The Witch of Cologne

Set in Enlightenment-era Europe, this compelling novel explores the life of Ruth bas Elazar Saul, a Jewish midwife in Deutz near Cologne, who combines radical ideas from Spinoza and Kabbalism in her approach to healing. Her innovative practices lead to suspicion and accusations of witchcraft amidst a backdrop of religious persecution, while her forbidden love affair with a Catholic bishop presents both hope and danger. The story is richly researched and vividly written, capturing the tension of a turbulent historical period.