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Witches' Brew
Eleven eerie stories about the supernatural by such writers as Robert Bloch, John Collier, and Shirley Jackson introduce readers to witches, vampires, fortune-tellers, the Devil, and the people who become entangled with them
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1965
8 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Alfred Hitchcock
1,145 books774 followersSir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock KBE (1899-1980) was an iconic and highly influential film director and producer, who pioneered many techniques in the suspense and thriller genres.
Following a very substantial career in his native Britain in both silent films and talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood and became an American citizen with dual nationality in 1956, thus he also remained a British subject.
Hitchcock directed more than fifty feature films in a career which spanned six decades, from the silent film era, through the invention of sound films, and far into the era of colour films. For a complete list of his films, see Alfred Hitchcock filmography.
Hitchcock was among the most consistently recognizable directors to the general public, and was one of the most successful film directors during his lifetime. He continues to be one of the best known and most popular filmmakers of all time.
Following a very substantial career in his native Britain in both silent films and talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood and became an American citizen with dual nationality in 1956, thus he also remained a British subject.
Hitchcock directed more than fifty feature films in a career which spanned six decades, from the silent film era, through the invention of sound films, and far into the era of colour films. For a complete list of his films, see Alfred Hitchcock filmography.
Hitchcock was among the most consistently recognizable directors to the general public, and was one of the most successful film directors during his lifetime. He continues to be one of the best known and most popular filmmakers of all time.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 2, 2025
Witch's Brew is a collection of clever stories by writers that are on the same page as Alfred Hitchcock on what makes a great story. The writers were chosen because they share the compiler's love of twist endings, humor, and a sense of irony. These stories included a great Shirley Jackson tale along with Psycho author Robert Bloch's account of a deal with the devil. I liked this book but the use of the word gay to mean happy may be a little dated and ironically funny to modern readers.
February 6, 2022
I feel like I should say I have the version pictured under Hard Cover because it seems like some people have other versions with different stories. My version is the one with the listed description about witches. I also took a photo which is posted on my blog of the titles and authors of the included stories just to be clear which book I am talking about.
https://wellwortharead.blogspot.com/2...
I also posted a photo of the front and back cover on my Instagram so there is no confusion because the other reviews seem to be talking about different stories.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZpbm3qPIXJ/
This book says it is geared towards "young readers" but I would caution that does not mean children. The stories are definitely not childish, nor are they for those who have only just learned to read. There is no gore, but there is language unsuitable for young children. I would consider it more a young adult anthology or at the very least age 13 and up. Consider it a PG 13 rating.
This anthology was originally published by Random House in 1977.
Even though it has long since gone out of print it is not difficult to find used copies in decent condition still floating around for sale at the second hand bookstores. I found my copy in very good condition at Thriftbooks.
I probably fell in love more with the artwork than the actual stories. The front and back cover art just screamed buy me. The inside cover is gorgeous too and there is also an illustration for every story.
My favorites were the stories by Robert Bloch and Shirley Jackson. They've got me in the mood to dig out my collections by both of them and just binge. I've never read much Robert Bloch before but it's worth noting that all of my favorite episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents were based on stories written by Bloch. Until now the only story I had read by Shirley Jackson was The Lottery and now I'm kicking myself for having waited so long to dig into more of her work. Her story in this anthology "Strangers in Town" is told from the point of view of the town busy body who claims she can not stand gossip all while spewing more of it than anyone. As she spies on her new neighbors they might actually give her something to talk about! This was a 5 star read for me.
'That Hell-bound Train" by Robert Bloch is about a young man who thinks he can outsmart the devil. Also a 5 star read for me.
The rest of the stories, while worth a read, were just not on the same level, but for me, Jackson and Bloch were worth the cost of admission.
https://wellwortharead.blogspot.com/2...
I also posted a photo of the front and back cover on my Instagram so there is no confusion because the other reviews seem to be talking about different stories.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZpbm3qPIXJ/
This book says it is geared towards "young readers" but I would caution that does not mean children. The stories are definitely not childish, nor are they for those who have only just learned to read. There is no gore, but there is language unsuitable for young children. I would consider it more a young adult anthology or at the very least age 13 and up. Consider it a PG 13 rating.
This anthology was originally published by Random House in 1977.
Even though it has long since gone out of print it is not difficult to find used copies in decent condition still floating around for sale at the second hand bookstores. I found my copy in very good condition at Thriftbooks.
I probably fell in love more with the artwork than the actual stories. The front and back cover art just screamed buy me. The inside cover is gorgeous too and there is also an illustration for every story.
My favorites were the stories by Robert Bloch and Shirley Jackson. They've got me in the mood to dig out my collections by both of them and just binge. I've never read much Robert Bloch before but it's worth noting that all of my favorite episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents were based on stories written by Bloch. Until now the only story I had read by Shirley Jackson was The Lottery and now I'm kicking myself for having waited so long to dig into more of her work. Her story in this anthology "Strangers in Town" is told from the point of view of the town busy body who claims she can not stand gossip all while spewing more of it than anyone. As she spies on her new neighbors they might actually give her something to talk about! This was a 5 star read for me.
'That Hell-bound Train" by Robert Bloch is about a young man who thinks he can outsmart the devil. Also a 5 star read for me.
The rest of the stories, while worth a read, were just not on the same level, but for me, Jackson and Bloch were worth the cost of admission.
March 13, 2022
I loved the large-format hardback Hitchcock anthologies for young readers when I was a kid and have collected all of them in recent years. Somehow I never got around to reading this one in my younger years and have to say that, while I still enjoy re-reading other titles in the series, this entry--which I believe was the last in the "series"--doesn't quite hold up to the others. A couple of the stories, particularly the first one, "The Wishing Well," would've totally creeped me out as a kid, but many of them don't hold up nearly as well, and the artwork, when compared to that in many of the other titles, is decidedly sup-par. For some reason, the anthology contains two stories about vampires. Um. Vampires and witches are the same thing? Still I found this an enjoyable read and am glad to complete my collection with it. One final observation: I haven't re-checked it, but in reading this anthology, it occurred to me that the books in this series contain a greater proportion of British stories than one might expect. I wonder why Random House was drawing so heavily from British authors.
March 15, 2011
I've been devouring a lot of these old Hitchcock collections from the 50s and 60s, and this one is good enough that I'll be using lots of them in my adult storytime at the library, though I'm not seeing the stories mentioned by other reviewers here. The stories in my (paperback) ed are:
Premoniton, by Charles Mergendahl
A Shot from the Dark Night, by Avram Davidson
I Had a Hunch, and... by Talmadge Powell
A Killing in the Market, by Robert Bloch
Gone as by Magic, by Richard Hardwick
The Big Bajoor, by Borden Deal
The Gentle Miss Bluebeard, by Nedra Tyre
The Guy That Laughs Last, by Philip Tremont
Diet and Die, by Wenzell Brown
Just for Kicks, by Richard Marsten
Please Forgive Me, by Henry Kane
A Crime Worthy of Me, by Hal Dresner
When Buying a Fine Murder, by Jack Ritchie
Maybe they did a new one with different titles - I'll definitely look for some of those others.
Premoniton, by Charles Mergendahl
A Shot from the Dark Night, by Avram Davidson
I Had a Hunch, and... by Talmadge Powell
A Killing in the Market, by Robert Bloch
Gone as by Magic, by Richard Hardwick
The Big Bajoor, by Borden Deal
The Gentle Miss Bluebeard, by Nedra Tyre
The Guy That Laughs Last, by Philip Tremont
Diet and Die, by Wenzell Brown
Just for Kicks, by Richard Marsten
Please Forgive Me, by Henry Kane
A Crime Worthy of Me, by Hal Dresner
When Buying a Fine Murder, by Jack Ritchie
Maybe they did a new one with different titles - I'll definitely look for some of those others.
May 31, 2018
Such a random great find! A really great collection of well-written little stories.
August 28, 2019
Several shorter stories of mixed quality. Nothing top notch or new favorite but several good ones.
April 15, 2025
My favourite story is the gay coat. The rest are ok
As Gay As Cheese - Joan Aiken: Mr Pol, a bald and happy barber in a small Cornish town, can see the future (and past) of a person once he touches their hair.
The Wishing-Well - E.F. Benson: Judith Eusters, the daughter of the local parson in the remote Cornish town of St Gervase, becomes witchy driven by jealousy.
That Hell-Bound Train - Robert Bloch: Martin makes a bargain with the conductor of the Hell-Bound Train which involves a watch that could stop time when he wants in return to ride the train. He learns that happiness is in the journey.
Madame Mim - T.H. White: a selection from The Sword & the Stone, King Arthur called Wart lives in legendary medieval England with Sir Ector, the lord of a castle and Sir Ector's son Kay, they meet a witch and there's a battle.
Blood Money - M. Timothy O'Keefe: civilised vampires who need blood.
His Coat So Gay - Sterling E. Lanier (a Brigadier Ffellowes novelette): 5*, my favourite so far. Donald Fefllows, our protagnist is an English brigadier, living in the US during the Great Depression, when he befriends an insanely rich American Canler Waldron and his sister Betty, who are of Irish (and some Native American) descent. They love hunting and the coat mentioned is related to their hunting jackets (the Waldron family wear green, while Donald wears Blue, rather than red as is common among the English, like a target).
The story has a lead up the climax that reminded me of Dracula, the whole invitation, pagan rituals and ancient blood.
They'll Never Find You Now - Doreen Dugdale: Sweeney, hiding from his friends drives to a remote location where he encounters a recluse, her cat Blackie and her collection of mysterious drinks.
The Widow Flynn's Apple Tree - Lord Dunsany: Micky McGuire was found by Widow Flynn's apple tree, suffering a concussion when he was arrested by Sergeant Ryan for having damaged it. The widow refused to speak and seemed concerned about the defendant Micky, while Sergeant Ryan was adament that Micky was a thief. There follows Micky's testimony (defense) to the magistrate which was hilariously outlandish (the Widow Flynn turned him into a Goose and when he wanted to return to being a man he fell down from the sky onto the tree).
In the Cards - John Collier: Myra Wilkins, a fortune teller uses the Vascal System that predicts people's fortunes. But the ending isn't always happy.
Strangers in Town - Shirley Jackson: Addie Spinner, an elderly spinster who insists she hates gossiping but spends all day spying and gossiping. She distrusts her new neighbours who candidly inform her they use magic and turns to town against them
The Proof - John Moore: a most frightening story of a young woman accused of being a witch due to superstitious idiots.
As Gay As Cheese - Joan Aiken: Mr Pol, a bald and happy barber in a small Cornish town, can see the future (and past) of a person once he touches their hair.
The Wishing-Well - E.F. Benson: Judith Eusters, the daughter of the local parson in the remote Cornish town of St Gervase, becomes witchy driven by jealousy.
That Hell-Bound Train - Robert Bloch: Martin makes a bargain with the conductor of the Hell-Bound Train which involves a watch that could stop time when he wants in return to ride the train. He learns that happiness is in the journey.
Madame Mim - T.H. White: a selection from The Sword & the Stone, King Arthur called Wart lives in legendary medieval England with Sir Ector, the lord of a castle and Sir Ector's son Kay, they meet a witch and there's a battle.
Blood Money - M. Timothy O'Keefe: civilised vampires who need blood.
His Coat So Gay - Sterling E. Lanier (a Brigadier Ffellowes novelette): 5*, my favourite so far. Donald Fefllows, our protagnist is an English brigadier, living in the US during the Great Depression, when he befriends an insanely rich American Canler Waldron and his sister Betty, who are of Irish (and some Native American) descent. They love hunting and the coat mentioned is related to their hunting jackets (the Waldron family wear green, while Donald wears Blue, rather than red as is common among the English, like a target).
The story has a lead up the climax that reminded me of Dracula, the whole invitation, pagan rituals and ancient blood.
They'll Never Find You Now - Doreen Dugdale: Sweeney, hiding from his friends drives to a remote location where he encounters a recluse, her cat Blackie and her collection of mysterious drinks.
The Widow Flynn's Apple Tree - Lord Dunsany: Micky McGuire was found by Widow Flynn's apple tree, suffering a concussion when he was arrested by Sergeant Ryan for having damaged it. The widow refused to speak and seemed concerned about the defendant Micky, while Sergeant Ryan was adament that Micky was a thief. There follows Micky's testimony (defense) to the magistrate which was hilariously outlandish (the Widow Flynn turned him into a Goose and when he wanted to return to being a man he fell down from the sky onto the tree).
In the Cards - John Collier: Myra Wilkins, a fortune teller uses the Vascal System that predicts people's fortunes. But the ending isn't always happy.
Strangers in Town - Shirley Jackson: Addie Spinner, an elderly spinster who insists she hates gossiping but spends all day spying and gossiping. She distrusts her new neighbours who candidly inform her they use magic and turns to town against them
The Proof - John Moore: a most frightening story of a young woman accused of being a witch due to superstitious idiots.
Read
January 17, 2021I quite enjoyed That Hell-Bound Train, His Coat So Gay, & The Proof.
Being someone who enjoys to write short fiction every once in a while, it was fun to read short stories that I would say are adjacent to mine in content. (Having myself written about witches, ghosts, and wishing shenanigans.)
It is always a fun exercise to see how others structure their stories and to note why I may like one more than another.
The book itself is packaged for children - the large font and on the inside it says this is a story collection for young readers - but I enjoyed these without feeling that they were childish. (In fact, several had content that seemed to me to be very not childish.)
Being someone who enjoys to write short fiction every once in a while, it was fun to read short stories that I would say are adjacent to mine in content. (Having myself written about witches, ghosts, and wishing shenanigans.)
It is always a fun exercise to see how others structure their stories and to note why I may like one more than another.
The book itself is packaged for children - the large font and on the inside it says this is a story collection for young readers - but I enjoyed these without feeling that they were childish. (In fact, several had content that seemed to me to be very not childish.)
December 11, 2023
I read the Brazilian Portuguese edition, entitled "Com Açúcar e Veneno", published by Editora Record in paperback, with 202 pages.
It includes an introduction by Alfred Hitchcock and the following short stories:
1. Pressentimento (Charles Mergendahl)
2. Um Tiro numa Noite Escura (Avram Davidson)
3. Tive uma Suspeita e... (Talmage Powell)
4. Como Ganhar na Bolsa de Valores (Robert Bloch)
5. Foi-se Como um Passe de Mágica (Richard Hardwick)
6. O Grande Golpe (Borden Deal)
7. A Doce Srta. Bluebeard (Nedra Tyre)
8. Ri Melhor Quem Ri por Último (Philip Tremont)
9. Faça Dieta e Morra (Wenzell Brown)
10. Só por Divertimento (Richard Marsten)
11. Por Favor, Perdoe-me (Henry Kane)
12. Um Crime Digno de Mim (Hal Dresner)
13. Quando Comprar um bom Assassinato (Jack Ritchie)
It includes an introduction by Alfred Hitchcock and the following short stories:
1. Pressentimento (Charles Mergendahl)
2. Um Tiro numa Noite Escura (Avram Davidson)
3. Tive uma Suspeita e... (Talmage Powell)
4. Como Ganhar na Bolsa de Valores (Robert Bloch)
5. Foi-se Como um Passe de Mágica (Richard Hardwick)
6. O Grande Golpe (Borden Deal)
7. A Doce Srta. Bluebeard (Nedra Tyre)
8. Ri Melhor Quem Ri por Último (Philip Tremont)
9. Faça Dieta e Morra (Wenzell Brown)
10. Só por Divertimento (Richard Marsten)
11. Por Favor, Perdoe-me (Henry Kane)
12. Um Crime Digno de Mim (Hal Dresner)
13. Quando Comprar um bom Assassinato (Jack Ritchie)
December 31, 2019
A fun collection of crime stories with a twist in the ending——though Goodreads description that,” a sorceress, a witch’s cauldron, and a modern vampire” figure in this collection is not even accurate. I was expecting that these stories would have a supernatural or occult element, though, with the exception of the first two stories, “Premonition,” and “I Had a Hunch, And...” they do not. Favorites include: “Diet and Die” about an epicurean who dispatches with his spouses after they go on diets and “Just for Kicks” about an ad man who decides that a “thrill kill” might cure his ennui.
August 24, 2022
Excelente antología de cuentos negros, de suspenso y misterio. Es como una experiencia literaria de las historias que Hitchcock gustaba de llevar a la pantalla chica y grande. Algunas bien escalofriantes y otras completamente desconcertantes. Libro muy difícil de encontrar hoy, una verdadera joyita.
November 7, 2023
A mixed bag as most of these are but just a cool collection of short stories. I remember checking these out from the school library years ago - might be what got me hooked on horror/weird fiction in the first place. Favorite stories are That Hellbound Train and His Coat So Gay. Also great to read some Shirley Jackson in this. Also the format and drawings are really cool in the hardcover format.
August 5, 2017
Once again, I'm back with another classic Hitchcock collection, and once again it's just as good as all the others. Say what you will, Mister Hitchcock knew how to put together a fun and exciting collection of stories.
August 3, 2018
Another deep blast from my elementary school days!
Read
October 20, 2018Even though the info on this site says the paperback versions were between 1977-1983, I know I read a paperback version of this back around 1965.
February 26, 2021
Pulled this off the shelf from my younger days for a quick re-read. Still holds up as a decent anthology geared for 8 - 12 year old readers.
October 31, 2024
These were fine stories, I suppose, but I'm baffled by the title of this collection. I expected supernatural and strange tales. These were more murder mystery/ crime fiction.
December 29, 2016
Alfred Hitchcock presenta "El Brebaje de las Brujas".
Fácilmente podría este libro como un programa de televisión de los años '40 o '50, en blanco y negro, con ese estilo tan de la época. Es un libro que tiene relatos interesantes, de fácil lectura; no son historias profundas, pero sí me han llamado la atención, y eso se aprecia mucho.
No hay que guiarse por el título del libro, no hay historias sobrenaturales sobre brujas ni nada del estilo. Podría ser algo simbólico: en casi todos los relatos hay una mujer que cumple un rol importante en la trama, en donde se podría aplicar el viejo dicho "Las brujas no existen, pero que las hay, las hay".
En resumen, es un libro interesante y entretenido, recomendable.
Fácilmente podría este libro como un programa de televisión de los años '40 o '50, en blanco y negro, con ese estilo tan de la época. Es un libro que tiene relatos interesantes, de fácil lectura; no son historias profundas, pero sí me han llamado la atención, y eso se aprecia mucho.
No hay que guiarse por el título del libro, no hay historias sobrenaturales sobre brujas ni nada del estilo. Podría ser algo simbólico: en casi todos los relatos hay una mujer que cumple un rol importante en la trama, en donde se podría aplicar el viejo dicho "Las brujas no existen, pero que las hay, las hay".
En resumen, es un libro interesante y entretenido, recomendable.
February 2, 2010
Another deliciously addictive collection of spine-tingling tales with twisty and ironic endings, this one appropriate for children and young adults. I still have my copy from childhood and I still read it. The Hell-Bound train might be one of my all-time favorite stories - and it taught me a critical life lesson early on: you can't wait for that one perfect moment in life, because it doesn't exist; just enjoy each moment as it comes. Oh, and don't make deals with the devil - he cheats!
December 8, 2012
I have been rereading these old Alfred Hitchcock anthologies. This one deals with tales of Witchcraft. The stories are varied; some are great, some are good, and some are sleepers, but overall a unique collection. My favorites: "They'll Never Find You Now" by Doreen Dougdale, "The Proof" by John Moore, and "Strangers in Town" by Shirley Jackson.
December 31, 2023
This was very hit or miss for me, which is what you can expect about a collection of short stories. At its best, it was a crisp twilight zone episode, and a short story that was very good. At its worst, it’s cringey, boring, or silly.
More bad than good in this one, but the good ones rly slapped. Reminder to myself to write down in my review which ones I liked.
More bad than good in this one, but the good ones rly slapped. Reminder to myself to write down in my review which ones I liked.
September 15, 2017
I read this one with my son and we both enjoyed it. I'm a sucker for horror anthology in any format, so this appealed to me especially. There were a few misses here, but most of it hit. That Hell Bound Train and Strangers in Town were two of our favorites.
September 16, 2009
Excellent creepy stories, including E.F. Benson's "The Wishing Well."
November 1, 2015
Always a classic, Hitchcock's anthologies of short stories are always a pleasure to read, whatever your age. These stories are timeless, and are just as enjoyable whether you're 8, 48 or 108.
July 22, 2007
Another favorite from childhood.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews