To Kill a Witch

by Alice Brennan

Laurie Brooks visited Gull Island twice to interview the world-famous author Agatha Gray. Agatha was an expert on witchcraft-and the people of the area hated and feared her, accusing the old woman of dealing with Satan himself. Agatha had buried herself in the study of the dark powers for so long it seemed that the island had been transformed into a corner of Hell. Then Laurie was astonished to find that Agatha had named her as heir to Gull Island, with the proviso that Laurie must spend three months in the house. At first the girl welcomed the unusual break in her life, but very soon she began to understand the reason for her native fears: Death walked the rocky beaches of Gull Island, and seemed to be reaching out for Laurie herself. Would she be the next to die...the next to be damned forever?"

Genres: Gothic, Horror

253 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this surprisingly effective chiller from prolific 70s gothic novelist Brennan, journalist Laurie Brooks receives the surprise inheritance of an island estate near New York City from a former interview subject, popular witchcraft author Agatha Gray. The catch, of course, is that Laurie must spend three months on Gull Island or the bequest will be forfeit. Besides the usual gloomy house, forbidding housekeeper, and suspicious locals, Brennan creates an uncharacteristically restrained cast of supporting characters and a sympathetic heroine. In fact, happily married but anxious Laurie may be one of Brennan's least annoying protagonists, partly because Brennan does a credible job of suggesting how the atmosphere--and in particular, the omnipresent gulls that give the island its name--wear down the heroine's defenses. Brennan also gives her a solid motivation to stay put on the island, instead of the normal dithering that her heroines often do for pages on end. There's even the flat-out introduction of a subplot that the stress is causing Laurie to drink too much, a character flaw that's unheard of for a gothic heroine and an interesting twist. The mystery, when it finally comes to a head, isn't much of one, but it's nicely done, nevertheless. "To Kill a Witch" is also free of Brennan's crutch of endlessly repeating dialogue and internal questions to drive plot alone. For all these reasons, it's an enjoyable gothic and one of the author's best efforts.

[Bibliobobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me guessing to the end. There were a few dry spots that seemed to drag or keep repeating. The author used some great descriptions of the reactions of the characters. I could really picture how they were reacting in my mind.

[Nattie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't hang on though I tried desperately. This book in some ways felt like a witchy version of The Birds. I've seen that movie numerous times, but I can't say it's a favorite. To Kill a Witch even mentions The Birds.

A young woman and her husband move to an island for three months after she inherits it from an aunt who wrote books about witches, and was supposedly one herself. The young woman becomes obsessed with the idea that seagulls are out to kill her. By the time I gave up, seagulls and I weren't on speaking terms, even though it wasn't their fault. Nearly every other word in the story features the word seagull or seagulls, it was quite madding.

This one of those times when I wish the author would have written a typical thriller about someone inheriting and someone else wanting to profit, the witches and the seagulls got in the way.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a gothic romance novel that prominently features seagulls as a foreboding presence, I love it.

Is this something that should be featured on a classics shelf? Maybe not. But if you're the type to pick up that dusty paperback promising mystery, witchcraft, questionable motives from the handsome love interest, and a 'groovy' vocabulary, you've found something special in 'To Kill a Witch".

Five stars- mostly due to the overarching theme that seagulls are murderers sent to do the biding of satan.