"The first in a new thriller series introduces a specialist in the Scottish witch trials as she researches Alie Gowdie, executed in 1648 as a witch."
A thoughtful yet suspense filled novel introducing the first Sarah Sutherland thriller. Sarah, in her 40’s and divorced, rushes from her day job to care for her father who lives alone. She delights in a second role telling chilling stories to tourists about the Scottish witch trials of the 17th century.
I have read Sandra Ireland’s previous three standalone novels and love her blend of piercing reality and folklore. Here we step into a new series and as Sarah narrates, I felt myself sympathising, smiling, and investing in her as a character. Both Sarah and her father John head chapters, with information about Alie Gowdie who lived in Sarah’s cottage and was executed in 1648 also slipping between the pages.
A clever brew of tension, diversions and suspense takes hold, with questions forming and sitting at the back of my mind, waiting, biding their time. With an unexpected bite Sight Unseen challenges and provokes thoughts and I thoroughly enjoyed this start to a new series.

1648. Alie Gowdie marries Richard Webster during a turbulent time in Scotland's history. Charles I is about to lose his head, and little does Alie know that she too will meet a grisly end within the year.
| Primary Genre | Crime and Mystery |
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1648. Alie Gowdie marries Richard Webster during a turbulent time in Scotland's history.
Sight Unseen features in the following genres: Crime and Mystery, Family Drama, Thriller and Suspense, eBooks of the Month, Fiction, Recommendations
Paperback, Ebook. Not Available.
Sight Unseen was written by Sandra Ireland and published by Polygon An Imprint of Birlinn Limited an imprint of Birlinn General