Review of The Three Witches by Elena Collins

Review of The Three Witches by Elena Collins

Release date: March 2, 2026

Publisher: Boldwood Books

REVIEW

Once again Elena Collins has delivered another awe-inspiring paranormal dual timeline mystery romance. (I was drawn in too, by the gorgeously alluring cover!) The Three Witches is such a captivating read that once I started I could not stop until I finished it! And yes, I kept turning the pages into the wee hours of the night—even with our current heat wave here in Australia!

This well written timeslip moves effortlessly from past to present as it carries us back and forth in a pendulum swing fashion, with its flawless telling of two stories that are intertwined with each other. With a title like The Three Witches you know it is going to be atmospheric, and it definitely is! But it is also laced with intriguing culture, history and mystery that pulls you in even more. It is obvious the author has done a fair bit of research to make this a believable and yet still a magical story that raises questions. A lot has changed since the year 1050 but prejudice and misjudgement remain the same. I was deeply saddened by the horrible treatment of these women in the past. But other horrors exist today toward various minority groups that display the worst of humanity as well.

This novel centres around Macbeth and the three witches made famous by Shakespeare. His play is heavily fictionalised for dramatic and political purposes. But in The Three Witches during the present timeline, a documentary is being made that shows not only the stereotypes surrounding this piece of Scottish history but also the differences are explored (particularly off stage so to speak between fact and fiction—with the three sisters). And through the past timeline, we see what might have really happened to the three women labelled witches and Macbeth’s stepson who went down in history as being ‘foolish’. Understandable after knowing what happened. This information is brought forward into the present plot where we get a modern viewpoint through Ruth who is instrumental (along with a few others) in uncovering the truth.

In the present, we see actress Ruthie trying out for the part in the documentary and being chosen to play one of the three witches after she delivers a unique interpretation and modern performance. During their time in Scotland--all kinds of strange things happen on and off set. The three witches initially are presented in a more fictional light. But as Ruthie and friends begin to delve deeper into the true story of these three women. Of course, we also learn more about the real Macbeth, his wife and stepson.

We are transported to the past to learn about Isobel and her two sisters who learned about using herbs, etc to heal maladies from their mother. Of course back then, women were called witches who dabbled in such things but today, they would be known as herbalists. One disturbing social behaviour act that stood out is how quickly people can turn on their neighbour when things don’t go as planned. Many in the community drew upon and even expected the help of these women to offer remedies for them and their families but when patients did not follow directions and caused their own deaths, the first to get blamed was the healer/practitioner.

Another topic covered in the past timeline was the seeking of a spouse. In 1050 (and later) women were expected to marry and have children. Many times love was not part of that but in Isobel’s case, she chose love over duty. But her beloved husband to be, chose duty even though he loved her. Every time I think about her fate, I shudder. Without saying more, this part of the plot invoked a lot of emotion in me.

In the present, Ruthie has an interesting romantic journey, too. She must sort out who is friend and who is a romantic possibility. She is ambitious with her acting and her desire to understand more of what happened to the ladies known as witches and how to help in telling their real stories. Her sudden visionary gifts reveal her purpose to set things right by releasing the truth of this tragedy from the past. How the two timelines work and flow together is magnificent. I was totally engaged with the characters and plot in both timelines that were equally riveting.

The Three Witches is mesmerising and remarkable and has great depth. It was an honour to read. I loved it from cover to cover and definitely recommend it to Historical Fiction lovers around the world.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.