She was young, poor, and alone in a harsh, unforgiving Icelandic landscape — and then she was sentenced to die. In 1830, Agnes Magnúsdóttir became the last person executed in Iceland, beheaded by axe for the murder of a powerful man.

Nearly 200 years later, her story still lingers. Was she a cold-blooded killer, or a woman trapped by circumstance?

In this episode, we speak to author Hannah Kent, whose bestselling novel Burial Rites reimagines Agnes’s final days. We explore how one woman’s life — and death — became legend, and why capital punishment remains a reality for half the world’s population today.

You can read Burial Rites here. You can also find Always Home, Always Homesick here. 

CREDITS 

Guest: Hannah Kent

Host: Claire Murphy

Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

GET IN TOUCH

Follow us on TikTok @truecrimeconversations

Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note.

Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show, then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify. 

If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

She was young, poor, and alone in a harsh, unforgiving Icelandic landscape &mdash; and then she was sentenced to die. In 1830, Agnes Magn&uacute;sd&oacute;ttir became the last person executed in Iceland, beheaded by axe for the murder of a powerful man.
Nearly 200 years later, her story still lingers. Was she a cold-blooded killer, or a woman trapped by circumstance?
In this episode, we speak to author Hannah Kent, whose bestselling novel Burial Rites reimagines Agnes&rsquo;s final days. We explore how one woman&rsquo;s life &mdash; and death &mdash; became legend, and why capital punishment remains a reality for half the world&rsquo;s population today.
You can read Burial Rites <a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761263149/">here</a>. You can also find Always Home, Always Homesick <a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761567896/">here</a>.&nbsp;
CREDITS&nbsp;
Guest: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hannahkentwrites/?hl=en">Hannah Kent</a>
Host: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-murphy-52121979/?originalSubdomain=au">Claire Murphy</a>
Senior Producer:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahli-blackman-205a891b7/?originalSubdomain=au">Tahli Blackman</a>
Audio Producer: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobroundsound/?originalSubdomain=au">Jacob Round</a>
GET IN TOUCH
Follow us on TikTok <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@truecrimeconversations?lang=en">@truecrimeconversations</a>
Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:truecrime@mamamia.com.au">truecrime@mamamia.com.au</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960">send us a voice note.</a>
Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show, then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.&nbsp;
If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on <a href="tel:1300 22 4636">1300 22 4636</a>.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

True Crime Conversations explores the world's most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them. Hosted by Gemma Bath.

True Crime Conversations explores the world's most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them. Hosted by Gemma Bath.

True Crime Conversations

Hundreds Were Forced To Witness The Death Of Agnes Magnúsdóttir

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/d653d4a4-254b-4204-933f-b2ea00b7227d/transcript