Book Review: The Three Witches By Elena Collins

Published March 3, 2026 | By Laura

I’m very excited to be welcoming Elena Collins to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, 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, Merraid and Ysenda are healers and midwives. As each of them grow and find love, the risks for their safety increase.

Present day – Ruthie gets an opportunity to be part of a documentary, playing one of Macbeth’s three witches. She sees the trip to Scotland as a chance to get away from the pressures of her life. However, she begins to see things that can’t possibly be real. Is she losing her mind or is someone trying to reach her?

A story of survival and love is fighting to be told.

I am a big fan of this author (Elena Collins is the pen name of Judy Leigh). I was looking forward to reading her latest book, The Three Witches. It’s an historical novel that sounds up my street. I wasn’t wrong. As usual, I am going to try and talk about it without giving too much away.

Told from a dual perspective, this book wastes no time in putting the reader right into Isobel’s life. It then alternates with Isobel living between 1032 and 1050, and Ruthie in the present. I do like these kinds of narratives as it adds an additional mysterious element to the story. Why these two women? Are they connected in some way? The plot unravels in an enthralling manner. The story doesn’t really let up all the way through and I fell into the ‘just one more page…chapter’ cycle.

Ruthie’s story was intriguing as she begins to see things that aren’t there. However, it was Isobel’s life I was the most fascinated by. It’s a look at how hard life was for women as the only avenue open to them was marriage and that falling in love didn’t always lead to that. It’s terrifying how dangerous it was for a healer in those days. Being a part of the community one day and then being accused of witchcraft the next; simply for trying to help people. The descriptions of the settings in both timelines were beautifully written and held a haunted quality that really lent itself to the tale. I can see why it’s been marketed to fans of Outlander. It has that same magical feeling.

Both Ruthie and Isobel held strength and a sense of self, and I loved both. They carried the novel well. The supporting cast were also a good mixture of personalities. Some I liked better than others. There was one I was particularly disappointed by. You’ll know who I mean when you read it. Themes like betrayal, love, family, and honour are explored in an interesting and empathic way.

This novel really appealed to the history lover in me. It’s a sad, heart-rendering, tragic story of three women’s desire to survive and be happy.

The Three Witches is a ghostly story that bewitched me from the first to the last page. I thoroughly recommend it. am not sure how I have gone this long to discover Elena Collins but it won’t be the last book of hers I read.

(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review).

About Elena Collins –

Elena Collins is the pseudonym for Judy Leigh, the million-selling author of Five French Hens , The Old Girls’ Network and The Silver Haired Sisterhood.

Judy writes uplifting novels in the ‘second chances’ and ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. Elena Collins’ novels are historical/ dual timelines. In 2025, her novel The Wicked Lady received the RNA award in this category.

Judy has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.

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The Three Witches by Elena Collins was released by Boldwood Books on 2nd March 2026. Click to buy on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and Waterstones.