The thrilling new historical mystery from the acclaimed, bestselling author of The Beholders. With thanks to Keighley_Reads for the below review!

I was completely sold on The Night Hag by Hester Musson the moment Katy told me it featured a female archaeologist in the 1800s… As a female archaeologist myself, I absolutely loved this aspect of the book. The excavation scenes were a real highlight for me – they felt authentic and gave a great sense of what digs might have been like during that period.

At its core, this is a very gothic story, packed with eerie moments, twists, and a strong sense of mystery. I’ll admit, I read it during the day because I’m not great with scary things… and the Night Hag definitely delivered on the creepy factor.

I can see how some readers might find parts of the story a little slow, especially where it leans into archaeological detail – but for me, that was a big plus.

The letters between Lil and Dr. Lachlan were particularly engaging and added depth to her character. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere of the fictional Scottish town – the tight-knit community and suspicion of outsiders felt very believable.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It weaves together three storylines, all of which come together nicely by the end. The twists in the final stretch were satisfying, and I found myself feeling a lot of sympathy for Lil.

About the Book

Scotland, 1886. Lil is an archaeologist who has dedicated herself to a life of rational enquiry. But she is plagued by nightmares which haunt her sleep, and by memories of her mother, a famous medium. As Lil tracks down a mysterious doctor who she believes will cure her of her night terrors, she is caught in a fight between science and superstition, between who she wants to be and the identity she can’t escape.

But who exactly is this doctor that Lil so feverishly reveres? And how could the long-lost hoard unearthed at one of Lil’s digs reveal secrets from her past?

From the bestselling author of The Beholders comes this unputdownable historical mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.

About The Author

Hester Musson studied at Bristol University and the RCS in Glasgow. She worked as an actress and autocue operator in London before writing full time, and now lives in Scotland.

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