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The Three Witches
Now: When Ruthie gets the part of one of Macbeth’s famous three witches she can’t wait to get started. Inspired by the beauty of the film’s Scottish locations and the camaraderie of the cast and crew, she can leave behind the expectations of her family and her lacklustre love life, at least for now. But as echoes from the past begin whispering in Ruthie’s ear and a restless spirit draws her further into its centuries-old secrets, it soon becomes clear that only she can uncover the truth of a terrible injustice.
1050 Scotland: Isobel and her two sisters have learnt about healing from their loving mother Sidheag, and she in turn has kept them safe. But without the protection of their late father, Sidheag knows that her daughters must find husbands or their futures are at risk.
Isobel believes in love over duty and when she catches sight of King Macbeth’s stepson Lulach she can picture a happiness she had hardly dare imagine. But as heir to a Scottish throne that is drenched in blood, Lulach’s destiny is to be a warrior. When Isobel’s actions leave her and her sisters vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft there may be nothing that can keep the three women safe, not even the great Macbeth himself.
As the calls from the past grow ever louder, Ruthie has no choice. Macbeth’s witches have a story that needs to be told and the truth can no longer stay hidden…
1050 Scotland: Isobel and her two sisters have learnt about healing from their loving mother Sidheag, and she in turn has kept them safe. But without the protection of their late father, Sidheag knows that her daughters must find husbands or their futures are at risk.
Isobel believes in love over duty and when she catches sight of King Macbeth’s stepson Lulach she can picture a happiness she had hardly dare imagine. But as heir to a Scottish throne that is drenched in blood, Lulach’s destiny is to be a warrior. When Isobel’s actions leave her and her sisters vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft there may be nothing that can keep the three women safe, not even the great Macbeth himself.
As the calls from the past grow ever louder, Ruthie has no choice. Macbeth’s witches have a story that needs to be told and the truth can no longer stay hidden…
- GenresHistorical Fiction
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 2, 2026
9 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Elena Collins
29 books202 followersElena Collins is a pseudonym of author Judy Leigh.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a triumph I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I devoured it in 2 sittings.
It switches seamlessly between 11th century Scotland and the present day. It tells the story of the 3 witches in macbeth via the making of a TV documentary. Anyone interested in Scottish history or if you like books by barbara Erskine you will love this and while you are on check out the other books written by this very talented writer.
I would like to thank the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
I loved it!
It switches seamlessly between 11th century Scotland and the present day. It tells the story of the 3 witches in macbeth via the making of a TV documentary. Anyone interested in Scottish history or if you like books by barbara Erskine you will love this and while you are on check out the other books written by this very talented writer.
I would like to thank the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
I loved it!
February 1, 2026
Once again Elena Collins has delivered another awe-inspiring paranormal dual timeline mystery romance. (I was drawn in too, by the gorgeously alluring cover!) The Three Witches is such a captivating read that once I started I could not stop until I finished it! And yes, I kept turning the pages into the wee hours of the night—even with our current heat wave here in Australia!
This well written timeslip moves effortlessly from past to present as it carries us back and forth in a pendulum swing fashion, with its flawless telling of two stories that are intertwined with each other. With a title like The Three Witches you know it is going to be atmospheric, and it definitely is! But it is also laced with intriguing culture, history and mystery that pulls you in even more. It is obvious the author has done a fair bit of research to make this a believable and yet still a magical story that raises questions. A lot has changed since the year 1050 but prejudice and misjudgement remain the same. I was deeply saddened by the horrible treatment of these women in the past. But other horrors exist today toward various minority groups that display the worst of humanity as well.
This novel centres around Macbeth and the three witches made famous by Shakespeare. His play is heavily fictionalised for dramatic and political purposes. But in The Three Witches during the present timeline, a documentary is being made that shows not only the stereotypes surrounding this piece of Scottish history but also the differences are explored (particularly off stage so to speak between fact and fiction—with the three sisters). And through the past timeline, we see what might have really happened to the three women labelled witches and Macbeth’s stepson who went down in history as being ‘foolish’. Understandable after knowing what happened. This information is brought forward into the present plot where we get a modern viewpoint through Ruth who is instrumental (along with a few others) in uncovering the truth.
In the present, we see actress Ruthie trying out for the part in the documentary and being chosen to play one of the three witches after she delivers a unique interpretation and modern performance. During their time in Scotland--all kinds of strange things happen on and off set. The three witches initially are presented in a more fictional light. But as Ruthie and friends begin to delve deeper into the true story of these three women. Of course, we also learn more about the real Macbeth, his wife and stepson.
We are transported to the past to learn about Isobel and her two sisters who learned about using herbs, etc to heal maladies from their mother. Of course back then, women were called witches who dabbled in such things but today, they would be known as herbalists. One thing about disturbing social behaviour that stood out is how quickly people can turn on their neighbour when things don’t go as planned. Many in the community drew upon and even expected the help of these women to offer remedies for them and their families but when patients did not follow directions and caused their own deaths, the first to get blamed was the healer/practitioner.
Another topic covered in the past is the seeking of a spouse. Women were expected to marry and have children. Many times love was not part of that but in Isobel’s case, she chose love over duty. But her beloved husband to be, chose duty even though he loved her. Everytime I think about her fate, I shudder. Without saying more, this part of the plot invoked a lot of emotion in me.
In the present, Ruthie has an interesting romantic journey, too. She must sort out who is friend and who is a romantic possibility. She is ambitious with her acting and her desire to understand more of what happened to the ladies known as witches and how to help in telling their real stories. Her sudden visionary gifts reveal her purpose to set things right by releasing the truth of this tragedy from the past. How the two timelines work and flow together is magnificent. I was totally engaged with the characters and plot in both timelines that were equally riveting.
The Three Witches is mesmerising and remarkable and has great depth. It was an honour to read. I loved it from cover to cover and definitely recommend it to Historical Fiction lovers around the world.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
This well written timeslip moves effortlessly from past to present as it carries us back and forth in a pendulum swing fashion, with its flawless telling of two stories that are intertwined with each other. With a title like The Three Witches you know it is going to be atmospheric, and it definitely is! But it is also laced with intriguing culture, history and mystery that pulls you in even more. It is obvious the author has done a fair bit of research to make this a believable and yet still a magical story that raises questions. A lot has changed since the year 1050 but prejudice and misjudgement remain the same. I was deeply saddened by the horrible treatment of these women in the past. But other horrors exist today toward various minority groups that display the worst of humanity as well.
This novel centres around Macbeth and the three witches made famous by Shakespeare. His play is heavily fictionalised for dramatic and political purposes. But in The Three Witches during the present timeline, a documentary is being made that shows not only the stereotypes surrounding this piece of Scottish history but also the differences are explored (particularly off stage so to speak between fact and fiction—with the three sisters). And through the past timeline, we see what might have really happened to the three women labelled witches and Macbeth’s stepson who went down in history as being ‘foolish’. Understandable after knowing what happened. This information is brought forward into the present plot where we get a modern viewpoint through Ruth who is instrumental (along with a few others) in uncovering the truth.
In the present, we see actress Ruthie trying out for the part in the documentary and being chosen to play one of the three witches after she delivers a unique interpretation and modern performance. During their time in Scotland--all kinds of strange things happen on and off set. The three witches initially are presented in a more fictional light. But as Ruthie and friends begin to delve deeper into the true story of these three women. Of course, we also learn more about the real Macbeth, his wife and stepson.
We are transported to the past to learn about Isobel and her two sisters who learned about using herbs, etc to heal maladies from their mother. Of course back then, women were called witches who dabbled in such things but today, they would be known as herbalists. One thing about disturbing social behaviour that stood out is how quickly people can turn on their neighbour when things don’t go as planned. Many in the community drew upon and even expected the help of these women to offer remedies for them and their families but when patients did not follow directions and caused their own deaths, the first to get blamed was the healer/practitioner.
Another topic covered in the past is the seeking of a spouse. Women were expected to marry and have children. Many times love was not part of that but in Isobel’s case, she chose love over duty. But her beloved husband to be, chose duty even though he loved her. Everytime I think about her fate, I shudder. Without saying more, this part of the plot invoked a lot of emotion in me.
In the present, Ruthie has an interesting romantic journey, too. She must sort out who is friend and who is a romantic possibility. She is ambitious with her acting and her desire to understand more of what happened to the ladies known as witches and how to help in telling their real stories. Her sudden visionary gifts reveal her purpose to set things right by releasing the truth of this tragedy from the past. How the two timelines work and flow together is magnificent. I was totally engaged with the characters and plot in both timelines that were equally riveting.
The Three Witches is mesmerising and remarkable and has great depth. It was an honour to read. I loved it from cover to cover and definitely recommend it to Historical Fiction lovers around the world.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There are lots of things to enjoy about this wonderful dual timeline novel from Elena Collins. A take on the story of Macbeth but this time told from the witches point of view. The novel flows seamlessly from each storyline. I loved both timeliness, the injustices for the three sisters. The setting was perfect and well described. I loved it
February 27, 2026
4.5 stars
This is another brilliant dual timeline from Elena Collins. Atmospheric, haunting and powerful the story of Isobel and her sisters is a wonderful one, and I was gripped from the very beginning.
The links between Ruthie and Isobel’s timelines were so cleverly woven together and I loved how Ruthie was the one to tell Isobel’s compelling story.
I’ve always been fascinated by the story of Macbeth’s witches - they’re always almost portrayed as hags, but it was wonderful seeing them here as women first and foremost - strong, loyal and compassionate women, with healing skills so valuable.
This is another brilliant dual timeline from Elena Collins. Atmospheric, haunting and powerful the story of Isobel and her sisters is a wonderful one, and I was gripped from the very beginning.
The links between Ruthie and Isobel’s timelines were so cleverly woven together and I loved how Ruthie was the one to tell Isobel’s compelling story.
I’ve always been fascinated by the story of Macbeth’s witches - they’re always almost portrayed as hags, but it was wonderful seeing them here as women first and foremost - strong, loyal and compassionate women, with healing skills so valuable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved the historical parts of this book. The modern timeline was slow burn, picking up pace and emotion once it moved to Scotland.
Elena's historical works are always atmospheric and emotional, drawing you into the time period so that you can see, smell, and feel your surroundings.
I enjoyed learning about " The Scottish Play " and "The Scottish King," which I previously only had passing knowledge of.
💫 Dual timeline
💫 Historical Fiction
💫 Witches???
💫 Ghosts
💫 Pyromancy
💫 LGB Inclusive
Elena's historical works are always atmospheric and emotional, drawing you into the time period so that you can see, smell, and feel your surroundings.
I enjoyed learning about " The Scottish Play " and "The Scottish King," which I previously only had passing knowledge of.
💫 Dual timeline
💫 Historical Fiction
💫 Witches???
💫 Ghosts
💫 Pyromancy
💫 LGB Inclusive
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Plot
In the modern day, Ruthie gets the part of playing the third witch in a documentary about Macbeth and the potential existence of three witches in his history. Sent up to the Highlands of Scotland for filming, Ruthie discovers she may have her own ties to the individual whose character she plays. As her role set out to mimic the traditional characterisation of a witch, Ruthie starts seeing signs that a spirit may object to such demonisation, and have their own story they’d like to tell instead.
This modern day timeline is peppered with flashbacks of the lives of three sisters. Their mother was a healer and a pivotal part of the community. When their mother passes, the youngest sibling Isobel takes up this mantle. The three girls are well-known in their small community and do no end of good to support their fellows. However, it seems almost inevitable that dissenting male voices want to change the perception of these young women. The rest, is history.
Both timelines were excellent and engaging, complementing each other to form the well rounded story that is the three witches. I love watching each timeline unravel and to discover the ultimate fate of the young woman who are ill remembered. I neither favoured one nor the other – rather, switching between the two compelled me to read on. I was keen to discover how these two timelines were interlinked and to read about history as we know it. Then, consider the far more realistic story of who these women really were.
Characters
A wide variety of characters span the two timelines of The Three Witches. Each have their own story to tell, and are distinct voices I enjoyed hearing from. Naturally, Ruthie and Isobel as the main protagonist in each timeline are our leading ladies in this narrative. Yet, the supporting characters (for want of an expression to define them) don’t feel basic or ancillary. They provide a rich and detailed narrative that makes the story feel realistic.
There wasn’t really a character throughout this whole book that I didn’t like or feel that they didn’t fit in. Sure, there are less favourable characters in terms of their attitude - especially towards women. However, each individual has their place. All in all, I felt the three witches had a pretty accurate depiction of The variety of people in both societies and how they may have helped or hindered the lives of women who men felt intimidated by.
Setting
The location of Scotland was perfect for this tale. The wildness of its history, inhabitants and the elements makes for the perfect atmosphere for such a tale. Of course, it’s also historically accurate! In books like this, I enjoy when an author does their best to honour the true history and take as few liberties as possible. Naturally, historical records aren’t always complete or available. However, it’s clear the author has done as much as she could to make the book as historically accurate as possible with the information available, but also cleverly point out when it wasn’t. The character of Todd, the documentary director, is instrumental in conveying this information. It’s given organically throughout the narrative. At no point did I feel his role was to info-dump or fill in awkward gaps.
Narrative Style
The Three Witches is an incredibly easy read. If I’m entirely honest, I read most of the book in a single day. Yes, naturally having a deadline to review the book for the tour helped. However, I wanted to read on. I wanted to uncover the untold story. Consequently, the chapters flew by with ease an I was able to read this book for hours at a time!
What also really worked for me with this book is that I love a multiple timeline narrative. The way the three witches is written gives us time to explore each timeline in its own right, but each compliments the other in unravelling the underlying story.
Whilst we ultimately know what happens at the end of the earlier timeline (because of history, but also because the opening chapters start here), that doesn’t detract from the narrative. Rather, the exploration of the earlier timeline is about figuring out how the main characters got to this position rather than the ultimate ending itself. As I said, it’s well known how young women could be accused. What’s important to this earlier timeline is why…
Summary
The Three Witches is a perfect read for historical fiction fans eager to learn the truth of the lives of women falsely accused of witchcraft. It’s a heartbreaking tale that will tug at your heartstrings, cleverly packaged in an engaging, highly-readable mystery. If you want to read a novel that not only highlights the injustice and crimes committed against young women, but gives their voice back, the three witches is perfect for you.
I can only hope my review of The Three Witches has done the book justice!
In the modern day, Ruthie gets the part of playing the third witch in a documentary about Macbeth and the potential existence of three witches in his history. Sent up to the Highlands of Scotland for filming, Ruthie discovers she may have her own ties to the individual whose character she plays. As her role set out to mimic the traditional characterisation of a witch, Ruthie starts seeing signs that a spirit may object to such demonisation, and have their own story they’d like to tell instead.
This modern day timeline is peppered with flashbacks of the lives of three sisters. Their mother was a healer and a pivotal part of the community. When their mother passes, the youngest sibling Isobel takes up this mantle. The three girls are well-known in their small community and do no end of good to support their fellows. However, it seems almost inevitable that dissenting male voices want to change the perception of these young women. The rest, is history.
Both timelines were excellent and engaging, complementing each other to form the well rounded story that is the three witches. I love watching each timeline unravel and to discover the ultimate fate of the young woman who are ill remembered. I neither favoured one nor the other – rather, switching between the two compelled me to read on. I was keen to discover how these two timelines were interlinked and to read about history as we know it. Then, consider the far more realistic story of who these women really were.
Characters
A wide variety of characters span the two timelines of The Three Witches. Each have their own story to tell, and are distinct voices I enjoyed hearing from. Naturally, Ruthie and Isobel as the main protagonist in each timeline are our leading ladies in this narrative. Yet, the supporting characters (for want of an expression to define them) don’t feel basic or ancillary. They provide a rich and detailed narrative that makes the story feel realistic.
There wasn’t really a character throughout this whole book that I didn’t like or feel that they didn’t fit in. Sure, there are less favourable characters in terms of their attitude - especially towards women. However, each individual has their place. All in all, I felt the three witches had a pretty accurate depiction of The variety of people in both societies and how they may have helped or hindered the lives of women who men felt intimidated by.
Setting
The location of Scotland was perfect for this tale. The wildness of its history, inhabitants and the elements makes for the perfect atmosphere for such a tale. Of course, it’s also historically accurate! In books like this, I enjoy when an author does their best to honour the true history and take as few liberties as possible. Naturally, historical records aren’t always complete or available. However, it’s clear the author has done as much as she could to make the book as historically accurate as possible with the information available, but also cleverly point out when it wasn’t. The character of Todd, the documentary director, is instrumental in conveying this information. It’s given organically throughout the narrative. At no point did I feel his role was to info-dump or fill in awkward gaps.
Narrative Style
The Three Witches is an incredibly easy read. If I’m entirely honest, I read most of the book in a single day. Yes, naturally having a deadline to review the book for the tour helped. However, I wanted to read on. I wanted to uncover the untold story. Consequently, the chapters flew by with ease an I was able to read this book for hours at a time!
What also really worked for me with this book is that I love a multiple timeline narrative. The way the three witches is written gives us time to explore each timeline in its own right, but each compliments the other in unravelling the underlying story.
Whilst we ultimately know what happens at the end of the earlier timeline (because of history, but also because the opening chapters start here), that doesn’t detract from the narrative. Rather, the exploration of the earlier timeline is about figuring out how the main characters got to this position rather than the ultimate ending itself. As I said, it’s well known how young women could be accused. What’s important to this earlier timeline is why…
Summary
The Three Witches is a perfect read for historical fiction fans eager to learn the truth of the lives of women falsely accused of witchcraft. It’s a heartbreaking tale that will tug at your heartstrings, cleverly packaged in an engaging, highly-readable mystery. If you want to read a novel that not only highlights the injustice and crimes committed against young women, but gives their voice back, the three witches is perfect for you.
I can only hope my review of The Three Witches has done the book justice!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’ve read other novels inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth, but this is the first one that has focused specifically on the characters of the three witches. Although Shakespeare’s witches aren’t thought to have been based on any individual people (he took the idea from Holinshed’s Chronicles which refers to the ‘Weird Sisters’ or ‘nymphs or fairies’), Elena Collins imagines them here as three young women growing up in 11th century Scotland. They are the daughters of Sidheag, a wise woman or healer, and their names are Isobel, Ysenda and Merraid.
In modern day Bristol, Ruthie Reed is attending an audition for a new documentary about Macbeth and the historical Mac Bethad mac Findláech, King of Alba (Scotland), on whom the play is based. Acting is all Ruthie has ever wanted to do, but her career seems to be going nowhere and she’s desperate for a decent role. When she’s offered the part of one of the three witches in the documentary, she hopes this is the opportunity she’s been waiting for and will lead to bigger things. On arriving at Forres in the north of Scotland, however, things don’t go quite according to plan. The cast and crew are plagued with bad luck and disaster – and then Ruthie herself starts to catch glimpses of a mysterious young woman who seems to provide a link between past and present.
Ruthie’s story alternates with the story of Isobel and her sisters, left alone in the world after their mother’s death. Isobel, the youngest, has inherited her skills with herbs and potions, as well as her ability to see the future in the flames of the fire, but in a world where women who are different are viewed with suspicion, these talents could be a curse rather than a blessing. When Isobel falls in love with Lulach, Mac Bethad’s stepson, she believes she has found the security she needs, but Lulach’s mother, Gruoch, has other ideas…
As with most dual time period novels, there was one narrative that I enjoyed more than the other, and in this case it was the historical one. I liked the way the focus was on the fictional characters of Isobel, Ysenda and Merraid and their daily lives in the village rather than on the real historical figures such as Mac Bethad and Gruoch, who appear only occasionally. It was easy to see where Isobel’s story was heading, particularly as we get a hint of it in the Prologue, but that didn’t make it any less impactful. Although widespread witch trials and burnings peaked in Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries, women were obviously being accused of witchcraft much earlier than that, so it’s not impossible that the historical Macbeth could have met women like Isobel and her two sisters – and this is something Ruthie and her friends in the modern day narrative begin to research, believing that the witches (both in the play and in history) deserve to be given more attention after centuries of being interpreted through the lens of misogyny.
I liked Ruthie and enjoyed following the filming of the documentary, but it did feel that her storyline was there mainly to add more context to the historical one and I didn’t become quite as invested in her chapters as I did in Isobel’s. The supernatural element of the book is well done – although it’s not a time travel or timeslip novel, there are moments where past and present seem to merge – but I wasn’t convinced that everyone else would have been so ready to believe Ruthie when she told them what she’d been experiencing! There’s also a romance for Ruthie which seemed to happen very suddenly and not with the person I’d expected it would be with.
Overall, I found this an interesting, engaging read. It’s the first I’ve read by Elena Collins, so I’m looking forward to reading some of her other books.
In modern day Bristol, Ruthie Reed is attending an audition for a new documentary about Macbeth and the historical Mac Bethad mac Findláech, King of Alba (Scotland), on whom the play is based. Acting is all Ruthie has ever wanted to do, but her career seems to be going nowhere and she’s desperate for a decent role. When she’s offered the part of one of the three witches in the documentary, she hopes this is the opportunity she’s been waiting for and will lead to bigger things. On arriving at Forres in the north of Scotland, however, things don’t go quite according to plan. The cast and crew are plagued with bad luck and disaster – and then Ruthie herself starts to catch glimpses of a mysterious young woman who seems to provide a link between past and present.
Ruthie’s story alternates with the story of Isobel and her sisters, left alone in the world after their mother’s death. Isobel, the youngest, has inherited her skills with herbs and potions, as well as her ability to see the future in the flames of the fire, but in a world where women who are different are viewed with suspicion, these talents could be a curse rather than a blessing. When Isobel falls in love with Lulach, Mac Bethad’s stepson, she believes she has found the security she needs, but Lulach’s mother, Gruoch, has other ideas…
As with most dual time period novels, there was one narrative that I enjoyed more than the other, and in this case it was the historical one. I liked the way the focus was on the fictional characters of Isobel, Ysenda and Merraid and their daily lives in the village rather than on the real historical figures such as Mac Bethad and Gruoch, who appear only occasionally. It was easy to see where Isobel’s story was heading, particularly as we get a hint of it in the Prologue, but that didn’t make it any less impactful. Although widespread witch trials and burnings peaked in Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries, women were obviously being accused of witchcraft much earlier than that, so it’s not impossible that the historical Macbeth could have met women like Isobel and her two sisters – and this is something Ruthie and her friends in the modern day narrative begin to research, believing that the witches (both in the play and in history) deserve to be given more attention after centuries of being interpreted through the lens of misogyny.
I liked Ruthie and enjoyed following the filming of the documentary, but it did feel that her storyline was there mainly to add more context to the historical one and I didn’t become quite as invested in her chapters as I did in Isobel’s. The supernatural element of the book is well done – although it’s not a time travel or timeslip novel, there are moments where past and present seem to merge – but I wasn’t convinced that everyone else would have been so ready to believe Ruthie when she told them what she’d been experiencing! There’s also a romance for Ruthie which seemed to happen very suddenly and not with the person I’d expected it would be with.
Overall, I found this an interesting, engaging read. It’s the first I’ve read by Elena Collins, so I’m looking forward to reading some of her other books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really love reading historical fiction, especially further back than history from the last two or three centuries. The fact that this book not only gets into a historical timeline in the 11th century, but also manages to tie it back to the events in Shakespeare’s Macbeth through the filming of a documentary.
I was immediately drawn into the 11th century timeline. It was easy to predict what the general outcome was going to be for three orphaned teenagers who practice healing and midwifery in a small village on the heath. However, I was engaged with Isobel and her sisters, and loved how each of their decisions and experiences all play a role in a coherent timeline of events. I will give the author credit for not including gratuitous violence, and dealing with witch hunts with sensitivity.
I started to enjoy the present day timeline more when filming of the documentary started and the author who started dropping bits and pieces of the story enough to put things together as they were being shaped. Ruthie read as a pretty flat character for me, especially since there didn’t seem to be much to her other than her love of acting and trying to find a positive aspect to everything. Instead, it felt to me like she was just there to be the person who the clues from the past are being revealed to, but there wasn’t a lot of personality there that I could see.
I’ve read some Shakespeare, including Macbeth, and had no idea about the factual basis behind the play. Macbeth, Lady Macbeth (Gruoch), Lulach, and others are documented historical figures, although the play was tailored to suit King James’ preferences. I love how the author overlaid modern day knowledge with the past timeline and the historical events, and it kept me engrossed with the story and learning more about this aspect of Scottish history.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable book. The pacing was steady, the jumps between timelines were clearly denoted, and the voices of Ruthie’s and Isobel’s chapters differed significantly so I was never confused about when and with whom the scene was set. There was a small romantic subplot that ran towards the end of the book, but I didn’t really feel like it felt organic. It didn’t add much to the story, and there wasn’t any tension or chemistry between them. However, I did love all the side characters and thought they were done really well. This is a great story.
Bottom line: The story is a wonderful homage to Macbeth, so if you like historical fiction, history, Shakespeare, or even just a book that features vividly beautiful scenery.
I really love reading historical fiction, especially further back than history from the last two or three centuries. The fact that this book not only gets into a historical timeline in the 11th century, but also manages to tie it back to the events in Shakespeare’s Macbeth through the filming of a documentary.
I was immediately drawn into the 11th century timeline. It was easy to predict what the general outcome was going to be for three orphaned teenagers who practice healing and midwifery in a small village on the heath. However, I was engaged with Isobel and her sisters, and loved how each of their decisions and experiences all play a role in a coherent timeline of events. I will give the author credit for not including gratuitous violence, and dealing with witch hunts with sensitivity.
I started to enjoy the present day timeline more when filming of the documentary started and the author who started dropping bits and pieces of the story enough to put things together as they were being shaped. Ruthie read as a pretty flat character for me, especially since there didn’t seem to be much to her other than her love of acting and trying to find a positive aspect to everything. Instead, it felt to me like she was just there to be the person who the clues from the past are being revealed to, but there wasn’t a lot of personality there that I could see.
I’ve read some Shakespeare, including Macbeth, and had no idea about the factual basis behind the play. Macbeth, Lady Macbeth (Gruoch), Lulach, and others are documented historical figures, although the play was tailored to suit King James’ preferences. I love how the author overlaid modern day knowledge with the past timeline and the historical events, and it kept me engrossed with the story and learning more about this aspect of Scottish history.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable book. The pacing was steady, the jumps between timelines were clearly denoted, and the voices of Ruthie’s and Isobel’s chapters differed significantly so I was never confused about when and with whom the scene was set. There was a small romantic subplot that ran towards the end of the book, but I didn’t really feel like it felt organic. It didn’t add much to the story, and there wasn’t any tension or chemistry between them. However, I did love all the side characters and thought they were done really well. This is a great story.
Bottom line: The story is a wonderful homage to Macbeth, so if you like historical fiction, history, Shakespeare, or even just a book that features vividly beautiful scenery.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"The entire play misrepresents all the characters. I love it as a piece of theatre, but. It's drama. Beneath it lies the real truth about real people, who lived and loved."
This is a brilliant dual timeline story set in Moray, Scotland, where Macbeth lived. You don't need to be familiar with the play or to be a Shakespeare fan to enjoy The Three Witches. But if you are, you are in for a real treat because the author has included obscure historical tidbits about Macbeth and King James VI. In the mid-11th-century timeline, we meet three sisters, all gifted healers in Moray. In the present day, we meet the film crew of a documentary about Shakespeare's Macbeth, including the three actresses who play the Weird Sisters in the play. The two realities connect through Isobel, the youngest of the healer sisters, and Ruthie, the actress playing the Third Witch, who is also the youngest of three sisters in her family. There is a mystical connection between the two women, and the reason for it is revealed slowly, chapter by chapter.
"It's the magical number three: three daughters, three witches. 'Thrice to thine, and thrice to mine, And thrice again, to make up nine.'"
The author obviously researched healers and their remedies for common health issues, as well as how important these women were in their communities. I was fascinated by the old names of common herbs and plants, and why they used them. Everyone knows the witchy spells in Macbeth because they sound so creepy. Not so much when you learn that "lizard's leg" was ivy and "toe of frog" was the petal of a buttercup. Isobel's story was compelling and tragic, a tale of misogyny that continues today. I was so invested in the characters, both from a thousand years ago and the present day, that I hated for the story to end. But that's when you know you've read a terrific book, right? You won't want to miss The Three Witches, no matter how you feel about Shakespeare.
My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC. The review and all opinions are entirely my own.
This is a brilliant dual timeline story set in Moray, Scotland, where Macbeth lived. You don't need to be familiar with the play or to be a Shakespeare fan to enjoy The Three Witches. But if you are, you are in for a real treat because the author has included obscure historical tidbits about Macbeth and King James VI. In the mid-11th-century timeline, we meet three sisters, all gifted healers in Moray. In the present day, we meet the film crew of a documentary about Shakespeare's Macbeth, including the three actresses who play the Weird Sisters in the play. The two realities connect through Isobel, the youngest of the healer sisters, and Ruthie, the actress playing the Third Witch, who is also the youngest of three sisters in her family. There is a mystical connection between the two women, and the reason for it is revealed slowly, chapter by chapter.
"It's the magical number three: three daughters, three witches. 'Thrice to thine, and thrice to mine, And thrice again, to make up nine.'"
The author obviously researched healers and their remedies for common health issues, as well as how important these women were in their communities. I was fascinated by the old names of common herbs and plants, and why they used them. Everyone knows the witchy spells in Macbeth because they sound so creepy. Not so much when you learn that "lizard's leg" was ivy and "toe of frog" was the petal of a buttercup. Isobel's story was compelling and tragic, a tale of misogyny that continues today. I was so invested in the characters, both from a thousand years ago and the present day, that I hated for the story to end. But that's when you know you've read a terrific book, right? You won't want to miss The Three Witches, no matter how you feel about Shakespeare.
My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC. The review and all opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Three Witches is a gorgeous blend of historical fiction, folklore, and time‑slip mystery — the kind of story that quietly wraps itself around you and lingers long after the final page. Elena Collins once again delivers a rich, emotionally layered novel that feels both intimate and sweeping.
The dual timeline works beautifully. In the present, Ruthie is instantly relatable: an actress thrilled to land a role that might finally let her break free from other people’s expectations. The camaraderie of the shoot, the Scottish landscape, and her own sense of possibility give those sections such warmth. But as whispers from the past begin to seep through, the tone shifts into something far more haunting, and I loved the way Ruthie’s modern life slowly intertwines with the fate of the women she’s portraying.
The historical storyline is simply stunning. Isobel and her sisters are written with such tenderness and strength that it’s impossible not to become completely invested in their lives. Their world — 1050 Scotland, harsh yet full of belief, beauty, and superstition — is vividly drawn. The looming threat of accusations, the vulnerability of women living at the mercy of power, and the heartbreak of love shaped by destiny all combine into something truly moving.
The connection between the timelines unfolds in a way that feels organic and evocative rather than forced. The supernatural elements are subtle but powerful, adding a shimmering, almost tragic magic to the narrative. And when Ruthie finally understands what the past has been asking of her, it lands with real emotional weight.
Atmospheric, immersive, and deeply compassionate, The Three Witches is a compelling reclaiming of voices too long silenced — a story about love, injustice, courage, and the ties that bind women across centuries.
A beautiful, unforgettable read for fans of Barbara Erskine, Outlander, and Weyward.
My thanks to Elena Collins, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The dual timeline works beautifully. In the present, Ruthie is instantly relatable: an actress thrilled to land a role that might finally let her break free from other people’s expectations. The camaraderie of the shoot, the Scottish landscape, and her own sense of possibility give those sections such warmth. But as whispers from the past begin to seep through, the tone shifts into something far more haunting, and I loved the way Ruthie’s modern life slowly intertwines with the fate of the women she’s portraying.
The historical storyline is simply stunning. Isobel and her sisters are written with such tenderness and strength that it’s impossible not to become completely invested in their lives. Their world — 1050 Scotland, harsh yet full of belief, beauty, and superstition — is vividly drawn. The looming threat of accusations, the vulnerability of women living at the mercy of power, and the heartbreak of love shaped by destiny all combine into something truly moving.
The connection between the timelines unfolds in a way that feels organic and evocative rather than forced. The supernatural elements are subtle but powerful, adding a shimmering, almost tragic magic to the narrative. And when Ruthie finally understands what the past has been asking of her, it lands with real emotional weight.
Atmospheric, immersive, and deeply compassionate, The Three Witches is a compelling reclaiming of voices too long silenced — a story about love, injustice, courage, and the ties that bind women across centuries.
A beautiful, unforgettable read for fans of Barbara Erskine, Outlander, and Weyward.
My thanks to Elena Collins, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"The Three Witches" by Elena Collins is a beautifully written and atmospheric dual-timeline novel that revitalizes Shakespeare’s most enigmatic characters.
The story seamlessly transitions between modern-day Scotland and the 11th century. In the present, actress Ruthie is cast as one of the witches in a film adaptation of "Macbeth." Surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Scottish landscape and the warmth of the cast and crew, she finds herself drawn into a narrative that is much older and darker than she anticipated. As whispers from the past begin to emerge, Ruthie’s journey evolves into one of reckoning, discovery, and justice.
The historical narrative is particularly compelling. Isobel and her sisters are taught healing by their mother and must navigate a world that swiftly fears what it does not understand. Collins vividly depicts medieval Scotland, emphasizing the dangers faced by women who dare to step outside society’s rigid expectations. The love story between Isobel and Lulach adds both tenderness and tension, set against a backdrop of political violence and superstition.
What makes this novel so powerful is its reclamation of the witches' story. Collins transforms them from symbols of menace into complex, compassionate women whose voices were silenced by fear and injustice. The themes of female agency, memory, and the enduring pull of the past are handled with grace and emotional depth, and the gradual convergence of both timelines is hauntingly effective.
"The Three Witches" is a captivating read for fans of historical fiction, feminist retellings, and stories inspired by Shakespeare. Emotional, immersive, and thought-provoking, it lingers long after the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
The story seamlessly transitions between modern-day Scotland and the 11th century. In the present, actress Ruthie is cast as one of the witches in a film adaptation of "Macbeth." Surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Scottish landscape and the warmth of the cast and crew, she finds herself drawn into a narrative that is much older and darker than she anticipated. As whispers from the past begin to emerge, Ruthie’s journey evolves into one of reckoning, discovery, and justice.
The historical narrative is particularly compelling. Isobel and her sisters are taught healing by their mother and must navigate a world that swiftly fears what it does not understand. Collins vividly depicts medieval Scotland, emphasizing the dangers faced by women who dare to step outside society’s rigid expectations. The love story between Isobel and Lulach adds both tenderness and tension, set against a backdrop of political violence and superstition.
What makes this novel so powerful is its reclamation of the witches' story. Collins transforms them from symbols of menace into complex, compassionate women whose voices were silenced by fear and injustice. The themes of female agency, memory, and the enduring pull of the past are handled with grace and emotional depth, and the gradual convergence of both timelines is hauntingly effective.
"The Three Witches" is a captivating read for fans of historical fiction, feminist retellings, and stories inspired by Shakespeare. Emotional, immersive, and thought-provoking, it lingers long after the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
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March 1, 2026The Three Witches by Elena Collins
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Now: When Ruthie gets the part of one of Macbeth’s famous three witches she can’t wait to get started. Inspired by the beauty of the film’s Scottish locations and the camaraderie of the cast and crew, she can leave behind the expectations of her family and her lacklustre love life, at least for now. But as echoes from the past begin whispering in Ruthie’s ear and a restless spirit draws her further into its centuries-old secrets, it soon becomes clear that only she can uncover the truth of a terrible injustice.
1050 Scotland: Isobel and her two sisters have learnt about healing from their loving mother Sidheag, and she in turn has kept them safe. But without the protection of their late father, Sidheag knows that her daughters must find husbands or their futures are at risk.
Isobel believes in love over duty and when she catches sight of King Macbeth’s stepson Lulach she can picture a happiness she had hardly dare imagine. But as heir to a Scottish throne that is drenched in blood, Lulach’s destiny is to be a warrior. When Isobel’s actions leave her and her sisters vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft there may be nothing that can keep the three women safe, not even the great Macbeth himself.
As the calls from the past grow ever louder, Ruthie has no choice. Macbeth’s witches have a story that needs to be told and the truth can no longer stay hidden…
My Opinion
The Three Witches was my first novel by Elena Collins and it was highly enjoyable. Elena Collins has used dual timelines in a way that was easy to follow. A powerful novel with some lovely characters.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Now: When Ruthie gets the part of one of Macbeth’s famous three witches she can’t wait to get started. Inspired by the beauty of the film’s Scottish locations and the camaraderie of the cast and crew, she can leave behind the expectations of her family and her lacklustre love life, at least for now. But as echoes from the past begin whispering in Ruthie’s ear and a restless spirit draws her further into its centuries-old secrets, it soon becomes clear that only she can uncover the truth of a terrible injustice.
1050 Scotland: Isobel and her two sisters have learnt about healing from their loving mother Sidheag, and she in turn has kept them safe. But without the protection of their late father, Sidheag knows that her daughters must find husbands or their futures are at risk.
Isobel believes in love over duty and when she catches sight of King Macbeth’s stepson Lulach she can picture a happiness she had hardly dare imagine. But as heir to a Scottish throne that is drenched in blood, Lulach’s destiny is to be a warrior. When Isobel’s actions leave her and her sisters vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft there may be nothing that can keep the three women safe, not even the great Macbeth himself.
As the calls from the past grow ever louder, Ruthie has no choice. Macbeth’s witches have a story that needs to be told and the truth can no longer stay hidden…
My Opinion
The Three Witches was my first novel by Elena Collins and it was highly enjoyable. Elena Collins has used dual timelines in a way that was easy to follow. A powerful novel with some lovely characters.
Rating 4/5
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Three Witches is a masterfully crafted novel. It begins straight away, ideally paced, in both eras. There is no tiresome meandering at all. The characters who live 1,000 years apart are all convincing, three dimensional and interesting. At first there seems to be no relation between them, but gradually their links, in part through the Scottish play, are revealed. The realisation of what is to come (or came a millennia ago) is increasingly hinted at building a sense of impending doom until you’re in a position of knowing what is coming before the characters do. This is done powerfully and effectively. Alongside this the history of the time and place is cleverly offered in such a way that it makes the entire tale feel more real and rounded. It has clearly been well researched, but is interwoven with the story beautifully. Equally, the place of women throughout history is explored, how we are perceived and treated by men. How fascinating (and rather depressing) it is to be reminded how little has really changed. The weaving of a female understanding of nature and intuition, passed down through the generations, the value yet fear of, is also cleverly incorporated. The drawing together of the threads of time in such an effective way is rare and precious. While I was reading this, one night I dreamed I was looking at my watch, and it had acquired an extra hand, which I think measured much longer periods of time; and the face of the watch showed the solar system whizzing round in all its configurations over thousands of years. This book understands and expresses a more expanded view of time and space, of human nature, and of connection. I highly recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Three Witches by Elena Collins is a beautifully woven historical fiction novel that blends mystery, romance, and time-spanning threads into a deeply atmospheric story. Set partly in the modern day with an actress named Ruthie who lands a role as one of Macbeth’s witches, the narrative slowly pulls you into echoes of the past where long-buried secrets of 11th-century Scotland begin to surface.
What sets this book apart is the dual timeline storytelling. In the past, Isobel and her sisters—taught healing by their mother—face the cruel realities of life in a perilous age, where accusations of witchcraft could destroy families and futures. Isobel’s belief in love over duty, and her connection to important historical figures, give her storyline emotional depth and real stakes. Meanwhile, Ruthie’s present-day journey into the film world and her discoveries about the layered history behind what she’s portraying add intrigue and a satisfying sense of discovery.
Collins writes with rich historical detail, and her handling of setting really transports the reader. The Scottish landscapes, coupled with a mystery that blends folklore and historical injustice, create a hauntingly memorable reading experience. The romance is heartfelt without ever overpowering the plot, and themes of destiny, identity, and the weight of history are explored with sensitivity.
If you love stories that weave past and present together with a bit of eerie magic, strong female leads, and a setting that feels like another world, The Three Witches is a compelling read that’s hard to put down.
What sets this book apart is the dual timeline storytelling. In the past, Isobel and her sisters—taught healing by their mother—face the cruel realities of life in a perilous age, where accusations of witchcraft could destroy families and futures. Isobel’s belief in love over duty, and her connection to important historical figures, give her storyline emotional depth and real stakes. Meanwhile, Ruthie’s present-day journey into the film world and her discoveries about the layered history behind what she’s portraying add intrigue and a satisfying sense of discovery.
Collins writes with rich historical detail, and her handling of setting really transports the reader. The Scottish landscapes, coupled with a mystery that blends folklore and historical injustice, create a hauntingly memorable reading experience. The romance is heartfelt without ever overpowering the plot, and themes of destiny, identity, and the weight of history are explored with sensitivity.
If you love stories that weave past and present together with a bit of eerie magic, strong female leads, and a setting that feels like another world, The Three Witches is a compelling read that’s hard to put down.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Three Witches - By Elena Collins.
5⭐️
- Witch craft
- Healers/ herb lore
- Shakespeare
- Scottish history and gaelic language
- Mysogyny through time
All I can say is wow. I absolutely loved this novel. My first 5⭐️ of 2026.
This novel delves into Shakespeare's Macbeth and the real history behind the infamous characters. It follows Ruthie in the modern day, an aspiring actor who accepts the role of Third Witch in a historic documentary exploring Macbeth, filmed in Scotland. It also follows Isobel and her life during the 11th century.
I applaud the authors ability to seamlessly switch between the modern day and the 11th century. I was initially concerned, as I personally have struggled with this previously, however, the way these times intertwined was really well done. Without giving away spoilers, the way the 11th century is carried over and represented in modern day was very clever.
I adored the character of Isobel. I loved her kindness and femininity, as well as her strength and righteousness. Her ability to continue moving forward despite so much heartbreak and loss.
It is apparent quite early, the research the author has completed in preparation of this novel. Not only the historical characters, but the language, the herb lore, the locations and the way of life of someone living 1000 years ago.
Thank you netgalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this ARC
5⭐️
- Witch craft
- Healers/ herb lore
- Shakespeare
- Scottish history and gaelic language
- Mysogyny through time
All I can say is wow. I absolutely loved this novel. My first 5⭐️ of 2026.
This novel delves into Shakespeare's Macbeth and the real history behind the infamous characters. It follows Ruthie in the modern day, an aspiring actor who accepts the role of Third Witch in a historic documentary exploring Macbeth, filmed in Scotland. It also follows Isobel and her life during the 11th century.
I applaud the authors ability to seamlessly switch between the modern day and the 11th century. I was initially concerned, as I personally have struggled with this previously, however, the way these times intertwined was really well done. Without giving away spoilers, the way the 11th century is carried over and represented in modern day was very clever.
I adored the character of Isobel. I loved her kindness and femininity, as well as her strength and righteousness. Her ability to continue moving forward despite so much heartbreak and loss.
It is apparent quite early, the research the author has completed in preparation of this novel. Not only the historical characters, but the language, the herb lore, the locations and the way of life of someone living 1000 years ago.
Thank you netgalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this ARC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ruthie is een actrice in Bristol die een rol als heks krijgt in een Schotse tv-documentaire over Macbeth. Eens daar beginnen er rare dingen mis te lopen met de productie. In 11de eeuws Schotland is de moeder van Isobel en haar twee zussen bevriend met Gruoch, de koningin van Macbeth. Na haar moeders dood, blijft Isobel haar en de dorpsbewoners bijstaan en valt het oog van de koningszoon Lulach op haar.
Elena Collins schrijft steeds historische romans met twee tijdslijnen met een paranormaal aspect en vaak een onderwerp rond heksen. Met The three witches neemt ze een bekendere historische setting: die van Macbeth en zijn drie heksen zoals ze genoemd worden in het toneelstuk van Shakespeare.
Maar deze keer klikte het verhaal minder bij mij. Ik kreeg geen klik met Ruthie, het hedendaagse hoofdpersonage. Ze ging wel heel snel mee in het paranormale, net als iedereen rondom haar. Bij Isobel en haar zussen vond ik het verhaal heel cliché. Natuurlijk gaat het beschuldigen van iemand als heks altijd wel wat op dezelfde manier, maar het voelde allemaal zo bekend en het ging ook allemaal zo snel.
Ik vond dit niet haar beste boek, misschien had ik liever een onbekendere setting gehad die niet de schoenen van veel verhalen over Macbeth moest vullen. Maar mocht je Collins nog niet kennen en graag duale verhalen lezen, probeer het dan zeker eens.
Bedankt aan Netgalley en de uitgever voor een exemplaar van dit boek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
Elena Collins schrijft steeds historische romans met twee tijdslijnen met een paranormaal aspect en vaak een onderwerp rond heksen. Met The three witches neemt ze een bekendere historische setting: die van Macbeth en zijn drie heksen zoals ze genoemd worden in het toneelstuk van Shakespeare.
Maar deze keer klikte het verhaal minder bij mij. Ik kreeg geen klik met Ruthie, het hedendaagse hoofdpersonage. Ze ging wel heel snel mee in het paranormale, net als iedereen rondom haar. Bij Isobel en haar zussen vond ik het verhaal heel cliché. Natuurlijk gaat het beschuldigen van iemand als heks altijd wel wat op dezelfde manier, maar het voelde allemaal zo bekend en het ging ook allemaal zo snel.
Ik vond dit niet haar beste boek, misschien had ik liever een onbekendere setting gehad die niet de schoenen van veel verhalen over Macbeth moest vullen. Maar mocht je Collins nog niet kennen en graag duale verhalen lezen, probeer het dan zeker eens.
Bedankt aan Netgalley en de uitgever voor een exemplaar van dit boek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Getting to dive into the mystical world of Elena Collins’ latest release was an absolute treat! If you’re a fan of dual-timeline narratives that blend historical atmosphere with modern-day discovery, this journey through Pendle Hill will leave you enchanted.
I’m giving this a 4 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
In The Three Witches, we are taken on a haunting journey across centuries, uncovering the truth behind a legendary local mystery. It’s a story of sacrifice, hidden magic, and the echoes of the past that refuse to stay buried.
The Good:
The atmosphere in this book is incredibly vivid. Collins does a masterful job of depicting the historical Pendle Hill, making the fear and tension of the witch trials feel visceral and real. I loved how the modern-day investigation mirrored the historical struggles, creating a deep emotional connection across the timelines. The pacing is steady, and the final reveal brought a satisfying, if bittersweet, conclusion to the mystery.
The Not-So-Good:
While the dual timelines are well-executed, there were moments in the middle where I found myself more invested in the historical characters than the modern ones. I wanted just a little more depth to the contemporary protagonist’s personal journey to balance out the intensity of the past
I’m giving this a 4 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
In The Three Witches, we are taken on a haunting journey across centuries, uncovering the truth behind a legendary local mystery. It’s a story of sacrifice, hidden magic, and the echoes of the past that refuse to stay buried.
The Good:
The atmosphere in this book is incredibly vivid. Collins does a masterful job of depicting the historical Pendle Hill, making the fear and tension of the witch trials feel visceral and real. I loved how the modern-day investigation mirrored the historical struggles, creating a deep emotional connection across the timelines. The pacing is steady, and the final reveal brought a satisfying, if bittersweet, conclusion to the mystery.
The Not-So-Good:
While the dual timelines are well-executed, there were moments in the middle where I found myself more invested in the historical characters than the modern ones. I wanted just a little more depth to the contemporary protagonist’s personal journey to balance out the intensity of the past
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This dual timeline narrative is a reinterpretation of the infamous trio of witches from Shakespeare’s Macbeth and a terrifying depiction of the the way that wise women’s ‘failures’ - typically the result of factors beyond their control - could become synonymous with witchcraft.
In Moray, Alba, in the 1040s, three sisters live a hand-to-mouth existence. They make a meagre living from Isobel’s knowledge of healing, passed down from her mother. Reliant on men for their future security, all three women are in a vulnerable position. One thousand years later, Ruthie has been cast as one of the three witches in a documentary about Macbeth. Filming on location in Scotland, she begins to feel the past reaching out to her.
This was a quick read and easy to follow, though not as immersive as I’d hoped. The story touches on complex issues, but I felt that these ideas remained underdeveloped and made the story feel closer in tone to older YA rather than adult fiction.
I’d recommend this to readers who would enjoy revisiting aspects of Macbeth from a different angle. It could be of particular interest as a tie-in for GCSE students studying Macbeth, especially because of the context provided by the fictional historian who narrates the documentary.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing an eARC with me in exchange for an honest review.
In Moray, Alba, in the 1040s, three sisters live a hand-to-mouth existence. They make a meagre living from Isobel’s knowledge of healing, passed down from her mother. Reliant on men for their future security, all three women are in a vulnerable position. One thousand years later, Ruthie has been cast as one of the three witches in a documentary about Macbeth. Filming on location in Scotland, she begins to feel the past reaching out to her.
This was a quick read and easy to follow, though not as immersive as I’d hoped. The story touches on complex issues, but I felt that these ideas remained underdeveloped and made the story feel closer in tone to older YA rather than adult fiction.
I’d recommend this to readers who would enjoy revisiting aspects of Macbeth from a different angle. It could be of particular interest as a tie-in for GCSE students studying Macbeth, especially because of the context provided by the fictional historian who narrates the documentary.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing an eARC with me in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. Calling all history buffs, herbalists, green witches, and lovers of Scotland: this book will be a treat for you! This dual time-line story follows , Ruthie, a sometime waitress and sometime actress who lives in modern day Bristol, and Isobel , a woman from eleventh century Scotland during the reign of Macbeth ,who is the youngest of three daughters, and herbalist and healer.
Isobel is the following in the footsteps of her mother, a wise woman, and the both share the gift of divining the future by looking into flames. Back in modern day Bristol, Ruthie wins the part of the third which in a documentary about Shakespeare's Scottish play to be filmed in Scotland. When the cast and crew arrive in Scotland and begin to film, a strange, ghostly presence seems never far away. Who is the sad woman Ruthie sees in the woodsand strangely, in the flames of the hearth fire back at the hotel? As the documentary is filmed, the past is stirred up and information about the fates of Isobel and her two sister comes to light. I thoroughly enjoyed the engaging writing in this novel as well as the setting, history, herblore, and just the right touch of romance and the supernatural.
Isobel is the following in the footsteps of her mother, a wise woman, and the both share the gift of divining the future by looking into flames. Back in modern day Bristol, Ruthie wins the part of the third which in a documentary about Shakespeare's Scottish play to be filmed in Scotland. When the cast and crew arrive in Scotland and begin to film, a strange, ghostly presence seems never far away. Who is the sad woman Ruthie sees in the woodsand strangely, in the flames of the hearth fire back at the hotel? As the documentary is filmed, the past is stirred up and information about the fates of Isobel and her two sister comes to light. I thoroughly enjoyed the engaging writing in this novel as well as the setting, history, herblore, and just the right touch of romance and the supernatural.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A beautifully imagined story of the famous (or infamous?) witches of Macbeth, told in a dual timeline story. In modern England, Ruthie gets the part of one of the three witches for a documentary set in Scotland. While shooting in Scotland, she immerses herself in the part to where she senses the witches and what their lives have been. Its eerie and fascinating all at the same time. When strange things happen on the set she is convinced that the ghost of her witch is still with them, and she is determined to get her story told.
Nearly a thousand years earlier, 3 young Scottish women are raised by their mother, a healers, respected by the community. Their mother's standing in the community keeps them safe, but when their mother dies, rumors start about them, and when a young mother dies in childbirth and her 3 children drown while under the care of her husband, the husband starts looking for someone to blame. As Isobel, the youngest, has taken on her mother's mantle of healer and delivered the baby, she is an easy target.
I couldn't put this book down! Incredibly touching, suspenseful and tragic, The Three Witches brings their stories to life. Although its fiction, its so well written it feels like truth! Don't miss this book!
Nearly a thousand years earlier, 3 young Scottish women are raised by their mother, a healers, respected by the community. Their mother's standing in the community keeps them safe, but when their mother dies, rumors start about them, and when a young mother dies in childbirth and her 3 children drown while under the care of her husband, the husband starts looking for someone to blame. As Isobel, the youngest, has taken on her mother's mantle of healer and delivered the baby, she is an easy target.
I couldn't put this book down! Incredibly touching, suspenseful and tragic, The Three Witches brings their stories to life. Although its fiction, its so well written it feels like truth! Don't miss this book!
February 28, 2026
🔮 Witchcraft, secrets, and a past reaching into the present 🔮
Blending past and present The Three Witches follows Ruthie, an actress cast as one of Macbeth’s witches, as strange paranormal happenings begin creeping into her life and tying her to the past. In 11th-century Scotland, Isobel and her sisters - women with healing knowledge and independence- are targets and victims of fear and superstition.
I was completely absorbed in Isobel’s world, so it took me a while to settle into the chapters focusing on Ruthie and the present day. However, once Ruthie started connecting the dots and feeling a sense of the sisters’ presence and purpose, I was in wholeheartedly. The story does a brilliant job of showing how the fear and subsequent treatment of women destroyed many lives unnecessarily.
Haunting, atmospheric and emotional, and this is a page turner with just the right touch of the supernatural. Perfect for anyone who loves witchy historical fiction with a moody Scottish backdrop. Bonus points for the added glossary of Scottish words included - making the historical setting even more immersive and accessible.
I do love anything related to Scotland, and touching on the persecution of women is in my opinion a heartbreaking but essential read for anyone!
Blending past and present The Three Witches follows Ruthie, an actress cast as one of Macbeth’s witches, as strange paranormal happenings begin creeping into her life and tying her to the past. In 11th-century Scotland, Isobel and her sisters - women with healing knowledge and independence- are targets and victims of fear and superstition.
I was completely absorbed in Isobel’s world, so it took me a while to settle into the chapters focusing on Ruthie and the present day. However, once Ruthie started connecting the dots and feeling a sense of the sisters’ presence and purpose, I was in wholeheartedly. The story does a brilliant job of showing how the fear and subsequent treatment of women destroyed many lives unnecessarily.
Haunting, atmospheric and emotional, and this is a page turner with just the right touch of the supernatural. Perfect for anyone who loves witchy historical fiction with a moody Scottish backdrop. Bonus points for the added glossary of Scottish words included - making the historical setting even more immersive and accessible.
I do love anything related to Scotland, and touching on the persecution of women is in my opinion a heartbreaking but essential read for anyone!
March 1, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this book. Easy, unpretentious prose (which I like), dual timeline (always fun), witches (again, always fun), a myth, and a touch of Shakespeare.
To be honest, I’ve never seen or read the ‘Scottish Play’ but we’ve all heard about it, and the curse. When I was a child, I had a book of poetry and one of the poems was the Witches spell ‘Hubble Bubble, Boil and Trouble’ which I had memorised. I had no idea at the time it was from Macbeth - I thought it was a real spell!
I’m never that fussed about the present-day storyline in dual timelines but the idea of using an actor and a documentary production was inspired (helped them discuss the possible history), but I loved the one in the past. I loved the fact that ‘toe of newt’ and ‘eye of frog’ were actually plants - herbal remedies, in essence. I also loved the fact that the author ground the idea of a myth into a plausible history, building on what was known from actual history and what Shakespeare said, and adding in some supernatural elements.
I also loved the book cover.
This book will be a great success as it hits many of the right tropes, entices you with magic, myth, real history, and a bit of Shakespeare. Definitely one for your ‘to be read’ pile.
To be honest, I’ve never seen or read the ‘Scottish Play’ but we’ve all heard about it, and the curse. When I was a child, I had a book of poetry and one of the poems was the Witches spell ‘Hubble Bubble, Boil and Trouble’ which I had memorised. I had no idea at the time it was from Macbeth - I thought it was a real spell!
I’m never that fussed about the present-day storyline in dual timelines but the idea of using an actor and a documentary production was inspired (helped them discuss the possible history), but I loved the one in the past. I loved the fact that ‘toe of newt’ and ‘eye of frog’ were actually plants - herbal remedies, in essence. I also loved the fact that the author ground the idea of a myth into a plausible history, building on what was known from actual history and what Shakespeare said, and adding in some supernatural elements.
I also loved the book cover.
This book will be a great success as it hits many of the right tropes, entices you with magic, myth, real history, and a bit of Shakespeare. Definitely one for your ‘to be read’ pile.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ruthie and Isobel, both women, one in the present and the other from the time of Shakespeare brought together by a documentary being filmed about Macbeth. Ruthie, an actress is portraying the third witch, living her best life in Bristol, part-time barista, part-time actor. Isobel, the healer who was declared to be a witch and was killed for it. As Ruthie is filming the documentary, she encounters Isobel in different ways, in the icy wind, a mystical figure in the woods. footprints in the sand.........shadows in the flames. What is Isobel showing Ruthie?
This is a wonderful story, both in two timelines and with two interwoven stories and voices. I enjoyed the characters, the setting is described in magical prose, the present gives a nod to the past, the flow of the story is seamless and gripping. Delightful from beginning to end. The author made me want to learn more about the history of the three witches/healers, about Scotland, and local lore. Well written, good characters, engaging from the start, don't miss this interpretation of three witches. Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books.
This is a wonderful story, both in two timelines and with two interwoven stories and voices. I enjoyed the characters, the setting is described in magical prose, the present gives a nod to the past, the flow of the story is seamless and gripping. Delightful from beginning to end. The author made me want to learn more about the history of the three witches/healers, about Scotland, and local lore. Well written, good characters, engaging from the start, don't miss this interpretation of three witches. Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
At the heart of this story are three sisters. Three women who had to learn how to survive. Life was often hard, but their love for one another never changed. Their mother was a healer, respected in the village and trusted by many. After her death, the youngest sister stepped into her role, caring for everyone around her while putting herself last. But when the village stopped valuing her, everything shifted.
The book moves between two timelines: the past of the sisters and the present day, where a documentary is being filmed. This structure helps us see how their history continues to shape the world today. It reminds us that the stories of women in the past were often ignored or twisted. Many were labeled as witches or blamed for things they did not cause. People have always been quick to look for someone to blame.
The story shines a light on the important roles women held, even when history chose not to record them. Here, they finally take center stage, and it’s clear the author put great care into getting the details right. It’s a book that pulls you in and makes their story feel alive.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book moves between two timelines: the past of the sisters and the present day, where a documentary is being filmed. This structure helps us see how their history continues to shape the world today. It reminds us that the stories of women in the past were often ignored or twisted. Many were labeled as witches or blamed for things they did not cause. People have always been quick to look for someone to blame.
The story shines a light on the important roles women held, even when history chose not to record them. Here, they finally take center stage, and it’s clear the author put great care into getting the details right. It’s a book that pulls you in and makes their story feel alive.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Three Witches
by Elena Collins
I absolutely loved this book and can assert that it stands out as one of my best reads so far this year. It’s a remarkable departure from my recent selections and left a lasting impression on me. The story is deeply touching, suspenseful, and tragic.
The narrative masterfully alternates between 11th-century Scotland and the present day, transitioning smoothly through time.
This novel centres around Macbeth and the three witches famously portrayed by Shakespeare. In the present timeline, a documentary about Macbeth is in production in Scotland, featuring three English actresses.
The historical aspects of the story are particularly gripping, showcasing the lives of the sisters Isobel, Ysenda, and Merraid in the village of Moray, Scotland, where Macbeth frequently resided with his wife, Gruoch, and his stepson, Lulach. The connection between Isobel and Lulach, who meet as young children, adds richness to their characters.
I found myself captivated by the old names of common herbs and plants throughout the narrative, further enhancing the story's depth.
by Elena Collins
I absolutely loved this book and can assert that it stands out as one of my best reads so far this year. It’s a remarkable departure from my recent selections and left a lasting impression on me. The story is deeply touching, suspenseful, and tragic.
The narrative masterfully alternates between 11th-century Scotland and the present day, transitioning smoothly through time.
This novel centres around Macbeth and the three witches famously portrayed by Shakespeare. In the present timeline, a documentary about Macbeth is in production in Scotland, featuring three English actresses.
The historical aspects of the story are particularly gripping, showcasing the lives of the sisters Isobel, Ysenda, and Merraid in the village of Moray, Scotland, where Macbeth frequently resided with his wife, Gruoch, and his stepson, Lulach. The connection between Isobel and Lulach, who meet as young children, adds richness to their characters.
I found myself captivated by the old names of common herbs and plants throughout the narrative, further enhancing the story's depth.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This dual-timeline novel moves seamlessly between 11th-century Scotland and the present day. In 1050, Isobel and her two sisters are forced to navigate life after the loss of their mother. As Isobel steps into the role of wise woman and healer, she finds herself in grave danger, accused of witchcraft by those who fear what they do not understand.
Nearly a thousand years later, Ruthie Reed is cast as a witch in a documentary about Macbeth. When unsettling events begin to occur on set, her curiosity is piqued, and she becomes determined to uncover the identity of the mysterious cloaked woman who appears intermittently—and to discover her story.
Elena Collins writes with elegance and depth, and her command of historical detail brings the past vividly to life. I was completely swept up in the emotional and heartbreaking journey of Isobel’s tragically short life. This was an utterly absorbing read that I wholeheartedly loved and recommend.
Thank you to Elena Collins and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
Nearly a thousand years later, Ruthie Reed is cast as a witch in a documentary about Macbeth. When unsettling events begin to occur on set, her curiosity is piqued, and she becomes determined to uncover the identity of the mysterious cloaked woman who appears intermittently—and to discover her story.
Elena Collins writes with elegance and depth, and her command of historical detail brings the past vividly to life. I was completely swept up in the emotional and heartbreaking journey of Isobel’s tragically short life. This was an utterly absorbing read that I wholeheartedly loved and recommend.
Thank you to Elena Collins and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
February 28, 2026
As usual, this is a dual-timeline story that takes the reader on a journey of discovery as they learn about lives from the distant past, mirrored by those in the present day. This time, we fall all the way back to the mid-eleventh century and meet the women referred to as witches in Shakespeare's play Macbeth.
In the present day, we meet Ruthie, an actor seeking her big break and focused on success rather than on a personal life. I admired her drive and dedication to her obvious vocation, despite not being able to imagine having that strict mindset. As her story emerged, I found myself hoping for her to find the success and happiness that she clearly craved.
Isobel, along with her sisters, totally captured my imagination. Through Elena’s books, I have learned a great deal about the awful accusations of witchcraft that haunted women as an early form of misogyny and ignorant control. Wise women were viewed harshly, and Isobel and her sisters encountered the worst of that behaviour. We are all, I believe, familiar with later methods of identifying and punishing suspects, but the eleventh century was particularly cruel. I won’t include spoilers, but I do advise you to prepare for a rough read, as their accusers are merciless.
I was aware that the characters in Macbeth weren’t wholly fictional, but once again, Elena Collins has searched this story in great depth, and I was enthralled by what I learned from this terrific book.
Highly recommended and the highest praise to this magnificent author.
In the present day, we meet Ruthie, an actor seeking her big break and focused on success rather than on a personal life. I admired her drive and dedication to her obvious vocation, despite not being able to imagine having that strict mindset. As her story emerged, I found myself hoping for her to find the success and happiness that she clearly craved.
Isobel, along with her sisters, totally captured my imagination. Through Elena’s books, I have learned a great deal about the awful accusations of witchcraft that haunted women as an early form of misogyny and ignorant control. Wise women were viewed harshly, and Isobel and her sisters encountered the worst of that behaviour. We are all, I believe, familiar with later methods of identifying and punishing suspects, but the eleventh century was particularly cruel. I won’t include spoilers, but I do advise you to prepare for a rough read, as their accusers are merciless.
I was aware that the characters in Macbeth weren’t wholly fictional, but once again, Elena Collins has searched this story in great depth, and I was enthralled by what I learned from this terrific book.
Highly recommended and the highest praise to this magnificent author.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Having enjoyed some of Elena Collin’s earlier books, I was delighted to be offered this opportunity to read The Three Witches. Set in Scotland in 1032 to 1048, we meet Isobel and her two sisters. Isobel is a healer and can see things in the fire. There is a present day thread as well where Ruthie is performing in a documentary about Macbeth. This is a way of bringing Isobel’s experience to life. Having fallen for the kings stepson and pregnant by him, she is not the choice his mother wants. A series of misfortunes lead to Isobel being branded as a witch, which is also a convenient way to get rid of her. This was so vividly portrayed that I felt like I was there with her, as the injustices mounted up. The present day story was also entertaining, and the two time periods worked well together. If you enjoy historical fiction and beautiful Scottish settings, you’ll like this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy to read, enjoy and freely review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley, Elena Collins, and Boldwood books publishing for the advanced copy to read. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Elena Collins is an exceptional writer of historical fiction. She has a gift for immersing readers in landscapes far from home and deep in history. The Three Witches is no exception to meeting the higher standards readers have come to expect from Collins.
The Three Witches has a bit of something for everyone: fantasy, romance, family, tradition, history, etc. I throughly enjoyed reading The Three Witches and would highly recommend it to others to read. Not to mention, this book takes place in Scotland, a country I would love to visit some day if given the chance! The Three Witches was a quick read for me and I found I did not want to put the book down!
The Three Witches is a twist on the Macbeth play. It goes to show there is always many sides to a story and to the people who inspired the stories.
Elena Collins is an exceptional writer of historical fiction. She has a gift for immersing readers in landscapes far from home and deep in history. The Three Witches is no exception to meeting the higher standards readers have come to expect from Collins.
The Three Witches has a bit of something for everyone: fantasy, romance, family, tradition, history, etc. I throughly enjoyed reading The Three Witches and would highly recommend it to others to read. Not to mention, this book takes place in Scotland, a country I would love to visit some day if given the chance! The Three Witches was a quick read for me and I found I did not want to put the book down!
The Three Witches is a twist on the Macbeth play. It goes to show there is always many sides to a story and to the people who inspired the stories.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“The Three Witches” by Elena Collins is a beautifully written 5-star historical fiction read! Ruthie plays one of the three witches from Macbeth in a documentary. While the crew is staying in a small Scottish town, she discovers there is far more to the history of the famous witches than she ever imagined.
The story unfolds through dual timelines, following Ruthie in the present and Isobel in 1050. The author does an amazing job weaving the two narratives together seamlessly. I truly enjoyed the writing style and felt as though I was right there with the characters as the story unfolded. One aspect I found especially interesting was learning about the different medicines that were used and the secret naming practices of the healers. If you are a fan of Macbeth or historical fiction, this is a must-read!
Thanks to Boldwood Books, Elena Collins, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
The story unfolds through dual timelines, following Ruthie in the present and Isobel in 1050. The author does an amazing job weaving the two narratives together seamlessly. I truly enjoyed the writing style and felt as though I was right there with the characters as the story unfolded. One aspect I found especially interesting was learning about the different medicines that were used and the secret naming practices of the healers. If you are a fan of Macbeth or historical fiction, this is a must-read!
Thanks to Boldwood Books, Elena Collins, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
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