Testament of a Witch

In the late seventeenth century, Scotland was plagued by a witch-hunt. A young woman named Margaret is accused of witchcraft and tortured with pins and sleep deprivation. Advocate John MacKenzie and his assistant Davie Scougall investigate the suspicious death of a woman denounced as a witch, finding themselves in a village overwhelmed by superstition, resentment, and puritanical religion. Will reason allow MacKenzie to reveal the true evil lurking in the town before the witch-hunt claims another victim?

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2021
Publisher: Luath Press Ltd

In the late seventeenth century, in the rugged lands of Scotland, a young woman stood accused of witchcraft. Tortured relentlessly with pins and deprived of sleep, she clung to her faith, using every ounce of strength to withstand the relentless Scottish witch-hunt that had engulfed her village. The hunt had claimed the lives of over a thousand men and women, and yet the fervor seemed to only intensify. When Edinburgh-based Advocate John MacKenzie and his assistant Davie Scougall took up the case of a woman denounced as a witch, they found themselves immersed in a world of superstition, resentment, and puritanical religion. In a time of profound spiritual, political, and social upheaval, MacKenzie grappled with the question: Could reason triumph over the hysteria that threatened to consume the town, or would the witch-hunt claim yet another victim?

As they delved deeper into the investigation, MacKenzie and Scougall encountered a community consumed by fear and paranoia. The villagers believed that the woman's death was a sign of the devil's wrath, and they demanded swift justice. The air was thick with suspicion, and anyone who dared to question the prevailing narrative risked being labeled a heretic. Despite the obstacles, MacKenzie remained steadfast in his pursuit of truth. He studied the ancient texts, consulted with scholars, and listened to the accounts of those who had witnessed the woman's alleged crimes.

As he unraveled the mysteries surrounding the woman's death, MacKenzie began to sense that there was more to the story than met the eye. He noticed the villagers' deep-seated resentment towards her, their fear of the unknown, and their willingness to believe in any superstition that promised to bring them comfort. He saw the influence of the puritanical religion that had taken hold in the town, which preached a strict moral code and condemned any deviation from it.

MacKenzie knew that he had a daunting task ahead of him. He had to navigate the treacherous waters of superstition, resentment, and religious fervor to uncover the truth. But he was determined to do so, for he believed that the only way to bring peace to the town was to expose the evil that lurked beneath the surface. With each step, he felt the weight of the villagers' expectations bearing down on him, but he refused to be intimidated.

As he dug deeper, MacKenzie discovered a network of witches and warlocks who had been operating in the town for centuries. They had formed a secret society, using their powers to manipulate and control the villagers for their own gain. They had been responsible for the woman's death, using their dark arts to create a false sense of fear and panic.

MacKenzie knew that he had to act quickly. He assembled a team of trusted allies, including other advocates, scholars, and even a few brave villagers who were willing to stand up against the witch-hunt. Together, they planned a daring raid on the secret society's lair, hoping to capture the witches and warlocks and bring them to justice.

The raid was a success, and MacKenzie and his team were able to apprehend the witches and warlocks. They were brought before a court of law, where they were tried and convicted of their crimes. The villagers were shocked and appalled by the revelations, and many of them began to question their own beliefs and prejudices.

In the aftermath of the witch-hunt, MacKenzie emerged as a hero. He had faced down the forces of superstition, resentment, and religious fervor and had emerged victorious. The town had been saved from the grip of evil, and the villagers had been given a glimpse of the truth. MacKenzie knew that there was still much work to be done, but he was proud of the progress that had been made.

As he looked back on the case, MacKenzie realized that the Scottish witch-hunt had been a dark chapter in history. It had been a time of fear, paranoia, and injustice, but it had also been a time of resilience and enlightenment. He knew that the lessons learned from the hunt would continue to guide him in his work as an advocate, and he was committed to using his knowledge and skills to fight for justice and equality for all.

In the end, the Scottish witch-hunt may have claimed the lives of over a thousand men and women, but it had also inspired a movement for change. It had shown the world that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for enlightenment and justice. And as MacKenzie stood in the ruins of the town, he knew that he had played a small part in that legacy.

Weight: 302g
Dimension: 198 x 131 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913025281
Edition number: 3 New edition