18th century, Edinburgh. Maggie Dickson is found guilty of infanticide and is sentenced to hang by the neck. But a few hours after her hanging, she awakens in her coffin and frightens her family when they are mourning in a pub just outside Edinburgh. Will they hang her twice? Good and kind Maggie was always destined to become a fisherman's wife, but this changed when she met Patrick Spencer and he made her dream of something more.

Maggie Dickson was a Scottish woman sentenced to hang for infanticide. A Scottish law in the 18th century that said that if a women concealed her pregnancy or became a mother outside wedlock and the baby died, she is guilty of murder. But Maggie survived her own death sentence and lived on for 40 more than years. Kate Foster takes her story and explores who Maggie was before, during and after her trial.

We get to know Maggie as a naive girl full of dreams, stuck in a fishing village, who falls in love with the mysterious Spencer. But once married, Spencer suddenly disappears and Maggie goes off to find her own happiness.

The mourning necklace doesn't have a complex plot. We get to know Maggie, her sister Joan and her parents who try to make ends meet with a bit of tea smuggling on the side. But Maggie has always yearned for more. Ultimately, this is a of coming of age story of a woman who has to learn that men cannot be trusted and that sometimes good is good enough.

Kate Foster writes very well, but I was missing something here. I liked her previous book “The king's witches” better I think. Not that this one was bad. It just didn't grab me as much. However, I did like how 18th century Edinburgh came to live in the second half of the book.

It's fascinating to know that Maggie Dickson did exist and that she escaped the noose. How she did that, we'll never know, but Foster brings her story to the foreground.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

The Mourning Necklace is another enjoyable historical novel from Foster, whose work uncovers stories of Scottish women little remembered by history.

The prose is compelling, but the pacing is off and I found the narrative really runs away from itself at the end. What were originally quite believeable characters suddenly undergo huge changes for what feels like the sake of a tidy ending.

It's a compulsive read, with an arresting premise, but I wish the ending didn't feel quite so forced.

Having been to Edinburgh , seen the pub commemorating this story and hearing the gruesome true tale of this woman's life made this story really come to life. The tale is fleshed out with fiction to great success. Full of important themes.

Who could resist reading on when a story starts with the hanged woman waking up in her coffin! I really felt for Maggie with so few choices in life and found it very thought provoking, with women’s place in society always very much at the mercy of men (some things don’t change).

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC

Telling the story of ‘Half hanged Maggie’ this is the author’s reimagining of events surrounding the true events of Maggie Dickson, a woman who survived the noose in Scotland in the 1700s.

It took me a short while to get into this novel, but it crept beneath my skin and didn’t relinquish its grip. It’s a well researched tale, with characters and places which come to life vividly. Kate Foster is a must read author for those who love historical fiction, particularly when it focuses on the lives of forgotten women 4.5/5

This book is based on a true harrowing story of a young woman. The book takes place in Edinburgh, in 1724. Maggie Dickson is hung for the murder of her newborn child. Whilst her family drown their sorrows, mourning her death yet relieved she is gone as the shame of what she has done haunts them and their name. Maggie miraculously survives the noose and returns to her family home. Instead of welcoming her back into the fold they leave her out for the wolves, wanting not to be tarnished by her reputation.

Maggie is sadly a victim of circumstance and time, the author perfectly captures the harsh realities of 18th-century Edinburgh and fighting to survive not only life but the added struggle of being a woman at that time. And some woman Maggie turns out to be. Despite everything that has happened to her, Maggie manages to hold on to the hope of a new life and freedom and start again time after time.

This is the perfect work in my opinion of historical fiction. The author takes you to the narrow cobble streets with her descriptive writing and you can almost feel the damp cold chill. It is beautifully written. There is also the bonus of bringing forward a character from history who deserves to be remembered. Known locally as 'Half-hangit Maggie.' I have visited the pub named after her in the Grassmarket area of Edinburgh which used to hold the gallows. I will be sure to visit again when I am in the area and pay my respects.

Thank you to the author, Netgalley and Mantle Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 29, 2025

This was a really lovely and very touching book to read. Loosely based on the real story of 18th century Mussleburgh fishwife Maggie Dickson also known as 'Half Hangit Maggie'. The author has used poetic licence and superb research to weave a fascinating tale around her main characters. She has included themes just as relevant today such as reproductive and women's rights and poverty. I learnt a lot from this book as well as enjoying a brilliant read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Living in Scotland and having been on walking tours of Edinburgh and hearing about maggie I was so pleased I was accepted to read this book. It’s important for every woman to have her voice and I found this book helped Maggie get her’s. I read this book within one night as I couldn’t put it down.

What a great novel this is. A historical novel loosely based on the real life of Maggie Dickson. Set in the 1700’s Maggie lives with her parents and sister Joan in Fisherrow Harbour in Musselburgh on the Firth of Forth. Hers is a hard life but she is determined to better her lot and when her chance comes she grabs it with both hands.

Briefly, Maggie stops over in Kelso on her way to London and ends up working in the River Inn, and her dreams seem in grasp until she realises she is pregnant. The baby girl is born early but dies the same day. After making an error of judgement, thinking she was doing the right thing, Maggie ends up being arrested, convicted of killing her baby and sentenced to hang. However, after the sentence is carried out and her family are taking her body home for burial, they stop at a tavern and are shocked when Maggie walks through the door!

Although largely a fictional story the book also contains a lot of detailed 18th century social history, particularly around women and their rights and treatment. They were chattels belonging to their husbands, they had little rights over their own bodies, poverty was rife and social inequality high. Some great characters, good and bad but Maggie and Mrs Rose were particularly good. Maggie’s life was hard, emotional and often distressing but she is a strong woman and she is willing to stand up for herself. I loved Maggie’s story. Brilliant read.

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'.

I adored The Maiden so I was over the moon to hear that The Mourning Necklace was due to be published.

Inspired by the life of Maggie Dickson, a fishwife who was convicted of killing her newborn baby and duly hung at a public execution in Edinburgh's Grassmarket. She survived the hanging and thus became known as "Half-Hangit Maggie".

The Mourning Necklace is a strongly feminist reimagining of her story as Maggie is given her voice back.

"We are bold and brave and built for battle"

Kate writes in a way that is just so readable and authentic, and this novel is no exception. She really evokes the atmosphere of a 1700's Edinburgh, from the city to the harbour at Musselburgh. You can smell the smoke, feel the bustle, hear the call of the gulls and taste the salt in the air. It's rich and layered.

I felt every emotion and was fiercly rooting for Maggie. The scenes with her babe were heart wrenching and emotional and brought a tear to my eye.

Her characters are well fleshed out and really brought to life, leaping from the pages.

Well researched, with facts seamlessly blended with fiction, it examines the treatment that the women endured at the hands of odious men. There's many a lesson here and in the current climate reads particularly poignantly.

The Mourning Necklace is historical fiction at it's absolute finest. A compulsive read and throughly deserves a 5 star rating. I highly recommend. Just fantastic!

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!

This was an enjoyable historical novel, set in a fishing suburb of Edinburgh in 1724. I really liked the historical details of the fishwive's lives and Maggie's family. It drove home how limited women's choices were, and how difficult it would be for a young woman to build a life for herself elsewhere. It starts with Maggie's hanging, based on a true story, and I loved the backstory the author has imagined for how she came to escape the noose. It is a necessarily tragic story but a gripping one. There are a few Scots words sprinkled through to add a little flavour but it is very easy to read and follow. It reminded me a little of novels from the time with its cast of various prostitutes, gin sellers and unreliable men who are all part of the story. Some heart-wrenching parts and a satisfying ending.

Thank you for my copy of this book to read and review.

I loved The Maiden so I couldn’t wait to read this.

Based on real-life events, it’s a fascinating historical story that grips from the start.

This author has such a wonderful way of drawing you in.

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.

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. Maggie grew on me and it pained me whenever she faced an obstacle. A very compelling read.

It's the eighteenth century, and fisherman's daughter Maggie has been hanged for the death of her newborn baby. But in a twist of fate, Maggie survives. As she relates her story from its sad beginning to its tragic end, a fascinating tale of a woman determined to escape her circumstances emerges. But will Maggie cheat the hangman's noose twice?
This was a brilliant story, well-researched and with all the emotional drama you'd expect from this talented author, who explores the lives of ordinary women from bygone times, breathing them into being as if they existed side by side with you. Like us, these women were not mere ciphers of men, content to accept their lot as second-class citizens, but had the character, strength and determination to do better for themselves.
Based on a true person, our heroine Maggie is no exception. She is a feisty, ambitious girl, and though her one mistake costs her dear, she has the courage and the wits to address her own sorry plight.
The book is peopled with fascinating characters. From Maggie's mother, father and sister, caught in their life as fisher folk, to the kindly innkeeper who gives her a job, to the shady inhabitants of underworld Edinburgh - all come to life with vivid description and authentic dialogue, drawing you into bygone times.
And while tragedy underpins the book, there is humour, too, in Maggie's volatile relationship with her sister, her own self-deprecation, and her cunnng way of using opportunities to her own advantage.
As a historical novel, it's perfect, but the book appeals on another level, with its underlying feminist message that women should never be victims of circumstance, and that, sadly, often we have to fight our battles alone.
That Maggie manages to do so in the times she lived in makes her a true inspiration.

Mistress Maggie Dickinson, the Scottish fishwife, who survived her own execution in 1724 Edinburgh wakes up in her coffin, opens the lid and joins her startled family at her own wake and so starts this brilliant book. What led to her hanging? How does she escape death? Watching Maggie’s hopes and faith in others be tested I grew to love this resourceful, hopeful, tenacious and loving young woman. This is an atmospheric, funny, twisting and powerful read where Kate Foster draws her readers into 18th century life through immersive physical detail. Even more compelling is that The Mourning Necklace is based on real events.

I don't usually read historical fiction, but this isn't about kings and queens, it's about ordinary people and remarkable things happening to them, all from the point of view of an extraordinary young woman, Maggie. She makes mistakes and messes up but is determined to make her own way, despite what happens to her. The stark poverty that ordinary quite respectable people lived in comes to life throughout and there is very little evil in the characters. Maggie finds kindness from a prostitute who robs her, someone who runs a gin shop and random people in the city of Edinburgh but otherwise there is no help for her. The characters come alive with Foster's writing and although some of the modern turns of phrase jar slightly at times, I think it's the only way to write historical fiction as we don't really know how people spoke in the 1700s, so they might as well speak as we do. This is a book based on a true story, something I didn't find out until the end where it really gave quite a punch to read that. Read it if you are interested in the experience of women in history that don't have crowns on their heads and want to know more about 'Half-hanged Maggie' who escaped the gallows alive.

Magnificent in its telling from start to finish. Theres something about a historical novel based on real life events that i find addictive and immersive and this does not disappoint.