Yolland, E. - Mistress Bridget And Other Tales

Historical fiction, set following the English Civil War.
With Cromwell deceased, lawlessness on both sides increases.
Adding fuel to the fires of hatred, Matthew Hopkins and his henchmen scour the land to find and execute witches, for a fee, witches being an all-purpose scapegoat for many.
Bridget is a headstrong girl, liked and disliked in equal measure by grateful / resentful villagers.
Turmoil boils over when Bridget’s parents hurriedly depart to tend an ailing relative, leaving the twenty year old Bridget to protect manor and possessions from roving cutthroats.
The yarn is well written, spiced with details and factual tidbits to please fans of this genre.
In addition, there are seven short stories. A few are barely tinged with supernatural elements, others deal with financial obsessions. Money, lack of money, hidden money, inheritances.
While I would not label this a barn burner, it was a quietly satisfying book.
Again, for readers who enjoy Victorian / Edwardian prose may find this rewarding.