Synopsis
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.
'Nothing short of a masterpiece' - Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal
Praise for Kate Foster:
'Tense, thrilling . . . with a decidedly feminist slant' – Daily Mail
'The tension persists until the last page' - The Times
'Enthralling, compelling and at times chilling. Foster transports the reader back in time, bringing alive the forgotten and hidden voices of women in the past' – D. V. Bishop, author of City of Vengeance
Details
28 May 2026
9781035052103Reviews
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
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
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
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
