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The Trials of Marjorie Crowe

a Scottish-set gripping crime thriller about witchcraft, shortlisted for the CWA Twisted Dagger 2025

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The Trials of Marjorie Crowe

By: C.S. Robertson
Narrated by: Jenny Lee
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About this listen

 A spectacular, voice-driven mystery from a highly acclaimed crime writer.

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?

PRAISE FOR C.S. ROBERTSON:

'A truly startling novel' Sunday Times
'A remarkable thriller' Sunday Express
'Ingenious' Daily Mail
'Enthralling' Liz Nugent
'Gut-wrenching' The Times

(P)2024 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2024 C.S. Robertson Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction Mystery Police Procedurals Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Crime Thriller Suspense Witchcraft Magic Users

Critic reviews

Praise for The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill
A truly startling novel
Beautifully written with a shocking twist, this remarkable thriller has a unique narrator in Grace McGill, and her voice stays with you long after you read the final page
It's a dark and disturbing novel. It's chilling and haunting. It's original and touching. This book will genuinely be one of your best reads of the 2022
This fascinating thriller had me hooked from the first chapter [...] as dark and disconcerting as it is compelling
It's not just a clever read - you'll sail through a range of emotions and there's no way you'll forget Grace. I'm struggling to remember reading a book like it before, and what a way to start 2022 reading
This is an ingenious, disturbing and chilling thriller in which Grace is an unforgettable character, and not what she seems. Superb storytelling, with an elegant twist
Gut-wrenching thriller. There are jaw-dropping revelations and startling assertions in Craig Robertson's gruesome tale
Dark and quirky - there's just something readers are going to love about meeting Grace McGill
Twisted, twisting, original and sinister. The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill is unforgettable (Chris Whitaker)
Compelling, entertaining, enthralling (Liz Nugent)
Praise for The Trials of Marjorie Crowe
There's a tangible sense of dark and dangerous forces at work in this gripping novel, as well as an intriguing puzzle to unravel
This is a tour de force from an impressive writer
A notable, voice-driven mystery
Original and thought-provoking
Atmospheric and gripping
Book of the Month - Scots Magazine, January 2024
With a hint of the supernatural, this thriller has an ending to die for
There's a depth to this story that makes it intriguing and a mood that chills (Paul Burke)
All stars
Most relevant
Nothing did I dislike in this story. I loved every word and all the explanations. The main character was so bewitching !

Liking main character

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very well written and beautiful narration, linking the othering of people who break conventional status quos and linking this to the past histories of women accused of witchcraft, who were accused, judged and killed mainly by males

a lovely unwinding story

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This compares historical and up to day treatment of how women who were either healers or stood up to men were treated and named witches - in todays society how social media can take over and “persecute” a woman who is different. Thoroughly recommend it- well read.

The reader gives a real picture of the village and her connection to it

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Excellent choice of narrator …. Her voice in tandem with the main character. Beautifully written and totally intriguing to the very end .

Fascinating plot

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I heard the author talk about the book on a BBC Scotland football radio show and thought I'd check it out. I'm so glad I did. A great mix of ancient Celtic folklore and modern day trolling and read beautifully. First class and I look forward to listening to more by the author.

A fine Scottish crime book.

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