The Midwives by Duncan Ralston

Martin Savage is a writer on his latest tour, when he is told that the subject of his most successful real life crime books has escaped from prison. The murderer of women and their unborn children (nicknamed The witchfinder) bears a grudge against the crime writer and Martin realises that his life is very much at danger. He runs back to his hometown which he left years ago, when his mother was put away in a psychiatric hospital. He supposes that this non-descript town will be the ideal hiding spot. But Barrows Bay has its own secrets, an ancient evil that existed before the early settlers descended on its shores.

There is a definite comparison to Stephen King to The Midwives, a return to a hometown, the main character finding its dark secret. I enjoy the concept of the ‘midwives,’ supposedly wise women who assist in the births of Barrows Bay for years. There is something decidedly spine chilling about these old women and their control over this Barrows Bay.

The character of Martin Savage is an interesting one and he certainly grew on me as the story developed. Initially he is portrayed as an arrogant womaniser, who trades quite happily off his criminal subjects. But it’s his return to his birth home and the revelation of his troubled upbringing which makes Martin a little more likeable and gives a valuable insight on why, he is the man he is. The character of Sheila Tanner brings a much needed feminine edge to the story. A clinical psychologist, she worked with Martin on ‘The Witchfinder’ case and is in equal danger. Once lovers, there is a connection still between the two of them and the, if rather strained chemistry between them ripples throughout the novel.

The idea of this ancient evil, the ‘witches’ who have an unnerving grip on this small town and its inhabitants is quite a creepy one. The presence of these witches really made my skin crawl.