Red Runs the Witch’s Thread immediately catches the eye of the reader with its premise, being a story inspired by a real historical event that has long fascinated me: the witch trials. In this case, the 1697 Paisley witch trials. The book interprets these events by focusing entirely on the psychological horror experienced by a protagonist deeply marked by guilt.

It is obvious that the author put significant effort into researching and accurately portraying the historical context, creating a dark and oppressive atmosphere in this short novel. The story unfolds across two timelines: one following a young Christian Shaw as she becomes involved in a witch trial where she herself accuses several people, and another depicting an adult Christian, now consumed by the guilt of her past actions.

Although the novel had a promising premise, I found the narration confusing and somewhat difficult to follow. The writing style felt too ethereal for my taste and repetitive. Christian’s disturbed mind seeps into the prose, effectively portraying her psychological state but at the expense of the reader’s experience. Additionally, the story is so focused on the protagonist’s internal anguish that it leaves little room for the development of secondary characters, who could have added depth and nuance to the narrative. I would have liked to understand her family’s motivations better and, most importantly, to see some exploration of the victims of her accusations.

Another aspect that made my reading experience challenging was the pacing. Despite being a short novel, it felt longer than expected because the plot advances in a somewhat repetitive manner, making it difficult to stay engaged at times. I wouldn’t say it’s a bad book, but it definitely requires the reader to be open to an introspective and psychological narrative rather than a story full of action. Normally, I would consider myself the kind of reader who enjoys that, but apparently not in this case, as I found it quite difficult to stay interested.

Red Runs the Witch’s Thread presents an intriguing concept and a well-crafted atmosphere, but its narrative style and lack of secondary character development kept me from fully enjoying it. I think it could be an appealing choice for those looking for a short story with an eerie atmosphere and a deep dive into the mind of a tormented character. However, if you prefer novels with a more dynamic pace and well-developed characters, this one might not be for you.

Based on a true story psychological thriller surrounding the last witch burnings of Paisley Scotland - this little novella was engaging the whole way through and did a great job navigating a slow descent into religious psychosis/madness. The repetitiveness of certain words/phrases did get a bit annoying at times, and I would have loved to have this fleshed out a bit more, but overall I really enjoyed reading this story!

Thanks to NetGalley and Silver Thistle Press for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC book early and share my honest review. All reviews will be posted to my socials! (NetGalley, Goodreads, Fable, IG)

Victoria Williamson’s Red Runs the Witch’s Thread is a haunting, atmospheric blend of historical fiction and psychological thriller that grips readers from the very first page. Set in 18th-century Scotland, it weaves a chilling tale of guilt, ambition, and the supernatural, all revolving around a deeply flawed yet fascinating protagonist.

A Haunting Premise
The novel follows Christian Shaw, the infamous child accuser whose testimony led to the execution of alleged witches in 1697. Now, twenty-five years later, she is a woman consumed by her past, throwing herself into the perfection of the thread bleaching process that she believes will cleanse not only linen but also her own sins. However, as the anniversary of the witch burnings nears, strange occurrences, eerie visions, and an overwhelming sense of dread begin to unravel her already fragile mind.

A Complex and Unreliable Protagonist
Williamson crafts Christian as a deeply compelling and psychologically tormented character. Guilt and ambition are at war within her, making her an unreliable narrator whose perception of reality is constantly shifting. The question of whether her visions are supernatural punishments or the product of a fractured mind adds a layer of eerie suspense that keeps the reader unsettled throughout.

A Richly Evoked Setting
The novel’s historical backdrop is meticulously researched, immersing readers in the superstitions, fears, and rigid social structures of early 18th-century Scotland. The grim legacy of the Paisley witch trials lingers over the story like a ghost, and Williamson masterfully blends history with gothic horror, making the past feel vividly alive—and terrifying.

Themes of Guilt, Power, and the Supernatural
At its core, Red Runs the Witch’s Thread is a meditation on guilt and the cost of ambition. Christian’s pursuit of success is intertwined with a desperate need for redemption, yet the forces she has set in motion—whether psychological or otherworldly—may not allow her to escape so easily. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about justice, belief, and the lengths people will go to in order to silence their demons.

Final Verdict
Darkly lyrical and deeply unsettling, Red Runs the Witch’s Thread is an unforgettable tale of deception, madness, and the ghosts of the past. With its gripping narrative, rich historical detail, and psychological depth, this book is perfect for fans of gothic fiction, supernatural thrillers, and unsettling historical mysteries.

I read this book in 1 day.
This book has a dual time line that works well in showing the characters motivations and lore as it flashes back to when the currently 37 year old MC is 11 in the run up to the last witch trails in Scotland.

This book is considered a psychological thriller/ horror that is based on real historical events. It didn’t come across as a thriller/horror, more of just a bit odd. That is however, what made it more believable. The panic Christian feels when Isabella is talking is palpable!

This is definitely an easy quick read and definitely something I would suggest to get someone in to historical fiction.

I will admit, I didn’t see the twist coming

My only technical critique is that the repeating words make sense in the flashbacks and when she is deep in the thralls of her ‘illness’ coming back. Other than that it’s just annoying and makes it loose its effectiveness.

The mind is a scary place to be. Williamson proves that fact in this story, showing us what a broken, shattered psyche trauma can leave us with. This book was a quick and enthralling read that kept me turning the page again and again.

Red Runs the Witch's Thread by Victoria Williamson is such a cool book. This author is a genious! I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

A gripping historical horror story based on Europe's last mass witch burning, <i>Red Runs the Witch's Thread</i>, is told through an unreliable narrator who weaves dark imagery throughout.

The earlier timeline occurs in 1697 the year of the witch trials in Paisley, Scotland where Christian the main character accused thirty-five people of witchcraft when she was eleven years old. Eight were convicted seven were burned. The second timeline occurs in 1722 when Christian is an adult after her father's death she as the eldest daughter is tasked with financially supporting her family. Her main skill lies in dying and weaving thread. Her ultimate goal is to find a bleaching process that will produce the whitest thread in her village and fetch a fair price. Her high standards prove difficult to attain as she finds batch after batch subpar. As the twenty-fifth anniversary of the burnings approaches, Barragan House is inundated with ravens that make Christian uneasy. A haunting tangle of memories begins to surface. The chapters from both timelines are titled weft or warp, weaving terms which I thought was an intelligent touch given the subject matter.

Will she be able to sus out a thread of truth or is her mental state unspooling?

This was my first time reading Victoria Williamson and I was impressed with her vivid yet succinct prose. The way the paranoia was brought to life felt true. I would've liked a bit more information about Meg, Christian's maid and the attachment between them. However, leaving that character open to interpretation worked also. The author's note has a lot of interesting facts about the "real" Christian that the story is based on so stick around for that.

The story is well-written horror and as such contains heavy themes and elements.

Thank you to NetGalley and Silver Thistle Press for providing an Advance Reading Copy for review. All opinions are my own.

"Red Runs the Witch's Thread" by Victoria Williamson is a haunting story inspired by the 1697 Paisley witch trials in Scotland. The narrative alternates between two timelines: 1697, where eleven-year-old Christian Shaw's accusations lead to the execution of seven individuals for witchcraft, and 1722, where an adult Christian strives to perfect a thread-bleaching process to provide for her family and piece together their sullied reputation. As the 25th anniversary of the witch burnings approaches, Christian is plagued by visions and memories, leading her to question her sanity and the choices she made in her youth.

Williamson delves into Christian's psychological turmoil, portraying her mental deterioration with vivid and unsettling imagery. The dual timeline plot device enriches the narrative, providing some context for Christian's character and all of the bizarre incidents she experiences. RRTWT also explores interesting themes of trauma, guilt, and the niche societal pressures of 18th-century Scotland.

While the novel effectively creates a haunting mood, the descriptions of Christian’s visions and paranoia feel repetitive. The "red, red, red," and other 3-word repetition phrases grew old quickly; it was more annoying than jarring or immersive in Christian's descent into madness. Christian is also not emotionally complex or dimensional. I think she could have benefitted from more nuanced emotional development. Protagonists of course don't need to be likeable, but I had a hard time caring what happened to her or what decisions she made.

Also, the novel focuses almost exclusively on Christian’s internal struggles, leaving her family members and other important supporting characters underdeveloped. Why should I care about Elizabeth? What's her damage? What's the mom's deal? What are ANY of these side characters' motivations and thoughts. What about the victims of Christian's accusations and their families? What are they going through, and what is Christian's relationship like with those people in the 18th century timeline? ANY degree of exploration of those around her—especially the families affected by the 1697 executions—could have provided a more balanced and logical narrative. Christian's perspective is the only one we get, and I did not love that narrative choice.

"Red Runs the Witch's Thread" is a compelling blend of historical fiction and psychological horror, offering a fresh perspective on the repercussions of mass hysteria and the personal demons that linger long after. It's a thought-provoking read that lingers in the mind, especially for those interested in the darker facets of history and human nature.

Well, that was a terrifying little book. Beyond frightening, actually, especially if you're squeamish, like me. Red Runs the Witch's Thread by Victoria Williamson is psychological horror and historical reinterpretation about the last witch burning in Scotland in the late 17th century. And it is superb.

I wouldn't say I loved Christian as a character because she isn't exactly the most likeable person, but I definitely loved her (disturbing) inner voice and arc. She is as unnerving a character as they come.

Depictions of the time period are incredibly well-done and researched, and I felt like Williamson did a very respectful job in her portrayal of the trials' victims. The prose was beautiful, if a little repetitive, but I enjoyed it all the same. The bloody thread imagery against pure white is actual perfection; some of those visions Christian witnesses are fairly intense, which only further helps build this horrific, utterly oppressive, atmosphere.

I like the 'Weft' and 'Warp' title changes depending on the time shifts; it took me a good while to figure out that this is in reference to the direction of yarn threads on a loom (I obviously do not spin yarn often (at all)), which I found to be really clever.

I only wish we would have gotten a little more buildup out of the climax as it felt very sudden, meaning a lot is left unsaid, unexplored. I wasn't expecting a hopeful or happy climax, only a little closure, which there is little of.

Thank you to NetGalley, Silver Thistle Press, and the author Victoria Williamson for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is based on real events- ive never read or tried anything quite like it. Its a dark but short read so its worth a try.
I didnt really like the writing style..the cover drew me in first but the story and writing style wasnt my vibe. Im sorry. Thank you you for letting me read this.

The book has a really witchy vibe with strong female empowerment undercurrents. However, I felt like this book was a bit hard to follow and did not keep my attention. The story building did not pique my interest and I struggled to finish the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Silver Thistle Press for giving me a copy of the book to read!

Darkly twisted, historically witchy, semi unreliable narration: overall this story totally messed with my head!

I loved the setting: a combination of late 1600s, early 1700s.

Was blown away by the plot: a young woman is deeply traumatized and accuses a bunch of local villagers of witchcraft. Years later she’s trying to find her niche in the world as a widow and there are weird things going on!

I kept trying to get a grasp on what was going to happen next, and each time something crazy would swoop in out of left field and destroy my hypotheses!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Silver Thistle Press for a copy.

This was a shortish book with a dark tone but not really my cup of tea .
I like the idea of this genre but this book wasn't really my vibe .

I think I’m just not the best intended audience for this book. I enjoyed the premise, it being based on real events, and the heavy use of symbolism/etc. But it felt like something was lacking so it just fell flat for me.

Maybe if the story was longer to really expand on the concepts presented and fix some pacing issues, I would have enjoyed it more.

It could also use another round of editing to fix some grammatical errors, at least for the copy I was provided.

All that being said, I’ll definitely enjoy critically analyzing and delving into some of the symbolism presented (the color red, blood, womanhood, etc). It was the most intriguing part of the book!

I think this book would be best for those who enjoy a quick, dark, vibe-y story.

4.5 Stars
One Liner: This was so much (in a good way)!

Paisley, Scotland, 1697
An eleven-year-old Christian Shaw’s accusation of witchcraft led to the death of thirty-five people.
Bargarran House, 1722
Christian returns home, intent on perfecting the bleaching process to revive her family fortune. She also hopes her attempts will purify their past sins. However, with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the witch hunt approaching, Bargarran House seems to have become a center of dark forces. This affects her sanity and safety to the point where she wonders if she can get what she wants. And what cost?
The story comes in Christian’s third-person POV in 1722 and first-person POV (in present tense) in 1697.

My Thoughts:
I remember my friend Rosh reviewing this book last year. Later in 2024, I read and enjoyed the author’s MG Dystopian Adventure. When this was available on NetGalley, I didn’t even think and requested it right away.
This is a novella of 185-195 pages that packs quite a lot. Almost from the beginning, I disliked the MC (there’s a strong reason for it). As the book progressed and more details were revealed, I couldn’t stop reading even for a breather. This was intense in many ways.
I wanted a certain ending but felt unsatisfied with how it was resolved. However, the author’s note at the end explained the reason. The MC is based on a real person, so the author couldn’t deviate from the overall trajectory. Still, a part of me feels assured that the future wasn’t easy.
The atmosphere gets 100/100. I love it! The ravens, darkness, madness, the house, and just about everything add to the narrative.
The way the narration spirals aligns with the character development. Quite a few dark themes are used but without making things unnecessarily graphic.
My heart bled for the witches. But then, this is just one story. The reality was a thousand times worse. All of it was presented in these few pages – Christian domination, pagan hatred, suppression of women, class differences, social hatred, and much more.
What do I even say about the MC, Christian? Man, I tried my best to feel sorry but… Her obsession with perfecting the bleaching process to get the whitest thread is much more than entrepreneurship.
The side characters, be it the family or the dutiful Meg, are so well developed within the limitations. Terrific!
The title and the cover are clever. I love the title a lot more (wish I was this talented in naming my stories). If only the ending was a wee bit more detailed. I can see why it ended that way, I do! But I also want a little more from it. What happens doesn’t feel enough considering the events.

To summarize, Red Runs the Witch's Thread is a gripping, dark, and atmospheric novella about witch hunts. It is best read in a single sitting (you can finish the book in 60-80 minutes). That said, the writing style may not work for everyone.
Thank you, NetGalley, Silver Thistle Press, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This psychological horror was a disturbing and compelling read. This story would make for a fantastic book club pick and would lead to a deep discussion on the story but also the event that inspired it. Great read for any one that enjoys gothic horror.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this as an e-book.

Red Runs the Witches Thread by Victoria Wiliamson is an interesting read, because I haven’t read anything like it before. It is a horror based on real life events, specifically, the last witch burnings in Scotland and the accusations put forward by eleven-year-old Christian Shaw.

Dealing with the aftermath of what she has done, Red Runs the Witches Thread is brimming with madness, confusion, shame and wrongful interpretations. The story itself was immersive and easy to get through. I would definitely recommend to those who are interested in the witch trials, and books that don’t shy away from mental undoings.

This is the story of the madness of Christian Shaw, the girl at the center of a real life historical event where young Christian Shaw accused 35 people of witchcraft, resulting in the execution of seven people. The book starts at Christian’s adult life, as she is working to start a thread and textile company, which the real life Christian Shaw also did, but in the story, she is obsessed with bleaching threads of purest white as if that will clear her family’s name and bring them in better societal standing. But as the 25th anniversary of the executions is approaching, Christian’s hold on her sanity is deteriorating, and she is spiraling as the truth of her real sins are resurfacing. In the end though, she has to face the truth of what she did and can choose to either continue with her evading and false piety, or she can embrace it and relinquish her soul to its darkness. This is a historical literary horror, with a lot to unpack under the surface. The messaging is heavy with themes of internal misogyny and fear of sin, all of which would have been perpetuated by the adults in Christian’s life, pressuring her to hide and cleanse what she perceived as sin: her burgeoning womanhood, and carnal relations. It’s a short read, but the depth of it kept me coming back to see how Christian Shaw’s descent into madness would end.

[I will also being including this book in a video essay on YouTube to be released next month alongside 2 other historical fiction horror books What Moves the Dead and Unbury Carol. Here is the text copy from the script. A link is not provided since it is not published yet.]

Red Runs the Witch's Thread by Victoria Williamson
This is the story of the madness of Christian Shaw, the girl at the center of a real life historical event where a young girl accused 35 people of witchcraft, resulting in the execution of seven people. The book starts at Christian’s adult life, as she is working to start a thread and textile company, which the real life Christian Shaw also did, but in the story, she is obsessed with bleaching threads of purest white as if that will clear her family’s name and bring them in better societal standing.

As the 25th anniversary of the executions is approaching, Christian’s hold on her sanity is deteriorating, and she is spiraling as the truth of her real sins are resurfacing. And the more she seems to remember, the deeper into her insanity she descends, resulting in the return of some violent behavioral patterns from the past. She starts seeing things that aren’t really there, like her bleaching threads covered in gore and viscera, and a fire, not unlike that which claimed the life of those she accused, engulfing her home. All the while, ravens begin descending on the home, their screeching acting as the soundtrack to her descent into madness. The last half of the story is wild, with gore, deeply repressed carnal desires, and a flaming raven. In the end though, she has to face the truth of what she did and can choose to either continue evading and clinging to a sense of false piety, or she can embrace it and relinquish her soul to its darkness.

Red Runs the Witch's Thread has a lot to unpack under the surface. The messaging is heavy with themes of internal misogyny and fear of sin, all of which would have been perpetuated by the adults in Christian’s life, pressuring her to hide and cleanse what she perceived as sin: her burgeoning womanhood, and carnal relations. It’s a short read, but the depth of it kept me coming back to see how Christian Shaw’s descent into madness would end.

Red Runs the Witch's Thread by Victoria Williamson is a gripping tale set in Paisley, Scotland, in 1697 and 1722. The story revolves around Christian Shaw, an eleven-year-old girl who accuses thirty-five people of witchcraft, leading to the execution of seven individuals2.

Years later, in 1722, Christian returns to Bargarran House, where she dedicates herself to perfecting a thread bleaching process to restore her family's fortune. As the anniversary of the witch burnings approaches, Christian's mind begins to unravel, haunted by memories and visions2. The novel masterfully explores themes of trauma, identity, and resilience, drawing readers into Christian's harrowing journey.

Williamson's writing is both evocative and immersive, skillfully blending historical fiction with psychological horror. The dual timelines offer a fascinating glimpse into the past and present, providing crucial insights into Christian's motivations and struggles. The novel's exploration of the protagonist's mental state is particularly compelling, highlighting the profound impact of childhood trauma on an individual's psyche2.

Overall, Red Runs the Witch's Thread is a beautifully crafted and eerie tale that will captivate readers who enjoy historical fiction and psychological horror. It's a story that lingers long after the final page is turned.

Engagingly written and captivating, this is a requisite read for anyone fascinated by the witch trials and historical fiction.