Black Witch Moon

by Colin Garrow

3 out of 5

Synopsis

Tyburn, 1625. A young woman hanged as a witch. A doctor plagued by nightmares.

Wracked by guilt, Robert Winter struggles with the notion that a witch may have been wrongly accused. But if that is so, what can he do about it?

When strange things begin to happen, Winter’s understanding of good and evil are put to the test. Compelled to choose one or the other, he soon learns that taking sides is the least of his problems…

In this horror series set in London, the novella Black Witch Moon is book #1 in the Black Witch Saga.

Review

Doctor Winter was involved with a trial that ended with a witch being killed. Unfortunately, the witch doesn't want to stay dead.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This novella follows Robert Winter, a professional doctor involved in a trial against a witch. It starts with execution day, and follows as Robert starts to investigate the investigation, as he's concerned she may be innocent after all.

This story gives a good insight into what it was like at the time, and how unreliable witness confessions are.

The town is so easily rallied against the witch, and sees her evil-doings in everything around them. There seem to be many different motives driving the witnesses. Some are blinded by fear, others keen to make money, or shift blame while they have the chance.

It keeps you guessing throughout, what the actual truth is.

Is Lizzie an innocent woman; or is she really a witch, capable of dark magic beyond the grave.

I thought it was a good level of horror (I don't like things that are too dark or gruesome).

It balances nicely between a psychological torment, and a real danger in the shadows.

The not-so-good.

I found some of Robert's choices and thought-processes quite questionable.

As such, I didn't really connect with him.

I found Bethlem potentially interesting, but I didn't feel that any of the places or characters were given any depth.

Even Lizzie's history is glossed over, we don't see anything before her death, and what she's accused of.

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