Mary Schweidler, the Amber Witch

Book excerpt: “Mary Schweidler, the Amber Witch” is an 1838 novel by Wilhelm Meinhold, originally published in German and translated into English by Lady Duff-Gordon. Initially published as a hoax claiming to be a 17th-century account of witchcraft, Meinhold eventually confessed to the deceit but encountered significant trouble when trying to prove that he actually wrote the book. Set during the Thirty Years War, the plot revolves around the story of a pastor, whose only daughter, Maria, has been accused of practicing witchcraft by a rejected suitor. What follows is a tale of heart-break, jealousy and innocence. Read & Co. Classics is proudly republishing this vintage novel now in a brand new edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.