The Last Witch of Scotland : Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year 2024 by Philip Paris

Blending in does not come easily to the women: Aila 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 particularly Aila, needs: 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. Haunting and deeply moving, The Last Witch of Scotland is a story of love, loyalty and sacrifice, inspired by the true story of the last person to be executed for witchcraft in Britain.

Perfect for fans of Outlander, The Mercies and The Witches of Vardo, or for anyone with an interest in the history of witchcraft, late renaissance Scotland and Highland history.

'Compelling, evocative, heart-wrenching' - FIONA VALPY, author of The Storyteller of Casablanca

'Paris's affecting novel imaginatively fills in the gaps with family tragedy, first love, a roving troupe of players, embittered neighbours, sacrifice and loss.' - THE SCOTSMAN

• Format: Paperback / softback 352 pages
• Publisher: Bonnier Books Ltd
• Imprint: Black and White Publishing
• ISBN: 9781785305245
• Published: 29 Feb 2024
• Classifications:
  • Northern Scotland, Highlands & Islands,
  • c 1700 to c 1800,
  • Historical romance,
  • Historical fiction,
  • Witchcraft & Wicca
• Weight: 250g
• Dimensions: 197 x 127 x 21 (mm)
• Pub. Country: United Kingdom
• Country of Origin: GB