The Salem Witch Trials were a series of hearings and trials of people accused of witchcraft in Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The Devil in Massachusetts: A Modern Investigation of the Salem witch trials is a historical narrative of the trials written by Marion L. Starkey. The trials took place in Salem, Massachusetts, in the late 17th century. The author discusses the origin, duration and consequences of the accident. Discusses Puritan neglect of the emotional needs of the little girls involved in the trials and their desire for attention, as well as the harsh reality of sin and evil imposed on Puritan beliefs. In the winter of 1692 Betty Parris and her cousin Abigail Williams began having fits. Minister John Hale described the seizures as stronger than an epileptic seizure and he knew of no disease that could cause such behavior. The girls were screaming, making strange noises and throwing objects around among other peculiarities. They complained of being pricked with pins, as if controlled by some sort of voodoo. All these signs automatically trigger a scare among the inhabitants of Salem, a witchcraft scare. Dr. William Griggs could find no physical evidence of a disease that fueled suspicion of an evil presence in the girls. Other young women in the village began to exhibit similar behavior which led to the decision that something paranormal was happening. The first three people arrested were Sarah Osborne, Sarah Good and a slave named Tituba who confessed; they were accused by Ann. It was like the Hatfield-McCoy feud of their time; citizens would engage in arguments and even physical violence based on their opinions r...... middle of paper ......es specific illnesses or ailments they may have caused, as well as referring to their religious background and to the need to "perfect" as the underlying problem. Overall this book was very informative on the entire story of the Salem Witch Trials, from the initial causes, to the proceedings, and how people handled the situation. Starkey's use of quotes from real proceedings was very helpful. The trials will forever be part of U.S. history, and people will remember them for years to come as some of the darkest and most difficult times. Works Cited Starkey, Marion L. The Devil in Massachusetts: A Modern Inquiry into the Salem Witch Trials. Alexandria, Virginia: Time-Life, 1982. Print."Salem Witch Hunt." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 September 2013. Web. 18 November 2013."Salem, Mass." Witch hunt. Np, 2008. Web. 18 November. 2013. .