Witch Trial by Harriet Tyce (Gifted/AD)

Hello Readers,

Thank you, NetGalley and Wildfire for the copy of Witch Trial. I received a complimentary eBook in exchange for an honest review. I hit bit of a reading slump at the end of last year and I am catching up on books I missed the publication days for.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the cover image featured in this post. It is used under Fair Use for the purposes of review and recommendation, in line with sections 29 and 30 of the Copyright Act.

 
The Witch Trial is a masterclass in suspense, psychological tension, and courtroom drama. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Edinburgh, this modern day thriller dives deep into a high profile murder trial that had me holding my breath. Two teenage girls, Eliza Lawson and Isobel Smyth, stand accused of murdering their classmate Christian Shaw and sparking a media frenzy and rumours of occult practices that grip the nation.

At the heart of the story is Matthew Phillips, a renowned heart surgeon reluctantly called in for jury duty. Despite being eligible for exemption, he chooses to serve, unwittingly stepping into what becomes the trial of the century.

Through Matthew’s eyes, readers experience the trial in meticulous detail from the courtroom evidence to the tense jury deliberations. Through the trial, we as readers witness the unravelling of his own psychological state Harriet’s portrayal of Matthew is raw and unsettling; he isn’t always likeable, yet his inner turmoil provides a compelling lens to explore guilt, perception, and obsession.

One of the novel’s strengths lies in its exploration of moral ambiguity. Harriet expertly blurs the lines between innocence and guilt, leaving readers questioning not only the actions of the defendants but also the reliability of the people observing them. The tension is palpable, building day by day, with each courtroom revelation, witness testimony, and juror interaction layered to keep you on edge.

Harriet’s attention to detail is extraordinary. The Edinburgh setting feels vivid, the legal procedures convincing, and the characters particularly the girls and their defence team are nuanced and memorable. As someone who enjoys watching legal commentary on YouTube (Emily D Baker Hello, to any fellow LawNerds), I especially appreciated the courtroom scenes. The narrative structure, split into daily sections, intensifies the suspense, while the final twist is audacious, clever, and impossible to forget.

The Witch Trial is more than just a murder mystery; it’s a psychological exploration of obsession, fear, and human judgment. With themes of witchcraft, teenage rebellion, and media sensationalism woven seamlessly into a modern legal thriller.

This book is impossible to put down, and I can’t wait to reread it in a couple of years. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, legal dramas, or edge-of-your-seat suspense, Harriet Tyce has delivered a gripping, unforgettable read.

L x

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