Print List Price:	$16.95
Kindle Price:	$5.55 Save $11.40 (67%)
Sold by:	Amazon.com Services LLC

Promotions apply when you purchase

Add an

audiobook with Audible narration for $7.49

Audiobook Price: $21.95

Save: $14.46 (66%)

Read with our free app

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.

Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

There was an error. We were unable to process your subscription due to an error. Please refresh and try again.

Follow the author

Elizabeth Haynes

+ Follow

More books from this author

The Murder of Harriet Monckton Kindle Edition

by Elizabeth Haynes (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.2 825 ratings

See all formats and editions

From the award-winning and bestselling 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 masterclass of suspense from one of our greatest crime writers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A thoroughly absorbing whodunnit, with an unexpected conclusion. Haynes’ novel is also a touching portrait of a young woman unjustly stigmatised by the prejudices of her day." The Sunday Times "Fans of The Suspicions Of Mr Whicher will love this novelisation of a real-life murder that shocked the inhabitants of a small Kentish town." Red ‘Ten Books to Read this Autumn

About the Author

Elizabeth Haynes is a police intelligence analyst, a civilian role which involves determining patterns in offending and criminal behavior. She lives in a village near Maidstone, Kent, with her husband and son.

Richard Reed is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and cofounder of Innocent Drinks, the Innocent Foundation, and Art Everywhere. He lives in the UK.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Prologue: Monday, 6th November, 1843 When Death comes to visit, he arrives clothed in the most unexpected of disguises. Harriet Monckton did not have time to think this, or remark upon something as profound as Death and Life. She did not even, in the end, have time to say her prayers or ask for help or confess her sins. But at least she was not alone. Such a privilege is not afforded to all; perhaps this act visited upon her was one of mercy. She did not deserve it – mercy, that is. Standing straightbacked, proud, a small frown as if she had been interrupted in the act of prayer, instead of what had actually just taken place, something far more earthly. The very air around her was filthy,contaminated. She reeked of sin. There had been conversation, a little of it: hushed, although this late and in this place there was nobody to hear. Perhaps someone might be walking home from a visit, along the lane, some thirty yards away, but, here, they were entirely alone. There is something else I could do to help you. She said, ‘I thought we agreed―’ You’re not the first girl to find herself in trouble, you know. It’s obvious to anyone with an eye and half a brain. Look at you. She even looked down at herself. Dresses hide a great deal, but there comes a point when the swelling of a girl’s belly lifts the bottom of her stays and the whole shape of her looks odd. Looks wrong. ‘If I just had enough money,’ she said, ‘then I should go away and not trouble anyone any further ... ’ This is a better way. Solves the problem altogether. Do you want it or not? ‘What is it?’ A draught. It will help you get back to the way you were; the effect is very quick. She considered it. She even looked at the bottle, although she did not read the label. If she had, she would have seen this: THE CORDIAL BALM OF SYRIACUM For treatment of those who have fallen into a state of chronic disability. Nervous disorders of every kind, sinkings, anxieties, and tremors which so dreadfully affect the weak and the sedentary will, in a short time, be succeeded by cheerfulness and every presage of health. Provided by R. and L. Perry, and Co. PERRY’S PURIFYING SPECIFIC PILLS 19, Berners Street, London The Cordial Balm of Syriacum, of course, was not what the bottle contained. ‘Surely it would be a terrible sin,’ she said, but already she was wavering. The look on her face. Dismissal, followed by doubt. Whatever plans she had made herself, they were not foolproof. Things could always go wrong. And how much easier it would be to wipe clean the slate, to start again. She would do things differently, of course. And her life could slip back to the way it was. She would be respectable, whole. She could go to Arundel, as she had planned to, before her problem manifested itself. She could still – although she was getting on in age – make a fair match. All of these thoughts visible on her face. ‘Will it hurt?’ she asked, and Death rubbed his hands with glee, knowing she was almost his. A little, perhaps. Not much worse than you suffer every month. It will be quick. It wasn’t a lie, not really. At least this particular suffering would be over with swiftly, and she would, actually, get back to the way she had been, albeit the state of existence before she was born. The state of oblivion. There was a moment’s hesitation, but then she uncorked the bottle and drank the contents down. Her last act on earth was a brave one. Perhaps that would make a difference. The look upon her face at the end, after the initial spasms and the shock of the pain that seared down her gullet as the poison took effect – thirty-five grains of it, they would estimate, when three-quarters of a grain was supposed enough to kill a man – was almost one of peace. Surprise, perhaps, that it should end thus. And here, of all places, illuminated only by a guttering candle. The supplier of the poison could slip away unnoticed. The agony was swift and profound. The spasms caused her to bite down on her tongue and arch backwards as she fell. There were no screams. Nothing but a squeak, and some rasping sound like someone trying to clear their throat. By the time she hit the floor, she was already dead. Dark blood bubbled from between her lips, the colour of varnish. Her eyes were half open, glassy. For some moments, there was silence. She would have to be moved, of course; she could not stay here. The second part of the plan was set in motion. Half lifted, half dragged ... but then the small bottle that had been clutched in her spasmed fingers slipped free and clinked on to the stone floor, along with some coins. She was heavier than she looked. Perhaps she could be left, after all. The world would forget about Harriet Monckton. Within a few years, even her family would cease to talk about her. Just another girl who had fallen into sin, like so many others. It was better this way. After the initial shock, her family would thrive without her; her friends would be able to resume their lives in peace. The town would go back to the way it was, eventually: honest, righteous, sure in the knowledge that order had been restored. There had been no other choice. For the greater good, it had to be done. From outside the chapel came the sound of footsteps on the flagstones. Someone was coming.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07GJRJHYQ
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Myriad Editions (September 28, 2018)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 28, 2018
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2335 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 525 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #959,979 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,707 in Historical British Fiction
- #4,263 in Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction
- #6,702 in Historical Mysteries (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.2 825 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Elizabeth Haynes

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Elizabeth Haynes worked for many years as a police intelligence analyst. Her debut novel, Into the Darkest Corner, won Amazon's Book of the Year in 2011 and Amazon's Rising Star Award for debut novels.

Elizabeth grew up in Sussex and studied English, German and Art History at Leicester University. She now lives in North Norfolk. Elizabeth is a regular participant in, and a Municipal Liaison for, National Novel Writing Month - Nanowrimo - an annual challenge to write 50,000 words in the month of November.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5

825 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

eevans

Interesting story

Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2020

Verified Purchase

I lived in this English village, "Bromley" for a few years and found it intriguing to read this story that happened there. I bought this for that reason and although the event happened so long ago, I could imagine the setting as how it must have been. The book had a few tedious spots that seemed repetitious, but I was able to hang in to the end.

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2019

Verified Purchase

I started reading this not knowing it was actually based on a true story. I have googled Harriet Monckton and it
truly is a fascinating unsolved murder mystery, but the author has fictionalised it slightly - it is written in a
compelling way and it is the author's take on the facts.

Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2021

Verified Purchase

Book came in the same box with clothes but a lot of the pages were bent and so was the back cover like someone had been reading it

Helpful

L. Lyons

Like the Endless Inquest

Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2019

Mixed reaction. Intriguing and tedious in equal measure. It goes on and on and on like the endless inquest. I am 411 pages in and find that I don’t care who killed Harriet Monckton. I just want everyone to be put out of their misery. Ms. Haynes needed a better editor. And yet there is something about it that interests.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

J

Highly recommend!

Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2018

Verified Purchase

Excellent book!!! Set in the mid 19th century and based on a true story so it's a bit different from her other work. Very atmospheric - she really has a gift for writing about this period. Great mystery with a very interesting twist at the end.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Jill-Elizabeth (Jill Franclemont)

A well-crafted tale of a real-life unsolved murder in 1840s England...

Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2019

This was a wonderful find that arrived, quite literally, on my doorstep. I was sent a review copy by the good folks at Meryl Zegarek Public Relations. I hadn’t heard of the book or of Harriet Monckton, but was immediately drawn to the tale both by the blurb and the cover (mine is different than the one Amazon lists – and, I think, much more evocative; it is the one I’ve included as a result). My instincts proved strong on this one – I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, even despite it’s being a bit more drawn out than I think it had to be AND it’s being in a variety of narrative formats all presented as one tale.

I’m not normally a fan of unusual writing formats. I often find them to distract me from the essential telling of the story. In this book, Elizabeth Haynes has presented Harriet’s life and death through a mixture of first-person narration by each of the main characters involved in the investigation into the murder, letters from several characters, and Harriet’s diary entries. The actual whodunit is presented in an epilogue.

On it’s face, it’s a bit of a mish-mash of formats and frankly I wasn’t sure if it would work for me, but it absolutely did. I found myself drawn into the first-person perspectives immediately; each is differentiated by an identifier, so it was always clear whose point of view the reader was engaging in. I think the first-person format is the easiest way to draw readers in; it’s almost impossible not to find yourself in the midst of the action when reading it in first person. The diary and letter entries were a great way to add the behind-the-scenes details that would have been difficult to incorporate otherwise, and the epilogue was necessary to solve the riddle.

I must admit that I found the first-person sections to run a little long and to start to feel a bit redundant and drawn out – although that may have been intentional, as a reflection of the extended nature of the inquest into Harriet’s death. It certainly added to the weighty feeling of desperation for conclusion, which I imagine must have been on the minds of all involved as things dragged out over a course of years. It did make the reading a bit slow-going for a while though… Still, I never lost interest and remained engaged and eager to see who was responsible – and when the conclusion was finally revealed, it caught me by surprise and I found the resolution most satisfying to read.

If you enjoy historical fiction that is immersive and fully pulls you into a time and place, you are likely to enjoy Haynes’ writing style. Her language pulled me into the characters’ lives and world from the opening pages. Harriet’s world is a dark and often unfortunate one, but Haynes presented it in a matter-of-fact style that I think made the emotional elements of the story resonate all the more strongly for it. There is an Afterword in which she explains which bits are fact and which extrapolation; I for one think she did an excellent job with her fictionalized elements. The story felt genuine and whole as she told it, which is a credit both to her writing and her research. From the looks of it, very few people did right by Harriet Monckton. Elizabeth Haynes is one of them.

Thanks to the author and Meryl Zegarek Public Relations for my obligation-free review copy.

Helpful

Maria Valdez Haubrich

Yay, a new book

Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2018

Verified Purchase

Been waiting for Haynes new book and I was happily surprised she wrote a different kind of book with so much historical reference. Loved it!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Florence

Useless

Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2019

Verified Purchase

I dislike that the CDs could only be played on a computer. Consequently, I did not listen to them.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Ravneet Kaur

a marvellous book of crime, suspicion, love, lust and betrayal!!

Reviewed in India on December 2, 2020

Verified Purchase

oh my god!!!!!!
this book has shook me. I finally finished it and I am so emotional right now.
I am so glad that Elizabeth Haynes took the time to write the story of Harriet Monckton-a woman who didn't get the justice she deserved.
the book was told from the points of views of people close to Harriet and since all of them are suspects, it is interesting to read about the inquest from their view. I loved how the author gave us a view into Harriet's mind through her diary and so we could relate to her and understand her for an innocent, scared and desperate woman that she was.
this book was emotional, captivating and so suspenseful. we are not told who the murderer is until the very last page but I was able to guess who it might be and I was somehow right. in real life, Harriet Monckton's murderer had not been identified and I am not sure if the murderer in book is the one in real life as well or not.
This book is definitely a must read, especially for Harriet and her son.
This book was my first Elizabeth Haynes book and I can’t read more from her.

product quality review: the book cover is in a beautiful color of midnight blue. the quality of the pages is great. it is a thick book and I am so glad I got a chance to read it. this book is also available in hardcover but it was in brown colour so I didn't buy it.

lm

delicious mystery

Reviewed in Canada on November 10, 2018

Verified Purchase

great suspense story, loved reading it. Full of intrigue, lust, and mystery, set in 1840s England.
The only big problem is the very poor editing in the Kindle edition, that should not happen, poor spelling errors, words split, some sentences convoluted - totally takes away from a great story. Smarten up Kindle editors!

Leigh ~ books.tea.and.me

Brilliant Read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2019

Verified Purchase

Whilst chatting with Elizabeth Haynes on Twitter, she said “you see why I didn’t want her to be forgotten?” and I absolutely did. Also, and most importantly all the other ‘Harriets’ living in a time when women were treated as inferior within a patriarchal and hypocritical society. This is a book that explores the plight of the unmarried female and is based on a true murder case; it is clear this book is a labour of love by the author to give this young woman a voice and a justice, albeit within a dramatic fictionalisation. I think, that’s a truly remarkable aim that is certainly fulfilled for the reader. I have thought a lot about this book since finishing it and how it’s a rich, gripping read that pulls you into the events after and finally leading up to the murder with an engaging and driven narrative.

Harriet Monckton was murdered on the 7th November 1843, only 23 years of age, unmarried and six months pregnant. The story is told through the different perspectives of Francis Williams; Reverend George Verrall; Thomas Churcher and Richard Field. All four voices each with a motive for murder. I really enjoyed the plot structure, moving between the perspectives of these central players. The very clever portrayal of three very different men who all affect Harriet’s life. Verrall’s narrative is particularly foul to read, as he justifies his lustful and abusive treatment of women as a religious act, and Field’s narrative, albeit a seemingly caring man, is not at all what he first seems. The fourth, Francis Williams is the female voice, develops a friendship with Harriet and her story is also significant as a study of the unmarried female with her own desires and challenges.

What follows is a dark and disturbing psychological study of this group of people as we follow the events after the murder and into the community that is at the heart of it all. Towards the end of the novel, Haynes has included Harriet’s fictional diary and this is the particularly poignant moment for the reader and the threads finally come together. I really ‘enjoyed’ this part of the book, even though it was really sad and frustrating to read.

In summary, this book is like going back in time, it’s engaging, driven and a great murder mystery. We also have a culprit at the end, albeit a fictional one; it could easily been seen as a real possibility. It’s a shame Harriet’s murderer was never found and made to pay for their crime, but at least Haynes has given us a plausible fictional one, and in that, there is some justice for Harriet’s story.

I thoroughly recommend this book – an addictive read!

2 people found this helpful

Dianne Guthrie

great story

Reviewed in Australia on February 15, 2021

Verified Purchase

Who killed Harriet ?
Why was Harriet killed ?
If you read this book you will find the answers wrapped up in a highly entertaining story.

Anna Bluebell

Am puzzled

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2020

Verified Purchase

This is a well-written book and a good read. It was based on facts; however, I was puzzled at the mention of someone in the book living in Telford in the 1840s - so far as I am aware, Telford was created a new town some 50 or so years ago and was then named after Thomas Telford. I do not know of any area/hamlet/village around here in Shropshire that had the name of Telford before the new town was built. It's a minor detail but a bit mystifying to me. Shifnal was also mentioned, which is credible as it is an older place. I just wondered if I was missing a trick and there was somewhere called Telford pre-Telford? It just jarred with the assertion that it was based on fact, that's all. I am happy to be corrected on this if anybody knows. Thanks. Meanwhile, yes, a book well-worth the story.

Buy for others

Buying and sending eBooks to others

Follow the author

Image Unavailable

The Murder of Harriet Monckton Kindle Edition

Customers who bought this item also bought

Editorial Reviews

Review

About the Author

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Product details

Videos

About the author

Elizabeth Haynes

Customer reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries