A spellbinding, beautifully written novel that moves between contemporary times and one of the most fascinating and disturbing periods in American history -- the Salem witch trials.

Harvard graduate student Connie Goodwin needs to spend her summer doing research for her doctoral dissertation. But when her mother asks her to handle the sale of Connie's grandmother's abandoned home near Salem, she can't refuse. As she is drawn deeper into the mysteries of the family house, Connie discovers an ancient key within a seventeenth-century Bible. The key contains a yellowing fragment of parchment with a name written upon it: Deliverance Dane. This discovery launches Connie on a quest--to find out who this woman was and to unearth a rare artifact of singular power: a physick book, its pages a secret repository for lost knowledge.

As the pieces of Deliverance's harrowing story begin to fall into place, Connie is haunted by visions of the long-ago witch trials, and she begins to fear that she is more tied to Salem's dark past then she could have ever imagined.

Written with astonishing conviction and grace, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane travels seamlessly between the witch trials of the 1690s and a modern woman's story of mystery, intrigue, and revelation.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe, ISBN 9781401340902, Voice, $25.99

Wednesday July 1st at 7pm
Author Dick Lehr and The Fence: A Police Cover-Up Along Boston's Racial Divide

From the bestselling author of Black Mass comes the true-life story of a violent attack by the Boston police on one of their own, their attempts at a cover-up, and the repercussions on the lives of those involved. Former Boston Globe investigative reporter Lehr brings to life this tale of police brutality, racial tension and the culture of lying in the Boston Police Department. Reading followed by Q&A and book signing.

"The Fence is a monumental account of an urban travesty. Dick Lehr's depiction of one of the darkest chapters in recent Boston law enforcement history and the savage injustices perpetrated on two hero cops--one black, one white--has all the earmarks of a classic. -Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River and The Given Day

The Fence by Dick Lehr, ISBN 9780060780982, HarperCollins, $25.99

Friday, Saturday and Sunday July 3-5
Come Celebrate "Independent's Day" with Cornerstone's 10-20-30-40 Weekend Sale!

Once again, Cornerstone Books celebrates being independent by opening up every book in the store to our best sale! Take 10% off your first book, 20% off the 2nd, 30% off the 3rd and 40% off the 4th, and take the best discount on the most expensive book. We only do this sale for special occasions, and we think the 4th of July weekend qualifies. Although these discounts apply to all in-store books, they cannot be combined with other store discounts, or applied to special orders. Happy Independence Day, all!

Sunday July 12th at 1pm
Navigating Salem Sound by Kayak

Salem Sound has been said to be one of the most treacherous for mariners to navigate. In the age of cell phones, GPS and the like, many feel that the description no longer applies. Sea kayakers take a different approach. We don't eschew the electronics, but we understand the importance of self-sufficiency when those electronics fail. Come to our workshop on Navigating Salem Sound as we delve into the basics of navigation, ocean awareness, reading nautical charts and sea states. You'll leave this workshop equipped with the basic navigation skills needed to safely enjoy not only Salem Sound, but wherever your water travels might take you. The workshop will be run from the perspective of those operating human powered craft. Hosted by Gillian and Kevin Beckwith of Rock, Paddle, Surf.

Thursday July 16th at 7pm
Christopher Klein and The Die-Hard Sports Fan's Guide to Boston

Whether you're a rookie or an old-timer, take a time out and come on out to meet Christopher Klein, author of The Die-Hard Sports Fan's Guide to Boston. Klein will sign books and talk about Boston's legendary sports history, offer insider's tips to guide you through Beantown's booming sports scene, and provide some lesser-known facts that'll test the knowledge of even the most die-hard fan. This event is open to the public -- fair weather fans included!

Thursday July 23rd at 7pm
Thursday's Theater of Words and Music

Thursday's Theatre of Words & Music features three to four established and emerging writers and artists to read/display/perform their work for the public at Cornerstone Books in Salem, MA on the fourth Thursday of every month at 7pm. An open mike will be held following featured writers/artists--artists are chosen by first-come-first-serve.

Sean Devlin's novel Above the Gutter was a finalist for the HarperCollins National Bestseller contest. He has written for The Boston Globe about the joys and travails of being a stay at home dad. Sean has long been active in local Beverly politics and is the founder of The Bookmobile Theater, and of The Trash Finders Ball -- a Beverly-based fundraiser for local charities. A film documentary of The Trash Finder Ball will premiere in September.

Liz Janik's poems have been published in Visions International, The New Mexico Humanities Review, Mind in Motion and Soundings East. By day, she works on the North Shore as the Corporate Communications Manager for an IT Services and Technical Training firm. By night, she writes and lives on the New Hampshire seacoast in a cozy home with her husband, Jay West, and their pet rabbit, Emerson.

Sarah Eide is a composer/songwriter, pianist and vocalist. She has recorded and gigged with Paul Letendre, a Boston area musician; and, has collaborated with Korean songwriter Sang Lee, as a freelance lyricist. Sarah is the coordinator of Culture House, a bi-annual event in Boston which brings together nonprofits and musicians to inspire and empower youth to create a better world. Her recent projects include completing a film score for the independent feature film, In Medias Res (produced by Strange Bela Films). She currently attends Berklee College of Music.

Thursday July 30th at 7pm
Alan Pierce and A History of Boston's Jewish North Shore

Forced to flee the brutal pogroms of Europe, Jewish immigrants sought refuge in the beauty of Boston's North Shore. Drawing on their artisan skills, many found work in the tanneries of Peabody and the shoe factories of Lynn, while other enterprising Jews established their own businesses in Salem and Beverly -- from butcher shops and groceries to newspapers.

Alongside fellow members of the Jewish Historical Society of the North Shore, Alan Pierce has carefully assembled a collection of personal histories from generations of Jewish families. With entrepreneurial spirit, a little determination and plenty of faith, the North Shore's storied Jewish communities have etched enduring marks on its streets and in its synagogues.

Friday July 31st at 7pm
Katherine Howe and The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

Topping local and national bestseller lists, this is THE book of the summer, especially in Salem! Katherine Howe takes her PhD in American Studies to craft this tale of a grad student unraveling family secrets in Salem and Marblehead.

Finding a key and a scrap of paper reading only "Deliverance Dane" while readying her grandmother's house for sale, Connie Goodwin begins a search for answers that leads her toward a mysterious book and important revelations about her family and the Salem witch trials.

Reading followed by Q&A and book signing.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe, ISBN 9781401340902, Voice, $25.99

About Cornerstone Books

Cornerstone Books, located at 45 Lafayette Street in the heart of Salem, Massachusetts, is Salem's newest community bookstore. In addition to selling books, it is a place where neighbors and visitors can meet, exchange experiences, and energize their imagination. Open 7 days a week from 10am to 9pm, with extended hours in the summer on Friday and Saturday to 10pm, it is one of the finest merchandisers of books, games, music and entertainment in the North Shore. Customers are treated to a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere with fireplace and cozy seating. The store's amenities include free wi-fi for laptops, beverages and fresh baked goods for purchase, book discussion groups, author readings, lectures, children's hour, games and even live music. Cornerstone is available for hosting local business meeting or book clubs too.