The Maiden by Kate Foster is a beautifully written, well researched, fascinating and compelling story. I enjoyed every page and every word. It’s a testament of a brilliant book that it ignited an interest in the historical period when the events took place. It made me look up pictures of Edinburgh at the time, The Maiden, The White Lady, Corstorphine and its sycamore tree, and even the man’s and ladies’ fashion of that period. Since I finished reading The Maiden, I can’t stop thinking and talking about all the characters and have a real ‘book hangover’..

Beautifully written and completely captivating, I loved this historical tale focusing on two women from very different lives but whose lives collide in quite a startling way. Strong women who are at the whim of men throughout their lives. The historical detail is wonderful, clearly well researched and so transporting. I felt for each of these women, they tried to make the best of their circumstances in whatever way they could. Brutal at times, very compelling, I adored it and highly recommend.

The Maiden is based on the real life case of Lady Christian Nimmo (if you don’t know her story like I didn’t, don’t google it until you’ve finished the book) a woman who is due to be executed for the murder of her uncle. But she says she didn’t do it…

The book is told from two POV’s that of Christian and of Violet, a young woman who works for her uncle. There are many twists and turns and this a dark and very bleak book, it’ll make you angry at the way women were treated throughout history and you’ll understand why they behave the way that they do.

This is beautifully written and really transports you back to that period of time - you can tell how well researched it is also, and I think Kate Foster really does justice to Christian and her story.

Inspired by a real life case, the Maiden is the story of Lady Christian Nimmo accused of the murder of her uncle and lover, Lord James Forrester. Told from a dual narrative of Christian and Violet, the prostitute Forrester kept as a mistress, this story is a page turner that keeps you guessing till the very end. Based in the 17th Century, and with well written characters, the supporting women from different walks of life and the men that surround them, you realise just how dependent the former group was on the latter. Women are either made to impress and become wives to respectable men or when they "fall" from grace, they're again at the mercy of men in confinement, be it prison surrounded by the gatekeepers of justice, or subjected to their seedy gaze, in the brothels. I was angry and yet fascinated to read on; a story that gives women a voice, gives the power of their thoughts a voice, of what happens when the same women take back some of that control in a world created by men, for men. The Maiden will create movement this year, and Kate Foster is an author to look out for. Thank you @netgalley and @panmacmillan for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest unedited review.

I was so excited at the start. Utterly gripping.
Then the pace dropped, and I found it difficult to keep track of the different timelines and POVs.
The writing and the characters were just as I hoped, beautiful, alluring and full of depth.
This will be a huge book this year for fans of historical fiction.

I loved the fact that this is based on a true story. Its a fascinating read with engaging characters and like me you’ll probably get angry by how women are treated, yeah I know it’s how it was, but it grates on you more when it’s sanctimonious clergy and so called religious men. This is such an emotive read, as the story is full of betrayal, revenge and of course love, but it’s the twists and turns that keep you enthralled. Fantastic

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Inspired by a murder and subsequent trial that took place in Edinburgh in 1679, this story gives voice to the two women at the heart of it, one of whom was found guilty and beheaded for the deed. The murdered man was James Forrester, the accused is his niece by marriage Lady Christian Nimmo and the third person is Violet, a prostitute kept and used by Forrester as he used many other women.

The tale unfolds in the alternating voices of Christian and Violet, and we are drawn in by their stories and kept guessing about which one of them committed the murder. But far more pertinent than the whodunnit aspect is the age-old sorry tale of women being groomed, exploited, lied to and used by a man in a position of power. Christian is noble-born, Forrester’s niece by marriage, while Violet is an orphan taken into a brothel at a young age by a madam who presents herself as a benefactress. But both are just prey to Forrester, and the growing synergy between the two women is done very deftly - starting out as rivals for the attention of a rich customer (Violet) or the provider of the intimacy missing in her marriage (Christian), the two women are brought together by the growing realisation that they are both his playthings, two sides of the same coin.

The atmosphere of a dog-eat-dog Edinburgh is masterfully painted. This is a dirty, smelly, cutthroat, visceral gutter of a town where cunning and power games will get you far. The contrast between sanctimonious clergy, the nobles with their ‘there-by-grace-of-god’ attitude and the poor, exploited or criminal underdogs is stark. And the two women at the heart of the story are all too real in their naivety, strength and ultimate dignity. This is very well worth a read.

The romance element was a little too present for my tastes, but I still found The Maiden a gripping historical novel based on true events – which went on to inspire an Edinburgh ghost story. I particularly liked that Kate Foster chose a feminist stance to reimagine Lady Christian Nimmo's story, by also giving voice to another female character who suffered at the hands of Lord James Forrester. The sociological aspect is of great interest too. Will appeal to readers of Hear No Evil by Sarah Smith.

"In the end, it did not matter what I said at my trial. No one believed me.”

My thanks to Pan Macmillan Mantle for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Maiden’ by Kate Foster.

This powerful historical debut novel is set in Scotland during the late 17th Century and was inspired by real events.

Edinburgh, October 1679. Lady Christian Nimmo has been arrested and charged with the murder of her lover, Lord James Forrester. He was also her uncle by marriage. News of her imprisonment and the subsequent trial is splashed across the broadsides, including salacious headlines that loudly condemn her.

The narrative moves between Christian’s present and events of the previous year when Lady Christian was newly married and leading a life of privilege and respectability. It explores the reasons that led her to begin the affair with Lord James.Yet Forrester had a number of women in his life and Christian wasn’t the only one with reasons to wish him dead.

The other lead is Violet Blyth, a fictional character. She was living on the streets of Edinburgh when taken in by Mrs Fiddes, who runs the House of Pleasure. The paths of Christian and Violet eventually converge. I won’t say more in order to avoid spoilers.

I found this a highly engaging read. The chapters move between the perspectives of Lady Christian and Violet with the occasional insert of a contemporary news article. The Maiden of the title refers to a guillotine-like execution machine that was used in Scotland between 1564-1710.

I found it interesting that the ghost of Lady Christian is said to haunt the scene of the crime and is known as the ‘White Lady of Corstorphine’.

Overall, ‘The Maiden’ was an atmospheric and well written historical novel. While Kate Foster advises in her Author’s Note that this is not a historical biography, it’s clear that she has undertaken a great deal of research into the case and the period in general. Her portrayal of 17th Century Edinburgh was especially vivid and certainly added to the ambiance of the novel.

On a side note, while I know it is wrong to judge a book by its cover, the design for ‘The Maiden’ is exquisite. Its botanical themes draw the eye as they frame the sinister shape of the Maiden.

Highly recommended.

Earthy and entertaining.
Sisters Johanna and Christian need to be married as their widowed mother although an aristocrat is in debt. Johanna is married, but Christian is considered less attractive so does not have any proposals until she meets a cloth merchant Andrew who woos her and marries her. The sisters sex education comes from a book they find in the library, Christian finds marriage does not live up to her expectations as Andrew does not wish to consummate the marriage. Christian has long been pursued by her uncle James who sensing her frustrations seduces her..
Violet is an orphan, her whole family killed by cholera, she is taken in by the mistress of a brothel and eventually put to work as a prostitute, she finds favour in James's eyes, he takes her to his castle, for weeks at a time, where she is kept in comfort for his pleasure.
Orianna is a maid at James's castle, she is also seduced by him against her will. When James's wife dies, Christian thinks he will rescue her from her loveless marriage, a chance meeting between the three women and James ends in his murder, who is responsible?
This is such a gripping, tough story, it takes place in Edinburgh, with good descriptions of participants and the contrasting lifestyles.
Thank you mate and NetGalley.

A fascinating read for any historical fiction fan.
Based on actual facts, set in 17th century Edinburgh.
Lady Christian is due to be beheaded by the guillotine known as The Maiden, for the murder of her lover and uncle, Sir James Forrster.
But she wasn’t the only lady in Sir James’ life.
There’s Violet Blyth, a whore who is noticed by Sir James and he settles her into the turret of his castle, to use her as and when he wishes.
Also Oriana, the maid who brings food and drink to Violet, or Lady Lillias Forrester, Sir James’ invalided wife.
The book has you gripped from the very beginning and is such an intriguing book.
Loved that it is based on real facts and that Lady Christian was an actual historical person.
The stark differences between Lady Christian and Violet were really highlighted in the book. The lower classes were voiceless and just faded into the background.
The dual narrative of Lady Christian and Violet was superb, giving the women a voice, as in 17th century Scotland women didn’t really have a choice or influence, they were totally controlled by males, whether that be their husband, uncle, vicar or a paying brothel client.
The double standards of Sir James was so infuriating, that his behaviour was upheld or overlooked because he had money and was male, whilst the women he bedded were shamed.
Thank you for bringing Lady Christian’s story to life that could have so easily been lost in history.
It was such an emotional journey of love, betrayal and revenge, that kept you guessing till the very end of their guilt or innocence.

This was an absorbing read, based on a true story. It was told from the point of view of two women, Lady Christian Nimmo and Violet Blyth. Two very different women from very different walks of life. Christian had a privileged life in some respect but she wanted someone to love her. She felt plain when compared to her beautiful younger sister. Violet worked in a brothel due to circumstances beyond her control, but she was determined to better herself in some way. It did make me angry the way women were treated by self righteous men and that gentlemen with money and power, could get away with their behaviour. This was a fascinating read with engaging characters. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Based on a true murder (Lady Christian Nimmo stands trial accused of murdering her uncle & lover).
17th century Edinburgh, from the seedy brothels of Bell's Close & appalling conditions of Tollbooth jail to the sumptuous obulence of Corstorphine Castle then interspersed with exerts from the Caledonian Broadside of the trial.
Very readable with interesting characters

An historical murder with an emotional journey of passion, betrayal and revenge.

The different points of view piece together a tragic but beautiful story of events that led to the murder of Lord James Forrester by his lover and niece (by marriage)..There is an air mystery and my sympathies kept changing throughout the book. It definitely keeps you guessing. The feminist spin uncovers a usually hidden perspective into the societal restrictions and pressures on women of the time, how women navigated a world they had little influence over. Based on true events where records are sparse, the author has created a vivid imagining of what led to the murder and a haunting insight to the brutal world of 17th century Edinburgh.

A captivating read. It paints a vivid picture of the hypocritical side of life in Edinburgh in the 17th century, based on a real case.I really enjoyed it, especially the Scots language inilt!

"In the end, it did not matter what I said at my trial. No one believed me."

What a gorgeous novel; I was mesmerised from start to finish.

As the book opens we are in Edinburgh, 1679, and Lady Christian is charged with the murder of her Uncle (by marriage) and lover James Forrester. The story that follows jumps perspectives as well as back and forth in time, to slowly build a picture of what really happened to Lord James, and why the women in his life may have had cause to wish him dead.

I adored each perspective we got, each character feeling fully developed and real. I believed their feelings, their motives, their actions. I felt the very real brutality of living in 17th Century Scotland, and what it meant to be a woman at that time. How restricted their options were, and the lengths they could be driven to, just to survive in a such a harsh world.

Peppered throughout we are presented with newspaper snippets, covering the happenings at court, and giving us additional points of view, adding to the scandal of the trial. And the beautiful Scottish settings pour from the page, with every passing chapter sucking you deeper into the mystery, needing to know what really happened.

A stunning novel and one that will stay with me for a long time to come. I cannot recommend this one enough.

I love historical novels and this is a fabulous debut novel from Kate Foster. Based on true events, we follow the story of Lady Christian Nimmo in 1679 as she is accused of murdering her lover and uncle James Forrester. Will Christian be executed by the infamous Maiden guillotine?
The story is told by two strong, feisty female characters: Christian, a respectable young lady expected to marry at her mother’s bidding; and Violet, orphan fallen on hard times and living with larger than life bawd Mrs Fiddes in a whore house. I found myself flipping from sympathising with one to the other as the events leading up to James’s murder were were recounted in turn by Christian and Violet. Who to believe? What really did happen? Both were subjected to the powers and rule of men and religion, and regardless of their status they had very little choice than to succumb to the demands of men. Yet, Kate Foster gives them both such wonderful spirit and character that you truly are rooting for both of them, and indeed all the women in the book. This book had me reading late into the night to discover what really happened. I look forward to reading more from Kate in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for a review.

This debut historical fiction novel has taken me back to a time I would not have necessarily chosen, but something drew me to this book especially when I learn that the main character Lady Christian Nimmo was in fact a real person.

It is 1679, Edinburgh. Lady Christian Nimmo is to be hanged for the murder of her lover Lord James Forrester. Not just her lover but her uncle.

We are taken from 1679 with Lady Christian Nimmo incarcerated awaiting her fate to the previous twelve months where her passion with Lord James Forrester begins, develops and how it ends with a death sentence. Amongst this tale of lovers is that of Violet.

Violet is far displaced form the society of Lady Christian Nimmo. She finds her safety in the pleasure houses of Edinburgh, Mrs Fiddes rules the roost and the girls within. AS men come and go, to find their pleasure however they desire. One of those men is Lord James Forrester and by a twist of fate, a transaction is made and Violet finds herself at the castle of this man. Secluded in a turret, with only a maid for company, Violet finds herself surplus to requirements when Lady Christian Nimmo appears on the scene.

As worlds collide, the women have to rally to summon strength to maintain their position with some unforeseen consequences.

This book takes the story of women from history, and fleshes it out and gives a voice to those in every walk of life. To those who are overlooked because they are women, or because of the life they are forced to lead to survive. I felt great passion for Lady Christian and whilst I condemned to begin with, as the novel moves on I find myself starting to question, to doubt when you have the full facts in front of you. Even Violet I wanted to champion wished her well on the life she wanted to create for herself out of nothing.

With equal distaste for Lord James, a man we only know through the eyes of the women who know him, including his wife. Manipulative, selfish, arrogant, egotistical and most of all controlling. This behaviour of his, this apparent plan had been growing for years and his victim chosen a long time before it all started. Perhapsi t was his arrognace that made he realise that it coudl all end very swiftly.

This book, is atmospheric from every page, whether it be the dank, dark and smells of the prison cell. To the gaudiness of the whore houses or the bedrooms of the whores, to the actions when an unwanted baby is discovered. Nothing is shied away from and you find yourself repulsed by such actions, but it adds so much tot he book I was drawn in and had to keep reading.

If this is the debut, then it can only get better for this author and I am intrigued as to what will come from the pen next. One of my books of the year.

Perfect for fans of historical fiction and championing the overlooked parts of history and the part women played, even if the outcome is less desirable.

This evocative, gritty murder mystery set during the Seventeenth Century in Edinburgh (and based on a true story) had me hooked from the first page. I loved it!
In October 1679, Lady Christian is arrested and charged with the murder of her lover (and Uncle) James Forrester. Only a year before Lady Christian was respectably married. What caused her to begin this affair? Did she actually commit murder or was it one of the other women that also had a motive to end his life?
The brutality and hardships that some women faced at this time (even those who were privileged in society) was brilliantly brought to life. I loved the dual narrative by both Lady Christian and Violeta who is first introduced working at Mrs Fiddes whorehouse. Both have very different backgrounds but their two lives collide as the story progresses.
Interspersed in these two narratives are clippings from the newspapers from the time, reporting on all of the sordid details!
The characters in this story were so well written and historic Edinburgh was vividly brought to life. The tension and drama is unrelenting and I read this in just two sittings!

This was a captivating story, made even better by the knowledge it was based on true events. A definite 5 star read for me. I would highly recommend it!

What I didn't like:

I didn't like Violet. I understand that she knows how to survive, but I also feel like, given the time and age, if she had existed, she would have been implicated in the murder for sure. I would have loved more of Oriana, who is infinitely more interesting and has more to say and do. We would have learned a lot more about Lillias and the whole castle and people if she had been more of the main.

But there are good reasons to read The Maiden:

Because I can guarantee that you haven't heard of this myth story before, and sometimes that's all you need. It's set in Corstorphine and Edinburgh, and it's nice to have a change of scenery from London and New York in works of historical fiction. While Violet and the other women don't exist in real life, the time and setting of the story allow us to see a society in flux. Christian is not being married off to another lord; her husband is a merchant (a very wealthy one). If we were reading a work of historical fiction set in London, that would have been the biggest crisis.

The Maiden is also a story about loneliness and how things are so cloaked in secrecy. Christian and her husband should be having sex. But he regularly dismisses her and never wants to touch her; there can never be an honest conversation. It's also a bit sad because if you check out any all-female group on Facebook (dedicated to Pakistani women), this is still a problem. Female desire isn't supposed to exist.

And in that, it's also about loneliness and how beauty standards impact us. Despite being lovely and graceful, Christian is also acutely aware that she is not beautiful like her sister, which hinders her in a world where her only aim can be marriage, something that she doesn't want. She would have loved to travel, but she just can't. Her husbands rejection of her in that regard makes her double down on this, which is why James calling her beautiful matters so much.

The most important lesson of The Maiden is that of sexual abuse and grooming in families. Almost 34% of child sexual abuse is committed by relatives. And this story we see that happening very clearly. From the get-go, we see that James is interested in Christian, and as we go ahead in the story and see Christians' memories, he's been interested since she was as young as 13. It's a game he's played for years, and he isn't too put out by her getting married. We can argue about different times and standards, but this is a grown man married to her aunt. His behavior is noted by the mother, who can't do much because they need his help. But she also doesn't do much to reduce it by telling Christian to wear what he gives her or even giving her some hint as she's older.

Final Verdict:

I loved this book and will leave it four out of five stars! I can't wait to read more by Kate Foster!