A fast-paced, romantic historical thriller in which a rural village is ripped apart by accusations of witchcraft
The Reverend Burnett is the unpopular minister at Abdale. Behind the manse lies Silma Hill, which has a circle of ancient standing stones at its summit. Burnett lives with his 16-year-old daughter Fiona whom he treats no better than a servant. Old Sangster unearths a pagan icon in the peat beneath Silma Hill and hands it over to Burnett, who plans to write a paper on it for the Historical Antiquities Society in Edinburgh. Hours after finding the relic, Sangster is found dead. Fiona is drawn into accusations of witchcraft, fueled by hatred of her father. As hysteria in the village builds, will Fiona s father be able to put aside his pride to save his daughter or will she be consumed by the fire of anger, fear, and superstition that has enveloped everyone?"