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The Witch, The Seed and the Scalpel
By Scott O' Neill
Edinburgh 1841. Reaching out like a hungry white worm it twisted and spiralled, tasting the air. Then, evidently attracted by the flow of warm blood, it squirmed its way under the surface of my skin.
Every autumn without fail, a strange seed appears on the chestnut tree that marks the spot where the witch Margaret McKay was murdered.
Legend states that anyone who catches this nut before it hits the ground will be blessed with untold riches, but when it falls into the eager hands of botanist Joseph Ware, the seed unleashes a terrible curse. In his quest to find the cure, Joseph discovers a resistance group battling to save the last of Scotland’s witches from a sinister order of surgeons who believe the key to all magic lies hidden somewhere within a witch’s anatomy.
The conflict quickly tears apart the bonds of family, friendship and even reality itself, as Joseph fights to save his soul and avoid the anatomists’ dissecting table.
Ideal for readers of The Last Witch in Scotland, The Witches of Vardo, Bram Stoker or for those with an interest in witchcraft lore.
Scott O' Neill
Born in Renfrewshire and now resident on the Isle of Bute, Scott O’Neill studied Film at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design after which he worked in variety of jobs including photographer, sandwich maker, pipe-fitter and CCTV operator. His writing journey began with the novels The Buzz Building (2014) and The Hectic Headspace of Abigail Squall (2018). His latest novel, published by McNidder & Grace, is The Witch, The Seed & The Scapel, a gothic horror set in Edinburgh 1841.
In 2017 Scott co-wrote the screenplay for the horror film The Circle. Its sequel, The Circle: Awakening, is due for release in 2026. In 2024, supported by CHARTS (Culture Heritage & Arts) and Ràmh: Islands Development Project, Scott directed the film Sketches of Bute, a 40-minute journey exploring the island’s unique landscapes and history. Scott is currently working on a sequel to The Witch, The Seed & the Scalpel which will be published by McNidder & Grace in 2026.