Memoirs of a Shape-Shifter is a fantastic novel with Gothic qualities. Transitioning between the present day story of a young woman and the discovered journal of her ancestor, penned in colonial-era New England, Memoirs of a Shape Shifter follows both the modern woman's struggles with the crises in her life, and her ancestor's struggles. The descendant becomes a Druid magician just like her ancestor, responsible for the knife-edge balance between power and love. Entangled and complex, Memoirs of a Shape-Shifter draws the reader into its webs of conflicting motives and does not let go until the final page.

Kaplan-Maxfield is the author of four novels and has taught writing and literature.

This book is a fascinating study of a woman's return to her roots, of her discoveries about her past and her feelings about love and power. Nikki Helmik, age 40, returned to her home town, Gloucester, after her verbally abusive drunken father's death. She ends up staying in the family home and leaving her life as an attorney.

Nikki has been close to the powerful, wealthy, and beautiful Rose Eveless, probably even closer than to her mother, who she felt was weak for not standing up to her father. At the funeral of Ernest Eveless, Rose's husband, Nikki meets Phillip Eveless, their son, who had been sent to school in Europe after growing up in Gloucester.

Philip stays in Gloucester, drawn to Nikki. Nikki cannot decide if she is really in love with Philip, and she is angry with herself and him because he is married. Nikki has always kept the power in her relations with men by keeping her relationships short and never caring too much. Their stormy affair is ended when Philip suffers a horrible fall off a cliff, after Nikki had sensed his life was in danger on his sailboat, and runs to the cove where his boat is floundering during a storm.

Ernest had left a note for his son, asking him to go to Clarissa Barrow for information. It turns out that Clarissa is a "witch" who lives in the forest and hunts, with wolves as companions, to support herself. Rose has threatened to develop the old ruined part of Gloucester, called Dogtown, and the surrounding forests, unless Nikki provides her with the historic journal of Ann Cleves, Nikki's ancestor. Nikki searches for the journal, all the while having visions where she "sees" Ernest, and senses a presence in her house.

The journal is the story of Ann Cleve's life; and with the help of Guy, her dog, Nikki finds it and is eventually able to translate it. A scary confrontation on All Hallow's Eve finally completes Nikki's healing.

Armchair Interviews says: An absorbing read, with fascinating information on Druids and the history of Salem.