How do you solve a murder when everyone thinks you’re guilty?

Marjorie Crowe lives in Kilgoyne, Scotland. The locals put her age at somewhere between 55 and 70. They think she’s divorced or a lifelong spinster; that she used to be a librarian, a pharmacist, or a witch. They think she’s lonely, or ill, or maybe just plain rude. For the most part, they leave her be.

But one day, everything changes.

Local teenager Charlie McKee is found hanging in the woods, and Marjorie is the first one to see his body. When what she saw turns out to be impossible, the police have their doubts. And when another young person goes missing, the tide of suspicion turns on her.

Is Marjorie the monster, or the victim? And how far will she go to fight for her name?

I loved C.S. Robertson’s debut The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill in 2022 and its memorable protagonist. The author is back with another unforgettable character in the form of Marjorie. The author’s style of writing, the inclusion of historical details dating from the time of the witch trials in Scotland and the exploration of the relentless online pursuit of Marjorie by strangers was superb. Marjorie is a figure who will stick with you for a long time after you’ve read the book, and the comparison between how she is treated by contemporary society versus the hysteria of the witch trials in the past was both disturbing and unsettling.

This story’s mix of historic events, the supernatural and a modern day mystery/crime works perfectly to create a very powerful tale of how those who live on the edge of society are instantly regarded as “other” or “dangerous” are still regarded to this day.

Robertson’s storytelling ability is remarkable and I can’t wait to see what he writes next.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc. The Trials of Marjorie Crowe is out now. 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a really interesting read, mixing a lot of historical elements in the main police/crime story. Can't recommend this enough! Thanks to NetGalley, the editor and the author for the opportunity to access this copy.

Marjorie Crowe is regarded as an oddity by the locals in a remote Scottish village and the kids think she is a witch. But when she finds a teenage boy hanging in the woods, tensions rise as Marjorie comes under suspicion. Spellbinding.

Wow, this book l eft me speechless. It's so well written, a really intriguing story which incorporates the supernatural with police procedural and some amateur detective with witch hunts. A really great read.

There's so much to love in this story that I'm not sure how to start: a great FMC, a mix of old-style witch hunt and part crime story, a surprising story that you never know where it's driving you.
Great storytelling and a gripping plot.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Really enjoyed this book.

The premise is excellent, with a relatable protagonist. The author blends the history of witch trials really well with the modern art of ‘trolling’ which really makes this a stand out.

Well written and easy to read.

This was another level of brilliant….honestly I had no idea where this was going or what would happen. I absolutely adored Marjorie and when you learn her back story you will too, so sad in parts and funny in others this book is full of twists. Turns, red herrings and all the good stuff…sheer brilliance from the author!!!!

C.S. Robertson is the author of The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill, one of my favourite books of 2022. Now we are introduced to another unforgettable and high original character, Marjorie Crowe.
Majorie has lived in the small Scottish town of Kilgoyne for 25 years. The locals think she is odd, particularly as she takes the same walk around the village twice a day, at precisely the same time. Some think she may be a witch but largely she is ignored.
One morning she comes across the suicide of a young teen, yet when the death is investigated it seems impossible that she saw the body when she did. As the locals question whether she somehow foretold the death another boy goes missing. Now Marjorie is at the centre of a vicious storm of suspicion and abuse, can she somehow clear her name and solve the case?
As we find out why Majorie moved to the village and what has been happening under the surface of this sleepy place, all is certainly not as it seems.
Majorie is a brilliant character, usually not afraid to speak her mind, she is terrified of the mob that is seemingly baying for her blood. She has to embrace the ways of her grandmother and the tricks of modern technology to show them the truth. I particularly enjoyed her growing friendship with the police who were originally sent to investigate her. The story is peppered with true stories of witches who were killed during in Scotland, all awful miscarriages of justice.
This is fantastic novel, both entertaining and enlightening. What more could you ask for?

This, although it's still only February, is my favourite read of 2024 so far.
Occasionally you read a crime fiction novel that really pushes the boundaries of the genre and makes you sit up and take notice and The Trials of Marjorie Crowe is one such book.
Part police procedural, part amateur detective this book delves into themes of witchcraft and folklore (past and present) against the backdrop of a current murder and in doing so it effectively draws parallels between the hate crime of the witch trials and the destructive elements of contemporary social media. It is a compelling mystery that engages the grey cells and kept me hooked
The setting is an imaginary Scottish town, but it was drawn so well and so atmospherically that I could almost imagine I'd visited it, however, it was the characterisation of the titular character, Marjorie Crowe, that really drew me in and kept me reading on. What a delight it was to spend time in the company of Marjorie, who is such an enigma any yet such an appealing character. You never quite know where you are with her and as an unreliable narrator, you are kept on your toes trying to sieve out the facts.
Thoroughly compelling and delightfully different. I loved it

The Trials of Marjorie Crowe by C S Robertson is the story of the village of Kilgoyne, Scotland where a teenager goes missing and another is found hanging. Marjorie Crowe moved to the village for peace and the villagers look at her as an eccentric or a witch. She finds the body of Charlie hanging hours before he is officially found dead.
Speculation turns to Marjorie when another teenager is missing and villagers try to hound her out of her home but others know that Marjorie is a victim and she is not responsible for the evil that is in the village.
With the help of the police, Marjorie is able to solve the mystery and then recovers the body of another teenager missing for many years.
Recommended

The Trials of Marjorie Crowe is yet another wonderful portrayal of a very unusual woman, in a vivid and immersive 5-star crime novel.

Marjorie Crowe has live in Kilgoyne, Scotland, for 25 years, but locals are still not sure about her. How old is she? What’s her story? And most important of all, is she a witch? When the death of a teenage boy occurs, the whole village turns on her, projecting all of their fear and rage onto this one lone woman.

This is a multilayered novel with interconnecting themes: social cohesion and social disconnection; the way women – especially old(er) – women are perceived, and how they are expected to behave; the persecution of witches through the ages and mysognyny in general; and teenage angst and those who take advantage of it. And of course, murder.

It’s also about the beauty and majesty of nature, in particular the haunting beauty of the Scottish countryside. The setting is vividly and beautifully described, transporting you to the scenes.

Robertson gets under the skin and into the minds of his female protagonists to an extent I rarely see in male writers (these days at least). I’m impressed.

In fact, this novel impressed me at least as much as his previous novel, The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill, although that’s a very, very different story. And Marjorie Crowe is a very different character to Grace, although they are both rather weird, social outcasts. Marjorie is the descendent of a line of women who some might call ‘witches’. The parallels between her life and the lives of women persecuted in the past are deftly revealed in (no doubt factually-based) vignettes of women ‘wirried and burnt’ after being accused of witchcraft.

The mystery at the heart of the novel revolves around teenagers, secrets and a possible satanist cult. And at every turn, the clues seem to come back and point the finger of suspicion at Marjorie Crowe. Despite the violence against her, she is determined to stand her ground, figure out what’s happening and prove her innocence.

C.S. Robertson is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing an ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest no matter how I acquire the book.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. I really enjoyed this book-so different. The author's way of wording each sentence is fabulous. Such a refreshing change. Definitely a recommended read.

Marjorie Crowe lives alone in a cottage in the woods in Kilgoyne, Scotland. Locals think her a batty old woman, with local gossip putting her at 55 to 70, a divorced, lifelong spinster, librarian, pharmacist or witch. Take your pick. She has a routine, rain or shine, to walk the village, a specific set route which takes her straight through the front door and out the back of the local pub. An odd habit in anyone, even Marjorie will concede. She likes her solitude, her routine, her herbs and tinctures, and her peace. If the villagers think her odd, so be it. Some come to her for natural remedies and advice, some avoid her, and some call her names behind her back. Overall, she has a quiet, peaceful life, just as she wishes.

Then local teenager, Charlie McKee, is found hanging in the woods. Marjorie is the first person to see his body. What she saw along with his body was impossible though. Police doubt the timeline of her story. Also, if she did find him hanged, why didn’t she report it immediately? Locals are furious, could he have been saved if Marjorie had called someone straight away? Suspicion starts to fall on her. She had been seen arguing with McKee recently. Then another teenager goes missing whom she had also been seen fighting with. Marjorie has to work to clear her name, and not only fight for her reputation but for her life and the lives of others.

This story was well written, with a weaving of crime and supernatural. This left you wondering if it was preconceived notions and assumptions having you thinking things were occurring, or was something mystical really happening. A modern-day witch trial getting stoked up over villagers' fear and anger, misdirected at the person in their midst who was different and dared to act outside of the norm.

Marjorie is an interesting character, who flips between being helpful to the police and by default, helping her case, to suddenly keeping all her cards to her chest, hiding things which could work in her favour, arguably making her look guilty. At times she is hiding in fear, other times storming straight off into the unknown to confront things. As the narrator of the story she was unpredictable, and you found yourself getting annoyed at her at points, as certain things which happened were almost of her own doing. If she had communicated, or not done that…. Other times you were fully sympathetic, as the portrayal of the witch hunt that ensues is terrifying.

The historical flashbacks are interesting, and the excerpts of the witch trials are emotive. They are interesting side notes to the story, but I am not sure quite how much they add, but are an interesting read. The village was very well written with the Scottish setting rich and vivid, adding to the atmosphere. I enjoyed this story, the twists and turns were plentiful. There were some areas which could have been explored further, but overall, a good read, an interesting mix of criminal investigation meets witch hunt meets supernatural rumblings.

*I received this book from NetGalley for review, but all opinions are my own.

Book Review: The Trials of Marjorie Crowe by C.S. Robertson

5 Stars ✨

If you're in the mood for a captivating mystery with a touch of the supernatural, "The Trials of Marjorie Crowe" by C.S. Robertson is the perfect read for you. Set against the backdrop of the charming town of Kilgoyne, Scotland, this novel delivers a storyline that will keep you enthralled until the very last page.

Marjorie Crowe, a mysterious and intriguing figure in Kilgoyne, finds herself entangled in a web of suspicion when the body of local teenager Charlie McKee is discovered in the woods. As the events unfold, doubts and accusations swirl around Marjorie, painting her in a sinister light. Is she truly the villain of this tale, or is she a victim of circumstance? The beauty of this narrative lies in its ability to keep readers guessing, presenting a complex and multi-layered protagonist whose true nature remains shrouded in mystery.

What truly sets this book apart is the author's masterful storytelling. Robertson's writing is not only exquisite but also expertly paced, drawing readers in with each carefully crafted sentence. The mystery at the heart of the story is intricately plotted, filled with unexpected twists and turns that will leave you reeling. The modern-day Salem witch vibe adds an eerie and atmospheric element to the narrative, enhancing the overall reading experience.

At the center of it all is Marjorie herself - a character so vividly drawn, so compelling and charismatic, that she leaps off the page and into your heart. Her strength and resilience in the face of adversity make her a protagonist worth rooting for, adding depth and emotion to an already gripping story.

The setting of Kilgoyne is brought to life with vivid descriptions that transport you straight into its winding streets and shadowy woods. The town itself becomes a character in its own right, imbued with secrets and history that add richness to the unfolding mystery.

In conclusion, "The Trials of Marjorie Crowe" is a standout novel that deserves every bit of praise it has received. With its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and evocative setting, C.S. Robertson has crafted a story that lingers long after the final page is turned. I wholeheartedly award this book 5 stars and eagerly anticipate more captivating tales from this talented author. If you're searching for a book that will keep you spellbound from beginning to end, look no further than this gem.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

I really enjoyed this story! I found Marjorie such an interesting character, really well developed. The setting in Scotland helped add to the spooky vibes of this book and I loved the contrast of the original and modern day witch hunts. A really well put together mystery with spooky, witchy vibes! One of the few mysteries I've ever read where I didn't guess the culprit. A great read.

As an older lady living alone in a small Scottish village, Marjorie has long had a reputation as a healer or witch - depending on your point of view. When Marjorie is out on her daily walk and sees one of the local schoolchildren hanging from a noose in a tree it brings back awful memories from her past. But when that same child is seen alive an hour later, only to die by hanging some time after,suspicion falls of course on Marjorie.

Working with the police, she tries to clear her own name and also stop the same thing happening to anyone else but it seems there's darker forces at work who also want Marjorie out of the picture.

Overall I enjoyed this, but at times I felt Marjorie was one dimensional and not that likeable, The insight into the history of witches in Scotland was very well researched and really added to the story.

I liked how this novel combined the elements of historical witch trials with the fictional Kilgoyne community accusing Marjorie of being a witch and potentially having an involvement in the death and disappearance of local teenagers. I thought at times Marjorie was an unreliable narrator but I liked her overall as a character. Some of the villagers and the teenagers I didn't like as much due to the way they behaved. I liked the short chapters.

Quite an unusual book which perfectly illustrates the small-minded attitude of some close-knit communities and the destructive powers of social media.

When Marjorie discovers the body of a local boy but doesn't immediately report it she is subject to hatred and bullying from neighbours and via social media trolls.

Can Marjorie convince the police that she has no ulterior motives, prove her innocence and help bring the perpetrators to justice.

Very readable.

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel set in a small Scottish village. Lots of twists I didn't see coming!

I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.

In a Nutshell: A mystery-drama with mild paranormal shades and a quirky aged lead character. The plot idea had great potential. Should have worked better for me, but the execution didn’t leave me happy. This is an outlier review.

Story Synopsis:
Sixty-something Marjorie Crowe has lived alone in a little Scottish village for twenty-five years. Yet, all the villagers know about her is that she is a creature of habit and a recluse. Her past life is a mystery. And her present habits cause many to feel that she’s a witch. So they gladly leave her alone, though they do talk about her behind her back, and she knows it.
Living in her cottage on the edge of the village, Marjorie has a fixed routine for every day, planned down to the second. This changes the day teenaged Charlie McKee is found hanging on the outskirts of the village. This is the first day that Marjorie is seven minutes late returning from her morning walk. Locals see her with a shocked look on her face and scurrying away faster than usual. Speculation begins that she has something to do with the boy’s death.
With no one to support her or accept her reasoning, it is up to Marjorie to save herself.
The story comes to us in Marjorie’s first person perspective.


Marjorie is the lynchpin of the plot, and as the first person narrator, it is she who takes us through the events that occur over the course of the story. The problem with this is that Marjorie is a highly unreliable narrator. She chooses to ramble to us readers about her inner thoughts and worries, but when it comes to the facts, she hides much and twists most of what she reveals. I am not fond of the unreliable narrator trope when it is executed this way. Deliberate manipulation of facts just to keep us in suspense gets annoying.
Not only does she NOT function as a reliable narrator but she is also not a reliable or likeable character. Her sketching is quite haphazard. She is confident in one scene and shaking with nerves in the next. She sometimes talks to the police about her suspicions and yet she doesn’t reveal crucial details to them. She is often afraid to go out in the village after the accusations begin, and yet she goes all alone to the house of whomever she suspects and confronts them without anyone’s help. She uses her impulse more than her brains and handles almost the entire investigation by herself despite the presence of two supportive police officers. In short, Marjorie is a typical contemporary thriller FMC in all ways except for her age. (Actually, her age is also just a number in the book – it is hardly ever incorporated well into the plot except in one scene.) Is it any surprise then that I couldn’t connect with her? Unreliable narrator + amateur sleuth = Loads of eye-rolling!
The only positive aspect of Marjorie’s character was her “witchy” tendencies. Her knowledge of herbs and remedies, her respectful approach towards nature, and her belief in the unexplainable is strongly rooted. I wish these elements had been explored more because she had great potential as an actual “witch.”
As a story, the premise could have worked wonders. The book straddles many genres – mystery, thriller, paranormal, witchcraft and drama. This weakens the core focus. The pacing is terribly slow, not a good sign for such a story. Despite the extensive development, there are many plot gaps, especially but not only connected to Marjorie’s past history and how she came to live in that village
The contemporary timeline, based in 2024, is interrupted often by flashbacks from the past, some of which date centuries ago. These focus either on past witch hunts or on mysterious happenings in the village from a few years ago. The witch hunts are sad to read, but they add nothing to the actual storyline. The village flashbacks are better connected to the plot, but they aren’t clarified well at the end.
I was keen to see how a woman who is a loner and a murder suspect clears her name. But the execution is so jumpy that I couldn’t focus properly on the plot. There is a lot of repetition, not in the writing but in the events. It feels like the same things happen on loop almost throughout the book, except for the ending, which is a typical extended infodump - a boring feature of so many murder mysteries.
On the other hand, the village is described excellently. The setting is written so well that you can actually picture the scenes in your mind. Some of the settings are based on actual locations. The one that is derived from the real-life Mexican island (won’t go into spoilers) is the creepiest.
The nature of the villagers is also like that of a typical small place, where there is loads of gossip and nose-poking. I wish the portrayal had been more balanced because most people in the village were cast only in negative shades.
It was nice to see an Indian-origin character as one of the investigating officers. Through her arc, and through Marjorie’s story as well, the plot tackles the theme of racism. What was ironic though is that when Marjorie’s first person narration talks of her, she sometimes refers to her as Indian or Hindu. This is also racism, though softer. True inclusivity means that you focus on the person and not on their ethnicity or religion during your interactions.
A part of me feels like this book might have clicked better for me if written in third person as the ramblings could have been avoided and I would have got to see more direct action. Then again, if Marjorie is unreliable, even that approach wouldn’t have worked. The storyline was great but the handling seemed superficial to me.
That said, most readers seem to have enjoyed this witchy mystery, so I am very much the outlier. Do read other reviews before you take a call on this novel.
2 stars.
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Trials of Marjorie Crowe”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.