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Invitation to a Hanging
Mondak is a dying place Adam longs to escape.
In 1903, Alta, a sheltered socialite, marries a charming entrepreneur and runs away with him to boomtown on the prairie seeking romance and adventure. Years later, her orphan son discovers a prostitute's diary while scavenging buildings for the town boss. The diary and a mangy circus tiger guide Adam on his journey through the past.
Invitation to a Hanging is the story of a place where desperation and dreams collide and a boy fights to find himself.
In 1903, Alta, a sheltered socialite, marries a charming entrepreneur and runs away with him to boomtown on the prairie seeking romance and adventure. Years later, her orphan son discovers a prostitute's diary while scavenging buildings for the town boss. The diary and a mangy circus tiger guide Adam on his journey through the past.
Invitation to a Hanging is the story of a place where desperation and dreams collide and a boy fights to find himself.
318 pages, Paperback
Published January 21, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 14, 2023
Rathert's turns of phrase and framing were beautifully done in this historical fiction piece that takes place in two different decades. While I do feel the editing process let the author down a little, i would hope that does not deter readers from persisting- I felt the author deserved a bit better because she writes so beautifully about Mondak, North Dakota, which is set right on the border with Montana. Rathert's story has it all- great research, pace, and the plot comes together seamlessly. And of course, like any good book does, by the end I wanted some characters to prevail, others to lose and for those who might lose to get a comeuppance. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. It's not a "happily ever after" kind of story but we come to a place in the end where dogged tenacity rules the day and the victories that do occur are hard won. I highly recommend "Invitation" to people who like historical fiction, especially fiction that is set on the American frontier. Rathert has all the makings of one to watch.
March 9, 2023
This book is not from a major publisher - so consider it a major find!
In her new historical-fiction novel, “Invitation to a Hanging,” author Karin Rathert transports us to the early-1900s misfit town of Mondak, which straddles the border between Montana and North Dakota: one side of Main Street is dry, the other besotted by vice as saloon patrons worry at the creeping prospect of prohibition. A North Dakota native herself, Rathert excavates her homeland’s fraught past while crafting a mysterious, compelling tale of deception, scandal and murder, all told from the alternating perspectives of an ensemble cast that includes a would-be heiress, a drunkard and a conniving grifter. From a violent traveling circus show to a cursed brothel to a harrowing “hospital” for Native Americans, justice is scarce on the frontier. Coursing throughout is an aching search for identity by these disparate, troubled characters on the windswept plain. Accept Rathert’s “Invitation” - and get swept away yourself.
In her new historical-fiction novel, “Invitation to a Hanging,” author Karin Rathert transports us to the early-1900s misfit town of Mondak, which straddles the border between Montana and North Dakota: one side of Main Street is dry, the other besotted by vice as saloon patrons worry at the creeping prospect of prohibition. A North Dakota native herself, Rathert excavates her homeland’s fraught past while crafting a mysterious, compelling tale of deception, scandal and murder, all told from the alternating perspectives of an ensemble cast that includes a would-be heiress, a drunkard and a conniving grifter. From a violent traveling circus show to a cursed brothel to a harrowing “hospital” for Native Americans, justice is scarce on the frontier. Coursing throughout is an aching search for identity by these disparate, troubled characters on the windswept plain. Accept Rathert’s “Invitation” - and get swept away yourself.
February 15, 2023
I have four criteria when it comes to novels (a great story being a given). Does it get the projector in my head rolling? Do I feel separation anxiety when I have to do something besides reading it? Does it stay with me when I've finished? Do I want more from this writer? Yes, to all. Looking forward to the next novel or the cinematic version of this one, whichever comes first.
February 18, 2023
A beautifully written story of the long-lost days of the West; a nearly forgotten way of life. Abuse, mystique, desperation, family secrets, and learning where you truly belong - it's all here. The characters are so vivid and the town of Mondak comes alive on the pages. This is a great book for book clubs and those who enjoy a tragic, yet well-written story. I highly recommend it!
January 8, 2023
I loved how the story unfolds- revealing characters, place, history, and transformation. A great read that transports you into a different time and place, with reference to historic touch points along the way. Highly recommend. Looking forward to more from this author.
April 15, 2023
Invitation To a Hanging, by Karin Rathert, draws you in from the very first sentence… “The children were embarrassed by the circus. They sat silently on the corner benches, pulling on the too-tight collars of their mission school uniforms…”
The reader finds herself smack in the midst of a scene of wildness and swirling action and doesn’t stop there. Rathert is a nuanced writer who builds the scene at one level with the physical chaos of a circus and at a deeper emotionally chaotic level of the inner experiences of the children. With her first sentence we are drawn into an experience of the world through their eyes, and each word with which she builds the scene draws us more deeply into a felt experience. It’s a powerful start to a book which continues to draw the reader in with beautifully descriptive, and not overly detailed. Rathert leaves enough to our imagination that we are allowed to build our own visuals while being pulled steadily into the storyline.
There are enough other reviews that describe the plot, and what I think is just as inviting about Rathert’s storytelling is the elegant and evocative language and her characters. I fell a little (read, a lot) in love with Alta whom we meet and get to know more deeply as Rathert weaves the characters together by allowing each one a chapter at a time. I grew to love her strength and calm clarity especially in a later chapter where Alta’s growing confidence shines in the following conversation, “Clarence had a pleading look—he didn’t like conflict. She should obey and everything would be fine was the unspoken message. Fighting was pointless. At least, that’s what it looked like to Alta. “Why would I trade one husband for another?…“No,” Alta said, in a tone that surprised even herself. She looked back at the window and took a breath. The thought occurred that she was late. But she couldn’t be pregnant. She didn’t feel pregnant. “No?” “You know I can’t accept his terms, Clarence.” How dare he? She would not be bartered like a horse, and that’s how her father was treating her. Like a horse to be traded. “I was afraid you’d say that . . .” “How absolutely ludicrous.”
What I loved most about this book is Rathert’s use of language to build scenes where I truly imagined myself as being “in the action”. Her characters are deftly written and even when I thought I didn’t like one at the beginning, I grew to empathise with each of them and found myself respecting each one as well- a wonderful place to find oneself when finishing a novel.
Don’t let the title put you off! This is a novel with heart and soul and is worth every minute of reading, especially when you slow down and savour the writing. If you are looking for your next great book..look no further!
The reader finds herself smack in the midst of a scene of wildness and swirling action and doesn’t stop there. Rathert is a nuanced writer who builds the scene at one level with the physical chaos of a circus and at a deeper emotionally chaotic level of the inner experiences of the children. With her first sentence we are drawn into an experience of the world through their eyes, and each word with which she builds the scene draws us more deeply into a felt experience. It’s a powerful start to a book which continues to draw the reader in with beautifully descriptive, and not overly detailed. Rathert leaves enough to our imagination that we are allowed to build our own visuals while being pulled steadily into the storyline.
There are enough other reviews that describe the plot, and what I think is just as inviting about Rathert’s storytelling is the elegant and evocative language and her characters. I fell a little (read, a lot) in love with Alta whom we meet and get to know more deeply as Rathert weaves the characters together by allowing each one a chapter at a time. I grew to love her strength and calm clarity especially in a later chapter where Alta’s growing confidence shines in the following conversation, “Clarence had a pleading look—he didn’t like conflict. She should obey and everything would be fine was the unspoken message. Fighting was pointless. At least, that’s what it looked like to Alta. “Why would I trade one husband for another?…“No,” Alta said, in a tone that surprised even herself. She looked back at the window and took a breath. The thought occurred that she was late. But she couldn’t be pregnant. She didn’t feel pregnant. “No?” “You know I can’t accept his terms, Clarence.” How dare he? She would not be bartered like a horse, and that’s how her father was treating her. Like a horse to be traded. “I was afraid you’d say that . . .” “How absolutely ludicrous.”
What I loved most about this book is Rathert’s use of language to build scenes where I truly imagined myself as being “in the action”. Her characters are deftly written and even when I thought I didn’t like one at the beginning, I grew to empathise with each of them and found myself respecting each one as well- a wonderful place to find oneself when finishing a novel.
Don’t let the title put you off! This is a novel with heart and soul and is worth every minute of reading, especially when you slow down and savour the writing. If you are looking for your next great book..look no further!
March 9, 2023
This book dances through time and weaves multiple character’s stories together with the main setting being a real town of the early 1900s rural west: Mondak, ND. The town is no more but Rathert succeeds at bringing it and its fictionalized people to life through an evocative writing style. Between ghosts, alcoholism, frontier dreams, horse vs. automobile and social maneuverings there is a lot to discover and discuss. For anyone but especially for a book group who is ready for something layered and a bit dark, I recommend Invitation to a Hanging.
August 23, 2025
I really enjoyed some of the historical places that are in this book. As a North Dakota man, growing up in the western part of the state, this book educated me on a few places that I didn’t realize existed!
The descriptive storytelling was well done. My only criticism is I felt the ending was slightly rushed. It wasn’t a bad ending, I just think it could’ve been a chapter or two longer.
The descriptive storytelling was well done. My only criticism is I felt the ending was slightly rushed. It wasn’t a bad ending, I just think it could’ve been a chapter or two longer.
May 17, 2023
An unoriginal story with uninspiring character arcs.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews