The 6 Best Historical Fiction Books Set in Salem, According to Goodreads Readers
From ‘The Crucible’ to ‘The House of the Seven Gables,’ these books bring the spooky town to life
Key Takeaways
- ‘The Crucible’ was written by Arthur Miller, Marilyn Monroe's former husband.
- ‘Magic Lessons’ by Alice Hoffman is the prequel to 1995's ‘Practical Magic.’
- Author Kathleen Kent is a direct descendant of accused witch Martha Carrier.
Every October, visitors flock to Salem, Massachusetts, to soak up the spooky season in the town where the infamous witch trials took place. If you can’t make the trip, historical fiction set in Salem is the next best thing—and there’s no shortage of options! From Arthur Miller’s The Crucible to Alice Hoffman’s Magic Lessons, these six reads are packed with magic, suspense and real history that will transport you to the witchy city without leaving your couch. Keep scrolling to see the highest-rated Salem books, according to Goodreads readers!
‘The Crucible’ by Arthur Miller
Originally published in 1952, this Arthur Miller play has become an American classic. Set during the Salem witch trials, the plot begins when young girls start accusing one another of witchcraft. Desperate to find out what’s true, local farmer John Proctor begins to investigate and is shocked to learn that Abigail Williams, his former servant, is at the heart of all the drama. Can John figure out what’s going on?
What Goodreads users are saying: “You know when you’re reading a five star book. You are so engrossed you might just forget to eat. I do not know why I did not read this classic play years ago. It checks all the boxes for me. It is about the Salem Witch trials which have long fascinated me. As fascinating as I find that time period, it also scares me too. It shows the darkest side of humanity and it shows what we as a people are capable of.”
‘Magic Lessons’ by Alice Hoffman
This novel serves as the prequel to 1995’s bestseller Practical Magic. In the 1600s, Maria is abandoned as a baby in a field in rural England. She is raised by a woman named Hannah Owens who teaches her the importance of love. As an adult, Maria decides to follow the man she loves to Salem, Massachusetts, only to discover that her being there has cast a curse on her entire family that will haunt them for generations. A magical tale that is perfect for fall.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Alice Hoffman read from her Grimoire and brewed up something special when she wrote this book. If this doesn’t make one want to drop everything and read Practical Magic or any of her other books again, I don’t know what will. Full of beautiful and insightful passages, Magic Lessons is a delight from beginning to end.”
‘The Heretic’s Daughter’ by Kathleen Kent
Set in Salem in the late 1600s, this novel follows Sarah Carrier Chapman, who writes a letter to her granddaughter near the end of her life. In it, Sarah takes readers back to the Salem witch trials, when her mother, Martha Carrier, was accused of witchcraft and jailed. In an attempt to avoid the same fate, Sarah must lie, cheat and steal to protect herself, even if it means condemning her mother in the process.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Kathleen Kent is a direct descendant of Martha Carrier, the novel’s heroine who was hanged in 1692 at the height of the Salem witch trials. Kent spent five years researching and writing this novel of her heritage, and the result is exceptional. The prose is solid and smooth and the portrayal of late-17th century New England is rich with fascinating details of life in that era.”
‘A Break with Charity’ by Ann Rinaldi
Book 1 in Ann Rinaldi’s Great Episodes series follows Susanna English, a young girl who dreams of spending time with the other girls her age in Salem. What Susanna doesn’t know is that the leader of the girls is Ann Putnam, a stubborn girl who spreads lies about people in town, resulting in false imprisonments and unnecessary executions. When Susanna discovers this, she realizes she has a choice: She can either keep quiet and finally befriend the girls her age, or she can speak up and save the lives of people in the town. What follows is a courageous battle of strength and truth.
What Goodreads users are saying: “I love this book because it gives a different perspective to the Salem Witch Trials. You get an outsider’s perspective, so-to-speak, because Susanna is not part of the circle condemning witches, but she witnesses everything going on. You see her inner struggles as she battles with right and wrong throughout the whole book. I definitely recommend this book.”
‘The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane’ by Katherine Howe
This dual-timeline tale begins after graduate student Connie Goodwin is tasked by her mother to handle the sale of Connie’s grandmother’s abandoned home near Salem. While there, she discovers a key with the name Deliverance Dane attached. Connie begins to investigate who this Deliverance person was. What she learns: In the 1690s, Deliverance is accused of witchcraft during the trials and does everything in her power to prove her innocence. An imaginative tale that shines a light on just how dark those times were.
What Goodreads users are saying: “This story pairs a modern day mystery to the Salem witch trials in most unexpected ways. But what has really stayed with me years after reading it is the heart-wrenching portrayal of the women wrongly accused as witches, some only children, ruthlessly imprisoned and killed for nothing more than ill-founded suspicion. Katherine Howe has written a riveting tale while educating readers about an important piece of American history.”
‘The House of the Seven Gables’ by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Inspired by the real 1668 seaside mansion, this novel by Scarlet Letter author Nathaniel Hawthorne is sure to spook readers. When Hepzibah Pyncheon opens a shop in a side room of the family home to make ends meet, she is soon joined by her brother Clifford, who has just been released from prison after years behind bars for a murder he didn’t commit. Their cousin, the powerful Judge Jaffrey Pyncheon, has his own plans for the pair, but the arrival of their young relative Phoebe brings new hope. She falls for Holgrave, a mysterious lodger who is writing a story about the family’s history. Haunted by a curse that dates back to the Salem witch trials, each of them must face who they really are and what really matters. The house still stands today, and you can tour it in Salem.
What Goodreads users are saying: “A Gothic masterpiece with direct ties to a real-life Gothic event—the Salem Witch Trials! Nathaniel Hawthorne’s great-great-grandfather, Judge John Hathorne, ruled many women guilty of witchcraft. He declared guilt quicker than any other magistrate and, when others later expressed regret, he remained steadfast in his decisions. Between the fascinating historical backstory, Hawthorne’s powerful pen, and the suffocating Gothic atmosphere, The House of the Seven Gables ranks among my favorite reading experiences ever.”
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