by Claire Mitchell & Zoe Venitozzi

• Non-Fiction
• Witchcraft
• History
• UK / Scottish
• Salem

How to Kill a Witch offers a detailed exploration of the persecution of those accused of witchcraft, spanning from 1563 through to the modern day. While it acknowledges that both men and women were accused, the book highlights that the vast majority were women. The focus is primarily on the Scottish witch trials, though it also draws connections to similar events worldwide.

The book is structured as an investigation, centring on real women who were accused and prosecuted. Due to the lack of surviving records, some elements involve careful speculation, but this is handled thoughtfully to piece together what may have happened during these dark and unsettling periods of history.

This title had been on my TBR for a while, as I’ve always been fascinated by the history of witchcraft, what happened, why it happened, and how such events unfolded. I was especially excited when it came up as a category in my book club.

Although I already had a broad understanding of witch trials in England, I was surprised to learn that Scotland was one of the most aggressive in both accusing and executing women for witchcraft. Many of those accused were almost certainly innocent, with confessions often extracted under torture. It was also particularly striking, and unsettling, to learn that accusations of witchcraft are still a reality in some parts of the world today.

I really appreciated the book’s structure. It reads almost like an instruction manual, outlining how a “witch” might be identified and prosecuted, but in a way that is clearly critical and informative. That said, the pacing can feel slow at times, and there are moments where sections feel either slightly over-explained or less thoroughly developed.

Mitchell and Venditozzi write with a clear and strong perspective on the witch trials, the patriarchy, and the historical treatment of women. While they attempt to maintain some level of impartiality, their stance is evident throughout. This may not appeal to every reader, but it does add a sense of conviction to the narrative.

The research behind the book is evident, with well-presented evidence and a clear depth of investigation into the subject matter.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Scottish history, particularly the witch trials. However, it’s worth noting that the role of religion is central to the topic, which can make parts of the discussion feel sensitive or controversial.

Overall, I found this to be a genuinely interesting and informative read. While it does drag in places, I definitely came away feeling like I had learned something new.