Synopsis

Scottish Highlands, 1727.

In the aftermath of a tragic fire that kills her father, Aila and her mother Janet move to the remote parish of Loth, north-west of Inverness. Blending in does not come easily to Aila who was badly burned in the fire and left with visible injuries, while her mother struggles to maintain her grip on reality. When a temporary minister is appointed in the area, rather than welcome the two women, he develops a strange curiosity for them that sets them even further apart from the community.

Then arrives a motley troupe of travelling entertainers from Edinburgh, led by the charismatic but mysterious Jack. It is just the distraction Janet and Aila need and for the first time in a long while, their lives are filling with joy and friendship, and a kind of hope Aila hasn’t known since her father’s death. But in this small community, faith is more powerful than truth, and whispers more dangerous even than fire…

Review

Witch trials are not only fascinating, but terrifying. To think that women were accused of witchcraft for little more than helping neighbours, saying the wrong thing or being different, is extremely disturbing. Centuries later, we are perhaps less further forward than we might expect, which is concerning.

In The Last Witch of Scotland, Philip Paris introduces us to the last woman executed for witchcraft in Scotland. This is a work of fiction, but weaves in fact from the historical trial to provide us with an account that is eye-opening and heartfelt.

Paris writes in an extremely engaging way, ensuring that readers are entirely gripped by the story. Characters are well-developed and described, enabling us to whole heartedly sympathise with and root for Aila and Janet. By including the troupe, we meet characters from different walks of life, offering us a contrast between the stable home the women have tried to build after their loss, and a life of freedom and uncertainty on the road. Yet despite the risks of the traveller lifestyle, village life is no less safe.

As expected, the two strands of the book collide and this joyous meeting keeps us hoping for a different outcome for Aila and her mother. The scenes with the troupe are a joy to read and we laugh and cry with them as their stories unfold. At the same time, we despise the character McNeil – a vile, loathsome creature – who has a vendetta against the small family and will stop at nothing to bring them down. Paris writes in a way that tugs on our emotions as we read about different people; we continuously flit between empathy and hatred throughout the book.

The trial itself was particularly interesting, as books often do not provide us with much detail. The tension in the courtroom was evident, and the characters’ emotions are raw and fearful, brilliantly described by Paris.

The final few chapters are action-packed and intense, leaving us shocked, determined and emotionally drained. This book is a masterclass in storytelling, historical fiction at its best.

Thanks to Black & White Publishing for my advanced copy. Opinions my own.