Witsh

by Mari Ellis Dunning

"Sixteenth century Wales, amidst relentless rain and failing crops, a woman is accused of Witchcraft."


Talk of witchcraft, convictions and hangings begin to cross the border from England, reaching and influencing gentry families and villagers alike. Told from the perspective of Doli Maredudd, a naive but headstrong young gentry woman living in the outskirts of the fictional Llyngwrach on the border of Wales. Having suffered her third miscarriage, Doli seeks the help of mysterious local wise-woman and healer Sara Gwen, who is able to offer her a fertility charm. When a servant finds this charm, amidst rising gossip and accusations of witchcraft, aspersions are cast against Sara Gwen by Doli's husband Hywel, who is keen to gain favour with other gentility and noblemen across the country.

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2025

Reviews

[Lucy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warning- fertility and miscarriage

Absolutely loved this debut novel by Mari Ellis Dunning.
A beautifully written story about witchcraft and persecution in a fictional Welsh village in 1597. It really felt like you were there with Doli amidst all her troubles. I loved the switch between Doli's point of view and the view of the superstitious villagers, who had a very different perspective. The story is fictitious but based on true historical evidence; including the first woman hung for witchcraft in Wales.

[Angharad Elin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge trigger warnings for this book including pages and pages on miscarriage, baby loss, anxiety during pregnancy about baby's health, still birth etc. And because of all that I did find this book extremely difficult to read at times, but that is down to the sheer excellence of the writing. I found this book made me so emotional, because I believed wholeheartedly in the characters and the story. My absolute hatred for some characters was obscene. Overall, this book has affected me to my core, and I certainly won't forget about it.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perspective of the villagers disenchanted by their fear of witches and their need for something ancestral. The story starts of slow as they read as journal entries. There is this increasing fear of women with agency that permeates throughout the narrative. This is a Welsh perspective on the way witchcraft was looked down upon with English influence. Throughout the narrative you see that regressive influence permeates through their perspectives.
The journal style made this narrative stand out. You are given an account of what the mindset was of witchcraft before and after English influence. This narrative shows that the fear came from this need for power and no real understanding of witchcraft. There is this feminine bonding that is created when men spend their lives demeaning women. What is in the word witsh here and what kind of power does it hold? A slow burn read for witchy readers. I wanted more depth in their interactions but the history and diction is rich in Welsh lore!
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[Molly Foster-Mannion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uncomfortable and compelling read from a modern perspective! I enjoyed the story and Doli's will and confidence grow. The story maybe felt a bit repetitive in parts and made it harder to read in one go but I did find myself thinking a lot about the story and the characters after putting it down. In saying that, I did like how the author made time pass fairly quickly without feeling rushed or too sudden.
The way Hywel acted and the horrid Jacob made my stomach feel so tight and brought up a lot of anger!!
It felt strange to see a parallel in helplessness between Awen (a baby) and an imprisoned Sara Gwen. Both suffering for something they couldn't control or didn't cause. I couldn't help feeling more strongly for Sara Gwen.
Agnes was a fantastic character with her strong will and gorgeous red hair.
The use of the red kites and their symbolism in mid Wales folklore was beautiful.
Want to live in Sara Gwen's little white cottage by the rowan tree ❤️

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally finished the book club read!

It was such a moving read. It hit hard, shocked me, and fascinated me all at the same time.

I’m so frustrated by the parallels to modern misogyny - you’d think a book based in the sixteenth century wouldn’t be able to crossover or feel familiar to today’s societal issues, but unfortunately… that is not the case.

My takeaways from Witsh:
-Important message
-Sisterhood and the innate knowledge women have for other women.
-Things are left unsaid. Allows you to read it how you want to interpret it (Rhys etc)
-Emotional
-Confronting (misogynistic men are still rife)
-Welsh setting (lovely realistic feel)

4.5 stars out of 5

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchased from a Porthmadog book shop while on holiday.

This book offers a vivid and unsettling account on the horrors of witchcraft accusations; blending clear storytelling with meticulous historical research. It captures the social tensions,poverty, superstition, and village rivalry that fueled accusations.

Overall, it’s a haunting and insightful novel filled with wholesome characters. A book I certainly could not put down.

Picked up on a whim, but definitely a shelf-keeper.

[Melissa Joulwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just returned home from a 3-week trip to Wales, and this novel perfectly captures the dramatic scenery, moody weather, and overall witchy vibes of North Wales' landscape. Solid story about the travails of being a woman in the 16th century — and now, TBH.

[E.M. Duffield-Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting, compelling, and darkly enchanting. The research is immaculate and the characters are credible all the way through. Doli's growth to finding her own power through dark and dangerous paths is un-put-downable. Go and read it now!

[Eliana Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dunning reveals how witch trials were really attacks on the female body, rooted in misogynistic fears about women’s sexuality and autonomy. Women’s healing knowledge is twisted into “evidence” of deviance, painting the female body as dangerous and in need of control. Haunting and powerful. ✨

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished in one sitting, I adored this. So thought provoking and clever hypocrisy. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

[Kerry Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read but brilliant. Loved the link with Welsh, the Villagers, but also the story. Fantastic