deannamartin113's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
laurenjpegler's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! Such an interesting topic to read and learn about. It had such a great start, but I felt like she went a little off topic half way through, focusing on detective and thriller writers rather than the actual murders themselves. Still really good though! I love Worsley’s writing.
klou1985's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
beccakatie's review against another edition
dark
informative
fast-paced
3.75
This was a really interesting journey through how the British public have engaged with the concept of murder throughout the years, regarding it as a moral lesson, as entertainment, or a puzzle. Worsley writes with a gentle and approachable manner, slipping in her own experiences during research in a way that does not feel obtrusive, but rather adds good additional information.
I found it interesting how the book veered away from the Victorian engagement with real murder into fictionalised crimes in melodrama and early-twentieth century crime novels. I do feel like the shift could have been detailed in a slightly clearer way, perhaps more of a discussion about real crimes, especially as today there is still a fascination with murderers and serial killers, particularly through podcasts and documentaries.
I also feel that there was some repetition at times which pulled you out of the book - within the space of a couple of chapters, the same quote and point had been made three times, which created a disconcerting sense of déjà vu.
Overall though, I found the focus of how the public have interacted with the representation of murder a really interesting premise, as someone who consumes Christie novels and true crime podcasts. To trace the similar historical fascination was very grounding and insightful.
I found it interesting how the book veered away from the Victorian engagement with real murder into fictionalised crimes in melodrama and early-twentieth century crime novels. I do feel like the shift could have been detailed in a slightly clearer way, perhaps more of a discussion about real crimes, especially as today there is still a fascination with murderers and serial killers, particularly through podcasts and documentaries.
I also feel that there was some repetition at times which pulled you out of the book - within the space of a couple of chapters, the same quote and point had been made three times, which created a disconcerting sense of déjà vu.
Overall though, I found the focus of how the public have interacted with the representation of murder a really interesting premise, as someone who consumes Christie novels and true crime podcasts. To trace the similar historical fascination was very grounding and insightful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Violence
mike_brough's review against another edition
3.0
A quick gallop through the British (mainly English) fascination with murder over the last 200 years.
The first section, leading up to the Golden Age of detective fiction, is the more interesting with its focus on actual murders and how they were presented in the press of the time. The second half covers detective fiction more than actual murders and loses a bit of its immediacy.
This covers much of the same ground as three of Martin Edwards' books - The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books, The Golden Age of Murder and The Life of Crime. I'm reading the latter in parallel with Ms Worsley's book and keep thinking, 'But I've just read this'! This book is the less informative of the two.
A diverting and non-taxing read - that's about all.
The first section, leading up to the Golden Age of detective fiction, is the more interesting with its focus on actual murders and how they were presented in the press of the time. The second half covers detective fiction more than actual murders and loses a bit of its immediacy.
This covers much of the same ground as three of Martin Edwards' books - The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books, The Golden Age of Murder and The Life of Crime. I'm reading the latter in parallel with Ms Worsley's book and keep thinking, 'But I've just read this'! This book is the less informative of the two.
A diverting and non-taxing read - that's about all.
aschwartz184's review against another edition
4.0
Anything Lucy Worsley writes is pure gold, as far as I'm concerned. I listened to the audiobook because I can't quite seem to keep my attention in the pages of a book lately. It was delightful and oh-so-British.