A Discovery of Witches Summary
Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches Overview

A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness, centers on Diana Bishop. Diana is a descendant of Bridget Bishop, who was the first woman executed during the Salem Witch Trials, and Matthew Clairmont, a vampire who has lived some 1,500 years. Diana and Matthew fall in love despite laws forbidding their relationship. Soon, they are caught up in a mystery that affects three groups of creatures – witches, vampires, and daemons. The mystery combines modern science with historical documents and promises a war of epic proportions. The main themes are prejudicial attitudes, the nature of vampires, and the need to accept oneself.