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Witch Trial
Not yet published
Expected 26 Feb 26**THE EXTRAORDINARY NEW THRILLER FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF BLOOD ORANGE, AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW**
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 . . .
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 . . .
375 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 26, 2026
29 people are currently reading
2617 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
September 30, 2025
Matthew Phillips could easily avoid his call up of for jury duty citing his profession as a heart surgeon, but for personal reasons, he doesn’t choose to. He’s not anticipating the trial he ends up with but it could well be the trial of the century. The charge? The murder of 18 year-old Christian Shaw in Inverleith Park, Edinburgh, in May 2018. The defendants? Isobel Smyth and Eliza Lawson, her fellow school students. They’re the ‘witch girls’ and this is the witch trial of which Matthew is (blissfully?) unaware of the media explosion around this case.
Well, frankly, if that doesn’t hook you in, I don’t know what will! This is yet another powerful tour de force from the talented Harriet Tyce as she brings this amazing trial to life with some incredibly powerful imagery as the stunning evidence is given. It has me in it’s thrall from start to finish as I try to figure out not only Christian herself but also Isobel and Eliza. I love sifting through the fascinating evidence, witnesses their reactions and trying to figure out if they are deluded and fanciful but not necessarily guilty or are they malevolent and therefore overwhelmingly guilty? Another interesting angle the author portrays is that of making judgements based on what we see of the defendants and on what they believe. Will this play a role in the outcome??
The tension and suspense at times is off the scales and the use of highly appropriate quotations to highlight features of the trial adds to this. It has multiple layers which makes you question absolutely everything. What exactly is real???
Much of this is via the perspective of Matthew and it’s a study of the impact the trial has on him as much as anything else. I don’t want to give much away about this, so all I’ll say is that he has his difficulties. Some of the most powerful sections of the novel is where his reactions to some of the evidence is visceral and what he experiences is exceptionally vivid and pops out of the pages in full technicolour.
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!!
So in February 2026, jump aboard this original and different witchy rollercoaster wild ride as I’m sure you won’t regret it. Harriet Tyce is a must read author for me.
Brilliant cover art too.
PS. I’ve done the witch tour of Edinburgh, starting, of course, at The Witchery! Where else!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline/Wildfire for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Well, frankly, if that doesn’t hook you in, I don’t know what will! This is yet another powerful tour de force from the talented Harriet Tyce as she brings this amazing trial to life with some incredibly powerful imagery as the stunning evidence is given. It has me in it’s thrall from start to finish as I try to figure out not only Christian herself but also Isobel and Eliza. I love sifting through the fascinating evidence, witnesses their reactions and trying to figure out if they are deluded and fanciful but not necessarily guilty or are they malevolent and therefore overwhelmingly guilty? Another interesting angle the author portrays is that of making judgements based on what we see of the defendants and on what they believe. Will this play a role in the outcome??
The tension and suspense at times is off the scales and the use of highly appropriate quotations to highlight features of the trial adds to this. It has multiple layers which makes you question absolutely everything. What exactly is real???
Much of this is via the perspective of Matthew and it’s a study of the impact the trial has on him as much as anything else. I don’t want to give much away about this, so all I’ll say is that he has his difficulties. Some of the most powerful sections of the novel is where his reactions to some of the evidence is visceral and what he experiences is exceptionally vivid and pops out of the pages in full technicolour.
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!!
So in February 2026, jump aboard this original and different witchy rollercoaster wild ride as I’m sure you won’t regret it. Harriet Tyce is a must read author for me.
Brilliant cover art too.
PS. I’ve done the witch tour of Edinburgh, starting, of course, at The Witchery! Where else!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline/Wildfire for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
October 12, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Murder is constituted by any wilful act causing the destruction of life, whether wickedly intended to kill, or displaying such wicked recklessness as to imply a disposition depraved enough to be regardless of consequences”.
Teenagers Isobel Smyth and Eliza Lawson are on trial for the murder of their friend Christian Shaw, and Matthew Phillips is a heart surgeon, who is called to jury duty, which for personal reasons, is perfect timing, as he wants to escape his life for a couple of weeks. The girls are known as “The Witch Girls” due to them claiming to be witches and in direct contact with the devil, and this is therefore the Witch Trial. 🧙😈
What a premise for a book! I’ve only read Blood Orange by this author before and I absolutely loved it, so when I was given the opportunity to read an early copy of Harriet’s latest book, I grabbed it with both hands. I wasn’t disappointed. The story had me gripped from the get go.
The story is an in depth look at the trial and is told primarily from the perspective of Matthew. We see the effect that the trial is having on him, along with his (unknown at the time) personal issues. His life falls apart quite literally in front of our eyes. The girls are secondary characters, but still feature prominently, and as the narrative unwinds, it becomes more and more unsettling. Who is telling the truth and what really happened in the weeks running up to that tragic day?
The unique ending is something else entirely and I thought it was the perfect climax to a completely engrossing read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Out February 2026.
“Murder is constituted by any wilful act causing the destruction of life, whether wickedly intended to kill, or displaying such wicked recklessness as to imply a disposition depraved enough to be regardless of consequences”.
Teenagers Isobel Smyth and Eliza Lawson are on trial for the murder of their friend Christian Shaw, and Matthew Phillips is a heart surgeon, who is called to jury duty, which for personal reasons, is perfect timing, as he wants to escape his life for a couple of weeks. The girls are known as “The Witch Girls” due to them claiming to be witches and in direct contact with the devil, and this is therefore the Witch Trial. 🧙😈
What a premise for a book! I’ve only read Blood Orange by this author before and I absolutely loved it, so when I was given the opportunity to read an early copy of Harriet’s latest book, I grabbed it with both hands. I wasn’t disappointed. The story had me gripped from the get go.
The story is an in depth look at the trial and is told primarily from the perspective of Matthew. We see the effect that the trial is having on him, along with his (unknown at the time) personal issues. His life falls apart quite literally in front of our eyes. The girls are secondary characters, but still feature prominently, and as the narrative unwinds, it becomes more and more unsettling. Who is telling the truth and what really happened in the weeks running up to that tragic day?
The unique ending is something else entirely and I thought it was the perfect climax to a completely engrossing read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Out February 2026.
October 8, 2025
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.
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline | Wildfire for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
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.
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline | Wildfire for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Well that was a bit messed up!! Did I like it… you bet I did!
Not quite what I was expecting, Witch Trial is a book like nothing else I have ever read, and I dare say never will again. A legal thriller with a twist that is so unique it will shock you.
I don’t really know what to say about this book without giving any indication of what happens. It is basically the story of Matthew, a heart surgeon in Scotland, who is called up for jury duty and sees it as a chance to escape his mess of a life for a while. The case is of 2 young girls accused of killing a class mate. That is all I am going to say. It is a slow burn to begin with, a lot of details that become important later on.
This is intense and very dark and scary, and impossible to put down. Highly recommend.
Thanks so much to Headline on NetGalley for my early copy of this book to read. Publishes on February 26th.
Not quite what I was expecting, Witch Trial is a book like nothing else I have ever read, and I dare say never will again. A legal thriller with a twist that is so unique it will shock you.
I don’t really know what to say about this book without giving any indication of what happens. It is basically the story of Matthew, a heart surgeon in Scotland, who is called up for jury duty and sees it as a chance to escape his mess of a life for a while. The case is of 2 young girls accused of killing a class mate. That is all I am going to say. It is a slow burn to begin with, a lot of details that become important later on.
This is intense and very dark and scary, and impossible to put down. Highly recommend.
Thanks so much to Headline on NetGalley for my early copy of this book to read. Publishes on February 26th.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first book I have read by this author despite having knowing of her books for a long time. I liked the sound of this one, it sounded dark and full of witchcraft which really appealed to me. I didn't know, until the author appeared on a certain popular TV program, that she was a former barrister and this shows in the book as it is predominantly set in a court room. I liked the book to begin with. A respected heart surgeon, Matthew Phillips is called for jury service. He could easily get out of it due to various reasons, but decides to continue with it. The beginning of the court case is interesting, with the case focussing on two teenage girls who are accused of murdering their friend. The case twists and turns and there are talks of spells and witchcraft performed by the girls. The actual case had me hooked - I loved all the details, how the court system worked and even the other members of the jury. As the storyline moves into the second half of the book though, it's obvious Matthew Phillips is finding the case difficult but you don't know why. He's not a very likeable character and I have to admit to being a little confused as to where his storyline headed. I found the ending quite difficult to understand and had to re-read a couple of parts to keep up with it! Overall it was a good read, but the ending really let it down for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Wildfire for the ARC.
I really enjoyed Witch Trial. This book is like nothing I’ve ever read before. Clever, layered, fast paced, and written with punching wit. Toward the end it certainly felt like inception within inception.
I absolutely hated the main character, which I assume was the point; so well done on that front, because reading his thoughts irritated me exactly the way they were meant to!! I found myself rolling my eyes at his inner monologues, and finding his descriptions of women off putting; however this was obviously the element to this character.
This book isn’t just about witch craft, it’s a very unique insight into the law and historical contexts of them. Everything was so well done and I didn’t find myself bored at any point in the book.
One character’s insistence on another’s guilt based solely on her appearance felt chillingly reminiscent of the historical witch trials in Scotland, where suspicion and condemnation were often rooted in prejudice rather than evidence.
And ending shocked me; I fell into the same trap the main character did, completely convinced by his perspective. It isn’t what I expected, in fact I had no idea where this book was going, so it was a pleasant surprise not to find it predictable.
If I had one small criticism, it’s that the ending played out a little longer than it needed to and slightly pulled me out of the story. But the penultimate chapters were some of the strongest, and overall I had such a good time with this one!
This was my first book by Harriet Tyce, and it definitely won’t be my last.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wildfire for the ARC.
I really enjoyed Witch Trial. This book is like nothing I’ve ever read before. Clever, layered, fast paced, and written with punching wit. Toward the end it certainly felt like inception within inception.
I absolutely hated the main character, which I assume was the point; so well done on that front, because reading his thoughts irritated me exactly the way they were meant to!! I found myself rolling my eyes at his inner monologues, and finding his descriptions of women off putting; however this was obviously the element to this character.
This book isn’t just about witch craft, it’s a very unique insight into the law and historical contexts of them. Everything was so well done and I didn’t find myself bored at any point in the book.
One character’s insistence on another’s guilt based solely on her appearance felt chillingly reminiscent of the historical witch trials in Scotland, where suspicion and condemnation were often rooted in prejudice rather than evidence.
And ending shocked me; I fell into the same trap the main character did, completely convinced by his perspective. It isn’t what I expected, in fact I had no idea where this book was going, so it was a pleasant surprise not to find it predictable.
If I had one small criticism, it’s that the ending played out a little longer than it needed to and slightly pulled me out of the story. But the penultimate chapters were some of the strongest, and overall I had such a good time with this one!
This was my first book by Harriet Tyce, and it definitely won’t be my last.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My Initial Thoughts
I have read books by Harriet Tyce before which is why I requested Witch Trial from Netgalley. However, when she popped up on Traitors UK it gave me the urge to read this straight away. On the Traitors Harriet is proving herself to be a formidable faithful hunting out the Traitors. She used to be a criminal barrister which she is keeping secret from the rest of her cast mates. But, luckily for us as readers she brings in her experience and knowledge into the Witch Trial.
First up we are introduced to Matthew Phillips who is a heart surgeon and he has been selected to be on the jury for a murder case. Two young girls are accused of murdering their friend.
As the reader we know nothing of the case and learn like Matthew does. Which I am finding really good, because this put us in the shoes of the jury. And, through Matthew we get to see how the rest of the jury perceive the case.
Overall thoughts
There was a lot of witchcraft and talk of the devil in the case. I enjoyed all this but I could see maybe some people may not take to this. However, the book is called Witch Trial 🤷♀️
During the trial I did find it a bit of a slow burn, but the mystery and evidence collecting was interesting enough for me to carry on. Also, Matthew was a unique character and his development intrigued me, that I really wanted to know about him as well as the trial itself.
Now, there are some twists and I can honestly say I was whisked away by it, and as the story unfolded after I thought how clever it plays out.
I write this not knowing how Harriet fares in the Traitors. But, I can say she writes a damn good book. Maybe the judge might have something else to say on that matter 😉
I have read books by Harriet Tyce before which is why I requested Witch Trial from Netgalley. However, when she popped up on Traitors UK it gave me the urge to read this straight away. On the Traitors Harriet is proving herself to be a formidable faithful hunting out the Traitors. She used to be a criminal barrister which she is keeping secret from the rest of her cast mates. But, luckily for us as readers she brings in her experience and knowledge into the Witch Trial.
First up we are introduced to Matthew Phillips who is a heart surgeon and he has been selected to be on the jury for a murder case. Two young girls are accused of murdering their friend.
As the reader we know nothing of the case and learn like Matthew does. Which I am finding really good, because this put us in the shoes of the jury. And, through Matthew we get to see how the rest of the jury perceive the case.
Overall thoughts
There was a lot of witchcraft and talk of the devil in the case. I enjoyed all this but I could see maybe some people may not take to this. However, the book is called Witch Trial 🤷♀️
During the trial I did find it a bit of a slow burn, but the mystery and evidence collecting was interesting enough for me to carry on. Also, Matthew was a unique character and his development intrigued me, that I really wanted to know about him as well as the trial itself.
Now, there are some twists and I can honestly say I was whisked away by it, and as the story unfolded after I thought how clever it plays out.
I write this not knowing how Harriet fares in the Traitors. But, I can say she writes a damn good book. Maybe the judge might have something else to say on that matter 😉
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Unfortunately, this book really wasn't for me.
I couldn't get into the storyline. I felt bogged down with all the legal stuff. I understand it was a legal case storyline, and it needed to be authentic.
But it was a lot.
I just didn't feel like I was connecting to the characters or the story.
I do think other readers will love this story. But it took me ages to read, which was a shame as i was really looking forward to reading it.
A big thank you to Headline and Netgalley for this copy, which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I couldn't get into the storyline. I felt bogged down with all the legal stuff. I understand it was a legal case storyline, and it needed to be authentic.
But it was a lot.
I just didn't feel like I was connecting to the characters or the story.
I do think other readers will love this story. But it took me ages to read, which was a shame as i was really looking forward to reading it.
A big thank you to Headline and Netgalley for this copy, which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
September 24, 2025
A wild ride. In an extraordinary trial, two teenage girls, Eliza and Isobel - pupils at an Edinburgh boarding school - are charged with the murder of their friend... apparently by witchcraft, or so it appears. Heart surgeon Matthew, called for jury duty, finds the trial getting under his skin in more ways than one. The devil is in the - often gruesome - details.
We see most of it through Matthew's eyes - not the most reliable of narrators - with digressions into some of the witnesses' perspectives (well, maybe). The jury members, the lawyers, the evidence, and the girls themselves all come under scrutiny - pretty blonde Eliza, more appealing to the jury than scowling, uncompromising Isobel.
The Edinburgh setting is used to great effect.
The victim, Christian Shaw, shares her name with a 17th/18th century Scottish woman who, as a child, was involved in a notorious witch trial - clearly no coincidence. (On another note, one of the defence lawyers is Miss Brodie, quite appropriate for a story about Edinburgh schoolgirls. The other is Miss Goodly, which surely has some significance, though I'm not sure what.)
The audacious ending tosses much of what’s gone before up in the air and left this reader, at least, thinking: what the hell? But in a good way... I think.
We see most of it through Matthew's eyes - not the most reliable of narrators - with digressions into some of the witnesses' perspectives (well, maybe). The jury members, the lawyers, the evidence, and the girls themselves all come under scrutiny - pretty blonde Eliza, more appealing to the jury than scowling, uncompromising Isobel.
The Edinburgh setting is used to great effect.
The victim, Christian Shaw, shares her name with a 17th/18th century Scottish woman who, as a child, was involved in a notorious witch trial - clearly no coincidence. (On another note, one of the defence lawyers is Miss Brodie, quite appropriate for a story about Edinburgh schoolgirls. The other is Miss Goodly, which surely has some significance, though I'm not sure what.)
The audacious ending tosses much of what’s gone before up in the air and left this reader, at least, thinking: what the hell? But in a good way... I think.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow, this was fantastic! The book had me hooked from the start. The story was excellent, and it was a pleasure to read this. I loved the cover. It was so simple with just the crow. It was good symbolism, and you will get the relevance if you read it. The writing was excellent, and the book flowed well. The book is split into daily sections over a period of around 12 days. After the book had ended, there was some excellent content as well. The book is set in Edinburgh, so it's the real world. One very obvious aspect is the amount of research Harriet put into the book. It was exceptional. The characters are interesting. I struggled to find one I liked! This is a good aspect of a thriller - unlikable characters! I definitely recommend this and I can't wait to read more of Harriet's work. This was my first Harriet Tyce book and it won't be the last.
February 3, 2026
Wow what a page turner! One of those books which just reads itself & I struggled to put down.
We follow Mathew, a successful heart surgeon, as he becomes a juror in a high profile murder trial dubbed ‘The Witch Trials’- two teenage girls on the stand charged with the murder of a friend after a period where they all dabbled with the occult.
Although the book revolves around the trial, this is secondary to what is going on with Matthew himself who is obviously suffering with acute stress and also his fixation with the mysterious ‘blonde’ in the gallery.
After a page by page build up of tension the ending is a complete surprise & really clever. Such a great twist. 5*
Many thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.
We follow Mathew, a successful heart surgeon, as he becomes a juror in a high profile murder trial dubbed ‘The Witch Trials’- two teenage girls on the stand charged with the murder of a friend after a period where they all dabbled with the occult.
Although the book revolves around the trial, this is secondary to what is going on with Matthew himself who is obviously suffering with acute stress and also his fixation with the mysterious ‘blonde’ in the gallery.
After a page by page build up of tension the ending is a complete surprise & really clever. Such a great twist. 5*
Many thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.
January 10, 2026
Two girls accused of murder, a defence like no other.
As a heart surgeon Matthew has the ideal chance to decline jury service but he is eager to continue as sees it as a brief escape from his life. With teenage girls on trial for the death of one of their friends it’s upto Matthew and the rest of the jury to decide if this is just a case of bullying, pre meditated murder or is something far more sinister happening.
Well what great publicity this author is having for her new book and it felt apt to read it whilst she is on tv at the min. I must admit that I feel a ‘traitor’ as this wasn’t the book for me but I’m sure it will be a huge success. Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read it and good luck to the author on the release.
Publication Date - 26/02/2026
#WitchTrial
#HarrietTyce
As a heart surgeon Matthew has the ideal chance to decline jury service but he is eager to continue as sees it as a brief escape from his life. With teenage girls on trial for the death of one of their friends it’s upto Matthew and the rest of the jury to decide if this is just a case of bullying, pre meditated murder or is something far more sinister happening.
Well what great publicity this author is having for her new book and it felt apt to read it whilst she is on tv at the min. I must admit that I feel a ‘traitor’ as this wasn’t the book for me but I’m sure it will be a huge success. Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read it and good luck to the author on the release.
Publication Date - 26/02/2026
#WitchTrial
#HarrietTyce
October 21, 2025
Witch Trial by Harriet Tyce’s is deliciously dark with whispers of rituals, obsession, and a teenage pact gone wrong it feels very dark and creepy. It’s tense, layered, and uncomfortably believable. It starts with the murder of Christian Shaw, an 18-year-old student in Edinburgh, and quickly spirals into a national obsession when her best friends are accused of killing her. What follows is a mix of courtroom drama, social commentary, and psychological tension that feels alarmingly current.
I loved how the author The book’s puts us inside the head of Matthew Phillips, a heart surgeon reluctantly called for jury duty. He’s analytical and rational, and watching him slowly lose that certainty as the trial unfolds is quietly unnerving. Harriet Tyce cleverly uses his perspective to show how easily facts blur once public opinion, social media, and fear get involved. The reader immediately gets the feeling there is something “off” about Matthew, and as the plot moves forward we see him unravel.
What really works here is how real the plot feels. The hysteria around the case, the way people fill in blanks with their own biases, the fascination with labelling young women as either victims or villains, it’s all painfully familiar. The writing is sharp, the pacing steady and the tension intensifies at each reveal. As for the final twist it doesn’t just shock, it reframes everything that came before, forcing you to question every assumption you’ve made.
Witch Trial is a smart, unsettling look at truth, judgment, and the stories we tell ourselves about guilt. When I finished Witch Trial I closed the book unsettled, questioning everything I thought I knew, which is exactly what the best thrillers make you do. Highly recommend
I loved how the author The book’s puts us inside the head of Matthew Phillips, a heart surgeon reluctantly called for jury duty. He’s analytical and rational, and watching him slowly lose that certainty as the trial unfolds is quietly unnerving. Harriet Tyce cleverly uses his perspective to show how easily facts blur once public opinion, social media, and fear get involved. The reader immediately gets the feeling there is something “off” about Matthew, and as the plot moves forward we see him unravel.
What really works here is how real the plot feels. The hysteria around the case, the way people fill in blanks with their own biases, the fascination with labelling young women as either victims or villains, it’s all painfully familiar. The writing is sharp, the pacing steady and the tension intensifies at each reveal. As for the final twist it doesn’t just shock, it reframes everything that came before, forcing you to question every assumption you’ve made.
Witch Trial is a smart, unsettling look at truth, judgment, and the stories we tell ourselves about guilt. When I finished Witch Trial I closed the book unsettled, questioning everything I thought I knew, which is exactly what the best thrillers make you do. Highly recommend
October 25, 2025
I'm probably going to be unpopular as most reviews are raving about this one.
I really didn't like it at all.
The two girls accused of murder. From the descriptions of the girls, there were prejudices from the start. For me, that was predictable.
Matthew Phillips, a very strange character who thinks he can see the devil. He obviously had mental health issues. Seeing things and having non relationship issues.
The trial itself was ok until we got to Sasha's testimony. I found it to be monotonous and boring. No wonder Matthew was switching off.
The ending was strange. There was a lot of detail that I skimmed through quickly just to get to the end.
Was the verdict the correct one? The jury is still out for me.
I adored Blood Orange and is by far the best book Harriet has written, in my opinion.
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline/Wildfire for the ARC in return for an honest review.
I really didn't like it at all.
The two girls accused of murder. From the descriptions of the girls, there were prejudices from the start. For me, that was predictable.
Matthew Phillips, a very strange character who thinks he can see the devil. He obviously had mental health issues. Seeing things and having non relationship issues.
The trial itself was ok until we got to Sasha's testimony. I found it to be monotonous and boring. No wonder Matthew was switching off.
The ending was strange. There was a lot of detail that I skimmed through quickly just to get to the end.
Was the verdict the correct one? The jury is still out for me.
I adored Blood Orange and is by far the best book Harriet has written, in my opinion.
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline/Wildfire for the ARC in return for an honest review.
December 8, 2025
Unusually for me, I’m not really sure how to start this review.
This book is such a wild read. We start with a court case, a disturbing case, but nothing out of the ordinary you may think; but you would be very wrong!
The narrative is from the perspective of one of the jurors, Matthew Phillips, a cardiac surgeon. It says so much about the pressures of his career, that he is looking forward to such a serious court case, as a break from the stresses of his daily life. We hear the court case, evidence and see his fellow jurors through him. Fairly quickly, the title of the book, Witch Trial, starts to become relevant. At this point, I advise you to buckle up.
Many of the characters captured my imagination for differing reasons. I was held rapt by Sasha’s evidence, just as the whole court was. My logical brain dumbfounded as she spoke, but I couldn’t stop reading.
There is so much I would love to say in this review, but it would all be hugely spoiling, so I won’t. I can say that I disagree with Rev Gerald Thomas, Fleabag is fabulous, I loved it. Especially Andrew Scott.
As I reached the 90% mark of the book, the court case had been closed with a verdict, I had a 4⭐️ rating in mind. Then came the final 10%, and it was not as I was expecting. It is quirky, different and surprising, for a few reasons; none of which I can mention. Just make sure you read carefully, so as not to miss any of the details. I think this ending will divide readers, some will find it odd, others, like myself, will really appreciate it. This raised the book to a rounded up 5⭐️
Thanks also to the author, Harriet Tyce, for the reminder to read Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House. It has been on my book radar for so long, but I have now added it to my tbr.
If you fancy reading something a little off the beaten track, Witch Trial could be the book for you. It is anything and everything, but dull.
This book is such a wild read. We start with a court case, a disturbing case, but nothing out of the ordinary you may think; but you would be very wrong!
The narrative is from the perspective of one of the jurors, Matthew Phillips, a cardiac surgeon. It says so much about the pressures of his career, that he is looking forward to such a serious court case, as a break from the stresses of his daily life. We hear the court case, evidence and see his fellow jurors through him. Fairly quickly, the title of the book, Witch Trial, starts to become relevant. At this point, I advise you to buckle up.
Many of the characters captured my imagination for differing reasons. I was held rapt by Sasha’s evidence, just as the whole court was. My logical brain dumbfounded as she spoke, but I couldn’t stop reading.
There is so much I would love to say in this review, but it would all be hugely spoiling, so I won’t. I can say that I disagree with Rev Gerald Thomas, Fleabag is fabulous, I loved it. Especially Andrew Scott.
As I reached the 90% mark of the book, the court case had been closed with a verdict, I had a 4⭐️ rating in mind. Then came the final 10%, and it was not as I was expecting. It is quirky, different and surprising, for a few reasons; none of which I can mention. Just make sure you read carefully, so as not to miss any of the details. I think this ending will divide readers, some will find it odd, others, like myself, will really appreciate it. This raised the book to a rounded up 5⭐️
Thanks also to the author, Harriet Tyce, for the reminder to read Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House. It has been on my book radar for so long, but I have now added it to my tbr.
If you fancy reading something a little off the beaten track, Witch Trial could be the book for you. It is anything and everything, but dull.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Matthew Phillip's, a renowed heart surgeon, is called for Jury Service in Edinburgh. Due to his job and a forthcoming holiday, he is eligible for exemption, but he feels its his moral duty to fulfil his call up.
The case is an unusual one, 2 teenage girls charged with the murder by proxy of Christian Shaw, a girl frightened to death by Isobel and Eliza's actions. A story of witchcraft, obsessional behaviour and satanic rituals. The court case will go down in history.
In this very clever, gritty novel, Harriet Tyce has drawn on her barrister experiences and written a novel that puts you on the jury as Matthew. You'll hear and see all the evidence and deliberate if the girls are guilty or innocent. What you won't experience is the trauma that Matthew suffers, you'll only read about his feelings and innermost thoughts, his sympathies towards Isobel as he battles his own demons.
As I said this is a very clever novel, the last 10% left me mind blown and made me wonder if I'd missed some clues during the book. Definitely one to read over again.
The case is an unusual one, 2 teenage girls charged with the murder by proxy of Christian Shaw, a girl frightened to death by Isobel and Eliza's actions. A story of witchcraft, obsessional behaviour and satanic rituals. The court case will go down in history.
In this very clever, gritty novel, Harriet Tyce has drawn on her barrister experiences and written a novel that puts you on the jury as Matthew. You'll hear and see all the evidence and deliberate if the girls are guilty or innocent. What you won't experience is the trauma that Matthew suffers, you'll only read about his feelings and innermost thoughts, his sympathies towards Isobel as he battles his own demons.
As I said this is a very clever novel, the last 10% left me mind blown and made me wonder if I'd missed some clues during the book. Definitely one to read over again.
October 1, 2025
I was extremely excited to access a copy of Witch Trial by Harriet Tyce. I love a good courtroom drama, I’m fascinated by documentary style storytelling and anything to do with witchcraft or the occult.
The book is very readable, and the diary format made it a genuine page turner. The premise was fun, the atmosphere unsettling in just the right ways, and I enjoyed the dark theme.
However, I struggled with the characterisation. For most of the book, I felt convinced Tyce was simply writing a shallow character. It wasn’t until much later that the unreliable narrator became clear, and by then, the inconsistencies felt more frustrating than clever.
I found the ending disappointing, despite usually enjoying mixed media in books. Rather than letting any ambiguity linger, we are walked step by step through the “bundle” as though the author wanted to make absolutely sure we didn’t miss anything. Personally, I prefer an ending that leaves some loose threads, something to puzzle over long after the book has closed (or the Kindle has dimmed).
I also wasn’t fully sold on the author inserting herself into the narrative. Whilst I hope other readers find this playful to me, it came across a little self-indulgent.
That said, I did enjoy the story overall. The concept was strong, the darkness was compelling, and Tyce’s writing style kept me engaged. I’ll definitely be seeking out more of her work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wildfire for the ARC.
The book is very readable, and the diary format made it a genuine page turner. The premise was fun, the atmosphere unsettling in just the right ways, and I enjoyed the dark theme.
However, I struggled with the characterisation. For most of the book, I felt convinced Tyce was simply writing a shallow character. It wasn’t until much later that the unreliable narrator became clear, and by then, the inconsistencies felt more frustrating than clever.
I found the ending disappointing, despite usually enjoying mixed media in books. Rather than letting any ambiguity linger, we are walked step by step through the “bundle” as though the author wanted to make absolutely sure we didn’t miss anything. Personally, I prefer an ending that leaves some loose threads, something to puzzle over long after the book has closed (or the Kindle has dimmed).
I also wasn’t fully sold on the author inserting herself into the narrative. Whilst I hope other readers find this playful to me, it came across a little self-indulgent.
That said, I did enjoy the story overall. The concept was strong, the darkness was compelling, and Tyce’s writing style kept me engaged. I’ll definitely be seeking out more of her work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wildfire for the ARC.
January 10, 2026
I have read most of Harriet Tyce’s books so I was looking forward to reading an advance copy of her latest novel, Witch Trial, publishing on 26th February. For those who are fans of the BBC programme, Traitors, Harriet featured in that so I was extra excited to read her new novel. The cover fits the bill and is eye catching and a bit creepy.
Set in Edinburgh, Matthew, a heart transplant surgeon, is on the jury for a controversial trial of two teenagers accused of murdering their school friend in a supernatural ritual inspired by witchcraft. Matthew is an unlikeable character and there’s something about him, he’s certainly not a reliable narrator. He starts seeing the devil and believes he’s being influenced about the trial.
This book is definitely a slow burn, and for me it was just too slow. I didn’t like Matthew’s character at all and guessed he was likely to be unwell. As it’s told from his point of view he unfortunately mostly dominates the story which made it even slower for me. The ending was a total damp squib and I was so disappointed with the book overall.
I appreciate the author trying to do something different with the witchcraft and paranormal elements but this book didn’t work for me at all. It’s a shame as I expected to enjoy it but it wasn’t to be. I look forward to seeing what this author writes next. Thanks to Headline publishers and NetGalley for my copy.
Set in Edinburgh, Matthew, a heart transplant surgeon, is on the jury for a controversial trial of two teenagers accused of murdering their school friend in a supernatural ritual inspired by witchcraft. Matthew is an unlikeable character and there’s something about him, he’s certainly not a reliable narrator. He starts seeing the devil and believes he’s being influenced about the trial.
This book is definitely a slow burn, and for me it was just too slow. I didn’t like Matthew’s character at all and guessed he was likely to be unwell. As it’s told from his point of view he unfortunately mostly dominates the story which made it even slower for me. The ending was a total damp squib and I was so disappointed with the book overall.
I appreciate the author trying to do something different with the witchcraft and paranormal elements but this book didn’t work for me at all. It’s a shame as I expected to enjoy it but it wasn’t to be. I look forward to seeing what this author writes next. Thanks to Headline publishers and NetGalley for my copy.
October 6, 2025
This was something very different from Harriet Tyce – and in a really good way. From the start, we’re drawn into a trial like no other: two girls accused of another girl’s murder, yet we don’t actually know how the victim died. The story covers so much ground – courtroom drama, the power of social media, obsessive behaviour, and the dark pull of the occult. I was hooked right from the beginning, and the pace only builds, gaining momentum all the way through to the end.
Matthew is such an interesting character. The way his emotions play out feels so real, and it’s clear he’s hiding something. The research that has gone into this book really shows. Every part of the trial, the atmosphere, and the darkness – feels convincing and unsettling in the best possible way. It’s the kind of story that gets into your mind and stays there. And the ending? It's absolutely brilliant. Some of the best twists I’ve read in a long time – clever, surprising, and deeply satisfying.
A gripping, unsettling, and original read – Harriet Tyce at her best and a must for anyone who enjoys courtroom thrillers with a dark edge.
Matthew is such an interesting character. The way his emotions play out feels so real, and it’s clear he’s hiding something. The research that has gone into this book really shows. Every part of the trial, the atmosphere, and the darkness – feels convincing and unsettling in the best possible way. It’s the kind of story that gets into your mind and stays there. And the ending? It's absolutely brilliant. Some of the best twists I’ve read in a long time – clever, surprising, and deeply satisfying.
A gripping, unsettling, and original read – Harriet Tyce at her best and a must for anyone who enjoys courtroom thrillers with a dark edge.
January 29, 2026
Dark, tense, unputdownable. Tyce remains a master of suspense.
Witch Trial by Harriet Tyce is a dark, compulsive novel that blends courtroom drama with occult obsession, set against the brooding backdrop of Edinburgh.
The story centres on the trial of two teenage girls accused of murdering a classmate, an act allegedly tied to their involvement in the occult. Observing the case from the jury is Matthew, a heart surgeon whose rational, controlled life begins to unravel as the trial progresses. As evidence is presented and testimonies unfold, Matthew finds himself increasingly drawn into the girls’ world of ritual, belief, and manipulation, blurring the line between fantasy and reality.
Tyce excels at building suspense. From the opening chapters, there is a constant sense of unease, and the narrative keeps the reader guessing throughout. I genuinely had no idea where the story was heading, which made it hard to put down.
The pacing is sharp and addictive - I zipped through the book in just a few sittings, propelled by the tension and the need to know what happened. I loved how it was told witness to witness.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its combination of themes. The exploration of teenage girl dynamics - bullying, power, secrecy- it all feels painfully believable, and when combined with elements of witchcraft and devil worship, it becomes deeply unsettling.
The Edinburgh setting adds another layer; its dark history and gothic atmosphere perfectly complement the story’s tone and subject matter. If you’ve ever been you’ll know the terrible history of the witch trials are everywhere.
This is a novel that lingers after the final page - creepy, thought-provoking, and satisfying. Witch Trial is a gripping and disturbing read. I’d happily give it 4 to 4.5 stars, and I’d strongly recommend it to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a sinister edge. Or fantasy fans fancying a thriller.
Thank you to Headline and Netgalley for my arc
Witch Trial by Harriet Tyce is a dark, compulsive novel that blends courtroom drama with occult obsession, set against the brooding backdrop of Edinburgh.
The story centres on the trial of two teenage girls accused of murdering a classmate, an act allegedly tied to their involvement in the occult. Observing the case from the jury is Matthew, a heart surgeon whose rational, controlled life begins to unravel as the trial progresses. As evidence is presented and testimonies unfold, Matthew finds himself increasingly drawn into the girls’ world of ritual, belief, and manipulation, blurring the line between fantasy and reality.
Tyce excels at building suspense. From the opening chapters, there is a constant sense of unease, and the narrative keeps the reader guessing throughout. I genuinely had no idea where the story was heading, which made it hard to put down.
The pacing is sharp and addictive - I zipped through the book in just a few sittings, propelled by the tension and the need to know what happened. I loved how it was told witness to witness.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its combination of themes. The exploration of teenage girl dynamics - bullying, power, secrecy- it all feels painfully believable, and when combined with elements of witchcraft and devil worship, it becomes deeply unsettling.
The Edinburgh setting adds another layer; its dark history and gothic atmosphere perfectly complement the story’s tone and subject matter. If you’ve ever been you’ll know the terrible history of the witch trials are everywhere.
This is a novel that lingers after the final page - creepy, thought-provoking, and satisfying. Witch Trial is a gripping and disturbing read. I’d happily give it 4 to 4.5 stars, and I’d strongly recommend it to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a sinister edge. Or fantasy fans fancying a thriller.
Thank you to Headline and Netgalley for my arc
January 21, 2026
Harriet Tyce perfectly merges the factual, the mysterious, and the magical, to the point where, as a reader, you are never quite sure whether something arcane is truly taking place.
Eighteen year old Christine Shaw is found dead, and her two classmates, Eliza and Isobel, are accused of her murder, by witchcraft. Michael, a heart surgeon, is reluctantly called to serve on the jury. As the trial unfolds and the chilling details of the defence emerge, Michael begins to question everything, including his own judgement.
This is a story of intricate plotting and a slow, masterful build of tension. We are drawn deep into the court proceedings and legal process. Tyce must have undertaken an enormous amount of legal research, particularly around Scottish law, the details are so vivid that at times you feel as though you are sitting in the courtroom yourself. Then comes the mysterious — no spoilers here. It’s the perfect blend to keep you intrigued, unsettled, and constantly second-guessing your own theories about where the story is heading.
The ending, oh my! I really was in complete shock. Completely unexpected! Such a clever twist, one that adds real depth to the novel’s themes.
Have these children been practising the occult, or are mental health episodes at play? You’ll just have to read to find out.
I suspect Harriet Tyce will gain even more attention after appearing on The Traitors, and if this is your first read of hers, it will not disappoint.
A suspenseful thriller with dark, mysterious undertones that will keep you engaged right through to the shocking end. I really enjoyed this one and can't stop talking about it.
Thank you to Headline and Net Galley for the early copy in return for my honest opinion.
Eighteen year old Christine Shaw is found dead, and her two classmates, Eliza and Isobel, are accused of her murder, by witchcraft. Michael, a heart surgeon, is reluctantly called to serve on the jury. As the trial unfolds and the chilling details of the defence emerge, Michael begins to question everything, including his own judgement.
This is a story of intricate plotting and a slow, masterful build of tension. We are drawn deep into the court proceedings and legal process. Tyce must have undertaken an enormous amount of legal research, particularly around Scottish law, the details are so vivid that at times you feel as though you are sitting in the courtroom yourself. Then comes the mysterious — no spoilers here. It’s the perfect blend to keep you intrigued, unsettled, and constantly second-guessing your own theories about where the story is heading.
The ending, oh my! I really was in complete shock. Completely unexpected! Such a clever twist, one that adds real depth to the novel’s themes.
Have these children been practising the occult, or are mental health episodes at play? You’ll just have to read to find out.
I suspect Harriet Tyce will gain even more attention after appearing on The Traitors, and if this is your first read of hers, it will not disappoint.
A suspenseful thriller with dark, mysterious undertones that will keep you engaged right through to the shocking end. I really enjoyed this one and can't stop talking about it.
Thank you to Headline and Net Galley for the early copy in return for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Witch Trial is a sort of legal thriller and psychological thriller combined. The story starts with Matthew, a heart surgeon in Edinburgh, who is called up for jury service. He sees jury service as an opportunity to get away from his wife, his girlfriend and his work, so he doesn't get himself removed from selection like he could do, due to the nature of his job. He wasn't expecting the case to be about two young girls accused of killing their friend via witchcraft though, and much of the book shows the unexpected effect that the trial has on him. While Matthew is a large focus of the story, we also get the POV of the various witnesses before they take the stand and during their statements in court.
The last hour of this audiobook was completely unpredictable, and I don't want to say anything more about the plot to avoid spoilers. It's definitely worth going into it blind! But if you like thrillers, it's worth reading for the ending alone!
The audiobook narration is amazing, with the sole narrator, Angus King, doing a great job throughout! His authentic Scottish accent was perfect for bringing this story to life, and he differentiated all the characters amazingly. I think the audiobook format really brought the story to life and amped up the tension throughout.
4.5, rounded up to 5 on Goodreads and NetGalley.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Listener Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
The last hour of this audiobook was completely unpredictable, and I don't want to say anything more about the plot to avoid spoilers. It's definitely worth going into it blind! But if you like thrillers, it's worth reading for the ending alone!
The audiobook narration is amazing, with the sole narrator, Angus King, doing a great job throughout! His authentic Scottish accent was perfect for bringing this story to life, and he differentiated all the characters amazingly. I think the audiobook format really brought the story to life and amped up the tension throughout.
4.5, rounded up to 5 on Goodreads and NetGalley.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Listener Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
February 3, 2026
A stonkingly smart story and my favourite Harriet Tyce book to date.
Set in Edinburgh, the story follows Matthew, a juror at the murder trial of two teenage girls, accused of murdering their friend for occult reasons. Seeing the trial through Matthew’s eyes was excellent, the focus drawn away from the case itself and more on his perception.
What’s clear immediately is that Matthew is not in a good place and his mental state as he gets drawn deeper into the trial is brilliantly described, leaving the reader not knowing what’s true and what’s imagined, generating a very creepy and eerie feel.
I had no idea where this was going to go; the ending was instantaneously clever, tongue in cheek and uncomfortable.
Great stuff.
Set in Edinburgh, the story follows Matthew, a juror at the murder trial of two teenage girls, accused of murdering their friend for occult reasons. Seeing the trial through Matthew’s eyes was excellent, the focus drawn away from the case itself and more on his perception.
What’s clear immediately is that Matthew is not in a good place and his mental state as he gets drawn deeper into the trial is brilliantly described, leaving the reader not knowing what’s true and what’s imagined, generating a very creepy and eerie feel.
I had no idea where this was going to go; the ending was instantaneously clever, tongue in cheek and uncomfortable.
Great stuff.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The premise for this is unique but it fell a bit short of the mark for me. I was frustrated and confused by the seemingly supernatural elements, and almost gave up a few times. I'm glad I saw the book through to its conclusion but I re-listened to the last hour 2 or 3 times and still feel quite flummoxed as to what actually happened. Having said all of that, it's cleverly done and I would expect no less from Harriet Tyce. I expect this book will divide opinion. I listened to the audio version which was brilliantly narrated by Angus King. Another stellar performance from one of the best voice actors in the country!
January 8, 2026
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley for granting me (at my request) this book to read before the publication date of 26.2.25 🙏🏻
Wow, what an ending! This is a book which features witchcraft, a new one for me. Lots of twists & shocking happenings & I love the way it all comes together at the end - I didn’t guess the twist & at times wondered where it was going! But it all makes sense! My first book my this author & I’m intrigued, love that she’s currently in The Traitors too!
Set in Scotland the story focuses on a Heart Surgeon, Matthew, who’s called up for jury service. He’s not overly likeable, in my opinion, but all becomes clear as to why, this books is really well written 🌟
Wow, what an ending! This is a book which features witchcraft, a new one for me. Lots of twists & shocking happenings & I love the way it all comes together at the end - I didn’t guess the twist & at times wondered where it was going! But it all makes sense! My first book my this author & I’m intrigued, love that she’s currently in The Traitors too!
Set in Scotland the story focuses on a Heart Surgeon, Matthew, who’s called up for jury service. He’s not overly likeable, in my opinion, but all becomes clear as to why, this books is really well written 🌟
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5*
Witch Trial is a taut and well-crafted legal thriller with a strong sense of realism, particularly in its courtroom and trial sequences. Harriet Tyce does an excellent job of creating tension and a believable procedural atmosphere that keeps the story grounded.
That said, I struggled to connect with the main character early on, which kept me at a distance throughout the book. The ending also didn’t fully work for me, though the journey there, especially the legal intrigue and ethical dilemmas really was engaging and compelling.
A solid, realistic thriller that will appeal to fans of courtroom dramas, even if it didn’t quite click for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline | Wildfire for this digital review copy of "Witch Trial" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
Witch Trial is a taut and well-crafted legal thriller with a strong sense of realism, particularly in its courtroom and trial sequences. Harriet Tyce does an excellent job of creating tension and a believable procedural atmosphere that keeps the story grounded.
That said, I struggled to connect with the main character early on, which kept me at a distance throughout the book. The ending also didn’t fully work for me, though the journey there, especially the legal intrigue and ethical dilemmas really was engaging and compelling.
A solid, realistic thriller that will appeal to fans of courtroom dramas, even if it didn’t quite click for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline | Wildfire for this digital review copy of "Witch Trial" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
January 10, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, although the ending did confuse me and was not an ending I was expecting. It is the first book I’ve read that was based around a trial, but you could tell the author did her research not only about how the trial are presented but also into witches.
The book had me hooked after the first couple of chapters and definitely deserved the four stars. It would’ve been five if not for the ending!
It was written really well and had great descriptions. I found it fast paced but enjoyed that. It’s my first book by this author, but I look forward to reading more in the future!
The book had me hooked after the first couple of chapters and definitely deserved the four stars. It would’ve been five if not for the ending!
It was written really well and had great descriptions. I found it fast paced but enjoyed that. It’s my first book by this author, but I look forward to reading more in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Having never read anything by Harriet Tyce (sorry 😞), it was the title that grabbed me here. Do I regret requesting an advance copy? No, I do not. Did I like it? Again, no. I LOVED it. 🔪⚰️
It's a bit of a wild card, this one. There were times when I couldn't decide what genre it fell into. In the end, it didn't really matter, I was enjoying it too much. 🔪⚰️
The story is told from the POV of Matthew Phillips, a heart surgeon who has been called for jury duty, and decides to go ahead and do it. He finds himself on the jury of a murder trial. The victim, 18 year old Christian Shaw. The accused, her best friends Eliza Lawson and Isobel Smyth, self-proclaimed witches. 🔪⚰️
We follow the trial alongside Matthew, but we also experience his tribulations outside of the court. What really makes this book stand out though, is the ending. That, my friends, is gold. 🔪⚰️
Another reason I loved this book was the potted history of witchcraft in Edinburgh, and the little story of the miniature coffins found at Arthur's Seat. I had to seek out more information on that, because my curiosity was aroused. Witch Trial is my new favourite book, and I can't shout its praises enough. 🔪⚰️
Thanks to Headline Books and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
It's a bit of a wild card, this one. There were times when I couldn't decide what genre it fell into. In the end, it didn't really matter, I was enjoying it too much. 🔪⚰️
The story is told from the POV of Matthew Phillips, a heart surgeon who has been called for jury duty, and decides to go ahead and do it. He finds himself on the jury of a murder trial. The victim, 18 year old Christian Shaw. The accused, her best friends Eliza Lawson and Isobel Smyth, self-proclaimed witches. 🔪⚰️
We follow the trial alongside Matthew, but we also experience his tribulations outside of the court. What really makes this book stand out though, is the ending. That, my friends, is gold. 🔪⚰️
Another reason I loved this book was the potted history of witchcraft in Edinburgh, and the little story of the miniature coffins found at Arthur's Seat. I had to seek out more information on that, because my curiosity was aroused. Witch Trial is my new favourite book, and I can't shout its praises enough. 🔪⚰️
Thanks to Headline Books and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
January 22, 2026
2.5 stars - crime / fiction
Matthew, a heart surgeon, is called for jury duty for a murdered girl that seemingly was scared to death. The two girls accused of her murder blame it on witch craft / the devil.
I normally love any story involving witches - they are one of my favourite characters to read about whether fantasy or historical fiction. This one immediately jumped out as a modern day witch trial and I was fascinated to learn more. The majority of the trial was really interesting and intriguing, and made you think about if you would have believed them, or if they were suffering from mental health issues. I even got to the point where i was googling if you could be accused of murder if you didn't physically touch them.
The story is told from a jury member, Matthew, who I actually despised. I just didn't care what was happening in his personal life at all and started skimming sections that were not related to the trial.
There is a twist at the end that involves both him personally and the trial, that was surprising, but not a good surprise / twist. I actually nearly DNF'ed it at 90% but I continued on to see where it went as I was nearly finished. I was disappointed. The author reveals part of what may have happened but doesn't say that it did happen nor the actual outcome for the girls. The author then put herself into the the plot of the story! It didn't work for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the change to review the copy of the eBook.
Matthew, a heart surgeon, is called for jury duty for a murdered girl that seemingly was scared to death. The two girls accused of her murder blame it on witch craft / the devil.
I normally love any story involving witches - they are one of my favourite characters to read about whether fantasy or historical fiction. This one immediately jumped out as a modern day witch trial and I was fascinated to learn more. The majority of the trial was really interesting and intriguing, and made you think about if you would have believed them, or if they were suffering from mental health issues. I even got to the point where i was googling if you could be accused of murder if you didn't physically touch them.
The story is told from a jury member, Matthew, who I actually despised. I just didn't care what was happening in his personal life at all and started skimming sections that were not related to the trial.
There is a twist at the end that involves both him personally and the trial, that was surprising, but not a good surprise / twist. I actually nearly DNF'ed it at 90% but I continued on to see where it went as I was nearly finished. I was disappointed. The author reveals part of what may have happened but doesn't say that it did happen nor the actual outcome for the girls. The author then put herself into the the plot of the story! It didn't work for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the change to review the copy of the eBook.
did-not-finish
January 10, 2026I saw this on NetGalley and thought that the plot sounded quite different and intriguing. There's two teenage girls who are accused of killing another girl from their school with witchcraft. The reviews on the cover indicated that there were lots of plot twists so I thought I'd give it a try.
As I started reading it, I was thinking about the possible outcomes of the trial and book. A trial would either result in a verdict of guilty or not guilty, although this book is set in Scotland in 2019 so it has a third verdict which is not proven. (This has been removed as of this year!) Was the book purposely set in Scotland to allow for that other verdict? The result is then either: the girls killed the other girl with witchcraft, the girls didn't kill the other girl, or the girls did kill the other girl but not with witchcraft. The first option opens up all kinds of questions and revelations, and I wasn't sure that would be a road that most authors would want to go down. It probably wasn't a good idea to be thinking about how the book was going to end before I'd really even started it!
The book is written from the point of view of one of the jurors, a surgeon called Matthew Phillips. I didn't expect that it would follow quite so much of his life. It didn't seem necessary for the plot at all so that did make it hard to continue my interest. I wanted to know about the case, not the affairs that the surgeon was having!
The opening was really boring. Was it really necessary to include all the minutiae of the court process? It would have been very easy to give up with it at that point but I persevered. When another schoolgirl started to give her evidence, I found the storyline became quite creepy and also very uncomfortable which made it difficult to read. It was about 40% of the way into the book, but it had been quite a hard slog to get to that point of the book and it felt like I'd barely scratched the surface. I really didn't want to give up on it but I tried hard to carry on and just could not face picking the book up any more. I wasn't bothered about Matthew in the slightest and what I'd read about the two accused girls didn't endear me to them either so I didn't really care much about the outcome of the case. I don't like having to DNF a book from NetGalley but I'd lost what little interest I had left in continuing it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy to review.
As I started reading it, I was thinking about the possible outcomes of the trial and book. A trial would either result in a verdict of guilty or not guilty, although this book is set in Scotland in 2019 so it has a third verdict which is not proven. (This has been removed as of this year!) Was the book purposely set in Scotland to allow for that other verdict? The result is then either: the girls killed the other girl with witchcraft, the girls didn't kill the other girl, or the girls did kill the other girl but not with witchcraft. The first option opens up all kinds of questions and revelations, and I wasn't sure that would be a road that most authors would want to go down. It probably wasn't a good idea to be thinking about how the book was going to end before I'd really even started it!
The book is written from the point of view of one of the jurors, a surgeon called Matthew Phillips. I didn't expect that it would follow quite so much of his life. It didn't seem necessary for the plot at all so that did make it hard to continue my interest. I wanted to know about the case, not the affairs that the surgeon was having!
The opening was really boring. Was it really necessary to include all the minutiae of the court process? It would have been very easy to give up with it at that point but I persevered. When another schoolgirl started to give her evidence, I found the storyline became quite creepy and also very uncomfortable which made it difficult to read. It was about 40% of the way into the book, but it had been quite a hard slog to get to that point of the book and it felt like I'd barely scratched the surface. I really didn't want to give up on it but I tried hard to carry on and just could not face picking the book up any more. I wasn't bothered about Matthew in the slightest and what I'd read about the two accused girls didn't endear me to them either so I didn't really care much about the outcome of the case. I don't like having to DNF a book from NetGalley but I'd lost what little interest I had left in continuing it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy to review.
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