It is 1665 and the women of Eyam keep many secrets.
Isabel Frith, the village midwife, walks a dangerous line with her herbs and remedies. There are men in the village who speak of witchcraft, and Isabel has a past to hide. So she tells nobody her fears about Wulfric, the pious, reclusive apothecary.
Mae, Wulfric’s youngest daughter, dreads her father’s rage if he discovers what she keeps from him. Like her feelings for Rafe, Isabel’s ward, or the fact that she studies from Wulfric’s books at night.
But others have secrets too. Secrets darker than any of them could have imagined.
When Mae makes a horrifying discovery, Isabel is the only person she can turn to. But helping Mae will place them both in unimaginable peril.
And meanwhile another danger is on its way from London. One that threatens to engulf them all . . .
Based on the real history of an English village during the Great Plague, The Hemlock Cure is an utterly beguiling tale of fear and ambition, betrayal, self-sacrifice and the unbreakable bond between two women.
"Artfully written and nuanced, The Hemlock Cure is a carefully researched take on Eyam's sad history, with a rich cast of characters that keep you turning the page." Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of Pandora
"An intricate, detailed and beautifully written story of the women of Eyam. It's vivid and poetic, powerfully building tension as their secrets unravel." Jennifer Saint
"A beautifully written page-turner. I was rooting for Mae from the beginning. An interesting period of history portrayed in a unique way." Carole Matthews, author of Sunny Days and Sea Breezes
"A beautiful, bewitching and powerful tale of brave women's lives. I absolutely loved it." Roz Watkins, author of The Devil's Dice
"Spellbinding and profound... A compassionate and intensely moving novel that is rich in meaning and hugely resonant for our plague-struck era." Nikki Marmery
"Lyrically written, The Hemlock Cure propels the reader into the seventeenth-century world of potions and mystery." Rhiannon Ward
"The writing is exquisite, the period detail sensuous and immersive. I can't stop thinking about this beautiful story." Emma Carroll, author of Frost Hollow Hall
"In a wholly original take on the Eyam story, Joanne Burn's elegant prose, rich in authentic detail, results in a rewarding and timely read." Sarah Burton
"Sweeps the reader up into its potions, scents, colours and secrets... A mesmerising novel." Rosie Andrews
“The Hemlock Cure creates a growing tension that had me turning pages late into the night. The writing is beautfiful - its delicacy and precision creating a strong sense of place - full of scents, sounds and texture” Annie Garthwaite
"An exquisitely written tale of resilience and reckoning, with female protagonists that are just the right blend of compassion and simmering rebellion." Sonia Velton, author of The Image of Her