Overview

In Mrs Burke & Mrs Hare, Michelle Sloan retells the infamous Burke and Hare murders from a new angle by placing the focus on their wives. Set in the dark and crowded streets of Edinburgh in the late 1820s, the story follows Helen, known as Nelly Burke, and Margaret “Lucky” Hare as they live alongside the crimes that made their husbands notorious. Years later, a young journalist begins to dig into their lives, uncovering what they knew, what they did, and how much they were willing to accept in order to survive.

Writing & Voice

We found the writing clear, direct, and easy to follow, even when dealing with grim subject matter. Sloan handles the violence and poverty of the time without excess, letting atmosphere and detail do the work. The shifts between the original crimes and the later investigation feel controlled and help build a steady sense of tension.

Characters

Nelly Burke is shown as torn between loyalty and horror as the truth of her husband’s actions becomes impossible to ignore. Lucky Hare is sharper and more determined, driven by ambition and a need to assert control in a world stacked against her. The journalist, Duncan Fletcher, acts as a bridge between past and present, slowly piecing together their stories and questioning how history has judged them.

Themes

The novel looks closely at power, class, and gender in nineteenth century Edinburgh. It asks who gets blamed, who gets forgotten, and who controls the story once the crimes are over. We appreciated how the book challenges the idea that these women were simply bystanders, showing how survival can blur moral lines.

What Worked

• A fresh perspective focusing on the wives adds depth to a well known historical crime.
• Evocative setting the closes and lodgings of Old Town Edinburgh feel claustrophobic and real.
• Layered storytelling the dual timeline helps explore both the crimes and their lasting impact.

Minor Quibbles

• Readers already familiar with the Burke and Hare story may recognise many key events.
• The movement between time periods can occasionally slow the pace.

Final Thoughts

Mrs Burke & Mrs Hare is a thoughtful and unsettling look at a notorious chapter in Edinburgh’s past, giving voice to women history has largely ignored.

Rating: ★★★★☆ / 5