Blade in the Shadow

A coming-of-age memoir about Harm OCD. A young Scottish woman struggles as her obsessive compulsive disorder worsens and her mind is plagued by violent intrusive thoughts. The book follows Halket as she navigates mental illness, addiction, university, sexual assault, motor tics and her relationship with her family. Through access to treatment, she forges her identity not in spite of her disorder but in the acceptance of it and all its messiness.
ScotLitDaily Nonfiction Book Of The Year (2021)
The Wee Scottish Bookclub's 'Life-changing Book of the Year' (2021)
"We need more voices like Jillian Halket's in conversations around mental health in Scotland." — Elsa Maishman, The Scotsman
"A wrenching portrayal of the mind in all of its colours." — Jessica Andrews, author of Saltwater (Portico Prize 2020)
"The writing is fresh, frank and fearless and I highly recommend it." — Catherine Simpson, author of TrueStory and When I Had a Little Sister
"Often uncomfortable in the reading, Blade in the Shadow is revelatory and necessary. And above all, it blazes with hope." — Harriet Mercer, author of Gargoyles
"Told through masterful prose, Blade in the Shadow doesn't shy away from demons, but manages to depict the light that defeats them in a poetic and poignant way." — Emma Grae, author of Be Guid Tae Yer Mammy

Jillian Halket is a disabled writer from Blackwood, Scotland. Her debut memoir Blade in the Shadow delves into her obsessive compulsive disorder and explores what it is like living with violent intrusive thoughts. She is an advocate for OCD awareness and recovery and was proud to take part in the first Activate Training for Movement for Change, a grassroots campaign by See Me Scotland. By telling her story she is determined to help in the fight against mental health stigma and discrimination.