SOLVED. Adult Historical Mystery (of sorts) - Public execution (hanging?) of young woman in 17th or 18th century England. Autopsy is performed. 3 different narrators change reader's perspective of what happened. Read around 2010. Spoiler ahead. [s]

[Joseph]

I read this book probably 10 years ago and think it was probably published late 20th/early 21st century. I remember thinking that the title word was unusual, that I didn't know it. I think it was either "A _____________" or "The __________".

The book describes the public execution (by hanging I think) of a young woman. She's rushed into an autopsy and the person performing the autopsy won't allow observers. The book is told in 3 overlapping parts by 3 different narrators, which each narration changing the reader's perspective on what happened and why.
-----------------------SPOILER--------------------------------






The third part/narration reveals that the young woman didn't die after all, and that the person performing the autopsy helped her fake her death to escape.

[Kris]

Joseph, is this book for adults or teens?

What was the young woman's crime?

I added some details to the header/topic title. You can update it by clicking the small "edit" link after the header. This only works on the full Desktop website - not the Mobile website or app. (On the Mobile website, click the "Desktop version" link at the bottom of the page.)

[Joseph]

Kris wrote: "Joseph, is this book for adults or teens?

What was the young woman's crime?

I added some details to the header/topic title. You can update it by clicking the small "edit" link after the header. T..."

Thank you! The "why" is revealed as you go.

[Kris]

You're welcome. Does it start in historical times and switch to modern day? I noticed "contemporary" in the header.

[Joseph]

No, I just meant that it was published in contemporary times. I'll remove. Thanks

[Kris]

Newes from the Dead by Mary Hooper?

Google search of Goodreads -
site:goodreads.com "historical fiction" "mystery" executed woman autopsy "narrators"

[Nóinín]

Joseph, I think you're looking for An Instance of the Fingerpost

[Nóinín]

Moved to "Solved" without further comment, meaning you have found your book? Which one, if any, of the above was it? Do you care to share?

[Kris]

I accidentally deleted Joseph's post confirming Newes from the Dead by Mary Hooper while deleting spam posts.