Portrait of a Witch Undone

by K.S. Shay

K. S. Shay's debut PORTRAIT OF A WITCH UNDONE, pitched for fans of Alix E. Harrow and T. Kingfisher, a contemporary fantasy about best friends and ambitious witches who investigate a dangerous entity who lurks in the marshes of Boston's North Shore—only to discover a magical connection to the most famous unsolved art heist in the United States, when 13 artworks were taken from the Isabella Gardner Museum in the 1990s.

Publication is slated for Fall 2026.

Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Fiction

Unknown Binding

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

K.S. Shay is a writer and lover of all things strange, creepy, and magical. Find her online at ksshaywrites.com or hang out with her on social media @ksshaywrites everywhere.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part Piranesi, part witchy coven sisterhood story that will steal your heart. The marsh-filled museum is a crazy (read: CRAZY) setting that is its own strange character seeping throughout the pages of this book just as it seeps through the empty, stolen frames from the very real Gardner heist. Truly one of the most unique books I've read in a long time!
I was lucky the author let me read an early copy, and this checks all the boxes of my favorite kind of book: contemporary fantasy, biting prose, nature magic, action and adventure, stolen paintings, a dash of body horror? Shut up and take my money! If you loved The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow, or Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs, you won't want to miss K.S. Shay's debut.

[Kylie Niedermeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The comps to Harrow and Kingfisher don’t lie, Shay is a *gorgeous* writer. I loved this book 🥹♥️

[Kourtney L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating world and character building that made for a book that I couldn’t put down.

It addressed some serious topics (namely loss, navigating relationships, decisions that aren't black and white) in a way that is digestible to adults or to teenagers/YA. The story felt fully fleshed out, incorporating real-world research about native people and covens. AND the (no spice) romance was catching and flowed with the plot.

Thank you, K.S. Shay for the opportunity to read this work of art prior to release! I loved it!

[Leanne Poussard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witches and art heists and the Power of Friendship!! Checked all my boxes. This novel had me on the edge of my seat, it was one of those rare ones that kept me up until 4am to finish it. I was thrilled to be able to read the early drafts and I’m so excited for everyone else to get to read it.

[Majestia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the release so I can relive the magic all over again! ✨ Thanks for kicking off my new obsession with art heists and the Gardner Museum. 💖

[rachel x]

"For fans of Alix E. Harrow and T. Kingfisher, a contemporary fantasy about best friends and ambitious witches who investigate a dangerous entity who lurks in the marshes of Boston's North Shore—only to discover a magical connection to the most famous unsolved art heist in the United States, when 13 artworks were taken from the Isabella Gardner Museum in the 1990s."

[LoveYourShelf (LAB☺) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(ARC provided by the publisher; opinions are my own).

Witches, a museum heist, and a creepy fable come to life. Written with stunning prose, a contemporary fantasy with twists and turns that will have you staying up late reading.

[D. Dux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covens, art history, moody broody men and more—this book has absolutely everything you’d ever want in a fantasy based on the biggest art heist in history. The twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the stunning prose hit straight to your heart.

I was so lucky to read an early copy of this book and K.S Shay is an author to watch because this debut is stunning! ❤️

[Emma]

*sees reference to Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum*
*slams add to TBR button*