Newes of Witches

From the author of The Specimens comes a gripping tale of suspicion and sacrifice in 17th-century Scotland, where a midwife must fight to save a girl accused of witchcraft before fear tears the village apart.

'Historical crime fiction at its best' STEPH McGOVERN
'Completely immersive, the writing captivating. You feel every breath, every step, every wound' THE SCOTSMAN

The Scottish Highlands, 1629. When a community is torn apart by accusations of witchcraft, its women find themselves in mortal danger.

Amidst the bogs and oat rigs of the village, children are going missing and the young daughter of the wealthy Gordon family has fallen under a troubling spell. When Gordon accuses his serving girl, it falls to healer and midwife Mòrag to uncover the truth behind the attacks.

But her examinations raise more questions than they answer. Forced to leave the only home she has ever known, Mòrag must travel to the Royal Burgh of Dornoch, where she hopes the elusive and unconventional Lady Alice might be persuaded to help save the life of an innocent girl.

In a time and place weighted against women, doing so may demand the greatest sacrifice of all.

Drawing on the fear and paranoia fuelling the Scottish witch trials, Newes of Witches is a captivating novel exploring sacrifices made in the name of community, and the unflinching strength of the human spirit.

From the bestselling author of Waterstones Scottish Book of the Month The Specimens comes a new historic novel set during the Scottish witch trials filled with confessions and betrayal.

'Superbly realised and gripping'
ZOE VENDITOZZI, author of How to Kill a Witch

'Darkly woven and haunting'
PHILIP PARIS, author of The Last Witch of Scotland

'Immersive, brutal, unforgettable. Loved it'
ANNA CAIG, author of The Wise Witch of Orkney