This book is pretty sweet. It covers three very interesting historical periods (a bubonic plague outbreak in 1627, Jack the Ripper's rampage, and latter WWI in addition to the sections set in the present) and it is beautifully written. The style is just gorgeous and the author supplies the perfect amount of historical information. I loved all the information on old time medicine. 
 I was planning on giving this book 5 stars for awhile, I was that impressed by it, but it does have some flaws that keep it from reaching that level. The through line that connects the three historical vignettes and the present is the pursuit of protagonist Bess by the man who initiated her into witchcraft, the wicked Gideon. Gideon is underdeveloped as a character, as is Bess's relationship to him. This makes the conclusion underwhelming. 
 Thankfully this book has enough going for it that I can still strongly recommend it despite this problem. I look forward to reading more from this author.