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'A masterpiece . . . I literally didn't look up from the first page to the last' - Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal'Enthralling, compelling and at times chilling . . . An utterly timely tale' - D. V. Bishop, award-winning author of Ritual of FireThe King's Witches by Kate Foster is a gripping and beautiful historical novel that gives an unforgettable voice 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 the trial period: one year of marriage to prove herself worthy of being Scotland's new Queen. Determined to fulfil her duties to King and country, Anna resolves to be the perfect royal bride. Until she meets Lord Henry . . .
By her side is Kirsten Sorenson, her loyal and pious lady-in-waiting. But, whilst tending to Anna's every need, Kirsten has her own secret motives for the royal marriage to succeed . . .
Meanwhile, in North Berwick, young housemaid Jura practises the healing charms taught to her by her mother. When she realises 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 . . .
Will Anna, Kirsten and Jura be able to save each other and, in doing so, save themselves?*The Maiden was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction on 05/03/2024
About the author
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.
Summary
'A masterpiece . . . I literally didn't look up from the first page to the last' — Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal
'Enthralling, compelling and at times chilling . . . An utterly timely tale' — D. V. Bishop, award-winning author of Ritual of Fire
The King’s Witches by Kate Foster is a gripping and beautiful historical novel that gives an unforgettable voice 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 the trial period: one year of marriage to prove herself worthy of being Scotland's new Queen. Determined to fulfil her duties to King and country, Anna resolves to be the perfect royal bride. Until she meets Lord Henry . . .
By her side is Kirsten Sorenson, her loyal and pious lady-in-waiting. But, whilst tending to Anna's every need, Kirsten has her own secret motives for the royal marriage to succeed . . .
Meanwhile, in North Berwick, young housemaid Jura practises the healing charms taught to her by her mother. When she realises 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 . . .
Will Anna, Kirsten and Jura be able to save each other and, in doing so, save themselves?
*The Maiden was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction on 05/03/2024
