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Murray Hall
'A riveting and remarkable retelling of a true story.' - SARA SHERIDAN
'A very enjoyable novel, one that can give pleasure and invite speculation at the same time.' - THE SCOTSMAN
'His remarkable life story has, for the first time, been pieced together from myriad contemporary newspaper reports, historical archives and contradictory anecdotes to form a stunning new novel' - SUNDAY POST
He kept his secret for a lifetime. Now the truth will rock New York.
It is 1901, and Dr Gallagher has just pronounced Murray Hall dead. New York politico, gambler, womaniser - Hall is all these things, but when the newspapers break the news of his death to the world, they reveal a side to his identity he never wanted known, a secret no one could have guessed.
Sam Clellan, an ambitious young journalist, is determined to uncover the truth of Hall's past, but his search leads him down winding alleys of fact and fiction. From humble beginnings in Glasgow's tenements to a life spent rubbing up against New York's political elite, Murray Hall is the definition of a self-made man. But the higher his status rises, the higher the stakes become.
Inspired by a true story of one Scot's rise to prominence, Murray Hall unearths a queer past erased by history, finally bringing all the puzzle pieces together to discover the secret of this extraordinary, ordinary man, which shocked New York, America and the world.
'Murray Hall does what historical fiction does shines a light on the past to illuminate the present...' - ANGIE SPOTO
'Deeply moving and immersive, Milo Allan's extraordinary novel is a constantly shifting, chameleon-like thing, taking in gender, queerness, and grief.' - ALLY WILKES
'A very enjoyable novel, one that can give pleasure and invite speculation at the same time.' - THE SCOTSMAN
'His remarkable life story has, for the first time, been pieced together from myriad contemporary newspaper reports, historical archives and contradictory anecdotes to form a stunning new novel' - SUNDAY POST
He kept his secret for a lifetime. Now the truth will rock New York.
It is 1901, and Dr Gallagher has just pronounced Murray Hall dead. New York politico, gambler, womaniser - Hall is all these things, but when the newspapers break the news of his death to the world, they reveal a side to his identity he never wanted known, a secret no one could have guessed.
Sam Clellan, an ambitious young journalist, is determined to uncover the truth of Hall's past, but his search leads him down winding alleys of fact and fiction. From humble beginnings in Glasgow's tenements to a life spent rubbing up against New York's political elite, Murray Hall is the definition of a self-made man. But the higher his status rises, the higher the stakes become.
Inspired by a true story of one Scot's rise to prominence, Murray Hall unearths a queer past erased by history, finally bringing all the puzzle pieces together to discover the secret of this extraordinary, ordinary man, which shocked New York, America and the world.
'Murray Hall does what historical fiction does shines a light on the past to illuminate the present...' - ANGIE SPOTO
'Deeply moving and immersive, Milo Allan's extraordinary novel is a constantly shifting, chameleon-like thing, taking in gender, queerness, and grief.' - ALLY WILKES
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Published April 17, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 2, 2025
Based on a true story this novel tells of the life of Murray Hall, a womanising gambler in late 19th century New York. Upon his death in 1901 doctors discovered he was actually a woman. Reporter Sam Clellan sets out to learn more of Murray and how he evaded detection for so long. Brilliant and absorbing, this highlights the fact that transgenderism is nothing new and that bigotry is as old as the hills.
April 13, 2025
It takes a lot to write about a figure that is completely absent from the entire length of the novel. However with the multiple viewpoints offered by the hounding investigations of Sam Clellan, his determination to discover the real Murray Hall offers us glimpses here and there. No one will ever know him or understand him. The enigma of Murray Hall, the lack of understanding of diversity despite it being just as prolific as it is today, leads us to question sex, gender and the fragmented nature of society. This book wasn’t what I was expecting; in all the right ways. Loved it.
November 16, 2025
Fascinating glimpse of a little known (to me, at least) historical event. It really made me question my assumptions on gender identity. If that makes it sound simply worthy, it's also a thoroughly entertaining mystery!
November 13, 2025
The queer historical novel "Murray Hall" is a collaboration between transgender writer and activist Milo Clenshaw and writer and Herald journalist Vicky Allan. Murray Hall himself was a real person who died in New York in 1901. Before his death he was infamous for his violence, womanising and involvement in corrupt politics, but on his death it was discovered that he was physically a woman. He had also been married at least once and had a child who called him her father.
This fictional account of his life, both in New York and earlier in Scotland, is told through the voice of journalist Sam Clellan, who comes from a strict conservative Christian background and who initially becomes interested in Murray while investigating political corruption.
At the start of the novel, Clellan believes gender binaries are the natural order and homosexuality is a perversion. He, like most others, is shocked by the discovery of Murray's sex. However, as he discovers more about Murray and his possible past, he begins to reassess him. He also has to confront his own attitudes and feelings, things he finds uncomfortable. Murray's former acquaintances, friends and enemies struggle with how to describe him, some using female pronouns, others male ones and yet others using both. One character describes Murray as an "it".
The authors are careful not to impose late 20th and early 21st century categories on Murray, so whether he is trans or gay or neither or both or something else entirely is left open. Instead we discover the tragedy of the closet: Murray dies from a cancer that if caught in time might have been treated, but he self-medicates because to have sought medical treatment would have meant revealing his secret. His relationship with his wife Celia, who died before him, was also fraught, in part because of his concern that she might reveal his secret.
This a powerful and at times moving novel. It bears comparison with Jackie Kay's "Trumpet", which also begins with the death of a married man who is discovered to be biologically a woman. What both novels highlight is the damage that is done to us all when binaries based on ideology are imposed on us. In view of the recent Supreme Court ruling and the statement from the so-called Equality and Human Rights Commission, this historical novel takes on additional relevance.
This fictional account of his life, both in New York and earlier in Scotland, is told through the voice of journalist Sam Clellan, who comes from a strict conservative Christian background and who initially becomes interested in Murray while investigating political corruption.
At the start of the novel, Clellan believes gender binaries are the natural order and homosexuality is a perversion. He, like most others, is shocked by the discovery of Murray's sex. However, as he discovers more about Murray and his possible past, he begins to reassess him. He also has to confront his own attitudes and feelings, things he finds uncomfortable. Murray's former acquaintances, friends and enemies struggle with how to describe him, some using female pronouns, others male ones and yet others using both. One character describes Murray as an "it".
The authors are careful not to impose late 20th and early 21st century categories on Murray, so whether he is trans or gay or neither or both or something else entirely is left open. Instead we discover the tragedy of the closet: Murray dies from a cancer that if caught in time might have been treated, but he self-medicates because to have sought medical treatment would have meant revealing his secret. His relationship with his wife Celia, who died before him, was also fraught, in part because of his concern that she might reveal his secret.
This a powerful and at times moving novel. It bears comparison with Jackie Kay's "Trumpet", which also begins with the death of a married man who is discovered to be biologically a woman. What both novels highlight is the damage that is done to us all when binaries based on ideology are imposed on us. In view of the recent Supreme Court ruling and the statement from the so-called Equality and Human Rights Commission, this historical novel takes on additional relevance.
April 7, 2025
I had never heard of Murray Hall before coming across this book, and his story is a fascinating one. We know very little about much of his life, but his death was surrounded by spectacle and scandal.
This book doesn’t attempt to answer the unanswerable questions we may have, although it is meticulously researched and presents us with virtually all known information about Hall. Having a journalist as the main character was really helpful in this regard, as we got to know all the facts in a way that felt very natural, as well as some of the fictionalised personal details.
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The authors are very clear that we don’t know whether or not Hall would have identified as transgender if he lived today, but rather that his story – alongside countless others – is evidence that gender diversity has always existed in some form or another. What struck me about Sam, the journalist, and his character arc, is that uncovering Hall’s story encourages him to think about both gender and society as a whole in a much more nuanced, open-minded way. He begins to question his previously held beliefs about the way society and gender roles dictate someone’s position in life, and ultimately is a better person for it.
The big drawback for me, though, is that I never felt like I really got to know Sam as a character. There are some hints about his upbringing and his past, but I never felt like I had a good grip on who he is and why he’s doing what he’s doing. When he first starts to talk about his personal feelings about the Hall story, I was surprised; I felt like his opinions at that point were at odds with the character we’d met so far. I think he could have been a really powerful character with lots of depth, but it never quite came to fruition.
Overall, this is a great book for introducing you to a part of queer history you may know nothing about, and an always-important reminder that trans people have always existed.
I received a free copy for review.
This book doesn’t attempt to answer the unanswerable questions we may have, although it is meticulously researched and presents us with virtually all known information about Hall. Having a journalist as the main character was really helpful in this regard, as we got to know all the facts in a way that felt very natural, as well as some of the fictionalised personal details.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
The authors are very clear that we don’t know whether or not Hall would have identified as transgender if he lived today, but rather that his story – alongside countless others – is evidence that gender diversity has always existed in some form or another. What struck me about Sam, the journalist, and his character arc, is that uncovering Hall’s story encourages him to think about both gender and society as a whole in a much more nuanced, open-minded way. He begins to question his previously held beliefs about the way society and gender roles dictate someone’s position in life, and ultimately is a better person for it.
The big drawback for me, though, is that I never felt like I really got to know Sam as a character. There are some hints about his upbringing and his past, but I never felt like I had a good grip on who he is and why he’s doing what he’s doing. When he first starts to talk about his personal feelings about the Hall story, I was surprised; I felt like his opinions at that point were at odds with the character we’d met so far. I think he could have been a really powerful character with lots of depth, but it never quite came to fruition.
Overall, this is a great book for introducing you to a part of queer history you may know nothing about, and an always-important reminder that trans people have always existed.
I received a free copy for review.
April 18, 2025
Fascinating historical reimagining based on the true story of self made man Murray Hall. The prologue opens in 1897 in a New York bookstore where a reporter, Sam Clellan, is listening to a conversation between the proprietor and Hall over a medical book Hall wants. Four years later Hall is dead and doctors have a shocking announcement, Hall was a biological woman. Written from multiple POV’s, some of which are in the form of letters (very long letters) and journal entries.
Briefly, Clellan is determined to find out the truth behind Hall’s life. Going back to Halls early life in Scotland and investigating his family, political career and gambling habits. But through his research Clellan also begins to discover things about himself.
Hall was clearly single minded, dragging himself up from a less than ideal situation to higher echelons of American society, and devious in that he was able to live as a man for more than half of his life. Although nothing categorically states that Hall would have identified as transgender this book clearly and accurately describes gender identity and the necessity placed on anyone who identified as transgender or non-binary to hide their identity. However, without Hall’s voice it’s not possible to conclude whether he was transgender or just wanted to enjoy the life that men enjoyed at this time. An interesting and captivating story, all the more so as it was based on the truth!
Briefly, Clellan is determined to find out the truth behind Hall’s life. Going back to Halls early life in Scotland and investigating his family, political career and gambling habits. But through his research Clellan also begins to discover things about himself.
Hall was clearly single minded, dragging himself up from a less than ideal situation to higher echelons of American society, and devious in that he was able to live as a man for more than half of his life. Although nothing categorically states that Hall would have identified as transgender this book clearly and accurately describes gender identity and the necessity placed on anyone who identified as transgender or non-binary to hide their identity. However, without Hall’s voice it’s not possible to conclude whether he was transgender or just wanted to enjoy the life that men enjoyed at this time. An interesting and captivating story, all the more so as it was based on the truth!
March 19, 2025
Murray Hall A Novel is one in the face for those whose ignorance proceeds them when it comes to transgenderism...it was happening back in 1901, thus dispelling any argument that it's a modern issue.
It's an absolutely fascinating story. Some might say it's a story of lies and deceit, while others a story of being true to yourself.
The imagery is rich and enabled me to visualise scenes vividly.
The author's portrayal of Murray Hall is extensively researched and brought her to life.
A thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing read.
It's an absolutely fascinating story. Some might say it's a story of lies and deceit, while others a story of being true to yourself.
The imagery is rich and enabled me to visualise scenes vividly.
The author's portrayal of Murray Hall is extensively researched and brought her to life.
A thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing read.
September 9, 2025
Fascinating 'fictional' true story, although I would have liked some resolution to the narrator's story too. Is he gay like we get hints of, or just waking up from his repressed preacher father's fire and brimstone upbringing?
April 18, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for a proof copy.
Interesting story based on a true story - a journalist determined to find out the truth. I did struggle a little with some of the American terminology around this era. Did feel as if this book lost its way slightly at the end.
Interesting story based on a true story - a journalist determined to find out the truth. I did struggle a little with some of the American terminology around this era. Did feel as if this book lost its way slightly at the end.
April 12, 2025
This is a carefully written historically based story that reveals the life of a little-known transgender trailblazer. The writing has very vivid details and brings to life the amazing journey of transgender man in late 1800's New York.
I love that Murray's character isn't watered down or viewed through rose-coloured glasses. He certainly wasn't always, or even often, a nice person but through the lens of the people in his life you feel quite sympathetic. The scene of him on the beach particularly touched me. Having to hide every day, not even being able to splash in the water on a nice day out for fear of discovery, what a difficult life to lead. What a price to pay for authenticity.
I love how many of the characters correctly gender him despite the period. Please note that the narrator is very much of the standard attitude of the time, arguably an antagonist of Murray Hall which was an interesting angle to take but could be triggering if you aren't ready for it.
A huge thank you to Black & White Publishing for sending me an ARC.
I love that Murray's character isn't watered down or viewed through rose-coloured glasses. He certainly wasn't always, or even often, a nice person but through the lens of the people in his life you feel quite sympathetic. The scene of him on the beach particularly touched me. Having to hide every day, not even being able to splash in the water on a nice day out for fear of discovery, what a difficult life to lead. What a price to pay for authenticity.
I love how many of the characters correctly gender him despite the period. Please note that the narrator is very much of the standard attitude of the time, arguably an antagonist of Murray Hall which was an interesting angle to take but could be triggering if you aren't ready for it.
A huge thank you to Black & White Publishing for sending me an ARC.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews