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The Wise Witch of Orkney: A spell-binding debut novel about Scotland’s witch-hunting hysteria
'A BEAUTIFULLY PORTRAYED AND IMAGINATIVE TALE OF WOMEN IN MEDIEVAL SCOTLAND IN ALL THEIR VULNERABILITY AND POWER' - S. G. MacLean, author of THE BOOKSELLER OF INVERNESS
'IMMERSIVE STORYTELLING AND GREAT CHARACTERS' - Philip Paris, author of THE LAST WITCH OF SCOTLAND
1593, Scotland. King James VI launches a bloody witch hunt across the length and breadth of the country. But the women he fears most are already within his court.
Elspet is a spae-wife, a wise woman and healer from the isles of Orkney. Some might call her a witch.
When the king's new bride, Anna of Denmark, summons her to deliver her baby and cast a binding spell over the child, Elspet is trapped between two impossible choices - for she cannot refuse the queen, and she cannot be discovered by the king.
While Elspet struggles to hide her secret identity in a court that wishes her dead, another woman seeks her Kitty Muirhead, outcast, persecuted and desperate to escape the shadows of her past. Kitty and the queen could not be more different, but they may yet be each other's salvation.
The hunt is closing in on the three women. They must concoct a reckless plan to save one another before that fearful death sentence is cast upon them - witch.
'Compelling and compulsive reading . . . heralds an exciting new voice in historical fiction' - D. V. Bishop, author of the CESARE ALDO series
'Full of intrigue and feisty female characters, this is a spellbinding debut that had me gripped from the first page to the last' - Naomi Kelsey, author of THE BURNINGS
'An accomplished and impressive debut, which I highly recommend' - Paula Greenlees, author of JOURNEY TO PARADISE
'IMMERSIVE STORYTELLING AND GREAT CHARACTERS' - Philip Paris, author of THE LAST WITCH OF SCOTLAND
1593, Scotland. King James VI launches a bloody witch hunt across the length and breadth of the country. But the women he fears most are already within his court.
Elspet is a spae-wife, a wise woman and healer from the isles of Orkney. Some might call her a witch.
When the king's new bride, Anna of Denmark, summons her to deliver her baby and cast a binding spell over the child, Elspet is trapped between two impossible choices - for she cannot refuse the queen, and she cannot be discovered by the king.
While Elspet struggles to hide her secret identity in a court that wishes her dead, another woman seeks her Kitty Muirhead, outcast, persecuted and desperate to escape the shadows of her past. Kitty and the queen could not be more different, but they may yet be each other's salvation.
The hunt is closing in on the three women. They must concoct a reckless plan to save one another before that fearful death sentence is cast upon them - witch.
'Compelling and compulsive reading . . . heralds an exciting new voice in historical fiction' - D. V. Bishop, author of the CESARE ALDO series
'Full of intrigue and feisty female characters, this is a spellbinding debut that had me gripped from the first page to the last' - Naomi Kelsey, author of THE BURNINGS
'An accomplished and impressive debut, which I highly recommend' - Paula Greenlees, author of JOURNEY TO PARADISE
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2026
12 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 3, 2026
A captivating, moving story of life as a woman in late 16th century Scotland, set against the backdrop of the witchcraze.
The story moves between Elspet, A spae-wife from Orkney, Queen Anne of Scotland and a poor girl from the highlands called Kitty.
When Elspet is asked to go help the Queen give birth she starts on a perilous journey through Scotland and to the Scottish royal court to help her. Her role is a secret though and she is disguised as a noblewoman. Whilst helping the Queen she must also avoid the King’s notice, as he is a terror to all wise women and determined to burn all ‘witches’. Elspet & the Queen’s fate becomes entwined with Kitty who they try in vain to save from persecution.
I loved how much agency the women in this book had. Apart from Elspet (who I loved) Lady Jean Gordon was such a fabulous character. I really enjoyed how much of a woman’s experience was explored throughout the story from childbirth, marriage, motherhood & sisterhood. The true sparkle in the book for me was the ways in which all of the women helped and supported each other, saving each other over and over. I learned so much about the slim grip King James had over the devious Scottish nobles and factions; the fast pace and Game of Thrones esque plotting kept me gripped.
Beautiful descriptions of Orkney and the use of plants by Elspet and other women was also a real highlight. Clearly meticulously researched with a lot of female empowerment throughout.
Absolutely loved it. 5 stars. No notes.
The story moves between Elspet, A spae-wife from Orkney, Queen Anne of Scotland and a poor girl from the highlands called Kitty.
When Elspet is asked to go help the Queen give birth she starts on a perilous journey through Scotland and to the Scottish royal court to help her. Her role is a secret though and she is disguised as a noblewoman. Whilst helping the Queen she must also avoid the King’s notice, as he is a terror to all wise women and determined to burn all ‘witches’. Elspet & the Queen’s fate becomes entwined with Kitty who they try in vain to save from persecution.
I loved how much agency the women in this book had. Apart from Elspet (who I loved) Lady Jean Gordon was such a fabulous character. I really enjoyed how much of a woman’s experience was explored throughout the story from childbirth, marriage, motherhood & sisterhood. The true sparkle in the book for me was the ways in which all of the women helped and supported each other, saving each other over and over. I learned so much about the slim grip King James had over the devious Scottish nobles and factions; the fast pace and Game of Thrones esque plotting kept me gripped.
Beautiful descriptions of Orkney and the use of plants by Elspet and other women was also a real highlight. Clearly meticulously researched with a lot of female empowerment throughout.
Absolutely loved it. 5 stars. No notes.
April 1, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you to @bwpublishing for sending me this stunning finished copy.
•••••
Ooohh … I enjoyed this one. I couldn’t wait to sit down and read more whenever I had some spare time.
This captivating story focused on the horror of the time when King James reigned over Scotland. Witch hunts were prevalent and people lived in fear. Accusations of being a witch could destroy peoples lives and superstition made people turn against each other, which turned to cruel (unfounded) accusations.
Elspet was a wise woman who had skills that were taught through the generations of her family. If she was found, the king was sure to have her executed. So, Elspet residing in court, just added to the tension of this story. This was also my favourite part to the story. I loved how the women all worked together in this story.
There was an array of characters in this book. Some I adored and some I abhorred (as you can imagine). Obviously, my favourites were Elspet, Beatrix and Margaret. They were a fierce trio. I also felt for the Queen and Kitty. Both from different walks of life, but both desperate and distressed. All of the complex characters (the good and bad) certainly made for a captivating read. The atmosphere felt so vivid, the Scottish history and landscapes, the tension of life at court, and the customs and expectations of the time felt so immersive and rich.
The research that went into this story was just so good. The historical elements intertwined with the fictional aspects blended seamlessly and made this an unforgettable read.
This story was atmospheric, rich, moving, magical and even quite comical in places. I loved it. I highly recommend 🫶🏻.
Thank you to @bwpublishing for sending me this stunning finished copy.
•••••
Ooohh … I enjoyed this one. I couldn’t wait to sit down and read more whenever I had some spare time.
This captivating story focused on the horror of the time when King James reigned over Scotland. Witch hunts were prevalent and people lived in fear. Accusations of being a witch could destroy peoples lives and superstition made people turn against each other, which turned to cruel (unfounded) accusations.
Elspet was a wise woman who had skills that were taught through the generations of her family. If she was found, the king was sure to have her executed. So, Elspet residing in court, just added to the tension of this story. This was also my favourite part to the story. I loved how the women all worked together in this story.
There was an array of characters in this book. Some I adored and some I abhorred (as you can imagine). Obviously, my favourites were Elspet, Beatrix and Margaret. They were a fierce trio. I also felt for the Queen and Kitty. Both from different walks of life, but both desperate and distressed. All of the complex characters (the good and bad) certainly made for a captivating read. The atmosphere felt so vivid, the Scottish history and landscapes, the tension of life at court, and the customs and expectations of the time felt so immersive and rich.
The research that went into this story was just so good. The historical elements intertwined with the fictional aspects blended seamlessly and made this an unforgettable read.
This story was atmospheric, rich, moving, magical and even quite comical in places. I loved it. I highly recommend 🫶🏻.
March 28, 2026
Gripping, enlightening and beautifully told.
I loved this book.
A brilliant account of what life would have been like for women in the 16th century, told from the perspective of three women – a midwife and healer, a queen, and a penniless, abandoned pregnant girl. Despite their very different stations, their fates all depend on what action the men around them take.
It was fascinating, and petrifying, to discover how precarious life was for women. Anna Caig has created such a wonderfully vivid account that I felt as though I was there with them.
A beautifully written page-turner that I couldn't put down.
I loved this book.
A brilliant account of what life would have been like for women in the 16th century, told from the perspective of three women – a midwife and healer, a queen, and a penniless, abandoned pregnant girl. Despite their very different stations, their fates all depend on what action the men around them take.
It was fascinating, and petrifying, to discover how precarious life was for women. Anna Caig has created such a wonderfully vivid account that I felt as though I was there with them.
A beautifully written page-turner that I couldn't put down.
April 4, 2026
This was one of those books I didn’t want to finish, it was so good.
I loved the unusual storyline and got very invested in the characters.
It’s great writing and I particularly liked the author’s artful use of old Scottish words, and descriptions of place which kept me immersed in the time and place in history.
I loved the unusual storyline and got very invested in the characters.
It’s great writing and I particularly liked the author’s artful use of old Scottish words, and descriptions of place which kept me immersed in the time and place in history.
April 5, 2026
Quite a bit of history here as well as a most intriguing story . . . I loved it!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews