How to Kill a Witch

by Claire Mitchell, Zoe Venditozzi

'Fascinating and illuminating, this book tempers the justifiable rage with sharp and funny pinpricks to the pompous.' VAL MCDERMID, author of Past Lying

'As well as highly entertaining read, How To Kill A Witch is a tour de force of research, understanding and compassion.' PROFESSOR SUE BLACK, author of All That Remains.

'Serious and angry, but so completely accessible, How To Kill A Witch is a work of real historical investigation and a fierce warning for our times.' MALCOLM GASKILL, author of The Ruin Of All Witches

'At a time when women's rights are once again being threatened across the globe, this book could not be a more timely read if it tried.' SHIRLEY MANSON, Garbage

'Two of Scotland's most vivid storytellers.' THE TIMES

As a woman, if you lived in Scotland in the 1500s, there was a very good chance that you, or someone you knew, would be tried as a witch. Witch hunts ripped through the country for over 150 years, with at least 4,000 accused, and with many women's fates sealed by a grizzly execution of strangulation, followed by burning.

Inspired to correct this historic injustice, campaigners and writers Claire Mitchell, KC, and Zoe Venditozzi, have delved deeply into just why the trials exploded in Scotland to such a degree. In order to understand why it happened, they have broken down the entire horrifying process, step-by-step, from identification of individuals, to their accusation, 'pricking', torture, confessions, execution and beyond.

With characteristically sharp wit and a sense of outrage, they attempt to inhabit the minds of the persecutors, often men, revealing the inner workings of exactly why the Patriarchy went to such extraordinary lengths to silence women, and how this legally sanctioned victimisation proliferated in Scotland and around the world.

With testimony from a small army of experts, pen portraits of the women accused, trial transcripts, witness accounts and the documents that set the legal grounds for the hunts, How to Kill A Witch builds to form a rich patchwork of tragic stories, helping us comprehend the underlying reasons for this terrible injustice, and raises the serious question - could it ever happen again?

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Feminism, Witches, Historical, Audiobook, True Crime

9 pages, Audible Audio

First published May 15, 2025

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exactly what the blurb says it's going to be, with Zoe and Claire discussing the various Scottish witch trials and their forgotten victims (who were mostly women). It's a darkly humorous read with entertaining and witty commentary, but that doesn't mean that it isn't factual or well-researched. As an American, I never learned much about witch trials in school other than what happened in Salem in 1692-93 and the vague fact that others occurred in Europe around the same time. This book was incredibly eye-opening, as I had no idea that Scotland had even had their own witch trials, much less that they were as extensive as they were. And, according to the authors, apparently Scottish pupils don't learn much more about them than we do.

How to Kill a Witch is both captivating and infuriating in equal measures. It amazes me the things that happened — and are still happening in various places around the world — in the name of religion … and in order to punish and silence “quarrelsome” women. This book tells the stories of some of the individuals who were wrongfully accused, and it also gets into the details of the processes used for dealing with "witches," from accusation to execution. The authors speak to experts in the field and those working to exonerate and memorialize the convicted, and there is much about the historical figures who allowed — and even encouraged — these trials to happen. (James VI probably should have been punted out of an airplane without a parachute … or whatever the 1500/1600s equivalent of an airplane was. A really tall tower, maybe?)

This book is horrifying and fascinating and informative and sad, and it makes me want to go learn more about the witch trials — not just those that happened in Scotland and Salem, but also those that took place elsewhere around the world. And I'm definitely going to go check out Zoe and Claire's Witches of Scotland podcast now because it sounds amazing. If you're at all interested in the history of the witch trials (or in the reasons behind them), definitely consider giving How to Kill a Witch a read.

4.8 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 30, 2025.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars — for the witches, the women, and the ones who wouldn’t shut up.

How to Kill a Witch by Claire Mitchell and Zoë Venditozzi is a sharp, lyrical unearthing of Scotland’s dark history — a history where thousands of (mostly) women were accused, tortured, and executed as witches. Not for spells or broomsticks, but for being too loud, too quiet, too clever, too poor, too unmarried, too inconvenient.

This book balances righteous fury with dark humor, layering facts with feeling. It’s deeply researched, utterly readable, and quietly devastating.

The authors don’t just look backward; they draw a jagged line straight to the present. You’ll come away wondering how much has really changed. The witch hunts may be over, but the suspicion, control, and silencing of women? That’s alive and well.

Being a woman today is slightly less burny, sure — but still pretty witchy.

[Sinead Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, funny, shocking, heartbreaking - a triumph.

[Natalie "Curling up with a Coffee and a Kindle" Laird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am LOVING all my witch reads lately, whether it be fiction or fact.
Accusations of witchcraft were hugely prevalent in the 1600s in the reign of King James I. But this book brings those witchcraft trials to the present day, highlighting the underlying misogyny through the centuries.
This is a hugely readable and fascinating book, and every feminist should read it and shake their heads in outrage and disbelief.
Brilliant, and incredibly relevant and important today.

[Gyalten Lekden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is wonderfully expansive and fiercely dedicated to its topic. The writing is playful but informative, managing to cover a lot of historical ground without ever being dry. It is clear that this project started as a podcast, and I say that in the most complimentary of ways. The way it reads is smooth and inviting, and wonderfully descriptive. The research they have done is impressive and far-ranging, and yet never feels out of reach for someone who has little or no prior information about this period of Scottish history. To some extent there is something remarkably simple about this, which is patriarchy (and misogyny) use whatever tools are at their disposal to perpetuate a system of power and inequality. What I especially appreciate is how they take this as the starting point and then explore how it is filtered through religious beliefs, economic distress, political unrest, and other sociological factors to bring about something both specific and yet seemingly timeless and repeated across cultures. They have a commitment to the women who were wronged and the systems that failed them, with everything emerging from that. This keeps the narrative grounded and relevant.

That said, there is a bit of repetition, as various specific cases they describe are all very similar, and they all seem to prove similar if not the same point. This again feels like a nod to their origins as a podcast, where bits of information are repeated across chapters in such a way as to make sure they stick with the audience. I was never bored, I was impressed with the research and finished the book knowing a lot more (about a very specific topic) than I did when I started. I think anyone who identifies as a feminist or who has studied any sort of feminist or gender theory will not be surprised at the larger forces at play, this does not reveal anything previously unknown about the patriarchy and its destructive role in shaping human history, but it still is an engaging bit of history that demonstrates the lived realities of those oppressive, usually unspoken systems. Importantly it does not simply remind us that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it but it shows how we have already started repeating it, here and there, and how we are not so far away from this flavor of travesty as we might like to believe.

The book is fun to read and more than sets out to achieve what it aims. Although a bit repetitive it manages to present a lot of history and theory in a way that is easily digestible and informative, and a quick read on top of that.

[Teacup Story · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the subject and I love the authors. However, the book felt disorganized and didn't flow as well as I expected, and I thought the use of an AI-generated artwork to accompany one of the accused women's stories was just bizarre.

I do really appreciate the campaign to get the accused people's names out and to remember them as victims of an oppressive system.

[Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

*audiobook

[Inge]

Well-written, easy to read and (obviously) makes a great point: Scotland’s witches, and witches in general, should be remembered and lessons have to be learned from the witch trails. That being said, this book lacked nuance in many areas. To name one example: around the 80-90 page mark, the authors cite a historian they’ve spoken to about John Knox. She mentions research isn’t clear about how ‘sexist’ he really was; from a modern day standpoint he is, but back then he expressed opinions many had, and was good friends with a few women as well. But the authors write ‘despite [her] take on Knox, his sexism, to us, runs very deeply’, followed by cherry picking The First Blast of the Trumpet ánd claiming only Mary Queen of Scots was affected by this (multiple women were!). His story is far more nuanced than the authors claim, but they decide to sidestep historians to make this segment fit their overall point. To top it all off, Knox gets his own fictional mini chapter in this book, where he performs a truly villanous speech. And the authors don’t just do this with Knox either: this cherry picking also goes for James I’s writings, how women were perceived, witch hunts outside of Scotland (why mention the US, mention Ireland and Norway briefly but then claim Scotland is in this aspect completely different from every other country?), … and that’s only the stuff I’ve had lectures on and/or written 2 thesis’ about.

Midway through explaining historic events, the authors also put in ‘funny’ things that are meant to take us back to reality, like comparing past events with the present, and frequently writing down things along the lines of ‘ugh, men, right’ or ‘wow people those days’. That’s just… not necessary. I do appreciate that they’re bringing POC into this, and their anger and call for action is justified. But when they mention how someone wanted to burn Harry Potter books, they happen to completely gloss over JKR’s statements recently. I’m sorry, but you can’t keep bringing little sidenotes and links to the present into the mix, raising your voice for all women, and then casually mention the Harry Potter books without raising your voice for trans women, too.

This nuance also lacked in how the authors view popular culture surrounding witches. You’d think the authors would be pleased with people coming to see witches’ scales or visiting Salem, but according to them this can only be ‘dark tourism’. And yeah, if someone goes to Salem to ‘enjoy’ this history and get a kick out of it, then that’s not ethical. But if people visit to learn more about this history, to have it make an impact on them by being there and realising it’s not a fictional place… why wouldn’t we want that? They mention visiting battlefields, cemeteries and castles counts as dark tourism too, because obviously you can’t simply be interested in the history of these places.

I’ve found that popular books about witches often lack nuance. They’re written from a point of (totally justified!) activism, but then obscure some of the nuances. That’s the case here too. The authors speak to historians and researchers who support their work and whom they’re on good terms with, but if someone else contradicts this view that’s not worth investigating further. This book’s activism, however justified this is, seems one-sided, and to top it all off, one of the later chapters features an AI artwork (made by someone else, but still, whyy??). If you’re unfamiliar with this timeperiod or witch trials in general you’ll probably really enjoy this, but I found this lacking.

[Gaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Men will always find an excuse to oppress women 🤦🏻‍♀️.

How is believing witches are responsible for a bad sea voyage more realistic than blaming Poseidon?

The worst thing is that it is 2025, and people are still being killed for witchcraft.

[Loriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a couple of months to finish this one—not because it was slow or boring or overly dense, but because I kept pausing to Google people, places, and events mentioned throughout. That’s how engaging and educational this book is.

How to Kill a Witch explores witch hunts and trials through a global lens but focuses heavily on Scotland’s dark and often overlooked history. One of the most striking revelations? Even many Scots are more familiar with the Salem witch trials than with their own country’s tragic past. That says a lot.

Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi clearly poured their hearts into this work. You can feel their passion and dedication to honoring the victims by bringing their stories into the light. The emotional weight of this book hit me often. I found myself tearing up while reading these accounts.

What makes the book stand out is how it seamlessly blends historical facts with fictional vignettes, giving us a more vivid sense of what these women may have experienced. These fictional passages are clearly marked (thank you, font change!), so there’s no confusion between what’s real and what’s imagined.

But what really hit me was how the authors connect the past to the present, showing how the same patterns of injustice, misogyny, and fear-driven violence still exist today. It’s a powerful and necessary reading.

If you’re even remotely interested in women’s history, Scottish history, or the ongoing fight for justice and recognition, this book belongs on your shelf.

[Ross Maclean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great stuff in here. The campaign is admirable — nay, vital — and the stories and facts fascinating. It breaks things down in easily digestible ways that avoid it getting too lost in the weeds of history. But it’s a bit scattershot at times, the structure doesn’t entirely work, the copy errors are distracting, and the irreverence that works in the podcast doesn’t translate well to text. At once both too wide-ranging and not detailed enough, I really, really wish I got more from this expansion.

[Panda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook (8 hours) narrated by the authors Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi
Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc

The authors do a nice job narrating this book. A times a little droning and bland, but always clear in tone and background.
The author is flawless.

This is a nonfiction read about Scotland witch trials, which unsurprisingly sound like someone jumped on a plane, switched the names and accents from the Salem witch trials and printed it up. I'm not actually suggesting that is what happened, but if not identical, it is so close, which is eerie given the lack of travel and long distance communication at the time.

This rating might just be me. I am pretty well versed in the Salem stories, having grown up by Salem's back door. It's interesting in a eerie way, not just the basic similarities but the tools! Even given that, at times I felt bored and as if the narration was droning on and bland, which I could attribute to either the writing or the narration. Funnily enough, the authors are the narrators, so, same/same.

If witches are your thing and you're curious, sure pick it up! Maybe pick up the print, if you are pretty well versed in witch trials so you can easily pop around. If non-fiction witchery is new to you, this may be a good pick. It certainly is thorough in the procedures, as well as the reasons behind them.

2 - 3 stars. I really didn't like like it, it was just OK, so I am rating it a 2 based on my personal enjoyment, but with my reasons above. Others, especially those not familiar may love it. I feel a little bad about this one as it seems so well researched. These are the odd instances where I'm not sure if I should even rate it as I have conflicting feelings about it.

[Eloise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such an important project and book. The intentions and the already achieved results (for example the public and official apology, the gathering of information, etc.) are commendable and impressive. It's also lovely that this edition has the cover with their tartan.

However, for me personally, the writing style greatly undermines the overall quality of the content. I’ve learned that it’s possible to hold somebody in very high esteem, have great respect for their work but still not like the work itself.

The writing is, to my taste, often rather unsophisticated and very immature, riddled with childish things like crossings out and correcting them, writing (we jest) after a sentence or footnotes that don't give information but are only a joke. Three examples of those ‘funny’ footnotes:
- ‘It appears that the patriarchy is doing well in hell, what with the only man getting the desk job.’
- Under a text about attaching each part of a cat to the chieftest part of a dead man: ‘If the chieftest part of a man is what we are imagining it is, that must have been pretty hard to attach.’
- After describing that the version of Daemonology intended for London was a little fancier, saying ‘no doubt to suit the more refined tastes of a metropolitan London audience’, there’s the footnote: ‘Plus ça change, eh?’ Not so not unnecessary and immature, but also untrue. The second edition was published when James, the author, became king, and after the first edition already has success. A slightly fancier version suited the occasion and success. Also, why, if you want to make that joke, does it need to be a footnote? You can just put that as a new sentence.
There are many like that, and they’re all unnecessary and often unfunny.

There are many footnotes in general. Even if they do contain helpful information, nine out of ten times they could have just been added to the main text. This many footnotes makes the pages look messy, in my opinion.

The writing style is very informal, which I sometimes found off-putting and amateuristic. I'm not talking about a bit of humour being inappropriate for the subject; I love me some dark humour and I don't see that as disrespectful. It wasn't that. It's more that feeling that they write how they talk and that sometimes and partially works, but not always. And also that it's a bit over the top, a bit of a 'look how funny we are' vibe with the reader going 'o.k., boomer...' (they're not boomers, I know, and I am their age, but I'm just describing that cringy feeling. Hard to explain. As an example, here are the four last sentences of the chapter in which it is explained that magic in those days was considered fact. ‘The belief in magic, then, real as it was, did not cause the bloody horror of the witchcraft trials. The causes of those? Oh, they were very much man-made. Let us explain…’ I find this style, with the question, the oh and the three dots almost physically irksome. Something similar is the last sentence of a paragraph explaining how king James argues that witches exist. ‘OK, witches are real. What next?’ is the sentence before the next chapter. It’s a style that strikes me as what a 15-year-old aspiring writer would do in their naive enthusiasm, not two women even slightly older than I am.

I think one aspect of an editor’s job is to see if the writer uses the same words or phrases too often. Clearly, this editor was fine with them writing that somebody ‘had no truck with’ something seemingly every other page.

We are already informed in the introduction that there are short fiction chapters in the book, written to set the mood. The book doesn’t need those. The facts are already more than enough to set the mood and to use fiction undermines the factual narrative, even though the fiction passages are clearly marked as such. I tried reading two and stopped reading them after that, unless it said that it was mostly actual quotes. For me, making things up to set the mood doesn't go with trying to uncover as many facts as we can.

Truly rude I found how they describe the Bodlean and National Library of Scotland, writing in a derogatory way about how they couldn’t enjoy the view because of blinds protecting the book from ‘dangerous sunshine’ and how the air conditioning was checked by the librarian ‘presumably so the books didn’t spontaneously overheat and burst into flames.’ Why this disrespectful, derogatory nastiness? And so utterly ignorant too.

The build-up of chapters, the structure, somehow doesn't flow. I see what they tried to do - go through every step of the process chronologically. In theory, that should work well but in this case, it really doesn't.

The chosen font, the main one but especially the chapter headers, adds to the book feeling very unserious and gimmicky.

There are many possible illustrations for this topic. But if you want to raise awareness about the facts, then stick to the facts, and don't use ai-created imagery!

Overall, I think that even though the subject matter appeals to a very broad demographic, as it should, and even though many different kinds of people will buy it, only the swooning Outlander crowd will stick around after reading. You can see that in many comments on social media. People messing up facts, idealising the times, etc. People claiming they have not one, but two witches in their ancestry, completely missing the whole point of witches not existing and seemingly too thick to realise that ancestry cannot be traced in any of the known cases. People talking about what lovely dresses witches must've had or that they'd love to have the same herb gardens as 'those healers'. People thinking the Witches of Scotland tartan originated in that time... I even stopped following the Instagram account after too much eyerolling. You even see some of those kinds of things in some of the reviews here. Anyway, my point is - that seems almost the sole demographic they appeal to and, unfortunately, I get that, given how the authors come across in their writing and media. Unfortunately too, I think hardly any man will read it; as a woman, these women make me go "Ah no, don't be like that, you're actually perpetuating the stereotype that most women want to be rid of", so I would fully understand most men rolling their eyes and/or being miffed that even though the authors say they stick to the facts, they're also maintaining the 'all men are tw*ts' vibe.

It happens sometimes, with great causes, that I think: “I wish somebody else was fronting this organisation/talk/march/press conference, as this person, even though I agree with every word, is the type of person that will only annoy rather than engage the intended demographic, or confirm their prejudice or dislike.” That’s what I feel here too.

[Adam Kynaston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more, but it’s pretty obviously written by podcasters, and the writing suffers for it. For example, over half of the footnotes were their own snarky comments, which I think should’ve been inserted parenthetically. To have a non-fiction book have annotations that are not somehow clarifying the material is weird and jarring and feels more like a high school senior thesis paper than a thoughtful non-fiction dissection of an important topic. There were three or four things like this that were recurrent, and it was jarring enough to detract from the experience.

The material is good. The organization is not. The chapter headings are virtually meaningless, really it’s just story after story of people accused of witchcraft. And that part is awesome! Their whole argument for women being treated poorly by men is very thoughtfully organized and I appreciated that. The book structure itself though was weird and offputting. I often got to the end of the chapter and wondered why they hadn’t addressed the titular piece of material. Weird. Editor oh editor, where have you been?

They conclude with an argument about how things are not better for women than they were then. Really? Is that the conclusion? I won’t bother to give examples, I imagine people who disagree with me on this point will disagree no matter what I say. Let me just say this: I have a beautiful wife of 20 years and eight beautiful daughters. Of the myriad generations in which they could have been born, I am so grateful it is now. They have goals, aspirations, potential, and opportunities. Although I think there are huge disadvantages to being female in our society, I do think it’s better than it’s ever been, and continues to improve.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was umming and ahhing between 3 and 4 stars for this, but ultimately it is incredibly well researched and its relevance today is still as important as ever. I listened to the audiobook but think it would work better as a physical book as I personally found it difficult to keep track of who was who, and the old Scottish accent and dialect used was hard to make sense of without seeing it in writing. Nevertheless, a worthwhile read and a fascinating history lesson.

[Matal “The Mischling Princess” Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell’s “How to Kill a Witch: The Patriarchy's Guide to Silencing Women” is a fascinating book that looks at how women were (and continue to be) used as scapegoats by society. I especially love their tongue-in-cheek comments included in footnotes.

This is a well-written book based on facts and one that everyone needs to pay attention to. Even the details on how women were executed—and what they experienced during the execution and preceding torture were included, not just for gory reasons but as lessons for the present day and future..

People in the past, in the present, and will no doubt do so in the future, level accusations of witchcraft against someone in the same manner that accusations against diaspora Jews are also made. Why? Because people are **always** looking for a scapegoat for their own (mis)behaviors and misfortunes, and organized religion is a convenient vehicle for this.

It seems that the authors unwittingly allowed one of their resources, Leo, to do the same in this book—and without pushback—when he claimed that “…Western anthropologists…” (p. 241) were responsible for the modern-day scourge of witchcraft trials in Africa.

Despite being an anthropologist myself, I have absolutely no affinity with the vast majority of other professionals in my field. The field itself has had (and still has) numerous problems—no different than any other academic field. That said, when something smells like bullshit, I have to call it out.

It appeared that the authors were clearly aware of Leo’s scapegoating because they included an African billboard featuring an evangelical pastor’s revival titled, “That Witch Must Die” (p. 239). I only wish that the authors would have included a **textual** refutal in addition to a pictorial one. Yet when discussing the crimes, including murder, against albinos in Africa, the authors state that,

“…Superstition, hatred, and crime around albinism are live issues in twenty-seven countries across sub-Saharan Africa…” (p. 247).

And just after this example, they highlight the abuse of children in the UK, claiming that,

“…Certain churches perpetuate beliefs around witchcraft. They wouldn’t necessarily term it ‘witchcraft,’ but perhaps they would call it ‘ritual cleansing’ because they consider people to be cursed.” These churches, much like in Scotland during the witch trials, think they are doing God’s work, but we know their actions lead to harm when vulnerable people can’t defend themselves…” (p. 248).

So even though I’m not a cheerleader for anthropology, I wish that the authors had addressed Leo’s comments more forcefully and analyzed them more critically. This very minor detail is the only mishap that I could find. I absolutely recommend this book to everyone!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars


This book is historical nonfiction that looks at the women of Scotland, who were accused of witchcraft. It includes several well-known women and their trials, the numerous instances of the patriarchy that lead to the horrific events of witch hunts and the treatment of women. It was very fascinating learning about these women's stories, how the political, social, religious climates were used and essentially weaponized against mainly women, especially those that stood out and dared to talk back. Also comparing the use of these terms and ideas in Scotland, with those in the USA and Nigeria both past and current. This book touched on a number of compelling topics, some I would not have even thought of that would be a factor in these events, not to mention the number of experts interviewed, was adding even more depth and understanding to what happened during this time period. While I did enjoy reading this book some things were a bit long and repetitive at times, but ultimately an excellent read. I would recommend it if you had any interest in history, witches, and Patriarchy, it is a very captivating read.
I received an ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

[Alexandra Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been following the Witches of Scotland for a wee while and have been waiting for the release of this book! I was excited to listen to it as an audiobook and hear Claire and Zoe’s passion through their reading. Overall an excellent non-fiction piece that has been thoroughly researched. If you’re going to read any book on the Scottish witch trials this should be the one!

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous non-fiction book. From the title, it is obviously about witches and how women have been treated throughout history. The book focuses on the accused from history and then explains why they were treated as they were.

This is an addictive read, and it is one that lovers of historical fact and the role of women or how women have been treated centuries ago. Most of us are aware of witches from either fairy tales, folklore or myth. The author has used sections from transcripts, documents and the account of the time. I am no expert, but to me it feels very well researched, and there is a large list for further reading if you decide to delve further.

The author does use some of the more well-known characters or areas in history where there have been witch trials. But, this book focuses more on the Witches that were tried in Scotland. The author has a podcast called Witches of Scotland, and this is another great visit.

The way women have been portrayed in history changes depending on the viewpoint of others. A woman could be sought out to help with delivering a baby, but if something went wrong or there was some sort of affliction, then it would be common for either that woman or another from the area to be blamed. A snide remark, a wrong look or just not being liked or being seen as an outsider could be enough for you to be reported.

We are aware that the way the law worked was very different to today. Being moneyed, gentry, mayoral, important figure was enough for you to be part of the bench that would pass judgment. Not allowing women or other people to explain themselves and give their account of things was not part of the trial. Instead, confessions were used; these were obtained by force and then admitted as the overriding evidence.

While the book does explore the ways witches were sought out, what made them dangerous, how to capture and extract confessions, it is also about how women were treated by the largely patriarchal society of the time. Yes, it can be an infuriating read as the sense of injustice is very obvious.

This book looks at life in the 1500 and 1600s, and explores the role of women, their status in the family and society and how easy to was to pin the badge of witch to them if they stepped out of line. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and it is one I would definitely recommend.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So interesting and well written! The authors give such thoughtful perspective into the past and how so many of the issues women faced in history are still so relevant today.

[hollie reads it all · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly, one of the most incredible reads of this year. Poignant, well-researched, bright, funny, witty, and all around wonderful, this book is not to be missed.

I am truly in awe of the women who wrote this book - Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi. Both remarkable and brilliant women, with personal and professional lives that make them forces with which to be reckoned. On top of their personal and professional achievements, they began the Witches of Scotland podcast, which aimed to highlight the miscarriages of justice, against women accused of witchcraft. Born out of a recognition that women (very much falsely) accused of witchcraft in Scotland were mislabeled and then executed, and the annals of history barely record their names, Mitchell and Venditozzi set out to remember these women.

What started as a tongue-in-cheek campaign, metamorphosed into a beautifully written recorded history of the women accused of witchcraft. This book goes beyond just sixteenth and eighteenth century Scotland, and draws direct parallels to modern day society. One thing we tend to forget, or indeed, even romanticize, is that these women were NOT witches. They were women who, for whatever reason, were targeted by their neighbors/families/friends/enemies/religious leaders. Because they didn’t fit into the prescribed boxes for pious women (which, understanding the religio-political climate of the times, makes it hard to even know exactly what religion to follow, in order to be a “godly” woman), and were subsequently punished - and murdered - for it.

This book recounts those women. Their stories. Their lives. Their womanhood. It reclaims their stories and makes a record of them, so that others may learn from the past, and honor the deaths of these women. While the full title, “How to Kill a Witch: The Patriarchy’s Guide for Silencing Women” does feel cheeky, it really does break down the steps and ways in which men of the time, in positions of extreme and total power, were able to manipulate society’s fears, insecurities, and vulnerabilities, and create the ultimate scapegoat.

As a nonfiction, historical book, “How to Kill a Witch” could be a dry, unengaging text. However, Mitchell and Venditozzi infuse humor, wit, and grace into this book, almost imperceptibly. The content is dark and horrific, thinking of the things that happened to these women and their families, and their utter powerlessness. But, Venditozzi and Mitchell ensure we can learn about the past in a way that is engaging, meaningful, easy to connect with, while honoring the pain and suffering. There were moments that made me laugh, moments that moved me to tears, and every range of emotion in between. I have a degree in History (and Literature), and I cannot emphasize how much I wish I had this book during my studies. Students, both official and mere life-long learners, will be enraptured from the first page, and will stay that way, until the very end.

I recommend this book with my whole chest. I wish this was required reading in schools - the amount of information about human nature and how to avoid these grave and deadly actions in the future, is truly invaluable. The feminist read of 2025.

[Kerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. I thought there might be some feminist analysis, but this is just a series of other sources paraphrased and cobbled together. Like others, I was also put off by the ultra casual tone at times. When someone mention that the images are generated by an LLM, I had enough. this book doesn't respect the reader.

[Anisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I find myself genuinely perplexed by this book’s overwhelmingly positive reception and its win of the Goodreads Choice Award for 2025. While it is not without value, its acclaim feels wildly disproportionate to what it actually delivers on the page. The issue is not the importance of the subject or the sincerity of the authors’ intent, but the book’s fundamental failure as a work of written narrative nonfiction.

To be clear, this is not a poorly researched book. On the contrary, its research is substantial, its sources wide ranging, and its commitment to documenting historical injustice evident throughout. At its core, the book seeks to expose how women were historically mistreated, silenced, punished, and erased, patterns that continue to resonate today. The authors draw from court documents, religious texts, and historical records to name those responsible and restore visibility to those who were condemned. That archival work alone gives the book moral weight and historical relevance.

However, strong research cannot compensate for the absence of writing skill. The material is presented with almost no narrative shaping, interpretive framing, or authorial control. Rather than feeling intentionally composed, the book reads like one long information blurt, an accumulation of facts, names, dates, and outcomes with little sense of hierarchy or direction. Stories are relayed in a dry, procedural manner rather than crafted accounts of human lives. While accuracy is essential in nonfiction, writing is what transforms documentation into understanding. Here, the lack of analysis and narrative engagement leaves the women discussed feeling distant and abstract, which ultimately undermines the book’s stated aim of honouring them.

This issue is magnified by the sheer volume of material compressed into roughly three hundred pages. The book races through an overwhelming number of cases, introducing individuals only briefly before moving on and allowing no space for emotional resonance or deeper insight. Reading it often feels like moving too quickly through a memorial, where names blur instead of lingering. With clearer focus and stronger editorial discipline, fewer stories could have been explored with far greater impact, while additional cases might have been better suited to the authors’ podcast format.

Structural problems further weaken the reading experience. The pacing is uneven, and the organization frequently disrupts momentum rather than sustaining it. Ideas and conclusions are repeated throughout the text, not to build meaning but in a way that suggests a lack of confidence in the overall structure. Rather than reinforcing key points, this repetition dulls them and contributes to the sense that the book was not carefully shaped as a cohesive whole.

Some of the most engaging material appears in the footnotes. These sections occasionally contain nuance, reflection, and personality that are largely absent from the main chapters. Had this material been integrated into the body of the book and expanded upon, it might have provided the analytical depth and narrative voice the text otherwise lacks.

One editorial choice that felt particularly misplaced was the inclusion of an AI generated image. In a book concerned with real historical suffering and the restoration of individual lives, this element felt unnecessary and tonally jarring. Rather than grounding the narrative, it disrupted immersion and raised questions about relevance and judgment.

I do hold genuine respect for the authors’ efforts, particularly their role in increasing awareness of the Scottish witch trials and contributing to modern recognition and formal apologies. That impact matters. However, I also question the decision to divide attention between Scotland and Salem. The Salem trials have been extensively examined elsewhere, while the Scottish trials remain far less widely understood. A singular focus on the latter might have allowed for a more distinctive, disciplined, and meaningful work.

Ultimately, this is an important subject handled with earnest intention but undermined by a serious lack of narrative craft. The research and advocacy are commendable, yet the execution feels unfocused, unrefined, and emotionally inert. Its lasting value may lie more in the awareness it has helped generate than in its merits as a written work. Despite its research and intentions, the lack of structure, narrative control, and writing skill reduces this book to a raw data dump rather than a meaningful work of nonfiction.

[Abby Rogish Bodin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an advanced copy!

Holy moly. This book was incredible. I did read it slower than I normally read books, just because there's a lot of information to take in. I didn't realize that witch killings were so bad in Scotland, and I learned a lot. If you're not a nonfiction reader (like me), I STRONGLY URGE you to read this. Claire and Zoe bring you through important history in Scotland and other parts of the world, while sprinkling in hilarious footnotes.

What I loved the most was Claire and Zoe bringing it back to today with what's going on in the world RIGHT FRICKEN NOW. How scary it is and how real it is that witch accusations are STILL happening throughout the world.

I leave you with my favorite quotes:
"Memorialization is about connection. If we make the link between the past and ourselves, we're more likely not to repeat the more horrifying aspects of our history."

"Do not let the patriarchy silence you."

"So we say, fuck "being nice" to keep the peace or to keep other people happy. Fuck having to keep quiet for fear of being labeled difficult (they'll do that anyway). Fuck living, laughing, loving. Try shouting, swearing, fighting. Call out misogyny, challenge the norm, be a quarrelsome dame."

[Di Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few weeks ago I read a book about six women accused of witchcraft in Salem Massachusetts, and I didn’t really love that book. It just wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. This book, although focused for on the witch trials in Scotland, was exactly what I was looking for. The authors of this book apparently have a popular podcast that started in early 2020 and already has more than 75 episodes, so this is a subject they know very well, and a subject they been discussing for a long time. I think all of that came through loud and clear. The book was very well researched, and they were not shy about sharing their thoughts and conclusions. The Scotland witch trials of the late 1500’s make the Salem trials look like child’s play. Hundreds of people, mostly women, were brutally tortured and killed in ways that make that final scene of Braveheart seem quite tame. But let’s be clear about something. This isn’t really a history about witches, it’s a history about women, and the extremes men have gone through to control them. This is a book I would recommend to any man or woman that need to be reminded of how women have been treated throughout history, and especially anyone that continues to question why so many women are continuing to fight so hard today.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds me a lot of Marion Gibson’s Witchcraft: A History in Thirteen Trials (and it’s no surprise that the authors interview Gibson in one chapter) in that it works to correct the historic record on the multitude of women (almost always women) unjustly accused of witchcraft. Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi spearheaded the campaign to secure legal pardons for the victims of Scottish witch-hunts between 1563-1736, and was successful in securing a public apology from the Scottish government in 2022.

How to Kill a Witch furthers the aims of their campaign by dispelling misinformation regarding the accused, laying out the patriarchal, societal, religious, and legal conditions that led to witch-hunts in Scotland and beyond. Smart and thorough in research and content, and darkly comical in tone, this book is as entertaining as it is informative. I loved the use of fictionalized vignettes to put us in the minds of some of the historical figures — both accused and accusers — discussed in greater depth in the nonfictional chapters. And the book does an excellent job of explaining the throughlines from historical witch-hunts to witch-hunts, both metaphorical and real, that continue to occur today.

[Olivia Wilinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very important message and cause. A lot of the conversation surrounding witchcraft and witch trials are sensationalized and commercialized these days. It is important to understand the true scope of the injustices these women faced. Especially underlining that they were vulnerable women, not witches. A comprehensive overview of a terrible subject that was handle with respect to the victims.

I only had 2 gripes with this book: 1. The use and promotion of an AI "artist" at the very end of the afterword. F*** AI. 2. A personal thing, I do not like the use of excessive footnotes, especially for personal thoughts by the author. Just include that in the body of the paragraph, it ruins the flow of reading. Footnotes should be for academic context.

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was soooooo good. as a non fiction it is not dry, funny, smart, and both historical and relevant to today. so fascinated with this history and their campaign and feel like I learnt so much from those stories of the real women and the modern impact, it was all so compelling. if you want a taster, check out their podcast, it is also so good and the accents are an extra plus. proud quarrelsome dame

[Tyler Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

i've been so bad at updating, ah!

i LOVED this book! i really appreciate the ways in which the authors push far beyond the salem witch trials and give an informative and, yet entertaining unearthing of witches buried throughout history(sometimes literally)! reading this book felt like listening to a podcast between two besties nerding out -- which is awesome!

[Lilouae · Rating 4 out of 5]

The style of writing was a bit difficult to follow, although the information are very circular (even redundant sometimes). I love the sassy tone and dry humor of the authors, though.

It's time to burn the patriarchy to the ground.