Montacute House by Lucy Jago

Bloomsbury, 2010.
(Age 13-15) Set in 1596, this title has all the trimmings.
For the villagers of Montacute, May Day did not bring good news. A boy's body was found with terrible burns and suspicious markings. For Cess this did not mean too much until her friend goes missing. Cess is one of the poorer members of the community. She and her mother are shunned as Cess was born out of wedlock. For all this Cess has great determination and is destined to do well. However the secrets that are revealed during the novel could spell disaster for Cess and those closest to her.
Themes include: Rituals, witchcraft, Village life, 1500's history.
It would pair well with The crucible.
Suitable for years 9-10.
Wendy Rutten