Try free for 30 days

  • The Darkest Shore

  • By: Karen Brooks
  • Narrated by: Willow Nash
  • Length: 16 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (21 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Darkest Shore cover art

The Darkest Shore

By: Karen Brooks
Narrated by: Willow Nash
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $46.99

Buy Now for $46.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

The independent women of Scotland stand up to a witch hunt, male fury and the power of the Church in a battle for survival.

1703. The wild east coast of Scotland.

Returning to her home town of Pittenweem, fishwife and widow Sorcha McIntyre knows she faces both censure and mistrust. After all, this is a country where myth and legend are woven into the fabric of the everyday, a time when those who defy custom like Sorcha are called to account.

It is dangerous to be a clever woman who 'doesn't know her place' in Pittenweem - a town rife with superstition. So, when a young local falls victim to witchcraft, the Reverend Cowper and the townsfolk know who to blame. What follows for Sorcha and her friends is a terrifying battle, not only for their souls but for their lives, as they are pitted against the villagers' fear, a malevolent man and the might of the church.

©2021 Karen Brooks (P)2021 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic Reviews

"The characters are complex and compelling...a powerful novel, at times brutal, but always enthralling. The Darkest Shore is a major achievement for Karen Brooks." (Better Reading)

What listeners say about The Darkest Shore

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    16
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    15
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    14
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulously frightful

Well written and well told. I’m a huge fan. The content is by no means enjoyable to hear but the tale itself is enthralling and educational. I’m keen to read (or listen to) another, Karen and Willow.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Power of the Sisterhood

I love the story and on doing a little research, it seems fairly accurate although I did like the ending for the not-so-good reverend. The love affair is incorporated nicely but does not consume the story which is more about the relationships between the women and the nature of the human, the humane and at times, the inhumane crowd mentality. The narration was good although there was the occasional 'glitch' which may well have been in my download however, this wasn't enough to detract from the performance. I did think story a little too long and could have benefitted from some editing, particularly in the last third of the book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Harrowing and heartfelt

A story of strong women with strong bonds of friendship leaves the reader feeling relieved and hopeful, instead of despairing at this example of the utter depravity of humanity. One can only be in awe of the level of respect Brooks shows in her meticulous research of the history and the subject matter. Beautifully narrated by Nash, although there were a few odd sound editing issues in places which detracted from the performance.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Bloody amazing

thank you, KB, for another wonderful story
a must-read. could read this again and again.
I would love to visit Scotland one day and visit Pittenweem Village . Once again, I felt like I was there witnessing these events. Brilliant work.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Detailed and interesting history.

Great bit of history told through the eyes of a fictional character, I think this was a good idea on the authors part. Well researched and I loved the fish wives vernacular. It occasionally got a bit tedious as the women faced trauma after trauma but that was their reality. Authors notes were really helpful in tying the story and the truth together.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant, as are all of Karen’s books

It did take me a while to get involved but well worth the wait. Loved it. Thank you Karen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a great Storyline

Very well done - a horrifying depiction of how hideous humans are. The content is raw, but the writer does not glorify it or make it its focus. The characters are strong and admirable. I really enjoyed this story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.