Top reviews

• Bookseller review

  A Tantalising Mixture of History and Crime

  Totally deserving of the Samuel Johnson prize for non-fiction. Kate Summerscale's account of the Road Hill house murder and the eminent detective Jack Whicher is as interesting as it is absorbing. A must read for fans of history and crime alike!

  Review by Beccy of the Borders on 2009-01-23 12:59:29

• Bookseller review

  It really is like playing a game of cluedo!

  This true story has all the hallmarks of a classic gripping murder mystery. A body, a detective, a country house and a whole family of suspects with plenty of skeletons in the closet. This is a brilliantly bewitching true story of an unimaginably gruesome murder.

  Review by Jen of the Cheshire Oaks Borders on 2009-01-23 20:17:47

• Bookseller review

  The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: or the Murder at Road Hill House

  Midnight on 30th June 1860 & all is quiet in the Kent family's elegant house in Wiltshire. Next morning, they wake to find that their youngest son has been the victim of a gruesome murder. Even worse, the murderer is surely one of their number, the house was bolted from the inside. This has all the hallmarks of a classic murder mystery. A body, a detective, a country house & a family of suspects!

  Review by Liz of the Bournemouth Borders on 2009-01-27 14:10:52

• Bookseller review

  NEW to paperback now in our 3 for 2 deal

  Kate Summerscale brings this inspirational murder case vividly alive, giving a fascinating insight to the lives of those entangled in Mr Whichers suspicions. As this case unravels you can almost feel the uproar the media created in Victorian Britain.

  Review by Laurie Gallagher of the Norwich Borders on 2009-02-09 10:28:53

• Bookseller review

  A body, a detective, a country house steeped in secrets and a whole family of suspects - it's the original Victorian whodunnit.

  It's midnight on 30th June 1860 and all is quiet in the Kent family's elegant house in Wiltshire. The next morning, however, they wake to find that their youngest son has been the victim of a gruesome murder. Even worse, the guilty party is surely one of their number...

  Review by Steve of the Bournemouth Borders on 2009-02-12 14:38:50

• Bookseller review

  A classic Victorian who-dunnit

  When the youngest member of the Kent family is found murdered it is the job of the celebrated Jack Whicher, one of the country's first detectives to catch the culprit. With all fingers pointed at one of the family or servants this case created national hysteria and inspired the works of some of Victorian Englands most celebrated writers.

  Review by Gary May of the London - Whiteleys Books Etc on 2009-04-01 16:15:00

• Bookseller review

  Thoroughly researched and engaging throughout

  A fascinating blend of history and true-crime. Summerscale investigates the truths and mysteries surrounding an 1860 child murder case and provides a history of policing, newspapers and crme fiction to boot.

  Review by Vanessa of the Preston Borders on 2009-04-07 19:45:47

• Bookseller review

  Great Non-Fiction

  When little Saville is found dead just outside his house one thing is for certain: he has been killed by a family member of someone in the house. Mr Whicher is one of only 8 detectives in England at the time and it is his job to find out who did it. Amazing story, and totally true.

  Review by Elena of the Swansea Borders on 2009-11-02 18:40:48

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