VICTORIA Kilburn, a sickly child of a London family is sent to her uncle in the country. On her way she meets a woman called Marian Cotton, who becomes her friend. Marian helps Victoria overcome her sickliness and introduces her to Aaron Whitstable the poor honourable shoemaker who helps her to walk straight with her crippled foot.

As time goes on one by one those close to Marian start to fall sick and the whispering begins round the village pointing a finger of blame at Marian for poisoning the sick people she is trying to help.

A remarkable book based on the real life case of Mary Anne Cotton.

Daphne Curtis