Description

Book Synopsis

‘Compelling…taut and suspenseful’ Guardian

Tara Fraser has a secret.

Desperate to escape herself and her past, she changes her name, packs up her London home and moves to a town in the North of England where she knows no one.

But one of her new neighbours, Nancy, is intrigued by her. And as hard as Tara tries to distance herself, she starts to drop her guard.

Then a letter arrives. An old friend wants to meet up. Struggling to keep her old life at bay, Tara soon discovers the dangers of fighting the past.



Trade Review
The work of a novelist in her prime… The narrative is taut and suspenseful, the characterization complex and dynamic. -- Stevie Davies * Guardian *
Brilliantly drawn… Atmosphere and characters linger long after the novel ends * Sunday Times *
Deft, intriguing and gripping. Forster never disappoints. -- Kate Williams * Woman & Home *
This is Margaret Forster's last novel, sadly, and it's full of reminders of what made her such a shrewd and arresting chronicler of women’s lives -- Hephzibah Anderson * Mail on Sunday *
An exemplary final work … wonderfully well-observed -- D.J. Taylor * The Times *

How to Measure a Cow

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    A Paperback / softback by Margaret Forster

    £13.49

    Includes FREE delivery

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Thu 15 Oct 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Penguin Random House Group
      Imprint Vintage
      Published 23 February 2017
      ISBN-13 9781784702304
      978-1784702304
      ISBN-10 1784702307

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      ‘Compelling…taut and suspenseful’ Guardian

      Tara Fraser has a secret.

      Desperate to escape herself and her past, she changes her name, packs up her London home and moves to a town in the North of England where she knows no one.

      But one of her new neighbours, Nancy, is intrigued by her. And as hard as Tara tries to distance herself, she starts to drop her guard.

      Then a letter arrives. An old friend wants to meet up. Struggling to keep her old life at bay, Tara soon discovers the dangers of fighting the past.



      Trade Review
      The work of a novelist in her prime… The narrative is taut and suspenseful, the characterization complex and dynamic. -- Stevie Davies * Guardian *
      Brilliantly drawn… Atmosphere and characters linger long after the novel ends * Sunday Times *
      Deft, intriguing and gripping. Forster never disappoints. -- Kate Williams * Woman & Home *
      This is Margaret Forster's last novel, sadly, and it's full of reminders of what made her such a shrewd and arresting chronicler of women’s lives -- Hephzibah Anderson * Mail on Sunday *
      An exemplary final work … wonderfully well-observed -- D.J. Taylor * The Times *

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