Accused of witchcraft by the daughters of a local minister, Nell must navigate a climate of superstition and malice to survive a death sentence. Living in a seventeenth-century West Country village, Nell serves as an apprentice to her grandmother, a local healer. When the minister's daughter faces an unplanned pregnancy, she and her sister fabricate a narrative of curses to deflect social ruin onto Nell. The narrative employs a dual-perspective structure, shifting across time to reveal the precarious position of women in a society governed by religious fervor and fear.

Readers frequently highlight the effectiveness of the dual narrative structure in building suspense throughout the story. Discussion often centers on the stark portrayal of seventeenth-century social dynamics and the vulnerability of those labeled as outsiders. Critics note that the characterization provides significant depth, allowing for complex engagement with the themes of prejudice and religious hypocrisy. The pacing is described as consistent, maintaining interest through the interplay of historical detail and personal stakes. Many observers appreciate how the author balances the harsh realities of the period with the internal development of the protagonist.