THE HERETIC'S DAUGHTER by Kathleen Kent (✰✰✰✰)

Although written first, this is actually the sequel to Kathleen Kent's The Wolves of Andover.  Overall, I felt the plot and research were better for this one than for Wolves, and the author managed a smoother narration in this book.  The plot still seemed, in a couple of places, as if something had been edited out; I had the feeling that there was a bit of a hiccup in the narrative.  My biggest complaint was with the characterization, especially with the Toothaker family, who seem to do an about face from perfect family to highly dysfunctional.  If you are interested in the Salem Witch Hunt or Puritan America, you would probably enjoy this novel, as the descriptions, especially of the Salem jail, are wonderful.  As historical fiction, there is little to fault here, but if you weigh mechanics in too heavily, you might decide this is a three star book instead of the four I awarded it.