#1 National Bestseller
Finalist for the 2017 Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award
Finalist for the 2017 Sunburst Award in Adult Fiction
Winner of the 2017 Atlantic Independent Bookseller's Choice Award

“[A] magical little book. . . . Witches may be McKay’s best effort yet in the way it combines humour, the occult and history into a fascinating and fun novel of women supporting each other.”
—The Vancouver Sun

"[An] enchanting novel. . . . The writing . . . is woven together with depth and intensity into a vibrant tapestry. . . . Highly recommended."
—Booklist (starred)

"A dark, atmospheric and feminist story of three women in New York City's Gilded Age, each determined to thrive in a society hell-bent on keeping them down, and using their coven to do so."
—Buzzfeed

"An excellent read."
—Bustle

"Captivating."
—Ottawa Review of Books

"Lively . . . absorbing."
—The Globe and Mail

"Impeccably researched, powerfully plotted."
—Historical Novel Society

“The Witches of New York [is] an ‘enchanting’ read that’ll leave you horrified. . . . The book is richly researched, and packed with enticing historical detail. McKay’s prose is, as always, superb—the descriptions enchanting, the narrative arcs compelling, the characters dear (or deliciously sinister, as the case may be). But it is the emotion of the novel that lingers longest, the pervading horror over the persecution of women—and what this persecution has done to repress women’s talents, impede their progress and stamp out their voices.”
—Toronto Star

“McKay has done her research, weaving in fascinating medical, historical and society tidbits from the era.”
—CBC

“This might only be Ami McKay’s third novel, but she has already become one of the country’s most beloved storytellers.”
—The Globe and Mail

“Old New York shows its magic and its darkness in McKay’s latest novel. . . . [A] remarkable cast of characters. . . . McKay has crafted a stunning work that bridges the gap between historical and contemporary women's issues. The novel is ambitious in its scope yet still delves deep into the thoughts and motivations of characters who normally exist on society's outskirts—or even beyond the earthly realm. . . . McKay's elegant prose bridges the gap between the real world and the spiritual realm with skill and compassion. A sprawling tale of persecution and hysteria set in the vivid world of New York City’s Victorian era.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“Wonderful novel. . . . McKay seamlessly combines several plots and juggles a large cast with grace. Skillful worldbuilding, fascinating characters, and a suspenseful plot make McKay’s novel an enchanting, can’t-put-down delight."
—Publishers Weekly (starred)

“Those who have been waiting for this new novel, rejoice—it’s another fabulous story by the author of The Birth House and The Virgin Cure. . . . McKay is a consummate storyteller, whose love of meticulous historical research is evident through the novel. . . . McKay should definitely be proud of the gifts she has, and the gift she has given her readers.”
—Local Xpress

“The Witches of New York . . . fully embraces the fantastic side of McKay’s imagination. . . . For all its ideas, its imperatives, The Witches of New York is a keenly pleasurable reading experience, and over all too soon. One cannot help but want to spend more time in the company of these witches.”
—National Post

“Told through McKay’s signature combination of prose, period advertisements, newspaper clippings and other ephemera, her third novel offers both a compelling, fast-paced story and a peek into New York of the late 1800s.”
—Canadian Living

“[The] overlap of realism and magic is the book’s charm. . . . The Witches of New York is carefully researched, and its interspersing of historical accounts gives it a gently archival feel. . . . McKay’s work takes on pointed meaning. Her women go calmly about their business in a hostile world, circumventing the system wherever they can, getting up every time they’re knocked down. Abracadabra: this is their real magic.”
—Alix Hawley, author of All True Not a Lie in It, The Globe and Mail

“Step into an exciting and spellbinding world, brought to us by the soaring imagination of Ami McKay . . . a celebrated purveyor of intrigue, dark arts and fascinating fragments of real history. . . . [A] dark, atmospheric tale. . . . McKay’s seductive novel unfurls slowly amidst a miasma of menace, mischief, mystery and mesmerising magic. . . . This a clever, compelling story of determined, independent women fighting for a place in a man’s world of chauvinism, oppression and prejudice. . . . Using the atmospheric backdrop of New York City on the cusp of monumental change and packed with the wisdom of the ages and the authority of an author with a resonant message, this is a rich, chilling and thrilling story.”
—Lancashire Evening Post

“A compelling, fast-paced read, with much more to say than one might expect. Benefiting from research aplenty from author Ami McKay, a Victorian New York City really does come alive within its pages. . . . It’s about more than just witchcraft, and I’d urge even the most skeptical amongst you to ignore the advice of the advertisement that caught Beatrice’s eye—those averse to magic might well want to apply!”
—The Australian Review