A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (2011) is the first book in the All Souls Trilogy, a blend of historical fantasy, romance, and supernatural mystery. Set in contemporary Oxford and spanning centuries of lore, the novel centers on Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch and historian who uncovers a bewitched manuscript, Ashmole 782, hidden in the Bodleian Library.
Diana, descended from the powerful Bishop witch family, has long denied her magical heritage. But when she calls up the ancient manuscript, she draws the attention of a hidden world of witches, vampires, and daemons—including Matthew Clairmont, a centuries-old vampire and geneticist. As their forbidden relationship deepens, they must navigate dark forces, ancient rivalries, and dangerous secrets tied to the origins of supernatural beings.
Blending alchemy, history, genetics, and a richly atmospheric academic setting, Harkness—herself a historian of science—crafts a story of forbidden love, hidden knowledge, and self-discovery. The novel was a bestseller and inspired a TV adaptation, gaining a devoted following.
