Prophecy and portents!

The Prophet (A Tabitha Hart Mystery #2) by Martine Bailey               

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Following on from The Almanac, Tabitha Hart and Nat are married and living with Nat’s natural father Sir John De Vallory of Bold Hall. Nat is his heir. Tabitha is pregnant.

Riding out on Old May Day (1753) to view a huge tree known as the Mondrem Oak they come across a dead woman under the gigantic trees branches. Living nearby is a strange religious group, a cult, led by a charismatic preacher, Baptist Gunn, who combines a message of free love with scripture. Nat is much taken with his intellect, Tabitha is both puzzled and wary. After eating and drinking with the group she has what seems like hallucinations. I am repelled by Gunn. He’s an alarming mix of a charlatan and a religious fanatic, who seems to know more about Tabitha than she (and I) would like. He and his followers, mainly women,  are squatting here until they make their way to the Americas.

This strange encounter, the actions of Gunn and his relentless, almost hypnotic charisma he tries to exert over Tabitha in particular, his mesmerised followers, all bring a pressure to the situation that never falters, even as events unfold. There’s a mystical, abhorrent cunningness in the air. Tabitha is concerned but can’t qualify the source.

As the local authority Nat must call for the coroner and an inquiry into the woman’s death. 

A troubled time, what with Tabitha trying to find out the dead woman’s identity, Nat being further beguiled by Gunn, Tabitha preparing for her lie in, and the hiring of a wet nurse which Tabitha isn’t comfortable with. Fortunately the woman eventually recommended appears down to earth and experienced in these matters. Meanwhile Tabitha’s puzzled by who or what is Trinity. A name she overheard being whispered on that day at the Tree. Unrest and dangerous forces are gathering. Tabitha will need all her strength and fierceness to stand.

A solid read!

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley