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The Northminster Mysteries #8
The Witches of Pitfeldry
In the spring of 1842, Felix Carswell and Major Giles Vernon arrive in the picturesque village of Pitfeldry in the Scottish Highlands with their families, expecting a well-deserved holiday. But it is not long before they are forced back to work when a local woman is found lying dead on a lonely hillside. The victim is a respected member of the tight-knit community and the identity of her killer is a mystery. At the same time, Felix is confronted with a disturbed young girl who claims that she is being possessed by the Devil, and her younger sisters begin to display the same symptoms.
Carswell’s adopted father, the Rector of Pitfeldry, is fearful that something unearthly is unfolding in the usually tranquil and remote glen, echoing a witch-hunt two hundred years earlier that claimed the lives of twenty women. It is up to Giles and Felix to find the truth of the matter, as a succession of puzzling and shocking events come frighteningly close to home.
The Witches of Pitfeldry is the eighth compelling Northminster Mystery by Harriet Smart.
What readers say about the Northminster Mysteries:
“Each novel leaves me hungering for the next.”
“LOVED the series! Interesting beyond compare!”
“I’ve fallen so much in love with the Victorian Northminster world that Harriet Smart created. It all feels so real—from the main heroes to the support cast of butlers, mothers-in-laws, constables—every character is fleshed-out. The medical cures used, traditions, society norms put readers right there in the 1800s. And yet, some of the political and ideological discussions would not be passe even in modern times. It seems a sad thing that I’ve finished Book #7 and so far, I won’t have any more mysteries to read... Please write more!”
Carswell’s adopted father, the Rector of Pitfeldry, is fearful that something unearthly is unfolding in the usually tranquil and remote glen, echoing a witch-hunt two hundred years earlier that claimed the lives of twenty women. It is up to Giles and Felix to find the truth of the matter, as a succession of puzzling and shocking events come frighteningly close to home.
The Witches of Pitfeldry is the eighth compelling Northminster Mystery by Harriet Smart.
What readers say about the Northminster Mysteries:
“Each novel leaves me hungering for the next.”
“LOVED the series! Interesting beyond compare!”
“I’ve fallen so much in love with the Victorian Northminster world that Harriet Smart created. It all feels so real—from the main heroes to the support cast of butlers, mothers-in-laws, constables—every character is fleshed-out. The medical cures used, traditions, society norms put readers right there in the 1800s. And yet, some of the political and ideological discussions would not be passe even in modern times. It seems a sad thing that I’ve finished Book #7 and so far, I won’t have any more mysteries to read... Please write more!”
423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2019
267 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 16, 2020
The saving grace in this book was the subject of witch burning etc which is a true story. Believe or not the last woman charged and convicted of witchcraft in the UK was the 'Blitz Witch' in the '40s!!
How anyone can believe this rubbish is remarkable.
Another story that is laced with sexual overtones. All Carswell seems to do is think with his penis. It doesn't matter what or who is happening sex is always on his mind. I am sure the sheep are not even safe from him. As for the wife I kept hoping she would come down with a 'fever' and die or fall over her horse and break her neck. Now I am beginning to wonder where she is a lesbian. I don't know if the writer intents of going on with the series but this is the end for me.
How anyone can believe this rubbish is remarkable.
Another story that is laced with sexual overtones. All Carswell seems to do is think with his penis. It doesn't matter what or who is happening sex is always on his mind. I am sure the sheep are not even safe from him. As for the wife I kept hoping she would come down with a 'fever' and die or fall over her horse and break her neck. Now I am beginning to wonder where she is a lesbian. I don't know if the writer intents of going on with the series but this is the end for me.
March 23, 2020
Terrific!
Another entry in this terrific series! This is a book with real characters, beautiful but harsh settings, and several different plots entwined. Beautiful prose, detailed and accurate history, and interesting interaction among participants make a very satisfying reading experience!
Another entry in this terrific series! This is a book with real characters, beautiful but harsh settings, and several different plots entwined. Beautiful prose, detailed and accurate history, and interesting interaction among participants make a very satisfying reading experience!
December 23, 2020
This one a little different that the others in that the plot has the main characters on vacation in Scotland for some well deserved R&R. Of course there has to be a murder and vacation time interrupted to solve the crime while trying not to step on local officials toes. There is a small supernatural presence but all explained in the end. I am sad I an nearing the end of this series, I read faster than the author can write. This is the first I have read Harriet Smart and she is a joy and a great find.
December 28, 2023
A good deal of bed sport along with witchcraft and oh so many other joyfully performed sins make for uncomfortable or perhaps just annoying reading experience.
No more for me, thanks, but feeling discouraged when the interesting characters could have been spared these excesses and appealed to more readers.
I have read ten books from this author and don't recall feeling this uncomfortable re: content.
Kindle Unlimited
No more for me, thanks, but feeling discouraged when the interesting characters could have been spared these excesses and appealed to more readers.
I have read ten books from this author and don't recall feeling this uncomfortable re: content.
Kindle Unlimited
January 8, 2020
Witches or pure evil in the village.
As the final book so far in the series, end a it is with sadness that we leave our characters behind. The writing is the best I have read on a long time. I couldn't wait to start the next book in the series. I will be sad to leave all the characters behind.
As the final book so far in the series, end a it is with sadness that we leave our characters behind. The writing is the best I have read on a long time. I couldn't wait to start the next book in the series. I will be sad to leave all the characters behind.
January 22, 2020
Never fails to please
I absolutely love this author. I sincerely hope she writes more Northminster books. The characters are wonderful and it has been a sheer delight to read them in sequence.
I absolutely love this author. I sincerely hope she writes more Northminster books. The characters are wonderful and it has been a sheer delight to read them in sequence.
February 1, 2023
I am new to this author and find myself moving through all her books because they are just that well written. I am a forever fan. So long as she writes about these characters, I will be reading them. On to Moonshine and Mercury.
October 2, 2023
Hmmm
I'm not really sure about this one. The who was very obvious, if not the how. I kept waiting for it to be someone else and that the obvious was too obvious. If you see what I mean. Ah well into the next one - hopefully it will be better.
I'm not really sure about this one. The who was very obvious, if not the how. I kept waiting for it to be someone else and that the obvious was too obvious. If you see what I mean. Ah well into the next one - hopefully it will be better.
January 17, 2020
Great as always
I liked the location of this book but it took me some time in the beginning to distinguish the two sets of Carswell but I got it and loved every second of it.
I liked the location of this book but it took me some time in the beginning to distinguish the two sets of Carswell but I got it and loved every second of it.
October 31, 2020
Fascinating
I am quite taken with this series. I recommend you start at the beginning.
It is watching how science helps police do their job in the 1840's.
I am quite taken with this series. I recommend you start at the beginning.
It is watching how science helps police do their job in the 1840's.
January 15, 2021
Unputdownable
One again Harriet has written a deliciously woven tale! Her clever twists and fascinating dialogue keep one’s mind hopping with excitement and intrigue.
One again Harriet has written a deliciously woven tale! Her clever twists and fascinating dialogue keep one’s mind hopping with excitement and intrigue.
November 22, 2021
I liked this particular mystery due to way the author wife this tale.
February 11, 2022
Another in this interesting series of 1800's Britain mysteries - this one set in Scotland and touching on religion and witchcraft belief.
May 20, 2025
Interesting and quicker read than the others. Vacation goes wrong. Fiend on the run. How to solve in another jurisdiction. Scoundrels. New lives. What will the future hold next?
October 8, 2025
1842 Carswell and Giles's families are on holiday in Pitfeldry, home of Carswell's adopted parents. There they are faced with the death of a local woman and her sister accused of witchcraft.
An entertaining historical mystery
An entertaining historical mystery
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews