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The Last Witch of North Berwick House
When Adrian Carter followed his wife, Agnes, to their dream home in North Berwick he had no idea it was to be the start of a truly terrifying journey.
Every old house has its folklore and stories so he was told. He hadn't expected those stories to be true. As a horror writer, Adrian had a terrific imagination, but even he could not envisage what was to come.
Tracie Podger, a multi-genre author, wrote this ghostly tale initially as part of an anthology. But she just couldn't keep it short enough so released The Last Witch as a novella.
Witches and ghosts, dunking stools, and old houses combine in this entertaining tale of the goings-on at North Berwick House.
Every old house has its folklore and stories so he was told. He hadn't expected those stories to be true. As a horror writer, Adrian had a terrific imagination, but even he could not envisage what was to come.
Tracie Podger, a multi-genre author, wrote this ghostly tale initially as part of an anthology. But she just couldn't keep it short enough so released The Last Witch as a novella.
Witches and ghosts, dunking stools, and old houses combine in this entertaining tale of the goings-on at North Berwick House.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2020
3 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 2, 2020
Favorite Quote:
Adrian had discovered that back in King James VI’s day, North Berwick had been the site of one of the countries largest witch hunts. Somewhere between seventy and two hundred witches had been executed. That figure had astounded him. He was amazed there was that many residents back in the fifteen hundreds, let alone witches.
My Review:
I don’t often read this genre but I made an exception for one of my favorite authors who had the notion to dabble with something new. This novella was expertly paced and had me transfixed to my Kindle while the creepiness factor steadily ratcheted up. I was squirming, and for good measure, not only was it creepy but given Tracie Podger’s skillful handling, it was hot as hell. Oh my, clutch the pearls! My brain and my gusset were both on fire.
Adrian had discovered that back in King James VI’s day, North Berwick had been the site of one of the countries largest witch hunts. Somewhere between seventy and two hundred witches had been executed. That figure had astounded him. He was amazed there was that many residents back in the fifteen hundreds, let alone witches.
My Review:
I don’t often read this genre but I made an exception for one of my favorite authors who had the notion to dabble with something new. This novella was expertly paced and had me transfixed to my Kindle while the creepiness factor steadily ratcheted up. I was squirming, and for good measure, not only was it creepy but given Tracie Podger’s skillful handling, it was hot as hell. Oh my, clutch the pearls! My brain and my gusset were both on fire.
December 29, 2019
Absolutely amazing short horror novella written by T J Podger based on the last witch.
A fascinating encaptioning piece which really builds up huge suspense and mystery very quickly throughout the book, looking at Adrian's and Agnes' story at North Berwick House and the occurrences that happen to them.
With psychological twists and turns this book really does keep you on your seat a fantastic genre experience by this author. X
A fascinating encaptioning piece which really builds up huge suspense and mystery very quickly throughout the book, looking at Adrian's and Agnes' story at North Berwick House and the occurrences that happen to them.
With psychological twists and turns this book really does keep you on your seat a fantastic genre experience by this author. X
August 19, 2020
Having grown up in North Berwick I knew about the Witch Trials and was trying very hard to figure out which house this could have been...
It’s a standard light-horror novel. It was quite predictable and if it had been longer, it might have been more captivating for me as the writer could have developed the witchy back story a bit more?
It’s a standard light-horror novel. It was quite predictable and if it had been longer, it might have been more captivating for me as the writer could have developed the witchy back story a bit more?
January 8, 2020
A short but interesting and intriguing story, I found it fascinating. A bit different and definitely spooky but it kept me hooked and turning the pages so read in just an hour or so, the whole witch saga was big back in the day and this is quite a take on a story from then. I really enjoyed reading it as its different and refreshing, I love anything like this so right up my street.
December 29, 2019
Absolutely brilliant story. I was fascinated immediately and the writing held me captivated to the end.
T J Podger is an excellent horror writer and really knows how to build suspense without going overboard.
I'd give more than 5 starts if Goodreads would let me!
T J Podger is an excellent horror writer and really knows how to build suspense without going overboard.
I'd give more than 5 starts if Goodreads would let me!
January 5, 2020
Absolutely brilliant read. This novella had me hooked from the very beginning. I don't usually read books like this but I'm glad that I did.
January 22, 2020
Atmospheric, spooky and engaging - I loved reading Adrian and Agnes's story.
December 24, 2019
Agnes has fallen in love with the house of her dreams but is it Adrian’s? Enjoy the story as a couple restore a home. Is it haunted? Meet interesting characters from the pub owner to a contractor.
I’ve read several ghost stories before and enjoyed the writing style of this story. The author does a great job of keeping it in the correct time period.
I’ve read several ghost stories before and enjoyed the writing style of this story. The author does a great job of keeping it in the correct time period.
December 23, 2019
A proper little gem of a book could not put this down. Not my usual type of book but it kept me captivated from start to finish loved it everything this author write is always a great read totally recommend all her books
Want to read
December 18, 2019Tracie Podger, writing as T J Podger, has written this paranormal thriller/suspense initially as part of an anthology. She just couldn't keep it short enough, though. This novella is sure to delight paranormal fans, she hopes! Keep an eye out for The First Witch of North Berwick House—the short anthology piece—and a follow-up, title to be announced soon.
November 11, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a short novella and really intriguing about the last witch. I have always been fascinated by witches and the history behind them so this was right up my my street.
Written really well we are taken back to the fifties when a couple move to Scotland where they buy a house, North Berwick House that the wife Agnes has set her heart on; not so much Adrian her husband who gets the chills every time he walks through the doors of this unsettling house. What entails in this story really messes with your mind, at least it did mine. The characters were descriptive and easy to connect with, the story kept me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next strange occurrence to happen and happen they did in bucket loads.
I felt sad for poor Adrian as his mind battled with the unknown, he didn't know which was right and which was wrong, he tried but he was a lone fish swimming with many sharks way out of his depth.
Agnes I couldn't quite make my mind up about, she was a strange lady I didn't quite gel with but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of this unusual book that my mind soaked up eagerly.
A physiological/thriller genre if you like which this author writes extremely well. Don't miss this book, it is so worth the read !!!
Written really well we are taken back to the fifties when a couple move to Scotland where they buy a house, North Berwick House that the wife Agnes has set her heart on; not so much Adrian her husband who gets the chills every time he walks through the doors of this unsettling house. What entails in this story really messes with your mind, at least it did mine. The characters were descriptive and easy to connect with, the story kept me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next strange occurrence to happen and happen they did in bucket loads.
I felt sad for poor Adrian as his mind battled with the unknown, he didn't know which was right and which was wrong, he tried but he was a lone fish swimming with many sharks way out of his depth.
Agnes I couldn't quite make my mind up about, she was a strange lady I didn't quite gel with but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of this unusual book that my mind soaked up eagerly.
A physiological/thriller genre if you like which this author writes extremely well. Don't miss this book, it is so worth the read !!!
January 6, 2020
I love when an established author spreads their wings into a new to them genre. TJ Podger does an excellent job of flying into the thriller/paranormal suspense genre with this novella. Ghosts and witches, legends and lore; what is the truth of the North Berwick House? Though this is a rather quickly paced novella, Ms. Podger does an excellent job of developing the characters of Adrian and his wife, Agnes. Like any couple their dreams don't always align exactly with each other, but when his wife wants to spend her inheritance on a real "fixer-upper" in the country, he wants to keep her happy, and their futures are forever altered.
Adrian is a horror writer, so the irony of his career and his reality is not lost on the reader. Going ahead to start the renovations, Adrian meets several locals who seem to have varying stories of the legend of the home he's purchased. Adrian is uncomfortable in the house and odd things keep happening, which only escalates when his bride joins him.
Ms. Podger pulls together a tight suspense plot with horror overtones that leaves the reader on the edge of their seat and fearing for the characters lives and sanity. I highly recommend this novella even though this isn't my usual genre to read.
Adrian is a horror writer, so the irony of his career and his reality is not lost on the reader. Going ahead to start the renovations, Adrian meets several locals who seem to have varying stories of the legend of the home he's purchased. Adrian is uncomfortable in the house and odd things keep happening, which only escalates when his bride joins him.
Ms. Podger pulls together a tight suspense plot with horror overtones that leaves the reader on the edge of their seat and fearing for the characters lives and sanity. I highly recommend this novella even though this isn't my usual genre to read.
January 3, 2020
Wow, what an action-packed novella this turned out to be! My first read of 2020 and what a way to start the year! I was surprised how much I liked this, as it's not a genre I would normally choose, but I could not put it down.
It was so well written that I felt uneasy at times, I had goosebumps and nervous butterflies with the strange happenings at North Berwick House. I could imagine myself walking through the old house and grounds which put me on edge, totally unsure as to what was going to happen next.
Adrian and Agnes have recently bought the old house although Adrian wasn't as enthusiastic as his wife, he just wanted her to be happy. Things are definitely not what they seem though as Adrian is about to find out!
This is a must read and I will be recommending you one-click this little gem!!
It was so well written that I felt uneasy at times, I had goosebumps and nervous butterflies with the strange happenings at North Berwick House. I could imagine myself walking through the old house and grounds which put me on edge, totally unsure as to what was going to happen next.
Adrian and Agnes have recently bought the old house although Adrian wasn't as enthusiastic as his wife, he just wanted her to be happy. Things are definitely not what they seem though as Adrian is about to find out!
This is a must read and I will be recommending you one-click this little gem!!
January 13, 2020
Agnes finds her dream home. She convinces her husband that they had to buy it. Adrian had some reservations about it but to keep his wife happy, they buy the home. He goes weeks ahead of Agnes to begin the renovations on it. Adrian is a horror writer but he never envisioned living out his story. This story keeps you intrigued and in suspense on how it will end. The ending leaves you in awe. I loved it. I do however wish it would have been a bit longer.
December 4, 2020
The novel is very short but well constructed. The house, the remote village and the characters give the reader a sense of strangeness and foreboding...
I only gave 4 stars but I think the story could have needed more depth and in my opinion some passages are not detailed enough. Usually when a writer brings some unusual events in the story at the beginning, like finding a mysterious object or having a strange encounter, this will be come back further in the story but not in this short story...
I only gave 4 stars but I think the story could have needed more depth and in my opinion some passages are not detailed enough. Usually when a writer brings some unusual events in the story at the beginning, like finding a mysterious object or having a strange encounter, this will be come back further in the story but not in this short story...
December 30, 2019
Paranormal it’s not normally a genre that I read but loving this author I decided as this is the novella to give it a go. I love the fact this is also a suspense/thriller and this kept me hooked and has definitely given me a taste to read more like this. It was brilliantly written and a great story definitely worth reading.
January 3, 2020
A new genre for this author and I think it is a great one!
This story will keep you wondering but also wanting to scream at the characters to run! ;)
A quick read but one that you won't be able to put down.
Five stars.
This story will keep you wondering but also wanting to scream at the characters to run! ;)
A quick read but one that you won't be able to put down.
Five stars.
January 11, 2020
Oh my crumbs. An astounding read from Tracie from start to finish the story weaves its web around you and keeps you hanging until the end. I am waiting with baited breath for the next book linked to this, intrigued to see where the story leads us.
January 12, 2020
I love this authors books. They never fail to entertain me and I always enjoy them all. This was one no exception and I had it read in a matter of hours. I’m up to date with all this authors books and I cannot wait for more.
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December 29, 2019Beta read
March 1, 2020
A riveting read
I love this authors work but this was a new twist. I dont usually read this genre but I was hooked.
I love this authors work but this was a new twist. I dont usually read this genre but I was hooked.
April 1, 2020
A short engaging novella that keeps you interested till the very end. Loved the history throughout the book. Well researched.
January 27, 2020
When an author you have read many times before, dips their toes into a genre that they haven't ever written before, you never know what to expect. You ask yourself will their writing style transfer into this new genre that they have ventured into, will it be something that you love? in this case Tracie has done an amazing job of writing a story that had a really great backstory, I found that it was entertaining, thought provoking and even a little creepy all whilst keeping me transfix on it's characters. I read this story in one go and the only reason I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 is that I wished that the story was a full sized novel as I thought it had the potential for the story to have had a lot more to give before the inevitable ending. Having said that it's still a great read!
February 2, 2020
I've read a couple of books by this author now (using her original name rather than pen name) and this genre is quite removed from her usual. I like how it was based on a real life story of a witch who was featured heavily throughout.
The writing as usual from Podger was brilliant, and it had me enthralled all the way through. It was really creepy in places and it was easy to imagine it playing out like a movie in my head. Throw a couple of twists in and it's a great little novella!
I would have preferred it to be a little longer as I felt it started and ended abruptly, but I think there is more to come from this author!
4.5*
The writing as usual from Podger was brilliant, and it had me enthralled all the way through. It was really creepy in places and it was easy to imagine it playing out like a movie in my head. Throw a couple of twists in and it's a great little novella!
I would have preferred it to be a little longer as I felt it started and ended abruptly, but I think there is more to come from this author!
4.5*
February 12, 2020
I've read and loved a a lot of Tracie Podgers previous books, and when she said she was bringing out a short paranormal story I was excited. Paranormal is one of my favourite genres and this book didn't disappoint. I enjoyed the story, the setting, and the characters. It was short, but it was all wrapped up nicely. Looking back now, there is many moments that make you think, did that really happen? I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a quick historical paranormal. And, don't let the historical put you off, because I'm not a big reader of historical novels, but this one kept me entertained.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews