Fiction about Salem Witch Trials: The Salem Witch Trials hold a unique place in American history, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass hysteria and the power of fear. This dark moment in colonial Massachusetts has been a subject of fascination for historians and writers alike, resulting in numerous works of fiction that explore the events and the people involved. Arthur Miller's play, "The Crucible," is perhaps the most well-known fictional portrayal of the Salem Witch Trials. Set against the backdrop of the trials, Miller uses the events as an allegory for McCarthyism and the Red Scare of the 1950s. Through the characters and their actions, he delves into the themes of morality, guilt, and the destructive power of accusations based on fear and prejudice. Stacy Schiff's novel, "The Witches: Salem, 1692," takes a non-fictional approach to recounting the events of the trials.

15 Books About Salem to Read this Halloween

Anyone else dream of calling Salem, Massachusetts home?

Cover photo courtesy of thingstodoinsalem.com. This post contains affiliate links. See the end of this post and/or my disclaimer for more.

I have yet to visit Witch City, but it’s definitely on my list. The truth is…I’m afraid if I go, I’ll never want to come home. There’s just something charming about a small town on the water that celebrates Halloween season like no other. It’d be my own personal Stars Hollow with a spooky twist.

But that won’t stop me from reading about it! A few years ago, I read “A Season With the Witch” which chronicles author J.W. Ocker’s stay in Salem during the month of October. This fall, I’m diving into a bit of fiction set in Salem with the Spooky Little Book Club!

Our fall theme is a novel set in Salem, and we had some amazing recommendations in the book club. Our final pick? A collection of short stories from Fun Dead Publications called “One Night in Salem”. Mine just arrived, and I can’t wait to dig into it!

You’re welcome to join us as we read about Salem. If you need a little more fiction about Witch City, here are 15 more books you might love.

15 Books About Salem to Read this Halloween

Book descriptions from goodreads.com. Images from amazon.com.

1. “Crane Pond: A Novel of Salem” by Richard Francis

In a colony on the edge of survival in a mysterious new world where infant mortality is high and sin is to blame, Samuel Sweall is committed to being a loving family man, a good citizen, and a fair-minded judge. Like any believing Puritan, he agonizes over what others think of him while striving to act morally correct, keep the peace, and (hopefully make time to) enjoy a hefty slice of pie. His one regret is that only months before he didn’t sentence a group of pirates to death. What begins as a touching story of a bumbling man tasked with making judgments in a society where reason is often ephemeral, quickly becomes the chilling narrative we know too well. And when public opinion wavers, Sweall learns that what has been done cannot be undone. GET A COPY

2. “Deadly Harvest” by Heather Graham

When a young woman is found dead in a field, dressed up as a scarecrow with a slashed grin and a broken neck, the residents of Salem, Massachusetts, begin to fear that the infamous Harvest Man is more than just a rumor. But out-of-town cop Jeremy Flynn doesn’t have time for ghost stories. He’s in town on another investigation, looking for a friend’s wife, who mysteriously vanished in a cemetery.

Complicating his efforts is local occult expert Rowenna Cavanaugh, who launches her own investigation, convinced that a horror from the past has crept into the present and is seducing women to their deaths. Jeremy uses logic and solid police work. Rowenna depends on intuition. But they both have the same goal: to stop the abductions and locate the missing women before Rowenna herself falls prey to the Harvest Man’s dark seduction. GET A COPY

3. “Gallows Hill” by Lois Duncan

Role-playing takes on a terrifying cast when 17-year-old Sarah, who is posing as a fortune-teller for a school fair, begins to see actual visions that can predict the future. Frightened, the other students brand her a witch, setting off a chain of events that mirror the centuries-old Salem witch trials in more ways than one. GET A COPY

4. “Grave Errors” by Carol J. Perry

For residents of Salem, Massachusetts, the day after Halloween brings empty candy wrappers, sagging pumpkins, and a community-wide identity crisis. That is until Lee Barrett’s TV production class suggests extending the spooky season with the traditional Mexican celebration Dia de Los Muertos. But when the students discover not all of Salem’s dead are resting in peace, the post-October blues don t seem so bad after all…

As if a series of haunting graveyard visits isn’t disturbing enough, Lee and her policeman boyfriend connect the crime to an unsolved missing person case. Driven by a series of chilling psychic visions, Lee calls on her cleverest allies including her shrewd cat, O Ryan to go underground and dig up the evidence needed to put a lid on a cold case forever…before the latest headstone in town has her name on it! GET A COPY

5. “House of Seven Gables” by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The sins of one generation are visited upon another in a haunted New England mansion until the arrival of a young woman from the country breathes new air into moldering lives and rooms. Written shortly after The Scarlet Letter, The House of the Seven Gables re-addresses the theme of human guilt in a style remarkable in both its descriptive virtuosity and its truly modern mix of fantasy and realism. GET A COPY

6. “How to Hang a Witch” by Adriana Mather

Salem, Massachusetts is the site of the infamous witch trials and the new home of Samantha Mather. Recently transplanted from New York City, Sam and her stepmother are not exactly welcomed with open arms. Sam is the descendant of Cotton Mather, one of the men responsible for those trials and almost immediately, she becomes the enemy of a group of girls who call themselves The Descendants. And guess who their ancestors were?

If dealing with that weren’t enough, Sam also comes face to face with a real live (well technically dead) ghost. A handsome, angry ghost who wants Sam to stop touching his stuff. But soon Sam discovers she is at the center of a centuries-old curse affecting anyone with ties to the trials. Sam must come to terms with the ghost and find a way to work with The Descendants to stop a deadly cycle that has been going on since the first accused witch was hanged. If any town should have learned its lesson, it’s Salem. But history may be about to repeat itself. GET A COPY

7. “I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem” by Maryse Conde

At the age of seven, Tituba watched as her mother was hanged for daring to wound a plantation owner who tried to rape her. She was raised from then on by Mama Yaya, a gifted woman who shared with her the secrets of healing and magic. But it was Tituba’s love of the slave John Indian that led her from safety into slavery, and the bitter, vengeful religion practiced by the good citizens of Salem, Massachusetts. Though protected by the spirits, Tituba could not escape the lies and accusations of that hysterical time. GET A COPY

8. “The Fifth Petal” by Brunonia Barry

When a teenage boy dies suspiciously on Halloween night, Salem’s chief of police, John Rafferty, wonders if there is a connection between his death and Salem’s most notorious cold case, a triple homicide dubbed “The Goddess Murders,” in which three young women, all descended from accused Salem witches, were slashed on Halloween night in 1989. He finds unexpected help in Callie Cahill, the daughter of one of the victims newly returned to town. Neither believes that the main suspect, Rose Whelan, respected local historian, is guilty of murder or witchcraft.

But exonerating Rose might mean crossing paths with a dangerous force. Were the women victims of an all-too-human vengeance, or was the devil raised in Salem that night? And if they cannot discover what truly happened, will evil rise again? GET A COPY

9. “The Hexed” by Heather Graham

Devin Lyle has recently returned to the Salem area, but her timing couldn’t be worse. Soon after she moved into the eighteenth-century cabin she inherited from her great-aunt Mina—her “crazy” great-aunt, who spoke to the dead—a woman was murdered nearby. Craig Rockwell—known as Rocky—is a new member of the Krewe of Hunters, the FBI’s team of paranormal investigators. He never got over finding a friend dead in the woods. Now another body’s been found in those same woods, not far from the home of Devin Lyle. And Devin’s been led to a third body—by…a ghost?

Her discovery draws them both deeper into the case and Salem’s rich and disturbing history. Even as the danger mounts, Devin and Rocky begin to fall for each other, something the ghosts of Mina and past witches seem to approve of. But the two of them need every skill they possess to learn the truth—or Devin’s might be the next body in the woods… GET A COPY

10. “The Lords of Salem” by Rob Zombie

Heidi Hawthorne is a thirty-seven-year-old FM radio DJ and a recovering drug addict. Struggling with her newfound sobriety and creeping depression, Heidi suddenly receives an anonymous gift at the station-a mysteriously shaped wooden box branded with a strange symbol. Inside the box is a promotional record for a band that identifies themselves only as The Lords. There is no other information.

She decides to play it on the radio show as a joke, and the moment she does, horrible things begin to happen. The strange music awakens something evil in the town. Soon enough, terrifying murders begin to happen all around Heidi. Who are The Lords? What do they want? As old bloodlines are awakened and the bodies start to pile up, only one thing seems certain: all hell is about to break loose. GET A COPY

11. “The Timeless Ones” by Susan Catalano

Merry Chalmers, accused witch, has a secret so hidden that she’s nearly forgotten what she really is. All she desires is for the witch-hunts to end and to marry her secret love, William Darling. But hysteria has taken hold in Salem Village, and the Tall Man, spawned by tales of his existence, is born to fulfill his dark purpose.

Soon Merry and William find their lives taking unthinkable paths. For when Merry leaps from the 17th century into modern-day Salem, she must accept that unlike others who were accused and hanged for being a witch, she truly is one. GET A COPY

12. “The White Raven” by Carrie D. Miller

In her thirteenth life, Aven has settled into the now witchcraft-friendly Salem where she has found true happiness and friendship, maybe even love. Despite her contentment, the truth of Aven’s existence haunts her. When she dies, her Spirit is forced from the Veil to live again in the body of a stranger.

To make matters worse, an unrelenting, twisted evil from Aven’s past lurks closely behind her. Sustained by his hatred of the witch, he won’t give up until she’s paid for what she did to him. When the truth of Aven’s connection to the white raven is revealed, it is more horrifying than she could ever have imagined. GET A COPY

13. “The Witches: Salem, 1692” by Stacy Schiff

The panic began early in 1692, over an exceptionally raw Massachusetts winter, when a minister’s niece began to writhe and roar. It spread quickly, confounding the most educated men and prominent politicians in the colony. Neighbors accused neighbors, husbands accused wives, parents and children one another. It ended less than a year later, but not before nineteen men and women had been hanged and an elderly man crushed to death.

Speaking loudly and emphatically, adolescent girls stood at the center of the crisis. Along with suffrage and Prohibition, the Salem witch trials represent one of the few moments when women played the central role in American history. Drawing masterfully on the archives, Stacy Schiff introduces us to the strains on a Puritan adolescent’s life and to the authorities whose delicate agendas were at risk. She illuminates the demands of a rigorous faith, the vulnerability of settlements adrift from the mother country, perched–at a politically tumultuous time–on the edge of what a visitor termed a “remote, rocky, barren, bushy, wild-woody wilderness.” With devastating clarity, the textures and tension of colonial life emerge; hidden patterns subtly, startlingly detach themselves from the darkness. Schiff brings early American anxieties to the fore to align them brilliantly with our own. In an era of religious provocations, crowdsourcing, and invisible enemies, this enthralling story makes more sense than ever. GET A COPY

14. “These Witches Don’t Burn” by Isabel Sterling

Hannah’s a witch, but not the kind you’re thinking of. She’s the real deal, an Elemental with the power to control fire, earth, water, and air. But even though she lives in Salem, Massachusetts, her magic is a secret she has to keep to herself. If she’s ever caught using it in front of a Reg (read: non-witch), she could lose it. For good. So, Hannah spends most of her time avoiding her ex-girlfriend (and fellow Elemental Witch) Veronica, hanging out with her best friend, and working at the Fly by Night Cauldron selling candles and crystals to tourists, goths, and local Wiccans.

But dealing with her ex is the least of Hannah’s concerns when a terrifying blood ritual interrupts the end-of-school-year bonfire. Evidence of dark magic begins to appear all over Salem, and Hannah’s sure it’s the work of a deadly Blood Witch. The issue is, her coven is less than convinced, forcing Hannah to team up with the last person she wants to see: Veronica.

While the pair attempt to smoke out the Blood Witch at a house party, Hannah meets Morgan, a cute new ballerina in town. But trying to date amid a supernatural crisis is easier said than done, and Hannah will have to test the limits of her power if she’s going to save her coven and get the girl, especially when the attacks on Salem’s witches become deadlier by the day. GET A COPY

15. “Wicked Appetite” by Janet Evanovich

For centuries, treasure hunters have been eager to possess the stones, undeterred by their corrupting nature. The list is long — Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, to name a few. Now the Stones have found their way to Salem, Massachusetts, and so has Gerwulf Grimoire, adding himself to this rogues’ gallery of power seekers. He’s an uncommonly dangerous man, with a hunger for the forbidden, and a set of abilities that are way beyond ordinary. Abilities that he feels entitle him to possess anything he might desire.

That would include Elizabeth Tucker, the woman he needs to find the Stones. She’s freshly transplanted from New York City to Boston’s North Shore. With a new job as pastry chef at Dazzle’s bakery and an old house inherited from her Aunt Ophelia, her life is pretty much on track …until it’s suddenly derailed by a guy named Diesel, a rude monkey, and a ninja cat.

Lizzy can handle the monkey and the cat. She’s not sure about Diesel. He’s offering up his own set of unusual talents, promising to protect her from Grimoire. The kind of protection that Lizzy suspects might involve guarding her body day and night.

The Seven Deadly Sins are pride, greed, lust, envy wrath, sloth and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that is wicked. Diesel thinks it also pretty much covers everything that’s fun. And Lizzy thinks Diesel and the Seven Deadly Sins cover everything her mother warned her about. GET A COPY

WHICH BOOK ABOUT SALEM WILL YOU READ?

Share your pick in the comments, and if you want to enjoy spooky reads with us all year long, join the Spooky Little Book Club!

Not on Facebook? No problem – keep an eye on my social media channels throughout the year where I’ll always announce the newest read and share a blog post where you can weigh in. Read this post for complete details.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, Spooky Little Halloween will earn a small commission for the referral at no cost to you. Read more about affiliates & disclaimers here. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Possessed: 11 Haunting Salem Witch Trials Books

Spanning just over a year from 1692 to 1693, the Salem witch trials had a lasting impact on political and spiritual thought, legal practice, and popular culture in the United States—to the extent that historian George Lincoln Burr once called the event “the rock on which the theocracy shattered.” In what remains the deadliest witch hunt in the history of America, more than 200 people were accused of witchcraft; were hanged while another individual was tortured to death.

Now considered an example of mass hysteria fueled by personal vendettas and long-running feuds in the small New England community, the Salem witch trials will forever haunt American history. Even today, harassment and persecution prompted by unfounded accusation is still described as a “witch hunt.” When it comes to popular culture, the bizarre circumstances of the trials have left their mark on our collective imagination—a mark documented throughout the years in both nonfiction and fiction narratives. Readers fascinated by this blood-splattered era will find no shortage of depictions of alleged consorting with the devil and, perhaps even more frightening, of human justice gone terribly awry. Just in time for Halloween, here are 11 of the best Salem Witch Trials books to give you a close-up look at one of the darkest moments in American history.

The Salem Witch Trials: A Day by Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

By Marilynne K. Roach

Though they’re referred to collectively as the Salem witch trials, the events of 1692 and 1693 actually took place in several different New England towns, across many months. As such, keeping everything straight can be difficult, especially when the trials themselves were hotbeds of false information. That’s what makes this book so indispensable; by breaking down what happens day-by-day, month-by-month, it provides a straightforward, easy-to-understand timetable of this complex series of events.

Guest Post: How Lucretia Grindle Writes Historical Fiction

The Importance of Character, Setting, and Situation A friend whose opinion I respect a great deal once told me that all a great historical novel is, is a great novel in a historical setting. I agree. Although that sounds deceptively simple and deserves a little unpacking. Character, setting, and situation are the central components, the … Continue reading Guest Post: How Lucretia Grindle Writes Historical Fiction

Down Salem Way a Semi-Finalist for the Chaucer Award

I'm pleased to say that Down Salem Way, the prequel to the bestselling paranormal historical Loving Husband Series, made it as far as a semi-finalist for the Chaucer Award in Early Historical Fiction Pre-1750s. The Joy of Being Nominated It was a thrill watching Down Salem Way make its way from longlisted to shortlisted to … Continue reading Down Salem Way a Semi-Finalist for the Chaucer Award

Watching the Salem Witch Trials

Life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony To get myself back into the flow of life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony while I’m writing And Shadows Will Fall, I just rewatched The Crucible, which is a story I love. Whenever I teach American literature, one of my favorite lessons is always when we read and watch Miller’s work. … Continue reading Watching the Salem Witch Trials

Where I Find Character Inspiration: Sarah Alexander and Elizabeth Wentworth

Where Do Character Ideas Come From? Fans of the Loving Husband Series are familiar with Elizabeth Jones, the greatest love of James Wentworth’s life. She is the woman he sees across the dining room table in Salem Village in 1691, and her beauty and warmth capture his heart forever. But where did the idea for … Continue reading Where I Find Character Inspiration: Sarah Alexander and Elizabeth Wentworth

Character Inspiration For the Loving Husband Trilogy: Mr. Wentworth the Younger

Down Salem Way is Shortlisted For the Chaucer Prize For those of you who don't follow me on Facebook, you may not know that Down Salem Way has been shortlisted for the Chaucer Prize in Early Historical Fiction Pre-1750. I'm very excited. I know it's a cliche to say that it's an honor just to … Continue reading Character Inspiration For the Loving Husband Trilogy: Mr. Wentworth the Younger

Modern-Day Salem Witches

Sometimes Characters Are Easy To Discover Sometimes when I’m writing a story I have to stretch a bit for a character as I try to figure out exactly who this person is. Writers are like actors in the sense that we have to understand the evolution of the characters we’re writing about. Sometimes I have … Continue reading Modern-Day Salem Witches

Writing Historical Fiction About the Salem Witch Trials

Learning To Leave the Past Behind As I'm weaving my way through the sixth part of the Loving Husband Series, I realized that the Salem Witch Trials are never far behind for the Wentworths. The infamous witch hunts of 1692 once again play a role in James and Sarah's story. Both James and Sarah have … Continue reading Writing Historical Fiction About the Salem Witch Trials

Fascinating Witch Stories in Historical Fiction

The Season to Read About Witches Since we were on the subject of vampire books last week, I thought this week would be a great time to revisit some novels about accused witches. After all, witches and witchcraft are popular themes in novels, especially historical fiction. I've done more than my fair share of reading … Continue reading Fascinating Witch Stories in Historical Fiction

Subscribe

My New Release Newsletter

Categories

My Latest Posts:

Writing Inspiration: Facing the Fear of First Drafts

No One Likes Writing First Drafts While I will always love writing in the Loving Husband and Hembry Castle worlds, my creativity has been pulling me in other directions lately. I’ve started the academic research that has been on my mind for some time now, and I’m branching out in my fiction. I’ve been writing … Continue reading Writing Inspiration: Facing the Fear of First Drafts

Happy Holidays: Christmas Eve at Hembry Castle

I hope everyone has been having a joyous holiday season. I love this time of year with the multi-colored twinkle lights, the Christmas movies, and the holiday spirit everywhere. I’m looking forward to a restful winter holiday, which can’t begin soon enough. As I’ve been enjoying my peppermint hot chocolates and winter blend teas, I … Continue reading Happy Holidays: Christmas Eve at Hembry Castle

Search

Copyright © Meredith Allard 2010-2023. All rights reserved.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

The most recommended best books on the Salem witch trials

24 authors created a book list connected to the Salem witch trials, and here are their favorite Salem witch trials books.

Stacy Schiff's novel, "The Witches: Salem, 1692," takes a non-fictional approach to recounting the events of the trials. Drawing from historical records and firsthand accounts, Schiff weaves a gripping narrative that explores the social, cultural, and psychological factors that contributed to the hysteria. By humanizing the accused and examining the motivations of the accusers, she sheds light on the complex dynamics that shaped these events.

What type of Salem witch trials book?

• ✓ Serendipity
• Most recommended
• Newest books
• Oldest books

Katherine Howe's novel, "Conversion," combines the historic Salem Witch Trials with a modern-day story set in a prestigious girls' school. As teenage girls at the school begin experiencing mysterious symptoms reminiscent of the afflicted girls in 1692, connections to the past are unraveled. Howe skillfully interweaves the past and present, exploring the impact of history on the present-day characters as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and identity. Other works such as "The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane" by Katherine Howe and "The Heretic's Daughter" by Kathleen Kent also use the Salem Witch Trials as a backdrop for their narratives. These fictional tales provide a window into the lives of those affected by the trials and offer insight into the lasting legacy they left behind. While these works of fiction may blur the line between fact and imagination, they serve as powerful vehicles for understanding the dark chapter in American history. Through their narratives, they remind us of the dangers of unchecked fear and the importance of questioning the prevailing beliefs of our time..

Reviews for "The Devil's Advocate: An Intriguing Fictional Exploration of the Salem Witch Trials"

1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really excited to read a fiction book about the Salem witch trials, but I found this particular novel to be disappointing. The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear narrative. The characters were superficially developed, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Additionally, the pacing was slow and the plot seemed to drag on unnecessarily. Overall, I was hoping for a more engaging and immersive experience, but this book fell short of my expectations.

2. John - 3/5 - As a history buff, I was looking forward to diving into a fictionalized account of the Salem witch trials. However, I found this book to be a letdown. The author took too many liberties with the historical facts, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. The characters were one-dimensional, lacking depth and authenticity. While the idea behind the book was promising, I believe it failed to deliver an accurate portrayal of this gripping period in history.

3. Emma - 2/5 - I found this book about the Salem witch trials to be quite underwhelming. The writing style was dull and lacked the necessary descriptive elements to transport me to that era. The plot was predictable and offered no surprises. Furthermore, the characters felt flat and lacked development, making it hard to empathize with their struggles. Overall, I was left feeling dissatisfied with this book, as it failed to capture my interest or evoke any meaningful emotions.

4. Michael - 2/5 - This fictional account of the Salem witch trials turned out to be quite lackluster. The story lacked depth and failed to explore the psychological and social complexities of the time. The pacing was slow, causing the plot to drag at certain points. Additionally, the dialogues felt stilted and unrealistic. Overall, I was disappointed by the missed potential of this book, as it failed to offer an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of this historical event.

5. Jessica - 3/5 - I had high hopes for this book about the Salem witch trials, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was dry and did not create a compelling atmosphere. While the author attempted to incorporate suspense, it felt forced and did not successfully capture my interest. The characters lacked depth and I found it difficult to connect with them on an emotional level. Overall, while the historical context was interesting, the execution of the story left much to be desired.

The Witch Trials' Innocent Victims: A Heartbreaking Tale of Betrayal and Injustice