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The Witchfinder's Mark
A devilishly dark folk horror novel set during the English Civil War. Samuel Hawke is a charlatan. His lucrative career as a witchfinder is built on fabricated evidence and forced confessions. His guilt grows with each innocent person he condemns and his only remaining motive is the financial rewards his profession offers him.
In Beckborn, Lancashire, two girls are accused of witchcraft. Samuel travels to the isolated village for an investigation which may pay enough to be his last. He finds a community torn apart by fear and paranoia. His hopes of a simple examination are dashed when the mystery of the two girls unravels in a deadly way.
Rescued by another, actual, witch-finder, Samuel is plunged into a world of the supernatural and the occult. Strange people with immense power lurk on the fringes of society, hiding behind the veil of superstition and belief, causing chaos in war-torn England. Samuel must find the sister witches, before he is hunted down anddestroyed, whilst navigating through the violence and suspicion of a country ravaged by war.
In Beckborn, Lancashire, two girls are accused of witchcraft. Samuel travels to the isolated village for an investigation which may pay enough to be his last. He finds a community torn apart by fear and paranoia. His hopes of a simple examination are dashed when the mystery of the two girls unravels in a deadly way.
Rescued by another, actual, witch-finder, Samuel is plunged into a world of the supernatural and the occult. Strange people with immense power lurk on the fringes of society, hiding behind the veil of superstition and belief, causing chaos in war-torn England. Samuel must find the sister witches, before he is hunted down anddestroyed, whilst navigating through the violence and suspicion of a country ravaged by war.
320 pages, Paperback
Published June 7, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 30, 2022
OK, I am biased. A friend wrote this book and just before it was released died suddenly and far too young.
It’s mostly well written with decent pacing (not too long) and shows real promise. Definitely worth a try if you can cope with the strong horror elements and war related violence. To increase the chaotic nature of the book it is set during the English Civil war and posits that real witches (of both sexes) existed and were evil.
The book moves along well and the protagonist is well rounded. My main criticisms are that the villains motivations are very sketchy and that some scenes did not ring true using maggots to heal wounds and some of the weapons).
I enjoyed reading about places in Lancaster set where I lived (back when Lancaster was the major north western trading port in England where initial trade with the North American colonies occurred. I have walked through Aldcliffe many timed over the years as well as Sunderland point.
It is a shame we will not have a chance to see Paul improve his writing and have the chance to develop.
In memory of Paul and Jen.
It’s mostly well written with decent pacing (not too long) and shows real promise. Definitely worth a try if you can cope with the strong horror elements and war related violence. To increase the chaotic nature of the book it is set during the English Civil war and posits that real witches (of both sexes) existed and were evil.
The book moves along well and the protagonist is well rounded. My main criticisms are that the villains motivations are very sketchy and that some scenes did not ring true using maggots to heal wounds and some of the weapons).
I enjoyed reading about places in Lancaster set where I lived (back when Lancaster was the major north western trading port in England where initial trade with the North American colonies occurred. I have walked through Aldcliffe many timed over the years as well as Sunderland point.
It is a shame we will not have a chance to see Paul improve his writing and have the chance to develop.
In memory of Paul and Jen.
July 28, 2022
What if witches were real? And I mean real real. Like, make a pact with the devil real. That's the world that The Witchfinder's Mark imagines, and all set during the English Civil War, which is historically appropriate. The pacing is taut, the violence gory and the resolution just enough of a cliffhanger to satisfy but open up for sequels (RIP). And as a zombie film fan, I really appreciated the pure epic showdown at the end of the book. Fantastic pulp action.
August 22, 2022
A great debut novel. I would have liked a bit more from the twins in the middle, but I otherwise enjoyed this book. Reminds me of James Herbert’s early work in terms of horror and gore level. I am truly saddened that there won’t be a next one.
December 23, 2022
This is a visceral horror story that doesn't hold back. Exploring a turbulent period of English history, it sets witchfinding (both the fabricated and literal) in a civil war setting, for maximum horror, gore and shock value. This is a wild and violent ride which you'll enjoy if horror is your thing. If you're not a fan of graphic descriptions of horror, probably not.
I appreciated the character development within the book. Samuel goes from charlatan to honourable man, and there were enough hints at backstory for this to ring true. I appreciated the friendship between Samuel and Douglass and their support for each other and the world building and setting was authentic and beautifully described.
Set in Lancashire in the 1600s, this is an unusual time period and location for a book. It was enjoyable to read something different to most modern fiction and I enjoyed the claustrophobic rural setting. It sets up well for a sequel, which unfortunately will never be completed as Paul died suddenly just before this book was published.
Frank admission - Paul was a friend so I am biased in regard to this book. RIP Paul. I wish I could have given you my feedback myself.
I appreciated the character development within the book. Samuel goes from charlatan to honourable man, and there were enough hints at backstory for this to ring true. I appreciated the friendship between Samuel and Douglass and their support for each other and the world building and setting was authentic and beautifully described.
Set in Lancashire in the 1600s, this is an unusual time period and location for a book. It was enjoyable to read something different to most modern fiction and I enjoyed the claustrophobic rural setting. It sets up well for a sequel, which unfortunately will never be completed as Paul died suddenly just before this book was published.
Frank admission - Paul was a friend so I am biased in regard to this book. RIP Paul. I wish I could have given you my feedback myself.
February 28, 2023
Pretty awful really, badly written and depressing.
February 18, 2024
Brilliant storytelling. A great achievement, it's sad there will be no sequel but perhaps we will see this on the big screen one day.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews