affecting the Driver family, who haven't set foot in church for years.
“Solstice (The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 3)” by Helen Steadman gives voice to a new character in the series, introducing Rose as she grows into adulthood and faces the same prejudiced world that her mother previously endured and struggled against.
The events that brought about Rose’s mother’s death, all those years ago, have remained an unspoken secret. Those who know the truth haven’t mentioned it, and those who don’t can only speculate. Either way, Rose has grown up unaware of what really happened the night her mother and brother both lost their lives, and those around her have worked to ensure she has the best start to life she could possibly be offered. With no fanciful notions of marriage and children, she is content to roam outside, looking after her flock of sheep and helping with the lambing. The arrival of the vicar, though, and with him, his son Earnest, brings a change to Rose’s life that she never could have expected. He pursues Rose, vying for her attention, and eventually his advances make their mark. Word gets out that Rose is with child, and with it comes the beginning of big changes in Rose’s life. Rose is presented as a character of innocence, one who lives plainly with the coming and going of the days, and finds her life fulfilled in the same simplicity of her flock, watching the rising and falling of the moon, and spending her time with her family. It does not take long for the reader to grow fond of Rose, for she exudes an air of tranquillity, her thoughts clear and concise, and her feelings for those she loves give a true representation of her good character.
As a contrast to Rose’s character, living as one with nature, and purely genuine of heart, Patience sweeps into this novel with an air of pious arrogance, walking in the protection of God’s name to further her own goals and aspirations. From her first meeting with Rose, Patience sees misdeeds and an ungodly nature to the girl, a seed of doubt instantly planting itself in her mind that Rose may not be of this world, and that her intentions may not be entirely Godly. Patience is a deeply troubled character. Moving to Mutton Clog was not something she expected or desired; her family was cast out of her father’s previous position, and living in the middle of nowhere, in a small village, where she knows no one and sees sacrilege at every turn, puts her on high alert. She has always seen her brother causing trouble, but as the golden child, the child who was wanted, it seems he can do no harm and suffers no consequences for his actions. She alone has taken on the task of holding him accountable and cleaning up the messes that follow him. Unfortunately, the baby that Rose carries falls under that accountability, and with her suspicions on the girl already, Patience takes it into her own hands to make sure that the good name of her family is upheld. Patience comes across as a harshly vindictive character, and despite attempting to pin her actions on following the word of the Lord, the path she does take shows her true colours. 
Accusations of witchcraft have been quiet for many years, but putting together Rose’s irrational reluctance to walk into a church, together with Patience’s accusations, gives breath to another round of fear, of hearing the word ‘witch’ thrown about once again. After accusations against both her mother and grandmother, Rose’s plight is real, and the reader can’t help but sympathise. Patience appears to see her own agenda and the ‘righteous’ path that she is walking, but feels little towards those she points her finger at, and she is not afraid to plant ideas into her father’s mind to further aid her ideas. As Ms Steadman has previously portrayed in the earlier novels in this series, the battle of good versus evil continues, and as before, those accused as witches continue to prevail with kindness and care in their hearts, and those working under God’s name do so in vain, using religion as a cover for their own gains. Rose can only hope that she has enough friends who would be willing to stand up for her, to attest to her good nature, and prove that she is innocent and clear of heart. With Patience and, therefore, the word of the church working against her and the baby she is carrying, she can only hope and pray that the world will be kind to her. The contrast between the soft and warm-hearted chapters of Rose’s perspective and the cold and rigorous judgment of Patience is harsh, further projecting the reader’s love and sympathy towards Rose and turning the reader disdainful against Patience. Although she has suffered through some difficult situations, there is no excuse for the dark path she takes, condemning others in the way that she does. 
“Solstice (The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 3)” by Helen Steadman sharply draws a line between good and evil, centring on Rose’s struggle for hope amid threats of witchcraft and persecution. As the series continues, hope emerges that the accusations may finally end, offering Rose and her family a chance at peace—an explicit contrast to the darkness aiming to silence the innocent. 
Review by Ellie Yarde
Yarde Book Reviews & Book Promotion
Pick up your copy of
Solstice
(The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 3)
Read with #KindleUnlimited
Helen Steadman
Helen Steadman mostly writes biographical historical fiction (think herbs, healing, witch trials, swords, shipwrecks and lighthouses) set in the north east of England. So far, she’s written the Newcastle Witch Trials trilogy (Widdershins, Sunwise and Solstice), The Running Wolf (about the Shotley Bridge swordmakers) and Grace (about Grace Darling, the heroic lighthouse keeper’s daughter).
And then — because why not — there’s God of Fire set on Mount Olympus, which is absolutely nowhere near the north east of England. A sequel featuring Aphrodite is planned. Probably. At some point. (Helen is a slow writer. Deadlines tend to pass her by.)
Connect with Helen Steadman:





 

























