Testament of a Witch

A chilling historical crime mystery set during Scotland’s witch‑hunt frenzy — where superstition, fear and murder walk hand in hand.

A woman accused of witchcraft is dead — and MacKenzie must uncover whether the true evil lies in sorcery, or in the hearts of men.

About the Ebook

Testament of a Witch takes readers deep into the terror and superstition of late 17th‑century Scotland — a time when fear of witchcraft gripped entire communities and reason struggled to survive.

A young woman confesses to witchcraft under torture: pins, sleep deprivation, and the crushing weight of a society desperate to root out evil. Her death should have closed the matter — but something about the case troubles investigative advocate John MacKenzie and his assistant Davie Scougall.

Travelling to a village consumed by resentment, puritanical religion and whispered accusations, MacKenzie and Scougall find themselves in a community where fear has replaced truth, and where the real danger may not be witchcraft at all.

As the witch‑hunt intensifies, MacKenzie must uncover the true evil lurking beneath the surface — before another innocent life is claimed.

Critical Praise

"Move over Rebus. There’s a new – or should that be old – detective in town."
— Matthew Perren, i‑on Edinburgh (on Death of a Chief)

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• A gripping historical mystery rooted in Scotland’s real witch‑hunt history.
• MacKenzie and Scougall return for a case steeped in superstition, fear and moral conflict.
• A vividly realised 17th‑century setting filled with tension, danger and religious fervour.
• Perfect for fans of historical crime, Scottish history and atmospheric mysteries.
• The second book in the acclaimed John MacKenzie series.

About the Author

Douglas Watt is a historian, poet and novelist. His non‑fiction work The Price of Scotland: Darien, Union and the Wealth of Nations won the Hume Brown Senior Prize in Scottish History in 2008. He is also the author of Death of a Chief, the first novel in the John MacKenzie series.

Watt has contributed opinion pieces to The Scotsman on financial, historical and political subjects. He lives in Linlithgow with his wife Julie and their three children.

Also in the John MacKenzie Series

Explore the full John MacKenzie historical crime series:

• Death of a Chief — Book 1
• Testament of a Witch — Book 2 (you are here)
• Pilgrim of Slaughter — Book 3
• The Unnatural Death of a Jacobite — Book 4
• A Killing in Van Diemen’s Land — Book 5
• A Case of Desecration in the West — Book 6

Or get the full series in one place:

The Complete John MacKenzie Bundle

Publication Details

Publisher: Luath Press

Publication Date: —

Print Length: — (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9781913025281

Format: Ebook

Language: English / Scots

Categories: Historical Crime / Scottish Fiction / Mystery

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