1644. Armies have risen against the King and have attacked on and off the city of York. For widowed midwife Bridget Hodgson, life must go on. Servants call day and night requesting her services for babies about to be born.
When one of Bridget’s friends is convicted for killing her husband and scheduled to be burned at the stake, Bridget along with her newly acquired maid servant Martha set out to prove her innocence. Many obstacles are in their way as Bridget and Martha avoid the rebels, the higher ups of the community, and an unwelcome appearance from Martha’s past.
As this unusual duo digs into the case, they uncover much more than they had bargained for and many people that would rather keep things covered up.
I started this book late one evening while I was looking for a read before bed. With the little bit I read before sleep, I was already hooked. I spent the next day reading every chance I got.
The Midwife’s Tale is an excellent work of historical fiction. Sam Thomas wrote a story that is so engaging, so informative; I had a hard time putting it down. For a woman of the 1600’s, Bridget is strong, smart, and independent, my favorite type of female character. And while Martha comes with some weird baggage, she adds just the right mix to an already appealing story.
7 hours later I emerge out of this book completely satisfied with all of it. The beginning brought me in from page one, the middle held me, never feeling drug out or pages of “filler” and the ending superb. There are not many books I can say that about.
In the end it was interesting to know that the author Sam Thomas is a history professor who created the character Bridget Hodgson from a will of a once living midwife of the same name. While some names in the story are from the real Bridget Hodgson’s life, the book is fiction, and a remarkable one at that.
Book Journey 
I love historical novels. After reading your review, I am sold on adding The Midwife’s Tale to my To Be Read list. Hope you are having a great week!
Rebecca @ The Key to the Gate
I am confident in saying you would enjoy this one. It had my attention right from the beginning.
I have enjoyed several books with “midwife” in the title…this one sounds very tempting.
Laurel you will like this one. SO GOOD.
I’m thinking I really need to read this book! Will definitely keep it in mind.
Sweet! I hope you do Anna, you will thank me 😀
Sounds like something I should read! I always enjoy a good historical fiction, and if you read it like that, you know, within a night, then it sounds worthwhile to at least try!
I sometimes have a hard time getting into historical fiction, many drag with information in the beginning and I just want to get to the heart of the story – not so in this case, it grabbed me from the start.
Really good to know then!
Let me know if you so read it, I would love to hear your thoughts 🙂
This is the kind of read which really drives me on. Read a bit tonight and then cant wait for tomorrow to finish!
Oh good! You will finish it tomorrow too, you wont be able to put it down 🙂
Thanks for your review. This book sounds interesting. I added it to my TBR list.
I hope you read it Pat!
I love a book that you just can’t put down and haven’t read one for a while. I think I should be looking for this one since I also love historical fiction.
You will love this one Barbara!
Everyone is loving this one!!! I will have to read it!!!
Yes, yes you do 😀
Thanks for the great review, Sheila! It’s great to know that someone “gets” what I’m trying to do!
Thanks for writing such a wonderful read Sam! I am looking forward to more of your writing.
I love historical fiction so I will have to check this out for sure!
Good! 😀
Yes, it is good! if you or your readers would like to win a copy, please come this way: http://wordsandpeace.com/2013/01/23/book-review-and-giveaway-the-midwifes-tale/
OOH thanks for the link – I am thrilled you are doing a giveaway for this one!
I’m always all for it when the publisher offers it
Me too!