First published in 1991 by Headline in London and St Martins in New York, A Woman Scorned attracted the following notices:
* This lively account of life among the Anglo-Irish aristocracy combines absorbing historical background, a pleasing romance, and colorful characters — Publishers Weekly
* Macdonald presents another leisurely period novel of romantic and domestic dilemmas — but here, in a Victorian Irish setting, there's a strong lacing of fallout from a violent political crime backgrounding the lives of a clutch of bright young people ... Thoroughly enjoyable people and chat — for those fond of slow-paced tales in a low key. — Kirkus
* A historical romance which catches the flavour of turbulent times — Oxford Mail
And—of Macdonald himself:
*He is every bit as bad as Dickens – Martin Seymour-Smith
