Caroline B. Cooney, author of FLIGHT #116 IS DOWN and many
other action-packed teen novels, brings the story of Macbeth to
life in ENTER THREE WITCHES. Murder, witches, betrayal, battles and
even love are themes in this powerful historical tale.

Readers meet a teenager named Mary, ward of Lord Macbeth and his
wife Lady Macbeth. Mary is the source of envy and disdain by the
household staff, including Swin, the cook who knows about magic,
and Ildred, full of sadness and desire for a better life. Mary
thinks only of her betrothed and her father, far away while she
learns about castle life. 

However, a terrible battle changes everything. Mary's father is
hanged as a traitor to the King, and Macbeth and his loyal
followers --- Banquo, Fleance and Seyton --- are called heroes for
killing enemies. Seyton turns out to have dark ambitions of his own
and carries evil secrets. Mary now has no future and worries that
she herself will be hanged.

When the King is murdered in Lord Macbeth's castle and his sons run
away, Macbeth and his wife become king and queen. But something is
wrong. Did the Princes or the King's servants kill him? Mary heard
the Witches' predictions and knows that the murderer is still at
large. Meanwhile, no one embraces the new king and queen. Anyone
who goes against them in any way is murdered, and the body count
piles up with suspicion.

One day, while riding, Fleance and his father are stopped by
supposed robbers. But they are not interested in goods or horses
and instead wield axes. Fleance fights and then flees to find the
Princes and reclaim the throne from Macbeth. He also wants to learn
the identities of the robbers and who sent them.

Living in the castle with the new Queen, who keeps washing her
hands, Mary tries to figure out a way to save herself as well as
all of Scotland from Macbeth. But who can she trust? The book
follows her, Fleance, Swin and Ildred as they sort out the truth
and their futures.

Stick with this story through the introduction of the characters.
The action builds, and readers soon will be turning pages as
terrible evil fights with heroic deeds. ENTER THREE WITCHES may
even inspire young people to read (or re-read) MACBETH!

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