Pretty Jane and the Viper of Kidbrooke Lane

Absolutely fascinating. Murphy brings to live a fascinating investigation of what is billed as the first unsolved murder in 1871 Victorian England. This book is great for true crime buffs, lovers of social histories , and those who are fascinated by the mores of nineteenth century England. Highly recommended.

In the 21st century we have become used to crime and used to the way that police apprehend criminals and lock them away. 19th century London was a world away from fingerprints and DNA and police had to rely on witnesses and their own instincts. In April in 1871, a constable walking his London beat was horrified to come upon a young woman kneeling in the street. She has been beaten so savagely, she had lost an eye and part of her skull. Before she lost consciousness, she begged him to let her die. She got her wish days later. The local police and Scotland Yard, overseen by detective John Mulvaney, learned that the woman was a maid for the Pook family and that she was pregnant with Edmund Pook’s child. What followed, to our 21st century eyes, appears to be a farce, with incompetent police work and a trial ending in the main suspect declared not guilty. Murphy peels back the layers of the case, not unlike an onion to show what may have really happened that April night. Mesmerizing

I had the pleasure of reading Paul Thomas Murphy's "Shooting Victoria" last year and really enjoyed it. So when I saw his latest book pop up on NetGalley, I knew I wanted to read it. When I was approved for a copy, I started reading it right away and devoured it. This is another great one by Murphy.

I expected this to be just about the murder of Jane, but Murphy dives in deep. Not only do we get a fascinating account of the events surrounding Jane's actual murder, but we follow the court battle and its aftermath. More than that, Murphy goes into how the murder affected and was reflected in the culture. Murphy goes far beyond the basic timeline events and, through his intensive research, adds so much to this tale.

I don't want to say too much as I think this book is best if you go into it knowing as little about the crime as possible, but I'll say that if you like true crime, non-fiction, and/or history, I'd highly recommend this book (and if you like this one, don't forget to check out "Shooting Victoria").

Loved this book. Fascinatng look at solving a crime without all the tools we take for granted after watching CSI and Law & Order. Read like a novel.