top of page

From Family History to Labyrinth's Depths: The Inspiration Behind "Cauldron of Dagda: The Witch's Rebirth Part II

  • Writer: Michaela Riley
    Michaela Riley
  • May 28, 2025
  • 2 min read

"Cauldron of Dagda: The Witch's Rebirth Part II" plunges readers into a world teetering on the edge of destruction, following a reborn witch named Merona as she battles to restore balance against an encroaching darkness. But what sparked the initial flame of inspiration for this compelling narrative?




Cauldron of Dagda: The Witch's Rebirth Part II
Cauldron of Dagda: The Witch's Rebirth Part II



The story's genesis can be traced back several years to the author's journey into their own family history. A piece of Merona's story was initially drafted, a seed planted but left to lie dormant. It wasn't until a chance encounter with a labyrinth during a hike that the missing pieces began to fall into place. This symbolic structure, often associated with journeys of self-discovery and transformation, provided the perfect setting and framework for Merona's continuing evolution.


Merona herself is a complex character, drawing inspiration from the multifaceted nature of human emotion. She's not a flawless heroine, but rather a relatable individual grappling with both strength and vulnerability. This deliberate choice allows readers to connect with her on a deeper level, cheering for her triumphs and empathizing with her struggles. "I wanted a character that seemed human with all the emotions we have," the author explains, highlighting the intention of creating a protagonist that mirrors the complexities of the human experience.


The story is also deeply rooted in Celtic lore, a rich tapestry of myths, legends, and spiritual beliefs. Weaving together different strands of this ancient tradition, the author finds inspiration in the interconnectedness of these stories, creating a world that feels both fantastical and grounded in familiar mythology.


Ultimately, "Cauldron of Dagda: The Witch's Rebirth Part II" is a testament to the power of personal exploration. From the spark of family history to the symbolic depth of the labyrinth, the story's inspiration is a potent mix of personal experience, historical research, and a desire to create a relatable and empowering female protagonist. It's a story that invites readers to join Merona on her journey of self-discovery and cheer her on as she battles to protect a world on the brink.

Critics' Requiem

Echoe's Never Die

The Editor's Shadow

What if the worst thing you ever read about yourself was true—and the whole world believed it?

Arthur Penwright’s debut novel was supposed to make him a star. Instead, he becomes the target of an online mob, as anonymous critics tear his life apart with words sharper than any knife. In this gripping psychological thriller about writers and critics, Arthur’s quest for vindication spirals into obsession, revenge, and murder as he hunts down those who ruined him.

Set in the ruthless world of publishing and social media, Critics’ Requiem is a dark and twisty suspense novel about the power of words, the danger of cancel culture, and the line between justice and madness. Fans of literary thrillers, meta-fiction, and books like The Silent Patient or Gone Girl will devour this page-turner where every review can be deadly.

Perfect for readers searching for:
literary thriller series, psychological suspense, books about writers and critics, novels about online bullying, dark fiction about internet mobs, fiction about toxic online culture, book reviewer murder mystery, psychological revenge stories, books for writers and book lovers

The story isn’t over. The legend of Arthur Penwright returns with a vengeance.

Across Europe, literary critics are turning up dead—each murder foretold by a chilling manuscript leak, each scene echoing the crimes of the infamous Penwright case.

 

Detective Elias Mercer is called out of retirement, Maia Walsh is drawn back into a web of obsession and betrayal, and Arthur finds passion and peril with the mysterious Sabine Leclerc.

Echoes Never Die is a dark literary thriller about love, betrayal, and digital justice. As new killings sweep Paris, Prague, and beyond, the line between victim and villain blurs. Who controls the narrative when legends refuse to die?

Perfect for fans of:
psychological thrillers, global suspense series, dark academia, novels about betrayal and obsession, European thrillers, books about viral crime, books with strong female leads, books about digital scandals, trending booktok thrillers

Every ending is a new beginning. The final story is being written.

A new apprentice steps from the shadows, orchestrating copycat killings and leaking chapters that shake the literary world. As the body count climbs across Lisbon, New York, and beyond, Arthur, Sabine, Maia, and Mercer are forced into a final, deadly showdown.

 

In this international murder mystery, old legends and new obsessions collide.

The Editor’s Shadow is a gripping psychological suspense novel about redemption, legacy, and the mythic power of narrative. Perfect for readers who crave dark fiction, meta-narrative thrillers, and stories where every secret can kill.

For readers who love:
copycat killer thrillers, psychological suspense series, novels about redemption and justice, gripping suspense novels, international murder mysteries, books about myth and legacy, fiction about narrative power, trending thrillers for adults

© 2025 by Michaela Riley. Powered and secured by Wix
bottom of page