Andrea Catalano’s The First Witch of Boston reimagines the life of Margaret Jones, the first woman to be executed for witchcraft in seventeenth-century Massachusetts. Blending romance, tragedy, and historical intrigue, this debut novel takes readers into the heart of Puritan Boston where suspicion was as dangerous as any plague.
A Story of Love and Suspicion
At the center of the book is Margaret Jones, a gifted midwife and healer whose fiery nature sets her apart in a society built on restraint. Alongside her cautious but devoted husband, Thomas, Margaret strives to build a new life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Their marriage is drawn with striking intimacy, painting a picture of two people bound by fierce love even as the outside world grows increasingly hostile.
Catalano tells the story in an unusual structure: the first half of the novel is seen largely through Thomas’s eyes, while the second half shifts into Margaret’s first-person narrative during her trial. For some readers, this shift in perspective may feel jarring, yet it underscores the drastic change in Margaret’s life once she is accused of witchcraft. The alternating voices create both intimacy and distance, mirroring how fragile human lives were against the rigidity of Puritan law.
Historical Drama or Historical Romance?
What makes The First Witch of Boston a point of contention among readers is the balance between historical drama and romance. Catalano is unafraid of leaning into sensuality, portraying the physical and emotional connection between Margaret and Thomas with intensity. For readers who enjoy historical fiction interlaced with passionate relationships, these scenes give the novel heat and immediacy. Others, however, may find the explicit nature of the content at odds with their expectations of a more restrained historical narrative.
Beyond the romance, the novel explores how quickly love, independence, and outspokenness could be twisted into accusations of witchcraft. The hypocrisy of Puritan society is laid bare, echoing the timeless danger of fear used as a weapon against those who do not conform. Catalano highlights how easily personal grievances, jealousy, and superstition could lead to tragedy.
Strengths and Shortcomings
The greatest strength of this novel lies in its characters. Margaret is vivid, intelligent, and unapologetically strong, while Thomas is steady and tender, a man struggling to protect the woman he loves from forces beyond his control. Their relationship drives the narrative, making the novel as much a love story as it is a tale of injustice.
On the other hand, some readers may wish for richer descriptions of seventeenth-century Boston itself. The novel leans heavily on dialogue and relationships rather than immersing readers in the textures of daily colonial life. The pacing also falters at times, particularly with the shift in perspective that divides the book into almost two separate narratives.
Final Thoughts
The First Witch of Boston is both a harrowing and heartfelt debut. It offers a deeply personal look at one of America’s earliest witch trials while weaving a romance that defies the centuries. Readers who appreciate historical fiction laced with passion, courtroom drama, and themes reminiscent of The Crucible or The Scarlet Letter will find much to ponder here.
If you are looking for a historical novel that blends love, injustice, and the dangers of speaking one’s truth in a world ruled by fear, this book may be for you.
