How to Measure a Cow is the last novel published by British author Margaret Forster who died in 2016.

Tara Fraser spent 11 years in prison then moved to Workington to escape from her violent past in London and changes her name to Sarah Scott.

She befriends her neighbour Nancy Armstrong, a widow who keeps herself to herself, Nancy slowly makes friends with Sarah.

Tara later makes contact with her three London school friends and tries to make up with them with mixed results...