A suspenseful horror/mystery/coming-of-age novel, set in Scotland, France and The Ivory Coast.
Sandy Beech doesn't believe in witches and the supernatural. However, certain strange events occur which put his scepticism to the test: a burning book, a falling crucifix, a mysterious illness, and a fire in a convent which kills all twelve nuns. On her deathbed, Bernadette, the last surviving nun, warns him to control his lusts and avoid African women. Sandy finds this difficult, since he is attracted to exotic, dark-skinned women and after his hedonistic university exchange year in Paris, marries Rocky from the Ivory Coast. Five years later, childless and with the marriage souring, they decide to visit Rocky's home country. Sandy is drawn into a world of strange beliefs and practices: he finds out about the Witch's List - a list of people destined to die, and is attacked by various animals starting with a ferocious dog in Abidjan. He delves further and further into the realm of African witchcraft, but the horrific truth remains obscure... The Witch's List is the first of a trilogy.
Professional Reviews
Beguiling supernatural novel
Completed on:05/11/2016 Review Rating:4 stars. In his novel, The Witch's List, Andrew Cairns writes: Once you re on the witch's list, you're as good as dead. This book is a beguiling supernatural novel that follows Sandy Beech through childhood into his adult years. His attraction to exotic black women lures him into the dark world of witchcraft. Peculiar things happen when his girlfriend's cousin casts a spell and he becomes ill. Sandy ignores the warning of a dying nun and marries Rocky, another woman from the Ivory Coast. They visit her homeland where Sandy learns about the nonconforming culture and witchcraft. He observes how a few people suddenly become ill, and the superstitious reactions of others who believe the sick were on the witch's list. Sandy meets a strange old woman in the woods who warns him of danger, but the horrific truth remains obscure. Andrew Cairns writes convincingly and The Witch's List is a compelling dark story. Its protagonist, Sandy Beech, brings out his conflicting emotions through flowing narration. Although he is a nice person in general, Sandy's character is weak, especially around women, and he can be manipulated into doing things he knows are wrong. The author's writing is very detailed. I liked learning about the cultural differences that divide the Ivory Coast, as well as its intriguing black magic that still plays a dominant role in many Ivorian lives. I think the book s cover is so appealing and appropriate. The Witch's List by Andrew Cairns is an interesting story. --Michelle Stanley, Readers Favorite
Great first book, can't wait for the next.
The Witch's List is a compelling first book from Andrew Cairns with a flair for placing this particular reader back in the days of senior school with its inevitable trials and tribulations when it came to the opposite sex, but with the added twist of the supernatural.
There is a soft humour throughout, not least with the lead character name of Sandy Beech, which balances and enhances the dark theme that percolates in the background, spiking at times to keep the interest flowing right to the end.
This has merely whet my appetite for the next chapter.
Humourous, dark and compelling.
"I didn't use to beleive in witches" begins this wonderful tale of good Catholic boy Sandy Beech. Cairns cleverly weaves a supernatural tale of witchcraft alongside his protagonists growing sexual maturity. A 'sexy' school library book about witches and witchcraft leads Sandy to an attraction for the exotic... and Cairns draws the reader on into a tale of black magic and mystery. Humourous, dark and compelling.
The fortunate inherit riches, prestige, positive notoriety. Those not so lucky bear legacies filled with poverty, infamy or, worse yet, the unhinged insanity and murderous urges of their ancestors.
