Overview

The Trials of Marjorie Crowe follows Marjorie, a solitary woman in the Scottish village of Kilgoyne. When local teenager Charlie McKee is found hanging in the woods, she’s the first to see his body. What she saw seems impossible, and suspicion soon falls on her as another young person vanishes and all eyes turn to Marjorie.

Writing & Voice

We found Robertson’s writing atmospheric and tense. His prose balances small-town life with creeping dread, layering character observation and mystery. Marjorie’s voice, quiet but resolute, gives the story a distinctive tone.

Content & Perspective

The narrative blends crime investigation with social suspicion. We see how Marjorie’s life and history shape her responses as others judge her. The perspective shifts between her inner world and the village’s reactions, heightening unease and empathy.

Themes

The book explores otherness, prejudice, fear of the unfamiliar and the struggle to be believed. It also looks at how communities form narratives and how easy it is for suspicion to become accusation.

What Worked

• Strong sense of place in a small Scottish village.
• Compelling central character at odds with those around her.
• Gradual build of mystery and psychological tension.

Minor Quibbles

• The slow burn pacing may not suit all readers.
• Certain plot turns rely on village gossip more than evidence.

Final Thoughts

Quiet, unsettling, and humane, The Trials of Marjorie Crowe struck us as much about suspicion and belonging as crime, exposing how easily communities turn on the unfamiliar.

Rating: ★★★★½ / 5