Fascinating... passionate and thought-provoking... a creative, stimulating book that deserves to win many readers

One of those rare books that becomes an instantaneous classic

Scrupulous, clear micro-history at its best

Angela Bourke's fascinating, disturbing and powerful book tells a compelling and tragic story

The story of Bridget Cleary's death is a parable for a changing world, a well-researched and horrifying account of what could happen in the region where myth and modernity collide...As dramatic a murder mystery as any devotee of the genre could long for...And it is the rich abundance of ideas that makes this a uniquely important historical work

Exemplary in its restraint, scrupulousness and empathy, it is also beautifully written

'A sad but spellbinding story, told with artistic tact and a humane concern for all caught up in the terrible event. The Burning of Bridget Cleary draws on oral tradition, reportage, popular culture and high literature to show how the past may persist in the present

The story of the killing of Bridget Cleary is so brilliantly researched and narrated that it becomes a parable of the cultural and political relationship between Ireland and Britain at the end of the last century... A classic account

'The subhead - "a true tale of love, murder and survival in the Amazon" - sets the mood for this adventure and Whitaker delivers in spades. The publishers could have added "intrigue, heartache and girl power in 18th century Peru" and still undersold the story...there has to be a movie in it!'

'Riveting...This is really two books in one, suited for fans of Dava Sobel's bestseller Longitude who also appreciate a dash of romance and suspense in their historical scientific fare'