Friday 17 December 2021

'Birds of Prey' by S.J.I. Holliday

This story from Terror Tales of the Scottish Lowlands interweaves the terrible history of witch persecution with the modern domestic tyranny of domestic violence. It mentions a silver statue erected somewhere in the Borderns (I think it's the right one below), which commemorates those women - and quite a few men - who were executed for witchcraft. The book contains 'pardons, for people misunderstood'.

The main character, Dallis, is routinely assaulted by the thuggish Tommy, a familiar 'man's man'  type who is all too commonplace in our screwed-up culture. Toxic masculinity, official indifference, and self-blaming hamper Dallis' ability to get away or protect herself. But then she encounters a mysterious woman who gives her a business card that suggests a very different way to deal with the problem. 

A straightforward story of tables turned, and supernatural vengeance. The idea that witchcraft might be a real force in the world is of course familiar, but this is a neat twist on a well-worn idea. 



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