Where to Start with Elena Collins
Writing under the evocative pen name Elena Collins, bestselling author Judy Leigh swaps her signature uplifting contemporary comedies for atmospheric, slightly spooky dual-timeline historical mysteries. Because each of her novels is a self-contained story set in a unique location and era, there is no single mandatory starting point. You can read them in any order you choose.
However, the absolute best starting point for newcomers is The Witch's Tree (2022). As her debut under this pseudonym, it perfectly showcases her trademark formula: a picturesque but isolation-tinged English setting, a modern woman uncovering a buried secret, and a heartbreaking historical thread dealing with the persecution of women accused of witchcraft. If you prefer a legendary outlaw tale, The Wicked Lady (2024)—which won the Romantic Novelists' Association Historical Romantic Novel Award—is another fantastic entry point.
Elena Collins Books in Publication Order
If you prefer to follow the author's creative development, reading the books in order of their release is a highly satisfying approach. Here is the publication order for Elena Collins's standalone novels:
- The Witch's Tree (2022) – Set in Somerset, England; transitions between the modern day and the Salem-adjacent atmosphere of the 1682 Somerset witch trials.
- The Lady of the Loch (2023) – Set in the Scottish Highlands around Loch Awe; transitions between the modern day and 1306–1307 during the turbulent Wars of Scottish Independence.
- The Daughter of the Fens (2023) – Set in the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk fenlands; transitions between the present day and AD 61 during the Roman invasion and Queen Boudicca's rebellion. Note: Also published under the title Daughter of the Mists in certain editions.
- The Wicked Lady (2024) – Set in Hertfordshire; transitions between the present day and the 1660s, exploring the life of the real-life historical highwaywoman Katherine Ferrers.
- The Cornish Witch (2025) – Set in a historic inn in St Mawgen Cove, Cornwall; transitions between the modern day and 1625, focusing on a local wise woman and healer facing accusations of witchcraft.
- The Three Witches (2026) – Set in the Scottish Highlands; transitions between a modern actress filming a documentary and 11th-century Scotland, providing a feminist reimagining of the three sisters who inspired Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Exploring the Historical Timelines
Because these novels span widely different eras, some readers enjoy grouping them chronologically based on their historical settings rather than when they were published. Here is how the historical timelines line up from the deepest past to the near-modern era:
- AD 61: The Daughter of the Fens (Ancient Rome and the Iceni rebellion)
- 11th Century: The Three Witches (Medieval Scotland during the real Macbeth's reign)
- 1306–1307: The Lady of the Loch (The Wars of Scottish Independence)
- 1625: The Cornish Witch (Early 17th-century coastal Cornwall)
- 1660s: The Wicked Lady (The Restoration era and highway robbery)
- 1682: The Witch's Tree (The late 17th-century witch trials)
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving in, it helps to understand the unique style Elena Collins brings to historical fiction. Her books are timeslip novels, meaning they constantly alternate between a contemporary protagonist (often a woman seeking a fresh start or resolving a family crisis) and a historical figure whose life left a psychic imprint on a specific location. The connection between the two eras is usually tied to a historic building, such as a cottage, a Scottish castle, a fenland farm, or a haunted Cornish inn.
While the books feature ghosts, visions, and ancient curses, they are not horror novels. Instead, they use supernatural elements as a narrative bridge to highlight the resilience of women across history, particularly those who were marginalized, misunderstood, or persecuted by the societies of their time.
Alternate Titles and Reading Caveats
The only major source of confusion for readers navigating Elena Collins's bibliography is her third novel. Originally published as The Daughter of the Fens, it was released in some markets and formats as Daughter of the Mists (or The Daughter of the Mists). These titles refer to the exact same story featuring Hanna in the present day and Brea in Roman-occupied Britain, so be careful not to buy both by mistake.