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elysareadsitall's review against another edition
5.0
"The Art of English Murder" takes us from the beginning of the Victorian Era and their obsession with murder and public hangings to the Golden Age of detective fiction. This look at society and how an entertainment industry was born from brutality is deeply interesting. Worsley researched this book well and presented in an easily readable book that's hard to put down. There are several images in the book as well, so audiobook readers will want to check out the physical copy too.
bpacker22's review against another edition
3.0
The most important thing I learned, was that Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was the direct cause of Jack the Ripper and no one will ever be able to convince me otherwise.
Also a seaside holiday did cure a lot of illnesses because daily life tended to have a lot of airborne poisons they didn't know about back then.
Also a seaside holiday did cure a lot of illnesses because daily life tended to have a lot of airborne poisons they didn't know about back then.
amy_holden23's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.75
This started off super-good, but as time progressed, and the focus moved onto just crime novels compared to other manifestations, I found the sections a little jarring and repetitive.
Nevertheless, this was still really really interesting, focusing on why British people developed an interest in murder and the macabre,and how this was monopolised to make money.
Nevertheless, this was still really really interesting, focusing on why British people developed an interest in murder and the macabre,and how this was monopolised to make money.
mslucymarple's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. An interesting summary (rather than one area of detail) of how the British public have consumed murder as entertainment.
lambsears's review against another edition
4.0
A very readable look at the history of my favourite fictional reading genre - the murder mystery.
I recently discovered historian Lucy Worsley on television (Harlots, Housewives & Heroines - Women in the Restoration) and have thoroughly enjoyed her engaging manner when looking at history - a manner that carries through very well on paper, too.
If you like a nice British murder, then I'd suggest having a read of this book to find out why you are not alone.
I recently discovered historian Lucy Worsley on television (Harlots, Housewives & Heroines - Women in the Restoration) and have thoroughly enjoyed her engaging manner when looking at history - a manner that carries through very well on paper, too.
If you like a nice British murder, then I'd suggest having a read of this book to find out why you are not alone.