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The Murder of Harriet Monckton
- Narrated by: Lisa Coleman, Joe Jameson, Richard Reed, David Thorpe, Becky Wright
- Length: 16 hrs and 48 mins
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The Murder of Harriet Monckton
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Summary
Longlisted for the Historical Writers’ Association Gold Crown Award, 2019
The Times 100 Best Books for Summer
Waterstones 2019 Essential Summer Reads
From the award-winning and best-selling author of Into the Darkest Corner comes a delicious Victorian crime novel based on a true story that shocked and fascinated the nation.
On 7th November 1843, Harriet Monckton, 23 years old and a woman of respectable parentage and religious habits, is found murdered in the privy behind the chapel she regularly attended in Bromley, Kent.
The community is appalled by her death, apparently as a result of swallowing a fatal dose of prussic acid, and even more so when the surgeon reports that Harriet was around six months pregnant.
Drawing on the coroner’s reports and witness testimonies, Elizabeth Haynes builds a compelling picture of Harriet’s final hours through the eyes of those closest to her and the last people to see her alive. Her fellow teacher and companion, her would-be fiancé, her seducer, her former lover - all are suspects; each has a reason to want her dead.
Brimming with lust, mistrust and guilt, The Murder of Harriet Monckton is a master class of suspense from one of our greatest crime writers.
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Critic reviews
"Haynes tells much of the story through the voices of those closest to Harriet: the hypocritical minister who mistakes his own desires for the wishes of God; the shy young man who wishes to look after her; the fellow teacher with her own yearnings for love. Eventually, through a diary, we hear Harriet herself speak. A thoroughly absorbing whodunnit, with an unexpected conclusion, Haynes’s novel is also a touching portrait of a young woman unjustly stigmatised by the prejudices of the day." (Nick Rennison, The Sunday Times)
"Actual documents from Britain’s National Archives concerning inquests into the November 1843 demise of Harriet Monckton, an unmarried, secretly pregnant 23-year-old teacher, serve as the springboard for this rich psychological crime novel from Haynes (Never Alone). The author weaves together snippets of testimony from the official investigation in Bromley, Kent, with fictionalized accounts from several of the key figures in Harriet’s life—and suspects in her death — among them the charismatic but deeply flawed Rev. George Verrall; fellow schoolmarm and discreetly infatuated best friend Frances Williams; former lover Richard Field; and handsome Thomas Churcher, the kindhearted cobbler too shy to declare his love. Readers also hear from Harriet herself, via a (fictional) 120-page diary. Though this suspenseful account of a case that remained unsolved in real life — unlike the novel — feels overlong, Haynes vividly brings to life an intellectually curious, vibrant young woman ill-suited to the strictures of Victorian village life. Historical mystery fans will be rewarded." (Publishers Weekly)
"Probably the best historical crime novel I have ever read. Elizabeth Haynes’ skill as a writer was in every word of every page; not once did I doubt that I was in Bromley in 1843. The characters were superb: villains, lovers, friends and Harriet herself were so well-formed with distinctive voices. The mystery was gripping and I was thrilled to discover I’d guessed the murderer wrong. Haynes passion for Harriet’s story (it's based on a real crime) is the life blood of this book and I found the Afterward about the author’s research very touching. Captivating, masterful and moving this is one book—and one death—I will remember for a very long time." (C. L. Taylor)
What listeners say about The Murder of Harriet Monckton
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Scottie
- 06-06-21
Good but...
Fascinating and heartbreaking story which is well narrated but it is long and slow. The final chapters pick up pace and really make you want to finish the book but it could have been shorter. The author’s comments at the end about the background are very interesting.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- K. Aspden
- 25-06-20
Congratulations Ms Haynes
Not generally given to writing reviews I was just listening to the authors closing words, describing her chance discovery of old documents relating to this case and her excitement at the prospect of where they could lead, I felt inspired to congratulate her.
I have been utterly absorbed in this unfolding story, enhanced by the completely believable performances of the narrators. I thought it was a true story, then I doubted it because the characters personalities were so vivid. The author explains how this was achieved.
It’s a Victorian unsolved murder...I loved it.
I am immediately going to check whether she went on to write the one she hinted at
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 10-04-20
A good easy listen when walking or gardening.
Good suspense and insight into Victorian morality. No action but story is unwrapped carefully to maintain attention and interest.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- dancing girl
- 27-02-21
Gripping and moving
Compelling and evocative story. Crafted so beautifully that I feel I know historical characters and their fictionalised motivations.
Enriched by explanations by the author of her approach.
I'm going straight to find more work by Elizabeth Haynes.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Miss st Clair
- 06-01-23
Stunning mix of fact and fiction
What a thrilling and deeply sad story, albeit one that in many respects is all too common throughout the ages. The writing and narration have been excellent. I would recommend this to anyone.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Chantal
- 04-04-21
About twice as long as it should be
I bought this as I love historical crime fiction and come from Bromley but found the book very repetitive and the porn stuff too long and often gratuitous. But obviously everything is a matter of taste, this just wasn't mine.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- CM
- 21-06-19
Fascinating
This book fascinated me. I loved the way that the characters told their story and just as I was thinking I needed to hear Harriet's voice - there she was through her journal. It dealt so well with how women were viewed - and ignored - at that time and it was great to hear their voices. I really enjoyed hearing how the book came about especially as I had just been told of a local story around a similar time where people only know the first name of a young woman who met her death and it got me to wondering....
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kimberly
- 17-01-21
A tragic tale
This is a well written book based on a true murder. The author has built a story around the tragic facts in a very engaging way. The narrators performances are very good.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- S. Hobbs
- 03-05-20
Murder of Harriet monkton
Interesting theme of abuse-submission-arrogance under story line. Have we moved along from the 1800's?
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Deborah Plant
- 22-07-20
amazing!!!!!
such a well written, intelligent book, one of those you can't put down or really look forward to getting back too.
my heart went out to the poor girl who's story had obviously, transpiring through the words of this book,made the author become very attached to.
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