How to Kill a Witch Audiobook By Zoe Venditozzi, Claire Mitchell cover art

How to Kill a Witch

The Patriarchy's Guide to Silencing Women

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How to Kill a Witch

By: Zoe Venditozzi, Claire Mitchell
Narrated by: Claire Mitchell, Zoe Venditozzi
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Buy for $19.10

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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

Accolades & Awards

Goodreads Choice Award
2025
Europe Gender Studies Goodreads Choice Award Great Britain Social Sciences Women Witchcraft Magic Magic Users Witches & Wizards Law
All stars
Most relevant
I recently visited Salem, Mass and realized how much I didn’t know about the witch trials there. I was aware of the Witches of Scotland and the tartan from various news reports. So, when I came across this book, I had to read it. I learned so much. I want to read it again. Not just a history of witch hunts in Scotland but a comparison to situations today (and it’s not looking good in a lot of ways).

As an attorney, I have gone down many research rabbit holes, but none have been as fascinating as the rabbit hole Ms Mitchell went down.

(Note: if you’re American, it took me a bit to get used to the accent of the authors and I had to slow down my usual listening speed to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Worth it to listen to the lilt of Scots)

Brilliant

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Zoe and Claire present the horrifying history of the witch trials in Scotland in a way that is understandable and relatable.

Informative & Revelant

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every woman and man should read this book so we can stop this from happening again and bring down the patriarchy!!!

this book is revolutionary!!!!

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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.

A very important read/listen

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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!

I inhaled this title! So much depth in research.

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