Fiona Grant reviews a gripping new novel by Kate Foster, now in paperback.
It is thought that between 1400 and 1782 40-60,000 people, mostly women over the age of 40, were put to death on charges or suspicion of witchcraft. Against this background, but focusing on the North Berwick witch trials of 1590, this novel explores the lives of women in a time of intense superstition and misogynistic persecution of those thought to be in consort with the devil.
Kate Foster’s keen development of character draws the narrative threads together of Princess Anna of Denmark, the bride of James VI of Scotland, Jura, a young woman from North Berwick, and Kirsten, Anna’s lady in waiting, to produce a richly depicted story of power, superstition and cunning. The basis in fact only adds to the powerful themes, making this an enjoyable yet thought-provoking read.
Review by Fiona Grant
The King’s Witches by Kate Foster
ISBN 9781529091830