1700s Edinburgh, bodies of excecuted criminals unclaimed by families, go to the anatomists, by order.
So it was for Maggie. Her body lay in the coffin. Is she being made ready for the doctors to begin their gruesome work, to remove her organs, to cut her into pieces, to study her veins and arteries. But the hangman's rope had not done its work, though there it was, the pitiless mark around her neck, her punishment for murdering her own child. The last thing she remembered was the drop, the scream that would not come, then blackness. She had survived.
What else could Maggie do but walk into the inn, to her own wake...to her family and tell us her story.
Maggie's brutal da earned his keep from the sea, the whole family did. Living out of one room, life was as hard as it could be. But it was life. Extra money could be found from smuggling, but not much. The additional coin came with danger.
Maggie dreamt of escape from this life, some day she would get away and live a different life. One day, her head was turned by a handsome stranger and her dream could begin, but so too would her nightmare..

Such an enjoyable book ! Exciting. Action packed. Energetic. It will tap into all your emotions, as Maggie life unravels. What makes this novel more poignant, is it's based on a true story.
As with all Kate's books, I recommend you read it, because you will love it.

Suse

The Mourning Necklace tells the story of Margaret Dickson, an 18th century Scottish woman sentenced to hang for concealing her pregnancy and murdering her baby. Based on the true story of "Half Hangit Maggie", Kate Foster deftly fills in the gaps left by the historical record with a believable, heart-wrenching and beautifully written story.

Foster's writing is superb - she effectively evokes the sights, smells and sounds of 18th century Edinburgh and Musselburgh. Each character is deftly drawn and evokes emotions from pity to terror. This was very much a "just one more chapter" book. Highly reccommended.

I absolutely loved this book, based on the real life story of Half-Hanged Maggie who survived the noose in 18th Century Edinburgh💓

Maggie grows up in a Scottish family who make their living gutting fish and taking in smuggled or contraband goods for safe keeping. Life is hard, they can barely make ends meet and Maggie has ambitions to move to London and become a seamstress. When a handsome man starts to take interest her head is turned but soon she will hang for the crime she commits, yet if she can survive that maybe Maggie can still make a better life for herself.

There are so many relevant themes in this story for today: the reproductive rights of women, coercive control, betrayal etc. This is so brilliantly told, I was gripped from start to finish.

What an interesting book! The Mourning Necklace is based on the true story of Maggie Dickson, who survived a hanging in Edinburgh near the Grassmarket Gallows during the eighteenth century. Maggie was accused of concealing her pregnancy and murdering her baby.
.Maggie was a fishwife and that was the only way of life she knew. So when a man calls, asking them to keep and hide a parcel for him, Maggie’s head is turned and she marries him. The rest of the story tells of Maggie’s life from this point until her death.
I learned a lot from this book. I found it very informative. I hadn’t known it was a crime to conceal a pregnancy and consequently if the baby died, the crime was punishable by hanging. We had insights into the prison system, gin palaces and such like. Also what life was like for working women.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Kate Foster and the publishers, Pan MacMillan for an arc of this fascinating book.

The Mourning necklace by Kate Foster is about Maggie, a young woman from a small fishing village in Scotland, who is hanged for murdering her baby. However the hanging was not successful as Maggie wakes up in her coffin to the surprise of everyone. The story then goes back to the time before the crime and we learn what has lead to it being committed.

This is my 3rd book by this author and I think my favourite. It is based on a true story, which I didn't know about before reading this book.

The story and characters are very well written and is easy to read. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction.

Kate Foster writes so well about Scotland, and especially the Edinburgh area, in the 18th century. You can smell and taste the lives of her characters!
This story starts with Maggie Dickson miraculously surviving her public hanging for killing her baby, and then we are taken back to her earlier life to discover the journey that led to the gallows. A well-researched and well-written story. Kate Foster never disappoints.

Honestly, I think if Kate Foster wrote the blurb on the back of a packet of cornflakes, I'd read it. I loved The Maiden and The Kings Witches was one of my favourites reads of 2024, so I was excited to be offered the opportunity to read The Mourning Necklace and she's done again! This story is based on a woman who survived the hangman's noose and Kate has offered up her own interpretation of how that might have happened.

This is a compelling book, a great story, a character to route for and a real page turner with twists and turns along the way that reminded me of Sarah Waters book Fingersmith.

Kate Foster has written yet another incredible novel bringing history to life, this time based on the Half-Hanged Woman, Maggie, who in September 1724 was hung and survived!

We learn of the dark side of Edinburgh,with its poverty and death & the surrounding area of Kelso. It is written in such a sympathetic & empathetic way, the reader is pulled into the story as though they are part of the narrative.

I couldn't put it down & when I had finished it I wanted to re-read it straight away!
This is a must-have read for any historical fiction fan.
Thankyou to Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kate Foster has a remarkable ability to write stories about women who are often overlooked in history. Her vivid storytelling captivated me and made this book a true joy to read. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and I found myself completely enchanted by this particular narrative. The characters are skillfully crafted, drawing me into the story so deeply that once I started reading, I couldn't put it down until I finished. I will recommend this book to any historical fiction fan thank
You very much to netgalley for The access to this ARC

Compelling story about a real woman, Maggie Dickson, who was hanged for the crime of concealing her pregnancy but who survived. Maggie is an amazing character and I loved this book, it was tense and thought provoking throughout with an ensemble of wonderful characters like Mrs Jenever and Mrs Baxter. It was more than the story of Maggie's ordeal and how she moved on, it was about poverty, women's rights (and lack of) and how rich men exploit women. Some things don't change. A very feminist story which was enjoyable and page turning too.

Highly recommend

What an amazing story. Based on fact with a wonderful fictional story woven around it. The hardships and injustice born on women up to the 1800’s are almost unbelievable in this modern age. The book explores many of those moments, most of which I was unaware of. Life was brutal in so many ways, this book stays with you long after you’ve finished it for those very reasons. Highly recommended!

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

I didn’t expect this book to be as touching and affecting as it was. I vaguely knew the Edinburgh legend of Maggie Dickson who survived the hangman’s noose, but Kate Foster has taken the little that is known and created a rich, full life for her; of grief and loss and hardship and yearning, but also of hope.

We learn her life story and the tragic events that led her to the hangman’s noose as she awaits her fate following the failed hanging, but she isn’t a tragic heroine. She’s very real, hard working, flawed, full of love and also practical. The relationships with her Ma and sister Joan and female friends she meets along the way are well drawn, and I didn’t want her story to end.

“We are bold and brave and built for battle”.

The Mourning Necklace by Kate Foster is everything I’ve come expect from this talented author. Beautifully written, captivating and original, full of fascinating historical detail and characters that have real depth. I was completely engrossed, racing through the pages, unable to put it down. Although I found the ending a touch too neat and sentimental, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. This is historical fiction at its best and a true delight for any fan of the genre.

As with Kate’s previous books, this is also based on a true story of a young woman who was only “half hanged”.

I could really engage with the character as we learn the history of how she came to be sentenced to hang in the first place and the struggle women rich or poor had in such a male dominated time.

If you like good historical fiction with a touch of mystery this is for you!

The Mourning Necklace by Kate Foster

In The Mourning Necklace by Kate Foster delivers is the brilliant historical
story based on true fact.
Set in 1724, the book is about Maggie Dickson, a woman who,was sentenced to hanging for the murder of her newborn child , but comes around in a coffin and surprising her family by going back to them.
The author writes in a way that almost transports you back to that time and you feel as if you could have,actually been there with the description of the places she sets it in Scotland.

Based on the infamous true story of Half Hanged Maggie the story tells of this young woman trying to better herself from her circumstance.
Hung for a crime but she survives! Both heartbreaking and terrifying this story weaves flesh to the bones of the true story, giving Maggie a voice and a fictional story that intertwines with the true story perfectly!
An absolutely stunning read and a must for anyone who likes historical fiction

Kate Foster's latest novel is based on the true story of Maggie Dickson. In 1724 Maggie was sentenced to death for the murder of her newborn, she survives the hanging and wakes up in her coffin, while the judges debate whether her sentence has been carried out and she should be released, or if a second attempt at hanging Maggie should be made, we are taken back in time to learn about the events that have brought Maggie to this point. Foster does a great job of bringing 18th century Edinburgh and the surrounding area to life, and the female characters are exceptionally well written.

My first experience with Kate Foster, and it certainly won't be the last.

Set in the eighteenth century, The Mourning Necklace is inspired by the true story of Maggie Dickson, a young woman who was accused of concealing her pregnancy and murdering her baby and was hanged, but survived her execution. Sometimes life is indeed stranger than fiction.

I followed Maggie's story with great interest. From the start I found her a very sympathetic character. I admired her resilience and her ambition for something more in life, and I understood her actions even if I didn't always agree with them. 

Apart from the strong characterization of the main character, the story had a lof of thought-provoking themes as well as many interesting informations about the time period, such as the life of working women and the prison system. The fact that it was a crime to conceal a pregnancy was shocking to me. 

The book is divided into three parts which follows Maggie's life before, during and after her execution, and I loved all of them, but the last part was my favourite. I loved how everything wrapped up and I was happy with everything that happened. And the epilogue had me in tears. It was a perfect ending to the story.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Such a good story of Maggie Dickson or Half Hanged Maggie. This is a true story of a girl in the 1700s that conceals her pregnancy then gets accused of murder. She gets a sentence of hanging.
We go back to a year before the crime and go through all the trials and tribulations with Maggie.
This is a fantastic book that will keep you hooked and keep you turning the pages. I didn't want it to end. It's one of those books where you're I'll just read one more chapter, then all of a sudden you're at the end of the book!
I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could

I really enjoyed this book and it being based on a true story was even better, this story is about Maggie who is from a small fishing village in Scotland who with other family members works hard on the dock side., Maggie is hanged for murdering her baby, the hanging itself was not successful as Maggie wakes up in her coffin to the surprise of her family at her wake. We then go back in time to the story that lead to the hanging and what a story unfolds.
Maggie is a strong character and has her whits about her and devises a plan that unfolds within the book. A great read and will look out for more from this author.
My thanks as always to NetGalley for the early read and to Pan Macmillan | Mantle for the early read and to author Kate Foster for such a great read.

Firstly, a huge thank you to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and Kate for the opportunity to read this as an eARC. I’ve had a bad run of books in the last week, so when I finally settled on the sofa for the night I was SO glad it was time to read The Mourning Necklace. I was hooked straight away and stayed up until 2am to finish it!

In 1724 in Edinburgh, Maggie Dickinson should have died. That was to be her punishment for the crime she was accused of committing. She was hung for it. But hours later she pushes herself up out of her coffin and walks into her own wake, shocking the life (almost) out of her family.

Maggie’s story is one of truth. An old Edinburgh legend, if you like. But Kate fictionalises it and brings the story to life once again through her incredible writing - highlighting the struggles women went through at home, while working and in society in general at the time. The characters do not have extensive backstories, but it doesn’t matter in this book. Kate brings the characters to life in a beautiful way, despite their constant struggles.

What kept me reading almost non-stop was Maggie’s determination to keep going. Her outlook on life is admirable, but she’s no saint either. She does what she has to do to get by while trying not to upset others around her. This is shown through her interactions with other characters, from family members to strangers and friends she meets along the way.

I don’t usually like historical fiction, but this is an absolutely wonderful book. Heart-breaking, empowering, thought-provoking and beautifully written. I will be recommending this book to pretty much everyone!!

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'.