Witchcraft is the accusation. Murder is the secret. Love is her Salvation.
The year is 1692, and Salem Village is consumed by madness. In a world gripped by hysteria, accusations of witchcraft fly like sparks in a dry field, and the shadow of the gallows falls upon anyone who dares to be different. Amidst this terror, a young herbalist named Sarah Latham finds herself a target.
But a greater danger burns in the shadows. Sarah has captured the attention of Thomas Hathorne, the son of the very Judge who is sending her neighbors to the gallows. Theirs is a forbidden love, born in hushed whispers in the woods and fueled by desperate, smuggled letters. In a time of lies, their only truth is each other. But in Salem, a love like theirs is not just a scandal. It is a death sentence.
When an accused witch is found murdered in the "safety" of the Salem jail, the town screams witchcraft. But Sarah and Thomas suspect a different kind of evil—one that wears the mask of piety and power. They are thrust into a private investigation, forced to unravel a dark conspiracy where the real killer has the power to sign their death warrants. The only way to save Sarah's life is to find the truth, even if it means exposing the most powerful man in Massachusetts.
Your 12-Month Experience Includes:
- ✉️ 24 Episodic Mailings. A new chapter of the story is delivered to your mailbox every two weeks for one full year.
- 📜 Character-Driven Letters. Each mailing is built around a primary letter from a character in the story—the amnesiac protagonist, her forbidden love, or one of Salem's real life historical figures.
- 🗝️ 100+ Physical Items. Discover tangible pieces of memorabilia and ephemera in every envelope. These are vital parts of the story. Hold diary pages, examine photographs, discover secret notes, and more.
- ❤️ A Complete, Unforgettable Narrative. Experience a fully realized story with a forbidden romance, a dark mystery, and a satisfying conclusion that unfolds at a suspenseful pace.
Verified Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I am completely obsessed with the romance between Thomas and Sarah. The tension! The forbidden love! I'm dying to see what happens next. 10/10!" - Jessica R., Austin, TX
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I cannot overstate how much I love the physical mail aspect. In a digital world, getting this beautifully crafted envelope every two weeks is a true joy. Holding the letters, the diary pages, the map... it makes the story feel real." - Emily P., Portland, OR
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The historical detail is just wonderful. They've clearly done their research on 1692 Salem. It's like taking a walk through the past." - Barbara H., Charleston, SC
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I was a test readers for The Salem Letters. The quality of the writing is excellent. The characters feel real and the pacing is perfect. You feel the panic and the injustice of the trials. It's an important story, but also just a gripping romance. I am very impressed." — Emily R., Madison, WI
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I've never experienced a story like this. The story itself is a perfect blend of genres. The romance is swoon-worthy and has that forbidden love element that I really enjoy , like a gothic Bridgerton. Then you have this dark mystery that keeps you guessing. I love how the clues are physical items you can hold and examine. And the historical backdrop of the witch trials is just terrifyingly real. The letters reference real people, which raises the stakes for Sarah and Thomas. It's beautiful and tragic." - Amanda T., Punta Gorda, FL
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "As a huge fan of historical fiction, I am blown away by the authenticity of "The Salem Letters." The creator has clearly done his homework. The story is meticulously woven into the real-time events of 1692. But it's not a dry history lesson. The forbidden romance between Sarah and Thomas is the heart of the story. Their passion feels earned and desperate. The murder mystery adds a layer of suspense that connects their personal story to the public hysteria. And holding the map of Salem Village and reading about real locations makes me feel like I'm there." - Boston, MA
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This story is so emotional. The danger feels real, the romance feels real, and you just get so invested in the characters. It's beautiful and heartbreaking." - Michele P., Ithaca, NY
Love, Lies, and Hysteria.
This is not a novel you read; it's a story you live. Over the course of 12 months, The Salem Letters arrives on your doorstep in 24 thrilling installments. Every two weeks, you will receive a new envelope.
You will break the seal, unfold the letters, and hold history in your hands. Mailings also include many extras like a faded page from a secret diary, a map of Salem village, or a cryptic note.
Order the The Salem Letters and be transported to 1692. This is your chance to get lost in a world of gothic romance, heart-pounding suspense, and rich historical detail.
THE CREATOR
I'm Christopher Forrest, a bestselling author and former trial attorney. I write and design every mystery and story using my background as a lawyer and novelist to create experiences that feel authentic, compelling, and utterly addictive. I hope you enjoy The Salem Letters as much as I enjoyed creating them.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I’m not a big reader, but I love this. It breaks the story down into small, exciting parts. It’s perfect for me and I’m totally hooked." - Christina B., Kansas City, MO
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The gothic vibe is just perfect. It's dark, moody, and so romantic. Sarah's cottage, the cemetery, the jail—it's all so visual. I feel like I'm right there in Salem." - Olivia C., Savannah, GA
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The Salem Letters is great storytelling. The romance is the core, and it's handled beautifully. Thomas's loyalty struggle is heartbreaking. The mystery is perfectly paced and the slow reveal of the mother's diary is brilliant. On top of all that, the historical immersion is flawless. You feel the cold of the jail, the panic in the village, the injustice of the court. It's a complete, 360-degree experience." - Ashley P., Columbus, OH
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I'm not usually a romance reader, but the love story in this is incredible because it's so high-stakes. It's not just about them falling in love. It's about them trying to survive. The historical facts are woven in so well that I'm learning things about the Salem trials I never knew. You feel the panic of the town. The physical letters are the best part, making it all feel like a real-time event." - Corey S., Burlington, VT
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "What a brilliant, brilliant concept. The romance between Sarah and Thomas is so compelling, full of pining and stolen moments. The mystery forces Thomas to investigate his own neighbors and family, which is such a powerful, tragic conflict. The historical part is what makes it so chilling. The letters are dated, so you're following the actual timeline of the 1692 trials. You feel the winter setting in, the paranoia rising, and the danger to Sarah growing with every new letter." - Nicole D., Boise, ID
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I am in love with this story. It's a perfect blend of Outlander and a classic mystery. The romance is the anchor. You're rooting for them so hard. But the mystery is what keeps me up at night. The clues are all there, and I love how it's tied to this dark, tragic secret. The historical context of the witch trials is brutal and real. The letters from the jail are heartbreaking. It's a high-stakes story that delivers on every level." - Meagan D., Boulder, CO
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I'm telling everyone I know about this. It's a perfect blend of a passionate romance and a really smart murder mystery. The connection between Sarah and Thomas is the light in the middle of the dark, gothic setting. The mystery is so dark and personal. It makes the conflict so much more painful and engaging. The historical accuracy is spot-on, and you feel the claustrophobia of Salem village. It’s a great experience, and the quality of the inserts is just beautiful." - Mike B., Charleston, SC
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This is the most unique and compelling story I've 'read' in ages. The writing is superb. The romance is adult and complex, rooted in shared grief before it becomes passionate. The mystery is layered and feels so real. The historical setting is the third main character. You feel the oppressive weight of Puritan society, the cold of the jail, and the mass hysteria. So good." - Jennifer T., Traverse City, MI
Why The Salem Letters Will Captivate You
- A Story You Experience: Beyond reading, you actively participate, piecing together the information to reveal the story and uncover the mystery.
- Tangible Connection to History: This isn't just themed fiction; it's a meticulously researched, hands-on experience that feels incredibly real.
- The Ultimate Gift: Perfect for those who love immersive experiences and compelling stories and mysteries.
A Message from Christopher
The Salem Letters is a work of fiction, but most of the locations and characters are based on actual people and place from the Salem Witch Trials. I have worked hard to be historically accurate whenever possible, but I did take some literary license to fictionalize some historical details to advance the storyline. My goal in creating story letters like The Salem Letters is to entertain, and in no way do I intend disrespect to the real men and women who lived and died during the Salem Witch Trials. We continue to honor their memory.
FAQs
We mail via USPS First Class Mail (which typically takes 4-7 days for delivery from the mailing date).
We offer a Delivery Guarantee for our mailings and letters. If a letter is missing, lost, stolen, or tattered, just email us and we will happily resend the letter at no additional cost to you.
USPS is usually quite reliable and we don’t have many delivery failures, but every now and then we think a letter goes rogue and decides to strike out on its own and start a new life (perhaps on a beach in the Caribbean).
If you haven’t received a letter within the time frames stated above, we will resend the letter at no additional cost to you.
Please ensure the address is correct when ordering, or notify us in a timely manner if the mailing address is changing. We require a two week advance notification of an address change.
We also highly recommend signing up for Informed Delivery with USPS. This is a FREE service in which they'll notify you via email with scanned images of soon-to-be-delivered mail. Click here to sign up.
If you need help with a missing letter, please contact by email with the following information and allow 1-3 business days for us to respond.
- Your Order # or the email address you provided when you placed your order,
- The name of the recipient,
- The name of the series (i.e. The Salem Letters) and the letter number,
- The mailing/shipping address, and
- The reason you are requesting that the letter be resent (i.e. it never arrived).
We offer a 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. If you are dissatisfied with your letter series, please let us know within 30 days of receipt of your first letter and request a refund via email or contact form. Refunds are not automatic with cancellations and must be requested via email. The refund amount will be returned to the original payment method within 7 - 10 business days.
Refunds after 30 days (Letters Only)
After the 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee expires (30 days), refunds are not available for monthly or prepaid subscriptions, and you are committed to payment for the full 12-month term. The remainder of the subscription will be mailed to the address provided.
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The Salem Letters were written primarily for adults and mature teens. We would rate the content as PG-13 (that’s not official, of course, it’s just our opinion). The Salem Letters do not contain any profanity, visual depictions of violence, or explicit sexual language, but they do contain adult themes. While we feel that The Salem Letters are appropriate for those who are 13 and up, we recognize that many people have different opinions about content that is appropriate for different ages, and we would encourage you to screen any content before presenting it to someone younger than 18 years of age to ensure that it meets with your standards of what is appropriate.
