The Darkest Shore

<p><strong>The independent women of Scotland stand up to a witch hunt, male fury and the power of the Church in a battle for survival in this compelling historical novel based on true events in early eighteenth century Scotland.</strong></p>
<p><em>1703: The wild east coast of Scotland.</em></p><p>Returning to her home town of Pittenweem, fishwife and widow Sorcha McIntyre knows she faces both censure and mistrust. After all, this is a country where myth and legend are woven into the fabric of the everyday, a time when those who defy custom like Sorcha has are called to account.</p><p>It is dangerous to be a clever woman who 'doesn't know her place' in Pittenweem - a town rife with superstition. So, when a young local falls victim to witchcraft, the Reverend Cowper and the townsfolk know who to blame. What follows for Sorcha and her friends is a terrifying battle, not only for their souls, but for their lives, as they are pitted against the villagers' fear, a malevolent man and the might of the church.</p><p><strong>Based on the shocking true story of the witch hunt of Pittenweem, this multi-layered novel is a beautifully written historical tale of the strength of women united against a common foe, by one of Australia's finest writers.</strong></p><p>Praise for Karen Brooks </p><p>'<em>The Darkest Shore</em> is <strong>meticulously researched</strong>, taking a real historical event, and [Karen Brooks'] academic experience and merging it with <strong>exceptional storytelling</strong>. The characters are <strong>complex and compelling</strong> ... a powerful novel, at times brutal, but <strong>always enthralling</strong>. <em>The Darkest Shore</em> is <strong>a major achievement</strong> for Karen Brooks.' Better Reading</p><p>'Meticulously researched and <strong>historically compelling</strong>... this fast-paced novel is <strong>a dramatic spy thriller </strong>that shines a spotlight on the inner workings of Elizabethan England.' - BOOKS+PUBLISHING on <em>The Locksmith's Daughter</em></p>