The First Witch of Boston

We know from the very beginning of the novel (and in fact it's hinted very heavily in the book title) what Maggie's fate will be. Would you have preferred to have more suspense about the outcome?

What did you think of the structure of the novel, starting with a third person point of view interspersed with Maggie's journal entries and then switching to first person for the duration of the trial? Why do you think the author chose to structure the book this way and did you find it effective?

Maggie refuses to change who she is for anyone. Did you find this admirable or do you think she could have or should have compromised herself for self-preservation?

Many stories about witches understandably center the women. Did you find it interesting to consider how Thomas also dealt with the suspicions and accusations, or did this take away from the focus on Maggie, the accused?

Discuss Maggie and Thomas' relationship. How do they relate to one another throughout the course of the novel? What secrets do they keep from one another, and why?

Were you surprised by how many explicit scenes there were in the book? In your opinion did they add to or detract from the novel?

How familiar were you with the witch trials before reading this book? Were you surprised to learn how the charges of witchcraft were handled?

Did you read the notes at the end of the book? What did you think of the decisions the author describes making when writing the novel?