What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mourning Necklace
Kate Foster is an exceptional writer and masterful storyteller' – Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal
Inspired by the infamous real-life case of Maggie Dickson, The Mourning Necklace is an unforgettable historical novel from Women's Prize-longlisted author, Kate Foster.
They said I would swing for the crime and I did . . . Surely, they can't hang me twice?
1724. In a village tavern on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Maggie Dickson’s family drown their sorrows, mourning her death yet relieved she is gone. Shame haunts them. Passersby avert their eyes from the cheap-looking coffin on the rickety cart. Despite protesting her innocence, Maggie was hanged that morning for the murder of her new-born child. But as her family pray her soul rests in peace, a figure appears at the door. It is Maggie. She has survived her execution.
Whether Maggie bribed the hangman or has been touched by God matters little now. What matters is proving her innocence – before she is hanged again . . .
Praise for Kate
'Exceptional – a tense, thrilling investigation, with a decidedly feminist slant' – Daily Mail on The Maiden
'Riveting . . . the tension persists until the last page’ – The Times on The Maiden
'Enthralling, compelling and at times chilling . . . An utterly timely tale' – D. V. Bishop, prize-winning author of Ritual of Fire, on The King's Witches
Inspired by the infamous real-life case of Maggie Dickson, The Mourning Necklace is an unforgettable historical novel from Women's Prize-longlisted author, Kate Foster.
They said I would swing for the crime and I did . . . Surely, they can't hang me twice?
1724. In a village tavern on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Maggie Dickson’s family drown their sorrows, mourning her death yet relieved she is gone. Shame haunts them. Passersby avert their eyes from the cheap-looking coffin on the rickety cart. Despite protesting her innocence, Maggie was hanged that morning for the murder of her new-born child. But as her family pray her soul rests in peace, a figure appears at the door. It is Maggie. She has survived her execution.
Whether Maggie bribed the hangman or has been touched by God matters little now. What matters is proving her innocence – before she is hanged again . . .
Praise for Kate
'Exceptional – a tense, thrilling investigation, with a decidedly feminist slant' – Daily Mail on The Maiden
'Riveting . . . the tension persists until the last page’ – The Times on The Maiden
'Enthralling, compelling and at times chilling . . . An utterly timely tale' – D. V. Bishop, prize-winning author of Ritual of Fire, on The King's Witches
Audible Audio
First published May 27, 2025
75 people are currently reading
2662 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
April 23, 2025
Un roman que j’ai dévoré. Cet été je doit me rendre en Écosse alors un e intrigue qui se situe à Édimbourg autant dire que j’étais plus que ravie, rajoutez au cadre un récit policier narré par deux femmes et vous avez le combo gagnant pour m’intéresser.
Christian est jugée pour avoir assassinée son oncle qui s’est avéré être son amant. Elle revient sur sa vie pour nous expliquer ce qui s’est passé. Nous avons aussi le point de vue de Violet une des nombreuses maîtresses de James. L’histoire se déroule au XVII.
Et bien sûr personne ne s’intéresse à la personnalité manipulatrice de James. Je sais que ce livre reproduit le schéma de nombreux livres que j’ai lus mais que voulez-vous je ne peux jamais résister à une histoire racontée d’un point de vue féminin.
Christian est jugée pour avoir assassinée son oncle qui s’est avéré être son amant. Elle revient sur sa vie pour nous expliquer ce qui s’est passé. Nous avons aussi le point de vue de Violet une des nombreuses maîtresses de James. L’histoire se déroule au XVII.
Et bien sûr personne ne s’intéresse à la personnalité manipulatrice de James. Je sais que ce livre reproduit le schéma de nombreux livres que j’ai lus mais que voulez-vous je ne peux jamais résister à une histoire racontée d’un point de vue féminin.
May 11, 2025
Absolutely superb. Kate Foster cannot put a foot wrong in this genre. She finds the most fascinating stories and knows instinctively how to bring them to life through her characters. I finished this a few days ago and I'm still thinking about it. Wonderful.
July 27, 2025
Edinburgh 1724, a real life person called Maggie Dickson was hanged for the murder of her newborn baby, incredibly she survived the hanging, and this fictional tale is woven around the true event.
Immersive and evocative, with likeable and sympathetic characters, the story covers themes still rearing their ugly heads today, such as women's agency over their own bodies.
No one does this type of story like Kate Foster, this is her third novel and I've loved all of them, 5 stars
Immersive and evocative, with likeable and sympathetic characters, the story covers themes still rearing their ugly heads today, such as women's agency over their own bodies.
No one does this type of story like Kate Foster, this is her third novel and I've loved all of them, 5 stars
January 26, 2025
“Human life is cheap. They die on street corners, in rags, an empty bottle rolling around beside them . They die of poxes and plagues and starvation and hangings. They die in childbirth. Or shortly thereafter. Whispers of the afterlife are sometimes the only hope we have.”
Where do I even begin with The Mourning Necklace by Kate Foster? This novel swept me off my feet and delivered a powerful emotional punch. Having adored The Maiden and The King’s Witches, I thought I knew what to expect from Foster, but she exceeded every expectation. With The Mourning Necklace, Foster proves beyond doubt that she is a master of feminist historical fiction, standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Stacey Halls and Susan Stokes-Chapman.
This book is a revelation. Maggie Dickson’s story, rooted in historical fact, bursts to life with Foster’s lyrical and immersive prose. Maggie is a true force—raw, vulnerable, and unbreakable. Her transformation, from a woman sentenced to death to one who reclaims her narrative, is among the most gripping character arcs I’ve ever encountered. It’s impossible not to ache with her, cheer for her, and ultimately feel empowered by her tenacity.
Foster’s storytelling is nothing short of genius. She captures the harsh realities of 18th-century Edinburgh with such precision that you can feel the cobblestones beneath your feet and the oppressive weight of societal judgment. Yet, she balances the grit with a narrative so captivating and fast-paced that I flew through the pages. The twists—oh, the twists—were as satisfying as they were surprising, leaving me breathless at every turn.
What makes The Mourning Necklace shine even brighter is how it bridges historical authenticity with timeless themes of injustice, gender inequality, and redemption. Foster weaves a tapestry of social commentary into Maggie’s journey, crafting a story that feels as urgent now as it would have been in 1724.
And the writing—goodness, the writing! Foster’s prose is sheer poetry. Her ability to capture the complexity of human emotion, the beauty of fleeting hope, and the terror of facing one’s mortality is unparalleled. I paused so many times just to reread sentences, marvelling at the craft.
If you love historical fiction, feminist narratives, or just plain phenomenal storytelling, this book is a must-read. It’s an anthem for the overlooked, a tribute to those who endure, and a testament to Foster’s extraordinary talent.
Thank you to Pan MacMillan and NetGalley, I’m incredibly grateful for the e-ARC of The Mourning Necklace. All opinions are my own.
Where do I even begin with The Mourning Necklace by Kate Foster? This novel swept me off my feet and delivered a powerful emotional punch. Having adored The Maiden and The King’s Witches, I thought I knew what to expect from Foster, but she exceeded every expectation. With The Mourning Necklace, Foster proves beyond doubt that she is a master of feminist historical fiction, standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Stacey Halls and Susan Stokes-Chapman.
This book is a revelation. Maggie Dickson’s story, rooted in historical fact, bursts to life with Foster’s lyrical and immersive prose. Maggie is a true force—raw, vulnerable, and unbreakable. Her transformation, from a woman sentenced to death to one who reclaims her narrative, is among the most gripping character arcs I’ve ever encountered. It’s impossible not to ache with her, cheer for her, and ultimately feel empowered by her tenacity.
Foster’s storytelling is nothing short of genius. She captures the harsh realities of 18th-century Edinburgh with such precision that you can feel the cobblestones beneath your feet and the oppressive weight of societal judgment. Yet, she balances the grit with a narrative so captivating and fast-paced that I flew through the pages. The twists—oh, the twists—were as satisfying as they were surprising, leaving me breathless at every turn.
What makes The Mourning Necklace shine even brighter is how it bridges historical authenticity with timeless themes of injustice, gender inequality, and redemption. Foster weaves a tapestry of social commentary into Maggie’s journey, crafting a story that feels as urgent now as it would have been in 1724.
And the writing—goodness, the writing! Foster’s prose is sheer poetry. Her ability to capture the complexity of human emotion, the beauty of fleeting hope, and the terror of facing one’s mortality is unparalleled. I paused so many times just to reread sentences, marvelling at the craft.
If you love historical fiction, feminist narratives, or just plain phenomenal storytelling, this book is a must-read. It’s an anthem for the overlooked, a tribute to those who endure, and a testament to Foster’s extraordinary talent.
Thank you to Pan MacMillan and NetGalley, I’m incredibly grateful for the e-ARC of The Mourning Necklace. All opinions are my own.
March 22, 2025
The Mourning Necklace is yet another novel by Kate Foster in which she gives voice to Scottish women overlooked in historical records, offering her own interpretations of their stories. The book's protagonist is Maggie Dickson—a real-life woman who was hanged in Edinburgh in 1724 for the murder of her newborn child—yet miraculously survived the execution. The novel presents a fictionalized account of her life, exploring not only the circumstances of her sentencing but also her experiences before and after that fateful event.
Foster’s writing is both elegant and immersive, making for a smooth and engaging read. She pays meticulous attention to historical accuracy, and while the novel is largely a work of fiction, it convincingly captures the realities of the time. Maggie’s extraordinary survival serves as a springboard for a broader exploration of the struggles faced by women in the early 18th century. The novel delves into themes of poverty, exclusion, women’s dependence on male guardians, the harsh limitations on reproductive rights, and the deep social inequalities of the era. This thematic focus shapes the novel in a way that will undoubtedly resonate with many readers.
When I first picked up the book, I expected a more in-depth character study with a stronger focus on Maggie’s inner emotions and psychological struggles. I found myself wishing that aspect had been explored more fully, as it might have left a deeper impression on me. That said, the novel remains an absorbing and thought-provoking read, even for those already well-versed in the history of women's lives in early modern times.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a feminist perspective. If you’ve enjoyed Foster’s previous works, this one is sure to captivate you as well.
Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Foster’s writing is both elegant and immersive, making for a smooth and engaging read. She pays meticulous attention to historical accuracy, and while the novel is largely a work of fiction, it convincingly captures the realities of the time. Maggie’s extraordinary survival serves as a springboard for a broader exploration of the struggles faced by women in the early 18th century. The novel delves into themes of poverty, exclusion, women’s dependence on male guardians, the harsh limitations on reproductive rights, and the deep social inequalities of the era. This thematic focus shapes the novel in a way that will undoubtedly resonate with many readers.
When I first picked up the book, I expected a more in-depth character study with a stronger focus on Maggie’s inner emotions and psychological struggles. I found myself wishing that aspect had been explored more fully, as it might have left a deeper impression on me. That said, the novel remains an absorbing and thought-provoking read, even for those already well-versed in the history of women's lives in early modern times.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a feminist perspective. If you’ve enjoyed Foster’s previous works, this one is sure to captivate you as well.
Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 6, 2025
4.45/5
“If you have not had the pleasure of laudanum, then you have not had pleasure at all.”
Kate Foster is an auto-buy author for me. If feminist historical retellings set in Scotland sounds appealing to you, look no further.
My ranking in order of preference:
The King’s Witches (2024)
The Maiden (2023)
The Mourning Necklace (2025)
“If you have not had the pleasure of laudanum, then you have not had pleasure at all.”
Kate Foster is an auto-buy author for me. If feminist historical retellings set in Scotland sounds appealing to you, look no further.
My ranking in order of preference:
The King’s Witches (2024)
The Maiden (2023)
The Mourning Necklace (2025)
April 11, 2025
The year is 1724.
In a rather run-down and shabby tavern just outside Edinburgh if you care to look hard enough, Maggie Dickson’s family are drowning their sorrows, hoping that enough liquor will block out what they have all had to witness, mourning her death of course as any family would, yet also feeling a sense of relief that she is no longer a part of this world. For you see, shame hangs onto them as the very reason Maggie was taken from them was so heinous, passersby averted their eyes from her cheap coffin, with good reason. Maggie was hanged for the murder of her new-born child….
Wallowing in their loss, praying her soul is now at rest, a shadow appears in the doorway. Not just any old shadow. Maggie has returned.
For what should be a time of elation soon turns into her own family demanding Maggie throw herself back to the wolves of the authorities as they want to have no part in this farce of a situation, Maggie soon discovers a loophole: she has already paid her debt, for her sentence was to be hanged. It’s not her fault she survived, she should now be a free woman!
Having to see what the future holds, Maggie must own up to just how apparently ‘lucky’ she was by surviving the hanging as we learn just how it came to light that she was so unfortunate as to be cast in such a terrible role, and someone who appeared to want nothing but to help her, will grow to become a cancerous sore that will devour her unless she takes control and learns to fight back, but should Maggie fail, her life will end for a second time.
Based on a real-life case, The Mourning Necklace is engrossing, shocking, visceral, and incredibly powerful
In a rather run-down and shabby tavern just outside Edinburgh if you care to look hard enough, Maggie Dickson’s family are drowning their sorrows, hoping that enough liquor will block out what they have all had to witness, mourning her death of course as any family would, yet also feeling a sense of relief that she is no longer a part of this world. For you see, shame hangs onto them as the very reason Maggie was taken from them was so heinous, passersby averted their eyes from her cheap coffin, with good reason. Maggie was hanged for the murder of her new-born child….
Wallowing in their loss, praying her soul is now at rest, a shadow appears in the doorway. Not just any old shadow. Maggie has returned.
For what should be a time of elation soon turns into her own family demanding Maggie throw herself back to the wolves of the authorities as they want to have no part in this farce of a situation, Maggie soon discovers a loophole: she has already paid her debt, for her sentence was to be hanged. It’s not her fault she survived, she should now be a free woman!
Having to see what the future holds, Maggie must own up to just how apparently ‘lucky’ she was by surviving the hanging as we learn just how it came to light that she was so unfortunate as to be cast in such a terrible role, and someone who appeared to want nothing but to help her, will grow to become a cancerous sore that will devour her unless she takes control and learns to fight back, but should Maggie fail, her life will end for a second time.
Based on a real-life case, The Mourning Necklace is engrossing, shocking, visceral, and incredibly powerful
October 21, 2025
how much more can she take?!?! what I've learnt from this book is that everyone can be praying for your downfall. the fact maggie was a real person that was a victim (like many others) to these unjust laws makes my heartache. next time I'm in grassmarket I'll be thinking of you queen
March 4, 2025
"The Mourning Necklace" by Kate Foster is a riveting historical novel based on the true story of Maggie Dickson, a woman hanged for infanticide in 18th-century Scotland who miraculously survives.
The story begins with Maggie's family grieving her supposed death, only to be stunned when she returns. This pivotal event sets the stage for a story that explores themes of survival, societal judgment, and women's resilience in the face of adversity.
Maggie's journey is at the heart of the novel as she faces her family's shame and the legal system's relentless pursuit. Her character transforms from a tragic figure to one of determination, driven by the desire to prove her innocence and protect herself. The supporting characters, like her family members, add depth to the narrative by highlighting the complex relationships and societal pressures that shape Maggie's life.
The book skillfully tackles themes that resonate with today's societal issues, such as the stigmatization of women's bodies and the criminal justice system's treatment of marginalized people.
Foster's writing is evocative and immersive, with a tone that balances the darkness of the subject matter with a sense of hope and defiance. The narrative structure effectively combines historical detail with personal drama, creating an atmosphere of tension and suspense.
For me, the book was emotionally powerful, evoking feelings of empathy and outrage. The way Foster handles sensitive topics invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with societal judgment and resilience.
In the realm of historical fiction, "The Mourning Necklace" stands out for its blend of historical accuracy and feminist perspective. It follows Foster's previous work, "The Maiden," by exploring female empowerment and survival in a patriarchal society.
This book is special because it brings attention to a lesser-known historical figure, using her story to shed light on broader social issues that remain relevant today.
Overall, it is a gripping read that will leave readers moved and inspired by Maggie's unbreakable spirit.
The story begins with Maggie's family grieving her supposed death, only to be stunned when she returns. This pivotal event sets the stage for a story that explores themes of survival, societal judgment, and women's resilience in the face of adversity.
Maggie's journey is at the heart of the novel as she faces her family's shame and the legal system's relentless pursuit. Her character transforms from a tragic figure to one of determination, driven by the desire to prove her innocence and protect herself. The supporting characters, like her family members, add depth to the narrative by highlighting the complex relationships and societal pressures that shape Maggie's life.
The book skillfully tackles themes that resonate with today's societal issues, such as the stigmatization of women's bodies and the criminal justice system's treatment of marginalized people.
Foster's writing is evocative and immersive, with a tone that balances the darkness of the subject matter with a sense of hope and defiance. The narrative structure effectively combines historical detail with personal drama, creating an atmosphere of tension and suspense.
For me, the book was emotionally powerful, evoking feelings of empathy and outrage. The way Foster handles sensitive topics invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with societal judgment and resilience.
In the realm of historical fiction, "The Mourning Necklace" stands out for its blend of historical accuracy and feminist perspective. It follows Foster's previous work, "The Maiden," by exploring female empowerment and survival in a patriarchal society.
This book is special because it brings attention to a lesser-known historical figure, using her story to shed light on broader social issues that remain relevant today.
Overall, it is a gripping read that will leave readers moved and inspired by Maggie's unbreakable spirit.
April 2, 2025
A powerful and compelling book that had me in its grip from the first page.
The mourning necklace offers an insight to the life of Maggie Dickson, who was condemned to hang for concealing her pregnancy in 18th century Edinburgh. Now, I can understand the dangers of concealing a pregnancy, but execution is a bit extreme and something else to rage about women’s history of body autonomy. Maggie survived her hanging and Kate Foster offers a striking and moving reimagining of Maggie’s life before and after her hanging. With scandal, feminism and heartbreak, Foster weaves a captivating tale of survival.
As with all Kate Foster’s novels, I was immediately transported to the vivid historical setting and completely taken with all the characters. Her writing is one I can get fully absorbed in and so wrapped up in emotionally. I love her books for conjuring powerful tales, shining a light on little known aspects of history that deserve recognition.
The mourning necklace offers an insight to the life of Maggie Dickson, who was condemned to hang for concealing her pregnancy in 18th century Edinburgh. Now, I can understand the dangers of concealing a pregnancy, but execution is a bit extreme and something else to rage about women’s history of body autonomy. Maggie survived her hanging and Kate Foster offers a striking and moving reimagining of Maggie’s life before and after her hanging. With scandal, feminism and heartbreak, Foster weaves a captivating tale of survival.
As with all Kate Foster’s novels, I was immediately transported to the vivid historical setting and completely taken with all the characters. Her writing is one I can get fully absorbed in and so wrapped up in emotionally. I love her books for conjuring powerful tales, shining a light on little known aspects of history that deserve recognition.
June 20, 2025
1724, a family are drowning their sorrows in an inn. Their daughter Maggie Dickson has been hanged for that same morning for the murder of her newborn child. The family are praying for Maggie when suddenly a figure appears at the door.
I quite enjoyed this fictional tale of a true event. Maggie Dickson was hanged for the murder of her child but survived. I knew nothing at all about this so I always enjoying reading about true events even if they are fiction.
Not a lot is known about Maggie so in the story she has a lot of trials and tribulations. The story is very interesting and it did have my attention until the end. My only niggle is that I felt the story entered into thrillerland for it's conclusions.
I have read all books by Kate Foster and have enjoyed them all. I will certainly read more in the future.
I quite enjoyed this fictional tale of a true event. Maggie Dickson was hanged for the murder of her child but survived. I knew nothing at all about this so I always enjoying reading about true events even if they are fiction.
Not a lot is known about Maggie so in the story she has a lot of trials and tribulations. The story is very interesting and it did have my attention until the end. My only niggle is that I felt the story entered into thrillerland for it's conclusions.
I have read all books by Kate Foster and have enjoyed them all. I will certainly read more in the future.
June 5, 2025
Simply a great story ( based on true events) beautifully told. The vivid , sometimes gritty descriptions, alongside the depth of emotions explored were a joy to read. In less skilled hands aspects could have descended into sentimentality.
Light and shade so not too dark, exploring a range of themes including empowerment, family dynamics and friendship, all just as relevant 300 years later.
Light and shade so not too dark, exploring a range of themes including empowerment, family dynamics and friendship, all just as relevant 300 years later.
December 28, 2025
The tale of Maggie Dickson is a well known one in Edinburgh. But, in all the times I’ve heard the story it was just that and I have to admit I didn’t give much thought to the real life Maggie.
Kate Foster has changed all that. In The Mourning Necklace, she paints a vivid picture of a young woman wanting more from life. Keen to escape the confines of her small town existence in Fisherrow and longing to have a bigger life than that mapped out for her, she takes her chances with marriage to the smooth talking Patrick Spencer.
When a terrible secret is uncovered Maggie makes good on her promise to leave Fisherrow and seek out a new life in London. Alone
I love the way this story was reimagined and Maggie's development from naive young girl to strong woman taking her own destiny in her hands was so well done giving a portrayal of a woman who survives more than just the hangmans noose.
Mistreated by the men in her life and the those who judge her (including her own family) she is stronger than she thinks. The locations and situation become vivid and real in Kates writing
As ever a power of historical research has been done and it is spun skillfully through the book to bring colour and authenticity to the story.
I’ve loved Kate’s previous two novels but this, a perfect portrayal of a young girl trapped in a small town dreaming of more and willing to take chances to get it might just be my favourite.
Kate Foster has changed all that. In The Mourning Necklace, she paints a vivid picture of a young woman wanting more from life. Keen to escape the confines of her small town existence in Fisherrow and longing to have a bigger life than that mapped out for her, she takes her chances with marriage to the smooth talking Patrick Spencer.
When a terrible secret is uncovered Maggie makes good on her promise to leave Fisherrow and seek out a new life in London. Alone
I love the way this story was reimagined and Maggie's development from naive young girl to strong woman taking her own destiny in her hands was so well done giving a portrayal of a woman who survives more than just the hangmans noose.
Mistreated by the men in her life and the those who judge her (including her own family) she is stronger than she thinks. The locations and situation become vivid and real in Kates writing
As ever a power of historical research has been done and it is spun skillfully through the book to bring colour and authenticity to the story.
I’ve loved Kate’s previous two novels but this, a perfect portrayal of a young girl trapped in a small town dreaming of more and willing to take chances to get it might just be my favourite.
October 27, 2025
This is based on the true story of Maggie Dickinson, a young Scottish woman who was sentenced to death for infanticide. She was hanged but survived, forever bearing a scar, known as ‘The Mourning Necklace’.
Kate Foster has focused on Scottish women’s stories from history in her latest few books (The King’s Witches, The Maiden and now The Mourning Necklace). She writes their stories with intimacy, empathy and depth, revealing the stories of the women behind the crimes and their motives.
The Mourning Necklace is a stark, poignant and atmospheric novel exploring women’s reproductive rights and agency in 18th-century Scotland.
Maggie is a fishwife who dreams of freedom, away from poverty and a difficult family life. But the restrictions of her gender, class and the attitudes of the period mean she struggles to escape. And as she rebounds from the hanging, although her values are changed, she still seeks a sense of purpose and place.
The events that unfold are reflective of the limitations women like Maggie often faced and the implications of the Scottish ‘Act Anent Murthering of Children’ - if a baby died, and their mothers had kept the pregnancy a secret, they could be tried for murder.
Foster delivers another hard-hitting and sometimes bleak story about a woman’s fight for identity and self-worth, based on real events. She tells Maggie’s story with the emotion, empathy and reality it deserves.
Thank you to Pan Macmillan/Mantle for the review copy.
Kate Foster has focused on Scottish women’s stories from history in her latest few books (The King’s Witches, The Maiden and now The Mourning Necklace). She writes their stories with intimacy, empathy and depth, revealing the stories of the women behind the crimes and their motives.
The Mourning Necklace is a stark, poignant and atmospheric novel exploring women’s reproductive rights and agency in 18th-century Scotland.
Maggie is a fishwife who dreams of freedom, away from poverty and a difficult family life. But the restrictions of her gender, class and the attitudes of the period mean she struggles to escape. And as she rebounds from the hanging, although her values are changed, she still seeks a sense of purpose and place.
The events that unfold are reflective of the limitations women like Maggie often faced and the implications of the Scottish ‘Act Anent Murthering of Children’ - if a baby died, and their mothers had kept the pregnancy a secret, they could be tried for murder.
Foster delivers another hard-hitting and sometimes bleak story about a woman’s fight for identity and self-worth, based on real events. She tells Maggie’s story with the emotion, empathy and reality it deserves.
Thank you to Pan Macmillan/Mantle for the review copy.
July 14, 2025
Some people become famous for their remarkable lives and others for their remarkable deaths. Maggie Dickson is one of the latter – although technically, it wasn’t really a death at all! Known as ‘Half-Hangit Maggie’, Maggie Dickson was sentenced to death in 1724 and hanged in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket. As her family gather in a nearby tavern, they are shocked to look up and see Maggie herself standing at the door. Other than a rope burn around her neck, she seems unharmed by her ordeal and determined to make the most of the second chance she’s been given. But while everyone has questions for her – how did she survive and how did it feel to be so close to death? – there’s only one question that matters now to Maggie: will they try to hang her again?
Maggie Dickson was a real person and the story of her survival is a true one, still remembered three hundred years later; Maggie Dickson’s Pub in Edinburgh is named after her and she is often featured in Edinburgh walking tours. In The Mourning Necklace, Kate Foster builds a fictional story around this amazing woman and her near-death experience, using her imagination to fill in the gaps around the historical facts.
The year before she receives her death sentence, Maggie is living with her parents and younger sister, Joan, in Fisherrow, a small fishing community in Musselburgh, Scotland. The Dickson family have made their living from fish for generations, but Maggie doesn’t see a future for herself as a fishwife and wants something different out of life. Her marriage to Patrick Spencer, a perfume trader, seems to offer the opportunities she’s looking for, but when things don’t go according to plan, she takes control of her own fate and sets out alone for London. However, she gets no further than Kelso in the Scottish Borders before she is forced to make a series of decisions that will lead her back to Edinburgh and the gallows.
I enjoyed Kate Foster’s last novel, The King’s Witches, but I thought this one was much better and I connected with Maggie Dickson in a way that I didn’t with the women in the other book. There’s also a strong cast of supporting characters, including Joan, whose actions as a sister disappoint Maggie over and over again; Mrs Rose, who betrays Maggie for reasons of her own but at the same time is one of the few people to offer her friendship; and the wicked Dr McTavish, one of the book’s villains. All of these people have key parts to play in Maggie’s story, which is divided into three sections: the events leading up to her arrest, the hanging itself, and the path her life follows after she escapes death.
Maggie’s crime is something that will surprise a lot of modern readers as, although she unknowingly broke the laws of the time, today we wouldn’t really consider her to have committed a crime at all (at least not if Kate Foster’s interpretation is close to the truth). At first I assumed that as the death sentence was usually given as ‘hanged by the neck until dead’, it would be decided that Maggie had not served the sentence and would be hanged again. However, it wasn’t as straightforward as that because it seems that the sentence at that time was simply ‘hanged by the neck’ and the additional words were added later to avoid ambiguity in cases like hers.
This is a fascinating novel, with some great descriptions of 18th century Musselburgh, Edinburgh and Kelso. We also learn a little bit about the tea smuggling which was widespread down the east coast of Scotland and England due to high taxes on imported tea. I loved it and must find time to go back and read Kate Foster’s first book, The Maiden.
Maggie Dickson was a real person and the story of her survival is a true one, still remembered three hundred years later; Maggie Dickson’s Pub in Edinburgh is named after her and she is often featured in Edinburgh walking tours. In The Mourning Necklace, Kate Foster builds a fictional story around this amazing woman and her near-death experience, using her imagination to fill in the gaps around the historical facts.
The year before she receives her death sentence, Maggie is living with her parents and younger sister, Joan, in Fisherrow, a small fishing community in Musselburgh, Scotland. The Dickson family have made their living from fish for generations, but Maggie doesn’t see a future for herself as a fishwife and wants something different out of life. Her marriage to Patrick Spencer, a perfume trader, seems to offer the opportunities she’s looking for, but when things don’t go according to plan, she takes control of her own fate and sets out alone for London. However, she gets no further than Kelso in the Scottish Borders before she is forced to make a series of decisions that will lead her back to Edinburgh and the gallows.
I enjoyed Kate Foster’s last novel, The King’s Witches, but I thought this one was much better and I connected with Maggie Dickson in a way that I didn’t with the women in the other book. There’s also a strong cast of supporting characters, including Joan, whose actions as a sister disappoint Maggie over and over again; Mrs Rose, who betrays Maggie for reasons of her own but at the same time is one of the few people to offer her friendship; and the wicked Dr McTavish, one of the book’s villains. All of these people have key parts to play in Maggie’s story, which is divided into three sections: the events leading up to her arrest, the hanging itself, and the path her life follows after she escapes death.
Maggie’s crime is something that will surprise a lot of modern readers as, although she unknowingly broke the laws of the time, today we wouldn’t really consider her to have committed a crime at all (at least not if Kate Foster’s interpretation is close to the truth). At first I assumed that as the death sentence was usually given as ‘hanged by the neck until dead’, it would be decided that Maggie had not served the sentence and would be hanged again. However, it wasn’t as straightforward as that because it seems that the sentence at that time was simply ‘hanged by the neck’ and the additional words were added later to avoid ambiguity in cases like hers.
This is a fascinating novel, with some great descriptions of 18th century Musselburgh, Edinburgh and Kelso. We also learn a little bit about the tea smuggling which was widespread down the east coast of Scotland and England due to high taxes on imported tea. I loved it and must find time to go back and read Kate Foster’s first book, The Maiden.
May 29, 2025
Happy publication day to one of my favorite reads of 2025!
To be completely honest, the cover was the reason why I requested this title but I was made to love every page written by Kate Foster. It's mesmerizing, painful, and haunting. Astounding work.
Meet Maggie, an ambitious girl who dreams of London. Tired of the favoritism shown by her parents toward her sister, Joan, Maggie is desperate to leave the village she grew up in, where she would live the rest of her life as a fishwife if she just accepted fate as it was.
I heard that this book is inspired from an infamous real-life case, which perhaps why Maggie feels both like a character and real person at the same time.
Maggie's hard work in achieving her goal is truly admirable, yet heartbreaking, for you can see from the very first page of the book, she is.. well, dead. Everyone believed it was some sheer of luck that brought her back to life. You would think her family would be relieved getting her back, in fact, it was quite the opposite. Shame, for Maggie was hanged for the death of her baby. As an exchange for her life, the rope left an evident bruise around her neck that she calls the Mourning Necklace.
We see Maggie being saved by strangers a few times. Her refusal to turn into her family in times of need is understandable, considering she felt suffocated being with them. They oftentimes let her down that returning home was the last thing to cross her mind. Unlike The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (a book that strangely comes to mind in the midst of reading), Maggie's downfall was caused by the weak foundation of her relationship with those who don't share her blood, for it was all business.
To be completely honest, the cover was the reason why I requested this title but I was made to love every page written by Kate Foster. It's mesmerizing, painful, and haunting. Astounding work.
Meet Maggie, an ambitious girl who dreams of London. Tired of the favoritism shown by her parents toward her sister, Joan, Maggie is desperate to leave the village she grew up in, where she would live the rest of her life as a fishwife if she just accepted fate as it was.
I heard that this book is inspired from an infamous real-life case, which perhaps why Maggie feels both like a character and real person at the same time.
Maggie's hard work in achieving her goal is truly admirable, yet heartbreaking, for you can see from the very first page of the book, she is.. well, dead. Everyone believed it was some sheer of luck that brought her back to life. You would think her family would be relieved getting her back, in fact, it was quite the opposite. Shame, for Maggie was hanged for the death of her baby. As an exchange for her life, the rope left an evident bruise around her neck that she calls the Mourning Necklace.
We see Maggie being saved by strangers a few times. Her refusal to turn into her family in times of need is understandable, considering she felt suffocated being with them. They oftentimes let her down that returning home was the last thing to cross her mind. Unlike The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (a book that strangely comes to mind in the midst of reading), Maggie's downfall was caused by the weak foundation of her relationship with those who don't share her blood, for it was all business.
April 7, 2025
The story of a woman who survived hanging – inspired by real events.
The Mourning Necklace of the title refers to the rope burn around Maggie’s neck and how she wore the scar as a mark of grief for a great loss.
I don’t want to say too much about the plot, at the risk of spoilers, but Maggie is a married woman, deserted by her husband and betrayed by her sister, who leaves a harsh existence amongst fisherfolk to pursue her dreams in London. But on the road, Maggie is robbed and discovers she is pregnant. Through a lack of knowledge of the world, she falls foul of the law and is eventually condemned to be hanged.
The story follows Maggie immediately after her ‘resurrection’, travels to the events which placed her in a coffin, and then finally how she claws her way to a new and better life.
I was enthralled from the first page and as the story progressed, drawn deeper and deeper into the tale. The end is extremely touching, and although bitter-sweet, falls under the ‘happy ending’ category.
The storytelling is flawless as we see Maggie grow from a naïve young woman making poor decisions, to a purposeful figure taking risks to do the right thing. I especially liked her sympathy to other characters, such as the dastardly Mrs Rose, whose malice she declines to repay with more malice, and instead an unexpected friendship blossoms.
I am in awe of Maggie, who seemed so real and believable, a woman who refused to give in and was determined to find a place in the world. Oh, and did I mention this is inspired by the true story of Half-Hanged Maggie? What’s not to like? Read this book!
The Mourning Necklace of the title refers to the rope burn around Maggie’s neck and how she wore the scar as a mark of grief for a great loss.
I don’t want to say too much about the plot, at the risk of spoilers, but Maggie is a married woman, deserted by her husband and betrayed by her sister, who leaves a harsh existence amongst fisherfolk to pursue her dreams in London. But on the road, Maggie is robbed and discovers she is pregnant. Through a lack of knowledge of the world, she falls foul of the law and is eventually condemned to be hanged.
The story follows Maggie immediately after her ‘resurrection’, travels to the events which placed her in a coffin, and then finally how she claws her way to a new and better life.
I was enthralled from the first page and as the story progressed, drawn deeper and deeper into the tale. The end is extremely touching, and although bitter-sweet, falls under the ‘happy ending’ category.
The storytelling is flawless as we see Maggie grow from a naïve young woman making poor decisions, to a purposeful figure taking risks to do the right thing. I especially liked her sympathy to other characters, such as the dastardly Mrs Rose, whose malice she declines to repay with more malice, and instead an unexpected friendship blossoms.
I am in awe of Maggie, who seemed so real and believable, a woman who refused to give in and was determined to find a place in the world. Oh, and did I mention this is inspired by the true story of Half-Hanged Maggie? What’s not to like? Read this book!
April 5, 2025
Kate Foster has an incredible ability to bring potentially forgotten historical characters back to the forefront of our minds.
In this, her 3rd novel, we hear the story of Margaret Dickson, hung in 1724, for the concealment of her baby. But in the first chapter of the novel we have Maggie waking up in a makeshift coffin her family have procured to take her back to their home following her hanging.
What follows is Maggies life story and what led to that tragic day.
Life was hard for the fisherwomen in Fisherrow, fingers and hands damaged through fixing fishing nets and supporting their husbands. Maggies mum, Maggie and her lazy sister Joan were at the mercy of their dad's moods. Maggie wanted more from her life and when Patrick Spencer arrived she thought he would be her chance. Sadly though, he proved to be her downfall.
This wonderful novel showcases the tough times women had but also allows us to see the strength and resilience that Maggie had to survive.
Kate's writing is very descriptive, she takes you back to 18th century Scotland, the sensation of walking those streets, the sights and smells of the harbour and the market town of Kelso.
As per Kate's previous novels, Maggies story will stay with me.
In this, her 3rd novel, we hear the story of Margaret Dickson, hung in 1724, for the concealment of her baby. But in the first chapter of the novel we have Maggie waking up in a makeshift coffin her family have procured to take her back to their home following her hanging.
What follows is Maggies life story and what led to that tragic day.
Life was hard for the fisherwomen in Fisherrow, fingers and hands damaged through fixing fishing nets and supporting their husbands. Maggies mum, Maggie and her lazy sister Joan were at the mercy of their dad's moods. Maggie wanted more from her life and when Patrick Spencer arrived she thought he would be her chance. Sadly though, he proved to be her downfall.
This wonderful novel showcases the tough times women had but also allows us to see the strength and resilience that Maggie had to survive.
Kate's writing is very descriptive, she takes you back to 18th century Scotland, the sensation of walking those streets, the sights and smells of the harbour and the market town of Kelso.
As per Kate's previous novels, Maggies story will stay with me.
May 23, 2025
Discover the locations in the novel here
True story set in Scotland
How have I never heard of Maggie Dickson? I haven't heard of her, well, not really and so this was quite the read
she was a woman accused of killing her baby that she has just given birth to - well nothing is as simple as it looks. things were very different that day. There were no choices for women and childbirth options.
A story about her being convicted, hanged and then saved from the hangman's noose by a twist of fate...is quite something. Kate Foster writes some amazing stories about amazing true life figures and this is no exception.
How Maggie is treated before and after the hanging - how people feel when they see her ' come back from the dead' is eye opening.
there's a pub in Edinburgh where the story is set named after Maggie Dickson. This is sharp, immersive reading and highly recommended!
May 29, 2025
This was a fascinating read, especially as it was based on a true event. The story starts with the hanging in 1724 and then goes back to the previous year for events leading up to it. The story also tells what happened afterwards. The main character, Maggie, had a hard working life in her fishing village, living with her parents and sister. She had always done what was requested of her but longed for a different life. I liked the way that Maggie became a stronger person as her story progressed. She was determined to make a better life for herself. In the story, women are treated as inferior, not even being in charge of their own bodies. This is a story that will remain with me for a long time. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 1, 2025
This is another fantastic story of an ordinary woman who goes through extraordinary events, taking you on an emotional, heart-wrenching roller coaster.
Similar to The Maiden, this is another story of a condemned woman. This one tells the tale of the real life Maggie Dickson who survived the hangman’s noose in 1724.
I really loved the author’s reimagining of Maggie’s life and rooted for Maggie all the way through-what a fantastic character. You go on such a journey with her; I was desperate for her survival and felt so connected to her and her family. The vivid descriptions of life in Fisherrow and the grim realities of life as a poor family were brought to life so well too.
I also enjoyed how the author weaved so many feminist issues such as reproductive rights, baby loss, grief, domestic violence and society’s judgement of women’s decisions so intrinsically. These issues are still so prevalent 300 years later.
A heart warming and wonderful resolution too.
Feminist historical fiction perfection. Kate Foster is an auto-buy author for me. 5 stars-no notes.
Similar to The Maiden, this is another story of a condemned woman. This one tells the tale of the real life Maggie Dickson who survived the hangman’s noose in 1724.
I really loved the author’s reimagining of Maggie’s life and rooted for Maggie all the way through-what a fantastic character. You go on such a journey with her; I was desperate for her survival and felt so connected to her and her family. The vivid descriptions of life in Fisherrow and the grim realities of life as a poor family were brought to life so well too.
I also enjoyed how the author weaved so many feminist issues such as reproductive rights, baby loss, grief, domestic violence and society’s judgement of women’s decisions so intrinsically. These issues are still so prevalent 300 years later.
A heart warming and wonderful resolution too.
Feminist historical fiction perfection. Kate Foster is an auto-buy author for me. 5 stars-no notes.
July 12, 2025
Very enjoyable historical fiction based on some truth. 'Half hung Maggie' survives her hanging in 1724. She is a wonderful character: brave, ambitious and so very likeable.
Great plot and well-paced, this was brilliant as an audiobook.
There were quite a few interesting themes, such as tea smuggling and the reproductive rites of women.
If you enjoy historical fiction and strong female characters and novels with a satisfying ending, I highly recommend 'The Mourning Necklace'.
Great plot and well-paced, this was brilliant as an audiobook.
There were quite a few interesting themes, such as tea smuggling and the reproductive rites of women.
If you enjoy historical fiction and strong female characters and novels with a satisfying ending, I highly recommend 'The Mourning Necklace'.
September 5, 2025
I loved this!! The themes that run through the story are still prevalent today!! Inspired by a true story!
August 20, 2025
"I had not thought my rope-burn was ever about anything but me. But it is not just about me. It is about the baby and the loss of her. For the flutters and the kicks she gave me, all still now. She is long gone. But we are linked through my rope-mark. It is the only thing of hers I have left. They said I would swing for the crime, and I did. Now I wear the rope-mark like a mourning necklace."
A beautifully written historical novel about real-life Maggie Dickson - "Half hanged Maggie". Scotland 1724, Maggie, is hanged for infanticide and miraculously survives. Kate Foster gives Maggie a voice and takes us on an immersive journey of events before and after the hanging. I was gripped from the very beginning. 5🌟
A beautifully written historical novel about real-life Maggie Dickson - "Half hanged Maggie". Scotland 1724, Maggie, is hanged for infanticide and miraculously survives. Kate Foster gives Maggie a voice and takes us on an immersive journey of events before and after the hanging. I was gripped from the very beginning. 5🌟
February 17, 2025
Kate Foster’s new novel ‘The Mourning Necklace’ was an excellent way to start my February reading.
Set in 1724, we follow Maggie Dickson, a woman who has been hanged for the murder of her newborn baby. We are plunged into the action from the outset as Maggie awakens in her coffin within the opening pages having survived the hanging. The description of the welt on her neck and her disoriented state as she tries to escape the confines of the coffin had me quite literally on the edge of my seat. As the judges debate the wording of the law and whether they should have another go at putting her death, we go back in time to learn about the events that led Maggie to that fateful moment. What follows is a harrowing account of loss, hardship, gender-based violence and an awe-inspiring resilience from a Fisherrow Fisherwoman who slowly comes to the realisation that she, in her own words, is “built for battle”.
The action of the novel moves between Musselburgh, Kelso and Edinburgh. I live in the heart of East Lothian so I LOVE that I could visualise the places described in the novel: the gallows at the Grassmarket in Edinburgh, the harbour at Fisherrow and the market square of Kelso. Even if you don’t live locally, Kate Foster is a genius at writing rich and immersive prose that definitively captures the essence of a place, building the fictionalised world up layer upon layer so that you can almost hear the hustle and bustle and smell the stench of the Nor Loch.
As much as I enjoyed the dark, murky side of Edinburgh, I also really loved the quotidian rhythm of 18th century life within Fisherrow and Kelso. The novel seems to celebrate the women at the heart of it all who, despite being brutalised by the men around them, basically just get stuff done. They are hard-working, competent and stoic, and despite their petty differences, seem to share a deep bond as they all fight (silently or otherwise) against rigid social expectations, limited legal rights and scarce opportunities for education or any sort of financial independence.
The female characters in the novel are varied and serve as a great cross-section of society at that time. Maggie though… I LOVE that she was based on a real historical figure. To think that I’ve had many a gin in the eponymous Maggie Dickson’s bar in the middle of Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, not really appreciating who she was or the fact that she was hanged a stone’s throw from the pub. If you’ve never visited Edinburgh, I would thoroughly recommend.
This is another contender for one of my favourite reads of the year… and it’s only February! Thanks so much to Pan MacMillan for an advance copy of the novel. This is a highly recommended one from me and will likely linger with you long after you’ve tuned the final page.
Set in 1724, we follow Maggie Dickson, a woman who has been hanged for the murder of her newborn baby. We are plunged into the action from the outset as Maggie awakens in her coffin within the opening pages having survived the hanging. The description of the welt on her neck and her disoriented state as she tries to escape the confines of the coffin had me quite literally on the edge of my seat. As the judges debate the wording of the law and whether they should have another go at putting her death, we go back in time to learn about the events that led Maggie to that fateful moment. What follows is a harrowing account of loss, hardship, gender-based violence and an awe-inspiring resilience from a Fisherrow Fisherwoman who slowly comes to the realisation that she, in her own words, is “built for battle”.
The action of the novel moves between Musselburgh, Kelso and Edinburgh. I live in the heart of East Lothian so I LOVE that I could visualise the places described in the novel: the gallows at the Grassmarket in Edinburgh, the harbour at Fisherrow and the market square of Kelso. Even if you don’t live locally, Kate Foster is a genius at writing rich and immersive prose that definitively captures the essence of a place, building the fictionalised world up layer upon layer so that you can almost hear the hustle and bustle and smell the stench of the Nor Loch.
As much as I enjoyed the dark, murky side of Edinburgh, I also really loved the quotidian rhythm of 18th century life within Fisherrow and Kelso. The novel seems to celebrate the women at the heart of it all who, despite being brutalised by the men around them, basically just get stuff done. They are hard-working, competent and stoic, and despite their petty differences, seem to share a deep bond as they all fight (silently or otherwise) against rigid social expectations, limited legal rights and scarce opportunities for education or any sort of financial independence.
The female characters in the novel are varied and serve as a great cross-section of society at that time. Maggie though… I LOVE that she was based on a real historical figure. To think that I’ve had many a gin in the eponymous Maggie Dickson’s bar in the middle of Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, not really appreciating who she was or the fact that she was hanged a stone’s throw from the pub. If you’ve never visited Edinburgh, I would thoroughly recommend.
This is another contender for one of my favourite reads of the year… and it’s only February! Thanks so much to Pan MacMillan for an advance copy of the novel. This is a highly recommended one from me and will likely linger with you long after you’ve tuned the final page.
August 5, 2025
Another beautiful Scottish retelling
January 19, 2025
I adored this authors first two books, The Maiden and The Kings Witches so much, both were incredible 5⭐️ books for me. This one was no different at all!!!
Based on real life events we get to meet Maggie. She is such a wonderful character, she has lived such a tough life, like most I’d have thought in the 1700’s. She lives with her parents and sister, her sister is lazy and bone idle and yet gets favoured over Maggie.
I won’t spoil any more of the plot as I think it’s best going into this knowing as little as possible as to why Maggie ends up sentenced to death and then surviving the hanging!
What we do get from Maggie is raw loneliness and desperation, her story is heartbreakingly sad and poignant. She is such a strong willed character but we see that she is also incredibly vulnerable and so full of fear. At times her pain is so visceral, which is so completely understandable.
I loved seeing her interactions with male figures of authority later in the story as the events of her past that could just as easily have sunk her to the depths of lifelong depression and desperation actually made her a much stronger person.
Kate certainly knows how to write a historical fiction story, in fact she is now my favourite historical fiction author. She just does everything in all three of her books so perfectly, the characters, the location and the research are all outstanding.
I will never stop raving about how amazing she is!!!!
Thank you with all of my heart to Pan MacMillan and I’m so incredibly grateful 🫶
Based on real life events we get to meet Maggie. She is such a wonderful character, she has lived such a tough life, like most I’d have thought in the 1700’s. She lives with her parents and sister, her sister is lazy and bone idle and yet gets favoured over Maggie.
I won’t spoil any more of the plot as I think it’s best going into this knowing as little as possible as to why Maggie ends up sentenced to death and then surviving the hanging!
What we do get from Maggie is raw loneliness and desperation, her story is heartbreakingly sad and poignant. She is such a strong willed character but we see that she is also incredibly vulnerable and so full of fear. At times her pain is so visceral, which is so completely understandable.
I loved seeing her interactions with male figures of authority later in the story as the events of her past that could just as easily have sunk her to the depths of lifelong depression and desperation actually made her a much stronger person.
Kate certainly knows how to write a historical fiction story, in fact she is now my favourite historical fiction author. She just does everything in all three of her books so perfectly, the characters, the location and the research are all outstanding.
I will never stop raving about how amazing she is!!!!
Thank you with all of my heart to Pan MacMillan and I’m so incredibly grateful 🫶
July 17, 2025
The Mourning Necklace is a fascinating historical retelling centring on the case of Maggie Dickson, who survived her own execution in 1724.
Maggie Dickinson’s family drown their sorrows in a tavern just outside Edinburgh, mourning her death while simultaneously relieved she is gone, as shame haunts them; hanged for the murder of her new-born baby, eyes are averted from the insubstantial casket. As they pray for her soul, a shadowy figure appears at the door; it is Maggie, alive. Surviving her hanging should be a moment of elation, but they demand that she turn herself in to the unrepentant authorities. What follows is the tale of Maggie’s life, what led to this tragic event in 1724, and the aftermath of her survival. Determined to procure a better life, Maggie longed to escape from her long-standing fisherman family, away from neglectful parents, the betrayal of her sister, and the husband who deserted her. Her pain and strength are viscerally felt on the page as she seeks to avoid the vengeful gallows yet again.
Kate Foster’s ability to bring relatively unknown feminist histories to life is admirable, as she intricately tells the story of ‘Half-Hanged Maggie,’ weaving in gendered societal expectations of women in the eighteenth century, reproductive rights, domestic violence, and challenges of poverty, which remain prevalent contemporary issues.
Maggie Dickinson’s family drown their sorrows in a tavern just outside Edinburgh, mourning her death while simultaneously relieved she is gone, as shame haunts them; hanged for the murder of her new-born baby, eyes are averted from the insubstantial casket. As they pray for her soul, a shadowy figure appears at the door; it is Maggie, alive. Surviving her hanging should be a moment of elation, but they demand that she turn herself in to the unrepentant authorities. What follows is the tale of Maggie’s life, what led to this tragic event in 1724, and the aftermath of her survival. Determined to procure a better life, Maggie longed to escape from her long-standing fisherman family, away from neglectful parents, the betrayal of her sister, and the husband who deserted her. Her pain and strength are viscerally felt on the page as she seeks to avoid the vengeful gallows yet again.
Kate Foster’s ability to bring relatively unknown feminist histories to life is admirable, as she intricately tells the story of ‘Half-Hanged Maggie,’ weaving in gendered societal expectations of women in the eighteenth century, reproductive rights, domestic violence, and challenges of poverty, which remain prevalent contemporary issues.
April 9, 2025
As always, Kate Foster has written an absolutely incredible book. The book weaves fact and fiction as it explores the life of Maggie Dickson, who was sentenced to death but ultimately, survived the ordeal. Maggie really went through it yet her determination to keep going and to live the life she deserves was admirable. It was interesting to see how her family reacted to each event and their dynamic definitely had a hand in Maggie's desire to leave town. I really despised Joan, I know she got a little redemption but overall, terrible person. In my opinion, Joan was such a big part in Maggie's downfall that I couldn't find even a drop of sympathy for her.
The last chapter, so emotional and powerful.
Such an incredibly well written book and one I won't forget for a very long time.
‘Human life is cheap. They die on street corners, in rags, an empty bottle rolling around beside them. They die of poxes and plagues and starvation and hangings. They die in childbirth. Or shortly thereafter. Whispers of the afterlife are sometimes the only hope we have’.
The last chapter, so emotional and powerful.
Such an incredibly well written book and one I won't forget for a very long time.
‘Human life is cheap. They die on street corners, in rags, an empty bottle rolling around beside them. They die of poxes and plagues and starvation and hangings. They die in childbirth. Or shortly thereafter. Whispers of the afterlife are sometimes the only hope we have’.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews