The Wise Witch of Orkney

Set in Scotland at the court of witch-hunting King James VI, this is the story of three women - born to follow very different paths - whose lives become dangerously intertwined as they attempt to defy the will of a King.

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 aid: 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.

Review

'What a fascinating read. I was totally immersed in this world Anna created. She is a wonderful storyteller' ― Lorraine Kelly, author of The Island Swimmer

'Immersive storytelling and great characters. I look forward to reading more from Anna Caig.' ― Philip Paris, author of The Last Witch of Scotland

'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

'Anchored by a marvellous central character, Caig's plot is brought to life by a strong female cast with distinct,
well-drawn personalities' ― Alastair Mabbot, The Herald

'Caig blends fiction with history for a great debut novel . . . it had me hooked from the beginning' ― Scottish Field

'Superbly researched, beautifully written and relentlessly paced . . . everything a historical thriller should be' ― M. W. Craven, author of The Final Vow

'Affecting and compelling, Anna Caig brings history to life in this tale of women battling against the odds' ― Zoe Venditozzi, author of How to Kill a Witch

About the Author

Anna Caig is obsessed with the hidden voices of women and a compelling underdog story. Luckily, history offers plenty of these. She's inspired by the glimpses into a woman's life we get before the historical record moves on to something considered much more important. What was happening in these gaps.

Anna lives in the 'howling wilderness' of the Peak District and has worked in marketing for over 20 years. She grew up reading indiscriminately: Agatha Christie, Stephen King, Alexandre Dumas and the Brontës happily coexisted in precarious piles on her bedside table. She believes reading is the most fun it's possible to have - some of her best memories are of the books she's read; some of her best friends and biggest loves are fictional.