On Sale Now
In the Day of Trouble
FOX43’s Book Club pick for May 2024
T-102’s Local Reads Book Club pick for May 2024
On the night of March 17, 1934, in a small town in rural Pennsylvania, a man crept to a window and shot a woman through her heart. Her name was Susan Mummey, but she was better known as the Witch of Ringtown Valley. The shocking true story of her life and murder has never been told…until now.
The cold-blooded shooting of a woman in her home would have been news on its own. But the victim who lay on her sitting room floor wasn’t just any woman. For years, the people of Schuylkill County whispered about how Susan Mummey practiced magic from her isolated farmhouse. She fought with her family, her neighbors, and the law. Death, it seemed, followed in her wake. Then, death claimed her.
The case was taken up by the formidable team of Detective Louis Buono and District Attorney LeRoy Enterline. When they apprehended Susan’s killer and obtained a confession, the startling revelations sent shockwaves far beyond Schuylkill County. For 40 days, this small corner of the world held the nation’s attention. But as quickly as it began, this astonishing story came to an astonishing end. Today, it is the most famous murder you’ve never heard of.
In the Day of Trouble is an unforgettable look into a misunderstood woman, a disturbed man, and perhaps even ourselves. Pulled from historical records and insights from survivors of those involved in the case, it takes you beyond the headlines to relive one of the strangest chapters of American history.
Reviews
“Magruder fictionalizes a fascinating real-life murder in his impressive debut…Readers will thrill to this well-paced resurrection of a forgotten crime story.” — Publishers Weekly
“This was a thrilling read from start to finish. Incredibly well-researched, the book brings to life decades of history.” — 5-star Goodreads review
“A compelling read on a long ago forgotten murder. The author has brought the protagonist back to life, and in a sense has helped her achieve justice. This is very good historical fiction.” — 5-star Goodreads review
“This is a marvelous work of historical fiction…Taj’s portrayal of [Susan Mummey’s] sad life and how it unfolded kept me engrossed and wanting to read more. A great read for those who love Pennsylvania history!” — 5-star Amazon review
“The author did a fabulous job researching for the book and wrote a story that really carried me along. The characters are developed well and really brought them to life…It’s clear, each character was treated with respect, and I love that Susan Mummey gets the voice she rarely had in life through the pages of this book.” — 5-star Amazon review
“The characters are so well written that I felt like I knew them. The writing sets a comfortable pace that engrosses the reader in the story…If you like true crime novels or podcasts, then you will love this book!” — 5-star Amazon review
Taj Magruder 