The Mourning Necklace cover art

The Mourning Necklace

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The Mourning Necklace

By: Kate Foster
Narrated by: Paula Masterton
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About this listen

'Kate Foster can pluck a dark story from the depths of history and bring it to vivid life before your eyes . . . A strong contender for my book of the year' – Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal

Inspired by an infamous real-life case, The Mourning Necklace is the unforgettable feminist historical novel from the Women's Prize-longlisted author of The Maiden, Kate Foster.

They said I would swing for the crime, and I did . . .

1724. In a tavern just outside Edinburgh, Maggie Dickson’s family drown their sorrows, mourning her death yet relieved she is gone. Shame haunts them. Hanged for the murder of her newborn child, passers-by avert their eyes from her cheap coffin on its rickety cart.

But as her family pray her soul rests in peace, a figure appears at the door.

It is Maggie. She is alive.

Bruised and dazed, Maggie has little time for her family’s questions. All that matters to her is answering this one: will they hang her twice?

©2025 Kate Foster (P)2025 Macmillan Publishers International Limited Historical Fiction Crime

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All stars
Most relevant  
I really loved it and couldn’t stop listening. It was unpredictable too. Highly recommend to anyone who is visiting Edinburgh too.

Excellent historical fiction

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Very well written tale of the historical figure Half-hanged Maggie from fisherrow. The tale starts with her hanging and Kate weaves a compelling account of Maggie's possible life which kept me enthralled. Beautifully narrated.

compelling tale of half-hanged Maggie

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Absolutely brilliant! Loved this from start to finish! Fantastic story, great attention to historical detail, and fab narration again from Paula Masterson! Thank you!

Brilliant!

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I just loved this book and didnt want it to end. I was fully engrossed and invested in the characters, especially Maggie. Highly recommended 😊

Brilliant!

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I really enjoyed this book highly recommended. A bit an emotional roller coaster but with a perfect ending.
I love the fact the story teller tells the story in a Scottish accent too just adds to it. I couldn't stop listening.

Brillant story

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This was a wonderful story about love and survival. The moral of this story is the grass isn’t always greener. Sometimes what we already have is the thing we are meant to have. We crave to be free of our family yet, once we have left, we crave to he with our family again. Be careful what you wish for!

Wonderful & Thought-Provoking

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I couldn’t stop listening to this!
I absolutely love how Kate gives hope to the stories of women who have no voice.
It’s giving six the musical - in a book, retelling history with a feminine twist.

Maggie Dickson is a pub in Edinburgh which allowed me to hear the story of half hangit Maggie when I was younger. Kate absolutely gives life into Maggies tale and a whole new perspective on who Maggie might have been and what entailed in her life.

Kates writing pulls you in, allowing you to be in the moment. Describing things with vivid detail and taking you back in time.
I preordered this book as each of Kates books have been marvellous reads and I cannot wait to read what is next.
I’ve told book club to put down what they’re reading now and read this book!!!
10/10 must read

History Rewritten

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