The Bookhouse is thrilled to be hosting two enthralling historical fiction authors, Kate Foster and Sarah Smith, who will be discussing their latest titles “The Maiden” and “Hear No Evil”.

Kate Foster – “The Maiden”

‘A masterpiece. A thrilling historical murder tale but so much more. Vivid, evocative and full of humanity’ – Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal and The Twyford Code. Inspired by a real-life case and winner of the Bloody Scotland Pitch Perfect Award, Kate Foster’s The Maiden is a remarkable story with a feminist revisionist twist, giving a voice to women otherwise silenced by history.

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

Sarah Smith – “Hear No Evil”

SHORTLISTED FOR THE BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE 2022

SHORTLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION DEBUT CROWN 2022

Glasgow, 1817: Jean Campbell – a young, Deaf woman – is witnessed throwing a child into the River Clyde from the Old Bridge. If found guilty she faces one of two fates; death by hanging or incarceration in an asylum. But Jean’s deafness leaves her isolated and unable to defend herself, until the authorities call in Robert Kinniburgh, a talented teacher from the Deaf & Dumb Institution.

Through a difficult process of trial and error, Robert and Jean manage to find a rudimentary way of communicating with each other. As Jean grows to trust Robert, she reveals what really happened on that bridge over the river Clyde. And Robert, now embroiled in this dark case, must act quickly to ensure justice is served, before it is too late.

‘Based on a case from Scottish legal history, Smith’s novel skilfully combines crime fiction with a woman’s struggle to speak the truth’ The Times’ Fascinating’ Sally Magnusson.

Both authors will be discussing their books and taking questions from the audience afterwards and signing copies of their books. Tickets for the event include a glass of wine or soft drink.