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The Wise Witch of Orkney

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The Wise Witch of Orkney

By: Anna Caig
Narrated by: Sarah Barron
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About this listen

 '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 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.

'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
©2026 Anna Caig (P)2026 Bonnier Books UK Historical Mystery Magic Users Witchcraft Magic
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I couldn’t stop listening. From the mystical themes, to the colourful narration to the powerhouse characters, this book was brilliant escapism. I’m gonna miss my nightly check ins with Kitty and Elspet.

Brilliant!

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I loved this book and the perfect narration.

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.

Gripping, enlightening and beautifully narrated

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Liked the strong female characters, well developed. Enjoyed the descriptions of Scotland and life at court.

An intriguing story about female friendships and using any limited power available to them at the time.

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Charming characters and a wonderful story. Took me back in time and I couldn’t stop listening. Loved the narrator too.

Wonderful

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