Kate Foster: The King's Witches

Tickets £5-16.99

This is a live, in-person event.

Location: The Small Hall, Morningside United Church, EH10 4DH

We're delighted to welcome Kate Foster back the The Edinburgh Bookshop with her fantastic second novel, The King's Witches. 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. Kate will be in conversation with writer, editor and host of Edinburgh Writer's Forum, Kristin Pedroja.

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 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 . . . 

Will Anna, Kirsten and Jura be able to save each other and, in doing so, save themselves?

About the author

Kate Foster has been a national newspaper journalist for over twenty years. Growing up in Edinburgh, she became fascinated by its history and often uses it as inspiration for her stories. The Maiden won the Bloody Scotland Pitch Perfect 2020 prize for new writers, and was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2024.