The Confessions of Frannie Langton

A Novel

By: Sara Collins

Narrated by: Sara Collins, Roy McMillan

A servant and former slave is accused of murdering her employer and his wife in this astonishing historical thriller that moves from a Jamaican sugar plantation to the fetid streets of Georgian London - a remarkable literary debut with echoes of Alias Grace, The Underground Railroad, and The Paying Guests.

All of London is abuzz with the scandalous case of Frannie Langton, accused of the brutal double murder of her employers, renowned scientist George Benham and his eccentric French wife, Marguerite. Crowds pack the courtroom, eagerly following every twist, while the newspapers print lurid theories about the killings and the mysterious woman being tried at the Old Bailey.

The testimonies against Frannie are damning. She is a seductress, a witch, a master manipulator, a whore.

But Frannie claims she cannot recall what happened that fateful evening, even if remembering could save her life. She doesn’t know how she came to be covered in the victims’ blood. But she does have a tale to tell: a story of her childhood on a Jamaican plantation, her apprenticeship under a debauched scientist who stretched all bounds of ethics, and the events that brought her into the Benhams’ London home - and into a passionate and forbidden relationship.

Though her testimony may seal her conviction, the truth will unmask the perpetrators of crimes far beyond murder and indict the whole of English society itself.

The Confessions of Frannie Langton is a breathtaking debut: a murder mystery that travels across the Atlantic and through the darkest channels of history. A brilliant, searing depiction of race, class, and oppression that penetrates the skin and sears the soul, it is the story of a woman of her own making in a world that would see her unmade.

©2019 Sara Collins (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

All Manner of Vice

This story was very dark. It included murder, greed, adultery, drug addiction, incest, and on and on. Overall, it was a well-written narrative and a convincing performance.

Well written but a little drawn out

Beautiful prose and a great performance but the story became somewhat tedious in the second half

Wasnt sure about this but glad i read it

Very eye opening story about the transition from slave time to “freedom “. As a Jamaican woman , this was very entertaining and enjoyed the end. Made me think about how past events affects the mental of the slave descendants Great read

Tragic

Frannie’s life was very difficult. The misconception of what a person of color is (a creation or of limited intelligence) was very disturbing. Her original owner Langston was a vile human being and her early life sparked a profound distaste for all that she had to endure. Langstons’s testing on “black” people to document a scientific paper was abhorrent not to mention his behavior toward her and others in the Jamaican household. Then he takes her to England and leaves her with the Benhams,another family with a compromised lifestyle and she is further demoralized until she is accused of murdering the husband and wife. Frannie’s telling of the story was tragic. From a naive child to the women in prison this story was a really hard read. I appreciate the author’s research but the tone of the book was truly sad.

Amazing Story

LOVED how complex and delicate this story is. Frannie, Phibbah and Sal will stay with me for a long while. I fear white women like Miss-Bella and Meg *shudders* who play with a different kind of cruel than men like Mr. Benham and Langton.
Amazing story, I had to listen to the book at 1.5x the speed because it felt a little too slow but I really like when authors do their own narration.

I was hooked ........

Wow. I wanted to call into work sick so I could listen to this book! The writing is beautiful, had interesting characters, and turns I didn’t see coming. The authors narration put me in a trance. Her voice is mesmerizing. Loved it.

Amazing listen

I enjoyed this book thoroughly!! I was captivated from beginning to end! Thank you for this!!

Fantastic

The story, performance and themes of this novel are all incredible. Ruch, textured, and incredibly well-written. 10/10/10!!!

Entertaining Book

Despite the narration (I wish the author had chosen not to read her own book), I enjoyed the overall story. It took me a while to "get over" the narration as it was a bit monotone most of the time.

Great story, not so great narration.

This story has it all. I love historical fiction and this was no exception. An interesting look at slavery in Jamaica.WhenFranny is brought to England begin to get to know herOn on an entirely different level. Her relationship with the lady of the house is extremely dangerous. The reader knows that nothing good can come of this relationship.

The narration, however, Detracts from the story. It's unfortunate that so many authors read their own books even when they should not. The narrator's accent proves very confusing and difficult to understand when different characters are being portrayed.