John Burnside’s novel “The Devil’s Footprints” was inspired by a local myth about the devil passing through a town, which is a part of Scottish folklore. This mythological inspiration is consistent with Burnside’s broader literary themes, which often explore the supernatural and the mystical aspects of life, reflecting his Scottish heritage. His work frequently delves into the interplay between the natural world and human experience, blending elements of myth and reality to explore deeper existential themes. These thematic concerns are evident in “The Devil’s Footprints,” where Burnside examines elemental forces such as love, fear, grief, and the hope of redemption.

Repressed Desires and the Uncanny
The narrator Michael Gardiner is haunted by repressed desires and an eerie "double" or doppelganger that represents his hidden, sinister impulses. Burnside vividly depicts the uncanny feeling of having a separate, private self that remains untold.

Trauma and Violence vThe novel deals with traumatic events like the disturbing death of a young girl left on the roadside, as well as murders and a mother burning herself and her children alive. There is a pervasive sense of violence simmering beneath the surface.

Small Town Secrets
Set in the insular coastal town of Coldhaven, the novel delves into the underbelly of small-town life, where everyone has private stories and dark secrets that eventually come to light.

The Allure of the Unknown
Michael is drawn to explore the unknown and the erotic, venturing on a journey that takes him away from his marriage and ordinary life. Burnside evokes a fascination with empty spaces, botched deaths, and the possibility of leading a separate, hidden existence.

In summary, "The Devil's Footprints" is a gripping, unsettling work that probes the darker undercurrents of human psychology and desire through vivid prose and an engrossing, gothic-tinged plot.

The story gained significant media attention, both locally and internationally, due to its mysterious nature and the scale of the phenomenon.

Scientific Explanations: Despite extensive investigation, including by meteorologists and wildlife experts, no definitive scientific explanation was found. The footprints remain unexplained, adding to the intrigue and continuing to fuel speculation and interest in paranormal phenomena.

Overall, the Devil's Footprints incident of 2007 remains a fascinating mystery, blending elements of folklore, speculation, and scientific curiosity, leaving many unanswered questions about what truly happened that winter night in Devon.

The theme of guilt and personal responsibility is explored with psychological precision. Michael’s obsession with Hazel and his unresolved feelings regarding Moira’s brother Malcolm reveal the weight of past actions on present behavior. Burnside succeeds in illustrating how memory and regret can distort perception and drive obsessive behavior. Yet, the novel sometimes leans too heavily on introspection, making the thematic exploration feel at times repetitive and inward-looking, which may frustrate readers seeking more dynamic plot development.

The theme of trauma and repression is handled with subtlety, particularly in the depiction of small-town secrets and hidden desires. The eerie motif of the Devil’s footprints functions as both a literal and symbolic intrusion into the characters’ lives, representing the inescapability of hidden guilt. However, critics might argue that Burnside’s symbolic layering occasionally risks abstraction at the expense of narrative clarity, leaving some readers with more questions than answers about the moral and psychological stakes.

Finally, the novel’s engagement with the supernatural and folkloric elements is one of its most intriguing aspects. By weaving the 2007 "Devil’s Footprints" incident into a fictional framework, Burnside invites reflection on belief, fear, and the unknown. Yet, this thematic choice, while atmospherically rich, sometimes overshadows character development, making the supernatural motif feel more like a thematic device than an organic part of the story’s emotional core.

In sum, Burnside’s thematic ambition is clear and often compelling, but a critical perspective acknowledges that the novel occasionally prioritizes introspective and symbolic depth over narrative cohesion and character autonomy.