From the first page, this tale gripped my attention and transported me to another world. The two leading ladies have each been given a voice in a way that makes this tragic tale come alive and paints a vivid picture of very different lives. Expertly written to the very end. Sometimes 5 stars aren't enough! I can't wait to read more by Kate Foster.

Like Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, The Maiden begins with the true story of a woman being convicted of murder and sentenced to be executed. The guillotine (The Maiden) was used in the late 17th Century in Edinburgh Scotland for the execution of nobility while the poor of the time were hung. Lady Christian was found by the court to have killed her married lover, and uncle by marriage James Forrester, but just what may have gone on behind the scenes that the papers and sensational gossip didn’t reveal at the time?

Kate Foster has re-imagined Lady Christian's story through the eyes of women of the time showing the vast differences in the wealthy and the desperate poor in both position in life and attitudes yet both totally controlled by the men around them. This is an absorbing historical novel that reminded me of Burial Rites for its brilliant depiction of place and time, but also The Mercies and The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood-Hargrave for its specific feminist focus.

The Maiden is a compelling historical debut based (very loosely) on the little we know of Lady Christian Nimmo.

Foster's characters and world-building are fantastic. The two distinctive counter-narrators may be at opposite ends of the social spectrum, but their worlds collide when they are both ensnared by the same man. While they are both victims, only one of them has the wherewithal to survive when the odds are stacked against them. It's this tension between the two narrative strands which makes The Maiden so engaging: you end up rooting for both protagonists at once, while knowing that only one can survive.

Rarely have I enjoyed a book so much that I have read it in one marathon session. Kate Foster’s, The Maiden, held me spellbound from the opening paragraph! Inspired by true events surrounding the murder of a Scottish laird during the latter half of the 17th century, the book weaves a web of intrigue in imagining the possible motivation for the murder of this powerful member of the local Scottish community. The closing paragraphs, in their alternating poetic beauty and horror, stayed with me long after I’d finished reading the book.

If there's one thing I love... it's a fictional retelling of factual events - but when I started it, I had no idea.

And with this one - you're in for a wild ride. The Maiden is about the trial of an adulteress and Murderer, Lady Christian Nimmo. From a family of standing, Christian is due to be executed on The Maiden.

Whilst the time and setting of this tale is based in the 17th century - I wouldn't call this a Historical Fiction in the manner that I typically find them. This is as much of a mystery - potentially even a thriller.

The plot definitely leads this book but the characters are well written. My favourite was Violet - ambitious and selfish, she came across the strongest and had a real feeling of Bad*ss B*tch about her.

I was captured by this book from the opening sentence. This isn’t normally the kind of genre I enjoy reading but I couldn’t put this down. The descriptions of the jail, Edinburgh and costorphin were incredibly atmospheric and I was totally immersed in them. Each of the characters were written subtly and beautifully. The book switches its narrative between the main characters and interviews with others or newspaper reports. I was gripped right until very end, waiting to find out what the fate of lady Christian was to be.

If this book is anything to go by, I can’t wait for what else Kate Foster writes in the coming years.

Stories of large manor houses with high-class young women who don’t want to conform to the norm and end up wronged by a high-class man have been ten to the penny over the last few years. It seems it is a trope that isn’t doing anywhere and I’m not sad about that. When done well, it’s done very well, and I can say that Kate has done well with this story.

I like the narrative being spread over two time periods. I’d say for the first 2/3, bar the odd flashforward, most of the action is taking place the year prior to the crime. It gives you a tantalising look at the crime, but with the background information to keep you informed. And then the final part is more about after the crime.

I must say I preferred the scenes after the crime, the trial and whatnot. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the past scenes very much, but the other scenes felt a bit juicier, a bit more explosive, and made for a really interesting read.

Everything is described so visually, you can see the scenes playing out in your head. From clothing to injury, from food to the love scenes. It is so beautifully done.

It’s a lot more explicit, more forward than I expected from a book set in the 1600s, which was a nice change. It’s funny to think of these prim and proper people experiencing the same desires we do now, but there’s no reason not to.

I enjoyed the exploration of class. Should a high-class woman be believed because of her status? Is a serving girl automatically disregarded because of her position? It’s horrible to think there was this prejudice but it’s clear to see. A lady, a prostitute and a maid - who would you believe?

There are a number of characters but I would say there are a few key players. Obviously we have Lady Christian, our main protagonist. A lady of class but loose morals. I liked her right from the start. She was clever and she wanted what the men had. Violet, the prostitute, the one we should look down on. She wants to be loved and protected but she’s also clever. Then Oriana, the maid. A bit surly, a bit mixed up, but hiding a big secret. They are our three main characters.

Then you have Andrew, quiet, unassuming, a kind and gentle soul mixed up in something bigger than him. And James. A nasty piece of work, proud to be in his position, proud to be able to take everything he wants.

Whilst these were my initial thoughts, each character had great development and were expertly written. No-one is perfect. No-one is flawed completely. There are heroes and villains but they’re all so human that they have good and bad within them (some have more bad than others).

I love it when a book is inspired by a true story. It’s hard to believe something like this was happening, but it makes it all the more fascinating and makes you want to find out more.

I think Kate has done a great job as it’s showing the spotlight on historical female people. They’re so often shoved to the sidelines, as a footnote in men’s stories. That’s not to say Lady Christian or anyone else deserve to be idolised (I don’t know the real truth of the matter), but I think no matter who they were or what they did or didn’t do, their stories deserve to be told. Here’s to many more.

It is a compelling, gripping story. And whilst there are slower moments and more frenzied moments, you are hooked from the start to the very end.

Wow, what a story! This book was recommended to me through a friend and it didn’t disappoint! This is tale of 3 women that has been manipulated by a narcissistic man., lord James Forester. Christian is his nephew, Violet is a hired whore and Oriana a servant. The story begins when Christian is accused of murdering her uncle, with whom she has had a sexual relationship. From then, the story unravels and takes us through the complicated relationships of the characters. Kate Forester is a skilled writer, taking you on the journey through 17th century Scottish community , nearby and in Edinburgh. You can almost feel and taste history. I would highly recommend this book.

A great story for lovers of historical fiction. A fictionalised tale based around a short historical entry of a real murder in 1679 of a Lord Forrester by his neice. who has already been condemned as an adultress and whore in the "court of public opinion" before the trial has started. The backstory is told through the eyes of an additional two women who were servants of the vile Forrestor. This is a well written and engaging tale, all the better for having the voices of two working class women ( rather than the usual aristocrats) included.

A few books before reading this one I happened to have read one about Scottish folklore and witch trials which did happen to briefly mention Lady Christian Nimmo and what had been such a scandal that it remains in folklore spoken today.
However, reading this fictionalised version of her story and what could have been what happened, very much in keeping with the expectations and harsh treatment of women during that time period, it felt both a privilege and a horror to get to know the women in this book.
Split between the viewpoints of Lady Christian Nimmo and Violet, the fictional maid and main witness to the murder, you not only hear their very different voices of polar opposite privilege, background and status, but you find your understanding and opinion of both to evolve and change.
This story captures so much about the very difficult and often brutal reality for women in that era, and one that still plays out in some areas of the world today. The constant threat of violence, punishment and repentance, dished out by the men with power and religious pomp that, when tested, even women of high status were not immune from.
This book is a dark and exhilarating window into our past, with misogyny & dangers that still echo along our today.

This was such a good book. I love historical fiction, especially when it is about eras/ situations that I previously knew nothing about and this was definitely one of those books. It was so well researched and so compelling in its narrative that not only did I love reading it but I felt that I learned too. A really enjoyable read and perfect for any fans of historical fiction.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words some text written has been typed in red and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Wow, I loved this book so much! The whole read was an emotional rollercoaster!

From the start Kate did an amazing job of really questioning your morals and questioning all of the characters integrity as a narrator. I was constantly flopping between who to support and who could have been the murderess. Paired with Kate's fantastic writing style, character development and ingenious plot, this is such a great read. Kate holds on to every bit of information until you're ready to be told, which instantly makes you question everything you know.

I really can't do this book justice, the only thing I can say is to get your hands on this book immediately! I can't wait to read more of what Kate has to offer.

Thank you again NetGalley, Kate Foster and Pan Macmillan Mantle imprint for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review also posted on Goodreads.

I couldn’t believe this was based on a real case! What a gripping story. Amazing historical read.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my review.

“The Maiden” is an incredible book, based on a real-life case from the end of the 17th Century in Scotland in which a woman named Lady Christian Nimmo was convicted of the murder of her lover and uncle (by marriage), James Forrester. When the author couldn’t find anything out about the real-life Lady Christian, other than that she was an “adulterous murderess”, she decided to write the story of Christian’s life, from the point of view of various women in James Forrester’s life.

What the author creates is a compelling, evocative story told in turn by Lady Christian and by Violet, a prostitute favoured by James. The women are fascinating and the way in which they reveal James’ true character, and the events that lead up to his death, is nuanced and perfectly paced.

I love that these women – one of whom is real but something of a footnote in the history of her own life, and the other based on countless women whose history was never recorded – have been given such a strong and convincing voice in this novel. I was totally gripped by this story, and can’t wait to read more by this author. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

If you have spent time in Edinburgh, you might have heard the ghost story of the White Lady of Corstorphine. Or, you’ve heard part of the story. Kate Foster’s The Maiden is a fictional reimagining of what might have led Lady Christian Nimmo—this White Lady—in 1679, to murder her lover: her uncle, Lord James Forrester.

The novel immediately establishes a 17th century Edinburgh setting, complete with little details like the Old Tolbooth, oyster bars, coffee houses, broadsides, period-accurate clothing, and the (undeniably disgusting) Nor Loch. These are details important and necessary for the time period, but they’re not too dense to confuse someone new to the topic. Foster does not shy away from the unsavoury aspects of the city and mixes more modern text and dialogue with these details, making it easier to follow without losing any of that 17th century setting.

The story is told through two narrators: Lady Christian and a woman named Violet, who, poor and alone, turned to sex work at a young age in order to survive on the streets of Edinburgh. This dual narration makes it not only a story about women, but also of class, status, privilege, and expectations.

There is so much to enjoy in this novel. It is a well-paced and quick read, one that keeps you on your toes, making it difficult to put down.

I found myself especially rooting for Violet, who could be cold and angry and vindictive, but instead recognises the sympathy due to Lady Christian. My understanding of and sympathy for Christian increased towards the end, as I fully began to understand the true scope of the story through pivotal flashbacks. Importantly, Foster doesn’t make any of the characters perfect; they are flawed, and occasionally annoying, as real people are.

I loved the unapologetic depiction of life in 17th century Edinburgh and the exploration of themes like gender, class, violence, (perceived) innocence, justice (or lack thereof), sex and adultery and the unfair punishments that accompany it. It is tense and atmospheric.

As with most books, there were some aspects of this story I didn’t love. Lady Christian, at times, felt to be falling into the trap of ‘not like other girls.’ Some themes felt very heavy-handed on-page, such as the intersection between class, money, and punishment, which was spelled out in its entirety on the page, making it easy to follow but also a bit clumsy.

The inclusion of broadsides was an interesting way to include information on the trial, but I didn’t like the way they were written. They felt out of place, too modern, and unlike real broadsides of the time. Occasionally, I felt that the flashback chapters were too broken up, just a collection of scenes rather than a complete picture. We also miss the crux of the action—the reason for this story in the first place—on-page, which feels like the audience is being left out of important information (and not in a good way) and makes the shifts in character emotions hard to follow. We’re told later on exactly what happened, so I don’t understand the initial unnecessary secrecy.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and the clear research that went into it. If you’re a fan of historical fiction and exploring the perception of women in a class-driven patriarchal society, you’ll enjoy this. But be warned, even being familiar with Christian’s story didn’t protect me from the emotional toll of watching it play out. It was incredibly well done.

And I cannot write a review without noting the absolutely ingenious title. ‘Maiden’ is a term meaning a young woman of some kind (something denoting innocence), BUT it is also the name of an early Scottish guillotine which was used for executions in Edinburgh during the 16th-18th centuries. The duality of this title made me fall in love immediately.

I highly suggest looking into the content warnings before diving into this book, which includes SA. 3.75 stars, rounded up.

Thought-provoking historical fiction based on the true story of the murder of Laird James Forrester by his niece and lover Lady Christian Nimmo. Compelling and well researched, it cleverly weaves together the stories of Christian and the main witness at her trial, Violet. Not hugely surprising in its twists and turns, but nevertheless an enjoyable read.

This historical fiction novel is based on a true story of Lady Christian Ninmo, a 17th century Scottish woman convicted of killing Lord James Forrester, her lover/uncle (her mother's sister's husband, so not as ew as it sounds). After having an affair with him, she is sentenced to death. The story then backtracks to tell her story, as well as that of Violet, another women he has victimized. Well-written and thought-provoking.

Edinburgh, October 1679. Lady Christian Nimmo is arrested and charged with the murder of her lover, James Forrester. News of her imprisonment and subsequent trial is splashed across the broadsides, with headlines that leave little room for doubt: Adulteress. Whore. Murderess. 

Only a year before, Christian was leading a life of privilege and respectability. So, what led her to risk everything for an affair? And does that make her guilty of murder? She wasn't the only woman in Forrester's life, and certainly not the only one who might have had cause to wish him dead . . .

Based on a true story, I found this novel compelling and haunting. It opens with Christian being condemned to death for the murder of her uncle/ lover and tells her story of how this came to happen though the eyes of her and two other women Violet and Oriana both forced to 'service' this unpleasant, manipulative and violent man. It's a familiar story in many ways of poverty forcing women into situations in which they have little control. It's a timeless story.

The maiden of the title is the Scottish guillotine used at the time to execute criminals.

Seemingly well researched ( though obviously a story)on the period and the areas I loved it and look forward to more from this new writer.

I'm a big fan of historical fiction which in my opinion is getting better and better.

Story of an actual murder in 17th century Edinburgh told from the viewpoint of three very different participants. The female characters have all be mistreated by the victim; they all have the reader's sympathy, even though we know the outcome.

Well written, and with interesting female characters - the male characters are entitled, single-minded and less considerate and caring of women, with one notable exception.

With thanks to NetGalley and Mantle for an ARC.

This was a haunting and captivating novel. I thoroughly enjoyed this well written historical fiction based on a true event. The characterisation was brilliant; it kept me reading into the night and so rarely do I say this - I couldn't predict where the author was taking it. Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this advance review copy.