A rich, compelling story of three women and their intersecting lives . . . I loved the combination of court intrigue and the Scottish witch trials, and how Foster skilfully uses both to explore the position of women at this point in time>

Autorentext

Kate Foster worked as a national newspaper journalist for more than twenty years before becoming an author. Growing up in Edinburgh, she became fascinated by its history and often uses it as inspiration for her stories. Her previous novels include The Maiden, which won the Bloody Scotland Crime Debut of the Year and was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction, and The King's Witches. The Mourning Necklace is her third novel. She lives in Edinburgh with her two children.

Klappentext

A masterpiece . . . I literally didn't look up from the first page to the last' - Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal

The King's Witches by Kate Foster is a compelling and beautiful historical novel that gives voices to the women at the heart of the real-life witch trials in sixteenth-century Scotland.

Women whisper secrets to each other; it is how we survive.

1589. Princess Anna of Denmark is betrothed to King James VI of Scotland. Before they can wed, Anna must pass a trial period: one year of marriage to prove herself worthy of being Scotland's new Queen. With her loyal and pious lady-in-waiting, Kirsten, by her side, Anna resolves to be the perfect royal bride. Until she meets Lord Henry . . .

Meanwhile, in North Berwick, young housemaid Jura practises the healing charms taught to her by her mother. When she realizes she is no longer safe, she escapes to Edinburgh, only to find herself caught up in the witchcraft mania that has gripped not just the capital, but the new queen . . .

'Enthralling, compelling and at times chilling . . . An utterly timely tale' - D. V. Bishop, prize-winning author of Ritual of Fire

'A beautifully written tale of love and duty, fear and courage' - Jenny Ashcroft, bestselling author of The Echoes of Love

'A gripping, poignant novel that gives voices to those so often unheard in historical accounts' - Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women

*The Maiden was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction on 05/03/2024

Zusammenfassung
The lives of three very different women in sixteenth-century Scotland become intertwined as the first rumours of witchcraft grip the country. From Kate Foster, the prize-winning author of The Maiden.