How to Kill a Witch

The Patriarchy's Guide to Silencing Women

De: Zoe Venditozzi, Claire Mitchell

Narrado por: Claire Mitchell, Zoe Venditozzi

Scotland, 1563: Crops failed. People starved. And the Devil's influence was stronger than ever—at least, that's what everyone believed. If you were a woman living in Scotland during this turbulent time, there was a very good chance that you, or someone you knew, would be tried as a witch.

During the chaos of the Reformation, violence against women was codified for the first time in the Witchcraft Act—a tool of theocratic control with one chilling goal: to root out witches and rid the land of evil. What followed was a dark and misogynistic chapter in history that fanned the flames of witch hunts across the globe, including in the United States and beyond.

In How to Kill a Witch, Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell, hosts of the popular Witches of Scotland podcast, unravel the grim yet absurdly bureaucratic process of identifying, accusing, trying, and executing women as witches.

This captivating (and often infuriating) account, which weaves a rich tapestry of trial transcripts, witness accounts, and the documents that set the legal grounds for the witch hunts, exposes how this violent period of history mirrors today's struggles for justice and equality.

©2025 Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi (P)2025 Tantor Media

A very important read/listen

I was so glad that this book was narrated by the authors. That Scottish accent made it really easy to devour in only a couple of days. usually it takes me forever to finish a book whether it be audio or physical. but this was my favorite book since women who run with wolves.

I inhaled this title! So much depth in research.

Beautifully narrated by the authors, this historical take of women’s plight against the patriarchy through the lens of witchcraft was difficult to pause. I traveled around the world and through time to learn about women’s experiences at the hands of religious doctrine & the fear it created in people’s lives, to real accounts of the persecuted parties & how the witchcraft movement has evolved to the present day. Very interesting stuff! Also much appreciated: the glossary of Scottish vernacular and the Outlander fan plug ^_^ as an outlander fan, this actually put several of the show’s storylines into welcomed perspective. Thanks much for the lovely read!

So happy the authors read it!

Zoe and Claire present the facts and weave in their personalities at the same time. Poetic magic! I also recommend listening to their podcast.