We love historical fiction and this week’s featured title, Hex by Jenni Fagan, is simply bewitching. Edinburgh, December 1591. On this, the last night of her life, in a prison cell several floors below, convicted witch Geillis Duncan receives a mysterious visitor – Iris, who says she comes from a future where women are still persecuted for who they are and what they believe. Hex is a visceral depiction of what happens when a society is consumed by fear and superstition, exploring how the terrible force of a violent crusade against ordinary women can still be felt, right up to the present day. ‘Brilliantly real characters shot through with feminist anger, word choice to make you shiver, and that knack of taking the road least expected' Kirstin Innes, author of Scabby Queen Hex is published by Polygon, an imprint of Birlinn, and available now. We recommend buying from your local indie or you can get it from our shop at Bookshop.org. Podcast produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman Programmed by Matt Casbourne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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