When two former friends reunite after decades apart, their grudges, flawed ambitions, and shared obsession swirl into an all-too-real echo of a terrible town legend.
Centuries ago, beautiful young Ilsbeth Clark was accused of witchcraft after several children disappeared. Her acquittal did nothing to stop her fellow townsfolk from drowning her in the well where the missing children were last seen.
When author and social media influencer Elena returns to the summer paradise of her youth to get her family’s manor house ready to sell, the last thing she expected was connecting with—and feeling inspired to write about—Ilsbeth’s infamous spirit. The very historical figure that her ex-childhood friend, Cathy, has been diligently researching and writing about for years.
What begins as a fiercely competitive sense of ownership over Ilsbeth and her story soon turns both women’s worlds into something more haunted and dangerous than they could ever imagine.
Praise for The Witch in the Well:
“Terrifying in its narration, as well as ironic, a story of two women engaged in a deadly rivalry.” — New York Journal of Books
“The Witch in the Well is a compelling, creepy story of angst, obsessions and lost friendship.” — BookPage
“Bruce masterfully plays with perceptions of reality, truth, and magic. It’s a uniquely told and riveting read.” — BuzzFeed
“This is a superb folk horror tale that delivers an imaginative feminist take on the historical persecution of witches through the conflicting viewpoints of three complex and at times believably unlikeable female protagonists.” — Toronto Star
“Not only is it a terrific psychological thriller involving two women with dueling points of view surrounding a centuries-old legend, it is also an above-average gothic horror story that will keep the candle burning long into the night as you furiously turn the pages.” — Book Reporter
“One of the most interesting elements about this story is how Bruce manages to make it work and keep readers turning pages despite having two somewhat unlikeable narrators at its core.” — Locus
Out now in the US and the UK.
Camilla Bruce 