Erika Mailman – författare

“A gripping, well-told story of faith and truth.”—Khaled Hosseini, bestselling author of The Kite Runner“A disturbingly effective historical novel.”—Boston Globe“Beautifully written, nary a word out of place, and with a few moments that throw you beyond—the way good books do ... deeply satisfying.”—San Francisco ChronicleA San Francisco Chronicle Notable Book of 2007In 1507, when a severe famine strikes a small town in Germany, a friar arrives from a large city, claiming that the town is under the spell of witches in league with the devil. He brings with him a book called the Malleus Maleficarum—“The Witch’s Hammer”—a guide to gaining confessions of witchcraft, and promises to identify the guilty woman who has brought God’s anger upon the town, burn her, and restore bounty.

Güde Müller suffers stark and frightening visions—recently she has seen things that defy explanation. No one in the village know this, and Güde herself worries that perhaps her mind has begun to wander—certainly she has outlived all but one of her peers in Tierkinddorf. Yet of one thing she is absolutely certain: She has become an object of scorn and a burden to her son’s wife. In these desperate times her daughter-in-law would prefer one less hungry mouth at the family table. As the friar turns his eye on each member of the tiny community, Güde dreads what her daughter-in-law might say to win his favor.

Then one terrible night Güde follows an unearthly voice and the scent of charred meat into the snow-filled woods. Come morning, she no longer knows if the horror she witnessed was real or imagined. She only knows that if the friar hears of it, she may be damned in this life as well as the next.

The Witch’s Trinity beautifully illuminates a dark period of history; it is vividly imagined, elegantly written, haunting, and unforgettable.

From the Hardcover edition.

Witch. Some words can kill . . . To Güde's son and grandchildren it could mean the loss of a loved one.To Güde it could mean torture and death at the stake.And to Güde's daughter-in-law it could mean one less mouth to feed. In a time when famine is rife and panic spreading, people resort to desperate measures in order to survive. So when Güde is accused of witchcraft by her daughter-in-law she must find the strength to clear her name and save her life . . .

A True Crime Thriller“Fascinating, mesmerizing, and so darkly atmospheric that you keep looking over your shoulder as you read.” —Diana Gabaldon, internationally-bestselling author of the Outlander seriesWinner of Two Historical Fiction Awards in 2018 (IPPY Gold Medal Award and National Indie Excellence Award)#1 Bestseller in Historical IrelandIn this historical murder thriller, author Erika Mailman (also winner of the 2007 Bram Stoker Award for her novel The Witch’s Trinity) brings the true story of the brutal murder of Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother into new focus by adding a riveting contemporary narrative.With historical detail and taut, modern storytelling, Erika Mailman writes a captivating novel about identity, choices, freedom, and murder. She offers readers a fresh perspective on the notorious 19th century crime and explores the trials of immigrants seeking a better life while facing down fear and oppression, today and throughout history. Intelligent and detailed, The Murderer’s Maid is a gripping read from beginning to bloody conclusion.The Murderer’s Maid interweaves the stories of two women, the 19th century servant of infamous Lizzie Borden and the other a 21st century modern-day barista fleeing from an attempt on her life. Irish maid Bridget Sullivan, trapped by servitude and afraid for her own safety, finds herself an unwilling witness to the tensions in the volatile Borden household. In 2016, Brooke, the illegitimate daughter of an immigrant maid, is unknowingly connected to the legendary 19th century crime. Brooke struggles to conceal her identity and stay a jump ahead of the men who want to kill her.If you have read and enjoyed Lizzie Borden books such as The Life and Trial of Lizzie Borden, A Private Disgrace, The History and Haunting of Lizzie Borden, Parallel Lives, The Secrets of Lizzie Borden, or The Fall River Tragedy; you will love Erika Mailman’s award winning true crime thriller The Murderer's Maid.