The Witch, the Seed and the Scalpel is a horror story steeped in the Gothic tradition. The story follows the battle between botanist Joseph Ware and one of Scotland's last witches, against a sinister order of surgeons. Edinburgh 1841.Each year without fail, a strange seed hangs from a chestnut tree that grows near the home of botanist Joseph Ware. Legend states that anyone who catches this nut will be blessed with untold riches but when it falls into Joseph's hands the seed unleashes a devastating parasite. In his quest to find a cure for this, Joseph joins forces with the last of Scotland's witches in their battle against a sinister order of surgeons called the Deus Lux who believe a witch's anatomy hides the key to all magic. This conflict tears apart the bonds of family, friendship and reality itself as Joseph fights to save his soul and avoid the Deus Lux 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. AUTHOR: Scott O'Neill spends much of his free time exploring the hills and shores of his homeland the Isle of Bute, a landscape full of history and mystery which inspires much of his writing including two published novels: The Buzz Building (2014) and The Hectic Headspace of Abigail Squall (2018). He has written several screenplays including Underground, a crime thriller which was sold to Celtic Films, The Circle, an indie horror film starring Ross Noble (2017) and Sketches of Bute (2024). The sequel to The Circle called The Circle: Awakening will be released in 2025.