The Repentants

by Kate Foster

Her scandal. His revenge. The unforgettable new historical novel from award-winning author, Kate Foster.

St Monans, Fife, Scotland 1790. Two women are forced to publicly repent in church, one for adultery the other for breaching the sabbath. Wealthy housewife, Florrie, and salt serf, Eliza, form a quick and unusual bond over their mutual humiliation. So when Florrie’s husband decides she must accompany him on a trade venture to Iceland, she insists Eliza comes as her maid.

Far from home, isolated and fearful, the two women grow ever closer. Then Florrie’s husband reveals his sinister plan: he will leave her in Iceland, banished for the shame she has cast upon him. Florrie must escape, but when she turns to Eliza for help she realizes nothing is quite as it seems . . .

Inspired by an attempt by Scottish merchants to annex Iceland as a remote prison for the British Empire, The Repentants is a chilling tale of betrayal, exile and survival from the Women’s Prize long-listed author of The Maiden, Kate Foster.

Reviews of The Repentants

'Kate Foster is a rare and extraordinary talent. While bringing history to life, she can shock you, make you laugh, cry and gasp, but you never lose sight of the story or the important themes behind it. The Repentants is a remarkable tale that moves between Scotland and Iceland, on an emotional journey as wild as the waves between them. It’s nothing short of a masterpiece and Kate Foster’s best yet' – Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal

'I loved it! Original, fascinating and hugely compelling, The Repentants leaves a taste of salt, sulphur and a lust for life against all odds that lingers long after the last page' – Hester Musson, bestselling author of The Beholders

'I raced through The Repentants, as the plot twisted and turned in unexpected ways. This tale of three very different women all battling to reclaim some agency over their fate has many modern parallels without ever losing sight of its historical setting. A most enjoyable read' – Sally Hinchcliffe, author of Hare House

'A gripping read. The lives of three very different women become entangled in the harsh Icelandic landscape. Each struggles to find agency in the 18th century world where men's needs are met, but their own must be fought for. Refreshingly different' – Sarah Maine, author of The House Between Tides

'The Repentants will take you to the edge – to the remote wilds of Iceland and the remote wilds of a woman’s heart, both under siege by the men who wish to use them. A fight for survival that is witty, sharp and savage' – Cari Thomas, author of Threadneedle

'A gripping tale of three women's struggles to break free from a patriarchy that treats them as chattels of little value. The environment is bitter, but revenge can be both cold and sweet . . . Foster's best yet' – Alison Belsham, author of The Girls on Chalk Hill

'The Repentants is a compelling story of secrets, betrayals and triumphs, as three women battle to exert control over their own fates. A beautifully written, atmospheric page-turner of a novel' – Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women