Kate Foster: a Bewitching Historical Evening

Kate has been a national newspaper journalist for many years. Growing up in Edinburgh, she became fascinated by its history and uses it as inspiration.

Her first novel, The Maiden, a feminist revisionist take on the legend of The White Lady of Corstorphine, won the Bloody Scotland Crime Debut of the Year in 2023 and was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2024.

Her second, The King’s Witches, is set in 1589. Princess Anna of Denmark is betrothed to King James VI. Before they can wed, Anna must pass a trial period to prove herself worthy. Determined to fulfil her duties, Anna resolves to be the perfect royal bride. Until she meets Lord Henry… By her side is Kirsten Sorenson, her loyal and pious lady-in-waiting, who has her own secret motives for the royal marriage to succeed.

Meanwhile, in North Berwick, young housemaid Jura practises the healing charms taught to her by her mother. On realising she is no longer safe, she escapes to Edinburgh, and finds herself caught up in the witchcraft mania gripping the capital.

The King’s Witches is a compelling historical novel giving voices to the women at the heart of the real-life witch trials.