I am a real fan of Elizabeth Laird! She has a wonderful capacity for bringing a period or culture alive for the reader, and this book is set in 17th century Scotland where Maggie and her grandmother are accused of being witches. However, with help from an old friend Maggie manages to escape and live with her uncle, and his family, who are Covenanters refusing to acknowledge the king as the head of the church. As with all her books, Laird has created some wonderful, realistic characters. Young Maggie is extremely likeable who gradually learns to stand up for herself and become a reluctant heroine and old Tam is a real sweetie. ( )