4.5⭐ for the story and 6 ⭐for the historical research/author's note

I really enjoyed this - a beautifully written historical fiction novel which has a dual-timeline between the real-life Madeleine Smith murder case in 1850s Scotland, and 1920s New York (where a film company lackey is trying to track down the elderly maybe-murderess).

I gave into temptation and looked up the case on Wikipedia before I was half-way through (probably best to avoid this), but the story had some twists and turns up its sleeve anyway, so it wasn't predictable.

I loved the quotations from the historical documents which punctuate the text, and the absolute dedication/eye for detail with which the author had examined those documents and considered the main character's motivations and actions. I found the Author's Note, which laid out her thinking in developing the story using hints/gaps in the historical records absolutely mesmerising. I really liked the clever solution that the author had come up with to the miniature mystery posed by the ship's manifest (it would also make sense of the big age gap between Madeleine and her last husband). If I have a minor criticism, it's that there wasn't really a character to love/root for, so I didn't feel emotionally invested in the outcome, though I was absorbed by the story.

The author explains that the original idea for this novel came from the writer Emma Tennant, who suggested they work on it together but passed away in 2017 while the project was still in its early stages. I felt this was sensitively handled in the Author's Note, which gave a lovely tribute to Emma Tennant, and fully acknowledged her contribution.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Took me a little while to get into novel but glad I persisted. (Not entirely due to book itself, to be fair,I have read a few too many books about foolish Victorian girls from Irish/Scottish cities recently)

Review
Well written and very well researched novel , atmospheric setting in Glasgow and a genuinely unexpected twist to the tale. The principle characters were well drawn and engaging. At first the court's comments were a little distracting but as the tension progressed you understood why they were necessary. One of the most gruesome murder methods I've ever read, nota novel for those who like clean and wholesome! Highly recommend.

This story is told across two timelines, ranging from the sensational murder case for which a young socialite was put on trial in 1857 for allegedly killing her lover, and the subsequent investigation undertaken by a young man in Hollywood decades later, who becomes convinced that he has found her, none other than the elusive Madeleine Smith.

Why does he care? He wants to tell her story! But after all the identities under which she has lived, how can he be sure this is even the same woman?

Based on a true story, this had a number of elements that made the concept very interesting. I am not sure that the final story and the style of writing really did full justice to the potential that existed. But it may appeal to true crime lovers.

Considering how fascinating and, in the way, mysterious the real story behind this book is, this was majorly disappointing...

I found writing style extremely boring and hard to power through. At no point did I feel interested enough in what happens next that I had to force myself to put the book down.

I was hoping that the ending might be good and at least end the story on the high, but that didn't happen either.. in fact, the best part was "notes", where we get some more details of the real story.

I think the blanks could've been filled in a much more interesting and fascinating way, the story should've been at least a little more dynamic.

Utterly captivating and enthralling. I loved the characters, pace and story, it was so exciting and i relished the tale based on a true story. If you want a unputdownable read give this a go youll not be disappointed.

Madeline was an incredibly interesting character and the perfect center for a story like this. I enjoyed her quirks, personality and her story. However I struggled with the pacing, some moments seemed dragged out whereas others went too fast when I wish there was more exploration or something else. This read more as a character driven book which thankfully worked for the most part thanks to the richly detailed characters and their actions.

Possible spoilers


At times I felt I could have happily committed the murder myself. What a piece of work Emile was, and how foolishly young Madeline was.
Madeline was a spirited character for sure. I particularly enjoyed her relationship with Christina.
An enjoyable tale over 2 timelines, with plenty of information on the true crime at the end of the story.
Definitely stay for that bit.

It's 1857 and Madeleine Smith stands accused of murdering her lover,.

Then she disappears. In 1927 Harry Townsend believes he has found and wants to tell her story.

Oh how i loved this book. based on a true story I loved madeleine. Her bohemian lifestyle and people connections was just divine to read. As a dressmaker I especially liked the William Morris connection.

The setting is amazing, The rich descriptive writing of 1920 made me wish I could travel back in time.

I urge readers to adore this book.