Emma Dickson lives in London with her boyfriend Piers, one day whilst in a waiting room flicking through a magazine she sees a cottage for sale, one that she remembers from her childhood on the Essex coast, called Liza's cottage. Emma's desire to move to the cottage outshines her desire for Piers who is dead set against it, but she moves to Mistley to live in Liza's cottage. Mike Sinclair is the rector for the area and totally fascinated by the history that dominates the area that of the notorious witchfinder general, Matthew Hopkins. After Emma's longing to move to Liza's cottage nightmares descend upon her, hauntings and the involvement of the local witch, Lyndsay add to Emma's nightmare. And as Hallowe'en approaches things go from bad to worse .... This was my first novel by Barbara Erskine and wow!! This was brilliant she weaves the story so well she really draws you in and makes you feel like you were there, a very haunting and addictive novel, brilliant!