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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, discover the dark, forgotten 1857 true story of Shropshire’s Witch of Westwood Common and her quest for vengeance in Emma Woodhouse’s meticulously researched historical novel, Ann Morgan: Hellish Beauty.
The rural community of Much Wenlock, Shropshire, was shaken to its core in 1857 by the murder of Ann Morgan. Widely feared, admired, and desired by locals, Morgan lived a life that challenged the rigid social norms of Victorian Britain. Following her tragic death, authorities attempted to completely erase her existence from history. The local mayor ordered all of her papers and personal books to be publicly burned, sending a clear message that her practices and lifestyle would not be tolerated. Despite these extreme efforts to destroy the evidence, her story has finally been brought back to light.
From Historical Archives to Fiction: The World of Ann Morgan: Hellish Beauty
Emma Woodhouse’s historical fiction novel, Ann Morgan: Hellish Beauty, breathes new life into this suppressed history. Pieced together from surviving historical records, the book explores a narrative where Morgan’s spirit refuses to rest until she achieves vengeance following the manhunt that ensued after her murder.
The framing ofomics the novel adds an extra layer of historical intrigue. Within the story, historical figure Lady Catherine Milnes Gaskell hosts a dinner party attended by notable guests such as Thomas Hardy and Lady Stanley. As a collector of local folklore and arcane tales, Lady Milnes Gaskell shares the dark and compelling true history of the Witch of Westwood Common with her guests.
Meticulous Research Rooted in Victorian Authenticity
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Woodhouse’s approach to historical fiction closely mirrors creative non-fiction, prioritizing absolute factual accuracy. Her deep dedication to the Victorian era is rooted in her extensive professional background. For seven years, she worked as a Victorian demonstrator at Blists Hill Victorian Town for the Ironbridge Gorge Museum.
Alongside her immersive experience living the Victorian lifestyle, Woodhouse pursued rigorous academic achievements:
- Earned a BA (Hons) in Literature from the Open University
- Completed a PGCE at the University of Worcester
- Obtained an MA in Education from the University of Worcester
- Advanced her writing expertise through an MA in Contemporary Creative Writing at Northeastern University London
With a 15-year career in education, Woodhouse combines her academic rigor with a passion for bringing marginalized figures out of obscurity. She focuses particularly on recovering the lost histories of real Victorian women whose stories were silenced due to their class status.
Who Should Read This Novel?
Ann Morgan: Hellish Beauty is a must-read for fans of meticulously researched historical fiction grounded in real events. Readers who enjoyed Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet or Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s The Square of Sevens will find a similar dedication to exploring complex historical women carving out their own legacy in a restrictive world.
Find more from Emma Woodhouse now:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4wevzsK
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4bzoNpc
Instagram: @emma_woodhouse_books
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/EmmaWoodhouseAuthor
X (previously Twitter): @EmWoodhouse8
TikTok: @emwbooks2
Bluesky: emmawbooks.bsky.social
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