Forest of Whispers (31 page)

The End

Author’s Note

W
hile this novel is a work of fiction, there are historical references I feel I must mention. All places, including villages, castles, and streams are real—only the circumstances involving them within these pages have been bent in order to tell a story.

When we think of witch hunts, it is the most often unfortunate circumstances of Salem or England that come to mind. Germany—particularly Bavaria and other southwestern territories—prove to be most significant in modern European witch-hunting. The hysteria peaked between the 16
^th
and 17
^th
centuries in an attempt for religious and territorial control, and thousands of women, children, and men were tried and executed in the city of Bamberg alone. When found “guilty” they were often taken to the Drudenhaus, a famous witch prison built in 1627. Known for its rooms of torture, those on trial would endure countless hours of horror and pain, often coerced into admitting their association with spells and sorcery.

The Black Forest has been shrouded in mystery for decades. Rumored to be haunted by witches and banshees, it has carved its place within old German folklore. Matilde’s cottage, however, did not exist. If it did, it’s coincidence.

The village of Württemberg was a duchy and did not join with the nearby village of Baden until 1952, becoming a Federal Free State of Bavaria. I recently found out my own family hails from these parts of southwestern Bavaria, fueling my imagination to dig deep and write this story. It is not surrounded by a hedge, as depicted in the story; however, old European villages often referred to the boundary between village and forest as a “hedge,” and oftentimes, an herbal practitioner lived there.

All plants and herbs mentioned in the book are native to the Black Forest, as are the afflictions of the time period—famine, Bubonic Plague, and a disease called St. Anthony’s Fire (now known as ergotism). Ergot of Rye played a large role in the witch hysteria. Its symptoms include hallucinations, trancelike states, rashes, and uncontrollable twitches and convulsions. It is now believed to have played a major role in the Salem Witch Trials.

The Electorate of Eltz’s territory did not fall as far south as Württemberg. His region was Mainz and Trier during the Holy Roman Empire, but I felt Castle Eltz was so perfect for the story that I created an extension to his region. As far as I know, he did not have a son named Laurentz. Castle Eltz is a place of wonder and thousands of tourists visit yearly. And yes, Pyrmont Castle is its neighbor, a short three-hour hike away.

As for the Witch of Bavaria, she is quite real, although cannot be named as one particular person. Thousands of innocent women were accused of witchcraft and executed. The
idea
of a Witch of Bavaria encompasses all of the souls lost during this hopeless time in our history.

A Spell of Thanks

A
whole lot of magic goes into creating a book
.

You need inspiration:
AKA as an intuitive literary agent who looks into her scrying glass and informs you that you MUST write this book. Amanda Luedeke, you are priceless to me. Thank you for pushing me to be my very best and for finding the perfect home for my story.

The universe must align:
Kate Kaynak, thank you for falling under my manuscript’s spell. All is well in the world when an editor shares the same vision as the author. Nothing can compare to the warm arms Spencer Hill Press has embraced me with.

A pinch of encouragement:
Cyn Balog & Molly Cochran, I am grateful for our friendship. Thank you for being the first to read
Forest of Whispers
(back when it was a little file called
The Hedge Witch
).

A veil of mystery:
Lisa Amowitz, thank you for creating such a hauntingly beautiful cover. You are indeed the other half of my dark and twisted brain.

A dash of spice:
Otherwise known as Publicist Extraordinaire. Brooke DelVecchio, I am in awe of you and the creativity you wield.

A bloodline:
I always knew my family had secrets…including one my mother traced back to pre-Germanic times and a hint of a great, great, grandmother…who was a witch.

A flame:
Tremendous thanks to my Coven of Secrets Street Team—especially ReaganStar Baldwin—for virtually whispering about my book to the world.

A cauldron:
There’s nothing like family to help stir the past into present. Thank you to my parents for always encouraging me to walk my own path and for my grandmother, who will gladly sit and listen to me talk about writing over a cup of tea.

The elements:
Immense gratitude to my husband, Chris—and my children, Christian and Megan. The journey would be nothing without you along for the ride.

About the Author

J
ennifer Murgia writes Young Adult Fantasy and Contemporary novels. She has long loved the dark and speculative—and it’s from these dark places that she weaves fantastical stories, often hoping to find truth in them. She is the co-founder and coordinator of YAFest: an annual teen book festival in Easton, PA. She currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, her two children, and a very spoiled cat.