Mrs Burke & Mrs Hare
By (Author) Michelle Sloan
Birlinn General
Polygon An Imprint of Birlinn Limited
1st November 2025
17th July 2025
United Kingdom
General
Fiction
Historical crime and mysteries
Thriller / suspense fiction
823.92
Paperback
352
Width 129mm, Height 198mm, Spine 22mm
231g
In the shadowy closes of Edinburgh's Old Town, sixteen people are murdered to feed surgeon Dr Robert Knox's insatiable need for his anatomy classes. Burke and Hare and their wives, Lucky and Nelly, are all complicit, but only Burke swings for their crimes. Lucky, Nelly and Hare go on the run from the angry mob, reinvention their only means of survival.
Years later, journalist Duncan Fletcher hears rumours of sightings of the two women. Keen to impress his editor, Duncan investigates the aftermath of the murder trial. With cobbler Joseph Campbell in tow, Duncan's quest leads him to the backstreets of London, where the horrors of the past collide with the present.
The time for retribution has come.
'Between the covers of Mrs Burke and Mrs Hare lies the tale of two impressively cunning women who bring vigour and vitality to the page. Through their characters, the story explores history, politics, and the unfairness of power'
* Gutter, July Book of the Month *Michelle Sloan trained as a primary school teacher and studied drama and arts journalism. She is the author of several books for children. The Edinburgh Skating Club is her debut adults' novel. Originally from Edinburgh, Michelle now lives in Broughty Ferry with her family.