Equally fascinating and disturbing!!

I will say that the beginning of the book took me a while to fully get into, but eventually I was sucked in and thoroughly enjoyed the true events mixed with some dark humour.

The Scottish witch trials, some of the most brutal and horrific events of the European witch craze, occurred from 1563-1736 (the years the Scottish witchcraft acts were in place). The targets of witch accusations were most often women. Contemporary historians have gathered a wide array of source materials and created a historiography of events that has in recent decades become more well-known. Many communities have since issued public statements on the injustices done to the women (and men) who lost their lives over 200 years ago in witch trials.

Rating: 3/5 stars.

This book makes the Scottish trials accessible to a wider audience in a narrative format. It reads like a podcast sounds. I think readers who are unfamiliar with Scottish witch trial history or other witch trial history will find this to be a perfect introduction to the topic. It is thoroughly researched and analyzes key primary sources related to the Scottish trials. The highlighted women in the book are both well-known and more obscure occurrences in Scottish trial history. The writing is good, but I did not love a few uses of noun phrases in lieu of complete sentences. The authors do a good job of explaining the core elements of the Scottish trials and highlighting stories of several accused women. The authors aim to draw parallels between Scottish witch trial history and modern-day witch accusations. The authors did excellent work in explaining how modern events are tied to the history of the Scottish trials. I would recommend this book to armchair historians who want to learn about the Scottish witch craze and patriarchy haters.

There are a few reasons this isn't 4 or 5 stars, for me - all of which are fine, but it's just why I didn't love the book as much as I was hoping to. This book is much more of a commentary piece by the authors than an academic analysis. I was rather surprised that the footnotes do not include in-text citations. The footnotes are more often than not the author's comments on the content being discussed, not a further explanatory note. Sometimes the footnotes are useful in expanding upon the noted topic, but most do not include sources. I am not opposed to some commentary-type footnotes, but it is used excessively. The authors reference academic studies but do not provide specific source information to the reader to cross-reference. There are selected resources cited by chapter. However, there were several instances where I did not find a source for interesting points I would have liked to explore further. There is a point being made (which is obvious in the title) with a lot of tongue-and-cheek humor used throughout. To me, it feels forced and starts to get repetitive. There was a lot of time devoted to the modern political agenda that I, personally, wish was devoted to telling more stories of the accused. I would not recommend this book to people who avoid political discussions, nor academic students looking for source material for a research paper.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Sourcebooks, for providing a copy of this book. Despite my critiques, I am very excited about this book hitting shelves. As a history major who wrote my thesis on the Scottish trials, I love any new book on the topic, but especially one that is aimed at mainstream bookshelves.

A fascinating and necessary, if horrific, topic! I strive to be the utmost quarrelsome dame! I did find the book read a bit like a textbook and could be hard to follow. I was not aware of the Witches of Scotland podcast before reading this book, I will definitely be tuning in to a few episodes.

“How to Kill a Witch: the Patriarchy’s Guide to Silencing Women” by Venditozzi and Mitchell, definitely had both a title and a cover that captured my attention and intrigued me to read more. The book starts by going into belief systems and Christian theology of God, fallen angels, and Judgment Day that was woven into stories of the Otherworld (basically, Hell). And it talks about different historical periods in Europe, like the Reformation, especially in the 1500s, and how this was a precursor to things like the Salem Witch Trials. The book is enjoyable because it is told in a tongue-in-cheek way and does distill a lot of the background information in mostly a clearer-to-understand way, such as about Martin Luther, who founded ‘the Protestant faith’ and then in 1559, you got the Protestant Scottish guy John Knox and this is at a time when Catholic priests’ homes were attacked, and Catholic statues were broken down. The Queen of Scotland of the time deciding to remain Catholic caused some problems (Mary, Queen of Scots). But then you got Scotland having a Catholic queen and a Protestant parliament. That’s the background that’s kind of at the bedrock of this book. And THEN, you get the Witchcraft Act of 1563 in Scotland that was passed, and … things go kind of sideways. Even though the reading is a bit dry at some parts, or interesting in some parts but not so much others, it’s a very comprehensive way to start for anyone who has always wondered “where do I start” with this topic. It’s a good place to start for sure. It’s not my favourite book on the topic and I didn’t find it as engaging as I had hoped, but it’s a good text.

As someone with a great love and interest in books about the history of witchcraft, this may be one of my favorites - it does a great job highlighting the women at the center of it all, explaining the process, giving the reader an understanding of the structures of power (laws, government, etc) that allowed for this to happen (one of the authors is a lawyer) and then also wrapped it up by illustrating how things like this aren’t distant history but relevant to today. Highly recommend!

**How to Kill a Witch** by Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi is a fascinating, empowering read that blends history, social commentary, and a touch of dark humor. It shines a light on Scotland’s witch trials in a fresh, accessible way, inviting readers to think deeply while still keeping the tone engaging and energetic. The authors balance serious topics with wit and warmth, making it both informative and surprisingly uplifting. If you love books that make you think and feel inspired at the same time, this is a must-read.

At first, it was hard for me to engage with the story, but it hooked me later on. Very interesting stories with an easy writing style that make it accessible to everyone.
I don’t really like the fact that the book negates almost completely the actual existence of pagan religions, but aside from that, it was a nice book.

3⭐️ I think this book is an incredibly important read and it gave me a completely different perspective of the witch accusations throughout the centuries. Growing up in the US, I only really heard about the Salem Witch Trials, which the authors touched on. It was nice to get a more global perspective, as well as to learn about more current witch allegations. I think we largely believe that these are a thing of the past and this is simply not true. I would have liked to see more case studies into the individuals who were tried and more detail about the trials, though I understand documentation is certainly an issue. Overall, I felt that it was well written and I enjoyed the author’s commentary, I just felt like it was a bit repetitive at times.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks, Zoe Venditozzi, and Claire Mitchell for the opportunity to read this book!

*review posted on goodreads*

A new way of talking about a topic that has been discussed before. I plan to recommend this book in my American history classes. Its one thing to just discuss witch trials but another thing to discuss this topic as this book did.

4 stars


This book is historical nonfiction that looks at the women of Scotland, who were accused of witchcraft. It includes several well-known women and their trials, the numerous instances of the patriarchy that lead to the horrific events of witch hunts and the treatment of women. It was very fascinating learning about these women's stories, how the political, social, religious climates were used and essentially weaponized against mainly women, especially those that stood out and dared to talk back. Also comparing the use of these terms and ideas in Scotland, with those in the USA and Nigeria both past and current. This book touched on a number of compelling topics, some I would not have even thought of that would be a factor in these events, not to mention the number of experts interviewed, was adding even more depth and understanding to what happened during this time period. While I did enjoy reading this book some things were a bit long and repetitive at times, but ultimately an excellent read. I would recommend it if you had any interest in history, witches, and Patriarchy, it is a very captivating read.
I received an ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

This was an incredibly informative and moving look at the history of the witch trials, particularly in Scotland. I was immediately captivated by how the book presents both well-researched history and emotional storytelling. As a woman, I found it especially empowering. The parallels to modern-day “witch hunts” are striking and unsettling, and the book made those connections clear in a way that felt personal and urgent.

How to Kill a Witch balances historical depth with storytelling that never loses its momentum. The authors weave in testimonies, expert interviews, and contemporary efforts to exonerate and memorialize victims. I was especially drawn to the focus on how these women—often labeled as “quarrelsome” or difficult—were targeted not just by individuals but by systems that used religion and fear as tools of control.

This book is both captivating and infuriating. It shines a light on a dark part of history that still echoes today. The stories it tells are heartbreaking, but the way they’re told is powerful and necessary. If you’re at all interested in history, justice, or feminism, this book is absolutely worth your time.

How to Kill a Witch is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of Scotland’s dark history of witch trials written with passion, wit, and an urgent sense of justice. Venditozzi and Mitchell strike a powerful balance between accessible storytelling and rigorous research making this both an engaging read and an important work of public history.

The book blends historical fact, contemporary commentary, and personal reflection to illuminate how thousands of mostly women were accused, tortured, and executed as witches and how these injustices continue to echo in today’s attitudes toward gender, power, and belief. What makes this book stand out is its clear-eyed focus on the human cost of these persecutions and its refusal to treat the witch hunts as some distant irrelevant past.

Venditozzi and Mitchell are deeply connected to the modern campaign for official pardon and memorialization for Scotland’s witch trial victims and their activism shines through. They ask the reader not only to understand this history but to act to think critically about whose stories get told and whose suffering gets erased.

The tone is fresh and often darkly humorous even while addressing grim subject matter. This approach keeps the book from being overly heavy while underscoring the absurdity and cruelty of the historical events it examines.

If there’s a minor critique it’s that the conversational style might feel informal to readers looking for a purely academic account but that is also its strength. How to Kill a Witch invites everyone in whether you’re a history buff, a feminist, or simply someone curious about Scotland’s past and what it means for our present.

In short this is an essential fiercely intelligent and deeply humane book. It ensures that the women and men who were labeled witches are no longer silent and challenges us all to remember them and do better.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. What an amazing, informative look at the history of the war against witches. I was captivated as I read and there are so many similarities to the modern day witch hunt that it’s made it all so much easier for me to understand. It felt empowering as a woman to read this book too. Between the research and the descriptions this wasn’t just a boring history type book, this was a captivating history that is told in a way that kept my attention. Bravo on this book!

This book is exactly what the blurb says it's going to be, with Zoe and Claire discussing the various Scottish witch trials and their forgotten victims (who were mostly women). It's a darkly humorous read with entertaining and witty commentary, but that doesn't mean that it isn't factual or well-researched. As an American, I never learned much about witch trials in school other than what happened in Salem in 1692-93 and the vague fact that others occurred in Europe around the same time. This book was incredibly eye-opening, as I had no idea that Scotland had even had their own witch trials, much less that they were as extensive as they were. And, according to the authors, apparently Scottish pupils don't learn much more about them than we do.

How to Kill a Witch is both captivating and infuriating in equal measures. It amazes me the things that happened — and are still happening in various places around the world — in the name of religion … and in order to punish and silence “quarrelsome” women. This book tells the stories of some of the individuals who were wrongfully accused, and it also gets into the details of the processes used for dealing with "witches," from accusation to execution. The authors speak to experts in the field and those working to exonerate and memorialize the convicted, and there is much about the historical figures who allowed — and even encouraged — these trials to happen. (James VI probably should have been punted out of an airplane without a parachute … or whatever the 1500/1600s equivalent of an airplane was. A really tall tower, maybe?)

This book is horrifying and fascinating and informative and sad, and it makes me want to go learn more about the witch trials — not just those that happened in Scotland and Salem, but also those that took place elsewhere around the world. And I'm definitely going to go check out Zoe and Claire's Witches of Scotland podcast now because it sounds amazing. If you're at all interested in the history of the witch trials (or in the reasons behind them), definitely consider giving How to Kill a Witch a read.

4.8 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 30, 2025.

Although the topic of the witch trials is deeply unsettling, and never fails to ignite a deep, burning rage in me over how women were treated, I remain endlessly drawn to it. I’ve read a wide range of books on this subject, both academic and general interest, ever since studying the topic at university. This book easily ranks among the better ones I’ve read and I found it absolutely engrossing. As someone who did extensive research for a paper on women and crime in this period, I deliberately avoided focusing on witchcraft, as it's often been explored to the point of exhaustion in both academic and popular histories. However, this book didn’t feel like it was treading the same worn path. Instead, it offered a fresh and engaging perspective that brought new energy to the topic and felt genuinely original.

Yes, the subject matter is undeniably heavy and at times heartbreaking, but it’s also fascinating, especially when echoes of these historical injustices still resonate in how women are treated today. What sets this book apart is its rich archival research and the authors' ability to bring these true stories to life. The legal context is thoroughly explored, and the case studies are eye-opening, shocking, and often deeply sad.

Despite the gravity of the topic, the authors’ voices come through with clarity and warmth. I especially appreciated the moments of dry humour, often tucked away in the footnotes, these touches added a sense of intimacy and levity that made the reading experience all the more compelling. Although I haven’t listened to the associated podcast, I imagine fans will find this book a welcome extension. It feels very much like sitting down with sharp, thoughtful women who have fascinating, important stories to share.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a hard, depressing read at times. I know, I know, what did I expect when it came to a book about witchcraft? Well, apparently there is so much I didn't know about it...I learned an extensive amount from this well-researched book. Did you know Tituba was an enslaved Native American woman, not Black? Did you know that sometimes small children were pulled from their mothers and tortured in front of them until their mothers confessed to being witches? It turns out that I knew very little of what really went down when someone was accused of a witch, despite it being history, and a tale as old as time of men controlling (primarily) women. I respect the amount of work the authors put into this-the research is clearly presented. However, the footnotes are distracting and at times unnecessary, which is why my rating is closer to a 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

After following the Witches of Scotland Podcast, I had to read this book. Informative, infuriating, tragic and heartbreaking this book details the story of how women in Scotland were falsely accused, tortured, and murdered and then all but forgotten. The authors do a great job of treating each case with respect and detailing their quest for justice for the women and men who were accused of witchcraft.

I love a good witchy book and this one is just…chef’s kiss! This is a fascinating book. It’s an important book about the witch trials and I think everyone should read it. It’s very well researched and you’ll be changed after reading this.

This is a historical view of how women have been silenced throughout history. This was a wonderful read to get a deep dive into the silence that has been laid upon many women throughout time. I usually read a lot of fiction but this nonfiction story kept me hooked till the very end.

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Netgalley for the arc opportunity

This book is so well written; engaging, thought-provoking and delivers a real insight into the history of the witch trials in Scotland.

It feels like the authors have taken great care with the women within these trials where other books and account have used them as a footnote.

It made me angry, it made me sad, it made me laugh - the full wheel of emotions.