Close your eyes and picture living in London during a time where beheading was a common occurrence.
This is the life of our protagonist, Moss. Her father is the man behind the executions and she is left to catch the heads in her basket, giving her the name “basket girl.” And the one thing she longs for most is the freedom of leaving her 12-year prison, The Tower! One day, she discovers a tunnel that leads her outside of The Tower. There, she meets Salter and together they hatch a plan to safely help her and her father escape their current predicament.
THE EXECUTIONER’S DAUGHTER by Jane Hardstaff is a thrilling gothic tale that features real myths involving river witches who snatch children that are too close to the water.
The story is written with amazing attention to detail, that places you directly in the centre of Moss’ madness.
WARNING: if you do not like detailed descriptions of the grim side of the 18th century, you might want to pick up a different book.
Rating: 4/5