Author: Foxburg & Stern

The first review is in for THE WIDOW OF HARTFORDE.

“Full of cinematic flair, this is a fast-paced read with twists and chills. New England’s rich history of witch trials is put to great use here, andJ.F. Baker leans into it with creativity and canny twists. The book is one to be devoured in as few sittings as possible…The stellar ending is unforgettable, searing the tale in my memory and leaving me breathless for Baker’s next work.” – Independent Book Review

THE WIDOW OF HARTFORDE goes on sale August 30, 2025. Grab it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

THE WIDOW OF HARTFORDE, a historical thriller by J.F. Baker, will be available for pre-order on Amazon starting Aug. 30, 2025.

Here’s a sneak peek: It’s 1661, in the wild and dangerous colony of Connecticut. At an urgent midnight trial, a bizarre old woman stands before a court and calmly confesses to witchcraft—claiming she was seduced by the Devil himself after encountering a monstrous beast in the woods. Her tale is grisly, unsettling—and all too convincing for town newcomer Rebecca Easton who has seen the creature, too.

But when she breaks her silence to warn the others, she finds the judge’s suspicion turned on her instead. As accusations fly, Rebecca’s husband (the colony’s reverend) negotiates a desperate and deadly deal: find the creature by morning or Rebecca will stand trial as well. As the hunting party departs, the reverend unearths the judge’s dark motive behind trials—truths that threaten to destroy Rebecca and many others in Hartforde as well.