The Curse of Salem is a dark cloud that looms over the town of Salem, Massachusetts. It refers to the events of the Salem Witch Trials, a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in the late 17th century. This period of hysteria and paranoia left an everlasting mark on the town and its inhabitants. The main idea of the Curse of Salem is the deep-rooted fear and suspicion that can spread through a community, leading to tragic consequences. The accusations of witchcraft were based on unfounded claims and fueled by personal vendettas, ultimately resulting in the execution of twenty people and leaving many lives shattered. The Curse of Salem has lingered over the town for centuries, with its legacy haunting the local community.
I can't really remember any time when I wasn't reading. I LOVE books and what they give me. It's an opportunity to learn new things, see new places,live different emotions in a "safe" way. It lets me live in a new world.
Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay s desk. But then Hollis Templeton and Diana Hayes receive a warning in Diana s eerie gray time between the world of the living and the realm of the dead that a twisted killer is stalking Salem, bent on destroying in the most bloody and horrifying way possible the five families that founded the town.
The Curse of Salem has lingered over the town for centuries, with its legacy haunting the local community. Salem has embraced its dark history, hosting various attractions and events centered around witch trials tourism. However, the curse still holds a palpable presence, reminding residents and visitors alike of the horrors that occurred in the town.
Curse of Salem by Kay Hooper @KayHooper @BerkleyPub
Curse of Salem by Kay Hooper
Series: Bishop Special Crime Unit #20
Published by Berkley on December 28, 2021
Genres: Mystery, Paranormal
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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The small town of Salem has been quiet for months--or so Bishop and his elite Special Crimes Unit believe. But then Hollis Templeton and Diana Hayes receive a warning in Diana's eerie "gray time" between the world of the living and the realm of the dead that a twisted killer is stalking Salem, bent on destroying in the most bloody and horrifying way possible the five families that founded the town.
The stakes are high, especially for new friends Nellie Cavendish and Finn Deverell, both members of the Five, and this time Bishop and his wife Miranda will lead the team to hunt down a vicious killer and uncover a dark and ancient curse haunting Salem.
I have enjoyed this Bishop Special Crime Unit series for a long time. Sometimes the stories feature long known members of the team and some are completely new characters. With well known characters, there is the advantage of already knowing them and having better developed characters who then further progress. With new ones, it makes it easier for new readers to jump into the story. I would read some of the earlier books to have some of the background and inside jokes, plus they are great books.
Curse of Salem follows Hidden Salem in the series. So the setting is the same as the previous book and there are some of the same characters. This time we get Bishop and Miranda, as well as Hollis who were not present in the previous book. The earlier books were romantic suspense but I would call these later books paranormal mystery.
The team is brought back to Salem as the mediums, Hollis and Diana, get messages that things are wrong. As with many books, Hollis is a key figure. She does seem to adapt and develop in every book as needed to solve the case. Unfortunately, this feels a little bit special snowflake, and doesn’t add as much to the story or world. I’d rather see more different people utilize their talents or develop them.
Curse of Salem was very suspenseful because their is a killer and his work is horrific. The pace has picked up with people being kidnapped frequently for brutal torture. The telepathic and empathic talented, even the clairvoyant who see future visions are not enjoying what they feel and see. There seems to be some sort of jamming of their talents but eventually they can use some of them to help with the case.
Bishop and Miranda were here, on-site, but not heavily involved. The locals, Finn and Nellie, who we met in the previous book, were involved but also possibly targets of the killer. The team did add to help train Finn’s team which is more newly developed and also helped with searching for the missing and dumped.
I love this series which has my favorite kind of paranormal, a specific kind of magic, which involves the mind. There is a suspenseful mystery . Sometimes we get new characters or further development of old favorites. The series is uneven with some books more romance, others more mystery. Curse of Salem is an interesting addition.
About Kay Hooper
ay Hooper was born in California, in an air force base hospital since her father was stationed there at the time. The family moved back to North Carolina shortly afterward, so she was raised and went to school there.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay’s personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay’s sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay’s desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
Follow me Blogger at Books of My HeartI can't really remember any time when I wasn't reading. I LOVE books and what they give me. It's an opportunity to learn new things, see new places,live different emotions in a "safe" way. It lets me live in a new world.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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This is book number 20 in the Bishop/Special Crimes Unit series.
Today, Salem is filled with reminders of the Curse. The Witch House, the only remaining structure with direct ties to the trials, stands as a physical reminder of the town's dark past. The Salem Witch Trials Memorial serves as a solemn tribute to the victims and a reminder of the consequences of unchecked fear and paranoia. While the Curse of Salem may have started as a local event, its impact has transcended time and geography. The witch trials have become an enduring symbol of injustice and a cautionary tale of the dangers of mass hysteria. The events in Salem serve as a reminder that fear and suspicion can lead to devastating consequences if left unchecked. In conclusion, the Curse of Salem refers to the lasting impact of the Salem Witch Trials on the town of Salem. It highlights the dangers of unfounded accusations, fear, and paranoia. The legacy of the witch trials serves as a constant reminder of the tragic consequences that can arise from such dark episodes in history..
Reviews for "The Heart of Salem: The Curse that Divided a Community"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Curse of Salem". The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters lacked depth. The whole movie felt rushed and poorly executed. The scares were cheap and relied heavily on jump scares, which got old really fast. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone looking for a good horror flick.
2. John - 1 star
"Curse of Salem" was one of the worst horror movies I've ever seen. The acting was amateurish, and it was hard to take any of the characters seriously. The special effects were laughable and added nothing to the film. I found myself bored throughout most of the movie and was relieved when it finally ended. Save your money and skip this one.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Curse of Salem" but was ultimately let down. The plot was unoriginal, and I felt like I had seen it all before. The pacing was off, with moments of intense action followed by long stretches of nothing happening. The ending was unsatisfying and left many loose ends. I expected more from a movie set in Salem with such a promising concept.
4. Mark - 2.5 stars
"Curse of Salem" had potential, but it failed to live up to it. The scares were repetitive and lacked creativity. The characters were not well-developed, and I didn't feel invested in their outcomes. The cinematography was average, and nothing stood out as particularly remarkable. Overall, "Curse of Salem" was a forgettable and mediocre horror movie experience.