The Names of a Hare

This title will ship in November 2026. Cornwall, 1628. Steeped in herbal lore, a woman with no name guards a dangerous secret, while across the land whispers of witchcraft turn deadly. When a witch hunter sets out to track down the woman, their meeting will change the course of history. Can she survive in a world that burns what it does not understand? This haunting tale of enduring love and indomitable strength shows that a story shared is the most potent magic of all. A historical fiction novel that is the prequel to RD Blackmore’s 1869 classic, Lorna Doone. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK ‘Barry writes with the soul of the Cornish landscape and language infusing her blood and her pen. Beautiful and entrancing.’ Robyn Cadwallader ‘Eloquent and wise, like its compelling narrator, this is one of the finest historical novels I have read.’ Amanda Curtin ‘There is magic in this book, not just in theme, but in the way Barry transports the reader to 17th century Cornwall and binds the story of our unnamed protagonist to the wilds of the surrounding nature.’ Fiona, Good Reading Magazine ‘This book is truly an extraordinary read. On completion, I wanted to turn the pages and start afresh.’ Vanez, Good Reading Magazine ‘… a transporting and strangely beautiful chronicle of a singular woman dwelling in a world of mystery, secrets, superstitions and mistrust.’ Lane Bookshop ‘Bernice Barry skilfully weaves folklore, herbal knowledge, magic, history and the Doones of Richard Blackmoor’s seventeenth-century novel Lorna Doone into The Names of a Hare.’ Ann Skea, The Newtown Review of Books ‘The main character takes on different names through the story, but her voice, her power, her loves and her longings are strong, tender and constant. Now that I’ve finished the book, I miss her, but she is still so real in my mind.’ Marion Taffe Bernice Barry Bernice Barry is a writer and historian with a background in education. Her previous books (The Mind That Shines, 2016, A Lady’s Pen, 2023, Sarah Evans, 2024,) include historical fiction and non-fiction, reflecting her passion for discovering and telling women’s stories where truth has been dimmed or obscured by time. Originally from Cornwall in the UK, Bernice has lived for twenty-five years on Wadandi country near Wooditjup/Margaret River, researching local history, nurturing a native garden in the bush and spending as much time as possible at the place where land meets ocean. She is a regular presenter and speaker on a wide range of topics from wildflowers and botany, writing and publishing, to history and heritage. Bernice Barry is a writer and historian with a background in education. Her previous books (The Mind That Shines, 2016, A Lady’s Pen, 2023, Sarah Evans, 2024,) include historical fiction and non-fiction, reflecting her passion for discovering and telling women’s stories where truth has been dimmed or obscured by time. Originally from Cornwall in the UK, Bernice has lived for twenty-five years on Wadandi country near Wooditjup/Margaret River, researching local history, nurturing a native garden in the bush and spending as much time as possible at the place where land meets ocean. She is a regular presenter and speaker on a wide range of topics from wildflowers and botany, writing and publishing, to history and heritage.