Slewfoot
In 1666, in a remote Puritan settlement in colonial Connecticut, the spirited Englishwoman Abitha is suddenly widowed and left to work an impossible harvest alone — the only thing standing between her and indenture to her scheming brother-in-law, Wallace. In a rigid, patriarchal, God-fearing world with no place for a woman who won't submit, she is dangerously exposed.
Deep in the woods, an ancient spirit is waking — beast to some, god to others, devil to the colonists who whisper the name Slewfoot. Abitha names him Samson, and he might have the power to save her land and her life. But his help carries a price, and as shadows move and villagers begin to die, the settlement turns its terror on Abitha with a single, damning word: witch.
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery is Brom's atmospheric, richly illustrated folk-horror novel — drawing on the real history of the witch trials to tell a story of freedom, oppression, power, and vengeance.
A widowed farmwife fighting for her freedom in a Puritan colony.
An ancient forest spirit who awakens with no memory of himself; the colonists call him Slewfoot, demon, devil, while the wildfolk call him Father. Abitha renames him Samson, and he is torn between being a giver of life and a slayer of men.
Abitha's grasping brother-in-law who wants her land.
A wealthy land baron holding Wallace's debt, who backs Wallace's bid to seize Abitha's farm.
Abitha's Puritan husband, whose death at the story's opening leaves her a widow facing indenture — and whose body the awakening spirit later claims.