The Invention of Murder

Murderinthenineteenthcenturywasrare.Butmurderassensationandentertainmentbecameubiquitous,withcold-bloodedkillingstransformedintonovels,broadsides,ballads,opera,andmelodrama—evenintopuppetshowsandperformingdog-acts.Detectivefictionandthenewpoliceforcedevelopedinparallel,eachimitatingtheother—thefoundersofScotlandYardgaverisetoDickens'sInspectorBucket,thefirstfictionalpolicedetective,whointurninfluencedSherlockHolmesand,ultimately,evenP.D.JamesandPatriciaCornwell.Inthismeticulouslyresearchedandengrossingbook,JudithFlandersretellsthegruesomestoriesofmanydifferenttypesofmurder,bothfamousandobscure:fromGreenacre,whotransportedhisdismemberedfiancéearoundtownbyomnibus,toBurkeandHare'sbodysnatchingbusinessinEdinburgh;fromthecrimes(andmyths)ofSweeneyToddandJacktheRipper,tothetragedyofthemurderedMarrfamilyinLondon'sEastEnd.Throughthesestoriesofmurder—fromthebrutaltothepathetic—Flandersbuildsarichandmulti-facetedportraitofVictoriansociety.Withanirresistiblecastofswindlers,forgers,andpoisoners,themad,thebadandtheutterlydangerous,TheInventionofMurderisbothamesmerizingtaleofcrimeandpunishment,andhistoryatitsmostreadable.