The Ghosting of Anne Armstrong

Green’s multi-perspective, thoroughly researched novel relies heavily on the historical basis of its inspiration, at times losing the reader’s interest in the repetitive story. In 1673 Northumberland, 14-year-old Anne Armstrong alleges that a number of her neighbors practice witchcraft, insisting that they shape-shift and worship a dark “protector.” Anne’s story is met with increased skepticism from multiple judges, whom she doggedly pursues each time the charges against her neighbors fail to stick. Peppered throughout is the story of a nameless, present-day historian who follows Anne’s court depositions and is fascinated by the incomplete record keeping of her case, as well as the outlandish evolution of Anne’s allegations as she grows more desperate to be believed. While Green’s dedication to and intrigue with the original lore is clear, this fictionalization of events does not veer far from Anne’s legal proceedings, where she and the reader are continuously met with the same answers. When Green does invoke more chilling subject matter, his writing propels this story into deliciously frightening, and exciting, territory; readers will wish for more of that, and less of the judicial minutiae. (Apr.)