Witch Trial

 By: Harriet Tyce   

Location: FIC TYC

Genre: Thriller

Art cover goodness

"As we barrel and twist the way to the conclusion of this outstanding psychological thriller, the ending is oh so clever. What a great twist… Unless of course… It’s true… LOL!!"

Two teenage girls. One murdered classmate.

And a modern-day witch trial that will divide the nation.

When 18-year-old Christian Shaw is found dead in an Edinburgh park, the city reels - and the shock only deepens when police charge her best friends, Eliza Lawson and Isobel Smyth, with her murder.

As social media explodes and headlines scream for justice, rumours of bullying spiral into something whispers of rituals, obsession, and a teenage pact gone wrong.

Matthew Phillips, a respected heart surgeon, is reluctantly called for jury duty on the case. But as the trial unfolds - and the girls reveal a chilling defence no one saw coming - he begins to question the motives, the evidence, even his own judgement.

Who's telling the truth? Who can be trusted?
And what really happened to Christian Shaw?

Let the Witch Trial begin . . 

Review by Kevin

This was such a brilliant novel and what a fantastic ending!

Matthew Phillips is called up for jury duty and, despite the fact that he could have been excused due to his job as a heart surgeon, he is keen to remain on the jury clearly trying to avoid issues both at work and in his personal life.

However, when Matthew realises he is on the Witch Trial - two girls on trial for murdering their school friend, who claim to be witches - he starts to regret this choice. And when he, himself, begins to get drawn deeper into the trial, there are concerns over his own sanity.

This was different from what I have read from Tyce before, very in depth in terms of the inner workings of the legal system in Scotland as well as what goes on in a jury room. Behind all the technical aspects of the trial, we begin to see the unravelling of Matthew and whilst, to me, he isn't the most likeable character, it was an uncomfortable and unsettling read.

The ending is what makes the book so special though. I have a feeling that some people may not like it and it could split opinions but I thought it was fantastic.