In 1829 Iceland, a young woman was accused of a brutal murder. In Hannah Kent's Burial Rites, the story of the young woman, Agnes, is explored for the first time. More than just a "true crime" narrative, the novel focuses on Agnes's own tragic story and the rumours that spread following her conviction, painting a portrait of fear and whispers alongside that of a dignified woman who has done her best with what life has given her.