Draws on court documents and personal stories to chronicle the Salem witch trials, highlighting the key figures and events in the trials and the experiences of both the accused and their accusers.
A troubled codebreaker faces an epic plot reaching back through centuries of America's secret history Salem Wiley is a genius cryptanalyst, courted by the world's top security agencies ever since making a breakthrough discovery in her field of quantum computing. She's also an agoraphobe, shackled to a narrow routine by her fear of public places. When her mother's disappearance is linked to a plot to assassinate the country's first viable female presidential candidate, Salem finds herself both target and detective in a modern-day witch hunt. Drawn into a labyrinth of messages encrypted by Emily Dickinson and centuries-old codes tucked inside the Beale Cipher, Salem begins to uncover the truth: an ancient and ruthless group is hell-bent on ruling the world, and only a select group of women stands in its way. Praise: "A fast-paced, sometimes brutal thriller reminiscent of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code."—Booklist (starred review) "Complex protagonists who overcome many obstacles take adventurous readers on a hair-raising thrill ride."—Library Journal (starred review) "The fascinating historical information combined with a storyline ripped from the headlines will hook conspiracy theorists and action addicts alike."—Kirkus Reviews "This suspenseful tale has something for absolutely everyone to enjoy."—Suspense Magazine "Fans of The Da Vinci Code are going to love this book."—Crimespree Magazine "Salem's Cipher is the best kind of fun. A witchy romp with plenty of adventure, intrigue, thrills, friendship, and heart."—Chelsea Cain, New York Times bestselling author "Salem's Cipher is a bona fide page-turner—packed with wonderfully complex characters, surprising twists and thrilling action. Troubled, razor-sharp Salem is truly a heroine to cheer for. I'd follow her anywhere."—Alison Gaylin, USA Today bestselling author
In 1692, four young girls from the Puritan town of Salem Village, Massachusetts, began acting strangely. They threw fits and cried out. They claimed that the spirits of some townspeople were hurting them. These townspeople were accused of witchcraft and put on trial. The punishment was hanging. When a poor woman and her five-year-old daughter were named as witches, Alice Ray knew it couldn’t be true. She believed they were innocent. But what could a young girl like Alice do to help? Would she be brave enough to stand up for what she knew was right? In the back of this book, you’ll find a script and instructions for putting on a reader’s theater performance of this adventure. At our companion website—www.lerneresource.com—you can download additional copies of the script plus sound effects, background images, and more ideas that will help make your reader’s theater performance a success.
Lexi Balefire wears many hats, and only one of them is pointy. As the last of her line, she’s the current keeper of the Balefire, an ancient flame that brings magic to all witches. It’s a job that requires a certain amount of power, and Lexi’s only talent, a knack for matchmaking isn’t enough. When Lexi finally comes into her full power, she discovers a family secret that turns everything she ever knew about herself upside down. Her gift for matchmaking isn’t just a knack, it’s a direct inheritance from the father she never knew, and not the only thing he handed down to her. Follow Lexi as she uses the gifts from both sides of her family to fight a deranged demi-goddess bent on revenge and learns whether or not love really conquers all. This omnibus includes the entire Fate Weaver series.
If Lexi Balefire’s matchmaking skills seem like magic, it’s for a good reason—witchiness has always run in the family. Without access to her full powers, Lexi can’t help wondering if she’ll ever control the Balefire legacy—or end up a wicked witch like her mother and grandmother before her. When a formerly happy client gets dumped unexpectedly, Lexi must pick up the pieces in order to save her business—all while dealing with four fighting faerie godmothers, an obnoxious arch-nemesis, and the only man to ever light her fire.