Review: The Darkest Shore

Title: The Darkest Shore

Author: Karen Brooks

Publisher: 24th February 2020 by Harlequin Australia, HQ Fiction

Pages: 480 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: historical fiction

My Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

The independent women of Scotland stand up to a witch hunt, male fury and the power of the Church in a battle for survival in this compelling historical novel based on true events in early eighteenth century Scotland.

1703: The wild east coast of Scotland.

Returning to her home town of Pittenweem, fishwife and widow Sorcha McIntyre knows she faces both censure and mistrust. After all, this is a country where myth and legend are woven into the fabric of the everyday, a time when those who defy custom like Sorcha has are called to account.

It is dangerous to be a clever woman who 'doesn't know her place' in Pittenweem - a town rife with superstition. So, when a young local falls victim to witchcraft, the Reverend Cowper and the townsfolk know who to blame. What follows for Sorcha and her friends is a terrifying battle, not only for their souls, but for their lives, as they are pitted against the villagers' fear, a malevolent man and the might of the church.

Based on the shocking true story of the witch hunt of Pittenweem, this multi-layered novel is a beautifully written historical tale of the strength of women united against a common foe, by one of Australia's finest writers.

My Thoughts

I have read and enjoyed two Karen Brooks novels before (reviews HERE) and they have been exceptional. I was therefore eager to try her latest - a tale of witch hunts in eighteenth century Scotland.

This gripping and confrontational tale revolves around a group of women - fishwives - who are accused of being witches. There is a great deal of research that has gone into this fictional adaptation. Based on a true story this is a shocking truth and extremely cruel occurrence. In a world dominated by men and religion, these women come together and exemplify everything that embodies the word ‘friendship’. Add into the mix superstition and a clergy out for revenge and it is hard to believe that much of this story is true! These women fight to save their lives and the torture they endured can only be described as horrific. 

‘Listening to the reverend, Sorcha marvelled that this man of God, who should be alleviating people’s fears, was exacerbating them. When he should be encouraging unity, he was fostering discord and suspicion. How was this helping the town? It wasn’t. It was destroying it.’

Karen has done an incredible job of not only researching the trials themselves but capturing the time and place of Scotland during this period. The best part I believe, however, is her detailed characterisations. As she states, “I hope that this book, while dark and harrowing in parts, is understood as I intend it—not only to showcase female friendship, the great bonds and love that can exist between good and decent men and women, even when all about them is unravelling, but also to honour the community of Pittenweem and especially those who fell during these bleak and terrible times.”. The author’s note at the conclusion is most insightful after such a read. 

‘... slowly, carefully, she embraced the woman. She smelled of musty old caves, fear and hunger. Of nightmares and endless days of loneliness. She smelled of defiance.’

Despite all of this, I did struggle at times. There were parts of the book that seem overly drawn out and the reader needs to be patient and persevere to learn of this desperate time in history for women. This tale is so dark and difficult to read at times simply because of the material - it really is confrontational. Although uncomfortable and challenging,  it shines a light on both the good and bad to be found in human natures. 

‘There was something not quite right about someone who could inflict that level of pain on another human being, divest a woman of her robes without blinking a cold eye nor show any emotion as he pawed her flesh, pulled and searched… Searched, my arse. It was as if his soul had been dislodged or evaporated altogether. And they called her a witch.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.