A review by sbones
Scapegallows by Carol Birch

5.0

This is the second book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be my last. The descriptions are so life like that the part in the book in Newgate prison sent shivers through me, it felt like I was actually there with Margaret amongst the sights and smells! The story is of Margaret Catchpole who was from Suffolk and lived amongst smugglers in the late 1700’s. She became a servant to a wealthy family who treated her well and she become part of them but she also befriend criminals too. Because of this double life she leads and the love of one smuggler called Will this inevitably brings her downfall, but Margaret is a good person and has many lives like a cat and the author weaves her story beautifully. This is ultimately an adventure story of an incredible women who lived by her charm and wit and also this is based on the true story of the real Margaret Catchpole. This is well worth the read if you enjoy reading about little known historical people and how it was for them at a time when justice didn’t always favour the courageous.