Customer Reviews:
 Terrible September 7, 2008
3 out of 8 found this review helpful
One of the few books I simply could not finish. To hard to slog all the way through it. Not the fast paced real life crime thriller I was looking for.
 True crime lovers and detective fiction fans, unite! September 6, 2008
A smart new approach on a story told many times over - the author takes the infamous Road Hill murder as a window through which to tell the story of one of England's first real detectives, and then further explores the impact/relationships to public/media views of other famous cases of the day, and then the impact on the detective fiction genre.
Although the fiction she references is mostly 19th century and therefore leaves out the great writers of the 20th century, I found this study fascinating, and it's led me to seek out some of these old stories for the first time.
As a student of real life crimes, I was a bit surprised not to see any reference to subsequent famous cases that have so many parallels - notably Lizzie Borden, the Lindbergh kidnapping, and JonBenet Ramsay. My guess is the author preferred to keep the scope of the book firmly in the 1800s, and within the borders of England.
Although I bought the book wanting to read the Road Hill story - which covers about half the content - it was a happy surprise to gain all this additional information and insight. While some reviewers might have liked the focus to be entirely on that case, it really doesn't make sense given that it's been written about many times, and the author doesn't have the excuse of new evidence or theories to retell it once again. Instead, she uses it to bring to life so much more.
not a historical fiction mystery September 3, 2008
1 out of 7 found this review helpful
if you like to read boring history books you'll love this one. if you think you're going to read an interesting historical fiction novel you'll be sorely disappointed.
Gripping True Crime Story August 29, 2008
This story was totally engrossing, more so because it is a true story. As a fan of fictional detective literature, I had to keep reminding myself that this was factual. Compelling reading.
Superb August 28, 2008
Well-written, interesting subject with several twists and turns (I don't want to give away the ending). Neatly connects several themes - the specific murder in this case, the rise of the professional detective, Victorian England family and commercial life, etc. A fascinating story, well-researched and well-told.
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