The Witches of Riegersburg

The Red Amaryllis Series, Book 1

By: Julie Anne Stratton

Narrated by: Laurie Dietrich

For the fans of The DaVinci Code - with three generations of extraordinary women keeping alive the ancient Goddess faith.

"Whenever you are of need, come to Me when the moon is full and I, Hecate, Queen of all witches, will guide you, my daughter, to your heart's desire."

In 1665, Baroness Elisabeth von Galler is faced with the frenzy of the witch trials raging through Europe. Her son-in-law acquires dispensation from the Kaiser to hold trials in Riegerburg. As the "Faith-Keeper" of an ancient Goddess-worshiping community, can she save her loved ones from certain death and her faith from disappearing?

In 1938, Hitler takes over Austria, and Katarina Lilienthal fears for the lives of her Jewish husband and daughter. Armed with the secret Book of Shadows, her legacy passed down from Baroness von Galler, and her intuition will she be able to save her family before the horror begins?

Seventy years later, Sarah Lilienthal inherits her beloved Oma's secret book. Katarina's deathbed wish is for Sarah to travel to Austria - the place Sarah's grandparents barely escaped with their lives on the verge of WWII - and make amends with Oma's estranged family. Sarah is cast on a quest to find her true self and the origins of the book by traveling to Riegersburg, where the Book of Shadows' journey began.

©2020 Julie Anne Stratton (P)2020 Julie Anne Stratton

Suspense filled

This was a fabulous first in a series. The historical basis for the mystery was well researched and introduced fascinating characters. The continuation into the 20th century and present day allowed the lineage to be extended and embellished. The writing is crisp and the descriptions evoked clear and memorable scenes. For anyone who is interested in the witch burnings and their legacy I highly recommend this novel.