It all began when Anne fell ill in the summer of 1604. Her father suspected “hysteria” of course, but this evolves into violent fits, vomiting pins, and bodily contortions. All the tell-tale signs of English witchcraft. Predictably, her father alerts anyone and everyone to come see for themselves. When asked who hurt her so, Anne accuses Elizabeth Gregory, the town scold, and Agnes and Mary Pepwell, local mother and daughter vagrants.

Pretty textbook right? Well, turns out, Anne was a victim of horrific abuse at home. There was bad blood between the Gunters and the Gregorys, thanks to Anne’s father. The Pepwells were just easy targets. Anne’s sickness was simply an opportunity. Drugged, Anne sees and hears what she is told by her father. Cunning men and doctors are called to assist, lending support to the accusation of witchcraft when no remedy is found. Finally, her case reaches the academics at Oxford. Confident in his connections, her father hopes to gather enough evidence to hang the witches. But these are no small town folk, and things do not go as planned. Overestimating his case, Anne is brought before King James I himself, who won't be fooled...

I really liked this book, as I knew I would. Sharpe was actually inspired to write “The Bewitching of Anne Gunter” while researching for "Instruments of Darkness" which I also enjoyed. This case is so unique in many ways and extraordinary in its proceedings. ( )

examination of a case of faked bewitchment tried before James I