Molly Aitken’s stark historical novel reimagines the fragmented life of Alice Kyteler—13th-century Ireland’s first accused witch—into a powerful exploration of power, prejudice, and survival. Set in medieval Kilkenny, the story follows Alice’s determined rise from innkeeper’s daughter to a prosperous businesswoman, with each calculated marriage and negotiation bringing her closer to both influence and peril.

Rather than indulging in supernatural tropes, Aitken’s approach leans into historical accuracy, portraying a world where herbal knowledge sparks suspicion and female ambition courts disaster. Her prose reflects the harsh realities of the period, while her careful research sheds light on medieval Irish society’s darker facets. Echoing the works of Lauren Groff, Aitken’s portrayal underscores society’s enduring impulse to vilify women who defy convention.