The Witch of Hodderford

Both intriguing and enlightening, The Witch of Hodderford is written in the form of memoirs by a retired, non-conformist clergyman. Easy-going, if somewhat conventional, John Wilkes’ world is turned upside-down when a member of his congregation claims to make out-of-body visits to first century Palestine. The woman, a former nurse, brings back eye-witness accounts of several major events as depicted in the Gospels. These, together with her own critical explanations are, to say the least, highly heretical.

In addition, Wilkes has problems enough at home in the shape of his precocious young daughter and his older son; who, despite studying physics at university, cannot resist joining his father in an attempt to resolve the mystery. Others also become involved, including the clergyman’s wife, the caretaker’s wife... and a Professor of linguistics!

After a brush with a would-be Witch-finder General and an even more fearsome ‘hot-gospeller’, the approach of Holy Week and Easter foreshadows more earth-shattering, apocalyptic theories; and they don’t disappoint. But Wilkes, his family and friends are made of sterner stuff. So ‘all’s well that ends well’... or does it?